N-CSR 1 d553310dncsr.htm THE RBB FUND, INC The RBB 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   811-05518                

                                 The RBB Fund, Inc.                                

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Bellevue Park Corporate Center

103 Bellevue Parkway

                                         Wilmington, DE 19809                                        

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Salvatore Faia

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

103 Bellevue Parkway

                                     Wilmington, DE 19809                                    

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 302-791-1851

Date of fiscal year end: August 31

Date of reporting period: August 31, 2013

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


 

 

The Bedford Class

of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

Money Market

Portfolio

Annual Report

August 31, 2013

An investment in the Portfolio is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Portfolio seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it’s possible to lose money by investing in the Portfolio.

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Portfolio. It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a prospectus for the Portfolio.

 

 

 


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Fund Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Money Market Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Portfolio expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2013 through August 31, 2013 and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the accompanying tables 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 accompanying tables provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’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 Portfolio and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying tables are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as redemption fees that may be incurred by shareholders of other funds. Therefore, the second line of the accompanying tables is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

 

     Money Market Portfolio – Bedford Class  
     Beginning
Account Value
March 1, 2013
       Ending
Account Value
August 31, 2013
       Expenses Paid
During
Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.10         $ 1.06   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,024.15           1.07   
     Money Market Portfolio – Sansom Street Class  
     Beginning
Account Value
March 1, 2013
       Ending
Account Value
August 31, 2013
       Expenses Paid
During
Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,000.20         $ 0.96   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,024.25           0.97   

 

* Expenses are equal to the Portfolio’s annualized six month expense ratio of 0.21% for the Bedford Class shares and 0.19% for the Sansom Street Class shares, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (184) in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 365 to reflect the one-half year period. The Portfolio’s ending account value on the first line in each table is based on the actual six-month total return of 0.01% for the Bedford Class shares and 0.02% for the Sansom Street Class shares.

 

1


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

Security
Type

   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

Short Term Investments:

    

Commercial Paper

     39.9   $ 261,394,756   

Certificates of Deposit

     33.4        219,252,508   

Municipal Bonds

     8.7        57,090,000   

U.S. Treasury Obligations

     7.4        48,469,708   

Agency Obligations

     6.1        40,195,892   

Repurchase Agreements

     3.4        22,000,000   

Variable Rate Obligations

     1.1        7,403,345   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

     0.0        123,740   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     100.0   $ 655,929,949   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

2


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Schedule of Investments

August 31, 2013

 

     Par
(000)
    Value  

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT—33.4%

  

 

Euro Dollar Certificates Of Deposit—1.7%

  

 

HSBC Bank PLC

    

0.300%, 01/15/14

   $ 5,000      $ 5,000,000   

National Australia Bank Ltd., London(a)

    

0.284%, 10/21/13

     6,000        6,000,000   
    

 

 

 
       11,000,000   
    

 

 

 

Yankee Dollar Certificates Of Deposit—31.7% (b)

  

Bank of Montreal, Chicago(a)

    

0.180%, 11/08/13

     10,000        10,000,000   

0.190%, 11/13/13

     6,000        6,000,000   

0.329%, 01/10/14

     4,000        4,000,000   

Bank of Nova Scotia, Houston(a)

    

0.244%, 11/26/13

     5,000        5,000,000   

0.324%, 01/02/14

     5,000        5,000,000   

0.270%, 08/08/14

     7,000        7,000,000   

Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York

    

0.220%, 09/27/13

     10,000        10,000,000   

0.220%, 09/30/13

     6,000        6,000,000   

BNP Paribas SA, New York(a)

    

0.346%, 02/03/14

     5,000        5,000,000   

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York(a)

    

0.270%, 02/04/14

     5,000        5,000,000   

0.270%, 03/03/14

     10,000        10,000,000   

0.272%, 06/13/14

     1,910        1,910,000   

Credit Suisse, New York

    

0.280%, 09/16/13

     10,000        10,000,000   

0.290%, 10/10/13

     7,000        7,000,000   

DNB Bank ASA, New York

    

0.270%, 10/03/13

     5,000        5,000,000   

0.240%, 02/14/14

     5,000        5,000,000   

Natixis

    

0.100%, 09/03/13

     11,323        11,323,000   

Nordea Bank Finland PLC, New York

    

0.250%, 02/03/14

     5,000        5,000,000   

Norinchukin Bank, New York

    

0.110%, 09/04/13

     15,000        15,000,000   

Rabobank Nederland NV, New York

    

0.384%, 10/29/13(a)

     12,000        12,000,000   

0.405%, 01/08/14

     6,000        6,000,000   

Royal Bank of Canada, New York(a)

    

0.230%, 01/15/14

     3,000        3,000,000   

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., New York

    

0.220%, 12/09/13

     6,000        6,000,000   

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd., New York

    

0.230%, 12/05/13

     5,000        5,000,000   

Svenska Handelsbanken, New York

    

0.255%, 01/17/14

     8,000        8,000,153   
     Par
(000)
    Value  

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT—(Continued)

  

 

Yankee Dollar Certificates Of Deposit—(Continued)

  

Toronto Dominion Bank, New York

    

0.234%, 12/20/13(a)

   $ 10,000      $ 10,000,000   

0.184%, 02/19/14

     3,000        3,000,000   

0.254%, 07/24/14(a)

     4,000        4,000,000   

Wells Fargo Bank NA

    

0.220%, 02/10/14

     5,000        5,000,000   

Westpac Banking Corp., New York(a)

    

0.306%, 11/01/13

     7,520        7,519,355   

0.280%, 04/15/14

     5,500        5,500,000   
    

 

 

 
       208,252,508   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT

  

 

(Cost $219,252,508)

       219,252,508   
    

 

 

 

COMMERCIAL PAPER—39.9%

    

Asset Backed—14.4%

    

Aspen Funding Corp.(c)

    

0.240%, 09/03/13

     15,000        14,999,800   

Liberty Street Funding LLC(c)

    

0.150%, 09/05/13

     6,000        5,999,900   

0.190%, 10/01/13

     4,000        3,999,367   

0.180%, 10/16/13

     6,000        5,998,650   

Matchpoint Master Trust(c)

    

0.370%, 09/13/13

     5,000        4,999,383   

Nieuw Amsterdam Receivables Corp.(c)

    

0.190%, 09/12/13

     6,000        5,999,652   

0.220%, 10/03/13

     4,500        4,499,120   

Old Line Funding LLC(c)

    

0.240%, 12/09/13

     5,000        4,996,700   

Regency Markets No. 1 LLC(c)

    

0.150%, 09/10/13

     7,000        6,999,737   

0.150%, 09/25/13

     5,959        5,958,404   

0.190%, 10/15/13

     7,000        6,998,374   

Thunder Bay Funding LLC(c)

    

0.240%, 11/21/13

     5,000        4,997,300   

Victory Receivables Corp.(c)

    

0.180%, 09/13/13

     10,000        9,999,400   

0.170%, 10/28/13

     8,000        7,997,847   
    

 

 

 
       94,443,634   
    

 

 

 

Banks—25.5%

    

Australia & New Zealand Banking Ltd.(a)

    

0.338%, 01/17/14

     4,000        4,000,000   

0.304%, 04/17/14

     5,000        5,000,000   

BNZ International(c)

    

0.240%, 02/21/14

     4,500        4,494,810   

BPCE SA(c)

    

0.300%, 12/02/13

     6,000        5,995,477   

Collateralized Commercial Paper Co. LLC(c)

    

0.240%, 09/12/13

     7,000        6,999,487   
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

3


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Schedule of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

     Par
(000)
    Value  

COMMERCIAL PAPER—(Continued)

    

Banks—(Continued)

    

Commonwealth Bank of Australia(a)

    

0.313%, 11/14/13

   $ 4,500      $ 4,499,907   

0.224%, 02/24/14

     5,000        5,000,000   

0.226%, 03/03/14

     5,000        4,999,873   

Credit Agricole North America, Inc.(c)

    

0.140%, 09/04/13

     8,000        7,999,907   

0.140%, 09/05/13

     8,000        7,999,876   

DNB Bank ASA(c)

    

0.260%, 01/22/14

     6,000        5,993,803   

0.260%, 01/27/14

     5,000        4,994,656   

0.260%, 02/06/14

     4,000        3,995,523   

Erste Abwicklungsanstalt(c)

    

0.250%, 09/10/13

     3,000        2,999,812   

0.250%, 09/27/13

     7,000        6,998,736   

0.245%, 10/23/13

     5,000        4,998,230   

ING US Funding LLC(c)

    

0.250%, 11/13/13

     10,000        9,994,931   

Mizuho Funding LLC(c)

    

0.215%, 11/25/13

     7,000        6,996,446   

Nederlandse Waterschapsbank NV(c)

    

0.270%, 09/23/13

     5,000        4,999,175   

Nordea Bank AB(c)

    

0.190%, 09/24/13

     8,000        7,999,029   

0.220%, 10/15/13

     5,000        4,998,656   

0.240%, 11/18/13

     7,000        6,996,360   

0.250%, 01/09/14

     3,000        2,997,292   

NRW Bank(c)

    

0.080%, 09/03/13

     10,000        9,999,955   

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, New York(c)

    

0.220%, 09/18/13

     10,000        9,998,961   

Westpac Banking Corp.(a)

    

0.275%, 10/08/13

     10,000        10,000,000   

0.275%, 04/24/14

     5,000        5,000,220   
    

 

 

 
       166,951,122   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMERCIAL PAPER

    

(Cost $261,394,756)

       261,394,756   
    

 

 

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS—8.7%

    

California—1.0%

    

California Housing Finance Agency Revenue, Series A, RB (LOC: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac)(a)(d) 0.060%, 09/04/13

     2,900        2,900,000   

San Francisco, City & County Redevelopment Agency, Multifamily Revenue, Series A, RB (LOC: Fannie Mae)(a)(d) 0.030%, 09/05/13

     3,800        3,800,000   
    

 

 

 
       6,700,000   
    

 

 

 
     Par
(000)
    Value  

MUNICIPAL BONDS—(Continued)

    

Connecticut—0.8%

    

Connecticut State, Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, New Haven Hospital, Series K-2, RB (LOC: JPMorgan Chase Bank)(a)(d) 0.060%, 09/04/13

   $ 5,055      $ 5,055,000   
    

 

 

 

Michigan—1.2%

    

Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Series D, RB (LOC: Fannie Mae)(a)(d) 0.070%, 09/04/13

     7,900        7,900,000   
    

 

 

 

New York—3.9%

    

New York City, Housing Development Corp., Multifamily Rent Housing Revenue, Series A, RB (LOC: Fannie Mae)(a)(d) 0.060%, 09/04/13

     6,000        6,000,000   

New York City, Industrial Development Agency Civic Facility Revenue, New York Law School Project, Series A, RB (LOC: JPMorgan Chase Bank)(a)(d)
0.060%, 09/05/13

     4,335        4,335,000   

New York State Dormitory Authority, City University, Series D, RB (LOC: TD Bank NA)(a)(d) 0.050%, 09/05/13

     5,000        5,000,000   

New York State, Housing Finance Agency Revenue, RB (LOC: Freddie Mac)(a)(d) 0.050%, 09/04/13

     5,200        5,200,000   

Westchester County, Health Care Revenue, RB (LOC: TD Bank NA)(a)(d)
0.120%, 09/04/13

     5,000        5,000,000   
    

 

 

 
       25,535,000   
    

 

 

 

Tennessee—1.2%

    

Eclipse Funding Trust, Various 2007-0005-Solar Eclipse-Blount, RB (LOC: U.S. Bank NA)(a)(d) 0.060%, 09/05/13

     8,000        8,000,000   
    

 

 

 

Texas—0.6%

    

Texas State, Veterans Housing Assessment Project, Series A-2, GO (Liquidity Facility: JPMorgan Chase & Co.)(a)(d) 0.130%, 09/04/13

     3,900        3,900,000   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL MUNICIPAL BONDS

    

(Cost $57,090,000)

       57,090,000   
    

 

 

 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

4


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Schedule of Investments (Concluded)

August 31, 2013

 

     Par
(000)
    Value  

VARIABLE RATE OBLIGATIONS—1.1%

  

 

Banks—1.1%

    

National Australia Bank Ltd.(a) 0.966%, 11/08/13

   $ 2,500      $ 2,503,345   

Svenska Handelsbanken AB(a) 0.274%, 01/15/14

     4,900        4,900,000   
    

 

 

 
       7,403,345   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL VARIABLE RATE OBLIGATIONS

  

 

(Cost $7,403,345)

       7,403,345   
    

 

 

 

AGENCY OBLIGATIONS—6.1%

    

Fannie Mae

    

0.110%, 11/06/13(c)

     7,000        6,998,588   

0.154%, 02/27/15(a)

     6,000        5,997,751   

Freddie Mac

    

0.320%, 09/03/13(a)

     5,000        4,999,995   

0.125%, 09/13/13(a)

     22,200        22,199,558   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
(Cost $40,195,892)

       40,195,892   
    

 

 

 

U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS—7.4%

  

 

U.S. Treasury Notes

    

0.125%, 08/31/13

     4,000        4,000,000   

0.750%, 09/15/13

     7,785        7,786,764   

0.125%, 09/30/13

     6,500        6,499,787   

2.000%, 11/30/13

     6,000        6,026,739   

1.500%, 12/31/13

     4,000        4,017,843   

1.250%, 02/15/14

     9,000        9,043,884   

1.875%, 02/28/14

     11,000        11,094,691   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS

  

 

(Cost $48,469,708)

       48,469,708   
    

 

 

 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS—3.4%

    

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (Tri-Party Agreement dated 08/31/13 to be repurchased at $7,000,047, collateralized by $7,188,000 par value, Federal National Mortgage Backed Security, 0.500%, due 04/29/2016, Fair Value of the collateral is $7,140,132) 0.060%, 09/03/13

     7,000        7,000,000   

Tri-Party Morgan Stanley & Co. (Tri-Party Agreement dated 08/31/13 to be repurchased at $15,000,083, collateralized by $94,697,394 par value, Federal National Mortgage Backed Securities, 2.000%- 12.000%, due 09/07/2014- 05/01/2043, Fair Value of the collateral is $15,450,000) 0.050%, 09/03/13

     15,000        15,000,000   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

  

 

(Cost $22,000,000)

       22,000,000   
    

 

 

 
         Value  

TOTAL INVESTMENTS AT VALUE—100.0%

 

(Cost $655,806,209)*

     $ 655,806,209   
    

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—0.0%

       123,740   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS (APPLICABLE TO 655,301,720 BEDFORD SHARES AND 617,538 SANSOM STREET SHARES )—100.0%

     $ 655,929,949   
    

 

 

 

 

* Aggregate cost is the same for financial reporting and Federal tax purposes.

 

(a) Variable Rate Security. Rate shown is as of report date.

 

(b) Issuer is a US branch of a foreign domiciled bank.

 

(c) Rate disclosed represents the discount rate at the time of purchase.

 

(d) Rate shown is as of report date and the date shown is date on which principal and accrued interest may be recovered through demand.

 

GO General Obligation
LOC Line of Credit
PLC Public Liability Company
RB Revenue Bond

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

5


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2013

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (Cost $633,806,209)

   $ 633,806,209   

Repurchase agreements, at value (Cost $22,000,000)

     22,000,000   

Cash

     1,106   

Receivables

  

Interest receivable

     300,247   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     19,440   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     656,127,002   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables

  

Distribution to shareholders

     18   

Investment advisory and administration fees

     95,504   

Professional fees

     39,633   

Printing fees

     11,742   

Transfer agent fees

     11,552   

Distribution fees (Bedford Class)

     11,332   

Custodian fees

     11,297   

Regulatory administration fees

     9,139   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     1,521   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     5,315   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     197,053   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 655,929,949   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

  

Par Value

   $ 655,919   

Paid-in Capital

     655,263,315   

Accumulated net realized gain from investments

     10,715   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 655,929,949   
  

 

 

 

BEDFORD CLASS

  

Net assets

   $ 655,312,428   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 1,500,000,000 shares authorized)

     655,301,720   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 1.00   
  

 

 

 

SANSOM STREET CLASS

  

Net assets

   $ 617,521   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 1,500,000,000 shares authorized)

     617,538   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 1.00   
  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

6


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended August 31, 2013

 

Investment Income

  

Interest

   $ 1,647,867   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     1,647,867   
  

 

 

 

Expenses

  

Distribution fees (Bedford Class)(1)

     4,273,439   

Investment advisory and administration fees

     2,678,041   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     176,182   

Custodian fees

     141,861   

Professional fees

     92,325   

Regulatory administration fees

     51,349   

Transfer agent fees

     46,684   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     46,099   

Insurance fees

     32,811   

Registration and filing fees

     32,379   

Other expenses

     14,075   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers

     7,585,245   

Less: Advisory and administration waivers

     (1,882,695

Less: Distribution fee waivers (Bedford Class)(1)

     (4,129,161
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers

     1,573,389   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     74,478   
  

 

 

 

Net realized gain from investments

     16,418   
  

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 90,896   
  

 

 

 

 

(1) See Note 2 in Notes to Financial Statements

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

7


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
 

Increase in net assets:

  

 

From operations:

  

 

Net investment income

   $ 74,478      $ 164,652   

Net realized gain from investments

     16,418        10,512   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     90,896        175,164   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

    

Net investment income:

    

Bedford Class

     (74,298     (181,565

Sansom Street Class

     (180     (1,323

Net realized gains:

    

Bedford Class

     (16,199       

Sansom Street Class

     (16       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (90,693     (182,888
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital transactions (at $1.00 per share):

    

Proceeds from shares sold:

    

Bedford Class

     457,230,576        717,471,265   

Sansom Street Class

     1,025,683        4,334,284   

Shares issued on reinvestment of distributions:

    

Bedford Class

     89,452        178,351   

Sansom Street Class

     175        138   

Shares repurchased:

    

Bedford Class

     (443,718,982     (797,075,673

Sansom Street Class

     (648,367     (23,614,456
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets derived from capital transactions

     13,978,537        (98,706,091
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

     13,978,740        (98,713,815

Net assets:

    

Beginning of year

     641,951,209        740,665,024   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 655,929,949      $ 641,951,209   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share Transactions:

    

Shares sold

    

Bedford Class

     457,230,576        717,471,265   

Sansom Street Class

     1,025,683        4,334,284   

Shares reinvested

    

Bedford Class

     89,452        178,351   

Sansom Street Class

     175        138   

Shares repurchased

    

Bedford Class

     (443,718,982     (797,075,673

Sansom Street Class

     (648,367     (23,614,456
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Share Activity

     13,978,537        (98,706,091
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

8


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Financial Highlights

(For a Share Outstanding Throughout each Year)

 

    The Bedford Class  
    For the
Year

Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year
Ended
August 31, 2012
    For the
Year
Ended
August 31, 2011
    For the
Year
Ended
August 31, 2010
    For the
Year
Ended
August 31, 2009
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.0001        0.0003        0.0002        0.0003        0.0074   

Net gains (losses) on securities

    —(a     —(a     —(a     —(a     —(a
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net income from investment operations

    0.0001        0.0003        0.0002        0.0003        0.0074   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less dividends and distributions:

         

Net investment income

    (0.0001     (0.0003     (0.0002     (0.0003     (0.0074

Net realized gains

    —(a                            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distribution to shareholders

    (0.0001     (0.0003     (0.0002     (0.0003     (0.0074
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

    0.02%        0.03%        0.02%        0.03%        0.74%   

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year
(000’s omitted)

  $ 655,312      $ 641,711      $ 721,145      $ 593,570      $ 545,194   

Ratios of expenses to average
net assets(b)

    0.24%        0.25%        0.27%        0.31%        0.69%   

Ratios of net investment income
to average net assets

    0.01%        0.02%        0.02%        0.02%        0.65%   

 

(a) Amount is less than $0.00005 per share.

 

(b) Without the waiver of advisory fees, distribution fees, and/or reimbursement of certain operating expenses, the ratios of expenses to average net assets for the Bedford Class of the Money Market Portfolio would have been 1.15%, 1.15%, 1.12%, 1.18% and 1.24% for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

9


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Financial Highlights (Concluded)

(For a Share Outstanding Throughout each Year)

 

    The Sansom Street Class  
    For the
Year
Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year
Ended
August 31, 2012
    For the
Year
Ended
August 31, 2011
    For the
Year
Ended
August 31, 2010
    For the
Year
Ended
August 31, 2009
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.0004        0.0004        0.0006        0.0010        0.0121   

Net gains (losses) on securities

    —(a     —(a     —(a     —(a     —(a
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net income from investment operations

    0.0004        0.0004        0.0006        0.0010        0.0121   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less dividends and distributions:

         

Net investment income

    (0.0004     (0.0004     (0.0006     (0.0010     (0.0121

Net realized gains

    —(a                            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (0.0004     (0.0004     (0.006     (0.0010     (0.0121
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

    0.04%        0.05%        0.06%        0.10%        1.21%   

Ratios/Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year
(000’s omitted)

  $ 618      $ 240      $ 19,520      $ 37,708      $ 32,496   

Ratios of expenses to average
net assets(b)

    0.21%        0.23%        0.23%        0.24%        0.25%   

Ratios of net investment income
to average net assets

    0.04%        0.04%        0.06%        0.09%        0.93%   

 

(a) Amount is less than $0.00005 per share.

 

(b) Without the waiver of advisory fees and reimbursement of certain operating expenses, the ratios of expenses to average net assets for the Sansom Street Class of the Money Market Portfolio would have been 0.50%, 0.50%, 0.47%, 0.54% and 0.60% for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

10


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2013

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has seventeen active investment portfolios, including the Money Market Portfolio (“Portfolio”).

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 80.773 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and forty-two classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio. The Portfolio has issued shares with a par value of $0.001.

SECURITY VALUATION — Securities held in the Portfolio are valued under the amortized cost method, which approximates fair value. Under this method, securities are valued at cost when purchased and thereafter a constant accretion of discount or amortization of premium is recorded until maturity of the security. Regular review and monitoring of the valuation is performed to ensure that cost continues to approximate fair value and to avoid dilution or other unfair results to shareholders. The Portfolio seeks to maintain net asset value (“NAV”) per share at $1.00.

Fair Value Measurements — The inputs and valuations techniques used to measure fair value of the Portfolio’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

 

   

Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of net assets).

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2013, in valuing the Portfolio’s net assets carried at fair value:

 

     Total
Value at
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 655,806,209       $   —       $ 655,806,209       $   —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for industry and security type breakouts.

Securities held in the Portfolio are valued at amortized cost, in accordance with rules under the 1940 Act. Generally, amortized cost approximates the current fair value of a security, but since the value is not obtained from a quoted price in an active market, such securities are reflected as Level 2.

At the end of each fiscal quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Portfolio’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of

 

11


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Portfolio may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between Levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each Level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the year ended August 31, 2013, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Portfolio.

SECURITY TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME, AND EXPENSES — The Fund records security transactions based on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes. Interest income is accrued when earned. Certain expenses, such as distribution fee and service organization fees, are class specific expenses and vary by class. Expenses not directly attributable to a specific portfolio or class are allocated based on relative net assets of each portfolio and class. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family of the Company are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family (in proportion to net assets). Expenses incurred for all portfolios within the Company (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all portfolios in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Portfolio.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — Dividends from net investment income are declared daily, recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid monthly. All dividends from net investment income are taxed as ordinary income. Any net realized capital gains are distributed at least annually. Income subject to dividends and capital gain subject to distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES — No provision is made for federal income taxes. It is the Company’s intention to have the Portfolio continue to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from federal income and excise taxes.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS — Money market instruments may be purchased from financial institutions, such as banks and non-bank dealers, subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at an agreed upon date and price. Collateral for repurchase agreements may have longer maturities than the maximum permissible remaining maturity of portfolio investments, provided the repurchase agreements themselves mature in 13 months or less. The seller is required on a daily basis to maintain the value of the securities subject to the agreement at no less than the repurchase price. The agreements are conditioned upon the collateral being deposited under the Federal Reserve book entry system or held in a separate account by the Portfolio’s custodian or an authorized securities depository. In the event the counterparty defaults and the fair value of the collateral declines, the Portfolio could experience losses, delays and costs in liquidating the collateral.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions 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 amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — The Fund considers liquid assets deposited with a bank demand deposit account to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay

 

12


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

OTHER — In the normal course of business, the Portfolio may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Portfolio in the future and therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss for such claims is considered remote.

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement, BlackRock Advisors LLC (the “Adviser” or “BALLC”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., serves as investment adviser and administrator for the Portfolio.

BALLC (assignee of BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation) and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc, (“BNY Mellon”), have entered into a delegation agreement on behalf of the Portfolio, wherein BNY Mellon has agreed to perform administration and accounting services for an annual fee of 0.10% of the average net assets of the Portfolio, paid out of the fee paid to BALLC.

For its advisory services, BALLC is entitled to receive the following fees, computed daily and payable monthly, and based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets:

 

Annual Rate

0.45% of first $250 million of net assets;

0.40% of next $250 million of net assets; and

0.35% of net assets in excess of $500 million.

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses for the Portfolio such that total annual Portfolio operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (excluding certain Portfolio expenses) do not exceed 0.25%. The following expenses are excluded from the contractual limitation: dividend expenses, interest expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and certain other Portfolio expenses. This contractual limitation is in effect through December 31, 2013 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Adviser may terminate this arrangement at any time after December 31, 2013. Prior to December 20, 2011, the Adviser voluntarily waived a portion of its management fees and/or reimbursed expenses for the Portfolio.

For each class of shares within the Portfolio, the net advisory fee charged to each class is the same on a relative basis. For the year ended August 31, 2013, advisory fees and waivers were as follows:

 

Gross Advisory
and
Administration
Fee
     Waiver     Net Advisory
and
Administration
Fee
 
  $2,678,041       $ (1,882,695   $ 795,346   

As of August 31, 2013, the Portfolio owed BALLC $95,504 in advisory and administration fees.

For providing regulatory administration services to RBB, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Portfolio’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

The Bank of New York Mellon provides certain custodian services to the Portfolio and is entitled to receive out of pocket expenses.

 

13


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

BNY Mellon may also voluntarily waive a portion of their fees and/or reimburse expenses.

The Portfolio, on behalf of the Bedford Class of shares of the Portfolio, has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plan”). The Portfolio has entered into a Distribution Agreement with Foreside Funds Distributors LLC (“Foreside Distributors”).

The Plan provides for the Bedford Class to make monthly payments, based on average net assets, to Foreside Distributors of up to 0.65% on an annualized basis. Foreside Distributors may voluntarily waive these fees at its discretion. For the year ended August 31, 2013, distribution fees paid to Foreside Distributors for the Bedford Class were as follows:

 

     Gross
Distribution
Fee
       Waiver      Net
Distribution
Fee
 

Bedford Class

   $ 4,273,439         $ (4,129,161    $ 144,278   

The Portfolio will not pay BALLC, BNY Mellon or Foreside Distributors at a later time for any amounts waived or assumed.

3. Director Compensation

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The remuneration paid to the Directors by the Portfolio during the year ended August 31, 2013 was $40,079. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer or Director of the Company. They are not compensated by the Portfolio or the Company.

4. Federal Income Tax Information

The Portfolio intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income. Therefore, no federal tax provision is required.

The Portfolio has followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Portfolio to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Portfolio has determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Portfolio is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

The tax-basis cost of investments equals the book-basis cost of investments of $655,806,209.

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

As of August 31, 2013, the Portfolio had $10,715 of undistributed ordinary income for federal tax purposes.

The difference between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate principally to the timing of recognition of income and gains for Federal income tax purposes. Short-term capital gains are reported as ordinary income dividends for Federal income tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the last two fiscal years were as follows:

 

     Ordinary
Income
 

2013

   $ 90,693   

2012

     182,888   

 

14


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2013

 

Dividends paid from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income distributions for federal income tax purposes.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Modernization Act”), the Portfolio is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to any losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. The Portfolio’s first fiscal year-end subject to the Modernization Act was August 31, 2012. As of August 31, 2013, the Portfolio had no capital loss carryforwards.

5. Subsequent Event

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Portfolio through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

15


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of the Money Market Portfolio:

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The RBB Fund, Inc. Money Market Portfolio, a separately managed portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) at August 31, 2013, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at August 31, 2013 by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. The financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2010 were audited by other independent accountants whose report, dated October 25, 2010, expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 28, 2013

 

16


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Shareholder Tax Information

(Unaudited)

 

Certain tax information regarding the Portfolio is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Portfolio’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2013. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2013. During the year ended August 31, 2013, the Portfolio paid $90,693 of ordinary income dividends to its shareholders. Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

A total of 1.18% of dividends distributed during the fiscal year was derived from interest on U.S. government securities, which is exempt from state income tax.

The percentage of qualified interest income related dividends not subject to withholding tax for non-resident aliens and foreign corporations is 98.79%.

Because the Portfolio’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2013. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2014.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Portfolio, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax-exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Portfolio.

 

17


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Additional Information

(Unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Portfolio uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Portfolio voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling the number shown below and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Bedford

   (800) 888-9723

Sansom Street

   (800) 430-9618

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules

The Company files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarter of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (202) 551-8090.

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board of the Company, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory and administration agreement between BALLC and the Company (the “Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement”) on behalf of the Portfolio at a meeting of the Board held on May 15, 2013 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Advisory and Administration Agreement for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Advisory and Administration Agreement, the Board considered information provided by the Adviser with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal of and approval of the Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement between the Company and BALLC with respect to the Portfolio, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of BALLC’s services provided to the Portfolio; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of BALLC’s personnel providing those services; (iii) BALLC’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) BALLC’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) BALLC’s trade allocation policies; (vi) BALLC’s current advisory fee arrangement with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) BALLC’s compliance procedures; (viii) BALLC’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Portfolio; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Portfolio; (x) a report prepared by Lipper comparing the Portfolio’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its Lipper peer group and comparing the performance of the Portfolio to the performance of its Lipper peer group; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of the Portfolio to the performance of its benchmark.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BALLC. The Directors concluded that BALLC had substantial resources to provide services to the Portfolio and that BALLC’s services had been acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Portfolio and BALLC. Information on the Portfolio’s investment performance was provided since inception and for one-year, three-year, and five-year periods, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The Directors noted that the performance of the Portfolio was comparable to the primary benchmark for the aforementioned periods. The Directors also reviewed the detailed information in the Lipper Report, for the one year period ending February 28, 2013, noting that the Fund’s performance ranked in the 1st quintile in both its Lipper Performance Group and Performance Universe. The Directors considered the Portfolio’s investment performance in light of its investment objective and investment strategies. The Directors concluded that the investment performance of the Portfolio as compared to its benchmark was acceptable.

 

18


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Additional Information (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

The Directors also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Portfolio under the Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Portfolio and the Portfolio’s total operating expense ratio (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. The Directors also considered a Lipper comparison of the performance and expenses of the Portfolio to funds in its peer group, and noted BALLC’s agreement to waive advisory fees, and its intent to continue doing so.

After reviewing the information regarding BALLC’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering BALLC’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Portfolio were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory and Administration Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 16, 2014.

 

19


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Fund Management

(Unaudited)

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their dates of birth, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 430-9618.

 

Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
  Position(s) Held
with Fund
 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  Other
Directorships
Held by Director
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
           

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

  Director   1988 to present   Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications) from 1969 to 2011.   17   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies)
           

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

  Director   2002 to present   Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.) since 1984; and Director of Cornerstone Bank since March 2004.   17   None
           

Gregory P. Chandler

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/66

  Director   2012 to present   Since May 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from February 2003-April 2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).   17   Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).
           

Nicholas A. Giordano

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/43

  Director   2006 to present   Consultant, financial services organizations from 1997 to present.   17   Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices); Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust; (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012)
           

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC, from 2006 to present.   17   None
           

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; from 1980 to present, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group; from 2006 to 2008, President, The New York City Hot Dog Company.   17   Reich and Tang Group (asset management); The SPARX Asia Funds Group (registered investment company) (until 2009)

 

20


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Fund Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
  Position(s)
Held
with Fund
 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  Other
Directorships
Held by Director
INTERESTED DIRECTORS2
           

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

 

Director

 

2012 to present

 

Since July 2010, Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration, BNY Mellon Asset Servicing; from 2006 to July 2010, Senior Vice President, Fund Accounting and Administration, PNC Global Investment Servicing.

  17  

None

           

Robert Sablowsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/38

 

Director

 

1991 to present

 

Since July 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).

  17  

Kensington Funds (registered investment company) (until 2009)

OFFICERS
           

Salvatore Faia, JD,

CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 209

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

DOB: 12/62

 

President and Chief Compliance Officer

 

President 2009 to present and Chief Compliance Officer 2004 to present

 

President, Vigilant Compliance Services since 2004; and Director of Energy Income Partnership since 2005.

  N/A  

N/A

           

Joel Weiss

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 1/63

 

Treasurer

 

2009 to present

 

Since 1993 Vice President and Managing Director, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).

  N/A  

N/A

           

Jennifer Rogers

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/74

 

Secretary

 

2007 to present

 

Since 2005, Managing Director and Senior Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).

  N/A  

N/A

           

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

2005 to present

 

Since 1995, Vice President and Senior Director of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).

  N/A  

N/A

           

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square,

Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

DOB: 7/59

 

Assistant

Secretary

 

1999 to present

 

Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).

  N/A  

N/A

 

* Each Director oversees seventeen portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1 

Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved a waiver of the policy with respect to Mr. Brodsky, Mr. Carnall and Mr. Sablowsky. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2 

Messrs. Sablowsky and Nusblatt are considered “interested persons” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and are referred to as “Interested Directors.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer. Mr. Nusblatt is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as the Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration at BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, administrator and accounting agent and transfer agent to the Company.

 

21


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

FACTS   WHAT DOES THE MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO (the “Portfolio”) DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

•             Social Security number

•             account balances

•             account transactions

•             transaction history

•             wire transfer instructions

•             checking account information

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Money Market Portfolio chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information   Does the Portfolio share?   Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes

to offer our products and services to you

  Yes   No
For joint marketing with other financial companies   Yes   No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

information about your transactions and experiences

  Yes   No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

information about your creditworthiness

  No   We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share

 

Questions?   Call (800) 888-9723

 

22


THE RBB FUND, INC.

Money Market Portfolio

Privacy Notice (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

 

What we do

 
 
How does the Money Market Portfolio protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How does the Money Market Portfolio collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•            open an account

•            provide account information

•            give us your contact information

•            make a wire transfer

•            tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

•            sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

•            affiliates from using your information to market to you

•            sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            Our affiliates include BlackRock Advisors LLC and other companies with a BlackRock name.

Nonaffiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            The Money Market Portfolio doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. The Portfolio may share information with nonaffiliates that perform marketing services on our behalf.

Joint marketing  

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

•            The Money Market Portfolio may share your information with other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing arrangements who may suggest additional fund services or other investment products which may be of interest to you.

 

23


Investment Adviser

BlackRock Advisors LLC

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Two Commerce Square, Suite 1700

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042

Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996


 

 

BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP

GROWTH FUND

of THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Fund.


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISERS REPORT

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Fellow Shareholder:

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) Investor shares gained +35.39% and the Institutional shares gained +35.52%, both net of fees, outperforming by over nine percentage points their benchmark, the unmanaged Russell 2000® Index of small cap stocks, which returned +26.27%. The Fund beat its benchmark fairly consistently throughout the fiscal year, a period that was characterized by lower market volatility. The Fund’s returns since inception are shown in the charts on the next two pages (Investor and Institutional Class returns are calculated as the growth of the dollar value of a minimum investment made at the start of the Fund, compared to the same investment in the benchmark). The balance of this letter covers the market environment, performance attribution, Fund characteristics, and a discussion of some of the business and investment philosophies at Bogle Investment Management, L.P.

Market Environment. U.S. equity markets advanced steadily during most of the fiscal year, but concern regarding a potential tapering of the Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing program led to a pullback in August 2013. The fiscal year started strongly with both the Fund and its benchmark Russell 2000® delivering positive performance in six out of the first seven months of the period, and by March 31, 2013 the Fund’s Investor shares had risen +24.88% while the Russell 2000® was up +18.23%. The Fund returned an additional 8% in the last five months of the fiscal period despite an increase in volatility, particularly in August when it dropped by more than -3%. The August pullback was broadly attributed to investors believing that the Fed was sending signals that soon it may start to unwind its quantitative easing program, allowing interest rates to rise and slowing economic growth prospects. Markets were further unsteadied by the possibility of an escalation of U.S. military action in the Middle East. So while the Fund, and domestic equity markets generally, delivered robust performance over the fiscal year, macroeconomic uncertainty caused it to end on a cautious tone.

For much of the year investors tended to favor riskier stocks with higher betas and price volatility over more stable, lower beta stocks. These preferences are reflected in the small cap Russell 2000® Index outperforming the large cap Russell 1000® Index by over six percentage points (up +26.27% versus +19.84%), and by growth stocks generally outperforming value stocks with the Russell 2000® Growth Index advancing +28.14%, compared with the Russell 2000® Value Index returning +24.38%. As for sector performance among small cap stocks, consumer services and commercial services were the strongest (up about +45% and +37% respectively), while non-energy minerals were the weakest (down -0.34%). The Fund’s volatility was in line with benchmark volatility throughout the fiscal year, and both were as low as we have experienced since 2006.

Performance Attribution. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Fund’s Investor Class of shares outperformed the benchmark Russell 2000® by +9.12%, net of all fees, and the Institutional Class of shares outperformed by +9.25%, net of all fees. The Fund’s outperformance is attributed largely to positive stock selection, although some small differences between Fund and benchmark sector exposures (the Fund’s lower exposure to utility stocks and higher exposure to technology stocks) contributed a small amount. The economic sector groups that were most productive for the Fund were consumer services, health technology and financials (stocks with large positive contributions were Multimedia Games, MGAM, Santarus, SNTS, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, KKD, Altisource Portfolio Solutions, ASPS, and Investment Technology Group, ITG). As usual, we also suffered our share of losers, notably Sycamore Networks, SCMR, Earthlink, ELNK, and Brightcove, BCOV, and while retail stocks had the worst overall performance, losses did not have any strong tendency to be concentrated in any one or two sectors. Recall that our investment process is driven by a proprietary stock selection model that combines insights from longer-term fundamental financial data with non-fundamental, often shorter-term data. This combination can be thought of, conceptually, as the exploitation of investment opportunities created, primarily, by stocks with attractive financial characteristics that are not fully understood by the market, and secondarily, by opportunistically trading these securities when market data indicate that there is a statistical probability that their current prices will either revert toward, or start to diverge from, their short-term equilibrium price levels. Stocks that our model finds attractive will typically have some or most of the following characteristics when compared to their closest peers: more attractive free cash flow, less leverage and more transparent balance sheet, more conservative accounting, organic improvement in underlying business, less expensive share price, improving earnings outlook, and less controversy. Our non-fundamental models consider recent share price volatility and direction, trading volume, and other market data to determine whether or not a stock is likely to diverge from or

 

1


regress toward its shorter-term fundamental level. Our fundamental models tend to work best when markets are focused more on discriminating between similar stocks than on broader macroeconomic themes that tend to result in investors moving into or out of groups or portfolios of stocks in unison. During these latter environments we expect our non-fundamental signals to provide most of their value by finding both a greater number of opportunities from, and greater likelihood of success with, mispricings caused by structurally-driven trading. Although all of our investment models added value during the 2013 fiscal year, different models paid off at different points in time. Given the fiscal 2013 market environment, and consistent with model tendencies, our fundamental models contributed the most to our outperformance.

 

Fund Characteristics. As of the end of the fiscal year, the Fund held 178 stocks, with the largest holding representing 1.85% of portfolio assets. As shown in the table to the right, the Fund looks similar to the benchmark across a variety of fundamental risk characteristics. As of August 31, 2013, the Fund’s median market capitalization was in line with that of the benchmark. As compared to the benchmark, the Fund had somewhat greater exposure to smaller small cap stocks; 26% of Fund assets were invested in stocks with capitalizations below $500 million, versus 15% for the benchmark. We typically have this smaller cap bias as our models are particularly effective, on average, among these companies. Further, the more focused business models and more variable financial data that typify these companies cause them to have stronger signals that more readily push them to the most (or least) attractive extremes of our investment models. The primary barrier to our having even greater exposure to these companies is limited market liquidity. We closely monitor trading liquidity in all of the Fund’s holdings to limit the costs of trading, especially market impact (the degree to which our presence in the market makes a stock more expensive to trade), and opportunity cost (the amount our average trade price changes from the start to completion of an order). While general market volumes bear heavily on these costs, we try to control them by strictly limiting the amount of capital we will manage.

Compared to the Russell 2000®, the Fund continued to have a small exposure, at the median, toward companies

FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS*
AUGUST 31, 2013
 

Median

   BOGLX**      Russell
2000®
 

Median Market Cap. ($mil.)

     $1,229         $1,486   

Price/Historical Earnings

     19.7x         21.5x   

Price/Forward Earnings

     15.5x         17.7x   

Price/Sales

     1.2x         1.8x   

* Characteristics shown are for a representative small cap portfolio.

** The Bogle Small Cap Growth Fund Investor Shares. Median characteristics refer to the Fund’s holdings, not the Fund itself.

   

    

 

RISK STATISTICS*
FISCAL YEAR PERIOD
 

Measurement

   BOGLX      Russell
2000®
 

Standard Deviation

     16.0%         15.0%   

Active Volatility

     4.2%        

Beta with Russell 2000®

     1.03         

Average Cash

     1.9%        
* Risk statistics apply to the Fund and benchmark. Standard deviation is a statistical measure of the range of performance. Active risk is the standard deviation of the difference between the Fund and benchmark performance. Beta is a measure of a portfolio’s sensitivity to market movement.       
 

with modestly higher expected long-term earnings growth rates, and a below-benchmark allocation to slower growing stocks (20% of Fund assets were invested in stocks with expected earnings growth less than 10%/year, while the benchmark allocation was 28%). We believe this modest growth bias also provides, similar to smaller cap stocks, a long-term benefit to investment performance. Finally, the Fund’s median price-to-earnings and price-to-sales ratios were below benchmark, reflecting the influence of our relative valuation model.

The Fund’s annualized active volatility (the variability of the difference between Fund and benchmark performance, also called “tracking error”) was 4.2% in fiscal year 2013, below the Fund’s long-term average of 6.5%. The lower number indicates that the value we added in fiscal year 2013 over the benchmark was steadier than normal. The Fund’s beta with the Russell 2000®, at approximately 1.0, was stable during the fiscal year.

Self-Assessment. While each day you have the opportunity to “vote with your feet” on our performance, both investment and shareholder experience, each year we try to take a hard, objective look at how well we have done for you. We give ourselves high marks for investment performance (though we continually strive to get better through research into new investment ideas and better implementation). We added considerable value over our benchmark in the fiscal year, and our longer-term performance is also gratifying, having, as of the end of this fiscal year, beaten the Russell 2000® by over three percentage points, per year, over the past three and five year periods, as well as since the inception of the Fund almost fourteen years ago. We are pleased that so many of you decided to “stay the course” during the very difficult markets we faced together in 2008 and early 2009, and again in the summer of 2011, both periods marked by broadly-held fears of global economies and

 

2


markets collapsing. The rewards of strong investment performance attributed to your ability to “tune-out” and ignore rather than succumb to the worry we all felt hearing the dire news reports and economic outlook, underscore the strong tendency for the most profitable investment opportunities to be found in being a contrarian and not following the crowd. Your long-term perspective is important not only to your investment success, it is also important to ours; to the extent you can look past the inevitable periods of market declines and times when our investment performance, for whatever reasons, is disappointing compared to our benchmark, we are better able to manage the investment process for the best long term returns. Having steadier shareholders also allows us to limit the effects of lower investment performance, however temporary, caused by having to unwind portfolio holdings to meet redemptions.

While it is easy to attribute our investment successes to hard work and what we believe are better investment ideas, the reality is perhaps more subtle. Our firm is dedicated to a single core investment model that, while used in two different portfolio construction approaches, incorporates all our investment ideas. We do not have an array of different investment approaches or portfolio managers whose individual interests might not be aligned, and who might naturally keep their best ideas for themselves. And not only do we put our collective wisdom to work for every client, we are blessed with a very talented group of professionals on both the investment and operational halves of our business, all of whom enjoy working together in a challenging, competitive industry. Since the inception of the firm we have had unusually low employee turnover, most notably among the five partners on our investment team, from which, we are proud to say, we have not lost anyone. All five partners have worked closely together for at least nine years, since 2004, the year we last increased the size of the team. While we each have greater interest in or a special aptitude for certain dimensions to the investment process, we all participate in all areas. We all analyze financial statements as a traditional stock picker might, come up with ideas for new or enhanced investment concepts, perform quantitative analysis, identify and figure out how to add to our research platform new and unconventional data sources, and write computer code in multiple languages to develop and support our research and portfolio management activities.

While each member of our investment team holds CFA charters and master’s degrees and/or doctorates, running the gamut from finance and mechanical engineering to statistics and astronomy, we have never felt that these academic achievements are the primary determinants of our investment success. Moreover, we have seen no evidence of a causal relationship between investment performance and the number of Ph.D.s employed. While we can point to very successful investment firms that employ many doctoral holders, we can point to many more that have delivered disappointing investment results while employing perhaps fifty, one hundred, or more of these decorated scholars. While this might at first seem illogical, the reason, we believe, is that the sad paradigm of our industry is one of insatiable demand for not only profits, but ever-growing profits. The biggest firms with the largest workforces are all too often publicly held, or owned by public companies, whose managers and shareholders demand profit growth over investment results. Faced with the choice of capping the asset base of one of their top selling investment strategies to improve their chances of beating their benchmark, versus allowing the asset base to grow unconstrained, knowing they will generate far better firm profits but find it much more difficult to add any value to their benchmark, most firms put their personal and firm interests first. We’ve always managed our business by politely declining new opportunities to grow if we think they might impair our ability to meet our ambitious performance goals. This will not change.

As for the other facets of our business that impact your shareholder experience, notably shareholder and investor services, we continue to work with BNY Mellon, giving them feedback that we have gotten from you as well as feedback from us directly based on our own experiences as fellow shareholders. We continue to encourage you to let us know how we can improve your shareholder experience.

Progress at Bogle Investment Management. At the end of August 2013, assets in the Fund were $176.5 million. This 65% increase from the end of fiscal year 2012 is due to investment performance as well as existing and new investors demonstrating their confidence and trust in us by adding to or making initial investments. As gratifying as this growth is, and while we have capacity to manage, under our current investment process and market conditions, an additional approximately $300 million, we continue to be content with the approach to growth that we have always had; that the Fund be “bought and not sold,” in other words, do no advertising, provide to high quality investors information about our investment process, and let investors decide whether it is a good fit in their portfolios.

 

3


More information about the Fund, including historical NAVs, sector allocation, fundamental characteristics, and top ten holdings, can be viewed on our website, www.boglefunds.com. NAVs are updated daily while other Fund information is updated quarterly. Fund information is also available on Morningstar.com and other internet-based financial data providers. We thank you for your ongoing support and, moreover, for the trust and confidence you have placed in us.

Respectfully,

Bogle Investment Management, L.P.

Management Office: 781-283-5000

Shareholder Services Toll Free: 1-877-BOGLEIM (264-5346)

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained at 1-877-264-5346. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The performance quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence.

Portfolio composition is subject to change. The current and future portfolio holdings of the Fund are subject to investment risk.

This material must be preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

 

4


COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF $1,000,000 INVESTMENT IN BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND INSTITUTIONAL CLASS(1)(2) VS. RUSSELL 2000® INDEX (UNAUDITED)

 

LOGO

The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained at 1-877-264-5346. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The performance quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2012, is 1.51% for the Institutional Class prior to fee waivers.

 

(1) The chart and table assume a hypothetical $1,000,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on October 1, 1999 (inception) and reflect Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

(2) Bogle Investment Management waived a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense limitation as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no waivers and reimbursements of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

 

(3) For the period October 1, 1999 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2013.

 

5


COMPARISON OF CHANGE IN VALUE OF $10,000 INVESTMENT IN BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND INVESTOR CLASS(1)(2) VS. RUSSELL 2000® INDEX (UNAUDITED)

 

LOGO

The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained at 1-877-264-5346. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The performance quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2012, is 1.60% for the Investor Class prior to fee waivers.

 

(1) The chart and table assume a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on October 1, 1999 (inception) and reflect Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

(2) Bogle Investment Management waived a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense limitation as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no waivers and reimbursements of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions. Past performance is not predictive of future performance. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

 

(3) For the period October 1, 1999 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2013.

 

6


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES

(UNAUDITED)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, shareholder servicing fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2013 through August 31, 2013, and held for the entire period.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the accompanying tables 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 accompanying tables 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 these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying tables 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 accompanying tables 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 were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     INSTITUTIONAL CLASS  
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE
MARCH  1, 2013
       ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE
AUGUST  31, 2013
       EXPENSES PAID  DURING
PERIOD*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,148.80         $ 6.77   

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,018.90           6.36   
     INVESTOR CLASS  
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE
MARCH  1, 2013
       ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE
AUGUST  31, 2013
       EXPENSES PAID  DURING
PERIOD*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,147.60         $ 7.31   

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,018.40           6.87   

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.25% for the Institutional Class and 1.35% for the Investor Class, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (184) in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 365 to reflect the one-half year period. The Fund’s ending account values on the first line in each table are based on the actual six-month total investment return for each class of 14.88% for the Institutional Class and 14.76% for the Investor Class.

 

7


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLE

AUGUST 31, 2013

(UNAUDITED)

The following table presents a summary by security type of the portfolio holdings of the Fund:

 

SECURITY TYPE & SECTOR CLASSIFICATION      OF NET
ASSETS
       VALUE  

COMMON STOCKS:

         

Consumer Growth

       22.0%         $ 38,923,120   

Financial

       17.7           31,298,032   

Consumer Cyclical

       17.1           30,155,667   

Technology

       13.2           23,244,165   

Industrial

       10.6           18,762,456   

Communications

       10.2           18,032,971   

Energy

       6.5           11,509,285   

Basic Industry

       1.3           2,216,247   

Utility

       0.6           980,106   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

       1.6           2,760,800   

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS

       (0.8)           (1,400,945)   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       100.0%         $ 176,481,904   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

8


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

    NUMBER
OF
 SHARES
    VALUE  

COMMON STOCKS—99.2%

  

BASIC INDUSTRY—1.3%

  

American Pacific Corp. *

    563      $ 27,581   

Kapstone Paper and Packaging Corp.

    3,248        136,416   

Ternium SA, SP ADR

    55,061        1,363,310   

United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. *

    378        22,234   

Xerium Technologies, Inc. *

    61,732        666,706   
   

 

 

 
    2,216,247   
   

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS—10.2%

  

Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.

    12,098        447,989   

Bitauto Holdings Ltd., ADR *

    23,887        327,730   

comScore, Inc. *

    43,447        1,237,805   

EarthLink, Inc.

    257,519        1,266,993   

eGain Corp. *

    6,807        91,895   

Entravision Communications Corp., Class A

    339,174        1,773,880   

Finisar Corp. *

    74,371        1,522,374   

IDT Corp., Class B

    50,740        843,299   

Inteliquent, Inc.

    205,799        1,646,392   

Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. *

    200,857        1,910,150   

Overstock.com, Inc. *

    61,492        1,729,770   

RF Micro Devices, Inc. *

    82,265        408,034   

Sohu.com, Inc. *

    24,182        1,505,813   

Straight Path Communications, Inc., Class B *

    2,125        10,923   

Telenav, Inc. *

    60,976        330,490   

United Online, Inc.

    218,484        1,715,099   

Valuevision Media, Inc., Class A *

    2,596        12,694   

Vocus, Inc. *

    135,459        1,251,641   
   

 

 

 
    18,032,971   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—17.1%

  

American Woodmark Corp. *

    30,409        1,060,362   

Arctic Cat, Inc.

    28,292        1,518,715   

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp.

    89,909        1,504,178   

Brown Shoe Co., Inc.

    4,949        110,957   

Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. (The) *

    29,450        1,566,151   

Core-Mark Holding Co., Inc.

    23,073        1,455,906   

Express, Inc. *

    79,410        1,666,816   

Gentherm, Inc. *

    35,248        589,699   

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., (The) *

    70,305        1,414,537   

Haverty Furniture Co., Inc.

    58,842        1,424,565   

International Game Technology

    75,923        1,434,185   

Kirkland’s, Inc. *

    60,523        1,180,804   

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. *

    114,620        2,260,306   
    NUMBER
OF
 SHARES
    VALUE  

CONSUMER CYCLICAL—(CONTINUED)

  

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. *

    714      $ 13,423   

Multimedia Games Holding Co., Inc. *

    83,439        3,274,146   

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Class A

    829        69,396   

PC Connection, Inc.

    20,610        306,059   

Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. *

    129,320        1,444,504   

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

    111,837        1,321,913   

Steelcase, Inc., Class A

    97,642        1,417,762   

TiVo, Inc. *

    104,269        1,216,819   

Tower International, Inc. *

    51,957        1,064,079   

Universal Electronics, Inc. *

    7,663        231,116   

Visteon Corp. *

    23,752        1,700,881   

Wet Seal, Inc., (The), Class A *

    243,792        889,841   

Winmark Corp.

    256        18,547   
   

 

 

 
    30,155,667   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER GROWTH—22.0%

  

Addus HomeCare Corp. *

    60,390        1,279,060   

Albany Molecular Research, Inc. *

    103,186        1,136,078   

Alere, Inc. *

    45,149        1,407,294   

Alliance Healthcare Services, Inc. *

    14,096        342,533   

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    41,890        991,117   

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. *

    56,312        765,843   

Anika Therapeutics, Inc. *

    5,983        138,447   

Barrett Business Services, Inc.

    15,174        975,233   

BioTelemetry, Inc. *

    5,022        42,285   

Capella Education Co. *

    3,204        174,137   

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. *

    23,645        1,088,852   

Corvel Corp. *

    4,387        144,508   

Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    15,335        971,626   

Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    67,546        116,179   

Euronet Worldwide, Inc. *

    39,731        1,364,760   

HealthSouth Corp. *

    15,415        484,956   

Hillshire Brands Co.

    43,846        1,416,664   

ICON PLC *

    44,729        1,634,398   

Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A

    3,194        79,818   

Insys Therapeutics, Inc. *

    17,233        482,696   

Inter Parfums, Inc.

    31,706        842,428   

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    25,640        662,281   

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.

    2,409        52,155   

Kforce, Inc.

    673        10,950   

Lannett Co., Inc. *

    36,375        482,333   

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. *

    83,018        1,399,683   

Manpowergroup, Inc.

    25,350        1,643,948   

Medical Action Industries, Inc. *

    20,064        102,527   
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

9


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

    NUMBER
OF
 SHARES
    VALUE  

CONSUMER GROWTH—(CONTINUED)

  

MoneyGram International, Inc. *

    3,750      $ 75,975   

Myriad Genetics, Inc. *

    54,522        1,426,841   

Perceptron, Inc.

    8,134        85,895   

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. *

    151,389        2,320,793   

Providence Service Corp., (The) *

    32,485        871,897   

Puma Biotechnology, Inc. *

    14,933        756,207   

Revlon, Inc., Class A *

    3,208        71,795   

RPX Corp. *

    100,824        1,581,929   

Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. *

    19,647        1,315,170   

Santarus, Inc. *

    70,298        1,583,111   

Spartan Stores, Inc.

    17,381        357,353   

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class A *

    68,504        405,544   

SurModics, Inc. *

    38,535        762,993   

Syneron Medical Ltd. *

    36,357        298,855   

Tree.com, Inc.

    17,045        426,807   

United Therapeutics Corp. *

    23,385        1,658,230   

Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    177,968        2,034,174   

Vantiv, Inc., Class A *

    30,909        816,307   

Vascular Solutions, Inc. *

    7,726        121,839   

WuXi PharmaTech Cayman, Inc., ADR *

    71,609        1,718,616   
   

 

 

 
    38,923,120   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY—6.5%

  

Alon USA Energy, Inc.

    88,624        1,100,710   

Gran Tierra Energy, Inc. *

    222,999        1,514,163   

Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. *

    115,614        1,860,229   

Matador Resources Co. *

    46,950        795,333   

MRC Global, Inc. *

    50,426        1,323,683   

Natural Gas Services Group, Inc. *

    3,320        91,034   

Ocean Rig UDW, Inc. *

    13,539        236,120   

Parker Drilling Co. *

    114,837        659,164   

Renewable Energy Group, Inc. *

    108,493        1,676,217   

REX American Resources Corp. *

    22,003        649,969   

SM Energy Co.

    22,230        1,518,754   

Tesco Corp. *

    5,431        83,909   
   

 

 

 
    11,509,285   
   

 

 

 

FINANCIAL—17.7%

  

AerCap Holdings N.V. *

    92,917        1,666,931   

Aircastle Ltd.

    45,448        740,802   

Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings AG

    16,758        1,537,211   

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

    34,378        1,477,910   

Calamos Asset Management, Inc., Class A

    89,643        889,259   
    NUMBER
OF
 SHARES
    VALUE  

FINANCIAL—(CONTINUED)

  

Evercore Partners, Inc., Class A

    37,317      $ 1,663,965   

FBR & Co. *

    17,220        461,840   

First Interstate Bancsystem, Inc.

    66,161        1,503,840   

FXCM, Inc., Class A

    97,300        1,847,727   

Gain Capital Holdings, Inc.

    18,826        140,442   

Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A *

    178,518        2,106,512   

Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., (The)

    30,891        1,645,564   

Independent Bank Corp. *

    16,502        156,769   

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A

    95,697        1,605,796   

Investment Technology Group, Inc. *

    133,289        2,265,913   

Legg Mason, Inc.

    43,507        1,414,848   

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.

    38,939        1,432,176   

Manning & Napier, Inc.

    61,091        915,143   

MBIA, Inc. *

    127,729        1,511,034   

MCG Capital Corp.

    156,538        765,471   

MGIC Investment Corp. *

    234,494        1,693,047   

Nelnet, Inc., Class A

    36,978        1,400,727   

Noah Holdings Ltd., SP ADR

    26,466        322,885   

PartnerRe Ltd.

    200        17,430   

Phoenix Cos, Inc. (The) *

    8,996        340,948   

Provident Financial Holdings, Inc.

    10,030        178,233   

United Fire Group, Inc.

    15,309        439,215   

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

    156,693        1,156,394   
   

 

 

 
    31,298,032   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL—10.6%

  

AAON, Inc.

    13,736        320,324   

AECOM Technology, Corp. *

    49,722        1,448,402   

Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, Inc.

    26,377        241,350   

AGCO Corp.

    25,488        1,441,601   

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. *

    17,780        390,627   

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. *

    61,229        2,556,923   

CIRCOR International, Inc.

    8,115        466,531   

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

    48,339        729,919   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co. *

    196,755        1,635,034   

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.

    3,033        229,325   

Insteel Industries, Inc.

    19,799        316,586   

Louisiana-Pacific Corp. *

    32,940        492,782   

Mueller Water Products, Inc., Class A

    194,144        1,465,787   

National Technical Systems, Inc. *

    1,360        31,062   
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

10


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONCLUDED)

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

    NUMBER
OF
 SHARES
    VALUE  

INDUSTRIAL—(CONTINUED)

  

Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc.

    45,865      $ 278,859   

PGT, Inc. *

    165,119        1,680,911   

Sanmina Corp. *

    26,907        437,777   

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. *

    147,351        1,612,020   

Stoneridge, Inc. *

    91,334        1,136,195   

Swift Transportation Co. *

    102,654        1,843,666   

US Concrete, Inc. *

    346        6,775   
   

 

 

 
    18,762,456   
   

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY—13.2%

  

Aspen Technology, Inc. *

    51,066        1,707,136   

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. *

    277,310        2,052,094   

Concurrent Computer Corp.

    8,860        67,868   

Digital River, Inc. *

    90,562        1,564,911   

Himax Technologies, Inc., ADR

    284,252        1,725,410   

Immersion Corp. *

    83,982        1,071,610   

Infoblox, Inc. *

    62,341        2,175,701   

Intersil Corp., Class A

    16,842        174,652   

LSI Corp. *

    201,093        1,490,099   

Magnachip Semiconductor Corp. *

    83,819        1,714,099   

Manhattan Associates, Inc. *

    19,700        1,723,750   

MaxLinear, Inc., Class A *

    12,290        103,482   

MedAssets, Inc. *

    90,329        2,025,176   
    NUMBER
OF
 SHARES
    VALUE  

TECHNOLOGY—(CONTINUED)

  

OmniVision Technologies, Inc. *

    93,008      $ 1,436,974   

Pegasystems, Inc.

    36,730        1,353,501   

Rovi Corp. *

    62,881        1,127,456   

Silicon Graphics International Corp. *

    29,445        434,019   

Silicon Image, Inc. *

    237,154        1,285,375   

Xyratex Ltd.

    1,066        10,852   
   

 

 

 
    23,244,165   
   

 

 

 

UTILITY—0.6%

  

Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo, ADR

    114,901        980,106   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $155,490,313)

   

    175,122,049   
   

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS—1.6%

  

BofA Cash Reserves Fund

    2,760,800        2,760,800   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost $2,760,800)

   

    2,760,800   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—100.8%
(Cost $158,251,113)

   

    177,882,849   
   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(0.8)%

   

    (1,400,945
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

  

  $ 176,481,904   
   

 

 

 

 

* Non-income producing.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt.

SP ADR—Sponsored American Depositary Receipt.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

11


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (cost $158,251,113)

   $ 177,882,849   

Receivables for:

  

Investments sold

     3,262,207   

Capital shares sold

     171,839   

Dividends and interest

     105,350   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     23,101   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     181,445,346   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables for:

  

Investments purchased

     4,016,114   

Capital shares redeemed

     695,437   

Investment advisory fees and shareholder servicing fees

     140,213   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     674   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     111,004   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     4,963,442   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 176,481,904   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

  

Capital stock, $0.001 par value

   $ 6,029   

Paid-in capital

     167,447,531   

Undistributed net investment income

     304,173   

Accumulated net realized loss from investments

     (10,907,565

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     19,631,736   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 176,481,904   
  

 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

  

Net assets

   $ 98,897,581   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     3,354,080   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 29.49   
  

 

 

 

INVESTOR CLASS

  

Net assets

   $ 77,584,323   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     2,674,890   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 29.00   
  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

12


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2013

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $15,921)

   $ 2,252,319   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     2,252,319   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fees

     1,392,264   

Administration and accounting fees

     210,972   

Transfer agent fees

     155,445   

Shareholder servicing fees (Investor Class)

     67,043   

Professional fees

     51,167   

Custodian fees

     41,867   

Registration and filing fees

     30,945   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     28,292   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     27,440   

Insurance fees

     10,405   

Other expenses

     3,894   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers

     2,019,734   

Less: waivers

     (212,361
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers

     1,807,373   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     444,946   
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized gain from investments

     27,538,811   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments

     12,575,436   
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

     40,114,247   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 40,559,193   
  

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

13


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2013
     FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2012
 

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

     

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ 444,946       $ (299,764

Net realized gain from investments

     27,538,811         1,901,161   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments

     12,575,436         9,693,740   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     40,559,193         11,295,137   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS DERIVED
FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:

     

Institutional Class

     

Proceeds from shares sold

     42,247,780         11,052,767   

Distributions for shares redeemed

     (12,679,166      (5,824,270
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Institutional Class

     29,568,614         5,228,497   

Investor Class

     

Proceeds from shares sold

     11,489,567         2,489,549   

Distributions for shares redeemed

     (11,672,816      (24,904,604
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investor Class

     (183,249      (22,415,055
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

     29,385,365         (17,186,558
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

     69,944,558         (5,891,421

NET ASSETS

     

Beginning of year

     106,537,346         112,428,767   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 176,481,904       $ 106,537,346   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income/(loss), end of year

   $ 304,173       $ (140,773
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

14


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (CONCLUDED)

 

     FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2013
     FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2012
 

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN SHARES OUTSTANDING DERIVED
FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

     

Institutional Class

     

Shares sold

     1,605,385         542,636   

Shares redeemed

     (481,557      (286,909
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Institutional Class

     1,123,828         255,727   

Investor Class

     

Shares sold

     432,705         123,453   

Shares redeemed

     (465,512      (1,297,522
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investor Class

     (32,807      (1,174,069
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding derived from share transactions

     1,091,021         (918,342
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

15


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each class of shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

     INSTITUTIONAL CLASS  
     FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/13
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/12
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/11
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/10
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/09
 

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 21.76      $ 19.38      $ 14.81      $ 14.03      $ 17.35   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment gain/(loss)*

     0.10        (0.04     (0.10     (0.07     (0.05

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)
from investments

     7.63        2.42        4.67        0.85        (3.27
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     7.73        2.38        4.57        0.78        (3.32
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 29.49      $ 21.76      $ 19.38      $ 14.81      $ 14.03   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(1)

     35.52     12.28     30.86     5.56     (19.08 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

          

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 98,898      $ 48,526      $ 38,274      $ 31,714      $ 35,571   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements

     1.25     1.25     1.25     1.25     1.25

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements

     1.39     1.51     1.44     1.51     1.57

Ratio of net investment gain/(loss) to average net assets

     0.37     (0.21 )%      (0.48 )%      (0.48 )%      (0.44 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

     237.59     288.88     302.71     196.03     159.14

 

* Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

 

(1) 

Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

16


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each class of shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

     INVESTOR CLASS  
     FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/13
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/12
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/11
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/10
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/09
 

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 21.42      $ 19.10      $ 14.61      $ 13.86      $ 17.14   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment gain/(loss)*

     0.07        (0.07     (0.12     (0.09     (0.06

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)
from investments

     7.51        2.39        4.61        0.84        (3.22
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets
resulting from operations

     7.58        2.32        4.49        0.75        (3.28
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 29.00      $ 21.42      $ 19.10      $ 14.61      $ 13.86   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(1)

     35.39     12.15     30.73     5.41     (19.14 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

          

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 77,584      $ 58,011      $ 74,155      $ 48,446      $ 53,379   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements

     1.35     1.35     1.35     1.35     1.35

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements

     1.49     1.60     1.54     1.62     1.67

Ratio of net investment gain/(loss) to average net assets

     0.27     (0.36 )%      (0.58 )%      (0.58 )%      (0.56 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

     237.59     288.88     302.71     196.03     159.14

 

* Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

 

(1) 

Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

17


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has seventeen active investment portfolios, including the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on October 1, 1999. As of August 31, 2013, the Fund offers two classes of shares, Institutional Class and Investor Class.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 80.773 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and forty-two classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

PORTFOLIO VALUATION — The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Securities held by the Fund are valued using the closing price or the last sale price on a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) market system where they are primarily traded. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued using an independent pricing service. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as discussed in their prospectuses). If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by RBB’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

 

  • Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’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.

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2013, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

      Total
Value at
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS*

     $177,882,849         $177,882,849         $                    —         $                    —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* See Portfolio of Investments detail for security type and sector classification breakout.

 

18


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

At the end of each fiscal quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Fund may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between Levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each Level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the year ended August 31, 2013, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Fund.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME AND EXPENSES — The Fund records security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund’s net investment income (other than class specific shareholder servicing fees) and unrealized and realized gains and losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family of the Company are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family (in proportion to net assets). Expenses incurred for all of the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Fund.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, will be declared and paid at least annually to shareholders and recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

 

 

19


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

U.S. TAX STATUS — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is the Fund’s intention to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — The Fund considers liquid assets deposited into bank demand deposit accounts to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

OTHER — In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

2. INVESTMENT ADVISER AND OTHER SERVICES

Bogle Investment Management, L.P. (the “Adviser” or “Bogle”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. For its advisory services, the Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly fee from the Fund calculated at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 1.25% and 1.35% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2013 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2013.

The contractual fee waiver does not provide for recoupment of fees that were waived or expenses that were reimbursed. For the year ended August 31, 2013, investment advisory fees and waivers of the Fund were as follows:

 

GROSS
ADVISORY FEES
    WAIVERS     NET
ADVISORY FEES
 
$ 1,392,264      $ (194,958   $ 1,197,306   

The Fund will not pay the Adviser at a later time for any amounts waived or any amounts assumed.

In addition to serving as the Fund’s investment adviser, Bogle provides certain shareholder services to the Investor Class of the Fund. As compensation for such services, the Adviser receives a monthly fee equal to an annual rate of 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Investor Class.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

BNY Mellon has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its administration and accounting fees for the Fund. For the year ended August 31, 2013, administration and accounting fees and waivers of the Fund were as follows:

 

GROSS ADMINISTRATION
AND  ACCOUNTING
FEES
    WAIVERS     NET ADMINISTRATION
AND  ACCOUNTING
FEES
 
$ 210,972      $ (17,403   $ 193,569   

 

 

20


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

Included in the administration and accounting services fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets and is subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Fund. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

The Fund will not pay The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation or any of its members or BNY Mellon’s affiliates at a later time for any amounts waived or any amounts assumed.

 

3. DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer, meeting fees and reimbursement of out of pocket expenses for meetings attended. The remuneration paid to the Directors by the Fund during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 was $13,563. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer or Director of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company.

 

4. INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES

For the year ended August 31, 2013, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

INVESTMENT SECURITIES  
PURCHASES     SALES  
$ 354,460,086      $ 324,201,584   

 

5. FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION

The Fund has followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Fund to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund has determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Fund is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2013, federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

 

FEDERAL TAX
COST
    UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
    UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
    NET UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
 
$ 158,626,057      $ 24,587,938      $ (5,331,146   $ 19,256,792   

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net

 

21


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONCLUDED)

 

assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

As of August 31, 2013, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

CAPITAL LOSS
CARRYFORWARD
    UNDISTRIBUTED
ORDINARY INCOME
    UNDISTRIBUTED
LONG-TERM GAINS
    UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
 
$ (10,532,621   $ 304,173      $      $ 19,256,792   

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate principally to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reported as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

Pursuant to federal income tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies, the Fund may elect to treat certain capital losses between November 1 and August 31 and late year ordinary losses ((i) ordinary losses between January 1 and August 31, and (ii) specified ordinary and currency losses between November 1 and August 31) as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the year ended August 31, 2013, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2013.

Accumulated capital losses represent net capital loss carryforwards as of August 31, 2013 that may be available to offset future realized capital gains and thereby reduce future capital gains distributions. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Modernization Act”), the Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to any losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. The Funds’ first fiscal year end subject to the Modernization Act was August 31, 2012.

As of August 31, 2013, the Fund had the following pre-enactment net capital loss carryforwards to offset future net capital gains, if any, to the extent provided by Treasury regulations. To the extent that these carryforwards are used to offset future capital gains, it is probable that the gains that are offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

 

AUGUST 31, 2017     AUGUST 31, 2018     TOTAL  
$      $ 10,532,621      $ 10,532,621   

As of August 31, 2013, the Fund did not have any post-enactment capital loss carryforwards. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Fund utilized $27,302,337 of pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards.

 

6. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

22


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund:

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund, a separately managed portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) at August 31, 2013, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at August 31, 2013 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 28, 2013

 

23


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

SHAREHOLDER TAX INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

 

Certain tax information regarding the Fund is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2013. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2013. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Fund did not pay any ordinary income dividends or long-term capital gains dividends to its shareholders. Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2013. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2014.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Fund, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund.

 

24


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

OTHER INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

 

PROXY VOTING

Policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (877) 264-5346 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULES

The Company files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (202) 551-8090.

APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board of the Company, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Bogle and the Company (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund at a meeting of the Board held on May 15, 2013 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Advisory Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by the Adviser with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal of and approval of the Advisory Agreement between the Company and Bogle with respect to the Fund, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting , and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of Bogle’s services provided to the Fund; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of Bogle’s personnel providing those services; (iii) Bogle’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Bogle’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Bogle’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) Bogle’s current advisory fee arrangement with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) Bogle’s compliance procedures; (viii) Bogle’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Fund; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; (x) a report prepared by Lipper comparing the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its Lipper peer group and comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its Lipper peer group; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its benchmark.

 

25


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

OTHER INFORMATION (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Bogle. The Directors concluded that Bogle had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund and that Bogle’s services were acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund and Bogle. Information on the Fund’s investment performance was provided since inception and for one-year, three-year, and five-year periods, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The Directors considered the Fund’s investment performance in light of its investment objective and investment strategies. The Directors noted that the investment performance of the Fund was in the top quintile as compared to the Lipper peer group and Lipper universe for the year ended February 28, 2013. They further noted that the performance of the Fund was in the top quintile for the previous two, three, and four-year periods as compared to its Lipper peer group.

The Directors also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Fund and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) was compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. The Directors noted that the contractual advisory fees of the Fund were greater than, but comparable to, the peer group median, and the actual advisory fees of the Fund were slightly higher than the peer group median. In addition, the Directors noted that Bogle has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2013 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 1.25% and 1.35% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, and that Bogle expects to continue these fee waivers and expense reimbursements.

After reviewing the information regarding the Fund’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering Bogle’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Fund were fair and reasonable and that the Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 16, 2014.

 

26


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

FUND MANAGEMENT

(UNAUDITED)

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their dates of birth, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (877) 264-5346.

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

 

Position(s)

Held

with Fund

 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
   

Other

Directorships

Held by

Director

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

  Director   1988 to present   Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications) from 1969 to 2011.     17      AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies)

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

  Director   2002 to present   Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.) since 1984; and Director of Cornerstone Bank since March 2004.     17      None

Gregory P. Chandler

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/66

  Director   2012 to present   Since May 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from February 2003-April 2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).     17      Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/43

  Director   2006 to present   Consultant, financial services organizations from 1997 to present.     17      Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices); Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust; (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012)

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

 

Chairman

 

Director

 

2005 to present

 

1991 to present

  Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC, from 2006 to present.     17      None

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; from 1980 to present, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group; from 2006 to 2008, President, The New York City Hot Dog Company.     17      Reich and Tang Group (asset management); The SPARX Asia Funds Group (registered investment company) (until 2009)

 

27


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

FUND MANAGEMENT (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

 

Position(s)

Held

with Fund

 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
   

Other

Directorships

Held by

Director

INTERESTED DIRECTORS2

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

  Director   2012 to present   Since July 2010, Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration, BNY Mellon Asset Servicing; from 2006 to July 2010, Senior Vice President, Fund Accounting and Administration, PNC Global Investment Servicing.     17      None

Robert Sablowsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/38

  Director   1991 to present   Since July 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).     17      Kensington Funds (registered investment company) (until 2009)
OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD,

CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 209 Chadds Ford, PA 19317
DOB: 12/62

  President and Chief Compliance Officer   President 2009 to present and Chief Compliance Officer 2004 to present   President, Vigilant Compliance Services since 2004; and Director of Energy Income Partnership since 2005.     N/A      N/A

Joel Weiss

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 1/63

  Treasurer   2009 to present   Since 1993 Vice President and Managing Director, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).     N/A      N/A

Jennifer Rogers

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/74

  Secretary   2007 to present   Since 2005, Managing Director and Senior Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).     N/A      N/A

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

  Assistant Treasurer   2005 to present   Since 1995, Vice President and Senior Director of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).     N/A      N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square

Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

DOB: 7/59

 

Assistant

Secretary

  1999 to present   Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).     N/A      N/A

 

* Each Director oversees seventeen portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1.

Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved a waiver of the policy with respect to Mr. Brodsky, Mr. Carnall and Mr. Sablowsky. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2. 

Messrs. Sablowsky and Nusblatt are considered “interested persons” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and are referred to as “Interested Directors.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer. Mr. Nusblatt is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as the Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration at BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, administrator and accounting agent and transfer agent to the Company.

 

28


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED)

 

FACTS   WHAT DOES THE BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

•           Social Security number

•           account balances

•           account transactions

•           transaction history

•           wire transfer instructions

•           checking account information

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Bogle Small Cap Growth Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information   Does the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund share?   Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes

to offer our products and services to you

  Yes   No
For joint marketing with other financial companies   No   We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your transactions and experiences   Yes   No
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness   No   We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share

 

Questions?   Call (877) 264-5346 or go to www.boglefunds.com

 

29


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

What we do

 
 
How does the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How does the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•          open an account

•          provide account information

•          give us your contact information

•          make a wire transfer

•          tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

•          sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

•          affiliates from using your information to market to you

•          sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            Our affiliates include Bogle Investment Management, L.P.

Nonaffiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            The Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. The Fund may share information with nonaffiliates that perform marketing services on our behalf.

Joint marketing  

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

•            The Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund does not jointly market.

 

30


Investment Adviser

Bogle Investment Management, L.P.

2310 Washington Street

Suite 310

Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Two Commerce Square, Suite 1700

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042

Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square

Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996


FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

of

THE RBB FUND, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2013

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Funds. It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Funds.


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

Dear Fellow Shareholder,

Enclosed is your annual report for the twelve-month period ended August 31, 2013.

Domestic and developed international financial markets over the past year experienced significant positive returns. However, emerging international financial markets were much closer to break-even. Markets over the reporting period have been influenced by several factors. Throughout the twelve-month period, the European Union continued to struggle with political uncertainty in Greece as well as lackluster economic expansion throughout the region. The announced upcoming possible wind-down of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s programs of accommodative lending sent markets reeling worldwide. Japan’s 2013 rally hiccupped a little after the Nikkei hit a five-year high on May 22; however, Japanese stocks remain among the strongest global performers this year. Emerging markets stocks continued to find performance held back by concerns over China’s slowing domestic economy. Additionally, political unrest in Egypt, Brazil, Syria, and Turkey weighed on emerging markets. Despite all the rhetoric, the disciplined and diversified investor still did well for the twelve months ended August 31, 2013.

The Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, the Free Market International Equity Fund and the Free Market Fixed Income Fund had returns of 27.61%, 19.44% and -1.50% respectively, for the twelve months ending August 31, 2013. This compared with a return of 25.96% for the unmanaged Russell 2500 Index, a gain of 16.88% for the MSCI World Index and a total return of 0.63% for the Citigroup World Bond Index 1-5 years hedged.

The reporting period was volatile for equity and bond markets as worries persisted about the high unemployment levels, combined with the continued government interference and spending. In addition, the Feds continued tinkering with monetary policy, all of which seemed to be muting the growth of the US economy. Political uncertainty in emerging market countries also weighed heavily on investors as evidenced by outflows of emerging market funds.

Despite these short-term crosscurrents, seasoned investors, like Free Market Fund shareholders, who have stayed disciplined and diversified experienced positive returns for the past twelve-month period. When you can take the long view, supported by a prudent and well-thought-out strategy, the markets’ day-to-day ups and downs don’t seem as threatening.

Matson Money strives to deliver the performance of capital markets and add value through Free Market Investment strategies and Structured Market Portfolios. Grounded in the conviction that free markets work, Matson Money avoids the cost-generating activity of stock picking and market timing. Instead, we focus on the dimensions of capital markets that reward investors as intelligently and effectively as possible. Our disciplined approach to life-long investing provides both the individual investor and the financial professional with the academic foundation upon which to help achieve investment goals.

Each Free Market Fund strategy targets a broad and diverse group of stocks or bonds across various markets, using other mutual funds that specifically target certain asset classes. The Funds are broadly diversified and designed to work together in your total investment plan.

The work is never complete, however, and Matson Money will continue to research solutions to address your future needs. We invite you to contact your financial professional or explore our website, www.MatsonMoney.com, to learn more about the concepts and strategies of Matson Money’s investing.

We appreciate your support and confidence in our firm’s investment philosophy, process and people. As always, we also appreciate your continued investment towards your long term goals.

Thank you for investing with Matson Money, Inc.

 

LOGO

Mark E Matson

President and Chief Executive Officer

Matson Money, Inc.

 

1


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

Free Market US Equity Fund—Investment Review

The twelve-month period ended August 31, 2013 proved rewarding for investors even though the global economy and financial markets experienced a lot of volatility, which was very similar to the prior year. U.S. stocks were the standout performers for the reporting period. Many domestic equity indices reached new highs over the period. Here in the U.S., employment news and uncertainty with regard to politics and monetary policy teamed up to muzzle a stronger economic recovery. Nobody knows where the stock market will go from here, particularly in the shorter term. However, the magnitude and speed of the stock market’s recent swings underscore the importance of avoiding changes to your portfolio based on emotions. It also underscores the importance of maintaining a broadly diversified portfolio. Returns for the broad US market, as measured by the Russell 3000 Index, were 20.32%. Asset class returns ranged from 18.70% for S&P 500 Index (US large cap) to 26.27% for the Russell 2000 Index (US small cap). Despite the ups and downs for the twelve months ended August 31, 2013, all asset classes experienced positive returns for the period.

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2013, the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund (the “Fund”) provided a total return of 27.61%, at net asset value. This compares with a return of 25.96% for the fund’s benchmark, the Russell 2500 Index.

Nevertheless, as a result of the Fund’s diversified investment approach, performance principally was determined by broad structural trends in global equity markets, rather than the behavior of a limited number of stocks. Among the most important factors explaining differences in the behavior of diversified equity funds, like the Fund, are company size and company value/growth characteristics of the underlying fund holdings. Size is measured by market capitalization and “value” classification is a function of stock price relative to one or more fundamental characteristics.

U.S. small company stocks performed better than U.S. large company stocks. The Russell 2000 Index has returned 26.27% from September 1, 2012 through August 31, 2013, while the S&P 500 Index was up 18.70%. Furthermore, for the same time period, the Russell 2000 Value Index was up 24.38% and the Russell 1000 Value Index, returned 23.10%.

In summary, U.S. small cap stocks performed better than U.S. large cap stocks but both posted double digit returns. Furthermore, U.S. large value stocks did better than U.S. large growth stocks, which also contributed to returns of the Fund. The opposite is true for U.S. small value stocks which were barely outpaced by U.S. small growth stocks.

Today’s environment underscores that markets are highly unpredictable over the short term. In other words, anything can happen, so a balanced, diversified, long-term approach is favored.

 

2


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

                                         Free Market U.S. Equity Fund                                        

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund vs. Russell 2500® Index and Composite Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on December 31, 2007 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is a professionally managed mutual fund while the Russell® 2500 Index and Composite Index are unmanaged, do not incur sales charges and/or expenses and are not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the Period Ended August 31, 2013   
     Average Annual  
     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     Since
Inception
 

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

    27.61%        20.72%        8.52%        8.02%   

Russell 2500® Index

    25.96%        20.54%        9.13%        7.07%   

Composite Index**

    23.18%        18.90%        7.23%        5.04%   

 

* Annualized — The Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2007.
**

The Composite Index is comprised of the S&P 500® Index, Russell 1000® Value Index, Russell 2000® Index and Russell 2000® Value Index, each weighted 25%, 25%, 25% and 25%, respectively.

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-866-780-0357 ext. 3863. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus, is 0.96% (included in the ratio is 0.32% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses).

The Fund’s aggregate total return since inception is based on a increase in net asset value from $10.00 per share on December 31, 2007 (commencement of operations) to $14.66 per share on August 31, 2013.

The Free Market U.S. Equity Fund’s underlying funds invest in small-cap and micro-cap stocks, large-cap stocks and other equity securities. In addition to the ordinary risks of equity investing, small companies entail special risk. Small companies tend to have more risk than large companies. An investor in the Fund will incur the expenses of the underlying funds in addition to the Fund expenses.

 

3


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

Free Market International Equity Fund—Investment Review

The global recovery continued for developed countries during the twelve month period ended August 31, 2013, but was less friendly to emerging market countries. After several changes in Japan, the Nikkei hit new five year highs earlier this year. The Eurozone economy still struggled along for the twelve month period, however, equity markets in the region still managed to produce double digit returns. Returns for emerging markets were hindered by signs of slowing growth, and rising tensions in the Middle East continue to elevate geopolitical risk. Markets outside the U.S. were up despite all of the doom and gloom.

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2013, the Free Market International Equity Fund (the “Fund”) was up 19.44%, at net asset value. This compares with a return of 16.88% for the Fund’s benchmark, the MSCI World (excluding US) Index. A contributing factor to the outperformance of the Fund compared to the benchmark was the Fund’s tilt towards small-cap and value stocks.

As a result of the Fund’s diversified investment approach, performance principally was determined by broad structural trends in global equity markets, rather than the behavior of a limited number of stocks. Among the most important factors explaining differences in the behavior of diversified equity funds, like the Fund, are company size and company value/growth characteristics of the underlying fund holdings and broad exposure to emerging market equities.

International small company stocks fared better than international large company stocks. The MSCI EAFE Index (net of dividends) has returned 18.66% from September 1, 2012 through August 31, 2013, while the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index was up 24.35%. Furthermore, for the same time period, the MSCI EAFE Value Index (net of dividends) increased 19.06% versus the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Value Index, which returned 29.23%, and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (net of dividends), which was up slightly at 0.54%.

In summary, factors that helped boost the Fund’s return compared to the benchmark included international small cap asset classes as well as international small cap value. While international large cap and large value asset classes also pulled the Fund’s performance higher, the Fund’s increased exposure, when compared to the MSCI World (excluding US) Index, to small and value companies contributed to the Fund’s higher return.

Today’s environment underscores that markets are highly unpredictable over the short term. In other words, anything can happen, so a balanced, diversified, long-term approach is favored.

 

4


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

                                         Free Market International Equity Fund                                        

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Free Market International Equity Fund vs. MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index and Composite Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on December 31, 2007 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is a professionally managed mutual fund while the MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index and Composite Index are unmanaged, do not incur sales charges and/or expenses and are not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the Period Ended August 31, 2013   
      Average Annual  
      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since
Inception*
 

Free Market International Equity Fund

     19.44%         8.20%         3.35%         0.75%   

MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index

     16.88%         8.73%         1.46%         -1.85%   

Composite Index**

     15.59%         7.77%         2.72%         -1.33%   

 

* Annualized — The Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2007.
** The Composite Index is comprised of the MSCI EAFE Index, MSCI EAFE Value Index, MSCI EAFE Small Company Index, and MSCI Emerging Markets Free Index, each weighted 25%, 25%, 25% and 25%, respectively.

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-866-780-0357 ext. 3863. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus, is 1.17% (included in the ratio is 0.52% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses).

The Fund’s aggregate total return since inception is based on a decrease in net asset value from $10.00 per share on December 31, 2007 (commencement of operations) to $9.36 per share on August 31, 2013.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

The Free Market International Equity Fund’s underlying funds invest in common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into stocks and other equity securities issued by foreign companies. In addition to the ordinary risks of equity investing, foreign and small companies entail special risk. The return on foreign equities may be adversely affected by currency fluctuations. Emerging markets may be subject to social instability and lack of market liquidity. Small companies tend to have more risk than large companies. An investor in the Fund will incur the expenses of the underlying funds in addition to the Fund expenses.

 

5


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

Free Market Fixed Income Fund—Investment Review

The U.S. economy grew modestly during the twelve month period ended August 31, 2013 despite global economic challenges in the Eurozone and China, and fiscal challenges domestically. Total unemployment persisted at elevated levels but maintained its improving trend. Monetary policy remains accommodative, but expectations for winding down the unprecedented fiscal policies created uncertainty. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) did not make any changes to its policy of keeping the target for the federal funds rate near zero or its asset purchase program of buying agency mortgage-backed securities and Treasury securities. However, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke roiled bond markets on June 19, 2013, by indicating that tapering of its bond buying program could begin later this year and that it could end as soon as mid-2014. With the end of the Federal Reserve’s “easy money” policy looming on the horizon, interest rate-sensitive assets in general suffered losses; corporate spreads widened as well. Non-U.S. fixed income performed roughly on par with U.S. fixed income. The broad proxy for the U.S. bond market, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, produced a -2.77% total return for the twelve-month period ended August 31, 2013. In comparison, the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Three Month Treasury Bill Index returned 0.11%. When conditions turned, investors turned to the investment-grade government universe, pushing down returns. Inflation Protected Securities produced lackluster returns for the period. Short-term U.S. government issues surpassed longer term maturities.

The Free Market Fixed Income Fund (the “Fund”) focuses on mutual funds that invest in global high quality and shorter-term Government and Corporate fixed income assets. For the twelve months ended August 31, 2013, the Fund provided a total return of -1.50%, at net asset value. This compares with a return of 0.63% for the Fund’s benchmark, the Citigroup World Government Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index.

The Fund performed slightly under its benchmark for the period but performed as expected. A contributing factor to the performance of the Fund compared to the benchmark was the Fund’s slightly lower exposure to certain global markets and more exposure to high quality U.S. Government Bonds.

 

6


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

                                         Free Market Fixed Income Fund                                        

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Free Market Fixed Income Fund vs. Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency

Hedged U.S. Dollar Index and Composite Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on December 31, 2007 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is a professionally managed mutual fund while the Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index and Composite Index are unmanaged, do not incur sales charges and/or expenses and are not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the Period Ended August 31, 2013   
     Average Annual  
     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     Since
Inception*
 

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

    -1.50%        0.81%        2.19%        2.04%   

Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency

    0.63%        1.29%        2.59%        2.69%   

Composite Index Hedged U.S. Dollar Index**

    -0.94%        1.42%        2.80%        2.91%   

 

* Annualized — The Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2007.
** The Composite Index is comprised of the Three-Month Treasury Bill Index, Barclays Capital Intermediate Government Bond Index, BofA Merrill Lynch 1-3 Year US Government/Corporate Index and Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Index, each weighted 25%, 25%, 25% and 25%, respectively.

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-866-780-0357 ext. 3863. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus, is 0.82% (included in the ratio is 0.19% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses).

The Fund’s aggregate total return since inception is based on an increase in net asset value from $10.00 per share on December 31, 2007 (commencement of operations) to $10.24 per share on August 31, 2013.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

The Free Market Fixed Income Fund’s underlying funds invest in fixed income securities. The underlying funds may invest their assets in bonds and other debt securities issued by domestic and foreign governments and companies. Debt instruments involve the risk that their prices will fall when interest rates rise, and they are subject to the risk that the borrower may default. In addition, the return on foreign debt securities may be adversely affected by currency fluctuations. An investor in the Fund will incur expenses of the underlying funds in addition to the Fund expenses.

 

7


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Fund Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

 

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

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2013 through August 31, 2013, and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the accompanying tables 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 accompanying tables 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 your 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 these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying tables 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 accompanying tables 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 were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Free Market U.S. Equity Fund  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2013
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2013
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,115.70         $ 3.25   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,022.13           3.11   
     Free Market International Equity Fund  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2013
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2013
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,028.60         $ 3.32   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,021.93           3.31   

 

 

8


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Fund Expense Examples (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

     Free Market Fixed Income Fund  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2013
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2013
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 983.70         $ 3.05   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,022.13           3.11   

 

* Expenses are equal to an annualized six-month expense ratio of 0.61% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, 0.65% for the Free Market International Equity Fund and 0.61% for the Free Market Fixed Income Fund, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184), then divided by 365 to reflect the one-half year period. The annualized expense ratios do not reflect fees and expenses associated with the underlying funds. If such fees and expenses had been included, the expenses would have been higher. The range of weighted expense ratios of the underlying funds held by the Funds, as stated in their current prospectuses, were as follows:

 

Free Market U.S.
Equity Fund

  Free Market International
Equity Fund
  Free Market Fixed
Income Fund
0.01%-0.13%   0.01%-0.28%   0.01%-0.07%

Each Fund’s ending account values on the first line in each table are based on the actual six-month total return for each Fund of 11.57% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, 2.86% for the Free Market International Equity Fund and -1.63% for the Free Market Fixed Income Fund.

 

9


FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2013

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

EQUITY FUNDS — 99.9%

   

U.S. Large Cap Value
Portfolio III(a)

    19,356,587      $ 409,004,687   

U.S. Large Company Portfolio(a)

    15,683,168        202,626,537   

U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio(b)

    11,406,136        202,572,972   

U.S. Small Cap Portfolio(b)

    7,379,432        202,565,402   

U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio(b)

    10,633,916        336,988,782   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY FUNDS (Cost $947,529,780)

      1,353,758,380   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.9%

   

(Cost $947,529,780)

      1,353,758,380   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.1%

      1,894,982   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 1,355,653,362   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

Equity Funds

    99.9%      $ 1,353,758,380   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    0.1%        1,894,982   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0%      $ 1,355,653,362   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(a) A portfolio of Dimensional Investment Group Inc.
(b) A portfolio of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

10


FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2013

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS — 99.8%

  

 

Asia Pacific Small Company Portfolio(a)

    560,188      $ 12,632,242   

Canadian Small Company Series(b)

    1,145,515        12,251,158   

Continental Small Company Portfolio(a)

    1,487,427        26,297,710   

Continental Small Company Series(b)

    80,197        4,305,236   

DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio(a)

    21,744,405        383,788,743   

DFA International Value Portfolio III(c)

    17,897,508        288,328,849   

Emerging Markets Portfolio(a)

    2,136,170        51,780,758   

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio(a)

    2,517,289        47,929,176   

Emerging Markets Value Portfolio(a)

    1,823,920        47,841,415   

Japanese Small Company Portfolio(a)

    1,236,902        21,435,517   

Large Cap International Portfolio(a)

    2,377,780        47,959,817   

United Kingdom Small Company Portfolio(a)

    234,276        7,869,348   

United Kingdom Small Company Series(b)

    187,866        9,881,663   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS
(Cost $874,500,999)

      962,301,632   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.8%
(Cost $874,500,999)

      962,301,632   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.2%

      1,793,894   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 964,095,526   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

International Equity Funds

    99.8%      $ 962,301,632   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    0.2%        1,793,894   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0%      $ 964,095,526   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(a) A portfolio of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc.
(b) A portfolio of DFA Investment Trust Company.
(c) A portfolio of Dimensional Investment Group Inc.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

11


FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2013

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

FIXED INCOME FUNDS — 99.4%

  

 

DFA Five-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    29,976,988      $ 329,147,328   

DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio(a)

    5,500,890        63,700,309   

DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    12,922,955        159,727,724   

DFA One-Year Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    31,241,895        322,416,352   

DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio(a)

    9,908,505        105,228,322   

DFA Two-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    32,783,598        329,147,328   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL FIXED INCOME FUNDS (Cost $1,322,611,364)

      1,309,367,363   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.4%

   

(Cost $1,322,611,364)

      1,309,367,363   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.6%

      7,431,912   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 1,316,799,275   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

Fixed Income Funds

    99.4%      $ 1,309,367,363   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    0.6%        7,431,912   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0%      $ 1,316,799,275   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(a) A portfolio of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

12


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2013

 

     Free Market
U.S. Equity
Fund
       Free Market
International
Equity Fund
       Free Market
Fixed Income
Fund
 

ASSETS

            

Investments in non-affiliated funds, at value †

   $ 1,353,758,380         $ 962,301,632         $ 1,309,367,363   

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,129,113           1,068,829           6,644,627   

Receivables

            

Receivable for capital shares sold

     1,823,239           1,430,467           1,625,765   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     7,394           6,727           7,495   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

     1,356,718,126           964,807,655           1,317,645,250   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

            

Payables

            

Capital shares redeemed

     269,517           119,508           102,492   

Investment adviser

     583,778           416,915           550,646   

Administration and accounting fees

     111,566           82,964           104,357   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     99,903           92,742           88,480   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,064,764           712,129           845,975   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 1,355,653,362         $ 964,095,526         $ 1,316,799,275   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF

            

Par value

   $ 92,466         $ 103,020         $ 128,586   

Paid-in capital

     911,815,321           864,561,293           1,327,248,930   

Undistributed / accumulated net investment income (loss)

     537,823           9,216,123           (258,616

Accumulated net realized gain from investments

     36,979,152           2,414,457           2,924,376   

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     406,228,600           87,800,633           (13,244,001
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 1,355,653,362         $ 964,095,526         $ 1,316,799,275   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized)

     92,466,273           103,020,188           128,585,581   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 14.66         $ 9.36         $ 10.24   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

† Investment in non-affiliated funds, at cost

   $ 947,529,780         $ 874,500,999         $ 1,322,611,364   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

13


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Statements of Operations

For the Year Ended August 31, 2013

 

     Free Market
U.S. Equity
Fund
       Free Market
International
Equity Fund
       Free Market
Fixed Income
Fund
 

Investment Income

            

Dividends from non-affiliated funds

   $ 17,603,378         $ 21,535,155         $ 12,586,424   

Interest from non-affiliated funds

     328           336           2,179   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total investment income

     17,603,706           21,535,491           12,588,603   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Expenses

            

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     5,752,391           4,187,917           5,506,994   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     592,690           465,968           573,352   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     312,640           244,892           302,126   

Professional fees

     140,118           100,398           132,305   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     80,990           64,777           77,944   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     79,224           65,992           78,085   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     60,401           70,611           62,111   

Other expenses

     80,697           137,717           80,460   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses

     7,099,151           5,338,272           6,813,377   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

     10,504,555           16,197,219           5,775,226   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments

            

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

            

Non-affiliated funds

     15,949,249           1,720,872             

Capital gain distributions from non-affiliated fund investments

     29,023,727           11,042,893           4,618,659   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

            

Non-affiliated funds

     218,975,399           104,634,778           (29,635,839
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     263,948,375           117,398,543           (25,017,180
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 274,452,930         $ 133,595,762         $ (19,241,954
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

14


FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
 

Increase in net assets from operations:

     

Net investment income

   $ 10,504,555       $ 5,924,569   

Net realized gain from investments

     44,972,976         3,410,649   

Net change in unrealized appreciation from investments

     218,975,399         105,383,759   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     274,452,930         114,718,977   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

     

Net investment income

     (12,059,460      (4,645,598

Net realized capital gains

     (6,612,476      (5,493,112
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (18,671,936      (10,138,710
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

     

Proceeds from shares sold

     365,120,672         258,102,377   

Reinvestment of distributions

     18,671,936         10,138,710   

Shares redeemed

     (217,434,730      (118,454,130
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     166,357,878         149,786,957   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     422,138,872         254,367,224   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

Beginning of year

     933,514,490         679,147,266   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 1,355,653,362       $ 933,514,490   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income, end of period

   $ 537,823       $ 1,278,971   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

     

Shares sold

     27,274,386         23,791,485   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     1,519,279         967,434   

Shares redeemed

     (16,128,774      (10,712,741
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total share transactions

     12,664,891         14,046,178   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

15


FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

     

Net investment income

   $ 16,197,219       $ 12,401,565   

Net realized gain from investments

     12,763,765         3,089,680   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments

     104,634,778         (38,193,881
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     133,595,762         (22,702,636
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

     

Net investment income

     (13,261,063      (11,517,635

Net realized capital gains

     (6,448,810      (7,200,541
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (19,709,873      (18,718,176
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

     

Proceeds from shares sold

     290,005,224         218,473,669   

Reinvestment of distributions

     19,709,873         18,718,176   

Shares redeemed

     (108,215,843      (63,133,169
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     201,499,254         174,058,676   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     315,385,143         132,637,864   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

Beginning of year

     648,710,383         516,072,519   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 964,095,526       $ 648,710,383   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income, end of year

   $ 9,216,123       $ 6,241,938   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

     

Shares sold

     32,070,579         27,183,866   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     2,234,680         2,482,517   

Shares redeemed

     (11,983,409      (7,742,474
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total share transactions

     22,321,850         21,923,909   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

16


FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

     

Net investment income

   $ 5,775,226       $ 9,215,805   

Net realized gain from investments

     4,618,659         7,488,327   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments

     (29,635,839      124,441   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (19,241,954      16,828,573   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

     

Net investment income

     (7,743,898      (10,592,495

Net realized capital gains

     (5,959,159      (3,877
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (13,703,057      (10,596,372
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

     

Proceeds from shares sold

     515,861,880         315,318,641   

Reinvestment of distributions

     13,703,057         10,596,247   

Shares redeemed

     (126,795,373      (146,855,231
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     402,769,564         179,059,657   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     369,824,553         185,291,858   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

Beginning of year

     946,974,722         761,682,864   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 1,316,799,275       $ 946,974,722   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income, end of period

   $ (258,616    $ 186,239   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

     

Shares sold

     49,641,221         30,200,012   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     1,315,155         1,020,796   

Shares redeemed

     (12,178,076      (14,063,375
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total share transactions

     38,778,300         17,157,433   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

17


FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each share outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2010
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2009
 

Per Share Operating Performance

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 11.70      $ 10.33      $ 8.65      $ 8.21      $ 10.29   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(1)

     0.12        0.08        0.06        0.02        0.10   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     3.07        1.43        1.68        0.46        (2.09
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  

 

3.19

  

    1.51        1.74        0.48        (1.99
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

     (0.15     (0.06     (0.06     (0.03     (0.09

Net realized capital gains

     (0.08     (0.08     (2)               

Tax return of capital

                          (0.01       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (0.23     (0.14     (0.06     (0.04     (0.09
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 14.66      $ 11.70      $ 10.33      $ 8.65      $ 8.21   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

     27.61 %      14.77     20.11     5.88     (19.19 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

          

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 1,355,653      $ 933,514      $ 679,147      $ 485,191      $ 312,104   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(4)

     0.62 %      0.64     0.64     0.67     0.72

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(4)

     0.91 %      0.73     0.55     0.22     1.37

Portfolio turnover rate

     6 %      4     9     3     1

 

(1) The selected per share data was calculated using the average shares outstanding method for the period.
(2) Amount less than $(0.005) per share.
(3) Total investment return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(4) The Fund also will indirectly bear its prorated share of expenses of the underlying funds. Such expenses are not included in the calculation of this ratio.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

18


FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each share outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2010
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2009
 

Per Share Operating Performance

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 8.04      $ 8.78      $ 7.97      $ 8.02      $ 8.85   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(1)

     0.18        0.18        0.16        0.11        0.13   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     1.36        (0.64     0.78        (0.04     (0.85
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     1.54        (0.46     0.94        0.07        (0.72
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

     (0.15     (0.17     (0.13     (0.09     (0.11

Net realized capital gains

     (0.07     (0.11            (0.03       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (0.22     (0.28     (0.13     (0.12     (0.11
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 9.36      $ 8.04      $ 8.78      $ 7.97      $ 8.02   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(2)

     19.44 %      (4.98 )%      11.60     0.86     (7.71 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

          

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 964,096      $ 648,710      $ 516,073      $ 365,465      $ 258,632   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(3)

     0.65 %      0.65     0.66     0.68     0.73

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(3)

     1.96 %      2.21     1.66     1.29     2.01

Portfolio turnover rate

     3 %      3     4     8     2

 

(1) The selected per share data was calculated using the average shares outstanding method for the period.
(2) Total investment return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(3) The Fund also will indirectly bear its prorated share of expenses of the underlying funds. Such expenses are not included in the calculation of this ratio.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

19


FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each share outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2011
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2010
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2009
 

Per Share Operating Performance

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 10.54      $ 10.48      $ 10.50      $ 10.35      $ 10.04   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(1)

     0.05        0.11        0.12        0.13        0.21   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     (0.21     0.09        0.09        0.27        0.25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (0.16     0.20        0.21        0.40        0.46   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

     (0.08     (0.14     (0.22     (0.21     (0.15

Net realized capital gains

     (0.06     (2)      (2)      (0.04       

Tax return of capital

                   (0.01              
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (0.14     (0.14     (0.23     (0.25     (0.15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 10.24      $ 10.54      $ 10.48      $ 10.50      $ 10.35   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

     (1.50 )%      1.90     2.06     3.96     4.62
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

          

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 1,316,799      $ 946,975      $ 761,683      $ 459,282      $ 210,107   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(4)

     0.62 %      0.63     0.65     0.68     0.75

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(4)

     0.52 %      1.08     1.12     1.31     2.06

Portfolio turnover rate

     0 %      1     0     1     84

 

(1) The selected per share data was calculated using the average shares outstanding method for the period.
(2) Amount less than $(0.005) per share.
(3) Total investment return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(4) The Fund also will indirectly bear its prorated share of expenses of the underlying funds. Such expenses are not included in the calculation of this ratio.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

20


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2013

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has seventeen active investment portfolios, including the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, the Free Market International Equity Fund, and the Free Market Fixed Income Fund (each a “Fund,” collectively the “Funds”). Each Fund operates as a “Fund of Funds” and commenced investment operations on December 31, 2007.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 80.773 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and forty-two classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

PORTFOLIO VALUATION — Investments in the underlying funds are valued at each fund’s net asset value determined as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). As required, some securities and assets may be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors. Direct investments in fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

Fair Value Measurements — The inputs and valuations techniques used to measure fair value of the Funds’ investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

 

  •    Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ 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.

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2013, in valuing the Funds’ investments carried at fair value:

FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 1,353,758,380       $ 1,353,758,380       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

*Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 962,301,632       $ 962,301,632       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

*Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

 

21


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 1,309,367,363       $ 1,309,367,363       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

*Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

At the end of each fiscal quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Funds’ investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Funds may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require each Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between Levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires a Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when a Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each Level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when a Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the year ended August 31, 2013, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Funds.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME AND EXPENSES — Transactions are accounted for on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Funds estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Each Fund’s investment income, expenses and unrealized and realized gains and losses are allocated daily. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family of the Company are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family (in proportion to net assets). Expenses incurred for all of the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the net asset value of the Funds. In addition to the net annual operating expenses that the Funds bear directly, the shareholders indirectly bear the Funds’ pro-rata expenses of the underlying mutual funds in which each Fund invests.

 

22


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders and recorded on ex-dividend date for all Funds with the exception of the Free Market Fixed Income Fund which declares and pays quarterly dividends from net investment income. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. TAX STATUS — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is each Fund’s intention to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — The Funds consider liquid assets deposited with a bank demand deposit account to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

OTHER — In the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Funds in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss for such claims is considered remote.

 

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

Matson Money, Inc. (“Matson Money” or the “Adviser”), serves as each Fund’s investment adviser. For its advisory services, Matson Money is entitled to receive 0.50% of the first $1 billion of each Fund’s average daily net assets, 0.49% of each Fund’s average daily net assets over $1 billion to $5 billion and 0.47% of each Fund’s average daily net assets over $5 billion, computed daily and payable monthly. Prior to January 1, 2013, the Adviser received 0.50% of each Fund’s average daily net assets computed daily and payable monthly.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”), serves as administrator for the Funds. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Funds’ average daily net assets and is subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Included in the administration and accounting service fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Funds’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides custodian services to the Funds. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Funds’ average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Funds’ shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

 

23


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

 

3. Director Compensation

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The aggregate remuneration paid to the Directors by the Funds during the year ended August 31, 2013 was $163,155. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer or Director of the Company. They are not compensated by the Funds or the Company.

 

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2013, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Funds were as follows:

 

     Purchases        Sales  

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

   $ 250,847,195         $ 64,937,282   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     234,310,395           27,019,374   

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     396,853,632             

 

5. Federal Income Tax Information

The Funds have followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Funds to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Funds have determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Funds are subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired. (Management evaluation to follow)

As of August 31, 2013, the federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by each Fund were as follows:

 

     Federal Tax
Cost
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

   $ 952,883,727       $ 406,228,600       $ (5,353,947    $ 400,874,653   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     886,265,953         97,723,483         (21,687,804      76,035,679   

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     1,322,781,738                 (13,414,375      (13,414,375

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2013, primarily attributable to redesignation of dividends paid and reclassifications of short-term capital gain distributions, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

     Undistributed
Net Investment
Income
       Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)
       Paid-In Capital  

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

   $ 813,757         $ (813,757      $         —   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     38,029           (38,029          

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     1,523,817           (1,523,817          

 

24


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

As of August 31, 2013, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

     Undistributed
Ordinary Income
       Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
       Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
       Other
Temporary
Differences
 

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

   $ 537,823         $ 42,333,099         $ 400,874,653         $   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     8,648,004           14,747,530           76,035,679             

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

               3,094,750           (13,414,375        (258,616

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate primarily to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reported as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

The tax characters of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

 

                Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Total  

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

       2013         $ 12,059,460         $ 6,612,476         $ 18,671,936   
      
2012
  
       4,645,598           5,493,112           10,138,710   

Free Market International Equity Fund

       2013           13,261,063           6,448,810           19,709,873   
      
2012
  
       11,517,635           7,200,541           18,718,176   

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

       2013           7,741,842           5,961,215           13,703,057   
      
2012
  
       10,592,495           3,877           10,596,372   

Distributions from net investment income and short term capital gains are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Modernization Act”), the Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to any losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. The Funds’ first fiscal year-end subject to the Modernization Act was August 31, 2012. As of August 31, 2013, the Funds did not have any pre- or post-enactment capital loss carryforwards.

 

6. Subsequent Event

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 requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

25


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, and Free Market Fixed Income Fund:

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, the Free Market International Equity Fund, and the Free Market Fixed Income Fund, separately managed portfolios of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Funds”) at August 31, 2013, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Funds’ management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at August 31, 2013 by correspondence with the transfer agent, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 28 2013

 

26


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Shareholder Tax Information

(Unaudited)

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

     Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Total  

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

   $ 12,059,460         $ 6,612,476         $ 18,671,936   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     13,261,063           6,448,810           19,709,873   

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     7,743,898           5,959,159           13,703,057   

Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

The percentage of total ordinary income dividends qualifying for the 15% dividend income tax rate is 100% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund and 81.33% for the Free Market International Equity Fund.

The percentage of total ordinary dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 100% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund.

The percentage of qualified interest income related dividends not subject to withholding tax for non-resident aliens and foreign corporations is 19.40% for the Free Market Fixed Income Fund. A total of 00.00% of the dividend distributed during the fiscal year was derived from U.S. Government securities, which is generally exempt from state income tax for the Free Market Fixed Income Fund.

Because each Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2013. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2014.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Funds, if any. The Free Market International Equity Fund passed through foreign tax credits of $1,277,609 and earned $22,172,194 of gross foreign source income during the fiscal year.

In general, dividends received by tax-exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Funds.

 

27


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Other Information

(Unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling Free Market Funds at (866) 780-0357, ext. 3863 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules

The Company files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (202) 551-8090.

 

28


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Other Information (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board of the Company, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Matson Money, Inc. and the Company (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Funds at a meeting of the Board held on May 15, 2013 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Advisory Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by the Adviser with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal of and approval of the Advisory Agreement between the Company and Matson Money with respect to the Funds, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of Matson Money’s services provided to the Funds; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of Matson Money’s personnel providing those services; (iii) Matson Money’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Matson Money’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Matson Money’s current advisory fee arrangements with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vi) Matson Money’s compliance procedures; (vii) Matson Money’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Funds; (vii) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Funds; (ix) a report prepared by Lipper comparing each Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its respective Lipper peer group and comparing the performance of each Fund to the performance of its respective Lipper peer group; and (x) a report comparing the performance of each Fund to the performance of its primary and composite benchmarks.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Matson Money, referring back to their discussion with a representative of Matson Money earlier in the Meeting. The Directors concluded that Matson Money had substantial resources to provide services to the Funds and that Matson Money’s services had been acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Funds and Matson Money. Information on the Funds’ investment performance was provided since inception and for one-year, three-year, and five-year periods, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The Directors considered the Funds’ investment performance in light of their investment objectives and investment strategies. The Directors concluded that the investment performance of each of the Funds as compared to their respective benchmarks and Lipper peer groups was acceptable. In reaching this conclusion, the Directors observed that the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund had consistently outperformed its benchmark since inception, and the Free Market International Equity Fund had been outperforming its benchmark year to date and since inception. The Directors, noted, however, that the Free Market Fixed Income Fund has regularly underperformed its primary benchmark (U.S. Composite Index) since inception, as well as its Lipper peer group.

The Directors also considered the advisory fee rates payable by the Funds under the Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Funds and the Funds’ total operating expense ratios (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. The Directors recalled their earlier discussion about Matson Money’s advisory fees, and Matson Money’s explanation that their fees were at or below the average Morningstar fund categories.

After reviewing the information regarding the Funds’ costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering Matson Money’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Funds were fair and reasonable and that the Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 16, 2014.

 

29


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Fund Management

(Unaudited)

 

Directors and Executive Officers

The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their dates of birth, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below.

 

Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
  Position(s) Held
with Fund
 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund  Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  Other
Directorships
Held by Director
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

  Director   1988 to present   Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications) from 1969 to 2011.   17   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies)

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

  Director   2002 to present   Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.) since 1984; and Director of Cornerstone Bank since March 2004.   17   None

Gregory P. Chandler

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/66

  Director   2012 to present   Since May 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from February 2003-April 2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).   17   Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/43

  Director   2006 to present   Consultant, financial services organizations from 1997 to present.   17   Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices); Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust; (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012)

 

30


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Fund Management (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
  Position(s) Held
with Fund
 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*

  Other
Directorships
Held by Director
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC, from 2006 to present.   17   None

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; from 1980 to present, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group; from 2006 to 2008, President, The New York City Hot Dog Company.   17   Reich and Tang Group (asset management); The SPARX Asia Funds Group (registered investment company) (until 2009)

INTERESTED DIRECTORS2

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

  Director   2012 to present   Since July 2010, Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration, BNY Mellon Asset Servicing; from 2006 to July 2010, Senior Vice President, Fund Accounting and Administration, PNC Global Investment Servicing.   17   None

Robert Sablowsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/38

  Director   1991 to present   Since July 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).   17   Kensington Funds (registered investment company) (until 2009)

OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 209 Chadds Ford, PA 19317 DOB: 12/62

  President and Chief Compliance Officer   President 2009 to present and Chief Compliance Officer 2004 to present   President, Vigilant Compliance Services since 2004; and Director of Energy Income Partnership since 2005.   N/A   N/A

Joel Weiss

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 1/63

  Treasurer   2009 to present   Since 1993 Vice President and Managing Director, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).   N/A   N/A

Jennifer Rogers

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/74

  Secretary   2007 to present   Since 2005, Managing Director and Senior Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).   N/A   N/A

 

31


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Fund Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
  Position(s) Held
with Fund
 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time Served1

 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund  Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  Other
Directorships
Held by Director
OFFICERS

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

  Assistant Treasurer   2005 to present   Since 1995, Vice President and Senior Director of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).   N/A   N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square,

Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

DOB: 7/59

 

Assistant

Secretary

  1999 to present   Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).   N/A   N/A
* Each Director oversees seventeen portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1 

Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved a waiver of the policy with respect to Mr. Brodsky, Mr. Carnall and Mr. Sablowsky. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2 

Messrs. Sablowsky and Nusblatt are considered “interested persons” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and are referred to as “Interested Directors.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer. Mr. Nusblatt is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as the Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration at BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, administrator and accounting agent and transfer agent to the Company.

 

32


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

 

FACTS   WHAT DO THE FREE MARKET FUNDS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

•           Social Security number

•           account balances

•           account transactions

•           transaction history

•           wire transfer instructions

•           checking account information

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Free Market Funds choose to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information   Do the Free Market Funds share?   Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes

to offer our products and services to you

  Yes   No
For joint marketing with other financial companies   Yes   No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

information about your transactions and experiences

  Yes   No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

information about your creditworthiness

  No   We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share

 

Questions?   Call (866) 573-2152 or go to www.MatsonMoney.com

 

33


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Privacy Notice (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

 

What we do

 
 
How does the Free Market Funds protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How does the Free Market Funds collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•            open an account

•            provide account information

•            give us your contact information

•            make a wire transfer

•            tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

•            sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

•            affiliates from using your information to market to you

•            sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            Our affiliates include McGriff Video Productions and Matson Money, Inc.

Nonaffiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            The Free Market Funds don’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. The Funds may share information with nonaffiliates that perform marketing services on our behalf.

Joint marketing  

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

•            The Free Market Funds may share your information with other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing arrangements who may suggest additional fund services or other investment products which may be of interest to you.

 

34


 

Investment Adviser

MATSON MONEY, INC.

5955 Deerfield Blvd.

Mason, OH 45040

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Two Commerce Square, Suite 1700

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042

Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996


Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund

of The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

Annual Report

   August 31, 2013

 

LOGO


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

Dear Shareholder:

The fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 started on solid footing with the Federal Reserve’s announcement of open-ended Quantitative Easing, a stimulus program that set the tone for higher returns throughout the year. While the Fed provided a backstop of sorts for markets, record low interest rates and improvement in US housing and manufacturing data also pushed markets higher. In November, President Obama’s re-election was overshadowed by super storm Sandy. However, markets were not deterred and surged higher into calendar year 2013 on the heels of a workable Fiscal Cliff agreement, stronger corporate profits, and economic improvement in Japan and China. During this time, record-high stock correlations began to decline, although broad-based market strength still favored lower quality, higher beta stocks. The second half of the fiscal year continued to benefit from US and global monetary stimulus programs, strong housing data, and improving global economies. Higher taxes, sequestration cuts, and the Boston bombing slowed markets in April, but only temporarily, as the proceeds of record bond mutual fund redemptions began to flow into equities. Markets were again spooked in June on fears of the Fed tapering its Quantitative Easing program, but weaker economic data reassured markets that tapering would be done in a slow, methodical manner. The market has held up well heading into the end of August, particularly given the call to action in Syria and another US debt ceiling deadline looming.

On a net of fees basis, the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund stayed close to its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Growth Index, during the year due to strong stock selection across multiple sectors and a modest benefit from allocation. The Industrials sector produced top performance, driven by stocks like WageWorks (WAGE), which benefited from the upcoming Affordable Care Act implementation, and travel-related companies Allegiant Travel (ALGT) and Spirit Airlines (SAVE). The Energy sector was another significant contributor to performance as unrest in the Middle East drove oil & gas stocks higher, including GeospaceTechnologies (GEOS) and Rex Energy (REXX). As for headwinds, poor stock selection in the Technology and Healthcare sectors detracted from performance. Within Technology, Allot Communications (ALLT) posted disappointing results, but we believe earnings and the stock will rebound in the near future. Healthcare selection struggled from strong Biotech performance and our below-benchmark exposure there.

Although recent US economic data has softened modestly, we expect ongoing US and global monetary stimulus as well as recent equity inflows should continue to support markets. We remain focused on high quality companies with good earnings visibility and strong growth catalysts.

Sincerely,

Perimeter Capital Management

 

 

 

This report represents the manager’s assessment of the Fund and the market environment at a specific point in time and should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice.

Portfolio composition is subject to change. The current and future portfolio holdings of the Fund are subject to investment risk.

The Russell 2000® Index is a widely-recognized, capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of the smallest 2,000 companies in the Russell 3000® Index. The Russell 2000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. Direct investment into an index is not possible.

 

2


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Performance

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund’s Investor Class Shares vs. Russell 2000® Growth Index

 

LOGO

Comparison of Change in Value of $1,000,000 Investment in

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund’s I Shares vs. Russell 2000® Growth Index

 

LOGO

 

        * Investor Class Shares were offered beginning September 29, 2006

 

       **

I Shares were offered beginning December 31, 2007. The performance shown for the I Shares prior to December 31, 2007 is based on the performance and expenses of the Investors Class Shares, and have not been adjusted for the shareholder servicing fee charged specifically to the Investor Class Shares.

These charts assume a hypothetical $100,000 and $1,000,000 minimum intital investment in the Fund’s Investor Class Shares and I Shares, respectively, made on September 29, 2006 (inception) and reflect Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is a professionally managed mutual fund while the Russell 2000® Growth Index is unmanaged, does not incur taxes, sales charges, and/or expenses and is not available for investment. The Fund commenced operations on September 29, 2006 as a separate portfolio (the “Predecessor Fund”) of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II. Immediately prior to the opening of business on February 8, 2010, the Predecessor Fund was reorganized as a new series of The RRB Fund, Inc. (the “Reorganization”). The performance shown for periods prior to February 8, 2010 represents the performance of the Predecessor Fund.

 

3


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns For The Year Ended August 31, 2013     
      One Year    Three Year    Five Year    Since
Inception***
     

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, Investor Class Shares*

   27.47%    18.43%    6.74%    5.79%     

Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, I Shares**

   27.81%    18.74%    6.98%    6.00%     

Russell 2000® Growth Index

   28.14%    22.59%    9.00%    8.07%     

  *      Investor Class Shares were offered beginning September 29, 2006.

    

  **    I Shares were offered beginning December 31, 2007. The performance shown for the I Shares prior to December 31, 2007 is based on the performance and expenses of the Investor Class Shares, and has not been adjusted for the shareholder servicing fee charged specifically to the Investor Class Shares.

    

  ***  The Fund commenced operations on September 29, 2006 as a separate portfolio (the “Predecessor Fund”) of the The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II. The performance shown for periods prior to February 8, 2010 represents the performance of the Predecessor Fund.

 

    

The performance data quoted herein represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than its original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For performance current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-968-4964. Performance assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Unlike a mutual fund, index returns do not reflect taxes, fees or expenses. The Fund’s gross total expense ratio as stated in the prospectus is 1.45% for Investor Shares and 1.20% for I Shares. The performance quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been lower in their absence. The Fund charges a 2.00% redemption fee if redeemed within 7 days. The Adviser has contractually agreed to limit the total expenses of the Investor Class Shares and I Shares of the Fund (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes) to 1.35% and 1.10% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Investor Class Shares and I Shares, respectively, through December 31, 2013.

Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

Mutual fund investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal. The Fund invests in small cap stocks which generally involve more risk than large cap stocks due to potentially greater volatility and less market liquidity.

 

4


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Fund Expense Disclosure

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

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

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2013 through August 31, 2013, and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the accompanying 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 Examples for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the accompanying 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 your 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 these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying 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 accompanying 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 were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund — Investor Class Shares
     Beginning Account Value    Ending Account Value    Expenses Paid
     March 1, 2013    August 31, 2013    During Period*

Actual

   $1,000.00     $1,144.00     $7.30 

Hypothetical - (5% return before expenses)

   1,000.00    1,018.40    6.87
     Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund — I Shares
     Beginning Account Value    Ending Account Value    Expenses Paid
     March 1, 2013    August 31, 2013    During Period*

Actual

   $1,000.00     $1,146.20     $5.95 

Hypothetical - (5% return before expenses)

   1,000.00    1,019.66    5.60

 

  *

Expenses are equal to an annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.35% for the Investor Class Shares and 1.10% for the I Shares which includes waived fees, reimbursed expenses or recoupment, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent period (184), then divided by 365 to reflect the six-month period. The Fund’s ending account values on the first line in each table are based on the actual six-month total return for the Fund of 14.40% for the Investor Class Shares and 14.62% for the I Shares.

 

5


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

The following table presents a summary by sector of the portfolio holdings of the Fund.

 

     % of Net
    Assets    
  Value

Domestic Common Stocks:

        

Consumer Non-cyclical

       32.2 %     $ 29,056,433  

Industrial.

       19.7         17,763,130  

Technology

       14.4         12,973,781  

Consumer Cyclical

       11.2         10,159,399  

Financial

       9.2         8,323,009  

Energy

       7.0         6,372,119  

Communications

       6.9         6,235,458  

Basic Materials

       1.6         1,450,695  

Warrants

       0.0         3,731  

Liabilities In Excess of Other Assets

       (2.2 )       (2,027,226 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 
       100.0 %     $   90,310,529  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

6


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2013

 

     Shares      Value  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

COMMON STOCKS† - 102.2%

  

  

Basic Materials — 1.6%

     

Balchem

     13,004       $ 622,371   

NewMarket

     1,310         359,176   

Polyone

     17,363         469,148   
     

 

 

 
        1,450,695   
     

 

 

 

Communications — 6.9%

     

Allot Communications*

     24,082         293,800   

eGain*

     70,329         949,442   

Finisar*

     49,900         1,021,453   

HealthStream*

     17,265         572,335   

NIC

     27,691         616,402   

Perion Network

     89,033         948,201   

Shutterfly*

     13,783         716,165   

SPS Commerce*

     7,458         464,932   

Zix*

     151,445         652,728   
     

 

 

 
        6,235,458   
     

 

 

 

Consumer Cyclical — 11.2%

     

AFC Enterprises*

     6,340         259,623   

Arctic Cat

     14,850         797,148   

Children’s Place Retail Stores*

     5,270         280,259   

Core-Mark Holding

     14,880         938,928   

Destination XL Group*

     115,024         695,895   

Express*

     36,950         775,580   

First Cash Financial Services*

     3,254         179,849   

Gentherm*

     46,830         783,466   

G-III Apparel Group*

     25,000         1,145,250   

La-Z-Boy

     36,131         768,145   

Pool

     3,500         182,315   

Rite Aid*

     241,450         835,417   

Spirit Airlines*

     7,650         238,450   

Susser Holdings*

     4,930         235,210   

Tenneco*

     9,560         441,003   

Toro

     12,590         664,878   

United Stationers

     23,603         937,983   
     

 

 

 
          10,159,399   
     

 

 

 

Consumer Non-cyclical — 32.2%

  

  

Akorn*

     44,870         806,314   

Align Technology*

     22,460         978,133   

AMN Healthcare Services*

     59,158         804,549   

Array BioPharma*

     112,993         633,891   

Astex Pharmaceuticals*

     148,023         969,551   

Capella Education*

     15,755         856,284   

Cardtronics*

     22,610         784,341   

Charles River Laboratories International*

     17,870         822,914   

Corporate Executive Board

     12,840         832,546   

Corrections Corp of America

     25,325         834,206   

CoStar Group*

     4,440         659,384   

Cubist Pharmaceuticals*

     9,548         604,961   

Cynosure, Cl A*

     35,780         821,151   

Euronet Worldwide*

     18,062         620,430   
     Shares      Value  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consumer Non-cyclical — (Continued)

  

  

Five Star Quality Care*

     104,257       $ 541,094   

Grand Canyon Education*

     11,147         384,683   

HealthSouth*

     20,440         643,042   

HMS Holdings*

     44,860         1,121,051   

Huron Consulting Group*

     13,800         656,880   

ICON, PLC*

     23,997         876,850   

Infinity Pharmaceuticals*

     47,812         885,000   

Insulet*

     23,230         774,488   

J&J Snack Foods

     5,640         433,829   

Jazz Pharmaceuticals, PLC*

     7,720         676,967   

K12*

     28,890         1,048,996   

KAR Auction Services

     35,530         946,519   

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Cl B*

     6,967         335,043   

MAXIMUS

     24,518         919,670   

MiMedx Group*

     40,500         249,885   

Myriad Genetics*

     35,140         919,614   

Novadaq Technologies*

     55,413         825,100   

Quidel*

     28,990         768,815   

Rollins

     13,540         335,115   

Sagent Pharmaceuticals*

     24,990         551,279   

Salix Pharmaceuticals*

     8,220         550,247   

SunOpta*

     99,170         887,572   

Team Health Holdings*

     21,310         818,943   

Thoratec*

     15,495         553,636   

TravelCenters of America*

     85,514         650,762   

VCA Antech*

     24,650         672,698   
     

 

 

 
          29,056,433   
     

 

 

 

Energy — 7.0%

     

Carrizo Oil & Gas*

     17,400         596,124   

Energy XXI Bermuda

     10,650         282,970   

Flotek Industries*

     31,080         615,073   

Geospace Technologies*

     9,094         634,397   

Helix Energy Solutions Group*

     27,514         688,675   

MRC Global*

     16,590         435,488   

Rex Energy*

     30,926         643,261   

Rosetta Resources*

     19,560         910,127   

Synergy Resources*

     92,281         863,750   

Walter Energy.

     54,270         702,254   
     

 

 

 
        6,372,119   
     

 

 

 

Financial — 9.2%

     

Boston Private Financial Holdings

     80,669         824,437   

Campus Crest Communities, REIT

     111,162         1,176,094   

Cubesmart, REIT

     40,400         672,660   

Endurance Specialty Holdings

     14,200         711,704   

FXCM, Cl A

     38,650         733,964   

Hilltop Holdings*

     35,381         554,066   

International Bancshares

     29,450         645,544   

Outerwall*

     9,160         569,477   

Pinnacle Financial Partners*

     16,100         449,995   

ProAssurance

     8,506         400,973   
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

7


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

August 31, 2013

 

     Shares      Value  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial — (Continued)

     

Stewart Information Services

     25,600       $ 783,104   

WageWorks*

     19,190         800,991   
     

 

 

 
        8,323,009   
     

 

 

 

Industrial — 19.7%

     

AAON

     22,419         522,811   

AMERCO

     6,850         1,120,660   

Barnes Group

     24,666         771,306   

Belden

     13,070         741,330   

Berry Plastics Group*

     40,055         921,666   

Chart Industries*

     7,177         819,470   

Covanta Holding

     40,810         862,315   

Darling International*

     44,030         890,727   

DXP Enterprises*

     4,180         284,156   

EMCOR Group

     22,710         853,669   

EnPro Industries*

     14,660         835,327   

Generac Holdings

     18,230         721,726   

Gulfmark Offshore, Cl A

     12,940         594,981   

Hexcel*

     22,890         814,197   

II-VI*

     31,354         604,505   

Methode Electronics

     49,771         1,189,029   

Newport*

     40,000         613,600   

PGT*

     78,910         803,304   

Power Solutions International*

     13,630         717,483   

Primoris Services

     36,310         816,249   

Saia*

     23,530         706,135   

Swift Transportation*

     41,910         752,704   

Taser International*

     30,565         355,777   

TriMas*

     12,806         450,003   
     

 

 

 
        17,763,130   
     

 

 

 

Technology — 14.4%

     

Aspen Technology*

     32,210         1,076,780   

AVG Technologies NV*

     48,860         1,058,796   

CommVault Systems*

     9,671         810,720   

Cypress Semiconductor

     100,650         1,139,358   

Diodes*

     27,583         686,817   
     Shares      Value  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Technology — (Continued)

     

Fortinet*

     30,610       $ 606,078   

inContact*

     102,990         837,309   

Magnachip Semiconductor*

     45,132         922,949   

Medidata Solutions*

     3,280         293,363   

Mentor Graphics

     33,290         737,706   

NetScout Systems*

     18,300         454,572   

Omnicell*

     41,160         894,818   

QLIK Technologies*

     7,810         256,090   

RealPage*

     36,670         759,436   

SS&C Technologies Holdings*

     32,110         1,136,373   

Tyler Technologies*

     10,760         795,056   

Ultimate Software Group*

     3,620         507,560   
     

 

 

 
        12,973,781   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $74,876,190)

        92,334,024   
     

 

 

 

WARRANTS - 0.0%

     

Energy — 0.0%

     

Magnum Hunter Resources Exercise Price $10.50, Expires 10/14/13

     31,749         3,731   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL WARRANTS
(Cost $0)

        3,731   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 102.2%
(Cost $74,876,190)

        92,337,755   
     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS - (2.2)%

        (2,027,226
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.0%

      $   90,310,529   
     

 

 

 

 

More narrow industries are utilized for compliance purposes, whereas broad sectors are utilized for reporting purposes.

*

Non-income producing security.

 

Cl Class
PLC Public Limited Company
REIT Real Estate Investment Trusts
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

8


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2013

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (Cost $74,876,190)

   $ 92,337,755   

Receivables

  

Investments sold

     1,374,421   

Capital shares sold

     149,238   

Dividends and Interest

     15,302   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     24,084   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     93,900,800   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Due to Custodian

     2,265,481   

Payable for investments purchased

     963,379   

Capital shares redeemed

     180,266   

Investment advisory fees

     71,112   

Administration and accounting fees

     18,689   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     184   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     91,160   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     3,590,271   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 90,310,529   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF

  

Par value

   $ 8,744   

Paid-in capital

     42,749,356   

Accumulated net realized gain from investments

     30,090,864   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     17,461,565   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 90,310,529   
  

 

 

 

Investor Class Shares:

  

Net Assets

   $ 10,329,606   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     1,015,303   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 10.17   
  

 

 

 

I Shares:

  

Net Assets

   $ 79,980,923   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     7,728,863   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 10.35   
  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

9


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended August 31, 2013

 

Investment Income

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $4,258)

   $ 1,644,835   

Interest

     2,010   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     1,646,845   
  

 

 

 

Expenses

  

Advisory fees

     1,393,393   

Transfer agent fees

     179,885   

Administration and accounting fees

     152,210   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     74,410   

Professional fees

     46,254   

Registration and filing fees

     38,266   

Distribution fees(1)

     32,558   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     28,332   

Insurance fees

     15,292   

Custodian fees

     7,172   

Other expenses

     4,123   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers

     1,971,895   

Less: waivers of Advisory fees

     (236,487
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers

     1,735,408   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (88,563
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

  

Net realized gain from:

  

Investments

     54,130,965   

Written options*

     17,661   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

  

Investments

     (15,787,817
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

     38,360,809   
  

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 38,272,246   
  

 

 

 

 

(1) Attributable to Investor Class Shares

* Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

10


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2012
 

Increase in net assets from operations:

    

Net investment loss

   $ (88,563   $ (2,126,769

Net realized gain from investments and written options

     54,148,626        20,219,831   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     (15,787,817     3,218,958   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     38,272,246        21,312,020   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions to shareholders from:

    

Net Realized gains

    

Investor Class Shares

     (2,127,625     (19,965,000

I Shares.

     (22,740,311     (40,427,651
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distribtuions to shareholders

     (24,867,936     (60,392,651
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital transactions:

    

Investor Class Shares

    

Proceeds from shares sold

     2,393,871        13,504,662   

Reinvestment of distributions

     2,117,679        19,950,107   

Shares redeemed

     (15,885,113     (119,410,959
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investor Class Shares

     (11,373,563     (85,956,190
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

I Shares

    

Proceeds from shares sold

     29,663,943        61,528,257   

Reinvestment of distributions

     22,371,805        40,118,934   

Shares redeemed

     (176,200,091     (100,504,504
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total I Shares

     (124,164,343     1,142,687   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption fees

     4,294        1,848   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from capital share transactions

     (135,533,612     (84,811,655
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

     (122,129,302     (123,892,286

Net assets

    

Beginning of year

     212,439,831        336,332,117   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 90,310,529      $ 212,439,831   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss, end of year

   $      $ (1,451,966
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding derived from share transactions:

    

Investor Class Shares

    

Shares sold

     260,820        1,438,758   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     263,066        2,403,628   

Shares redeemed

     (1,787,710     (12,777,914
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investor Class Shares

     (1,263,824     (8,935,528
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

I Shares

    

Shares sold

     3,236,483        6,653,884   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     2,738,287        4,781,756   

Shares redeemed

     (18,842,321     (10,758,420
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total I Shares

     (12,867,551     677,220   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in shares outstanding from share transactions

     (14,131,375     (8,258,308
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

11


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

     Investor Class Shares  
     Year
Ended
August 31,
2013
    Year
Ended
August 31,
2012
    Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
    One Month
Period Ended
August 31,
2010(1)(2)
    Year
Ended
July 31,
2010(2)
    Year
Ended
July 31,
2009(2)
 

Net asset value, Beginning of Period

   $ 9.18      $ 10.75      $ 8.79      $ 9.53      $ 8.45      $ 10.40   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income/(Loss) from Operations:

            

Net Investment Loss(3)

     (0.03     (0.09     (0.11     (0.01     (0.09     (0.05

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Loss) on Investments

     2.23        0.58        2.07        (0.73     1.17        (1.90
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from Operations

     2.20        0.49        1.96        (0.74     1.08        (1.95
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions from:

            

Net Realized Gains

     (1.21     (2.06                            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

     (1.21     (2.06                            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption Fees(4)

                                          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, End of Period

   $ 10.17      $ 9.18      $ 10.75      $ 8.79      $ 9.53      $ 8.45   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(5)

     27.47     6.56     22.30     (7.77 )%      12.78     (18.75 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

            

Net assets, End of Period (Thousands)

   $ 10,330      $ 20,930      $ 120,543      $ 160,496      $ 174,434      $ 138,929   

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (including waivers and recoupment, excluding fees paid indirectly)

     1.35     1.35     1.35     1.35 %(6)      1.29     1.11

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (excluding waivers and recoupment and fees paid indirectly)

     1.50     1.45     1.38     1.47 %(6)      1.34     1.41

Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets

     (0.29 )%      (0.93 )%      (0.93 )%      (0.97 )%(6)      (0.93 )%      (0.66 )% 

Portfolio Turnover Rate(7)

     131     138     122     7     97     126

 

(1) The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31.
(2)

Effective February 8, 2010, the Fund acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, a series of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II (the “Predecessor Fund”). The financial highlights for the period to that date reflect the performance of the Pedecessor Fund.

(3)

Per share data calculated using average share method.

(4)

Amount is less than $0.01 per share.

(5)

Total return has not been annualized for periods less than one year. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived by the Adviser during the period. The return shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemptions of Fund shares.

(6) Annualized.
(7) Portfolio turnover rate has not been annualized for periods less than one year.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

12


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective period. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

     I Shares  
     Year
Ended
August 31,
2013
    Year
Ended
August 31,
2012
    Year
Ended
August 31,
2011
    One Month
Period Ended
August 31,
2010(1)(2)
    Year
Ended
July 31,
2010(2)
    Year
Ended
July 31,
2009(2)
 

Net asset value, Beginning of Period

   $ 9.30      $ 10.83      $ 8.84      $ 9.58      $ 8.48      $ 10.42   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income/(Loss) from Operations:

            

Net Investment Loss(3)

     (— )(4)      (0.07     (0.08     (0.01     (0.07     (0.05

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Loss) on Investments

     2.26        0.60        2.07        (0.73     1.17        (1.89
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from Operations

     2.26        0.53        1.99        (0.74     1.10        (1.94
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and Distributions from:

            

Net Realized Gains

     (1.21     (2.06                            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

     (1.21     (2.06                            
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption Fees(4)

                                          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, End of Period

   $ 10.35      $ 9.30      $ 10.83      $ 8.84      $ 9.58      $ 8.48   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(5)

     27.81     6.93     22.51     (7.73 )%      12.97     (18.62 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

            

Net assets, End of Period (Thousands)

   $ 79,981      $ 191,510      $ 215,789      $ 165,334      $ 179,290      $ 154,905   

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (including waivers and recoupment, excluding fees paid indirectly)

     1.10     1.10     1.10     1.10 %(6)      1.10     1.04

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (excluding waivers and recoupment and fees paid indirectly)

     1.25     1.20     1.14     1.22 %(6)      1.16     1.36

Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets

     (0.04 )%      (0.68 )%      (0.69 )%      (0.72 )%(6)      (0.74 )%      (0.64 )% 

Portfolio Turnover Rate(7)

     131     138     122     7     97     126

 

(1)

The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31.

(2)

Effective February 8, 2010, the Fund acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund, a series of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund II (the “Predecessor Fund”). The financial highlights for the period to that date reflect the performance of the Pedecessor Fund.

(3)

Per share data calculated using average share method.

(4)

Amount is less than $0.01 per share.

(5)

Total return has not been annualized for periods less than one year. Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been waived by the Adviser during the period. The return shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemptions of Fund shares.

(6)

Annualized.

(7)

Portfolio turnover rate has not been annualized for periods less than one year.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

13


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2013

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has seventeen active investment portfolios, including the Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”).

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 80.773 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and forty-two classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The Fund invests primarily (at least 80% of its net assets) in small-cap equity securities. The assets of each fund of the Company are segregated, and a shareholder’s interest is limited to the fund in which shares are held.

As of August 31, 2013, the Fund offers Investor Class Shares and I Shares.

PORTFOLIO VALUATION – The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Securities held by the Fund are valued using the closing price or the last sale price on a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) market system where they are primarily traded. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

Fair Value Measurements – The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

  Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’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.

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2013, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

         Total
Value at
August 31, 2013
   Level 1
Quoted

Price
   Level 2
Other Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stocks*

     $ 92,334,024        $ 92,334,024        $        $  
 

Warrants

       3,731                   3,731           
      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
 

Total

     $ 92,337,755        $ 92,334,024        $ 3,731        $  
      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

  * Please refer to Portfolio of Investments for industry and sector type breakouts.

 

14


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

At the end of each fiscal quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Fund may ultimately realize. Furthermore, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between Levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each Level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the year ended August 31, 2013, there were no significant transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Fund.

Options Written – The Fund is subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and may enter into options written to hedge against changes in the value of equities. Such options may relate to particular securities or domestic stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic securities exchange or issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. The risk in writing a call option is that a Fund gives up the opportunity for profit if the market price of the security increases. The risk in writing a put option is that a Fund may incur a loss if the market price of the security decreases and the option is exercised. A Fund also has the additional risk of being unable to enter into a closing transaction at an acceptable price if a liquid secondary market does not exist. A Fund also may write over-the counter options where completing the obligation depends upon the credit standing of the other party. Option contracts also involve the risk that they may result in loss due to unanticipated developments in market conditions or other causes.

Written options are initially recorded as liabilities to the extent of premiums received and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the option written. Gains or losses are realized when the option transaction expires or closes. When an option is exercised, the proceeds on sales for a written call option or the purchase cost for a written put option is adjusted by the amount of the premium received.

The Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund had transactions in options written during the year ended August 31, 2013 as follows:

 

           Number of       Premiums  
       Contracts   Received
 

Options outstanding at August 31, 2012

             $  
 

Options written

       267               44,966  
 

Options closed

       (196 )       (26,685 )
 

Options expired

                
 

Options exercised

       (71 )       (18,281 )
      

 

 

     

 

 

 
 

Options outstanding at August 31, 2013

             $  
      

 

 

     

 

 

 

As of August 31, 2013, there were no options written for the Fund.

 

15


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME AND EXPENSES — The Fund records security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund’s investment income, expenses and unrealized and realized gains and losses are allocated daily. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family of the Company are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Expenses incurred for all the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Fund.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid annually. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S.TAX STATUS — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is the Fund’s intention to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — The Fund considers liquid assets deposited into a bank demand deposit account to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

REDEMPTION FEES — The Fund retains a redemption fee of 2% on redemptions of Fund shares held less than seven days. The fees are reflected on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fees or waivers at any time.

OTHER — In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

Perimeter Capital Management (the “Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund. For its services, the Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly fee, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) to 1.35% and 1.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Investor Class Shares and I Shares, respectively. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes.This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2013 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. If at any time during the first three years the advisory agreement is in effect, the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.35% and 1.10% of the Fund’s Investor Class Shares and I Shares average daily net assets, respectively, the Adviser may recoup any waived amount from the Fund if such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations. As of August 31, 2013, the total fees which were previously waived by the Adviser which may be subject to possible future reimbursement to the Adviser were $183,424, $275,981 and $236,487, expiring in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

 

16


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

Included in the administration and accounting service fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

The Bank of NewYork Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodian services to the Fund. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

3. Director Compensation

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The remuneration paid to the Directors by the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2013 was $16,416. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer or Director of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company.

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2013, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

        Purchases        

  

          Sales          

$194,722,040

   $347,477,739

5. Federal Income Tax Information

The Fund has followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Fund to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund has determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Fund is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2013, the federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

 

Federal Tax

Cost

   Unrealized
Appreciation
   Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation

$75,551,634

   $19,320,282    $(2,534,161)   $16,786,121

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2013, primarily attributable to the net investment loss and the utilization of the tax accounting practice known as equalization were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

Undistributed

Net Investment Income

   Accumulated
Net Realized Loss
  Paid-In
Capital

$1,540,529

   $(15,046,943)   $13,506,414

 

17


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2013

 

As of August 31, 2013, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed

Ordinary Income

   Undistributed
Long-Term Gains
   Unrealized
Appreciation

$13,836,407

   $16,929,901    $16,786,121

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate principally to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the year ended August 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

 

     Ordinary Income      Long-Term Gains      Total  

2013

   $       $ 24,867,936       $ 24,867,936   

2012

     9,096,108         51,296,543         60,392,651   

Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Modernization Act”), the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to any losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. The Fund’s first fiscal year-end subject to the Modernization Act was August 31, 2012. As of August 31, 2013, the Fund had no capital loss carryforwards.

6. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there was no subsequent event requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

18


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of the The RBB Fund, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund (one of the series constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) (the “Fund”) as of August 31, 2013, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2013, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. 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 Perimeter Small Cap Growth Fund of The RBB Fund, Inc. at August 31, 2013, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 30, 2013

 

19


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Shareholder Tax Information

(Unaudited)

Certain tax information is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2013. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2013. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Fund did not pay any ordinary income dividends and paid $24,867,936 of long-term capital gain dividends to its shareholders. Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2013. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2014.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Fund, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax-exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund.

 

20


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Other Information

(Unaudited)

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 968-4964 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules

The Company will file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Forms N-Q will be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (202) 551-8090.

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board of the Company, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Company (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund at a meeting of the Board held on May 15, 2013 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Advisory Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by the Adviser with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal of and approval of the Advisory Agreement between the Company and the Adviser with respect to the Fund, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the Adviser’s services provided to the Fund; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of the Adviser’s personnel providing those services; (iii) the Adviser’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) the Adviser’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) the Adviser’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) the Adviser’s current advisory fee arrangement with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) the Adviser’s compliance procedures; (viii) the Adviser’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Fund; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; (x) a report comparing the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of a comparable account managed by the Adviser; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its benchmark.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser. The Directors concluded that the Adviser had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund and that the Adviser’s services were acceptable. The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund and the Adviser, particularly in light of the recent redemption by a large investor. Information on the Fund’s investment performance was provided since inception and for one-year, three-year, and five-year periods, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The Directors considered the Fund’s investment performance in light of its investment objective and investment strategies. The Directors concluded that the investment performance of the Fund as compared to its benchmark was acceptable. The Directors also considered the Fund’s investment performance as compared to peer funds and, although the Fund slightly underperformed both its benchmark and peer funds, it found its performance acceptable.

The Directors also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Fund and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for a comparable account managed by the Adviser. In addition, the Directors noted that the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating expenses exceed 1.35% of the Fund’s Investor Class Shares and 1.10% of the Fund’s Class I Shares through at least December 31, 2013.

After reviewing the information regarding the Fund’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering the Adviser’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Fund were fair and reasonable and that the Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 16, 2014.

 

21


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Fund Management

(Unaudited)

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their dates of birth, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 968-4964.

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

 

  

Position(s)

Held

with Fund

 

  

Term of Office  

and Length of  

Time Served 1  

 

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

 

  

 

Number of  
Portfolios in  

Fund Complex  

Overseen by  

Director*  

 

  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

 

 

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

 

 

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

 

  

 

Director

  

 

1988 to present

  

 

Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications) from 1969 to 2011.

  

 

17

  

 

AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies)

 

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

  

 

Director

  

 

2002 to present

  

 

Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.) since 1984; and Director of Cornerstone Bank since March 2004.

 

  

 

17

  

 

None

 

Gregory P. Chandler

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/66

  

 

Director

  

 

2012 to present

  

 

Since May 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from February 2003-April 2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).

 

  

 

17

  

 

Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

 

Nicholas A. Giordano

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/43

  

 

Director

  

 

2006 to present

  

 

Consultant, financial services organizations from 1997 to present.

  

 

17

  

 

Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices); Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust; (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds; (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012)

 

 

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

 

  

 

Chairman Director

  

 

2005 to present 1991 to present

  

 

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC, from 2006 to present.

  

 

17

  

 

None

 

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

  

 

Director

  

 

2006 to present

  

 

Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; from 1980 to present, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group; from 2006 to 2008, President, The New York City Hot Dog Company.

 

  

 

17

  

 

Reich and Tang Group (asset management); The SPARX Asia Funds Group (registered investment company) (until 2009)

 

22


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Fund Management (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

 

  

Position(s)  

Held  

with Fund  

 

  

Term of Office  

and Length of  

Time Served 1  

 

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5Years

 

  

 

Number of  
Portfolios in  

Fund Complex  

Overseen by  

Director*  

 

  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

 

 

INTERESTED DIRECTORS 2

 

 

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

  

 

Director

  

 

2012 to present

  

 

Since July 2010, Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration, BNY Mellon Asset Servicing; from 2006 to July 2010, Senior Vice President, Fund Accounting and Administration, PNC Global Investment Servicing.

 

  

 

17

  

 

None

 

Robert Sablowsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/38

 

  

 

Director

  

 

1991 to present

  

 

Since July 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).

 

  

 

17

  

 

Kensington Funds (registered investment company) (until 2009)

 

23


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Fund Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

  

Position(s)

Held

with Fund

  

Term of Office  

and Length of  

Time Served 1  

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5Years

  

 

Number of  
Portfolios in  

Fund Complex  

Overseen by  

Director*  

 

  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

 

OFFICERS

 

 

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 209

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

DOB: 12/62

 

  

 

President and Chief Compliance Officer

  

 

President 2009 to present and Chief Compliance Officer 2004 to present

 

  

 

President, Vigilant Compliance Services since 2004; and Director of EIP Growth and Income Fund since 2005.

  

 

N/A

  

 

N/A

 

Joel Weiss

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 1/63

 

  

 

Treasurer

  

 

2009 to present

  

 

Since 1993 Vice President and Managing Director, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).

  

 

N/A

  

 

N/A

 

Jennifer Rogers

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/74

 

  

 

Secretary

  

 

2007 to present

  

 

Since 2005, Managing Director and Senior Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).

  

 

N/A

  

 

N/A

 

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

 

  

 

Assistant Treasurer

  

 

2005 to present

  

 

Since 1995, Vice President and Senior Director of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).

  

 

N/A

  

 

N/A

 

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

DOB: 7/59

 

  

 

Assistant Secretary

  

 

1999 to present

  

 

Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).

  

 

N/A

  

 

N/A

*Each Director oversees seventeen portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

1Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved a waiver of the policy with respect to Mr. Brodsky, Mr. Carnall and Mr. Sablowsky. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

2Messrs. Sablowsky and Nusblatt are considered “interested persons” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and are referred to as “Interested Directors.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer. Mr. Nusblatt is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as the Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration at BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, administrator and accounting agent and transfer agent to the Company.

 

24


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

 

FACTS

  

 

WHAT DOES THE PERIMETER SMALL CAP GROWTH (“PSCG”) FUND DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

  

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  

 

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

•   Social Security number

•   account balances

•   account transactions

•   transaction history

•   wire transfer instructions

•   checking account information

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

 

How?

  

 

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the PSCG Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

 

Reasons we can share your information

 

  

 

Does the PSCG Fund Share?    

 

   Can you limit this sharing?    

 

 

For our everyday business purpose —

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

 

  

Yes

 

   No

 

 

For our marketing purposes —

to offer our products and services to you

 

  

Yes

 

   No

 

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

  

No

 

   We don’t share

 

 

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your transactions and experiences

 

  

Yes

 

   Yes

 

 

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your creditworthiness

 

  

No

 

   We don’t share

 

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

  

No

 

   We don’t share

 

 

For nonaffiliates to market to you

 

  

No

 

   We don’t share

 

 

 

To Limit Our Sharing:

   Call Laura Newberg at (770) 350-8700
 

 

Questions?

   Call Laura Newberg at (770) 350-8700

 

25


PERIMETER

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

 

What we do

 

        

 

How does the PSCG Fund protect my personal information?

  

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

 

   

 

How does the PSCG Fund collect my personal information?

  

 

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

•    open an account

•    provide account information

•    give us your contact information

•    make a wire transfer

•    tell us where to send the money

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

 

   

 

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

  

 

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

•    sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness

•    affiliates from using your information to market to you

•    sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

 

   

 

What happens when I limit sharing for an account I hold jointly with someone else?

 

  

 

Your choices will apply to everyone on your account.

   

 

Definitions

 

      

 

Affiliates

  

 

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

•    Our affiliates include Concourse Capital and Perimeter Capital Management, LLC.

 

   

 

Nonaffiliates

  

 

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

•    The PSCG Fund doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. The Fund may share information with nonaffiliates that perform marketing services on our behalf.

 

   

 

Joint marketing

  

 

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

•    The PSCG Fund WILL NOT share your information with other financial institutions for marketing purposes.

 

   

 

26


Investment Adviser

Perimeter Capital Management

Six Concourse Parkway

Suite 3300

Atlanta, Ga 30328

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP

One Commerce Square

2005 Market Street, Suite 700

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Legal Counsel

Drinker, Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996


LOGO

 


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

GENERAL MARKET COMMENTARY

 

 

Dear Shareholder,

Throughout the past year, we have seen the major U.S. stock market indices move into record territory, only to close out August 2013 in a pullback kindled by concerns over the outlook for Federal Reserve (Fed) policy. Despite the August pullback, we believe the U.S. economy is still on the road to recovery led by rebounding housing prices, increased consumer confidence and spending.

We continue to look for signs that the U.S. economy is ready to wean itself off Fed stimulus. With the bounce in housing prices and the rebounding U.S. stock market, U.S. consumer net worth is at all-time highs, more than 10% above the 2007 peak. Despite the tick-up in mortgage rates, the housing recovery still appears firm. We need the positive feedback loop of the economy to gain momentum—consumer spending leading to more employment resulting in more loan growth and spending—to offset the anticipated decline in Fed stimulus. Employment numbers and bank loan growth will be key statistics going forward.

Support from our global partners will also help stimulate demand for our manufacturing economy. Europe has emerged from recession and Japan’s economy is growing at its fastest rate in decades. The emerging markets, particularly China, have shown signs of life as the global recovery has taken hold. Fiscal drag from the developed markets is decelerating which should also add to global growth. Finally, the recent weakness in the U.S. dollar should help stimulate demand for our exports. We believe the pieces are in place for GDP growth in the U.S. to accelerate to 3% in 2014.

The debate over market direction has shifted from the soundness of the recovery to valuation. On an absolute basis, the U.S. stock market appears close to fairly valued—for the first time since the financial crisis—at about 14.5 times forward expected twelve month earnings. Relative to the U.S. fixed income markets, the U.S. stock market still appears inexpensive.

Over the past twelve months, the S&P 500 has appreciated about 18.7% while earnings have increased about 5%. As value investors, we believe stock market appreciation should match earnings growth over time. Since the financial crisis, earnings growth of the S&P 500 has just about matched the appreciation of the market. Over the next twelve months, we should not expect market appreciation to outstrip earnings growth.

We believe many fears in the market today—looming government budget debate, debt ceiling debate, Fed policy changes, etc.—are transitory. The real issue is earnings growth. We believe the tepid global economic recovery will continue to gain traction as we move through 2014 resulting in solid earnings growth for U.S. companies. We believe the U.S. stock market continues to undervalue free cash flow with strong returns on capital and improving business momentum.

As noted above, there are many moving parts in the global economic and political landscape. Rather than trying to predict these variable outcomes, we will continue to do what we do best—identify stocks that we believe will outperform for your portfolio. By focusing on companies with low valuation, high and increasing returns on capital and improving business momentum, we believe we can create excess returns for you regardless of the investing environment.

Sincerely,

Robeco Investment Management

Portfolio composition is subject to change. The current and future portfolio holdings of the Funds are subject to investment risk.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        1   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

The Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Value Index, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013. The small cap value market maintained its positive momentum over the past year, with the Russell 2000 Value Index increasing 24.3%. The strong positive returns masked the year’s volatility as investor uncertainty about quantitative easing, macroeconomic events and the federal budget impacted stocks. However, despite the pullback in the equity markets during August, investors largely took the issues in stride as the Index posted positive returns across all sectors.

The Small Cap Value Fund II was able to add value in both up and down markets over the period, with the portfolio benefitting from good sector allocation and stock selection. Top performing sectors were Finance, Basic Industries, Consumer Durables and Non-Durables. Detractors from performance over the period were primarily Consumer Services and REITs.

At an average 23% weight, Finance was naturally impactful for the year and many of our financial services companies outperformed. We added value with our stock selection in the mortgage servicing market as further consolidation continued and the smaller mortgage servicers experienced market share growth. Our allocation away from Basic Industries, along with our stock selection within the sector, contributed to performance. Our focus on non commodity-type businesses, instead investing in market leaders with strong fundamentals, was a winning strategy in this area. Further, stock selection and our overweight to Consumer Durables and Non-Durables added to performance as several of our consumer product companies saw strong results from their industry leading positions, supported by solid balance sheets and high margins, to deliver strong results to the bottom line.

An underweight to Utilities and REITs finally started to add value as these high yielding sectors, selling at historically high valuations, lost some luster with investors. However, our stock selection within REITs detracted. We believe that property REITs, which comprise the majority of the Index sector, are selling at peak levels and do not represent a good risk/return tradeoff. Lastly, although our Consumer Services holdings kept pace with the market, our retailers and business services companies detracted from overall relative performance as they lagged the Index holdings’ appreciation of 41%.

Looking forward, we believe that the portfolio is well positioned with characteristics that work – attractive valuation, sound fundamentals and catalysts for change – to continue to provide for outperformance over the long term.

Sincerely,

David Dabora, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II

 

Small cap companies, as defined by our product, are those with a market capitalization similar to the Russell 2000® Value Index. These companies tend to be new, in early development, or in transition. Usually, small caps are rapidly evolving, generating a new product or service, or taking advantage of a new market. However, returns may be inconsistent and may fluctuate widely over the short term, and small stock valuations tend to be more sensitive to market psychology. The Fund may invest in more aggressive investments such as foreign securities which may expose the fund to currency and exchange rate fluctuations, illiquid securities, which may cause greater volatility and less liquidity. As a result, an investment in Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II should be part of a carefully diversified portfolio.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/13)   % of Net Assets  

World Fuel Services Corp.

    2.11%   

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Class A

    2.04%   

Walter Investment Management Corp.

    1.63%   

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

    1.59%   

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc.

    1.52%   

EnerSys

    1.49%   

Finish Line, Inc., (The), Class A

    1.44%   

FTI Consulting, Inc.

    1.42%   

Belden, Inc.

    1.40%   

WESCO International, Inc.

    1.32%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/13)      

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    14.8

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.6

Holdings:

    162   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $1,800   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    13.2

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    37.7

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

2      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (unaudited) (continued)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II vs. Russell Indices

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2003 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell indices are unmanaged, do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.

 

 
For Period Ended August 31, 2013   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

Small Cap Value Fund II — Institutional Class

    25.19%        20.54%        10.96%        9.52%        1.36%        1.30%   

Russell 2000® Value Index

    24.38%        18.36%        6.88%        8.55%        n/a        n/a   

Russell 2000® Index(1)

    26.27%        20.50%        7.98%        8.76%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Robeco Investment Management, Inc. has contractually agreed, until at least December 31, 2013, to waive a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense ratio as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above are as stated in the current prospectuses. These rates can fluctuate and may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.robecoinvest.com.

 

(1)

This is not a benchmark of the Fund. Results of index performance are presented for general comparative purposes.

The Russell 2000® Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the small-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000® Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index and is considered representative of small-cap stocks.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        3   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II vs. Russell Indices

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2003 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell indices are unmanaged, do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.

 

 
For Period Ended August 31, 2013   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

Small Cap Value Fund II — Investor Class

    24.90%        20.24%        10.68%        9.25%        1.61%        1.55%   

Russell 2000® Value Index

    24.38%        18.36%        6.88%        8.55%        n/a        n/a   

Russell 2000® Index(1)

    26.27%        20.50%        7.98%        8.76%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Robeco Investment Management, Inc. has contractually agreed, until at least December 31, 2013, to waive a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense ratio as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above are as stated in the current prospectuses. These rates can fluctuate and may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.robecoinvest.com.

 

(1) 

This is not a benchmark of the Fund. Results of index performance are presented for general comparative purposes.

The Russell 2000® Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the small-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000® Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index and is considered representative of small-cap stocks.

 

4      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder:

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund underperformed its benchmark, the S&P 500® Index. The Fund generated a net return of 8.61% during the past year versus the S&P 500® Index return of 18.70%. The portfolio’s return can be roughly attributed to the long holdings within the portfolio as the short portfolio behaved poorly during the past few quarters. The long portfolio performed well and posted returns greater than the benchmark S&P 500® Index, but less than the smaller capitalization oriented Russell 2000® Index for the period.

The first observation we’ll make is that there was a particularly large market capitalization and “style” spread as of the August close. As noted above, the “small cap” oriented Russell 2000® Index return of 26.27% during the period was greater than that of the S&P 500® Index return of 18.70%. Moreover, the “growth” style of investing performed considerably better than the “value” style. Longer-term clients of ours will recall that we have no predisposition toward any particular capitalization segment of the overall stock market or, for that matter, “style” definition of any particular stock. Instead, we select stocks through our investment process that we believe offer the best intermediate-to-long term risk adjusted returns in the market irrespective of these labels.

That said, depending on where we find these opportunities in the market at any one point in time may make us susceptible to short term differentials in the performance of these cohorts. For example, we have been noting for the better part of the last twelve months that the compelling values we were finding in the small cap segment of the market during the dark days of 2008 and early 2009 had largely vanished and we have been net sellers of smaller companies with generally higher amounts of operating leverage in favor of larger, more established companies with generally lesser amounts of operating leverage. The migration has been slow over the last year, but we entered the third quarter of this year with a short-term capitalization bias in favor of larger companies. The June 30, 2013 median capitalization of our long portfolio was $2.9 Billion, and the median capitalization of our short portfolio was $1.3 Billion. Once again, this is simply the result of where we are finding the best (or worst in the case of shorts) relative opportunities in the market.

However, careful readers of the performance table will note that since the inception of current Fund management growth has had a slight edge over value; yet our stock selection has more than overwhelmed any style bias as we seek to deploy capital at the “tails” of the opportunity set both long and short. We would fully expect that to be the case over the long haul yet short-term spreads in style returns, as evidenced in the third quarter, may have some influence on returns.

While the large return differentials of these two broad cohorts of stocks (capitalization and style) helps explain part of the Fund’s return, we believe they tell only a small piece of the story. Drilling down a little deeper into the factors that recently performed best provides some interesting insight into the current mindset of market participants.

In a nutshell, during the past several months the most expensive stocks with very poor business fundamentals (i.e. our short selling candidates) dramatically outperformed the broader stock universe.

So, after drilling down into the attributes that performed of late, we find an environment that runs contra to the characteristics that have driven our long-term success. Simply, very expensive stocks with poor business fundamentals where a multitude of investors have chosen to bet against the success of the stock have dramatically outperformed, all of which amount to very low odds for long run success. What would cause investors to suddenly behave so uncharacteristically? Of course, we cannot know for certain but can hazard a few educated guesses.

First, the Fed’s easy money policies of the past, such as the “quantitative Easing” (QE) program, have provided unprecedented liquidity in the market. The result is that investors are encouraged to take on risk as the Fed has effectively issued a put option against any slowdown in economic activity. The stocks that performed so extraordinarily during the quarter are unquestionably farthest out on the risk spectrum. Will the third quarter be the crescendo? Of course only time will tell, but clearly there is an accelerated and unhealthy risk appetite in this segment of the market. As any clients with an economics 101 background know, the principal risk to any money “printing” solution to an economic growth problem is inflation. While there is no evidence of inflation in either the Consumer Price Index or wages, we can tell you that there is plenty of evidence cropping up in pockets of the stock market in the form of excessive risk taking.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/13)   % of Net Assets  

CSG Systems International, Inc.

    1.44%   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    1.40%   

American International Group, Inc.

    1.38%   

DIRECTV

    1.30%   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    1.23%   

Maiden Holdings Ltd.

    1.22%   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC-ADR

    1.16%   

Leucadia National Corp.

    1.15%   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

    1.13%   

Babcock & Wilcox Co,. (The)

    1.10%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/13)   Long     Short  

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    14.1     24.1

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.6     4.1

Holdings:

    189        207   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $31,595        $4,450   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    14.1     -1.1

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    40.6     15.6

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        5   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (unaudited) (continued)

 

Second, the alternatives appear relatively unattractive in the very short run. We have discussed a concern over the fundamental back drop for stocks in recent letters. Specifically, forward earnings expectations, upon which most stocks are priced, have been generally falling. For example, current expectations for 2013 earnings per share for the S&P 500 companies are $109.30. One year ago, that same number was $113.43. In the face of this decline in expected earnings, stocks broadly are up 20%. The pace of lowered earnings expectations does not appear to be abating with the third quarter having seen the highest number of negative pre-announcements since 2008. Consequently, this slow growth environment that the economy has seen renders the average company struggling to find growth and generally reigning in expectations for the future. Within such a backdrop, the relative excitement over the “concept” or “story” stocks appears disproportionately large and potentially encourages above average risk taking in order to find attractive returns. Most of these companies do not have earnings to report, so there’s nothing to miss. For the time being, their sales may be growing very rapidly and that is the only hurdle for investor’s short term appetites. We saw a very similar phenomenon in 2007. During the second quarter of ’07, many companies began to miss earnings expectations as, we now know, the profit cycle was peaking. For the short term, many sexy “story” stocks that continued to grow rapidly kept surging in price as there became fewer and fewer of them until, at last, they fell as well and, ultimately, fell the hardest. We relay this analogy not as a prediction, but only as an indication that there exist points in time in the market when investors become very short-term focused, particularly over certain segments of the market, and this appears to be one of those times. As we look at the intermediate to long-term prospects of these companies, in many instances we have trouble justifying even one quarter to half of the current values being ascribed.

We will undoubtedly one day better understand the motivations of today’s investors in these stocks for, as the saying goes, all vision is 20/20 in hindsight; but for now we do our best to balance the compelling longer-term short selling opportunity that these names present with the short term price risk. We have spent the better part of the last few months managing exposures in these names and adding additional lower quality names that have surged to the short portfolio where appropriate. In almost all cases we have maintained at least some exposure to these situations given our longer-term focus and our knowledge that many of these situations “take the escalator up and the elevator down.”

Our bottom-up value discipline has yielded a long portfolio that is attractive relative to the short portfolio from both a valuation and profitability standpoint. The long portfolio trades at 14.1x price-to-earnings and 1.6x price-to-book, and the short portfolio trades at 24.1x price-to-earnings and 4.1x price-to-book. We believe that consistently positioning the portfolio with these general characteristics increases the probability of success over the long-term and continues to be the focus of our efforts.

Robert Jones, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund

 

Investment in shares of the Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund is more volatile and risky than some other forms of investments. Since the Fund has both a long and a short portfolio, an investment in the Fund will involve risks associated with twice the number of investment decisions made for a typical stock fund. These types of funds typically have a high portfolio turnover that could increase transaction costs and cause short-term capital gains to be realized. Investments made in small or mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile and less liquid due to limited resources or product lines and more sensitive to economic factors. The Fund may invest in more aggressive investments such as foreign securities which may expose the fund to currency and exchange rate fluctuations, illiquid and high yield debt (also known as junk bonds), all of which may cause greater volatility and less liquidity conditions.

 

 

6      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (unaudited) (continued)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in

Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund vs. S&P 500® Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2003 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the S&P 500® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For Period Ended August 31, 2013   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

Long/Short Equity Fund — Institutional Class

    8.61%        15.31%        17.12%        12.43%        4.29%        4.29%   

S&P 500® Index

    18.70%        18.40%        7.32%        7.12%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Robeco Investment Management, Inc. has contractually agreed, until at least December 31, 2013, to waive a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense ratio as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above (including interest and dividend expense on short sales) are as stated in the current prospectuses. These rates can fluctuate and may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.robecoinvest.com.

The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of 500 large-cap stocks.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        7   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in

Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund vs. S&P 500® Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2003 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the S&P 500® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For Period Ended August 31, 2013   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

Long/Short Equity Fund — Investor Class

    8.30%        15.02%        16.70%        12.09%        4.54%        4.54%   

S&P 500® Index

    18.70%        18.40%        7.32%        7.12%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Robeco Investment Management, Inc. has contractually agreed, until at least December 31, 2013, to waive a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense ratio as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above (including interest and dividend expense on short sales) are as stated in the current prospectuses. These rates can fluctuate and may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.robecoinvest.com.

The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of 500 large-cap stocks.

 

8      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder:

The Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund underperformed its benchmark, the S&P 500® Index, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013. Despite the recent pullback in the S&P 500® Index during the month of August, equities have had a strong performance over the past year. The Fund’s 48% average short weight accounts for the lion’s share of underperformance.

In light of market performance, our stock picking was good, particularly on the long side. The most influential factors driving the Fund’s performance were the pro-cyclical holdings on the long side combined with continued economic recovery and a weaker dollar. For the Fund, shorts in highly valued technology and business service companies were problematic—companies with substantial revenue growth are becoming more scarce and their prices were and are being bid up to valuations that allow little room for falling short of investors’ expectations.

Turnover in the Fund’s holdings was more active on the short side than long – we added 158 new shorts and 110 new long positions while closing 152 shorts and 116 longs, respectively. There were notable concentrations of new shorts in energy and consumer service companies. Capital goods companies were most prominent among long positions we sold last year.

We have rebuilt our shorts as the number of companies likely to disappoint elevated expectations increased. There was little net change in our number of long positions. With the strong run in equity prices during the year, our average short position has more forecast downside potential than our longs have forecast upside potential.

As we have done since the strategy’s inception in 2002, the industry specialists managing the Fund purchase shares of only those companies in their sphere of expertise they deem most likely to appreciate on the long side, while selling short securities likely to fail due to deception or disadvantaged economic circumstance. Our analysis process is rooted in the three circles framework of low valuation, positive business momentum and superior economic fundamentals that the portfolio managers of Robeco Investment Management and its predecessors have been employing for over a quarter century.

Sincerely,

Joseph Feeney, CFA & Eric Connerly, CFA

Co-Portfolio Managers, for the Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund

 

The Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund will engage in short sales which theoretically involves unlimited loss potential since the market price of securities may continuously increase. This may have the effect of increased leverage with risk of loss and cause fluctuations in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio to have disproportionately large effects or cause the

NAV of the Fund generally to decline faster than it would otherwise. Investments made in small or mid-capitalization companies may be more volatile and less liquid due to limited resources or product lines and more sensitive to economic factors. The Fund may invest in more aggressive investments such as foreign securities which may expose the fund to currency and exchange rate fluctuations, derivatives (futures, options, swaps), Real Estate Investments Trusts (affected by economic factors related to the real estate industry), illiquid and high yield debt (also known as junk bonds), all of which may cause greater volatility and less liquidity. Derivatives may be more sensitive to changes in market conditions. The Fund may experience high portfolio turnover which may result in higher costs and capital gains.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/13)   % of Net Assets  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    1.16%   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    0.97%   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    0.83%   

Flextronics International Ltd.

    0.81%   

Baidu, Inc. — Sponsored ADR

    0.80%   

Citigroup, Inc.

    0.79%   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    0.77%   

Energen Corp.

    0.76%   

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.

    0.76%   

Western Digital Corp.

    0.73%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/13)   Long     Short  

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    15.2     22.0

P/B: Price/Book:

    2.0     2.7

Holdings:

    242        210   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $37,702        $8,987   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    19.0     10.4

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    64.7     34.5

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        9   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (unaudited) (continued)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in
Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund vs. S&P 500® Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on September 30, 2010 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the S&P 500® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For Period Ended August 31, 2013   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     Since
Inception(1)
     

Long/Short Research Fund — Institutional Class

    12.81%        10.97%        2.84%        2.81%   

S&P 500® Index

    18.70%        15.54%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Robeco Investment Management, Inc. has contractually agreed, until at least December 31, 2013, to waive a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense ratio as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above (including interest and dividend expense on short sales) are as stated in the current prospectuses. These rates can fluctuate and may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.robecoinvest.com.

 

(1)

For the period September 30, 2010 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2013.

The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of 500 large-cap stocks.

 

10      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in
Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund vs. S&P 500® Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on November 29, 2010 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the S&P 500® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For Period Ended August 31, 2013   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     Since
Inception(1)
     

Long/Short Research Fund — Investor Class

    12.52%        9.82%        3.04%        3.00%   

S&P 500® Index

    18.70%        14.65%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Robeco Investment Management, Inc. has contractually agreed, until at least December 31, 2013, to waive a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense ratio as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above (including interest and dividend expense on short sales) are as stated in the current prospectuses. These rates can fluctuate and may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.robecoinvest.com.

 

(1)

For the period November 29, 2010 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2013.

The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of 500 large-cap stocks.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        11   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

The Robeco Boston Partners All Cap Value Fund outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 3000® Value Index, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013. Portfolio allocation decisions drove the Fund’s outperformance for the period. The Fund’s underweight exposure to REITs and Utilities, in favor of more attractive risk-return stock-specific opportunities elsewhere in the market, significantly helped relative performance as these index sectors widely underperformed the broader market. The Fund’s stock selection outmatched the index across the majority of major economic sectors. In the aggregate, however, it did not add value over the index due to lagging returns in Consumer Services, Finance and Technology. The Fund’s holdings in these areas underperformed the index sectors despite 26%, 31% and 20% returns, respectively.

During the period, we have continued to find stock-specific opportunities meeting our criteria throughout the market. Given the Fund’s all-cap flexibility, the team has been able to take advantage of a wide berth of opportunities to purchase names with attractive valuation, fundamental and business momentum characteristics. Our bottom-up work has generally been leading us to larger cap companies whose durable earnings fundamentals have been getting short shrift by investors. However, we have also been opportunistically investing in small and mid cap names on a case by case basis.

Looking ahead, we will continue to vet investment opportunities across the entire market within our three-circle discipline of attractive valuation, sound fundamentals and a catalyst for improvement. The portfolio’s valuation edge and quality advantage over the benchmark has positioned it favorably for the longer term. We look forward to keeping you informed of the work we are doing for our investors along the way.

Sincerely,

Duilio Romallo, CFA—Portfolio Manager, Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund

 

The Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund may invest in small cap companies. These companies tend to be new, in early development, or in transition. Usually, small caps are rapidly evolving, generating a new product or service, or taking advantage of a new market. However, returns may be inconsistent and may fluctuate widely over the short term, and small stock valuations tend to be more sensitive to market psychology. The Fund may invest in more aggressive investments such as foreign securities which may expose the fund to currency and exchange rate fluctuations, illiquid securities and options (a type of derivative), all of which may cause greater volatility and less liquidity. Derivatives may be more sensitive to changes in market conditions. As a result, an investment in the Fund should be part of a carefully diversified portfolio.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/13)   % of Net Assets  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    3.22%   

Amgen, Inc.

    2.91%   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    2.21%   

Capital One Financial Corp.

    2.04%   

Johnson & Johnson

    1.95%   

Citigroup, Inc.

    1.92%   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    1.82%   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    1.79%   

Pfizer, Inc.

    1.74%   

Sanofi — ADR

    1.55%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/13)      

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    14.4

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.7

Holdings:

    123   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $62,724   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    15.1

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    56.9

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

12      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited) (continued)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund vs. Russell Indices

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2003 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell indices are unmanaged, do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.

 

 
For Period Ended August 31, 2013   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

All-Cap Value Fund — Institutional Class

    26.11%        18.75%        10.24%        10.75%        1.03%        0.70%   

Russell 3000® Value Index

    23.20%        18.21%        6.70%        7.68%        n/a        n/a   

Russell 3000® Index(1)

    20.32%        18.87%        7.63%        7.60%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Robeco Investment Management, Inc. has contractually agreed, until at least December 31, 2013, to waive a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense ratio as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above are as stated in the current prospectuses. These rates can fluctuate and may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.robecoinvest.com.

 

(1)

This is not a benchmark of the Fund. Results of index performance are presented for general comparative purposes.

The Russell 3000® Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the broad value segment of the U.S. equity value universe. It includes those Russell 3000® Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        13   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund vs. Russell Indices

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2003 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell indices are unmanaged, do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.

 

 
For Period Ended August 31, 2013   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

All-Cap Value Fund — Investor Class

    25.93%        18.52%        9.99%        10.49%        1.28%        0.95%   

Russell 3000® Value Index

    23.20%        18.21%        6.70%        7.68%        n/a        n/a   

Russell 3000® Index(1)

    20.32%        18.87%        7.63%        7.60%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Robeco Investment Management, Inc. has contractually agreed, until at least December 31, 2013, to waive a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense ratio as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above are as stated in the current prospectuses. These rates can fluctuate and may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.robecoinvest.com.

 

(1)

This is not a benchmark of the Fund. Results of index performance are presented for general comparative purposes.

The Russell 3000® Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the broad value segment of the U.S. equity value universe. It includes those Russell 3000® Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market.

 

14      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO WPG SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

The Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Value Index, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013. As we close the year, macroeconomic events continue to dominate the headlines and market movements. Despite the potential for US intervention in Syria, extreme foreign currency movements and mixed signals over the Fed’s bond purchasing program, the market continues to march toward new levels. Small cap stocks performed particularly well as we saw many of our companies reach all-time highs.

As of the August close, the vast majority of outperformance can be attributed to stock selection. The biggest contributors from stock selection were the Finance, Transportation and Health Care sectors. Mortgage servicing and product tankers performed strongly for the portfolio, benefitting from interest rate movements and global refined fuel demand, respectively. REITs, Energy, Consumer and Utilities were positive contributors as well. Negatively impacting results was stock selection in the Communications, Basic Industries and Technology sectors. Weak global demand for some of our portfolio companies negatively affected near-term performance, however, we are confident in the long-run demand trends.

In response to the current environment, we have slightly increased our weightings in the Finance and Technology sectors and decreased our weightings in Consumer Services as the outlook for domestic spending continues to weaken.

We begin the new fiscal year with continued uncertainty in the macro backdrop and a government stalemate over the fiscal budget. As the markets continue to reach new highs, we remain focused on investing in companies with meaningful company-specific earnings drivers and identifiable catalysts over the long term.

Sincerely,

Richard Shuster, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

 

Value investing involves buying the stocks of companies that are out of favor or are undervalued. This may adversely affect The Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund’s value and return. Investments in Real Estate Investment Trusts may be affected by economic forces and other factors related to the real estate industry. There is risk that the special situation might not occur which could have a negative impact on the securities. The purchase of rights and warrants involves risk that the Fund could lose the purchase value of the right or warrant. The Fund may invest in securities that are traded only in the over-the-counter market as well as small cap and micro cap securities. These securities may be subject to wide fluctuations in market value.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/13)   % of Net Assets  

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

    2.96%   

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.

    2.56%   

Accuray, Inc.

    2.27%   

Scorpio Tankers, Inc.

    2.00%   

Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.

    1.99%   

Libbey, Inc.

    1.99%   

BancorpSouth, Inc.

    1.97%   

Chiquita Brands International, Inc.

    1.95%   

Maiden Holdings Ltd.

    1.92%   

Approach Resources, Inc.

    1.72%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/13)      

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    13.3

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.3

Holdings:

    112   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $1,224   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    6.7

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    17.7

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        15   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO WPG SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in

Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund vs. Russell 2000® Value Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on August 31, 2003 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell 2000® Value Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For Period Ended August 31, 2013   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund — Institutional Class

    33.71%        18.01%        9.61%        8.31%        1.70%        1.70%   

Russell 2000® Value Index

    24.38%        18.36%        6.88%        8.55%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Robeco Investment Management, Inc. has contractually agreed, until at least December 31, 2013, to waive a portion of its advisory fee and reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense ratio as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above are as stated in the current prospectus. This rate can fluctuate and may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.robecoinvest.com.

The Russell 2000® Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the small-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2000® Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

 

16      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder:

The Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund out-performed its benchmark, the MSCI World Index, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013.

Global developed markets delivered strong performance for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013. Markets rose strongly from September 2012 through the fiscal year-end following stimulus measures from the US, Europe, and China. Over the year, investors had became increasingly resigned to the political acrimony in Washington and were relatively well behaved during the “fiscal cliff” debate. Markets maintained an upward trajectory through February 2013 on news of rising US consumer confidence, and continuing positive economic data from China. From there, regional market performance began to diverge. Concerns about Europe resurfaced following the euro-area bailout of Cyprus. While Cyprus is quite small, the crisis revealed the lack of progress that had been made towards dealing with the Euro area’s troubles. Meanwhile, the Japanese stock market began its steep ascent with the inflationary measures introduced by “Abenomics”. Unfortunately for emerging markets, the news from Cyprus and “Abenomics” added to their current problem of declining GDP growth. Cyprus reintroduced a temporary “risk-off” mentality that has always been acutely felt in emerging markets, and the devalued Japanese yen threatened to dampen profits of Asian exporters. Emerging markets continued their tumble after Ben Bernanke told the US Congress that the pace of asset purchases would slow as the unemployment outlook improved.

The foreseeable end of the Fed’s quantitative easing had a less severe impact the closer one got to the US. Japanese markets had a strong initial downward move before steadying. Europe was also impacted, as any concerns of lower global demand threatened their nascent economic recovery. Meanwhile, US markets were the least impacted by the news. Throughout the first half of 2013, the US growth became the focal point of optimistic investors. Signs of pent-up demand were building among the resilient US consumer base, and the prospect of cheap US energy was being realized through shale-gas fracking.

The Fund remains focused on identifying dislocations between underlying fundamentals and valuations on an individual company basis. Individual security selection drove relative performance with the Industrials sector and Materials sector being the largest positive contributors. The largest active weights by sector were the portfolio’s overweight in the Consumer Discretionary sector and underweight in the Consumer Staples sector. This positioning is the direct result of the aggregate valuation of the constituent stocks within these sectors. The perceived safety of defensive sectors, like Consumer Staples, led to a run-up in prices and unattractive valuations. Conversely, the Consumer Discretionary sector became increasingly attractive, and was the top performing sector over the past 12 months. Consumer Staple stocks underperformed the broader market as investors became more optimistic about the global economy. Our positioning in the Financials sector was the only sector to detract from relative performance. The portfolio maintains a conservative posture towards financial stocks due to capital concerns. Behind Consumer Discretionary, Financials were the best performing sector. Many international bank stocks, rebounded strong during the year on signs of an economic recovery. Lastly, from a regional perspective, the portfolio was overweight the United Kingdom and Europe at the expense of the North America and Japan.

Looking into the next year, the reaction of markets to the political acrimony in Washington is our biggest concern. In the past, a sharp market downturn has been a prerequisite to break the political stalemate. As budget and debt ceiling battles become more frequent, volatility will increase. On the positive side, markets have priced in future Fed tapering with the vast majority of the blow being felt in emerging markets. Additionally, the world’s second largest economy, China, has managed a soft-landing. Needless to say, markets are better off with positive economic news from both the US and China. The current environment affords opportunity and the Fund remains well positioned with holdings that reflect solid 3 circle characteristics—attractive valuations, solid fundamentals, and identifiable catalysts—that perform well through all environments.

Sincerely,

Christopher K. Hart, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Robeco Boston Partners

Global Equity Fund

 

International investing is subject to special risks including, but not limited to, currency risk associated with securities denominated in other than US dollar, which may be affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates, political, social or economic instability, and differences in taxation, auditing and other financial practices. Investment in emerging market securities may increase these risks. The Fund may invest in small and mid cap companies which tend to be more volatile and may fluctuate in the opposite direction of the broader stock market average, and in illiquid securities which involves risk of limitations on resale and uncertainty determining valuation. An investment in the Fund should be part of a carefully diversified portfolio.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/13)   % of Net Assets  

Macy’s, Inc.

    2.39%   

CVS Caremark Corp.

    2.32%   

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    2.14%   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    2.05%   

McKesson Corp.

    1.93%   

Atos

    1.80%   

Liberty Global, Inc., Class C

    1.78%   

Roche Holding AG, Participation Certificate

    1.69%   

Citigroup, Inc.

    1.66%   

WPP PLC

    1.65%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/13)      

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    12.8

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.7

Holdings:

    105   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $52,330   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    19.0

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    40.9

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        17   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND (unaudited)  (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in
Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund vs. MSCI World Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on December 30, 2011 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the MSCI World Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For Period Ended August 31, 2013   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
    

1 Year

   

Since
Inception(1)

     

Global Equity Fund — Institutional Class

    20.14%        18.15%        3.56%        1.30%   

MSCI World Index

    18.31%        17.69%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Robeco Investment Management, Inc. has contractually agreed, until at least December 31, 2013, to waive a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense ratio as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above (including interest and dividend expense on short sales) are as stated in the current prospectuses. These rates can fluctuate and may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.robecoinvest.com.

 

(1)

For the period December 30, 2011 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2013.

The MSCI World Index is an unmanaged index that measures the equity market performance of developed markets.

 

18      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder:

The Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund out-performed its benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Index, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013.

International developed markets delivered strong performance during the fiscal year. Markets rose strongly from September 2012 through year-end following stimulus measures from the US, Europe, and China. Over the year, investors became increasingly resigned to the political acrimony in Washington and were relatively well behaved during the “fiscal cliff” debate. Markets maintained an upward trajectory through February 2013 on news of rising US consumer confidence, and continuing positive economic data from China. From there, regional market performance diverged. Concerns about Europe resurfaced following the euro-area bailout of Cyprus. While Cyprus is quite small, the crisis revealed the lack of progress that had been made towards dealing with the Euro area’s troubles. Meanwhile, the Japanese stock market began its steep ascent with the inflationary measures introduced by “Abenomics”. Unfortunately for emerging markets, the news from Cyprus and “Abenomics” added to their current problem of declining GDP growth. Cyprus reintroduced a temporary “risk-off” mentality that has always been acutely felt in emerging markets, and the devalued Japanese yen promised to dampen profits of Asian exporters. Emerging markets continued their tumble after Ben Bernanke told the US Congress that the pace of asset purchases would slow as the unemployment outlook improved. Developed markets recovered from the foreseeable end of the Fed’s quantitative easing.

The Fund remains focused on identifying dislocations between underlying fundamentals and valuations on a company basis. Individual security selection drove relative performance. Stocks in the Consumer Discretionary and Industrials sectors were the largest positive contributors to relative performance. Defensive sectors, which the portfolio tends to be underweight because of valuations, underperformed as investors became more confident in global growth. Financials was the only sector to detract from relative performance. The portfolio maintains a conservative posture towards financial stocks due to capital concerns. Financials were the second best performing sector. Many international bank stocks, rebounded during the year on signs of a sustainable economic recovery.

Looking into the next year, the reaction of markets to the political acrimony in Washington is our biggest concern. In the past, a sharp market downturn has been a prerequisite to break the political stalemate. As budget and debt ceiling battles become more frequent, volatility will increase. On the positive side, markets have priced in future Fed tapering with the vast majority of the blow being felt in emerging markets. Additionally, the world’s second largest economy, China, has so far managed a soft-landing. Needless to say, markets are better off with positive economic news from both the US and China. The current environment affords opportunity and the Fund remains well positioned with holdings that reflect solid 3 circle characteristics—attractive valuations, solid fundamentals, and identifiable catalysts—that perform well through all environments.

Sincerely,

Christopher K. Hart, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund

 

International investing is subject to special risks including, but not limited to, currency risk associated with securities denominated in other than US dollar, which may be affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates, political, social or economic instability, and differences in taxation, auditing and other financial practices. Investment in emerging market securities may increase these risks. The Fund may invest in small and mid cap companies which tend to be more volatile and may fluctuate in the opposite direction of the broader stock market average, and in illiquid securities which involves risk of limitations on resale and uncertainty determining valuation. An investment in the Fund should be part of a carefully diversified portfolio.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/13)   % of Net Assets  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    3.07%   

Meggitt PLC

    2.74%   

Atos

    2.73%   

Roche Holding AG, Participation Certificate

    2.44%   

Total SA

    2.43%   

WPP PLC

    2.36%   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    2.18%   

HSBC Holdings PLC

    2.09%   

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    2.05%   

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

    2.05%   

 

Portfolio Review as of (8/31/2013)      

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    12.0

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.4

Holdings:

    80   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $42,686   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    20.3

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    35.3

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        19   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in

Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund vs. MSCI EAFE Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on December 30, 2011 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the MSCI EAFE Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

 
For Period Ended August 31, 2013   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
    

1 Year

   

Since
Inception(1)

     

International Equity Fund — Institutional Class

    21.52%        17.60%        3.77%        1.30%   

MSCI EAFE Index

    19.17%        16.86%        n/a        n/a   

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Robeco Investment Management, Inc. has contractually agreed, until at least December 31, 2013, to waive a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain the expense ratio as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. The Fund’s annual operating expense ratios above (including interest and dividend expense on short sales) are as stated in the current prospectuses. These rates can fluctuate and may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-261-4073 or visit our web site at www.robecoinvest.com.

 

(1)

For the period December 30, 2011 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2013.

The MSCI EAFE Index is an unmanaged index that measures the equity market performance of developed markets excluding the US and Canada.

 

20      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES (unaudited)

 

 

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

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2013 through August 31, 2013, and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the accompanying tables 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 accompanying tables provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a 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(s) and other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying tables 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 accompanying tables 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 were included, your costs would have been higher.

Expense Table

     Beginning Account
Value
March 1, 2013
     Ending Account
Value
August 31, 2013
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
    Expenses
Paid During
Period*
 
Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II           

Institutional

          

Actual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     $1,000.00         $1,101.70         1.29     $6.83   

Hypothetical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     1,000.00         1,018.70         1.29     6.56   

Investor

          

Actual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     $1,000.00         $1,100.80         1.54     $8.15   

Hypothetical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     1,000.00         1,017.44         1.54     7.83   
Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund           

Institutional

          

Actual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     $1,000.00         $1,005.30         4.04 %(1)      $20.42   

Hypothetical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     1,000.00         1,004.84         4.04 %(1)      20.42   

Investor

          

Actual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     $1,000.00         $1,004.00         4.29 %(1)      $21.67   

Hypothetical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     1,000.00         1,003.58         4.29 %(1)      21.67   
Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund           

Institutional

          

Actual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     $1,000.00         $1,053.90         2.70 %(1)      $13.98   

Hypothetical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     1,000.00         1,011.59         2.70 %(1)      13.69   

Investor

          

Actual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     $1,000.00         $1,052.60         2.98 %(1)      $15.42   

Hypothetical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     1,000.00         1,010.18         2.98 %(1)      15.10   

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        21   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

    Beginning Account
Value
March 1, 2013
    Ending Account
Value
August 31, 2013
    Annualized
Expense
Ratio
    Expenses
Paid During
Period*
 
Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund        

Institutional

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,128.80        0.70     $3.76   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,021.68        0.70     3.57   

Investor

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,128.00        0.95     $5.10   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,020.42        0.95     4.84   
Robeco Boston Partners WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund        

Institutional

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,119.20        1.44     $7.69   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,017.95        1.44     7.32   
Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund        

Institutional

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,071.00        1.30     $6.79   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,018.65        1.30     6.61   
Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund        

Institutional

       

Actual

    $1,000.00        $1,061.80        1.30     $6.76   

Hypothetical

    1,000.00        1,018.65        1.30     6.61   

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratios in the table above, which include waived fees or reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (184) in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 365 to reflect the one-half year period. The Fund’s ending account values on the first line in each table are based on the actual six-month total return of 10.17% and 10.08% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II; 0.53% and 0.40% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund; 5.39% and 5.26% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund; 12.88% and 12.80% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund; 11.92% for the Institutional Class of the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, 7.10% for the Institutional Class of the Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and 6.18% for the Institutional Class of the Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund.

 

(1)

These amounts include dividends paid on securities which the Funds have sold short (“short-sale dividends”) and related interest expense. The amount of short-sale dividends and related interest expense was 1.61% of average net assets for the six-month period ended August 31, 2013 for both the Institutional Class and Investor Class of the Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund and 1.22% and 1.25% of average net assets for the six-month period ended August 31, 2013 for the Institutional Class and Investor Class of the Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, respectively.

 

22      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLES (unaudited)

 

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    21.2   $ 34,676,679   

Consumer Services

    18.9        31,042,766   

Capital Goods

    14.3        23,376,617   

Technology

    9.8        15,984,820   

Health Care

    9.7        15,961,577   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    7.5        12,238,390   

Consumer Non-Durables

    6.4        10,521,941   

Consumer Durables

    2.9        4,702,995   

Energy

    2.4        3,900,441   

Basic Industries

    2.3        3,763,179   

Transportation

    1.6        2,564,079   

Utilities

    1.4        2,366,644   

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL

    2.8        4,609,997   

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS

    (1.2     (2,030,757
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 163,679,368   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification    % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

    

Technology

     16.7   $ 140,786,318   

Finance

     14.9        125,619,857   

Consumer Services

     13.5        113,408,962   

Energy

     11.9        100,265,129   

Health Care

     11.5        97,150,558   

Capital Goods

     9.9        83,466,656   

Communications

     4.9        40,814,555   

Consumer Non-Durables

     4.7        39,548,926   

Basic Industries

     4.6        38,317,465   

Consumer Durables

     1.6        13,220,491   

Transportation

     1.4        11,860,721   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     0.3        2,161,669   

PREFERRED STOCK

     0.0        142,505   

OPTIONS PURCHASED

     0.0        301,374   

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL

     1.0        8,176,524   

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

     (70.1     (589,335,711

WRITTEN OPTIONS

     (0.1     (1,309,375

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

     73.3        616,514,916   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     100.0   $ 841,111,540   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    14.3      $ 267,959,843   

Technology

    12.9        241,522,141   

Capital Goods

    12.7        237,618,627   

Consumer Services

    11.2        210,309,364   

Energy

    10.1        188,877,892   

Health Care

    9.1        170,766,452   

Basic Industries

    6.4        120,153,811   

Communications

    5.8        109,381,420   

Consumer Non-Durables

    3.9        73,306,525   

Consumer Durables

    3.3        62,420,981   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    1.8        34,499,500   

Utilities

    0.8        15,463,784   

Transportation

    0.5        9,358,745   

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

    (47.2     (885,075,543

WRITTEN OPTIONS

    (0.1     (2,225,620

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    54.5        1,021,578,297   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 1,875,916,219   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    26.3   $ 136,649,761   

Health Care

    18.0        93,328,991   

Technology

    12.9        67,302,120   

Consumer Services

    12.9        66,899,142   

Energy

    8.1        42,326,729   

Capital Goods

    7.0        36,131,526   

Consumer Non-Durables

    4.5        23,490,667   

Consumer Durables

    2.6        13,749,409   

Communications

    2.0        10,465,323   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    0.4        2,012,174   

PREFERRED STOCK

    0.0        38,865   

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL

    0.4        2,239,470   

WRITTEN OPTIONS

    0.0        (201,213

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    4.9        25,359,696   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 519,792,660   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        23   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLES (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

ROBECO WPG SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    27.4   $ 11,168,003   

Consumer Services

    10.4        4,251,670   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    10.0        4,063,672   

Technology

    8.8        3,588,493   

Capital Goods

    8.4        3,417,976   

Health Care

    6.0        2,454,796   

Utilities

    5.6        2,296,457   

Transportation

    5.1        2,080,909   

Energy

    4.7        1,903,856   

Consumer Non-Durables

    3.5        1,448,534   

Consumer Durables

    2.0        808,852   

Basic Industries

    2.0        804,240   

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL

    8.3        3,362,286   

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS

    (2.2     (895,494
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 40,754,250   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    20.1   $ 2,310,075   

Consumer Discretionary

    18.5        2,127,472   

Information Technology

    12.8        1,476,852   

Industrials

    12.2        1,396,918   

Health Care

    12.1        1,389,879   

Materials

    7.4        852,793   

Energy

    7.4        851,499   

Consumer Staples

    5.7        660,349   

Telecommunication Services

    1.6        182,449   

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    2.2        248,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 11,496,286   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Financials

    18.6   $ 2,065,938   

Consumer Discretionary

    16.1        1,791,217   

Industrials

    14.2        1,578,856   

Health Care

    10.9        1,205,601   

Information Technology

    9.7        1,072,795   

Materials

    8.0        884,602   

Energy

    6.8        761,725   

Consumer Staples

    6.1        676,974   

Telecommunication Services

    4.2        467,104   

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    5.4        599,321   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 11,104,133   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

24      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

COMMON STOCK—98.4%

   

Basic Industries—2.3%

   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co. *

    161,970      $ 1,345,971   

PolyOne Corp.

    14,379        388,521   

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

    28,915        1,655,962   

Sensient Technologies Corp.

    8,990        372,725   
   

 

 

 
      3,763,179   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—14.3%

   

Actuant Corp., Class A

    49,345        1,762,603   

Aegion Corp. *

    53,500        1,144,900   

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.

    16,160        263,085   

Brady Corp., Class A

    25,493        841,269   

Cabot Corp.

    25,065        1,002,349   

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

    17,520        731,635   

Drew Industries, Inc.

    22,105        927,526   

Edwards Group Ltd., Sponsored ADR *

    109,866        1,075,588   

Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.

    77,155        991,442   

Granite Construction, Inc.

    21,090        597,269   

Griffon Corp.

    67,140        740,554   

Hillenbrand, Inc.

    30,600        757,656   

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

    15,970        1,011,220   

LSB Industries, Inc. *

    8,295        249,016   

MRC Global, Inc. *

    57,220        1,502,025   

Mueller Industries, Inc.

    16,025        857,979   

Orion Marine Group, Inc. *

    116,910        1,148,056   

Rofin-Sinar Technologies, Inc. *

    6,560        147,534   

Stock Building Supply Holdings, Inc. *

    58,660        835,318   

Terex Corp. *

    40,290        1,168,410   

WESCO International, Inc. *

    29,295        2,161,092   

World Fuel Services Corp.

    90,697        3,460,091   
   

 

 

 
      23,376,617   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—2.9%

   

Tempur-Pedic International, Inc. *

    35,570        1,369,801   

Thor Industries, Inc.

    41,745        2,138,596   

Tower International, Inc. *

    58,330        1,194,598   
   

 

 

 
      4,702,995   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—6.4%

   

Alliance One International, Inc. *

    86,275        244,158   

Dole Food Co., Inc. *

    126,268        1,732,397   

Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.

    24,805        715,872   

Matthews International Corp., Class A

    10,600        391,140   

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Class A

    39,845        3,335,425   

Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A *

    29,895        918,673   

Steven Madden Ltd. *

    24,543        1,325,322   

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. *

    49,320        905,515   

Universal Corp. (a)

    19,450        953,439   
   

 

 

 
      10,521,941   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—18.9%

   

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A

    21,550        760,930   

ABM Industries, Inc.

    21,480        518,742   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Services—(continued)

  

Aeropostale, Inc. *

    34,180      $ 277,883   

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. *

    52,935        2,600,697   

Ascena Retail Group, Inc. *

    58,265        950,885   

Brink’s Co., (The)

    39,820        1,028,551   

Cato Corp., (The), Class A

    8,045        202,412   

CBIZ, Inc. *

    53,410        365,859   

Ennis, Inc.

    21,300        379,353   

Finish Line, Inc., (The), Class A

    112,465        2,357,266   

FTI Consulting, Inc. *

    69,700        2,330,768   

G&K Services, Inc., Class A

    17,977        924,737   

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

    17,870        1,371,165   

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

    38,725        582,811   

ICF International, Inc. *

    14,745        484,963   

International Speedway Corp., Class A

    39,923        1,237,214   

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

    77,045        2,052,479   

Knoll, Inc.

    46,808        712,886   

Korn/Ferry International *

    18,365        325,244   

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. *

    71,650        1,208,019   

MAXIMUS, Inc.

    46,510        1,744,590   

Men’s Wearhouse, Inc., (The)

    53,050        1,997,333   

Navigant Consulting, Inc. *

    120,795        1,648,852   

Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. * (a)

    114,215        330,081   

Rent-A-Center, Inc.

    30,960        1,161,310   

Rite Aid Corp. *

    398,625        1,379,243   

RPX Corp. *

    53,000        831,570   

Steiner Leisure Ltd. *

    7,875        438,795   

Viad Corp.

    14,595        329,409   

XO Group, Inc. *

    42,535        508,719   
   

 

 

 
      31,042,766   
   

 

 

 

Energy—2.4%

   

Athlon Energy, Inc. *

    5,595        155,541   

Bristow Group, Inc.

    16,345        1,073,866   

Contango Oil & Gas Co.

    10,785        386,750   

Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. *

    23,750        621,538   

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. *

    32,885        823,112   

Rosetta Resources, Inc. *

    18,045        839,634   
   

 

 

 
      3,900,441   
   

 

 

 

Finance—21.2%

   

American Capital Mortgage Investment Corp.

    29,230        585,769   

Ameris Bancorp *

    23,523        450,701   

AMERISAFE, Inc.

    18,410        599,982   

Apollo Investment Corp.

    36,920        291,299   

BBCN Bancorp, Inc.

    133,110        1,778,350   

Centerstate Banks, Inc.

    54,510        498,766   

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

    28,175        653,660   

Cowen Group, Inc., Class A *

    27,350        88,614   

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., Class C

    5,675        190,964   

Fifth Street Finance Corp.

    92,125        954,415   

First American Financial Corp.

    67,945        1,420,050   

First Citizens Bancshares, Inc., Class A

    3,335        674,470   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        25   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Finance—(continued)

   

First NBC Bank Holding Co. *

    33,245      $ 781,590   

FirstMerit Corp.

    63,171        1,336,698   

Flushing Financial Corp.

    26,730        478,467   

Gladstone Capital Corp.

    15,620        127,772   

Global Indemnity PLC *

    14,203        348,400   

Heritage Financial Corp.

    34,385        519,901   

Infinity Property & Casualty Corp.

    11,140        674,081   

JMP Group, Inc.

    67,020        430,939   

Maiden Holdings Ltd.

    160,050        2,093,454   

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc. * (a)

    50,035        2,486,740   

Navigators Group, Inc., (The) *

    8,875        485,729   

Nelnet, Inc., Class A

    39,191        1,484,555   

Ocwen Financial Corp. *

    36,970        1,864,767   

Park Sterling Corp.

    43,620        260,411   

PHH Corp. *

    97,130        2,027,103   

Platinum Underwriters Holdings Ltd.

    24,100        1,392,498   

Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

    10,065        504,659   

Stancorp Financial Group, Inc.

    13,925        728,556   

Stewart Information Services Corp.

    65,470        2,002,727   

SVB Financial Group *

    9,670        800,676   

Symetra Financial Corp.

    77,325        1,335,403   

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. *

    73,330        1,065,485   

Walter Investment Management Corp. *

    72,565        2,662,410   

Washington Federal, Inc.

    28,560        596,618   
   

 

 

 
      34,676,679   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—9.7%

   

Amsurg Corp. *

    21,065        785,514   

Centene Corp. *

    14,155        808,958   

Chemed Corp. (a)

    16,515        1,150,105   

Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. *

    44,460        1,365,367   

ICON PLC *

    38,935        1,422,685   

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp. *

    29,525        1,199,896   

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.

    81,552        1,198,814   

LHC Group, Inc. *

    17,205        389,349   

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. *

    15,025        679,581   

Omnicell, Inc. *

    25,545        555,348   

Owens & Minor, Inc.

    26,522        904,665   

PAREXEL International Corp. *

    22,245        1,032,835   

Select Medical Holdings Corp.

    89,075        754,465   

Symmetry Medical, Inc. *

    119,020        934,307   

U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.

    74,864        2,061,006   

VCA Antech, Inc. *

    26,335        718,682   
   

 

 

 
      15,961,577   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—7.5%

  

 

Altisource Residential Corp., Class B *

    25,800        488,910   

American Residential Properties, Inc. *

    57,270        977,026   

Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp.

    122,677        543,459   

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp.

    93,270        1,191,058   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Real Estate Investment Trusts—(continued)

  

Chatham Lodging Trust

    51,540      $ 932,874   

Colony Financial, Inc.

    22,255        439,981   

CYS Investments, Inc.

    160,840        1,235,251   

Gladstone Commercial Corp. (a)

    18,000        319,320   

Hatteras Financial Corp.

    41,750        764,025   

Javelin Mortgage Investment Corp. (a)

    61,890        771,768   

MFA Financial, Inc.

    223,455        1,608,876   

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp., Class A

    70,380        632,012   

Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp.

    41,642        656,694   

Two Harbors Investment Corp.

    176,355        1,677,136   
   

 

 

 
      12,238,390   
   

 

 

 

Technology—9.8%

   

Bel Fuse, Inc., Class B

    29,421        529,578   

Belden, Inc.

    40,245        2,282,696   

Brooks Automation, Inc.

    44,980        395,824   

Coherent, Inc.

    7,265        407,784   

Electronics for Imaging, Inc. *

    28,260        827,453   

EnerSys, Inc.

    47,530        2,437,338   

Imation Corp. *

    30,545        127,373   

Insight Enterprises, Inc. *

    19,500        372,645   

Integrated Device Technology, Inc. *

    78,930        687,480   

Lexmark International, Inc., Class A (a)

    56,530        1,931,065   

Magnachip Semiconductor Corp. *

    42,435        867,796   

NETGEAR, Inc. *

    28,825        834,196   

Sykes Enterprises, Inc. *

    81,950        1,395,609   

SYNNEX Corp. *

    41,425        1,968,102   

TeleTech Holdings, Inc. *

    20,285        496,374   

Teradyne, Inc. *

    27,590        423,507   
   

 

 

 
      15,984,820   
   

 

 

 

Transportation—1.6%

   

Diana Shipping, Inc. * (a)

    39,345        427,287   

Landstar System, Inc.

    8,570        468,351   

Quality Distribution, Inc. *

    43,375        397,749   

UTi Worldwide, Inc.

    76,965        1,270,692   
   

 

 

 
      2,564,079   
   

 

 

 

Utilities—1.4%

   

PNM Resources, Inc.

    64,355        1,410,018   

SemGroup Corp., Class A

    18,070        956,626   
   

 

 

 
      2,366,644   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK (Cost $116,954,934)

      161,100,128   
   

 

 

 
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

26      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL—2.8%

  

BlackRock Liquidity Fund

    4,609,997      $ 4,609,997   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $4,609,997)

      4,609,997   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—101.2%
(Cost $121,564,931)

      165,710,125   
   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(1.2)%

      (2,030,757
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 163,679,368   
   

 

 

 
ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
*     Non-income producing.
(a)     All or a portion of the security is on loan. (See Note 6 of the Notes to Financial Statements)
 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2013 is as follows (see Note I in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
           

Common Stock *

   $ 161,100,128       $ 161,100,128       $       $   

Securities Lending Collateral

     4,609,997         4,609,997                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 165,710,125       $ 165,710,125       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* See Portfolio of Investments detail for industry and security type breakout.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        27   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

INVESTMENTS—96.9%

   

COMMON STOCK—95.9%

   

Basic Industries—4.6%

   

Alcoa, Inc. †

    288,100      $ 2,218,370   

Axiall Corp.

    101,851        4,077,095   

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., †

    193,155        5,837,144   

Greif, Inc., Class B †

    43,300        2,365,912   

International Paper Co. †

    100,550        4,746,966   

Koppers Holdings, Inc. †

    72,075        2,794,348   

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd *

    1,347,955        2,709,390   

Owens-Illinois, Inc. * †

    248,380        7,051,508   

Pan American Silver Corp. †

    176,360        2,155,119   

Steel Dynamics, Inc. †

    285,820        4,361,613   
   

 

 

 
      38,317,465   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—9.9%

   

AECOM Technology Corp. *

    57,050        1,661,866   

Babcock & Wilcox Co., (The) †

    299,260        9,274,067   

Bombardier, Inc., Class B

    988,820        4,525,829   

Columbus McKinnon Corp. * †

    230,206        4,926,408   

Cubic Corp. †

    91,925        4,615,554   

Fluor Corp. †

    86,835        5,507,944   

Foster Wheeler AG *

    162,090        3,757,246   

General Cable Corp. †

    137,685        4,203,523   

Gibraltar Industries, Inc. * †

    260,592        3,356,425   

Global Power Equipment Group, Inc. †

    164,045        3,047,956   

Joy Global, Inc. †

    104,355        5,125,918   

Masonite International Corp. * †

    62,760        3,075,240   

Moog, Inc., Class A * †

    83,780        4,256,024   

NCI Building Systems, Inc. *

    170,520        2,042,830   

Orion Marine Group, Inc. *

    231,550        2,273,821   

Safran SA - ADR

    75,840        4,190,160   

Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc., Class A * †

    172,989        3,906,092   

Tecumseh Products Co., Class A * †

    54,221        524,317   

URS Corp. †

    169,427        8,390,025   

WaterFurnace Renewable Energy, Inc. †

    79,359        1,626,066   

World Fuel Services Corp. †

    83,338        3,179,345   
   

 

 

 
      83,466,656   
   

 

 

 

Communications—4.9%

   

Comcast Corp., Class A †

    145,815        6,137,353   

Dice Holdings, Inc. * †

    284,830        2,372,634   

DIRECTV * †

    188,150        10,946,567   

Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc. * †

    252,314        6,259,910   

IAC/InterActiveCorp. †

    89,535        4,395,273   

iPass, Inc. *

    653,655        1,176,579   

Time Warner Cable, Inc. †

    88,740        9,526,239   
   

 

 

 
      40,814,555   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—1.6%

   

AV Homes, Inc. * †

    160,680        2,583,734   

Cooper-Standard Holding, Inc. * †

    28,760        1,475,388   

Dorel Industries, Inc., Class B

    59,083        2,023,593   

Helen of Troy Ltd. * †

    177,645        7,137,776   
   

 

 

 
      13,220,491   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Non-Durables—4.7%

  

 

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV - Sponsored ADR †

    55,995      $ 5,227,133   

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. †

    73,225        2,578,252   

Central Garden and Pet Co.,
Class A *

    598,305        3,745,389   

Crimson Wine Group Ltd * †

    283,686        2,666,648   

Energizer Holdings, Inc. †

    32,390        3,201,104   

Hanesbrands, Inc. †

    71,150        4,232,002   

Lorillard, Inc. †

    201,810        8,536,563   

Philip Morris International, Inc. †

    42,950        3,583,748   

Unilever NV

    153,550        5,778,087   
   

 

 

 
      39,548,926   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—13.5%

   

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. †

    25,225        2,019,766   

Apollo Group, Inc., Class A *

    172,169        3,197,178   

Ascena Retail Group, Inc. * †

    246,289        4,019,436   

Century Casinos, Inc. * †

    776,581        4,030,455   

CRA International, Inc. * †

    146,158        2,616,228   

CVS Caremark Corp. †

    102,510        5,950,705   

DeVry, Inc.

    89,988        2,700,540   

Ennis, Inc. †

    327,350        5,830,103   

GNC Holdings, Inc., Class A †

    112,910        5,743,732   

ICF International, Inc. * †

    154,210        5,071,967   

Insperity, Inc. †

    158,375        5,052,163   

International Speedway Corp., Class A †

    122,140        3,785,119   

ITT Educational Services, Inc. * (a)

    160,383        4,620,634   

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A †

    105,143        4,605,263   

Kelly Services, Inc., Class A †

    60,520        1,101,464   

Liberty Interactive Corp., Class A * †

    146,390        3,305,486   

Nash Finch Co. †

    207,797        5,076,481   

Realogy Holdings Corp. *

    59,663        2,525,535   

Steiner Leisure Ltd. * †

    67,775        3,776,423   

Systemax, Inc. †

    193,531        1,759,197   

TESCO PLC - Sponsored ADR †

    188,255        3,256,812   

Tetra Tech, Inc. * †

    186,290        4,243,686   

Viacom, Inc., Class B †

    64,405        5,124,062   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. †

    62,360        4,551,033   

Walgreen Co. †

    185,065        8,896,075   

Walt Disney Co., (The) †

    126,960        7,722,977   

Wynn Resorts Ltd. †

    20,040        2,826,442   
   

 

 

 
      113,408,962   
   

 

 

 

Energy—11.9%

   

Apache Corp. †

    91,855        7,870,136   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. †

    127,315        3,898,385   

Cenovus Energy, Inc. †

    99,185        2,850,577   

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. (a) †

    70,145        4,491,384   

Ensco PLC, Class A †

    41,810        2,322,964   

EOG Resources, Inc. †

    37,475        5,885,449   

EQT Corp. †

    84,670        7,257,912   

Halliburton Co. †

    151,035        7,249,680   

Legacy Oil + Gas, Inc. *

    497,395        2,884,891   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

28      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Energy—(continued)

   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc. †

    54,515      $ 4,050,465   

Newfield Exploration Co. * †

    93,920        2,237,174   

Occidental Petroleum Corp. †

    117,645        10,377,465   

Rosetta Resources, Inc. * †

    78,005        3,629,573   

Rowan Cos PLC, Class A * †

    85,914        3,043,074   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC - ADR †

    151,360        9,776,342   

Schlumberger Ltd. †

    94,225        7,626,572   

SEACOR Holdings, Inc. †

    33,050        2,745,794   

Talisman Energy, Inc. †

    438,275        4,698,308   

Tesoro Corp. †

    52,525        2,420,877   

Weatherford International Ltd. * †

    331,865        4,948,107   
   

 

 

 
      100,265,129   
   

 

 

 

Finance—14.9%

   

ACE Ltd. †

    70,295        6,166,277   

AerCap Holdings NV *

    160,105        2,872,284   

American International Group, Inc. * †

    250,350        11,631,261   

AON PLC †

    77,380        5,136,484   

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. †

    92,130        3,960,669   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B * †

    105,720        11,758,178   

Century Bancorp, Inc., Class A †

    38,003        1,202,415   

Citigroup, Inc. †

    135,718        6,559,251   

Cowen Group, Inc., Class A *

    486,509        1,576,289   

Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. †

    101,890        5,106,727   

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. †

    4,970        2,043,415   

First Southern Bancorp, Inc. Class B * 144A ‡

    64,350        357,142   

Flushing Financial Corp. †

    107,711        1,928,027   

HF Financial Corp. †

    83,779        1,079,074   

JPMorgan Chase & Co. †

    101,846        5,146,278   

Leucadia National Corp. †

    388,315        9,680,693   

Loews Corp. †

    83,730        3,722,636   

Maiden Holdings Ltd. †

    784,426        10,260,292   

Morgan Stanley †

    171,375        4,414,620   

National Bank Holdings Corp., Class A †

    79,735        1,558,819   

National Western Life Insurance Co., Class A †

    10,595        2,098,234   

New Hampshire Thrift Bancshares, Inc.

    29,529        397,165   

Nicholas Financial, Inc. †

    122,637        1,980,588   

PartnerRe Ltd. †

    55,885        4,870,378   

Primus Guaranty Ltd. * (a) †

    129,701        1,322,950   

Steel Excel, Inc. * †

    229,697        6,603,789   

Tower Group International Ltd. †

    249,861        3,530,536   

Validus Holdings Ltd. †

    139,217        4,818,300   

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. †

    6,855        3,837,086   
   

 

 

 
      125,619,857   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—11.5%

   

Alpha PRO Tech Ltd. *

    485,210        747,223   

AmerisourceBergen Corp. †

    78,195        4,450,859   

Amgen, Inc. †

    62,385        6,796,222   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Health Care—(continued)

   

Amsurg Corp. * †

    143,785      $ 5,361,743   

Baxter International, Inc. †

    57,600        4,006,656   

Becton, Dickinson & Co. †

    35,355        3,442,870   

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. * †

    44,905        2,067,875   

Express Scripts Holding Co. * †

    83,990        5,365,281   

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. - ADR

    195,600        6,329,616   

Humana, Inc. †

    86,485        7,963,539   

Invacare Corp. †

    139,975        2,101,025   

Laboratory Corp. of America
Holdings * †

    76,390        7,312,051   

MFC Industrial Ltd (a)

    237,160        1,928,111   

Omnicare, Inc. †

    101,980        5,544,653   

Orthofix International NV * †

    59,690        1,317,358   

Pfizer, Inc. †

    221,767        6,256,047   

Sanofi - ADR †

    162,095        7,744,899   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. - Sponsored ADR †

    182,225        6,964,640   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc. †

    91,500        6,564,210   

WuXi PharmaTech Cayman, Inc., - ADR * †

    203,570        4,885,680   
   

 

 

 
      97,150,558   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—0.3%

  

 

Reis, Inc. * †

    126,192        2,161,669   
   

 

 

 

Technology—16.7%

  

 

Active Network, Inc., (The) * (a)

    292,056        2,862,149   

Actuate Corp. * †

    1,008,755        7,010,847   

Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc. (a)

    32,898        1,218,213   

Alpha & Omega Semiconductor Ltd *

    409,968        2,902,573   

Amkor Technology, Inc. * (a) †

    600,100        2,406,401   

Anixter International, Inc. * †

    56,535        4,724,065   

Arrow Electronics, Inc. * †

    47,280        2,194,738   

Autodesk, Inc. * †

    247,639        9,100,733   

Avnet, Inc. * †

    55,985        2,158,782   

ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd.

    233,220        1,604,554   

Coleman Cable, Inc. †

    201,943        3,844,995   

CSG Systems International, Inc. * †

    514,695        12,115,920   

DST Systems, Inc. †

    65,070        4,644,046   

EMC Corp. †

    253,765        6,542,062   

Fiserv, Inc. * †

    37,550        3,614,939   

Flextronics International Ltd. *

    411,295        3,693,429   

GSI Group, Inc. *

    558,625        4,709,209   

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A * †

    258,890        5,721,469   

Intel Corp. †

    193,091        4,244,140   

Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. * †

    211,310        2,337,089   

LSI Corp. * †

    436,745        3,236,280   

Magnachip Semiconductor Corp. * †

    114,400        2,339,480   

Microsoft Corp. †

    229,260        7,657,284   

O2Micro International Ltd - ADR * (a)

    911,730        2,780,777   

ON Semiconductor Corp. * †

    530,449        3,840,451   

Oplink Communications, Inc. * †

    77,309        1,437,174   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        29   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Technology—(continued)

  

 

Oracle Corp. †

    172,449      $ 5,494,225   

Pactera Technology International Ltd. - ADR *

    249,465        1,681,394   

QLogic Corp. * †

    323,775        3,428,777   

Rovi Corp. * †

    110,915        1,988,706   

ScanSource, Inc. * †

    74,948        2,321,889   

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    97,900        4,797,100   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. †

    49,690        4,413,963   

Travelsky Technology Ltd, Class H

    7,037,185        5,662,119   

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. * †

    167,865        2,056,346   
   

 

 

 
      140,786,318   
   

 

 

 

Transportation—1.4%

   

Aurizon Holdings Ltd

    392,900        1,591,245   

FedEx Corp. †

    45,310        4,864,482   

JetBlue Airways Corp. * †

    536,265        3,298,030   

Vitran Corp., Inc. *

    467,176        2,106,964   
   

 

 

 
      11,860,721   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $675,874,845)

      806,621,307   
   

 

 

 

PREFERRED STOCK—0.0%

   

Finance—0.0%

   

First Southern Bancorp, Inc., 5.000% 144A ‡

    110        142,505   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK
(Cost $110,000)

      142,505   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Contracts
       

OPTIONS PURCHASED ††—0.0%

  

 

LinkedIn Corp. Put Options
Expires 01/18/14
Strike Price $220

    134        208,102   

LinkedIn Corp. Put Options
Expires 10/19/13
Strike Price $220

    178        93,272   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS PURCHASED (Cost $874,862)

      301,374   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
       

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL—1.0%

  

BlackRock Liquidity Fund

    8,176,524        8,176,524   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $8,176,524)

      8,176,524   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—96.9% (Cost $685,036,231)

      815,241,710   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(70.1%)

  

 

COMMON STOCK—(70.1%)

  

 

Basic Industries—(1.5%)

  

 

American Pacific Corp. *

    (67,737     (3,318,436

Ethanex Energy, Inc. *

    (648     (488
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Basic Industries—(continued)

  

 

Kennady Diamonds, Inc. *

    (46,500   $ (273,711

Mountain Province Diamonds, Inc. *

    (219,765     (1,166,952

Orchids Paper Products Co.

    (91,034     (2,502,525

Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corp. *

    (193,370     (641,988

Texas Industries, Inc. *

    (83,036     (4,874,213
   

 

 

 
      (12,778,313
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—(6.6%)

   

Acuity Brands, Inc.

    (45,120     (3,857,760

Applied Energetics, Inc. *

    (238,070     (4,309

Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc. *

    (8,285     (439

Armstrong World Industries, Inc. *

    (91,463     (4,441,443

Builders FirstSource, Inc. *

    (475,340     (2,699,931

Cummins, Inc.

    (32,120     (3,957,184

DynaMotive Energy Systems Corp. * ‡

    (72,185     (7

Interface, Inc.

    (317,535     (5,607,668

Lindsay Corp.

    (72,390     (5,503,088

Oshkosh Corp. *

    (84,680     (3,803,826

Polypore International, Inc. *

    (84,250     (3,601,688

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. *

    (367,713     (4,022,780

Tredegar Corp.

    (78,585     (1,756,375

Trex Co., Inc. *

    (185,915     (8,230,457

USG Corp. *

    (118,280     (2,760,655

Wabash National Corp. *

    (435,109     (4,533,836

Zoltek Cos., Inc. *

    (31,268     (432,749
   

 

 

 
      (55,214,195
   

 

 

 

Communications—(4.1%)

   

Akamai Technologies, Inc. *

    (57,760     (2,655,805

Angie’s List, Inc. *

    (107,670     (2,256,763

Cogent Communications Group, Inc.

    (128,465     (3,986,269

CTC Communications Group, Inc. * ‡

    (98,900     (10

eGain Communications Corp. *

    (160,300     (2,164,050

Equinix, Inc. *

    (22,140     (3,846,604

Interliant, Inc. * ‡

    (600     0   

LinkedIn Corp., Class A *

    (11,203     (2,689,168

LivePerson, Inc. *

    (206,805     (1,927,423

Marketo, Inc. *

    (24,742     (867,949

NTELOS Holdings Corp.

    (94,189     (1,565,421

Pandora Media, Inc. *

    (223,369     (4,114,457

Shutterfly, Inc. *

    (39,154     (2,034,442

Trulia, Inc. *

    (51,591     (2,142,058

WebMD Health Corp. *

    (75,803     (2,381,730

Yelp, Inc. *

    (31,835     (1,654,783
   

 

 

 
      (34,286,932
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—(4.1%)

   

American Axle & Manaufacturing Holdings, Inc. *

    (322,295     (6,197,733

Cavco Industries, Inc. *

    (59,686     (3,135,902

Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

    (164,542     (4,289,610

iRobot Corp. *

    (150,115     (4,904,257
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

30      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Durables—(continued)

  

 

KB Home

    (187,370   $ (3,003,541

Qsound Labs, Inc. *

    (4,440     (9

SodaStream International Ltd. *

    (72,570     (4,534,899

Standard Pacific Corp. *

    (348,040     (2,485,006

Tesla Motors, Inc. *

    (32,820     (5,546,580
   

 

 

 
      (34,097,537
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—(4.5%)

   

Amish Naturals, Inc. * ‡

    (25,959     (156

Annie’s, Inc. *

    (81,790     (3,756,615

Black Diamond, Inc. *

    (185,195     (1,926,028

Boulder Brands, Inc. *

    (177,725     (2,765,401

Callaway Golf Co.

    (371,955     (2,573,929

Columbia Sportswear Co.

    (53,868     (3,048,390

Female Health Co., (The)

    (336,400     (2,893,040

Fifth & Pacific Cos, Inc. *

    (115,820     (2,761,149

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. *

    (46,700     (4,030,677

Iconix Brand Group, Inc. *

    (94,680     (3,107,398

Monster Beverage Corp. *

    (82,130     (4,713,441

Post Holdings, Inc. *

    (93,805     (4,005,474

Quiksilver, Inc. *

    (515,350     (2,550,983

Valence Technology, Inc. *

    (27,585     (218
   

 

 

 
      (38,132,899
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—(16.4%)

   

Acxiom Corp. *

    (274,603     (6,832,123

Arctic Cat, Inc.

    (75,045     (4,028,416

Bankrate, Inc. *

    (245,456     (4,221,843

Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. *

    (136,870     (2,050,313

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. *

    (39,399     (4,093,950

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. *

    (12,135     (4,953,143

Concur Technologies, Inc. *

    (24,925     (2,435,671

Conn’s, Inc. *

    (48,345     (3,220,260

Cumulus Media, Inc., Class A *

    (588,735     (2,825,928

Fairway Group Holdings Corp. *

    (140,711     (3,261,681

Fresh Market, Inc., (The) *

    (70,850     (3,458,189

H&R Block, Inc.

    (173,790     (4,850,479

Haverty Furniture Cos., Inc.

    (87,660     (2,122,249

hhgregg, Inc. *

    (176,580     (3,197,864

Ignite Restaurant Group, Inc. *

    (169,120     (2,530,035

Imax Corp. *

    (103,880     (2,850,467

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. *

    (87,285     (6,183,269

Manchester United PLC, Class A *

    (136,165     (2,295,742

Mattress Firm Holding Corp. *

    (90,297     (3,711,207

Medidata Solutions, Inc. *

    (38,425     (3,436,732

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.

    (57,895     (2,563,012

Netflix, Inc. *

    (29,411     (8,350,077

New Oriental Education & Technology Group. - Sponsored ADR *

    (111,430     (2,365,659

PetMed Express, Inc.

    (216,455     (3,305,268

Polaris Industries, Inc.

    (22,460     (2,452,857

Pricesmart, Inc.

    (36,705     (3,155,529

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. *

    (74,368     (4,823,508

Rentrak Corp. *

    (91,570     (2,275,515
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Services—(continued)

  

 

RetailMeNot, Inc. *

    (116,779   $ (3,732,257

Sears Holdings Corp. *

    (43,590     (1,928,422

Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.

    (81,315     (4,258,466

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

    (167,684     (4,166,947

Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. *

    (16,646     (1,651,949

Ultimate Software Group, Inc. *

    (16,956     (2,377,401

Urban Outfitters, Inc. *

    (58,270     (2,443,261

Viggle, Inc. *

    (4,896     (3,256

VistaPrint NV *

    (62,615     (3,333,623

Wendy’s Co., (The)

    (770,555     (5,825,396

Zillow, Inc., Class A *

    (28,911     (2,788,466

Zumiez, Inc. *

    (135,561     (3,619,479
   

 

 

 
      (137,979,909
   

 

 

 

Energy—(0.1%)

   

Beard Co. *

    (9,710     (119

Crescent Point Energy Corp.

    (32,120     (1,171,095
   

 

 

 
      (1,171,214
   

 

 

 

Finance—(0.8%)

   

Financial Engines, Inc.

    (49,761     (2,659,725

WisdomTree Investments, Inc. *

    (370,166     (4,145,859
   

 

 

 
      (6,805,584
   

 

 

 

Health Care—(14.1%)

   

ABIOMED, Inc. *

    (148,605     (3,499,648

Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. *

    (301,926     (2,871,316

Advisory Board Co., (The) *

    (65,150     (3,568,265

Agenus, Inc. *

    (175,605     (640,958

Air Methods Corp.

    (44,265     (1,811,324

Albany Molecular Research, Inc. *

    (674,236     (7,423,338

Align Technology, Inc. *

    (99,260     (4,322,773

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (279,895     (1,794,127

Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (248,350     (4,619,310

athenahealth, Inc. *

    (24,412     (2,575,222

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class A *

    (702,330     (3,581,883

Biotime, Inc. *

    (105,150     (397,467

BodyTel Scientific, Inc. * ‡

    (4,840     0   

CareView Communications, Inc. *

    (207,465     (133,815

Cerner Corp. *

    (132,450     (6,100,647

Curis, Inc. *

    (228,155     (999,319

DexCom, Inc. *

    (75,884     (2,052,662

Endologix, Inc. *

    (218,370     (3,454,613

Exact Sciences Corp. *

    (235,682     (2,726,841

Fluidigm Corp. *

    (125,015     (2,557,807

Forest Laboratories, Inc. *

    (100,480     (4,273,414

GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. *

    (120,315     (1,383,622

HealthStream, Inc. *

    (79,135     (2,623,325

HeartWare International, Inc. *

    (55,720     (4,379,592

HMS Holdings Corp. *

    (208,085     (5,200,044

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. *

    (42,760     (4,011,743

ImmunoGen, Inc. *

    (112,190     (1,795,040

Immunomedics, Inc. *

    (400,895     (2,385,325

Insulet Corp. *

    (86,530     (2,884,910
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        31   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Health Care—(continued)

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. *

    (10,046   $ (3,882,980

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class B *

    (59,684     (2,870,203

MiMedx Group, Inc. *

    (785,920     (4,849,126

Mindray Medical International Ltd. - ADR

    (80,220     (3,120,558

Quidel Corp. *

    (137,935     (3,658,036

ResMed, Inc.

    (69,265     (3,272,079

Seattle Genetics, Inc. *

    (140,910     (5,974,584

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    (331,995     (2,543,082

Utah Medical Products, Inc.

    (11,646     (588,123

Wright Medical Group, Inc. *

    (160,842     (3,871,467
   

 

 

 
      (118,698,588
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—(0.2%)

  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    (32,060     (1,782,536
   

 

 

 

Technology—(15.9%)

   

3D Systems Corp. *

    (96,210     (4,945,194

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. *

    (628,450     (2,055,031

Alcatel-Lucent - Sponsored ADR *

    (1,167,927     (3,013,252

Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.

    (226,382     (8,382,925

ANTs Software, Inc. * ‡

    (10,334     (98

Aspen Technology, Inc. *

    (237,565     (7,941,798

Blackberry Ltd. *

    (115,848     (1,172,382

CalAmp Corp. *

    (180,835     (2,963,886

Cavium, Inc. *

    (131,032     (4,975,285

Ciena Corp. *

    (205,185     (4,087,285

CommVault Systems, Inc. *

    (27,895     (2,338,438

Consygen, Inc. * ‡

    (200     0   

Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc. *

    (56,850     (2,928,343

Cray, Inc. *

    (150,460     (3,680,252

Cree, Inc. *

    (34,285     (1,902,475

Cyan, Inc. *

    (3,620     (33,666

Demandware, Inc. *

    (56,676     (2,384,926

E2open, Inc. *

    (127,780     (2,584,989

EnerI, Inc. * ‡

    (102,820     (10

Enphase Energy, Inc. *

    (273,975     (1,723,303

First Solar, Inc. *

    (83,994     (3,084,260

Generac Holdings, Inc.

    (42,345     (1,676,438

Imageware Systems, Inc. *

    (554,046     (1,229,982

Infinera Corp. *

    (273,980     (2,539,795

IntraLinks Holdings, Inc. *

    (416,401     (3,256,256

IPG Photonics Corp.

    (88,730     (4,770,125

Jive Software, Inc. *

    (286,880     (3,554,443

Nestor, Inc. *

    (15,200     (18

NetSuite, Inc. *

    (21,318     (2,119,649

Nokia OYJ - Sponsored ADR *

    (892,382     (3,480,290

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. *

    (54,715     (2,627,414

Parkervision, Inc. *

    (299,165     (990,236

Power Integrations, Inc.

    (59,220     (3,086,546

Proofpoint, Inc. *

    (111,005     (3,198,054

QLIK Technologies, Inc. *

    (167,595     (5,495,440

Red Hat, Inc. *

    (50,225     (2,537,367

Salesforce.com, Inc. *

    (49,283     (2,421,274

ServiceNow, Inc. *

    (51,005     (2,391,114

ServiceSource International, Inc. *

    (209,450     (2,536,440
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Technology—(continued)

   

Silver Spring Networks, Inc. *

    (238,023   $ (4,853,289

Spreadtrum Communications, Inc. - ADR

    (76,435     (2,312,923

Tessco Technologies, Inc.

    (222,043     (7,007,677

Tiger Telematics, Inc. * ‡

    (6,510     (7

TigerLogic Corp. *

    (96,490     (173,682

Tower Semiconductor Ltd. *

    (34,311     (146,508

Uni-Pixel, Inc. *

    (22,125     (429,446

Universal Display Corp. *

    (75,960     (2,628,976

ViaSat, Inc. *

    (79,845     (5,088,522

Workday, Inc., Class A *

    (39,020     (2,830,121

WorldGate Communications, Inc. *

    (582,655     (408

Xybernaut Corp. * ‡

    (34,156     0   
   

 

 

 
      (133,580,238
   

 

 

 

Transportation—(1.6%)

   

American Railcar Industries, Inc.

    (236,460     (8,363,590

Arkansas Best Corp.

    (62,825     (1,563,086

Student Transportation, Inc.

    (569,485     (3,570,671
   

 

 

 
      (13,497,347
   

 

 

 

Utilities—(0.2%)

   

SolarCity Corp. *

    (41,813     (1,310,419
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Proceeds $497,970,502)

      (589,335,711
   

 

 

 

WARRANTS SOLD SHORT—(0.0%)

  

 

Technology—(0.0%)

   

Tower Semiconductor Ltd. Series 9
Exercise Price $7.33,
Expires 06/27/17

    (10     0   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL WARRANTS SOLD SHORT
(Proceeds $0)

      0   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(70.1%)
(Proceeds $497,970,502)

      (589,335,711
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Contracts
       

OPTIONS WRITTEN ††—(0.1%)

  

 

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Call Options Expires 01/18/14
Strike Price $10

    (1,140     (20,520

Netflix, Inc. Call Options
Expires 01/17/15
Strike Price $300

    (71     (376,300

SolarCity Corp. Call Options
Expires 01/18/14
Strike Price $50

    (585     (48,555
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

32      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Contracts
    Value  

OPTIONS WRITTEN ††—(continued)

  

 

Tesla Motors, Inc. Call Options
Expires 01/17/15
Strike Price $175

    (200)      $ (864,000
   

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN
(Premiums received $2,046,646)

      (1,309,375
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
LIABILITIES—73.3%

      616,514,916   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 841,111,540   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
144A     Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may only be resold to qualified institutional buyers. As of August 31, 2013, these securities amounted to $499,647 or 0.06% of net assets. These 144A securities have not been deemed illiquid.
*     Non-income producing.
(a)     All or a portion of the security is on loan. (See Note 6 of the Notes to Financial Statements).
    Security position is either entirely or partially held in a segregated account as collateral for securities sold short.
††     Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.
    Security has been valued at fair market value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of The RBB Fund, Inc.‘s Board of Directors. As of August 31, 2013 long positions amounted to $499,647 and short positions amounted to ($288), or 0.06% and 0.0%, respectively, of net assets.
 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2013 is as follows (see Note I in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted

Price
     Level 2
Significant

Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant

Unobservable
Inputs
 
           

Common Stock

           

Basic Industries

   $ 38,317,465       $ 38,317,465       $       $   

Capital Goods

     83,466,656         81,840,590         1,626,066           

Communications

     40,814,555         40,814,555                   

Consumer Durables

     13,220,491         13,220,491                   

Consumer Non-Durables

     39,548,926         39,548,926                   

Consumer Services

     113,408,962         113,408,962                   

Energy

     100,265,129         100,265,129                   

Finance

     125,619,857         125,262,715                 357,142   

Health Care

     97,150,558         97,150,558                   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     2,161,669         2,161,669                   

Technology

     140,786,318         140,786,318                   

Transportation

     11,860,721         11,860,721                   

Preferred Stocks

           

Finance

     142,505                         142,505   

Options Purchased

     301,374         301,374                   

Securities Lending Collateral

     8,176,524         8,176,524                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 815,241,710       $ 813,115,997       $ 1,626,066       $ 499,647   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        33   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted

Price
     Level 2
Significant

Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant

Unobservable
Inputs
 
           

Securities Sold Short

           

Common Stock

           

Basic Industries

   $ (12,778,313    $ (12,778,313    $       $   

Capital Goods

     (55,214,195      (55,214,188              (7

Communications

     (34,286,932      (34,286,922              (10

Consumer Durables

     (34,097,537      (34,097,537                

Consumer Non-Durables

     (38,132,899      (38,132,743              (156

Consumer Services

     (137,979,909      (137,979,909                

Energy

     (1,171,214      (1,171,214                

Finance

     (6,805,584      (6,805,584                

Health Care

     (118,698,588      (118,698,588                

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     (1,782,536      (1,782,536                

Technology

     (133,580,238      (133,580,123              (115

Transportation

     (13,497,347      (13,497,347                

Utilities

     (1,310,419      (1,310,419                

Options Written

           

Equity Contracts

     (1,309,375      (1,309,375                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (590,645,086    $ (590,644,798    $       $ (288
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

34      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

INVESTMENTS—92.8%

   

COMMON STOCK—92.8%

   

Basic Industries—6.4%

   

AuRico Gold, Inc.

    262,175      $ 1,122,576   

Berry Plastics Group, Inc. * †

    360,189        8,287,949   

Constellium NV, Class A *

    245,878        4,352,041   

Crown Holdings, Inc. * †

    280,890        12,207,479   

Cytec Industries, Inc.

    84,522        6,320,555   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co. * †

    1,862,148        15,474,450   

Huntsman Corp. †

    535,778        9,376,115   

International Paper Co. †

    226,356        10,686,267   

KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp. †

    192,072        8,067,024   

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

    141,275        9,910,441   

Owens-Illinois, Inc. * †

    278,580        7,908,886   

Rexam PLC

    1,309,014        9,901,059   

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC *

    393,264        7,998,438   

Synthomer PLC

    1,411,696        4,932,138   

Yamana Gold, Inc.

    317,082        3,608,393   
   

 

 

 
      120,153,811   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—12.7%

   

3M Co.

    47,571        5,403,114   

ABB Ltd. - Sponsored ADR *

    181,413        3,884,052   

AGCO Corp. †

    131,926        7,461,735   

Babcock & Wilcox Co., (The) †

    203,682        6,312,105   

Boeing Co. (The) †

    74,342        7,725,621   

Carlisle Cos, Inc. †

    77,225        5,143,185   

CENTROTEC Sustainable AG

    200,444        3,662,027   

CNH Global NV †

    81,023        3,717,335   

Cubic Corp. †

    132,175        6,636,507   

Curtiss-Wright Corp. †

    133,104        5,558,423   

Dover Corp. †

    74,534        6,339,117   

EnPro Industries, Inc. *

    48,519        2,764,613   

Flowserve Corp. †

    140,806        7,855,567   

Fluor Corp. †

    121,432        7,702,432   

HB Fuller Co. †

    242,779        9,053,229   

Honeywell International, Inc. †

    81,415        6,478,192   

Hubbell, Inc., Class B †

    40,760        4,131,434   

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. †

    114,869        7,273,505   

Joy Global, Inc. †

    45,544        2,237,121   

Komatsu Ltd.

    229,800        4,991,007   

LB Foster Co., Class A †

    74,797        3,172,889   

Lockheed Martin Corp. †

    87,908        10,761,697   

Minerals Technologies, Inc. †

    248,815        11,047,386   

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Class A †

    59,978        4,558,328   

Northrop Grumman Corp. †

    87,000        8,027,490   

Parker Hannifin Corp. †

    63,475        6,344,326   

Precision Castparts Corp. †

    25,240        5,331,698   

Raytheon Co. †

    108,039        8,147,221   

Rexel SA

    195,600        4,499,352   

Rheinmetall AG

    90,374        4,441,168   

Siemens AG - Sponsored ADR

    91,847        9,750,478   

Smiths Group PLC

    233,859        4,643,663   

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. †

    67,265        5,735,014   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Capital Goods—(continued)

   

Textron, Inc. †

    223,245      $ 6,014,220   

Timken Co. †

    106,680        5,980,481   

Triumph Group, Inc. †

    106,392        7,657,032   

Tyco International Ltd. †

    171,130        5,654,135   

United Technologies Corp. †

    66,159        6,622,516   

WESCO International, Inc. * †

    66,412        4,899,213   
   

 

 

 
      237,618,627   
   

 

 

 

Communications—5.8%

   

AutoNavi Holdings Ltd. - ADR *

    291,926        3,287,087   

AVG Technologies NV *

    190,055        4,118,492   

Baidu, Inc. - Sponsored ADR * †

    110,555        14,983,519   

Comcast Corp., Class A †

    214,192        9,015,341   

Google, Inc., Class A * †

    10,225        8,659,553   

IAC/InterActiveCorp. †

    258,325        12,681,174   

Liberty Global PLC, Class A *

    72,100        5,600,728   

Liberty Global PLC, Series C * †

    137,395        10,102,654   

NetEase, Inc. - ADR

    96,823        6,849,259   

Perfect World Co. Ltd. - Sponsored ADR †

    329,761        6,440,232   

Sina Corp. * †

    51,459        3,983,956   

Time Warner Cable, Inc. †

    74,978        8,048,888   

Vodafone Group PLC - Sponsored ADR †

    107,790        3,487,007   

Windstream Corp. †

    484,083        3,906,550   

Yahoo!, Inc. * †

    302,986        8,216,980   
   

 

 

 
      109,381,420   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—3.3%

   

Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd.

    159,500        6,088,227   

Hyundai Motor Co.

    54,171        12,079,828   

Lear Corp. †

    180,067        12,379,606   

LISI

    27,360        3,566,133   

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. †

    332,155        8,403,522   

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    2,802        3,435,281   

Toyota Motor Corp.

    100,800        6,063,265   

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. * †

    150,646        10,405,119   
   

 

 

 
      62,420,981   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—3.9%

   

Activision Blizzard, Inc. †

    779,299        12,718,160   

British American Tobacco PLC

    130,180        6,582,467   

Britvic PLC

    691,682        6,146,511   

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A * †

    120,515        6,537,939   

Dean Foods Co. * †

    344,318        6,597,133   

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    129,028        10,493,919   

Johnson Outdoors, Inc., Class A *

    85,711        2,159,060   

Lorillard, Inc. †

    135,665        5,738,630   

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A †

    383,227        11,094,422   

Unilever NV †

    139,205        5,238,284   
   

 

 

 
      73,306,525   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—11.2%

   

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A †

    123,379        4,356,512   

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. * †

    111,200        8,199,888   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        35   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Services—(continued)

  

 

CBS Corp., Class B non-voting shares †

    118,780      $ 6,069,658   

Ctrip.com International Ltd. - ADR * †

    146,063        6,721,819   

CVS Caremark Corp. †

    143,306        8,318,913   

Daily Mail & General Trust PLC, Class A

    435,462        5,327,923   

eBay, Inc. * †

    274,958        13,745,150   

Equifax, Inc. †

    131,468        7,768,444   

EW Scripps Co., (The), Class A * †

    361,395        5,496,818   

Foot Locker, Inc. †

    131,165        4,223,513   

FTI Consulting, Inc. * †

    135,455        4,529,615   

Gannett Co., Inc. †

    262,285        6,318,446   

Global Sources Ltd. *

    291,275        1,788,429   

ITV PLC

    2,767,875        7,061,177   

Liberty Media Corp. * †

    58,225        7,946,548   

Macy’s, Inc. †

    183,963        8,173,476   

Manpower, Inc. †

    143,421        9,300,852   

McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc., (The) †

    95,375        5,567,039   

Moody’s Corp. †

    101,495        6,451,022   

News Corp., Class A * †

    571,320        8,969,724   

Nordstrom, Inc. †

    82,230        4,582,678   

Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. * †

    671,240        1,939,884   

Omnicom Group, Inc. †

    102,550        6,219,658   

Rite Aid Corp. *

    2,261,727        7,825,575   

Robert Half International, Inc. †

    190,605        6,722,638   

Target Corp. †

    94,835        6,004,004   

Time Warner, Inc. †

    107,330        6,496,685   

Towers Watson & Co., Class A †

    119,290        9,811,603   

Travelzoo, Inc. *

    67,119        1,812,884   

Viacom, Inc., Class B †

    110,730        8,809,679   

Walt Disney Co., (The) †

    111,550        6,785,587   

WPP PLC

    375,890        6,963,523   
   

 

 

 
      210,309,364   
   

 

 

 

Energy—10.1%

   

Cameron International Corp. * †

    110,947        6,300,680   

Canacol Energy Ltd. *

    561,688        2,090,399   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    179,333        5,491,176   

Devon Energy Corp. †

    201,949        11,529,268   

Diamondback Energy, Inc. * †

    201,370        8,103,129   

Emerge Energy Services LP †

    120,814        3,480,651   

Energen Corp. †

    215,971        14,321,037   

Ensco PLC, Class A

    62,310        3,461,944   

EOG Resources, Inc. †

    67,961        10,673,275   

EQT Corp. †

    135,633        11,626,461   

Exxon Mobil Corp. †

    250,032        21,792,789   

Gulfport Energy Corp. * †

    187,969        11,090,171   

Halliburton Co. †

    219,036        10,513,728   

Inpex Corp.

    805        3,629,891   

Kosmos Energy Ltd. * †

    367,059        3,732,990   

Marathon Oil Corp. †

    58,641        2,019,010   

Marathon Petroleum Corp

    37,275        2,702,810   

Occidental Petroleum Corp. †

    207,067        18,265,380   

Phillips 66 †

    175,254        10,007,003   

Rosetta Resources, Inc. * †

    159,783        7,434,703   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Energy—(continued)

   

Schlumberger Ltd. †

    112,459      $ 9,102,431   

Southwestern Energy Co. * †

    137,440        5,250,208   

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    185,700        6,258,758   
   

 

 

 
      188,877,892   
   

 

 

 

Finance—14.3%

   

ACE Ltd. †

    98,541        8,644,017   

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. †

    191,780        8,244,622   

Bangkok Bank PCL

    704,500        3,898,043   

Bank of America Corp. †

    635,269        8,969,998   

BB&T Corp. †

    284,623        9,665,797   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B * †

    78,997        8,786,046   

Capital One Financial Corp. †

    167,662        10,822,582   

CapitalSource, Inc. †

    396,340        4,577,727   

Charles Schwab Corp., (The) †

    285,084        5,952,554   

Citigroup, Inc. †

    305,642        14,771,678   

Comerica, Inc. †

    115,666        4,723,799   

Discover Financial Services †

    137,683        6,505,522   

Everest Re Group Ltd. †

    57,950        7,936,252   

Fifth Third Bancorp †

    570,820        10,440,298   

First NBC Bank Holding Co. *

    130,204        3,061,096   

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. †

    328,495        3,317,800   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (The) †

    55,594        8,457,515   

Huntington Bancshares, Inc. †

    868,170        7,153,721   

JPMorgan Chase & Co. †

    285,586        14,430,661   

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc. †

    134,520        5,546,260   

MetLife, Inc. †

    145,260        6,709,559   

Morgan Stanley †

    181,395        4,672,735   

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. †

    77,035        5,567,319   

Raymond James Financial, Inc. †

    134,945        5,644,749   

Regions Financial Corp. †

    837,916        7,876,410   

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. †

    92,493        5,994,471   

SLM Corp.

    176,853        4,242,703   

Standard Chartered PLC

    266,356        5,952,158   

State Street Corp. †

    152,701        10,188,211   

SunTrust Banks, Inc. †

    213,490        6,835,950   

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. †

    259,365        6,657,900   

Torchmark Corp. †

    92,700        6,386,103   

Travelers Cos., Inc., (The)

    108,421        8,662,838   

US Bancorp †

    176,870        6,390,313   

Validus Holdings Ltd. †

    240,202        8,313,391   

Wells Fargo & Co. †

    291,116        11,959,045   
   

 

 

 
      267,959,843   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—9.1%

   

AbbVie, Inc. †

    102,286        4,358,406   

Amgen, Inc. †

    53,029        5,776,979   

AstraZeneca PLC - Sponsored ADR †

    203,367        10,007,690   

Cardinal Health, Inc. †

    125,460        6,308,129   

CareFusion Corp. * †

    145,994        5,233,885   

Chemed Corp. †

    115,797        8,064,103   

CIGNA Corp. †

    88,660        6,976,655   

Covidien PLC †

    160,725        9,547,065   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

36      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Health Care—(continued)

   

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc. * †

    75,372      $ 8,103,244   

Endo Health Solutions, Inc. * †

    153,210        6,295,399   

Express Scripts Holding Co. * †

    130,785        8,354,546   

Hologic, Inc. * †

    258,148        5,508,878   

ICON PLC *

    93,256        3,407,574   

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp. * †

    158,281        6,432,540   

Johnson & Johnson †

    58,087        5,019,298   

McKesson Corp. †

    67,950        8,249,810   

Omnicare, Inc. †

    160,147        8,707,192   

Omnicell, Inc. * †

    128,146        2,785,894   

Pfizer, Inc. †

    154,158        4,348,797   

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

    109,062        6,393,214   

Roche Holding AG - Sponsored ADR †

    72,401        4,507,686   

Sanofi - ADR

    210,152        10,041,063   

Select Medical Holdings Corp. †

    753,546        6,382,535   

Teleflex, Inc. †

    71,494        5,510,758   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc. †

    101,285        7,266,186   

Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B †

    105,962        7,178,926   
   

 

 

 
      170,766,452   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—1.8%

  

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A *

    254,681        4,044,334   

American Residential Properties, Inc. * †

    255,880        4,365,313   

Boston Properties, Inc. †

    37,003        3,792,808   

BRE Properties, Inc.

    109,560        5,257,784   

Equity Residential

    70,201        3,642,730   

Post Properties, Inc. †

    122,598        5,545,108   

Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp.

    226,256        3,568,057   

Taubman Centers, Inc.

    63,542        4,283,366   
   

 

 

 
      34,499,500   
   

 

 

 

Technology—12.9%

   

Alliance Data Systems Corp. * †

    30,989        6,064,547   

Amdocs Ltd. †

    189,887        6,999,235   

Analog Devices, Inc. †

    196,201        9,080,182   

Apple, Inc. †

    5,295        2,578,930   

Arrow Electronics, Inc. * †

    258,832        12,014,981   

Avnet, Inc. †

    331,680        12,789,581   

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. *

    1,913,567        14,160,396   

CA, Inc. †

    310,783        9,090,403   

CDW Corp. * †

    305,180        6,692,597   

Cisco Systems, Inc. †

    332,894        7,759,759   

EMC Corp. †

    438,957        11,316,311   

Flextronics International Ltd. * †

    1,694,863        15,219,870   

Harris Corp.

    81,517        4,616,308   

LSI Corp. †

    1,642,715        12,172,518   

Microsoft Corp. †

    348,530        11,640,902   

NetApp, Inc. †

    320,853        13,328,234   

NVIDIA Corp. †

    488,530        7,205,818   

ON Semiconductor Corp. *

    1,461,951        10,584,525   

QUALCOMM, Inc. †

    123,197        8,165,497   

Seagate Technology PLC †

    335,235        12,846,205   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Technology—(continued)

  

 

Symantec Corp. †

    489,309      $ 12,531,203   

TE Connectivity Ltd. †

    45,680        2,238,320   

Texas Instruments, Inc. †

    280,465        10,713,763   

Western Digital Corp. †

    222,070        13,768,340   

WEX, Inc. * †

    44,357        3,549,891   

Xerox Corp. †

    440,263        4,393,825   
   

 

 

 
      241,522,141   
   

 

 

 

Transportation—0.5%

   

Norfolk Southern Corp. †

    90,486        6,529,470   

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B †

    33,060        2,829,275   
   

 

 

 
      9,358,745   
   

 

 

 

Utilities—0.8%

   

AES Corp. †

    743,226        9,446,402   

FirstEnergy Corp. †

    160,592        6,017,382   
   

 

 

 
      15,463,784   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK—92.8%

  

(Cost $1,606,568,009)

      1,741,639,085   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—92.8%
(Cost $1,606,568,009)

      1,741,639,085   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(47.2%)

  

 

COMMON STOCK—(47.2%)

   

Basic Industries—(2.7%)

   

Antofagasta PLC

    (203,172     (2,692,225

Aptargroup, Inc.

    (99,309     (5,840,362

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

    (80,778     (5,955,762

Earth Chemical Co. Ltd.

    (20     (736

EI Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

    (81,506     (4,614,870

Fibria Celulose SA - Sponsored ADR *

    (439,993     (5,015,920

Kenmare Resources PLC *

    (6,622,224     (2,709,274

Resolute Forest Products *

    (276,009     (3,480,473

Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (The), Class A

    (111,134     (5,857,873

Solvay SA

    (29,294     (4,082,086

Texas Industries, Inc. *

    (74,999     (4,402,441

US Silica Holdings, Inc.

    (76,005     (1,786,118

Wausau Paper Corp.

    (366,604     (4,021,646
   

 

 

 
      (50,459,786
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—(6.4%)

   

AAON, Inc.

    (31,162     (726,698

Acuity Brands, Inc.

    (55,375     (4,734,563

Aggreko PLC

    (228,591     (5,768,452

Alstom SA

    (117,981     (4,154,693

Altra Holdings, Inc.

    (47,915     (1,190,688

Boral Ltd.

    (1,444,959     (5,369,797

Briggs & Stratton Corp.

    (287,057     (5,479,918

Builders FirstSource, Inc. *

    (306,686     (1,741,976

Caterpillar, Inc.

    (66,215     (5,465,386

Deere & Co.

    (54,701     (4,575,192

Fastenal Co.

    (123,528     (5,433,997

Federal Signal Corp. *

    (151,280     (1,765,438

Interface, Inc.

    (177,434     (3,133,484
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        37   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Capital Goods—(continued)

   

James Hardie Industries PLC

    (631,882   $ (5,486,058

Kennametal, Inc. †

    (63,265     (2,690,028

Kubota Corp.

    (155,000     (2,095,407

Manitex International, Inc. *

    (87,630     (881,558

Manitowoc Co., Inc., (The)

    (222,136     (4,438,277

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    (378,000     (3,737,008

Navistar International Corp. *

    (76,844     (2,633,444

Oshkosh Corp. *

    (51,447     (2,310,999

Polypore International, Inc. *

    (80,082     (3,423,506

Raven Industries, Inc.

    (151,098     (4,413,573

Regal-Beloit Corp.

    (42,600     (2,713,620

Roper Industries, Inc.

    (37,608     (4,652,110

SGL Carbon SE

    (184,352     (5,835,664

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

    (201,998     (6,316,477

Sun Hydraulics Corp.

    (126,839     (3,886,347

Toro Co., (The)

    (35,794     (1,890,281

Trex Co., Inc. *

    (104,010     (4,604,523

Vulcan Materials Co.

    (107,067     (5,117,803

Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Class H

    (631,000     (2,275,670
   

 

 

 
      (118,942,635
   

 

 

 

Communications—(4.4%)

   

America Movil SAB de CV, Series L - ADR

    (270,898     (5,228,331

Angie’s List, Inc. *

    (228,491     (4,789,171

AOL, Inc. *

    (133,869     (4,408,306

Belgacom SA

    (171,050     (4,094,773

CenturyLink, Inc.

    (123,694     (4,096,745

Cogent Communications Group, Inc.

    (168,235     (5,220,332

Equinix, Inc. *

    (33,839     (5,879,188

France Telecom SA

    (459,235     (4,661,754

Internap Network Services Corp. *

    (363,211     (2,647,808

Level 3 Communications, Inc. *

    (303,266     (6,781,028

Millicom International Cellular SA - SDR

    (68,160     (5,524,193

NII Holdings, Inc. *

    (663,704     (3,968,950

Shutterfly, Inc. *

    (33,260     (1,728,190

Shutterstock, Inc. *

    (74,109     (3,678,771

Telefonica SA - Sponsored ADR *

    (372,961     (5,057,351

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    (72,366     (3,428,701

Yelp, Inc. *

    (106,467     (5,534,155

YY, Inc. ADR *

    (161,646     (6,378,551
   

 

 

 
      (83,106,298
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—(0.8%)

   

Accuride Corp. *

    (466,498     (2,444,449

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. *

    (197,726     (3,802,271

Electrolux AB - Series B

    (210,664     (5,570,591

KB Home

    (176,662     (2,831,892
   

 

 

 
      (14,649,203
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—(3.0%)

  

Annie’s, Inc. *

    (89,340     (4,103,386

Campbell Soup Co.

    (85,569     (3,694,869
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Non-Durables—(continued)

  

Clorox Co., (The)

    (65,320   $ (5,401,964

Columbia Sportswear Co.

    (93,044     (5,265,360

Giant Interactive Group, Inc.

    (586,373     (4,350,888

Guess?, Inc.

    (154,833     (4,722,407

Hillshire Brands Co.

    (150,281     (4,855,579

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    (53,935     (5,041,844

Quiksilver, Inc. *

    (528,474     (2,615,946

Remy Cointreau SA

    (45,646     (4,798,298

Snyders-Lance, Inc.

    (171,786     (4,621,043

Under Armour, Inc., Class A *

    (96,180     (6,986,515
   

 

 

 
      (56,458,099
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—(8.2%)

   

Acxiom Corp. *

    (157,953     (3,929,871

Atresmedia Corp de Medios de Comunicaion S.A.

    (256,645     (2,506,839

AutoNation, Inc. *

    (118,915     (5,558,087

Bankrate, Inc. *

    (267,849     (4,607,003

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. *

    (196,545     (6,140,066

Blue Nile, Inc. *

    (164,464     (5,950,307

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. *

    (17,840     (7,281,753

Concur Technologies, Inc. *

    (63,070     (6,163,200

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

    (153,745     (7,104,556

E-Commerce China Dangdang, Inc. - Sponsored ADR *

    (516,567     (4,034,388

Fairfax Media Ltd

    (7,859,157     (3,725,925

Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B

    (204,485     (7,503,600

IHS, Inc., Class A *

    (52,640     (5,640,376

Jack in the Box, Inc. *

    (150,532     (5,944,509

L Brands, Inc.

    (68,177     (3,910,633

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. *

    (94,082     (6,664,769

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.

    (157,570     (6,975,624

MSCI, Inc. *

    (133,895     (5,022,401

Netflix, Inc. *

    (21,380     (6,069,996

Ritchie Bros Auctioneers, Inc.

    (280,640     (5,200,259

Rollins, Inc.

    (196,026     (4,851,644

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. *

    (268,903     (7,026,435

Schibsted ASA

    (52,469     (2,568,026

Sonic Automotive, Inc., Class A

    (151,495     (3,301,076

Sysco Corp.

    (211,425     (6,769,829

Ultimate Software Group, Inc. *

    (44,180     (6,194,478

United Natural Foods, Inc. *

    (113,175     (6,861,800

Vitacost.com, Inc. *

    (173,833     (1,432,384

Weight Watchers International, Inc.

    (119,035     (4,278,118
   

 

 

 
      (153,217,952
   

 

 

 

Energy—(4.1%)

   

Approach Resources, Inc. *

    (161,934     (3,773,062

Atwood Oceanics, Inc. *

    (58,362     (3,249,596

Baytex Energy Corp.

    (70,698     (2,795,568

Calfrac Well Services Ltd.

    (49,500     (1,543,321

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. *

    (71,691     (2,456,134

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

    (160,640     (4,146,118

Comstock Resources, Inc.

    (201,700     (2,944,820

ConocoPhillips

    (80,638     (5,346,299

Continental Resources, Inc. *

    (50,389     (4,648,889

Crescent Point Energy Corp.

    (114,288     (4,168,751

Encana Corp.

    (224,235     (3,834,419
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

38      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Energy—(continued)

   

FMC Technologies, Inc. *

    (62,440   $ (3,348,657

Fugro NV

    (57,542     (3,535,654

Goodrich Petroleum Corp. *

    (89,663     (1,923,271

Halcon Resources Corp. *

    (519,214     (2,466,267

Neste Oil OYJ

    (345,155     (6,330,075

Oasis Petroleum, Inc. *

    (93,375     (3,660,300

Parker Drilling Co. *

    (52,018     (298,583

Peyto Exploration & Development Corp.

    (130,500     (3,562,019

RPC, Inc.

    (288,476     (4,119,437

Tullow Oil PLC

    (161,125     (2,516,323

Ultra Petroleum Corp. *

    (274,218     (5,676,313
   

 

 

 
      (76,343,876
   

 

 

 

Finance—(4.2%)

   

1st United Bancorp, Inc.

    (207,263     (1,484,003

Astoria Financial Corp.

    (256,331     (3,152,871

Aviva PLC

    (373,465     (2,235,423

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

    (43,769     (2,254,103

Cardinal Financial Corp.

    (95,265     (1,566,157

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

    (61,611     (3,974,780

Community Bank System, Inc.

    (145,835     (4,847,555

CVB Financial Corp.

    (378,274     (4,819,211

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

    (70,620     (4,060,650

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

    (94,250     (4,466,508

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

    (11     (22

Northern Trust Corp.

    (47,680     (2,616,202

Storebrand ASA *

    (312,140     (1,743,418

TCF Financial Corp.

    (297,775     (4,183,739

Tompkins Financial Corp.

    (42,471     (1,843,241

TrustCo Bank Corp.

    (424,130     (2,476,919

Trustmark Corp.

    (169,161     (4,205,342

UMB Financial Corp.

    (83,741     (5,001,850

United Bankshares, Inc.

    (168,894     (4,690,186

United States Oil Fund LP *

    (197,215     (7,588,833

Valley National Bancorp

    (501,799     (5,063,152

Westamerica Bancorporation

    (129,342     (6,088,128
   

 

 

 
      (78,362,293
   

 

 

 

Health Care—(2.0%)

   

ABIOMED, Inc. *

    (134,784     (3,174,163

Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (275,294     (5,120,468

athenahealth, Inc. *

    (60,840     (6,418,012

Elekta AB, B Shares

    (195,309     (3,068,565

HeartWare International, Inc. *

    (28,196     (2,216,206

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. *

    (28,714     (2,693,947

Orion OYJ, Class B

    (57,815     (1,336,835

ResMed, Inc.

    (72,408     (3,420,554

Seattle Genetics, Inc. *

    (68,487     (2,903,849

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    (247,068     (1,892,541

William Demant Holding *

    (69,942     (5,994,436
   

 

 

 
      (38,239,576
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—(1.7%)

  

 

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

    (217,245     (4,171,104

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc. *

    (619,482     (3,413,346
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Real Estate Investment Trusts—(continued)

  

HCP, Inc.

    (109,313   $ (4,452,318

Health Care REIT, Inc.

    (88,783     (5,454,828

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

    (238,306     (5,147,410

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

    (170,592     (4,844,813

Rouse Properties, Inc.

    (259,052     (4,802,824
   

 

 

 
      (32,286,643
   

 

 

 

Technology—(7.2%)

   

ADTRAN, Inc.

    (209,469     (5,052,392

Aspen Technology, Inc. *

    (79,612     (2,661,429

AZZ, Inc.

    (142,063     (5,333,045

Blackbaud, Inc.

    (191,798     (6,908,564

Ciena Corp. *

    (205,305     (4,089,676

Cirrus Logic, Inc. *

    (204,798     (4,607,955

Dassault Systemes SA

    (40,801     (5,213,635

Finisar Corp. *

    (236,329     (4,837,655

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

    (826,000     (3,024,834

Generac Holdings, Inc.

    (72,824     (2,883,102

Hittite Microwave Corp. *

    (105,550     (6,455,438

Infinera Corp. *

    (396,040     (3,671,291

Infosys Technologies Ltd. - Sponsored ADR *

    (146,965     (6,814,767

International Rectifier Corp. *

    (158,777     (3,791,595

Itron, Inc. *

    (161,828     (6,062,077

Jive Software, Inc. *

    (446,850     (5,536,472

National Instruments Corp.

    (243,745     (6,763,924

NetSuite, Inc. *

    (40,801     (4,056,843

Nokia OYJ - Sponsored ADR *

    (1,037,289     (4,045,427

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. *

    (79,992     (3,841,216

Red Hat, Inc. *

    (125,652     (6,347,939

Salesforce.com, Inc. *

    (143,412     (7,045,832

Skyworks Solutions, Inc. *

    (224,357     (5,689,694

Tyler Technologies, Inc. *

    (35,045     (2,589,475

ViaSat, Inc. *

    (85,123     (5,424,889

VMware, Inc., Class A *

    (29,837     (2,510,784

Wipro Ltd. - ADR

    (707,226     (6,379,179

Zumtobel AG

    (284,033     (3,531,606
   

 

 

 
      (135,170,735
   

 

 

 

Transportation—(1.2%)

   

Hub Group, Inc., Class A *

    (72,650     (2,698,948

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

    (64,605     (4,651,560

Kansas City Southern

    (41,400     (4,364,388

Keikyu Corp.

    (451,220     (3,848,501

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. *

    (72,695     (3,156,417

Panalpina Welttransport Holding AG, Registered Shares

    (30,270     (4,505,771
   

 

 

 
      (23,225,585
   

 

 

 

Utilities—(1.3%)

   

Dominion Resources, Inc.

    (98,735     (5,761,187

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    (49,018     (3,939,086

NiSource, Inc.

    (134,874     (3,946,413

Ormat Technologies, Inc.

    (56,904     (1,426,583
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        39   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Utilities—(continued)

   

Pepco Holdings, Inc.

    (287,484   $ (5,444,947

TECO Energy, Inc.

    (247,710     (4,094,646
   

 

 

 
      (24,612,862
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK (Proceeds $845,087,072)

      (885,075,543
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(47.2%)
(Proceeds $845,087,072)

      (885,075,543
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Contracts
       

OPTIONS WRITTEN ††—(0.1%)

  

 

Cameron International Corp.
Call Options
Expires 01/14/18
Strike Price $60

    (291     (81,480

Cameron International Corp. Call Options
Expires 01/14/18
Strike Price $65

    (500     (64,500

EOG Resources, Inc. Call Options
Expires 01/14/18
Strike Price $160

    (580     (580,580

EQT Corp. Call Options
Expires 12/21/13
Strike Price $85

    (1,224     (660,960
    Number of
Contracts
    Value  

OPTIONS WRITTEN ††—(continued)

  

 

Phillips 66 Call Options
Expires 11/16/13
Strike Price $55

    (1,088   $ (489,600

Southwestern Energy Co. Call Options
Expires 01/18/14
Strike Price $40

    (1,700     (348,500
   

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Premiums received $2,971,577)

      (2,225,620
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—54.5%

      1,021,578,297   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 1,875,916,219   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PCL     Public Company Limited
PLC     Public Limited Company
REIT     Real Estate Investment Trust
SDR     Swedish Depositary Receipt
*     Non-income producing.
    Security position is either entirely or partially held in a segregated account as collateral for securities sold short.
††     Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.
 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2013 is as follows (see Note I in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
           

Common Stock

           

Basic Industries

   $ 120,153,811       $ 97,322,176       $ 22,831,635       $   

Capital Goods

     237,618,627         215,381,411         22,237,216           

Communications

     109,381,420         109,381,420                   

Consumer Durables

     62,420,981         34,754,380         27,666,601           

Consumer Non-Durables

     73,306,525         50,083,628         23,222,897           

Consumer Services

     210,309,364         190,956,741         19,352,623           

Energy

     188,877,892         185,248,001         3,629,891           

Finance

     267,959,843         258,109,642         9,850,201           

Health Care

     170,766,452         170,766,452                   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     34,499,500         34,499,500                   

Technology

     241,522,141         241,522,141                   

Transportation

     9,358,745         9,358,745                   

Utilities

     15,463,784         15,463,784                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 1,741,639,085       $ 1,612,848,021       $ 128,791,064       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

40      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
           

Securities Sold Short

           

Common Stock

           

Basic Industries

   $ (50,459,786    $ (43,684,739    $ (6,775,047    $   

Capital Goods

     (118,942,635      (84,219,886      (34,722,749        

Communications

     (83,106,298      (68,825,578      (14,280,720        

Consumer Durables

     (14,649,203      (9,078,612      (5,570,591        

Consumer Non-Durables

     (56,458,099      (51,659,801      (4,798,298        

Consumer Services

     (153,217,952      (136,913,562      (16,304,390        

Energy

     (76,343,876      (63,961,824      (12,382,052        

Finance

     (78,362,293      (70,408,650      (7,953,643        

Health Care

     (38,239,576      (27,839,740      (10,399,836        

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     (32,286,643      (32,286,643                

Technology

     (135,170,735      (123,400,660      (11,770,075        

Transportation

     (23,225,585      (19,377,084      (3,848,501        

Utilities

     (24,612,862      (24,612,862                

Options Written

           

Equity Contracts

     (2,225,620      (2,225,620                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (887,301,163    $ (758,495,261    $ (128,805,902    $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* See Portfolio of Investments detail for security type breakout.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        41   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

     Number of
Shares
     Value  

COMMON STOCK—94.7%

     

Capital Goods—7.0%

     

Actuant Corp., Class A

     58,960       $ 2,106,051   

Cubic Corp.

     21,860         1,097,591   

Dover Corp.

     90,125         7,665,131   

Fluor Corp.

     32,388         2,054,371   

Foster Wheeler AG *

     48,840         1,132,111   

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

     29,885         1,892,318   

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

     53,815         3,846,158   

Masco Corp.

     119,870         2,267,940   

MRC Global, Inc. *

     54,340         1,426,425   

Parker Hannifin Corp.

     45,992         4,596,900   

Raytheon Co.

     36,320         2,738,891   

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

     28,975         2,470,409   

Textron, Inc.

     46,000         1,239,240   

Timken Co.

     28,505         1,597,990   
     

 

 

 
        36,131,526   
     

 

 

 

Communications—2.0%

     

IAC/InterActiveCorp.

     75,580         3,710,222   

Vodafone Group PLC - Sponsored ADR

     208,813         6,755,101   
     

 

 

 
        10,465,323   
     

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—2.6%

     

Lear Corp.

     101,978         7,010,987   

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

     102,425         2,591,353   

Thor Industries, Inc.

     80,950         4,147,069   
     

 

 

 
        13,749,409   
     

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—4.5%

  

  

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     345,125         5,632,440   

Brunswick Corp.

     74,750         2,717,910   

Electronic Arts, Inc. *

     196,498         5,234,707   

Jones Group, Inc., (The)

     170,740         2,515,000   

PepsiCo, Inc.

     57,295         4,568,130   

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

     97,495         2,822,480   
     

 

 

 
        23,490,667   
     

 

 

 

Consumer Services—12.9%

     

CBS Corp., Class B non - voting shares

     61,303         3,132,583   

eBay, Inc. *

     80,630         4,030,694   

Equifax, Inc.

     37,560         2,219,420   

Foot Locker, Inc.

     68,960         2,220,512   

FTI Consulting, Inc. *

     42,834         1,432,369   

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc., (The)

     257,735         4,051,594   

Kohl’s Corp.

     124,511         6,388,659   

Korn/Ferry International *

     58,396         1,034,193   

Macy’s, Inc.

     90,310         4,012,473   

Manpower, Inc.

     85,785         5,563,157   

Men’s Wearhouse, Inc., (The)

     36,635         1,379,308   

Omnicom Group, Inc.

     122,685         7,440,845   

Staples, Inc.

     79,300         1,103,063   

Target Corp.

     120,000         7,597,200   

Towers Watson & Co., Class A

     51,498         4,235,711   
     Number of
Shares
     Value  

Consumer Services—(continued)

  

  

Viacom, Inc., Class B

     81,355       $ 6,472,604   

Walt Disney Co., (The)

     75,370         4,584,757   
     

 

 

 
        66,899,142   
     

 

 

 

Energy—8.1%

     

Cameron International Corp. *

     22,005         1,249,664   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

     48,600         1,488,132   

Energen Corp.

     49,150         3,259,136   

EOG Resources, Inc.

     23,205         3,644,345   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     108,250         9,435,070   

Halliburton Co.

     77,592         3,724,416   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     130,485         11,510,082   

Phillips 66

     48,170         2,750,507   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC - ADR

     81,520         5,265,377   
     

 

 

 
        42,326,729   
     

 

 

 

Finance—26.3%

     

ACE Ltd.

     55,160         4,838,635   

Alleghany Corp. *

     6,087         2,356,217   

American International Group, Inc. *

     119,185         5,537,335   

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

     102,390         4,401,746   

BB&T Corp.

     208,075         7,066,227   

Bond Street Holdings, Inc., Class A 144A * ‡

     50,936         699,351   

Bond Street Holdings, Inc., Class B 144A * ‡

     12,734         174,838   

Capital One Financial Corp.

     164,240         10,601,692   

Citigroup, Inc. #

     205,997         9,955,835   

Federated Investors, Inc., Class B (a)

     85,850         2,331,686   

Fifth Third Bancorp

     218,355         3,993,713   

First Southern Bancorp, Inc. Class B * ‡

     17,550         97,402   

Huntington Bancshares, Inc.

     429,665         3,540,440   

J.G. Wentworth, Inc. * ‡ ±

             0   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     331,430         16,747,158   

Loews Corp.

     140,304         6,237,916   

MetLife, Inc.

     139,810         6,457,824   

NBH Holdings Corp., Class A

     117,570         2,298,494   

OneBeacon Insurance Group Ltd., Class A

     139,350         1,989,918   

Peoples Choice Financial Corp. 144A * ‡

     1,465         0   

Prudential Financial, Inc.

     80,460         6,024,845   

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

     60,040         2,511,473   

SLM Corp.

     164,385         3,943,596   

Solar Cayman Ltd. 144A * ‡

     19,375         0   

State Street Corp.

     116,965         7,803,905   

Torchmark Corp.

     63,030         4,342,137   

Travelers Cos., Inc., (The)

     65,880         5,263,812   

Validus Holdings Ltd.

     145,449         5,033,990   

Wells Fargo & Co.

     194,310         7,982,255   

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.

     6,440         3,604,790   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

42      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

     Number of
Shares
     Value  

Finance—(continued)

     

WR Berkley Corp.

     19,760       $ 812,531   
     

 

 

 
        136,649,761   
     

 

 

 

Health Care—18.0%

     

AbbVie, Inc.

     62,895         2,679,956   

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. *

     121,975         1,773,516   

Amgen, Inc.

     139,025         15,145,383   

AstraZeneca PLC - Sponsored ADR

     105,935         5,213,061   

Cardinal Health, Inc.

     59,575         2,995,431   

CareFusion Corp. *

     73,880         2,648,598   

Covidien PLC

     69,280         4,115,232   

Endo Health Solutions, Inc. *

     65,800         2,703,722   

Express Scripts Holding Co. *

     78,600         5,020,968   

Humana, Inc.

     20,970         1,930,918   

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp. *

     40,930         1,663,395   

Johnson & Johnson

     117,330         10,138,485   

McKesson Corp.

     56,435         6,851,773   

Medtronic, Inc.

     95,170         4,925,048   

Pfizer, Inc.

     320,306         9,035,832   

Sanofi - ADR

     168,565         8,054,036   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     75,380         5,407,761   

WellPoint, Inc.

     35,540         3,025,876   
     

 

 

 
        93,328,991   
     

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—0.4%

  

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

     44,460         512,624   

Colony Financial, Inc.

     46,250         914,363   

Terreno Realty Corp.

     33,325         585,187   

TMST, Inc. ‡

     191,097         0   
     

 

 

 
        2,012,174   
     

 

 

 

Technology—12.9%

     

Amdocs Ltd.

     64,400         2,373,784   

Arrow Electronics, Inc. *

     83,137         3,859,220   

Avnet, Inc. *

     102,717         3,960,768   

BancTec, Inc. 144A * ‡

     14,327         13,897   

CA, Inc.

     174,455         5,102,809   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     398,500         9,289,035   

EMC Corp.

     204,490         5,271,752   

Flextronics International Ltd. *

     747,621         6,713,637   

International Business Machines Corp.

     19,905         3,628,084   

Lexmark International, Inc., Class A

     55,525         1,896,734   

LSI Corp. *

     180,810         1,339,802   

Microsemi Corp. *

     55,280         1,422,907   

Microsoft Corp.

     162,115         5,414,641   

NVIDIA Corp.

     91,645         1,351,764   

ON Semiconductor Corp. *

     390,990         2,830,768   

Seagate Technology PLC

     64,035         2,453,821   

TE Connectivity Ltd.

     124,075         6,079,675   

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. *

     235,730         2,887,693   
     Number of
Shares
    Value  

Technology—(continued)

    

WEX, Inc. *

     17,635      $ 1,411,329   
    

 

 

 
       67,302,120   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $392,433,411)

       492,355,842   
    

 

 

 

PREFERRED STOCK—0.0%

    

Finance—0.0%

    

First Southern Bancorp, Inc.,
5.000% ‡

     30        38,865   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK
(Cost $30,000)

       38,865   
    

 

 

 

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL—0.4%

  

BlackRock Liquidity Fund

     2,239,470        2,239,470   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $2,239,470)

       2,239,470   
    

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—95.2%
(Cost $394,702,881)

       494,634,177   
    

 

 

 
     Number of
Contracts
       

OPTIONS WRITTEN ††—0.0%

  

 

Citigroup, Inc. Call Options
Expires 01/18/14
Strike Price $50

     (849     (201,213
    

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN
(Premiums received $143,481)

   

    (201,213
    

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—4.9%

       25,359,696   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

     $ 519,792,660   
    

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
144A     Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may only be resold to qualified institutional buyers. As of August 31, 2013, these securities amounted to $888,086 or 0.2% of net assets. These 144A securities have not been deemed illiquid.
*     Non-income producing.
    Security has been valued at fair market value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of The RBB Fund, Inc.‘s Board of Directors. As of August 31, 2013, these securities amounted to $1,024,353 or 0.2% of net assets.
±     Total shares owned by the Fund as of August 31, 2013 were less than one share.
#     Security segregated as collateral for options written.
(a)     All or a portion of the security is on loan. (see Note 6 of the Notes to Financial Statements)
††     Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        43   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2013 is as follows (see Note I in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
           

Common Stock

           

Capital Goods

   $ 36,131,526       $ 36,131,526       $       $   

Communications

     10,465,323         10,465,323                   

Consumer Durables

     13,749,409         13,749,409                   

Consumer Non-Durables

     23,490,667         23,490,667                   

Consumer Services

     66,899,142         66,899,142                   

Energy

     42,326,729         42,326,729                   

Finance

     136,649,761         135,678,170                 971,591   

Health Care

     93,328,991         93,328,991                   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     2,012,174         2,012,174                   

Technology

     67,302,120         67,288,223                 13,897   

Preferred Stocks

     38,865                         38,865   

Securities Lending Collateral

     2,239,470         2,239,470                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 494,634,177       $ 493,609,824       $       $ 1,024,353   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
           

Options Written

           

Equity Contracts

   $ (201,213    $ (201,213    $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (201,213    $ (201,213    $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

44      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ROBECO WPG SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

COMMON STOCK—93.9%

   

Basic Industries—2.0%

   

GrafTech International Ltd. *

    34,400      $ 269,008   

GSE Holding, Inc. *

    50,600        117,392   

TMS International Corp.,Class A

    24,000        417,840   
   

 

 

 
      804,240   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—8.4%

   

Flow International Corp. *

    53,500        180,295   

Global Power Equipment Group, Inc.

    21,900        406,902   

Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.

    24,700        317,395   

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.

    75,000        504,750   

LSB Industries, Inc. *

    13,200        396,264   

MRC Global, Inc. *

    9,000        236,250   

MYR Group, Inc. *

    20,500        449,360   

Orion Marine Group, Inc. *

    26,400        259,248   

Tutor Perini Corp. *

    24,100        462,238   

Wabash National Corp. *

    19,700        205,274   
   

 

 

 
      3,417,976   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—2.0%

   

Libbey, Inc. *

    34,100        808,852   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—3.5%

   

Chiquita Brands International, Inc. *

    64,600        796,518   

Dole Food Co., Inc. *

    13,000        178,360   

Jones Group, Inc., (The)

    6,600        97,218   

Matthews International Corp., Class A

    7,700        284,130   

Vera Bradley, Inc. * (a)

    4,700        92,308   
   

 

 

 
      1,448,534   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—10.4%

   

ACCO Brands Corp. *

    40,100        264,259   

Big Lots, Inc. *

    6,500        230,230   

Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. *

    8,900        133,322   

Brink’s Co., (The)

    17,400        449,442   

CST Brands, Inc. *

    3,400        100,300   

Destination XL Group, Inc. *

    34,900        211,145   

FTI Consulting, Inc. *

    15,300        511,632   

ICF International, Inc. *

    10,000        328,900   

Ignite Restaurant Group, Inc. *

    5,300        79,288   

K12, Inc. * (a)

    6,300        228,753   

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

    8,900        237,096   

MDC Partners, Inc., Class A

    30,500        682,590   

Pitney Bowes, Inc. (a)

    5,900        96,288   

PRGX Global, Inc. *

    62,700        380,589   

Titan Machinery, Inc. * (a)

    18,100        317,836   
   

 

 

 
      4,251,670   
   

 

 

 

Energy—4.7%

   

Approach Resources, Inc. * (a)

    30,100        701,330   

Bill Barrett Corp. * (a)

    11,600        249,748   

Comstock Resources, Inc.

    9,700        141,620   

EPL Oil & Gas, Inc. *

    5,300        179,352   

Newfield Exploration Co. *

    8,300        197,706   

Triangle Petroleum Corp. *

    21,600        143,640   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Energy—(continued)

   

W&T Offshore, Inc.

    18,800      $ 290,460   
   

 

 

 
      1,903,856   
   

 

 

 

Finance—27.4%

   

A.B. Watley Group, Inc. *

    93,855        516   

American Capital Mortgage Investment Corp.

    9,300        186,372   

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

    31,800        629,958   

BancorpSouth, Inc.

    41,500        804,270   

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

    36,700        623,533   

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

    88,800        1,206,792   

Customers Bancorp Inc *

    8,800        144,144   

Employers Holdings, Inc.

    16,200        429,462   

FBR & Co. *

    21,395        573,814   

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

    20,300        305,109   

FXCM, Inc., Class A (a)

    5,500        104,445   

Great American Group, Inc. *

    25,800        6,966   

Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., (The)

    4,900        261,023   

Home Loan Servicing Solutions Ltd.

    17,600        401,280   

LiqTech International, Inc. *

    9,620        26,840   

Maiden Holdings Ltd.

    59,700        780,876   

Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.

    135,400        809,692   

Nelnet, Inc., Class A

    12,900        488,652   

Northfield Bancorp, Inc.

    37,432        449,184   

Ocwen Financial Corp. *

    12,500        630,500   

OmniAmerican Bancorp, Inc. *

    7,600        172,900   

THL Credit, Inc.

    14,700        230,790   

Tower Group International Ltd.

    11,000        155,430   

United Community Banks, Inc. *

    26,700        389,286   

Validus Holdings Ltd.

    8,000        276,880   

ViewPoint Financial Group (a)

    17,300        344,097   

Western Alliance Bancorp *

    13,600        222,632   

WSFS Financial Corp.

    8,600        512,560   
   

 

 

 
      11,168,003   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—6.0%

   

Accuray, Inc. * (a)

    140,000        926,800   

Alere, Inc. *

    18,700        582,879   

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc. *

    12,800        72,320   

Invacare Corp.

    7,100        106,571   

Medical Action Industries, Inc. *

    16,800        85,848   

Natus Medical, Inc. *

    17,100        224,865   

Symmetry Medical, Inc. *

    49,300        387,005   

Trinity Biotech PLC - Sponsored ADR

    3,600        68,508   
   

 

 

 
      2,454,796   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—10.0%

  

 

Campus Crest Communities, Inc.

    42,900        453,882   

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc. *

    34,000        187,340   

Geo Group, Inc. (The)

    12,900        402,609   

Government Properties Income Trust

    7,500        175,350   

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

    7,610        257,066   

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.

    56,500        1,041,860   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        45   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO WPG SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Real Estate Investment Trusts—(continued)

  

 

Lexington Realty Trust

    37,400      $ 438,328   

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

    17,700        382,320   

Starwood Property Trust, Inc.

    13,900        346,527   

Two Harbors Investment Corp.

    21,800        207,318   

Winthrop Realty Trust

    14,400        171,072   
   

 

 

 
      4,063,672   
   

 

 

 

Technology—8.8%

   

CIBER, Inc. *

    117,000        425,880   

Computer Task Group, Inc.

    11,600        207,408   

Digi International, Inc. *

    49,400        458,926   

Diodes, Inc. *

    6,600        164,340   

Exar Corp. *

    52,600        642,772   

Plantronics, Inc.

    4,500        194,400   

RDA Microelectronics, Inc. - Sponsored ADR

    19,100        217,740   

Saba Software, Inc. *

    66,100        657,695   

Ultratech, Inc. *

    21,900        619,332   
   

 

 

 
      3,588,493   
   

 

 

 

Transportation—5.1%

   

Air Transport Services Group, Inc. *

    61,000        391,010   

JetBlue Airways Corp. * (a)

    100,500        618,075   

Rand Logistics, Inc. * (a)

    11,400        59,850   

Scorpio Tankers, Inc.

    86,100        811,923   

Spirit Airlines, Inc. *

    3,100        96,627   

US Airways Group, Inc. *

    6,400        103,424   
   

 

 

 
      2,080,909   
   

 

 

 

Utilities—5.6%

   

Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, Inc.

    24,000        219,600   

Cadiz, Inc. * (a)

    40,600        185,136   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Utilities—(continued)

   

Empire District Electric Co. (The)

    11,100      $ 234,987   

NorthWestern Corp.

    6,600        265,122   

Nuverra Environmental Solutions, Inc. * (a)

    115,200        264,960   

Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc.

    11,200        361,312   

Portland General Electric Co.

    5,200        149,812   

StealthGas, Inc. *

    38,700        343,656   

UIL Holdings Corp.

    7,200        271,872   
   

 

 

 
      2,296,457   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $29,631,519)

      38,287,458   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL—8.3%

  

BlackRock Liquidity Fund

    3,362,286        3,362,286   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $3,362,286)

      3,362,286   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—102.2% (Cost $32,993,805)

      41,649,744   
   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(2.2)%

      (895,494
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 40,754,250   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
*     Non-income Producing
(a)     All or a portion of the security is on loan. (See Note 6 of the Notes to Financial Statements)
 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2013 is as follows (see Note I in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock *

   $ 38,287,458       $ 38,287,458       $       $   

Securities Lending Collateral

     3,362,286         3,362,286                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 41,649,744       $ 41,649,744       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* See Portfolio of Investments detail for industry and security type breakout.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

46      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

COMMON STOCK—97.8%

   

Bermuda—2.0%

   

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

    1,935      $ 83,186   

Catlin Group Ltd.

    7,660        55,468   

Validus Holdings Ltd.

    2,755        95,351   
   

 

 

 
      234,005   
   

 

 

 

Canada—0.7%

   

Barrick Gold Corp.

    1,400        26,729   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    1,795        54,772   
   

 

 

 
      81,501   
   

 

 

 

China—1.6%

   

Labixiaoxin Snacks Group Ltd.

    100,000        53,299   

Lenovo Group Ltd.

    138,000        133,080   
   

 

 

 
      186,379   
   

 

 

 

France—4.9%

   

Atos

    2,785        206,943   

AXA SA

    3,810        83,039   

LISI

    690        89,935   

Sanofi

    860        82,419   

Teleperformance SA

    2,340        105,330   
   

 

 

 
      567,666   
   

 

 

 

Germany—8.4%

   

Allianz SE, Registered Shares

    625        89,542   

Aurelius AG

    3,020        80,626   

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

    640        71,133   

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    1,350        127,242   

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

    1,210        145,620   

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    3,025        246,025   

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG, Registered Shares

    305        55,577   

NORMA Group AG

    2,278        91,643   

Rheinmetall AG

    1,245        61,182   
   

 

 

 
      968,590   
   

 

 

 

Hong Kong—2.0%

   

Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd.

    9,000        128,043   

Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.

    9,000        104,034   
   

 

 

 
      232,077   
   

 

 

 

Ireland—2.5%

   

Beazley PLC

    16,195        50,003   

Covidien PLC

    930        55,242   

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    8,770        178,369   
   

 

 

 
      283,614   
   

 

 

 

Japan—5.2%

   

Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd.

    1,900        72,524   

Fuji Seal International, Inc.

    2,000        56,769   

Inpex Corp.

    12        54,110   

ITOCHU Corp.

    4,500        50,658   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    1,100        55,805   

Softbank Corp.

    2,030        126,644   

Toho Holdings Co. Ltd.

    4,000        65,498   

Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.

    2,700        64,909   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Japan—(continued)

   

Toyota Motor Corp.

    900      $ 54,136   
   

 

 

 
      601,053   
   

 

 

 

Netherlands—0.5%

   

Aegon NV

    7,975        56,767   
   

 

 

 

South Korea—1.9%

   

Hyundai Motor Co.

    765        170,591   

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    42        51,492   
   

 

 

 
      222,083   
   

 

 

 

Switzerland—5.5%

   

ACE Ltd.

    1,350        118,422   

Georg Fischer AG, Registered Shares

    195        105,670   

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

    1,680        122,388   

Roche Holding AG, Participation Certificate

    780        194,427   

Swiss Re AG

    1,110        85,064   
   

 

 

 
      625,971   
   

 

 

 

Taiwan—0.5%

   

MediaTek, Inc.

    5,000        61,028   
   

 

 

 

Thailand—0.9%

   

Bangkok Bank PCL

    17,700        97,935   
   

 

 

 

United Kingdom—12.1%

   

Berendsen PLC

    9,825        131,011   

BHP Billiton PLC

    2,605        75,767   

Daily Mail & General Trust PLC, Class A

    12,495        152,878   

HSBC Holdings PLC

    10,487        109,798   

Inchcape PLC

    9,175        83,702   

ITV PLC

    31,955        81,521   

Meggitt PLC

    18,730        152,943   

New Melrose PLC

    24,295        111,004   

Rio Tinto PLC

    1,230        55,534   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    3,280        106,081   

Standard Chartered PLC

    6,170        137,879   

WPP PLC

    10,235        189,608   
   

 

 

 
      1,387,726   
   

 

 

 

United States—49.1%

   

Amgen, Inc.

    1,475        160,686   

Avnet, Inc. *

    3,140        121,078   

BB&T Corp.

    3,005        102,050   

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. *

    1,180        87,013   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B *

    1,265        140,693   

Berry Plastics Group, Inc. *

    1,040        23,930   

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    1,480        74,414   

CareFusion Corp. *

    1,590        57,002   

CBS Corp., Class B non-voting shares

    1,820        93,002   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    3,685        85,897   

Citigroup, Inc.

    3,960        191,387   

Comcast Corp., Class A

    3,575        150,472   

Crown Holdings, Inc. *

    3,505        152,327   

CVS Caremark Corp.

    4,595        266,740   

DIRECTV *

    1,435        83,488   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        47   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United States—(continued)

   

Dover Corp.

    790      $ 67,190   

EMC Corp.

    4,595        118,459   

Energen Corp.

    1,250        82,888   

EOG Resources, Inc.

    400        62,820   

Everest Re Group Ltd.

    1,055        144,482   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    1,910        166,476   

Fifth Third Bancorp

    3,705        67,764   

Fluor Corp.

    1,150        72,945   

Foot Locker, Inc.

    1,710        55,062   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co. *

    28,365        235,713   

Halliburton Co.

    1,285        61,680   

Honeywell International, Inc.

    1,365        108,613   

Humana, Inc.

    635        58,471   

IAC/InterActiveCorp.

    1,855        91,062   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    3,145        158,917   

Lear Corp.

    2,650        182,188   

Liberty Global, Inc., Class C *

    2,785        204,781   

LSI Corp. *

    13,085        96,960   

Macy’s, Inc.

    6,175        274,355   

McKesson Corp.

    1,830        222,180   

Microsoft Corp.

    2,750        91,850   

NetApp, Inc.

    2,295        95,334   

Newmont Mining Corp.

    1,500        47,655   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    1,645        145,105   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United States—(continued)

   

ON Semiconductor Corp. *

    9,735      $ 70,481   

Pfizer, Inc.

    2,850        80,399   

Phillips 66

    1,010        57,671   

Rite Aid Corp. *

    27,250        94,285   

Schlumberger Ltd.

    740        59,896   

Symantec Corp.

    4,415        113,068   

Towers Watson & Co., Class A

    1,760        144,760   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    4,335        178,082   

Western Digital Corp.

    2,260        140,120   
   

 

 

 
      5,641,891   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $9,598,929)

      11,248,286   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—97.8%
(Cost $9,598,929)

      11,248,286   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—2.2%

      248,000   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 11,496,286   
   

 

 

 

 

PCL     Public Company Limited
PLC     Public Limited Company
*     Non-income producing.
 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2013 is as follows (see Note I in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
           

Common Stock

           

Bermuda

   $ 234,005       $ 178,537       $ 55,468       $   

Canada

     81,501         81,501                   

China

     186,379                 186,379           

France

     567,666         89,935         477,731           

Germany

     968,590         80,626         887,964           

Hong Kong

     232,077                 232,077           

Ireland

     283,614         55,242         228,372           

Japan

     601,053                 601,053           

Netherlands

     56,767                 56,767           

South Korea

     222,083                 222,083           

Switzerland

     625,971         118,422         507,549           

Taiwan

     61,028                 61,028           

Thailand

     97,935                 97,935           

United Kingdom

     1,387,726                 1,387,726           

United States

     5,641,891         5,641,891                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 11,248,286       $ 6,246,154       $ 5,002,132       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

48      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

COMMON STOCK—94.6%

   

Australia—0.6%

   

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    2,375      $ 62,353   
   

 

 

 

Belgium—1.5%

   

Ageas

    4,345        170,861   
   

 

 

 

Bermuda—0.7%

   

Catlin Group Ltd.

    11,050        80,016   
   

 

 

 

Canada—2.4%

   

Barrick Gold Corp.

    1,715        32,743   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    2,650        80,861   

CGI Group, Inc., Class A *

    1,960        65,036   

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    2,485        83,754   
   

 

 

 
      262,394   
   

 

 

 

China—2.2%

   

Labixiaoxin Snacks Group Ltd.

    146,000        77,816   

Lenovo Group Ltd.

    174,000        167,796   
   

 

 

 
      245,612   
   

 

 

 

France—14.0%

   

Atos

    4,075        302,799   

AXA SA

    5,640        122,924   

Cap Gemini SA

    2,760        151,174   

Havas SA

    13,080        94,945   

LISI

    1,125        146,634   

Publicis Groupe SA

    1,915        142,429   

Sanofi

    1,565        149,984   

Teleperformance SA

    3,805        171,273   

Total SA

    4,870        269,681   
   

 

 

 
      1,551,843   
   

 

 

 

Germany—12.4%

   

Allianz SE, Registered Shares

    1,085        155,444   

Aurelius AG

    4,720        126,011   

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

    865        96,141   

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    1,655        155,990   

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

    1,890        227,457   

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    4,195        341,182   

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG, Registered Shares

    415        75,621   

NORMA Group AG

    3,636        146,276   

Rheinmetall AG

    1,195        58,725   
   

 

 

 
      1,382,847   
   

 

 

 

Hong Kong—3.7%

   

AMVIG Holdings Ltd.

    180,000        79,155   

Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd.

    12,000        170,723   

Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.

    14,000        161,830   
   

 

 

 
      411,708   
   

 

 

 

Ireland—2.6%

   

Beazley PLC

    18,710        57,768   

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    11,195        227,691   
   

 

 

 
      285,459   
   

 

 

 

Japan—12.2%

   

Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd.

    2,900        110,695   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Japan—(continued)

   

Anritsu Corp.

    3,700      $ 44,907   

Brother Industries Ltd.

    8,300        83,957   

Fuji Seal International, Inc.

    3,500        99,346   

Inpex Corp.

    19        85,674   

ITOCHU Corp.

    7,800        87,806   

Kaken Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    6,000        91,519   

Komatsu Ltd.

    2,500        54,297   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    1,700        86,244   

Seven & I Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,800        61,624   

Softbank Corp.

    2,910        181,544   

Toho Holdings Co. Ltd.

    5,900        96,610   

Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.

    4,300        103,374   

Toyota Motor Corp.

    1,600        96,242   

TS Tech Co. Ltd.

    2,000        66,932   
   

 

 

 
      1,350,771   
   

 

 

 

Netherlands—3.0%

   

Aegon NV

    18,835        134,071   

Koninklijke Ahold NV

    12,325        196,352   
   

 

 

 
      330,423   
   

 

 

 

Singapore—2.3%

   

M1 Ltd.

    31,000        78,118   

OSIM International Ltd.

    35,000        54,570   

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    8,000        124,391   
   

 

 

 
      257,079   
   

 

 

 

South Korea—3.4%

   

Hyundai Motor Co.

    1,010        225,224   

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    75        91,951   

SK Telecom Co. Ltd.

    320        63,726   
   

 

 

 
      380,901   
   

 

 

 

Switzerland—7.4%

   

Georg Fischer AG, Registered Shares

    245        132,764   

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

    2,645        192,688   

Roche Holding AG, Participation Certificate

    1,085        270,453   

Swiss Re AG

    2,135        163,613   

Zurich Insurance Group AG

    250        62,171   
   

 

 

 
      821,689   
   

 

 

 

Taiwan—1.5%

   

Delta Electronics, Inc.

    15,000        67,530   

MediaTek, Inc.

    8,000        97,645   
   

 

 

 
      165,175   
   

 

 

 

Thailand—1.2%

   

Bangkok Bank PCL

    23,900        132,240   
   

 

 

 

United Kingdom—23.5%

   

AstraZeneca PLC

    1,640        80,749   

Berendsen PLC

    12,860        171,481   

BHP Billiton PLC

    4,610        134,083   

Daily Mail & General Trust PLC, Class A

    15,790        193,192   

DS Smith PLC

    29,400        117,453   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        49   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

ROBECO BOSTON PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United Kingdom—(continued)

   

HSBC Holdings PLC

    22,135      $ 231,751   

Inchcape PLC

    12,365        112,803   

Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC

    1,867        52,286   

ITV PLC

    47,195        120,400   

Meggitt PLC

    37,322        304,760   

New Melrose PLC

    31,300        143,010   

Rexam PLC

    17,130        129,567   

Rio Tinto PLC

    1,430        64,564   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    7,475        241,755   

Standard Chartered PLC

    8,770        195,980   

Vodafone Group PLC

    17,840        57,472   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United Kingdom—(continued)

   

WPP PLC

    14,150      $ 262,135   
   

 

 

 
      2,613,441   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $ 8,897,622)

      10,504,812   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—94.6%
(Cost $ 8,897,622)

      10,504,812   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—5.4%

      599,321   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 11,104,133   
   

 

 

 

 

PCL     Public Company Limited
PLC     Public Limited Company
*     Non-income producing.

 

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2013 is as follows (see Note I in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
           

Common Stock

           

Australia

   $ 62,353       $       $ 62,353       $   

Belgium

     170,861                 170,861           

Bermuda

     80,016                 80,016           

Canada

     262,394         262,394                   

China

     245,612                 245,612           

France

     1,551,843         146,634         1,405,209           

Germany

     1,382,847         126,011         1,256,836           

Hong Kong

     411,708         79,155         332,553           

Ireland

     285,459                 285,459           

Japan

     1,350,771                 1,350,771           

Netherlands

     330,423                 330,423           

Singapore

     257,079                 257,079           

South Korea

     380,901                 380,901           

Switzerland

     821,689                 821,689           

Taiwan

     165,175                 165,175           

Thailand

     132,240                 132,240           

United Kingdom

     2,613,441                 2,613,441           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 10,504,812       $ 614,194       $ 9,890,618       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

50      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

 

     Robeco Boston
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund II
    Robeco Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Equity Fund
    Robeco Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Research Fund
    Robeco Boston
Partners
All-Cap
Value  Fund
 

ASSETS

        

Investments in securities, at value † ^

   $ 165,710,125      $ 815,241,710      $ 1,741,639,085      $ 494,634,177   

Cash

     2,759,028        41,834,414        132,761,358        27,229,058   

Foreign currency, at value #

            63        123,089,319          

Receivables

        

Investments sold

            5,345,129        34,204,334          

Deposits with brokers for securities sold short

            604,508,669        875,125,622          

Dividends and interest

     133,863        1,367,684        2,743,423        979,008   

Capital shares sold

     97,772        3,000,751        30,112,244        597,528   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     17,256        34,141        115,351        22,765   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     168,718,044        1,471,332,561        2,939,790,736        523,462,536   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Securities sold short, at fair value ‡

   $      $ 589,335,711      $ 885,075,543      $   

Options written, at value *

            1,309,375        2,225,620        201,213   

Payables

        

Securities lending collateral

     4,609,997        8,176,524               2,239,470   

Investments purchased

     69,042        13,696,035        46,216,686        397,507   

Capital shares redeemed

     95,356        7,003,661        726,459        433,207   

Due to prime broker

            8,572,910        126,650,405          

Investment advisory fees

     163,686        1,646,912        1,851,869        250,768   

Administration and accounting fees

     29,116        113,197        159,432        72,549   

Custodian fees

     5,203        24,904        45,373        10,341   

Distribution and service fees

     19,418        47,513        27,529        15,986   

Dividends on securities sold-short

            199,733        782,166          

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     8,977        19,336        10,507        6,793   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     37,881        75,210        102,928        42,042   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     5,038,676        630,221,021        1,063,874,517        3,669,876   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 163,679,368      $ 841,111,540      $ 1,875,916,219      $ 519,792,660   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

        

Par value

   $ 8,764      $ 40,747      $ 141,120      $ 27,100   

Paid-in capital

     130,538,404        765,381,879        1,793,571,749        406,737,376   

Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss)

     9,057        (640,459     (9,689,948     3,371,001   

Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short and written options

     (11,022,051     36,751,836        (3,390,858     9,783,619   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, securities sold short, written options and foreign currency translation

     44,145,194        39,577,537        95,284,156        99,873,564   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 163,679,368      $ 841,111,540      $ 1,875,916,219      $ 519,792,660   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

        

Net assets

   $ 76,442,075      $ 620,804,270      $ 1,743,405,677      $ 441,856,278   

Shares outstanding

     4,009,814        29,644,516        131,087,179        23,023,892   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 19.06      $ 20.94      $ 13.30      $ 19.19   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTOR CLASS

        

Net assets

   $ 87,237,293      $ 220,307,270      $ 132,510,542      $ 77,936,382   

Shares outstanding

     4,754,201        11,102,385        10,032,604        4,075,990   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 18.35      $ 19.84      $ 13.21      $ 19.12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

† Investment in securities, at cost

   $ 121,564,931      $ 685,036,231      $ 1,606,568,009      $ 394,702,881   

^ Includes market value of securities on loan

   $ 4,471,837      $ 7,781,631      $      $ 2,155,961   

# Foreign currency, at cost

   $      $ 67      $ 123,649,191      $   

‡ Proceeds received, securities sold short

   $      $ 497,970,502      $ 845,087,072      $   

* Premiums received, options written

   $      $ 2,046,646      $ 2,971,577      $ 143,481   

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        51   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (concluded)

 

 

     Robeco WPG
Small/Micro Cap
Value Fund
     Robeco Boston
Partners Global
Equity Fund
     Robeco Boston
Partners
International
Equity Fund
 

ASSETS

        

Investments in securities, at value † ^

   $ 41,649,744       $ 11,248,286       $ 10,504,812   

Cash

     2,514,593         241,820         593,285   

Foreign currency, at value #

             24,955         1,127   

Receivables

        

Investments sold

     99,674                   

Dividends and interest

     27,821         31,896         55,813   

Investment adviser

                     5,822   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     11,367         8,506         8,503   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     44,303,199         11,555,463         11,169,362   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Payables

        

Securities lending collateral

     3,362,286                   

Investments purchased

     76,697                   

Capital shares redeemed

     20,010                   

Investment advisory fees

     31,746         818           

Audit fees

     24,224         27,800         27,800   

Administration and accounting fees

     14,539         15,794         16,671   

Custodian fees

     5,947         8,469         7,450   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     2,223         3,696         3,710   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     11,277         2,600         9,598   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     3,548,949         59,177         65,229   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 40,754,250       $ 11,496,286       $ 11,104,133   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

        

Par value

   $ 2,138       $ 887       $ 862   

Paid-in capital

     31,567,619         8,512,262         8,232,613   

Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss)

     (114,130      82,524         162,425   

Accumulated net realized gain from investments

     642,684         1,252,973         1,101,349   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, securities sold short, written options and foreign currency translation

     8,655,939         1,647,640         1,606,884   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 40,754,250       $ 11,496,286       $ 11,104,133   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

        

Net assets

   $ 40,754,250       $ 11,496,286       $ 11,104,133   

Shares outstanding

     2,138,288         886,588         862,040   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 19.06       $ 12.97       $ 12.88   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

† Investment in securities, at cost

   $ 32,993,805       $ 9,598,929       $ 8,897,622   

^ Includes market value of securities on loan

   $ 3,206,061       $       $   

# Foreign currency, at cost

   $       $ 25,412       $ 1,132   

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

52      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    FOR THE YEAR ENDED  AUGUST 31, 2013

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

     Robeco Boston
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund II
     Robeco Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Equity Fund
    Robeco Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Research Fund
    Robeco Boston
Partners
All-Cap
Value  Fund
 

Investment Income

         

Dividends †

   $ 2,599,957       $ 13,228,696      $ 12,863,869      $ 8,460,469   

Interest

     2,064         35,535        35,836        1,964   

Income from securities loaned (Note 6)

     37,210         159,732               56,663   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

     2,639,231         13,423,963        12,899,705        8,519,096   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

         

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     1,448,490         17,532,119        9,734,098        3,289,840   

Distribution fees (Investor Class) (Note 2)

     196,938         508,812        204,881        100,302   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     141,293         607,010        575,781        352,048   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     92,932         259,585        352,085        79,648   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     50,321         116,412        85,984        30,342   

Registration and filing fees

     39,361         104,510        104,864        56,278   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     28,084         67,601        55,005        45,237   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     25,913         131,706        163,806        49,390   

Audit fees

     24,726         35,584        37,208        27,087   

Legal fees

     16,497         92,936        103,676        49,047   

Dividend expense on securities sold-short

             4,731,366        6,751,272          

Prime broker interest expense

             9,845,575        3,135,409          

Other expenses

     5,970         13,392        28,704        10,025   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     2,070,525         34,046,608        21,332,773        4,089,244   

Less: waivers and reimbursements

                           (1,110,198

Plus: expenses recouped by Adviser (Note 2)

                    313,040          
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     2,070,525         34,046,608        21,645,813        2,979,046   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)

     568,706         (20,622,645     (8,746,108     5,540,050   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

         

Investments

     7,727,178         93,582,920        39,188,568        13,689,174   

Investments sold-short

             (23,354,165     (40,509,075       

Foreign currency transactions

             2,337        (2,327,925       

Written options *

             (5,258,760     31,835        241,738   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

         

Investments

     23,481,128         96,066,438        120,093,234        70,839,387   

Investments sold short

             (82,682,962     (35,936,040       

Foreign currency translation

             (4     (684,198       

Written options *

             (449,077     693,784        437,202   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

     31,208,306         77,906,727        80,550,183        85,207,501   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 31,777,012       $ 57,284,082      $ 71,804,075      $ 90,747,551   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

† Net of foreign withholding taxes of

   $       $ (456,651   $ (255,430   $ (128,556
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Primary risk is equity contracts

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        53   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    FOR THE YEAR ENDED  AUGUST 31, 2013

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (concluded)

 

 

     Robeco WPG
Small/Micro Cap
Value Fund
    Robeco Boston
Partners Global
Equity Fund
    Robeco Boston
Partners
International
Equity Fund
 

Investment Income

      

Dividends †

   $ 767,459      $ 265,591      $ 331,996   

Interest

     891        29        53   

Income from securities loaned (Note 6)

     25,099                 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

     793,449        265,620        332,049   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

      

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     367,417        104,236        101,951   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     77,774        81,214        83,320   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     68,863        32,266        32,235   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     32,303        30,763        31,883   

Audit fees

     23,646        27,800        27,800   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     21,860        20,322        20,324   

Registration and filing fees

     20,996        37,649        37,634   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     3,439        1,960        1,957   

Legal fees

     3,236        6,122        4,842   

Other expenses

     7,134        10,475        18,737   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     626,668        352,807        360,683   

Less: waivers and reimbursements

            (202,243     (213,420
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     626,668        150,564        147,263   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

     166,781        115,056        184,786   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

      

Investments

     6,470,040        1,394,810        1,241,686   

Foreign currency transactions

            (13,408     (16,125

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

      

Investments

     5,215,538        657,391        827,578   

Foreign currency translation

            (1,921     (315
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

     11,685,578        2,036,872        2,052,824   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 11,852,359      $ 2,151,928      $ 2,237,610   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

† Net of foreign withholding taxes of

   $ (9,107   $ (11,062   $ (24,466
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

54      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

     Robeco Boston Partners
Small Cap Value Fund II
    Robeco Boston Partners
Long/Short Equity Fund
 
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

        

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ 568,706      $ 233,722      $ (20,622,645   $ (15,770,719

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, written options and foreign currency

     7,727,178        (828,497     64,972,332        58,412,920   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investments, securities sold short, written options and foreign currency

     23,481,128        18,804,774        12,934,395        29,477,221   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     31,777,012        18,209,999        57,284,082        72,119,422   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

        

Net investment income

        

Institutional Class

     (330,981     (119,144              

Investor Class

     (239,393     (104,488              

Net realized gains

        

Institutional Class

                   (31,483,030     (38,698,443

Investor Class

                   (11,609,468     (14,040,805
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (570,374     (223,632     (43,092,498     (52,739,248
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital transactions:

        

Institutional Class

        

Proceeds from shares sold

     19,307,982        24,118,444        194,729,408        188,461,565   

Reinvestment of distributions

     315,205        109,724        22,073,849        24,911,474   

Shares redeemed

     (11,010,452     (6,282,691     (112,476,432     (68,565,103

Redemption fees (Note 8)

            1,412        226,043        279,385   

Investor Class

        

Proceeds from shares sold

     22,599,993        11,673,749        74,413,011        50,975,538   

Reinvestment of distributions

     236,002        103,165        11,016,840        13,855,744   

Shares redeemed

     (19,269,204     (28,082,121     (39,083,760     (26,573,638

Redemption fees (Note 8)

            2,910        79,485        97,223   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital transactions

     12,179,526        1,644,592        150,978,444        183,442,188   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     43,386,164        19,630,959        165,170,028        202,822,362   

Net assets

        

Beginning of year

     120,293,204        100,662,245        675,941,512        473,119,150   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 163,679,368      $ 120,293,204      $ 841,111,540      $ 675,941,512   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income/(loss),
end of year

   $ 9,057      $ 10,163      $ (640,459   $ (361,602
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share transactions:

        

Institutional Class

        

Shares sold

     1,111,634        1,618,535        9,225,509        9,437,817   

Shares reinvested

     19,314        8,480        1,094,171        1,331,452   

Shares redeemed

     (622,538     (460,403     (5,349,876     (3,444,240
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

     508,410        1,166,612        4,969,804        7,325,029   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor Class

        

Shares sold

     1,361,719        863,982        3,725,052        2,664,682   

Shares reinvested

     15,003        8,267        575,283        775,797   

Shares redeemed

     (1,147,672     (2,013,569     (1,956,277     (1,400,109
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     229,050        (1,141,320     2,344,058        2,040,370   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        55   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

 

 

     Robeco Boston Partners
Long/Short Research Fund
    Robeco Boston Partners
All-Cap Value Fund
 
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

        

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ (8,746,108   $ (1,848,189   $ 5,540,050      $ 3,584,312   

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, written options and foreign currency

     (3,616,597     4,665,974        13,930,912        (445,056

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investments, securities sold short, written options and foreign currency

     84,166,780        13,198,959        71,276,589        39,690,157   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     71,804,075        16,016,744        90,747,551        42,829,413   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

        

Net investment income

        

Institutional Class

                   (5,354,408     (1,665,830

Investor Class

                   (396,553     (146,798

Net realized gains

        

Institutional Class

     (3,652,979     (496,066     (1,983,575     (12,924,039

Investor Class

     (626,444     (186,172     (170,547     (1,628,060
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (4,279,423     (682,238     (7,905,083     (16,364,727
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital transactions:

        

Institutional Class

        

Proceeds from shares sold

     1,560,210,535        237,705,311        94,185,087        140,521,621   

Reinvestment of distributions

     3,332,064        442,616        6,790,733        13,713,736   

Shares redeemed

     (134,081,253     (33,289,835     (78,414,413     (44,807,044

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     69,975        19,341                 

Investor Class

        

Proceeds from shares sold

     86,157,330        35,745,671        54,038,094        7,344,224   

Reinvestment of distributions

     616,804        186,154        542,146        1,722,851   

Shares redeemed

     (10,387,646     (11,227,285     (9,265,249     (12,435,219

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     7,497        4,921                 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital transactions

     1,505,925,306        229,586,894        67,876,398        106,060,169   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     1,573,449,958        244,921,400        150,718,866        132,524,855   

Net assets

        

Beginning of year

     302,466,261        57,544,861        369,073,794        236,548,939   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 1,875,916,219      $ 302,466,261      $ 519,792,660      $ 369,073,794   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income/(loss),
end of year

   $ (9,689,948   $ (29,832   $ 3,371,001      $ 3,583,004   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share transactions:

        

Institutional Class

        

Shares sold

     119,828,386        20,665,614        5,222,054        9,519,203   

Shares reinvested

     269,806        41,327        427,359        1,020,367   

Shares redeemed

     (10,349,319     (2,881,560     (4,718,642     (3,094,953
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

     109,748,873        17,825,381        930,771        7,444,617   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor Class

        

Shares sold

     6,723,198        3,133,404        2,941,809        498,216   

Shares reinvested

     50,187        17,430        34,205        128,571   

Shares redeemed

     (813,591     (997,992     (525,121     (852,778
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     5,959,794        2,152,842        2,450,893        (225,991
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

56      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

 

 

     Robeco WPG
Small/Micro Cap Value Fund
    Robeco Boston Partners
Global Equity Fund
 
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Period Ended
August 31, 2012*
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

        

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ 166,781      $ (121,160   $ 115,056      $ 98,281   

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments and foreign currency

     6,470,040        860,441        1,381,402        (86,127

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investments and foreign currency

     5,215,538        4,882,563        655,470        992,170   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     11,852,359        5,621,844        2,151,928        1,004,324   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

        

Net investment income

        

Institutional Class

     (177,056            (132,255       

Net realized gains

        

Institutional Class

                   (89,015       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (177,056            (221,270       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital transactions:

        

Institutional Class

        

Proceeds from shares sold

     1,279,852        4,572,368        10,533,433        10,229,759   

Reinvestment of distributions

     164,540               221,270          

Shares redeemed

     (9,732,943     (6,064,647     (12,423,048     (110

Redemption fees (Note 8)

            332                 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital transactions

     (8,288,551     (1,491,947     (1,668,345     10,229,649   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     3,386,752        4,129,897        262,313        11,233,973   

Net assets

        

Beginning of period/year

     37,367,498        33,237,601        11,233,973          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period/year

   $ 40,754,250      $ 37,367,498      $ 11,496,286      $ 11,233,973   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income/(loss),
end of period/year

   $ (114,130   $ (122,067   $ 82,524      $ 104,732   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share transactions:

        

Institutional Class

        

Shares sold

     69,365        351,635        864,742        1,021,365   

Shares reinvested

     10,726               19,444          

Shares redeemed

     (551,765     (442,326     (1,018,952     (11
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     (471,674     (90,691     (134,766     1,021,354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Inception Date of the Fund was December 30, 2011.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        57   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2013

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (concluded)

 

 

     Robeco Boston Partners
International Equity Fund
 
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Period Ended
August 31, 2012*
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

    

Net investment income

   $ 184,786      $ 149,856   

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments and foreign currency

     1,225,561        (134,895

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investments and foreign currency

     827,263        779,621   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     2,237,610        794,582   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

    

Net investment income

    

Institutional Class

     (131,147       

Net realized gains

    

Institutional Class

     (78,542       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (209,689       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital transactions:

    

Institutional Class

    

Proceeds from shares sold

     10,203,550        10,100,676   

Reinvestment of distributions

     209,689          

Shares redeemed

     (12,232,244     (41
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital transactions

     (1,819,005     10,100,635   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     208,916        10,895,217   

Net assets

    

Beginning of period/year

     10,895,217          
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period/year

   $ 11,104,133      $ 10,895,217   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income/(loss),
end of period/year

   $ 162,425      $ 116,512   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share transactions:

    

Institutional Class

    

Shares sold

     852,881        1,009,475   

Shares reinvested

     18,218          

Shares redeemed

     (1,018,530     (4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     (147,431     1,009,471   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Inception Date of the Fund was December 30, 2011.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

58      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


(THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.)


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each class of shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

         
    
    
     
    
Net
Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
    Net
Investment
Income/(Loss)*
    Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gain/(Loss) on
Investments
    Total From
Investment
Operations
    Dividends to
Shareholders
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions to
Shareholders
from Net
Realized Gains
    Return
of Capital
    Total
Distributions
      
Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II

  

         

Institutional Class

  

               

8/31/13

  $ 15.31      $ 0.09      $ 3.75      $ 3.84      $ (0.09   $      $      $ (0.09  

8/31/12

    12.92        0.05        2.39        2.44        (0.05                   (0.05  

8/31/11

    11.02        0.03        1.91        1.94        (0.04                   (0.04  

8/31/10

    10.49        0.06        0.52        0.58        (0.05                   (0.05  

8/31/09

    11.87        0.11        (1.26     (1.15     (0.14     (0.05     (0.04     (0.23  

Investor Class

                 

8/31/13

  $ 14.74      $ 0.05      $ 3.61      $ 3.66      $ (0.05   $      $      $ (0.05  

8/31/12

    12.44        0.02        2.30        2.32        (0.02                   (0.02  

8/31/11

    10.62        (— )3      1.84        1.84        (0.02                   (0.02  

8/31/10

    10.11        0.03        0.50        0.53        (0.02                   (0.02  

8/31/09

    11.43        0.07        (1.20     (1.13     (0.11     (0.05     (0.03     (0.19    
Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund

  

         

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/13

  $ 20.47      $ (0.54   $ 2.24      $ 1.70      $      $ (1.24   $      $ (1.24  

8/31/12

    19.88        (0.54     3.15        2.61               (2.03            (2.03  

8/31/11

    17.41        (0.47     4.55        4.08               (1.62            (1.62  

8/31/10

    15.75        (0.37     1.98        1.61                                 

8/31/09

    15.47        (0.22     2.98        2.76               (2.48            (2.48  

Investor Class

                 

8/31/13

  $ 19.51      $ (0.57   $ 2.13      $ 1.56      $      $ (1.24   $      $ (1.24  

8/31/12

    19.08        (0.56     3.01        2.45               (2.03            (2.03  

8/31/11

    16.80        (0.50     4.39        3.89               (1.62            (1.62  

8/31/10

    15.31        (0.40     1.84        1.44                                 

8/31/09

    15.17        (0.25     2.87        2.62               (2.48            (2.48    
Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund

  

         

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/13

  $ 11.91      $ (0.14   $ 1.66      $ 1.52      $      $ (0.13   $      $ (0.13  

8/31/12

    10.60        (0.13     1.53        1.40               (0.09            (0.09  

9/30/10** through 8/31/11

    10.00        (0.12     0.71        0.59                                 

Investor Class

                 

8/31/13

  $ 11.86      $ (0.18   $ 1.66      $ 1.48      $      $ (0.13   $      $ (0.13  

8/31/12

    10.58        (0.15     1.52        1.37               (0.09            (0.09  

11/29/10** through 8/31/11

    10.40        (0.12     0.29        0.17                                   

 

* Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.
** Inception date.
1 

Total return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of the period and is not annualized if period is less than one year.

2 

Redemption fees, if any, are reflected in total return calculations.

3 

Amount is less than $0.01 per share.

4 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes securities received from processing a subscription-in-kind.

5 

Annualized.

6 

Not Annualized.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

60      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

  PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

 

     Redemption
Fees
    Net
Asset
Value,
End of
Period
    Total
Investment
Return1,2
    Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
    Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net
Assets With
Waivers,
Reimbursements
and Recoupments
if any
    Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net
Assets With
Waivers,
Reimbursements
and Recoupments
if any (Excluding
Dividend and
Interest Expense)
    Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net
Assets Without
Waivers,
Reimbursements
and Recoupments
if any
    Ratio of Net
Investment
Income/(Loss)
to Average Net
Assets With
Waivers and
Reimbursements
    Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
                 
                 
  $      $ 19.06        25.19   $ 76,442        1.29     N/A        1.29     0.53     19
    3      15.31        18.98        53,604        1.30         N/A        1.36         0.37         32    
    3      12.92        17.59        30,172        1.30        N/A        1.37        0.22        38   
    3      11.02        5.47        25,736        1.30        N/A        1.39        0.51        43   
    3      10.49        (8.97     21,466        1.30        N/A        1.74        1.29        66   
                 
  $      $ 18.35        24.90   $ 87,237        1.54     N/A        1.54     0.28     19
    3      14.74        18.67        66,689        1.55         N/A        1.61         0.12         32    
    3      12.44        17.28        70,490        1.55        N/A        1.62        (0.03     38   
    3      10.62        5.26        61,260        1.55        N/A        1.63        0.25        43   
      3      10.11        (9.20     43,408        1.55        N/A        2.00        0.90        66   
         
                 
  $ 0.01      $ 20.94        8.61   $ 620,804        4.30     2.43     4.30     (2.58 )%      67
    0.01        20.47        14.16        505,108        4.29         2.48         4.29         (2.68 )      71    
    0.01        19.88        23.66        344,935        3.70        2.47        3.71        (2.35     103   
    0.05        17.41        10.54        164,438        3.40        2.50        3.46        (2.10     81   
    3      15.75        30.02        54,703        3.35        2.50        4.04        (1.85     172   
                 
  $ 0.01      $ 19.84        8.30   $ 220,307        4.55     2.68     4.55     (2.83 )%      67
    0.01        19.51        13.90        170,834        4.54         2.73         4.54         (2.93 )      71    
    0.01        19.08        23.37        128,184        3.95        2.72        3.96        (2.60     103   
    0.05        16.80        9.73        82,088        3.65        2.75        3.70        (2.35     81   
      3      15.31        29.63        30,980        3.55        2.75        4.19        (2.09     172   
         
                 
  $ 3    $ 13.30        12.81   $ 1,743,406        2.75     1.48     2.71     (1.09 )%      65
    3      11.91        13.32        254,170        2.81         1.54         2.84         (1.12 )      53 4 
    0.01        10.60        6.00        37,237        2.70 5      1.74 5      4.05 5      (1.21 )5      61 6 
                 
  $ 3    $ 13.21        12.52   $ 132,511        3.05     1.73     3.01     (1.39 )%      65
    3      11.86        13.06        48,296        3.00         1.79         3.04         (1.31 )      53 4 
      0.01        10.58        1.73        20,308        2.99 5      1.98 5      4.08 5      (1.47 )5      61 6 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        61   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

  PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for each class of shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

    

Net

Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period

    Net
Investment
Income/(Loss)*
    Net Realized
and Unrealized
Gain/(Loss) on
Investments
    Total From
Investment
Operations
    Dividends to
Shareholders
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions to
Shareholders
from Net
Realized Gains
   

Total

Distributions

   

Redemption

Fees

      
Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund

  

             

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/13

  $ 15.57      $ 0.24      $ 3.75      $ 3.99      $ (0.27   $ (0.10   $ (0.37   $     

8/31/12

    14.34        0.20        2.04        2.24        (0.12     (0.89     (1.01         

8/31/11

    12.85        0.15        1.63        1.78        (0.10     (0.19     (0.29         

8/31/10

    12.56        0.10        0.32        0.42        (0.13            (0.13         

8/31/09

    13.61        0.19        (1.03     (0.84     (0.12     (0.09     (0.21         

Investor Class

                 

8/31/13

  $ 15.50      $ 0.20      $ 3.75      $ 3.95      $ (0.23   $ (0.10   $ (0.33   $     

8/31/12

    14.28        0.16        2.03        2.19        (0.08     (0.89     (0.97         

8/31/11

    12.79        0.11        1.63        1.74        (0.06     (0.19     (0.25         

8/31/10

    12.52        0.07        0.31        0.38        (0.11            (0.11         

8/31/09

    13.56        0.16        (1.03     (0.87     (0.08     (0.09     (0.17           
Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

  

             

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/13

  $ 14.32      $ 0.07      $ 4.74      $ 4.81      $ (0.07   $      $ (0.07   $     

8/31/12

    12.31        (0.05     2.06        2.01                             3   

8/31/11

    11.65        (0.06     0.72        0.66                                 

8/31/10

    10.57        (0.05     1.16        1.11        (0.03            (0.03     3   

8/31/09

    12.18        0.03        (1.62     (1.59     (0.01     (0.01     (0.02           
Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund

  

             

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/13

  $ 11.00      $ 0.12      $ 2.07      $ 2.19      $ (0.13   $ (0.09   $ (0.22   $     

12/30/11** through 8/31/12

    10.00        0.10        0.90        1.00                                   
Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund

  

             

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/13

  $ 10.79      $ 0.20      $ 2.10      $ 2.30      $ (0.13   $ (0.08   $ (0.21   $     

12/30/11** through 8/31/12

    10.00        0.15        0.64        0.79                                   

 

* Calculated based on average shares outstanding, unless otherwise noted.
** Inception date.
1 

Total return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of the period and is not annualized if period is less than one year.

2 

Redemption fees are reflected in total return calculations.

3 

Amount is less than $0.01.

4 

Annualized.

5 

Not Annualized.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

62      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (concluded)

  PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

 

     Net
Asset
Value,
End of
Period
    Total
Investment
Return1,2
    Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(000)
    Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net
Assets With
Waivers and
Reimbursements
   

Ratio of
Expenses to
Average Net
Assets Without
Waivers and

Reimbursements

    Ratio of Net
Investment
Income/(Loss)
to Average Net
Assets With
Waivers and
Reimbursements
    Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
             
             
  $ 19.19        26.11   $ 441,856        0.70     0.97     1.37     32
    15.57        16.73        343,885        0.70         1.03         1.38         33    
    14.34        13.75        210,113        0.70        1.03        1.00        47   
    12.85        3.31        112,437        0.80        1.15        0.75        48   
    12.56        (5.88     63,085        0.95        1.50        1.79        55   
         
  $ 19.12        25.93   $ 77,936        0.95     1.22     1.12     32
    15.50        16.44        25,189        0.95         1.28         1.13         33    
    14.28        13.55        26,436        0.95        1.28        0.75        47   
    12.79        3.01        13,016        1.03        1.39        0.55        48   
      12.52        (6.15     5,187        1.20        1.75        1.51        55   
             
             
  $ 19.06        33.71   $ 40,754        1.54     1.54     0.41     72
    14.32        16.33        37,367        1.70         1.70         (0.34 )      84    
    12.31        5.67        33,238        1.67        1.72        (0.43     85   
    11.65        10.54        32,394        1.69        1.77        (0.39     94   
      10.57        (12.93     35,405        1.61        1.95        0.37        137   
             
             
  $ 12.97        20.14   $ 11,496        1.30     3.05     1.00     102
      11.00        10.00 5      11,234        1.30 4      3.56 4      1.39 4      83 5 
             
             
  $ 12.88        21.52   $ 11,104        1.30     3.18     1.63     87
      10.79        7.90 5      10,895        1.30 4      3.77 4      2.16 4      81 5 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        63   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series trust,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has seventeen active investment portfolios, including Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (“BP Small Cap Value Fund II”), Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (“BP Long/Short Equity Fund”), Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund (“BP Long/Short Research Fund”), Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund (“BP All-Cap Value Fund”), Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund (“BP Global Equity Fund”), Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund (“BP International Equity Fund”) (collectively “BP Funds”), and Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund (“WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund” and, collectively with the BP Funds, the “Funds”). As of August 31, 2013, the BP Funds each offer two classes of shares, Institutional Class and Investor Class. As of August 31, 2013, Investor Class shares of the BP Global Equity Fund and BP International Equity Fund have not been issued. The WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund is a single class fund, offering only the Institutional Class of shares.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 80.773 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and forty two classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

Portfolio Valuation — Each Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Securities held by a Fund are valued using the closing price or the last sale price on a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) market system where they are primarily traded. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued using an independent pricing service, which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings, and are deemed representative of market values at the close of the market. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost which approximates market value. Foreign securities are valued based on prices from the primary market in which they are traded, and are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of the investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as disclosed in their prospectuses). Options for which the primary market is a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are traded, or, in the absence of any sale, will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Options not traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last quoted bid price for long option positions and the closing ask price for short option positions. If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments. Such procedures use fundamental valuation methods, which may include, but are not limited to, an analysis of the effect of any restrictions on the resale of the security, industry analysis and trends, significant changes in the issuer’s financial position, and any other event which could have a significant impact on the value of the security. Determination of fair value involves subjective judgment as the actual market value of a particular security can be established only by negotiations between the parties in a sales transaction, and the difference between the recorded fair value and the value that would be received in a sale could be significant. The Funds may use fair value pricing more frequently for securities traded primarily in non-U.S. markets because, among other things, most foreign markets close well before the Funds value their securities, generally as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, government actions or pronouncements, aftermarket trading, or news events may have occurred in the interim. To account for this, the Funds may value foreign securities using fair value prices based on third-party vendor modeling tools (international fair value pricing).

 

64      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

Fair Value Measurements — The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Funds’ investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and
• Level 3 —    significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ 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 inputs used to value each Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2013 is included in each Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

At the end of each fiscal quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Funds’ investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Funds may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between Levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each Level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

Foreign securities that utilize international fair value pricing are categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Securities with an end of period value of $2,637,641 and $5,845,907 for the BP Global Equity Fund and BP International Equity Fund, respectively, transferred from Level 1 into Level 2. This transfer occurred as a result of those securities being valued utilizing the international fair value pricing at August 31, 2013.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

Investment Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses — The Funds record security transactions based on trade date for financial report purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Funds’ investment income, expenses (other than class specific distribution fees) and unrealized and realized gains and losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family of the Company are charged directly

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        65   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

to the class, fund or fund family (in proportion to net assets). Expenses incurred for all of the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Funds.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders and recorded on ex-dividend date for all Funds. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. Tax Status — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is each Fund’s intention to continue to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Funds consider liquid assets deposited into a bank demand deposit account to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

Other — In the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Funds in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

Foreign Currency Translation — Assets and liabilities initially expressed in non-U.S. currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the applicable exchange rates at the date of the last business day of the financial statement period. Purchases and sales of securities, interest income, dividends, variation margin received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect on the transaction date.

The Funds do not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices of securities held. Such changes are included with the net realized gain or loss and change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investment securities in the Statement of Operations. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain or loss are reported separately as net realized gain or loss and change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on foreign currencies in the Statement of Operations.

Currency Risk — The Funds invest in securities of foreign issuers, including American Depositary Receipts. These markets are subject to special risks associated with foreign investments not typically associated with investing in U.S. markets. Because the foreign securities in which the Funds may invest generally trade in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in currency exchange rates will affect the Funds’ NAV, the value of dividends and interest earned and gains and losses realized on the sale of securities. Because the NAV for the Funds are determined on the basis of U.S. dollars, the Funds may lose money by investing in a foreign security if the local currency of a foreign market depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the local currency value of the Funds’ holdings goes up. Generally, a strong U.S. dollar relative to these other currencies will adversely affect the value of the Funds’ holdings in foreign securities.

Foreign Securities Market Risk — Securities of many non-U.S. companies may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. Securities of companies traded in many countries outside the U.S., particularly emerging markets countries, may be subject to further risks due to the inexperience of local investment professionals and financial institutions, the possibility of permanent or temporary termination of trading and greater spreads between bid and asked prices of securities. In addition, non-U.S. stock exchanges and investment professionals are subject to less governmental regulation, and commissions may be higher than in the United States. Also, there may be delays in the settlement of non-U.S. stock exchange transactions.

Options Written — The Funds are subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing their investment objectives and may enter into options written to hedge against changes in the value of equities. Such options may relate to particular securities or domestic stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic securities exchange or issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. The risk in writing a call option is that a Fund gives up the opportunity for profit if the market price of the security increases. The risk in writing a put option is that a Fund may incur a loss if the market price of

 

66      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

the security decreases and the option is exercised. A Fund also has the additional risk of being unable to enter into a closing transaction at an acceptable price if a liquid secondary market does not exist. A Fund also may write over-the-counter options where completing the obligation depends upon the credit standing of the other party. Option contracts also involve the risk that they may result in loss due to unanticipated developments in market conditions or other causes.

Written options are initially recorded as liabilities to the extent of premiums received and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the option written. Gains or losses are realized when the option transaction expires or closes. When an option is exercised, the proceeds on sales for a written call option or the purchase cost for a written put option is adjusted by the amount of the premium received.

The BP Long/Short Equity Fund, BP Long/Short Research Fund and the BP All-Cap Value Fund had transactions in options written during the year ended August 31, 2013 as follows:

 

     BP Long/Short Equity Fund     BP Long/Short Research Fund     BP All-Cap Value Fund  
     Number of
Contracts
    Premiums
Received
    Number of
Contracts
    Premiums
Received
    Number of
Contracts
    Premiums
Received
 

Options outstanding at August 31, 2012

     5,124      $ 2,513,645        340      $ 174,573        3,460      $ 762,800   

Options written

     3,670        4,623,064        5,383        2,971,577        849        143,481   

Options closed

     (4,952     (3,989,218     (240     (143,263     (849     (148,091

Options expired

     (1,093     (503,212                   (1,625     (186,188

Options exercised

     (753     (597,633     (100     (31,310     (986     (428,521
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options outstanding at August 31, 2013

     1,996      $ 2,046,646        5,383      $ 2,971,577        849      $ 143,481   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Short Sales — When the investment adviser believes that a security is overvalued, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund and the BP All-Cap Value Fund may sell the security short by borrowing the same security from a broker or other institution and selling the security. A Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the borrowed security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund buys and replaces such borrowed security. A Fund will realize a gain if there is a decline in price of the security between those dates where the decline in price exceeds the costs of borrowing the security and other transaction costs. There can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to close out a short position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. Although a Fund’s gain is limited to the amount at which it sold a security short, its potential loss is unlimited. Until a Fund replaces a borrowed security, it will maintain at all times cash, U.S. Government securities, or other liquid securities in an amount which, when added to any amount deposited with a broker as collateral, will at least equal the current market value of the security sold short. Depending on arrangements made with brokers, a Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on collateral deposited with them.

In accordance with the terms of its prime brokerage agreements, a Fund may receive rebate income or be charged a fee on borrowed securities. Such income or fee is calculated on a daily basis based upon the market value of each borrowed security and a variable rate that is dependent upon the availability of such security. The Funds record these prime broker charges on a net basis as interest income or interest expense. For the year ended August 31, 2013, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund and the BP Long/Short Research Fund had net charges of $9,451,685 and $2,704,727, respectively, on borrowed securities. Such amounts are included in prime broker interest expense on the statement of operations.

As of August 31, 2013, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund and the BP Long/Short Research Fund had securities sold short valued at $589,335,711 and $885,075,543, respectively, for which securities of $675,151,962 and $881,672,068 and cash deposits of $604,508,669 and $875,125,622, respectively, were pledged as collateral.

In accordance with Special Custody and Pledge Agreements with Goldman Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”) (the Funds’ prime broker), the BP Long/Short Equity Fund and the BP Long/Short Research Fund may borrow from Goldman Sachs to the extent necessary to maintain required margin cash deposits on short positions. Interest on such borrowings is charged to the Fund based on the LIBOR rate plus an agreed upon spread.

The BP Long/Short Equity Fund and the BP Long/Short Research Fund utilized cash borrowings from Goldman Sachs to meet required margin cash deposits as follows during the year ended August 31, 2013:

 

       Days Utilized        Average Daily
Borrowings
       Weighted Average
Interest Rate
 

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       361         $ 68,034,447           0.58

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       365           74,476,041           0.58

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        67   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

As of August 31, 2013, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund and the BP Long/Short Research Fund had borrowings of $8,572,910 and $126,650,405, respectively. Interest expenses for the year ended August 31, 2013, totaled $393,890 and $430,682, respectively.

 

2. Transactions with Investment Advisers and Other Services

Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (“Robeco”) provides investment advisory services to the BP Funds and the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund. For its advisory services with respect to the BP Funds, Robeco is entitled to receive 1.00% of the BP Small Cap Value Fund II’s average daily net assets, 2.25% of the BP Long/Short Equity Fund’s average daily net assets, 1.25% of the BP Long/Short Research Fund’s average daily net assets, 0.80% of the BP All-Cap Value Fund’s average daily net assets, 0.90% of BP Global Equity Fund’s average daily net assets, and 0.90% of BP International Equity Fund’s average daily net assets, each accrued daily and payable monthly.

Until December 31, 2013, Robeco has contractually agreed to limit the BP Small Cap Value Fund II, BP Long/Short Equity Fund and BP All-Cap Value Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) to the extent that such expenses exceed the ratios in the table below. This limit is calculated daily based on the BP Small Cap Value Fund II, BP Long/Short Equity Fund and BP All-Cap Value Fund’s average daily net assets. These limitations are effected in waivers of advisory fees and reimbursements of expenses exceeding the advisory fee as necessary. These contractual limitations are in effect until at least December 31, 2013 and may not be terminated without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. Robeco may not recoup any of its waived investment advisory fees with respect to these Funds.

 

       Institutional        Investor  

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

       1.30        1.55

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       2.50        2.75

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       0.70        0.95

For the BP Long/Short Research Fund, Robeco has contractually agreed to forgo all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceeds 1.50% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares and 1.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Investor Class. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least December 31, 2013 and may not be terminated without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. If at any time during the first three years the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with Robeco is in effect, the Fund’s Total annual Fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.50% for the Institutional Class and 1.75% for the Investor Class, Robeco is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by Robeco to the Fund during such three-year period. For the year ended August 31, 2013, the Fund reimbursed $313,040 to the Adviser for fees or expenses foregone in prior years. As of August 31, 2013, there were no additional advisory fees foregone which are available for reimbursement to the Adviser.

For the BP Global Equity Fund and BP International Equity Fund, Robeco had contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which each Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceeds 1.30% of the average daily net assets attributable to each Fund’s Institutional Class shares and 1.55% of the average daily net assets attributable to each Fund’s Investor Class. Effective October 1, 2013, Robeco has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which each Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceeds 0.95% of the average daily net assets attributable to each Fund’s Institutional Class shares and 1.20% of the average daily net assets attributable to each Fund’s Investor Class. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least December 31, 2014 and may not be terminated without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. If at any time during the first three years each Fund’s Advisory Agreement with Robeco is in effect, each Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for that year are less than 0.95% for the Institutional Class and 1.20% for the Investor Class, Robeco is entitled to reimbursement by each Fund of the advisory fees waived and other payments remitted by Robeco to each Fund during such three-year period. As of August 31, 2013, the total fees waived and reimbursed which may be subject to possible future reimbursement to Robeco totaled $336,063 and $358,030 for the BP Global Equity Fund and BP International Equity Fund, respectively, of which $133,820 and $144,610, respectively, expires in 2015 and $202,243 and $213,420, respectively, expires in 2016.

 

68      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

For its advisory services with respect to the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, Robeco is entitled to receive advisory fees, accrued daily and paid monthly, as follows:

 

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund    0.90% of net assets up to $300 million
   0.80% of net assets $300 million to $500 million
   0.75% of net assets in excess of $500 million

Until December 31, 2013, Robeco has contractually agreed to limit the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) to 1.70% as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The contractual limitation is in effect until at least December 31, 2013 and may not be terminated without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. Robeco may not recoup any of its waived investment advisory fees with respect to the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, Robeco has waived and reimbursed fees as follows:

 

Funds

     Investment Adviser
Expense Waived
       Investment Adviser
Reimbursement
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $         $   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

                   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

                   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       1,110,198             

BP WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

                   

BP Global Equity Fund

       104,236           98,007   

BP International Equity Fund

       101,951           111,469   

In determining Robeco’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause a Fund’s net annualized expense ratio to exceed the applicable expense limitation: acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”), serves as administrator for the Funds. For providing administration and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Included in the administration and accounting service fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administrative services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Funds’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agency services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Funds. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Funds’ average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

The Board of Directors of the Company has approved a Distribution Agreement for the Funds and adopted separate Plans of Distribution for the Investor Class of each BP Fund (the “Plans”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plans, Foreside Funds Distributors LLC (“the Underwriter”) is entitled to receive from each Fund a distribution fee with respect to the Investor Class, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, of up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class. Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Plans may be used by the Distributor to cover expenses that are related to (i) the sale of the Investor Class Shares, (ii) ongoing servicing and/or maintenance of the accounts of shareholders, and (iii) sub-transfer agency services, subaccounting services or administrative services related to the sale of the Investor Class, all as set forth in the Plans.

 

3. Directors/Compensation

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The aggregate remuneration paid to the Directors by the Funds during the year ended August 31, 2013 was $143,240. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer or Director of the Company. They are not compensated by the Funds or the Company.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        69   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

 

4. Investment in Securities

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments and U.S. government obligations) were as follows:

 

Fund

     Purchases        Sales  

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $ 39,635,341         $ 25,998,162   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       510,215,278           499,256,450   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       1,783,440,688           489,477,861   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       183,964,748           129,577,773   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       27,799,697           37,064,349   

BP Global Equity Fund

       11,500,576           13,171,141   

BP International Equity Fund

       9,378,677           11,415,891   

 

5. Capital Share Transactions

As of August 31, 2013, each class of each Fund has 100,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value common stock authorized except for the Institutional Class of the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, which has 50,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value common stock authorized.

 

6. Securities Lending

Securities may be loaned to financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, and are required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents, letter of credit or U.S. Government securities maintained on a current basis at an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. Cash collateral received, pursuant to investment guidelines established by the Funds and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, is invested in short-term investments. All such investments are made at the risk of the Funds and, as such, the Funds are liable for investment losses. Such loans would involve risks of delay in receiving additional collateral in the event the value of the collateral decreased below the value of the securities loaned or of delay in recovering the securities loaned or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers deemed by Robeco to be of good standing and only when, in the Robeco’s judgment, the income to be earned from the loans justifies the attendant risks. Any loans of a Fund’s securities will be fully collateralized and marked to market daily. During the year ended August 31, 2013, the Funds participated in securities lending. The market value of securities on loan and collateral as of August 31, 2013 and the income generated from the program during the year ended August 31, 2013 with respect to such loans are as follows:

 

Fund

     Market Value
of Securities
Loaned
       Market Value
of Collateral
       Income Received
from Securities
Lending
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $ 4,471,837         $ 4,609,997         $ 37,210   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       7,781,631           8,176,524           159,732   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       2,155,961           2,239,470           56,663   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       3,206,061           3,362,286           25,099   

 

7. Restricted Securities

A restricted security is a security which has been purchased through a private offering and cannot be resold to the general public without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) or pursuant to the resale limitations provided by Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Certain restricted securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers, and may be deemed liquid by Robeco as applicable, based on policies and procedures established by the Company’s Board of Directors. Therefore, not all restricted securities are considered illiquid.

At August 31, 2013, the following Fund held restricted securities that were illiquid:

 

       Acquisition Date      Acquisition
Cost
       Shares        Value        % of
Net Assets
 

BP All-Cap Value Fund

                        
Common Stocks:                         

J.G.Wentworth, Inc. 144A

     08/02/07-03/26/08      $ 181,980                               0.0

Peoples Choice Financial Corp. 144A

     12/21/04-01/23/06        14,293           1,465                     0.0   

Solar Cayman Ltd. 144A

     03/24/10                  19,375                     0.0   
         

 

 

           

 

 

      

 

 

 
          $ 196,273              $           —           0.0
         

 

 

           

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

70      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

 

8. Redemption Fees

There is a 1.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed which have been held 60 days or less on BP Small Cap Value Fund II, BP Long/Short Research Fund, BP Global Equity Fund and BP International Equity Fund. There is a 2.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed which have been held 365 days or less on the BP Long/Short Equity Fund. The WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund has a 2.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. The redemption fees are retained by the Funds for the benefit of the remaining shareholders and recorded as paid-in capital.

 

9. Federal Income Tax Information

The Funds have followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Funds to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Funds have determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Funds are subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2013, federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by each Fund were as follows:

 

Fund

     Federal Tax
Cost
       Unrealized
Appreciation
       Unrealized
Depreciation
     Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $ 122,472,316         $ 49,169,919         $ (5,932,110    $ 43,237,809   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       687,109,109           150,316,987           (22,184,386      128,132,601   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       1,614,516,925           150,266,399           (23,144,239      127,122,160   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       396,779,532           102,025,477           (4,170,832      97,854,645   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       34,436,338           9,572,208           (2,358,802      7,213,406   

BP Global Equity Fund

       9,608,454           1,850,862           (211,030      1,639,832   

BP International Equity Fund

       8,909,912           1,792,232           (197,332      1,594,900   

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2013, were reclassified among the following accounts. They are primarily attributable to net investment loss, gains and losses on foreign currency transactions, tax reclassification of distributions received, capitalization of short sale dividends, investments in partnerships and current year write-off of net operating loss.

 

Fund

   Increase/
(Decrease)
Undistributed
Net  Investment
Income/(Loss)
    Increase/
(Decrease)
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)
on Investments
    Increase/
(Decrease)
Additional
Paid-in  Capital
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $ 562      $ (562   $   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

     20,343,788        (20,343,788       

BP Long/Short Research Fund

     (914,008     2,228,394        (1,314,386

BP All-Cap Value Fund

     (1,092     1,092          

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

     18,212        (18,212       

BP Global Equity Fund

     (5,009     13,408        (8,399

BP International Equity Fund

     (7,726     16,125        (8,399

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        71   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

As of August 31, 2013, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Fund

   Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term
Gains
     Capital Loss
Carryforwards
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Qualified
Late-year
Loss
Deferral
    Other
Temporary
Differences
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $ 22,625       $       $ (10,128,234   $ 43,237,809       $      $   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

     2,623,279         37,550,810         (1,264,851     37,504,659                (724,983

BP Long/Short Research Fund

             4,241,723                87,335,240         (8,235,220     (1,138,395

BP All-Cap Value Fund

     8,982,724         6,248,547                97,796,913                  

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

     11,591         1,959,496                7,213,406                  

BP Global Equity Fund

     967,681         377,341                1,638,115                  

BP International Equity Fund

     876,880         399,184                1,594,594                  

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate principally to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

 

     2013      2012  

Fund

   Ordinary
Income
     Long-Term
Gains
     Total      Ordinary
Income
     Long-Term
Gains
     Total  

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $ 570,374       $       $ 570,374       $ 223,632       $       $ 223,632   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

     28,628,366         14,464,132         43,092,498         36,839,762         15,899,486         52,739,248   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

     4,279,421         2         4,279,423         682,238                 682,238   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

     6,966,356         938,727         7,905,083         3,635,264         12,729,463         16,364,727   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

     177,056                 177,056                           

BP Global Equity Fund

     221,270                 221,270                           

BP International Equity Fund

     209,689                 209,689                           

Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

Pursuant to federal income tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies, the Funds may elect to treat certain capital losses between November 1 and August 31 and late year ordinary losses ((i) ordinary losses between January 1 and August 31, and (ii) specified ordinary and currency losses between November 1 and August 31) as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the year ended August 31, 2013, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2013.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Funds deferred to September 1, 2013, the following qualified late-year losses:

 

Fund

   Late-Year Ordinary
Loss Deferral
     Short-Term Capital
Loss Deferral
     Long-Term Capital
Loss Deferral
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $       $       $   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

                       

BP Long/Short Research Fund

     8,235,220                   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

                       

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

                       

BP Global Equity Fund

                       

BP International Equity Fund

                       

Accumulated capital losses represent net capital loss carryforwards as of August 31, 2013 that may be available to offset future realized capital gains and thereby reduce future capital gains distributions. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Modernization Act”), the Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to any losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. The Funds’ first fiscal year end subject to the Modernization Act was August 31, 2012.

 

72      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (concluded)

 

 

As of August 31, 2013, the Funds had the following pre-enactment net capital loss carryforwards to offset future net capital gains, if any, to the extent provided by Treasury regulations. To the extent that these carryforwards are used to offset future capital gains, it is probable that the gains that are offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

 

Fund

     August 31, 2016        August 31, 2017        August 31, 2018        Total  

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $         $         $ 10,128,234         $ 10,128,234   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       1,264,851                               1,264,851   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

                                       

BP All-Cap Value Fund

                                       

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

                                       

As of August 31, 2013, the Funds had no post-enactment capital loss carryforwards.

Due to limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder, the capital losses from the BP Long/Short Equity Fund that were acquired in its reorganization with the WPG 130/30 Large Cap Core Fund on April 17, 2009, could not be fully used against its current year capital gains. The remaining loss of $1,264,851 is carried forward and $421,617 can be utilized annually against the BP Long/Short Equity Fund’s realized capital gains through August 31, 2016.

During the year ended August 31, 2013, the BP Small Cap Value Fund II, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, BP Global Equity Fund and the BP International Equity Fund utilized $5,942,963, $421,617, $4,435,716, $41,732 and $44,041, respectively, of prior year capital loss carryforwards.

 

10. New Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities”. ASU 2011-11 requires disclosures to make financial statements that are prepared under U.S. GAAP more comparable to those prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards. The new disclosure requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of assets and liabilities as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In addition, ASU 2011-11 requires disclosure of collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreements or similar arrangements. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” This update limits the scope of the ASU No. 2011-11 to derivatives, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, securities borrowing, and securities lending transactions that are either offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities or are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar arrangement. New disclosures are required for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. Management is evaluating the impact of ASU 2011-11 on the financial statements and disclosures.

 

11. 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 requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        73   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund, Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund (seven of the series constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) (the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2013, and the related statements of operations for the year then ended, and the statements of changes in net assets and financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein. 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2013, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate procedures where replies from brokers were not received. 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 Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund, Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund of The RBB Fund, Inc. at August 31, 2013, the results of their operations for the year then ended, and the changes in their net assets and their financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 25, 2013

 

74      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

SHAREHOLDER TAX INFORMATION (unaudited)

 

 

Certain tax information regarding each Fund is required to be provided to shareholders based upon each Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2013. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ending December 31, 2013. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the following dividends and distributions were paid by each of the Funds:

 

       Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Capital Gains
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $ 570,374         $   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       28,628,366           14,464,132   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       4,279,421           2   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       6,966,356           938,727   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       177,056             

BP Global Equity Fund

       221,270             

BP International Equity Fund

       209,689             

Distributions from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

The percentage of total ordinary income dividends paid qualifying for the 15% dividend income tax rate for each Fund is as follows:

 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

       100.00

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       17.11

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       56.11

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       80.14

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       100.00

BP Global Equity Fund

       58.39

BP International Equity Fund

       68.95

The percentage of total ordinary income dividends paid qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction for each Fund is as follows:

 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

       100.00

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       13.48

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       28.55

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       73.84

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       100.00

BP Global Equity Fund

       32.62

The percentage of qualified interest income related dividends not subject to withholding tax for non-resident aliens and foreign corporations is as follows:

 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

       0.07

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       62.31

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       0.11

BP Global Equity Fund

       0.01

The percentage of ordinary income distributions designated as qualified short-term gains pursuant to the American Job Creation Act of 2004 is as follows:

 

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       100.00

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       100.00

BP Global Equity Fund

       100.00

BP International Equity Fund

       100.00

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        75   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

SHAREHOLDER TAX INFORMATION (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

Because each Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2013. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2014.

The Funds paid foreign taxes and recognized foreign source income as follows:

 

       Foreign Taxes
Paid
       Foreign Source
Income
 

BP International Equity Fund

     $ 18,839         $ 340,910   

In general, dividends received by tax exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Funds.

 

76      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

OTHER INFORMATION (unaudited)

 

 

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 261-4073 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedule

The Company files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (202) 551-8090.

Shareholder Meeting Results

A special meeting of shareholders of the Company was held on June 25, 2013 to approve a new advisory agreement between the Company, on behalf of each Fund, and Robeco. Shareholders of record of each Fund on April 26, 2013 were eligible to vote at the meeting. A majority of the votes cast at the meeting approved the new advisory agreement with respect to each Fund by the following votes:

 

Name of Fund

     Number of
Shares Outstanding
on Record Date
       Number of
Shares For
       Number of
Shares Against
       Number of
Shares Abstained
 

Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund

       23,682,347.91           14,545,242.52           31,059.00           38,289.57   

Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II

       8,745,144.12           3,100,054.38           32,290.71           1,468,393.98   

Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund

       38,833,863.06           19,498,394.92           130,617.09           237,576.74   

Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund

       72,590,065.36           45,840,579.45           157,289.00           318,780.00   

Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund

       877,555.02           877,555.01                       

Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund

       859,169.78           859,160.70                       

Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       2,408,786.97           1,204,634.47           82,928.23           86,529.14   

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements

 

A. Approval of New Investment Advisory Agreement and Interim Investment Advisory Agreements.

At a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company held on April 15, 2013 (the “Special Meeting”), the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Directors”), considered the approval of (1) a new investment advisory agreement (the “New Agreement”) between Robeco Investment Management, Inc. (“Robeco”) and the Company on behalf of the Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), and (2) separate Interim Investment Advisory Agreements (the “Interim Agreements”) between Robeco and the Company on behalf of each Fund. The New Agreement and Interim Agreements were considered by the Board in connection with the acquisition of approximately 90% of the outstanding stock of Robeco’s parent corporation by ORIX Corporation (the “Transaction”) which, when consummated, would result in an assignment of the existing investment advisory agreements (the “Existing Agreements”) between Robeco and the Company on behalf of the Funds, resulting in the automatic termination of the Existing Agreements. The New Agreement would take effect at the time of the consummation of the Transaction provided that the shareholders of each of the Funds had approved the New Agreement. The Interim Agreements would take effect with respect to one or more of the Funds in the event that the Transaction was consummated prior to shareholder approval of the New Advisory Agreement.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        77   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

OTHER INFORMATION (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

In considering the approval of the New Agreement and the Interim Agreements, the Directors, with the assistance of independent counsel, considered their legal responsibilities with regard to all factors deemed to be relevant to the Funds, including, but not limited to the following: (1) the quality of services provided to the Funds; (2) the performance of the Funds; (3) the fact that the Transaction was not expected to affect the manner in which the Funds are advised; (4) the fact that the current portfolio management teams will continue to manage the Funds; (5) the fact that the fee structures under the New Agreement and the Interim Agreements would be identical to the fee structures under the Existing Agreements; and (6) other factors deemed relevant.

The Directors also evaluated the New Agreement and the Interim Agreements in light of all the materials provided prior to and during the Special Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Special Meeting, and the discussions held during the Special Meeting. The Directors considered whether the New Agreement and the Interim Agreements would be in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders and the overall fairness of the New Agreement and the Interim Agreements. Among other things, the Directors reviewed information concerning: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Robeco; (2) the Funds’ investment performance; (3) the cost of the services provided and the profits realized by Robeco and its affiliates from their relationship with the Funds; (4) the extent to which economies of scale have been or will be realized as the Funds grow; and (5) the extent to which fee levels reflect the economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of the Funds’ shareholders. In their deliberations, the Directors did not rank the importance of any particular piece of information or factor considered, and it is presumed that each Director attributed different weights to the various factors.

The Directors evaluated the nature, extent and quality of the services that Robeco would provide under the New Agreement and the Interim Agreements, which are the same services that Robeco provides under the Existing Agreements, on the basis of the functions that Robeco performs, and the quality and stability of the staff committed to those functions, Robeco’s favorable compliance record and financial condition and its background and history in providing services to the Funds under the Existing Agreements. The Directors also considered the fact that Robeco has not experienced any significant legal, compliance or regulatory difficulties. The Directors also considered representations by Robeco that the Transaction would not lead to a reduction in the quality or scope of services provided to the Funds. Based on the information provided and the Directors’ prior experience with Robeco, the Directors concluded that the nature and extent of the services that Robeco would provide under the New Agreement and the Interim Agreements, as well as the quality of those services, would be satisfactory.

The Directors also noted Robeco’s representations that following the Transaction, (1) at least 75% of the Directors would not be “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of Robeco for a period of three years after closing of the Transaction, (2) the Transaction would not have an economic impact on Robeco’s ability to provide services to the Fund, (3) no fee increases were contemplated, and (4) neither Robeco nor any interested person of Robeco would receive any compensation from the Funds or their shareholders, except as permitted pursuant to Section 15(f) of the 1940 Act.

The Directors examined the fee and expense information for each Fund, including a comparison of such information to other similarly situated mutual funds as determined by Lipper. The Directors also examined the total expense ratio of each Fund relative to the other mutual funds in its Lipper category. In this regard, the Directors noted that the total expenses and advisory fees, after fee waivers, of the Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund, the Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund and the Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund were lower than the median fees of their respective Lipper peer groups. The Directors also noted that the contractual advisory fees of the Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund and the Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II equaled the median for their respective Lipper peer groups. In connection with the Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund and the Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, whose expense structures were higher than their respective Lipper peer groups, the Directors considered management differences between the Funds and some of the funds in their Lipper peer groups and the costs of operating two separate investment portfolios. With respect to all of the Funds, the Directors noted that Robeco had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2013 to limit total annual operating expenses to agreed upon levels for each Fund. The Directors also noted that Robeco had indicated that it had no current plans to discontinue the waiver arrangements. Based on the information provided, the Directors concluded that the amount of advisory fees that the Funds currently pay under the Existing Agreements, and would pay under the New Agreement and the Interim Agreements, to Robeco are reasonable in light of the nature and quality of the services provided.

 

78      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

OTHER INFORMATION (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

The Directors reviewed information prepared by Lipper as of February 28, 2013 concerning each Fund’s investment performance, both absolutely as well as compared to other funds in the Fund’s peer group. The Directors also considered Robeco’s quarterly portfolio reviews explaining the Funds’ performance and the investment strategies it employs for the Funds. After considering all of the information, the Directors concluded that, although past performance is not a guarantee of future results, the Funds and their shareholders were likely to benefit from Robeco’s continued investment management services.

In considering the overall fairness of the New Agreement and the Interim Agreements, the Directors assessed the degree to which economies of scale would be expected to be realized if a Fund’s assets increase as well as the extent to which fee levels would reflect those economies of scale for the benefit of the Fund’s shareholders. The Directors determined that the fee schedules in the New Agreement and the Interim Agreements are reasonable and appropriate.

In addition to the above factors, the Directors also discussed other benefits received by Robeco from its management of the Funds, including, without limitation, possible soft dollar benefits and the ability to market its advisory services for similar products in the future.

After reviewing the information regarding the Funds’ costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering Robeco’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees to be paid by the Funds were fair and reasonable and that the New Agreement and Interim Agreements should be approved.

 

B. Approval of Continuation of Existing Agreements; Approval of Addendum No. 1 to New Agreement.

At a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company held on May 15, 2013 (the “Meeting”), the Board of Directors, including all of the Independent Directors, considered the approval of (1) the continuation of the Existing Agreements and (2) Addendum No. 1 to the New Agreement (the “Addendum”) adding the Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund (the “New Fund”) as a Fund covered by the New Agreement (the New Fund and the Funds covered by the Existing Agreements, hereinafter the “Funds”). The Board’s decision to approve the continuation of the Existing Agreements and to approve the Addendum reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement with Robeco. In approving the continuation of the Existing Agreements and in approving the Addendum, the Board considered information provided by Robeco with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the approval of the continuation of the Existing Agreements and the approval of the Addendum, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting, and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting.

In the course of their review of the Existing Agreements and the Addendum, the Directors, among other things, considered (i) the nature, extend, and quality of Robeco’s services provided or to be provided to the Funds; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of Robeco’s personnel providing those services; (iii) Robeco’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Robeco’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Robeco’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) Robeco’s current advisory fee arrangements with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) Robeco’s compliance procedures; (viii) Robeco’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Funds; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Funds; (x) a report prepared by Lipper comparing each Fund’s management fee and total expense ratio to the Fund’s Lipper peer group; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of each Fund currently in operation to the performance of its benchmark.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided or to be provided by Robeco. The Directors concluded that Robeco had substantial resources to provide services to the Funds and that Robeco’s services had been acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Funds currently in operation. Information on the Funds’ investment performance was provided for one, two, three, four and five year periods ended February 28, 2013, as applicable. The Directors considered the Funds’ investment performance in light of their investment objectives and investment strategies. The Directors concluded that the investment performance of each of the Funds as compared to their respective benchmarks and Lipper peer groups was acceptable.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        79   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

OTHER INFORMATION (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

In reaching this conclusion, the Directors noted that the Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund had outperformed its primary benchmark since inception and over a five-year period, and had underperformed its benchmark slightly over the past three years, but that its performance exceeded its Lipper peer group median for all periods ended February 28, 2013. The Directors also noted that the Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund outperformed its primary benchmark for all reported periods ended March 31, 2013, except for the one-year period, and that the Fund’s performance ranked within the 1st quintile within its Lipper performance group and universe for all periods ended February 28, 2013. The Directors further noted that while the performance of the Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund was below the performance of its primary benchmark since inception, it had outperformed the benchmark for the previous one, three and five-year periods, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

The Directors also reviewed the performance of the Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund. They noted that while the Fund had underperformed its benchmark since inception, they understood that the Fund’s short positions depressed the overall Fund returns, despite the strength of the long positions, and that the Fund is positioned defensively. The Directors also observed that the Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund had significantly outperformed its Lipper performance group since its inception two years ago, ranking within the 1st quantile for the one and two-year periods ended February 28, 2013. The Directors also noted the slight underperformance of the Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II as compared to its benchmark for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, but recognized its outperformance as compared to the benchmark since its inception, and its outperformance as compared to its Lipper performance group for all but one of the previous five years.

The Directors also considered the performance of the Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund, which outperformed its benchmark for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and since its inception. They noted that the Fund also outperformed its Lipper performance group by over 3% for the year ended February 28, 2013. Similarly, the performance of the Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund was considered, with the Directors noting the Fund’s outperformance as compared to its benchmark for the quarter ended March 20, 2013 as well as since its inception. They also noted that the Fund ranked in the 1st quintile, 2nd of 9, among its Lipper performance group, outperforming the group by over 5%.

The Directors also considered the advisory fee rates payable by the Funds under the Existing Agreements. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Funds and the Funds’ total operating expense ratios (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. After reviewing the comparable fee information provided in the Lipper reports, the Directors noted that actual advisory fees were lower than the median fees of the respective peer groups for three of the Funds (Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Fund, Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund, and Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund), but higher than the median fees of the respective Lipper peer groups for the other Funds. The Directors considered discussions at the Meeting on the variance in fees among Funds and the higher costs of managing certain Funds due to, among other things, short sales and increased regulations. With respect to the Funds, the Directors noted that the Robeco had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013 for the Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and the Robeco Boston Partners International Equity Fund) to limit total annual operating expense to the agreed upon levels for each Fund.

With respect to the New Fund, the Directors considered that the expenses for the Fund will be capped at 2.25%, which is higher than the category average but lower than the top end of the expense range. The Directors also considered hypothetical projected performance of the same strategy as currently managed by Robeco for the one, three, and five-year periods ended December 31, 2012 as compared to the MSCI World Index, the Morningstar Long/Short Category, and the S&P 500 Index. The Board also considered that the Fund’s proposed management fee was higher than the management fee for the Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund but noted that the Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund will incur higher operational expenses due to the larger pool of securities, the management and analyst talent required for international securities and exposure, and other factors.

After reviewing the information regarding the Funds’ costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering Robeco’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid or to be paid by the Funds were fair and reasonable and that the Existing Agreements should be continued for an additional period ending August 16, 2014 and the Addendum should be approved for an initial term ending August 16, 2015.

 

80      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FUND MANAGEMENT (unaudited)

 

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their dates of birth, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge by calling (888) 261-4073.

 

Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served1
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  Other
Directorships
Held by
Director
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

  Director   1988 to present   Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications) from 1969 to 2011.   17   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies)

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

  Director   2002 to present   Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.) since 1984; and Director of Cornerstone Bank since March 2004.   17   None

Gregory P. Chandler

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/66

  Director   2012 to present   Since May 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from February 2003-April 2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).   17   Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/43

  Director   2006 to present   Consultant, financial services organizations from 1997 to present.   17   Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices); Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust; (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012)

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC, from 2006 to present.   17   None

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; from 1980 to present, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group; from 2006 to 2008, President, The New York City Hot Dog Company.   17   Reich and Tang Group (asset management); The SPARX Asia Funds Group (registered investment company) (until 2009)

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        81   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FUND MANAGEMENT (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served1
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  Other
Directorships
Held by
Director
INTERESTED DIRECTORS2

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

  Director   2012 to present   Since July 2010, Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration, BNY Mellon Asset Servicing; from 2006 to July 2010, Senior Vice President, Fund Accounting and Administration, PNC Global Investment Servicing.   17   None

Robert Sablowsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/38

  Director   1991 to present   Since July 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).   17   Kensington Funds (registered investment company) (until 2009)
OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD,

CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 209 Chadds Ford, PA 19317

DOB: 12/62

  President and Chief Compliance Officer   President 2009 to present and Chief Compliance Officer 2004 to present   President, Vigilant Compliance Services since 2004; and Director of Energy Income Partnership since 2005.   N/A   N/A

Joel Weiss

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 1/63

  Treasurer   2009 to present   Since 1993 Vice President and Managing Director, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).   N/A   N/A

Jennifer Rogers

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/74

  Secretary   2007 to present   Since 2005, Managing Director and Senior Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).   N/A   N/A

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

  Assistant Treasurer   2005 to present   Since 1995, Vice President and Senior Director of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).   N/A   N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

DOB: 7/59

 

Assistant

Secretary

  1999 to present   Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).   N/A   N/A

 

* Each Director oversees seventeen portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1. 

Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved a waiver of the policy with respect to Mr. Brodsky, Mr. Carnall and Mr. Sablowsky. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2.

Messrs. Sablowsky and Nusblatt are considered “interested persons” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and are referred to as “Interested Directors.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer. Mr. Nusblatt is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as the Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration at BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, administrator and accounting agent and transfer agent to the Company.

 

82      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

PRIVACY NOTICE (unaudited)

 

 

FACTS   WHAT DO THE ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

•            Social Security number

•            account balances

•            account transactions

•            transaction history

•            wire transfer instructions

•            checking account information

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Robeco Investment Funds chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information   Do the Robeco Investment Funds share?   Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes

to offer our products and services to you

  Yes   No
For joint marketing with other financial companies   No   We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your transactions and experiences   Yes   No
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness   No   We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you   Yes   Yes
For nonaffiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share

 

Questions?   Call (888)-261-4073 or go to www.robecoinvest.com

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2013        83   


ROBECO INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

PRIVACY NOTICE (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

What we do

 
 
How do the Robeco Investment Funds protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How do the Robeco Investment Funds collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•            open an account

•            provide account information

•            give us your contact information

•            make a wire transfer

•            tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

•            sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

•            affiliates from using your information to market to you

•            sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. Our affiliates include:

 

•            Robeco Investment Management, Inc.

 

•            Robeco Securities, LLC

Nonaffiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•            The Robeco Investment Funds don’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. The Robeco Investment Funds may share information with nonaffiliates that perform marketing services on our behalf.

Joint marketing  

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

•            The Robeco Investment Funds may share your information with other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing arrangements who may suggest additional fund services or other investment products which may be of interest to you.

 

84      ANNUAL REPORT 2013


 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Robeco Investment Management Inc.

909 Third Avenue, 32nd Floor

New York, NY 10022

ADMINISTRATOR

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

TRANSFER AGENT

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

PRINCIPAL

UNDERWRITER

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

CUSTODIAN

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Ernst & Young LLP

One Commerce Square

2005 Market Street, Suite 700

Philadelphia, PA 19103

COUNSEL

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 


 

 

 

S1 FUND

of THE RBB FUND, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Fund.


S1 FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISERS REPORT

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

LOGO

Dear Fellow Investor,

We are pleased to enclose the annual report from the S1 Fund for your review.

The Simple Alternatives team would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support and trust. We are grateful for the confidence you and your financial advisor have placed in our firm and look forward to continuing many more successful years together. We take our responsibilities seriously and will continue to put forth our greatest effort to meet the investment objectives of the S1 Fund.

 

For many years, foundations, endowments and other large financial institutions have relied on long/short equity funds to add ballast and provide a smoother return profile. Sophisticated financial advisors have increasingly begun utilizing long/short equity strategies like the S1 Fund in client portfolios to add diversification, and to provide potential downside protection during periods of market volatility. The S1 Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation with an emphasis on absolute (positive) returns with modest correlation to traditional financial market indices such as the S&P 500®. Our investment approach focuses on low volatility long-term compounding rather than market timing.

LOGO

 

 

The Fund’s sub-advisors were able to provide a good degree of downside protection and generate alpha(1) during the one year period from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013. One example of this alpha generation is the fourth quarter of 2012, when the Fund returned 2.10% while the S&P 500® Index lost 1.01%. The equity market rally of early 2013 was not favorable to our strategy particularly given the Fund’s short exposure. However, this short exposure proved beneficial in a month like August where the Fund preserved capital, returning -0.29% while the S&P 500® Index was down 3.13%. Consistent with the Fund’s low risk profile, the S1 Fund’s one year return was 3.52% compared to the return of 16.10% for the S&P 500® Index. The Fund delivered this return with consistently low volatility (as measured by annualized standard deviation) of 4.39% which compared favorably to the S&P 500® Index higher volatility of 11.91%. The Fund continued to demonstrate a mild sensitivity to market direction (as measured by an average beta(2)) of 0.29. We believe a more relevant comparison, is how the S1 Fund has outperformed (net of fees) since inception against our peer group as represented by the Hedge Fund Research, Inc. (HFRI) Equity Hedge Index (see chart above).

In March of 2013, Simple Alternatives bolstered the investment team with the addition of Clark Jones to the S1 Fund’s investment committee. Clark joined Simple Alternatives from Tudor Investment Corporation where he was a long/short equity portfolio manager. Since joining the firm, Clark and I have worked closely together on portfolio oversight, risk management, and manager due diligence for the S1 Fund.

Simple Alternatives is also pleased to have added two new sub-advisors to the Fund. Garelick Capital, a long/short technology sector specialist; and Sonica Capital, a long/short retail and industrials sector specialist, both of which bring an outstanding long-term record in generating alpha to the Fund. These two new sub-advisors provide the Fund with specific exposures to sectors we believe will benefit the Fund.

 

1


We have already begun harvesting some of the fruits of these positive developments and are truly grateful for your support and participation.

Sincerely,

James K. Dilworth

Founder

Simple Alternatives

 

 

1) Alpha - The measure of the performance of a portfolio after adjusting for risk. Alpha is calculated by comparing the volatility of the portfolio and comparing it to some benchmark. The alpha is the excess return of the portfolio over the benchmark.

2) Beta - A measure of a security’s or portfolio’s volatility. A beta of 1 means that the security or portfolio is neither more nor less volatile or risky than the wider market. A beta of more than 1 indicates greater volatility and a beta of less than 1 indicates less volatility.

Portfolio composition is subject to change. The current and future portfolio holdings of the Fund are subject to investment risks.

 

2


S1 FUND

PERFORMANCE DATA

(UNAUDITED)

Comparison of Change in Value of $1,000,000 Investment in

S1 Fund I Shares vs. S&P 500® Index and the Hedge Fund Research, Inc. Index (“HFRI”).

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $1,000,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund’s I Shares made on September 30, 2010 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the S&P 500® Index and the HFRI Index are unmanaged, do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS AS OF AUGUST 31, 2013                
   
      One
Year
     Since
Inception*
 

S1 Fund, I Shares

     3.52%         1.40%   

S&P 500® Index**

     16.10%         13.09%   

HFRI Index**

     5.65%         1.96%   

 

*

Inception date of the Fund is September 30, 2010.

 

**

Benchmark performance is from the inception date of the Fund only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the returns quoted above. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Call Simple Alternatives at 1-866-882-1226 for returns current to the most recent month-end.

The performance quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s gross annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus, is 5.29% and the Fund’s net operating expense ratio is 4.47%. Net operating expense includes interest and dividends on short sales and acquired fund fees. The Fund’s investment adviser, Simple Alternatives, LLC, has contractually agreed until at least December 31, 2014 to forgo all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual Fund operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceeds 2.95% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s I Shares. This limitation can be discontinued at any time after December 31, 2014.

 

3


S1 FUND

PERFORMANCE DATA (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

The Fund is non-diversified and may focus its investments in the securities of a comparatively small number of issuers. Concentration in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes the Fund to greater market risk and potential monetary losses than if its assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers. The Fund may invest in small- and medium-sized companies which involve greater risk than investing in larger, more established companies, such as increased volatility of earnings and prospects, higher failure rates, and limited markets, product lines or financial resources.

The Fund may invest in foreign or emerging markets securities which involve special risks, including the volatility of currency exchange rates and, in some cases, limited geographic focus, political and economic instability, and relatively illiquid markets.

The Fund may invest in debt securities which are subject to interest rate risk. An increase in interest rates typically causes a fall in the value of the debt securities in which the Fund may invest. The Fund may also invest in high yield, lower rated (junk) bonds which involve a greater degree of risk and price fluctuation than investment grade bonds in return for higher yield potential. The Fund’s distressed debt strategy may involve a substantial degree of risk, including investments in sub-prime mortgage securities.

The Fund may purchase securities of companies in initial public offerings. Special risks associated with these securities may include a limited number of shares available for trading, unseasoned trading, lack of investor knowledge of the company and limited operating history. The Fund may leverage transactions which include selling short as well as borrowing for other than temporary or emergency purposes. Leverage creates the risk of magnified capital losses.

The Fund may also invest in derivatives which can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of risks, depending upon the characteristics of a particular derivative. The Fund may invest in options and futures which are subject to special risks and may not fully protect the Fund against declines in the value of its stocks. In addition, an option writing strategy limits the upside profit potential normally associated with stocks. Futures trading is very speculative, largely due to the traditional volatility of future prices.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

 

4


S1 FUND

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES

(UNAUDITED)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, shareholder servicing fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2013 through August 31, 2013 and held for the entire period.

ACTUAL EXPENSES

The first line of the accompanying tables 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 accompanying tables 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 these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying tables 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 accompanying tables 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 were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     I SHARES
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE
MARCH 1, 2013
   ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE
AUGUST 31, 2013
   EXPENSES PAID
DURING PERIOD

Actual*

     $ 1,000.00        $ 996.20        $ 22.34  

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

       1,000.00          1,002.82          22.41  

 

 

 

*

Expenses equal to an annualized expense ratio for the six-month period ended August 31, 2013 of 4.44% for the I Shares of the Fund, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses (including dividend and interest expense), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent period (184) then divided by 365 days. The Fund’s ending account value on the first line in the table is based on the actual six-months total return for the I Shares of the Fund of (0.38)%. These amounts include dividends paid on securities which the Fund has sold short (“short-sale dividends”) and related interest expense. The annualized amount of short-sale dividends and related interest expense was 1.48% of the Fund’s average net assets attributable to I Shares for the most recent fiscal year.

 

5


S1 FUND

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLE

AUGUST 31, 2013

(UNAUDITED)

The following table presents a summary by sector of the portfolio holdings of the Fund.

 

SECURITY TYPE/SECTOR CLASSIFICATION    OF NET
ASSETS
  VALUE

COMMON STOCKS:

        

Information Technology

       19.2 %     $ 16,306,772  

Consumer Discretionary

       17.3         14,677,335  

Real Estate Investment Trusts

       12.3         10,389,350  

Financials

       10.0         8,461,113  

Industrials

       7.4         6,247,716  

Materials

       5.1         4,337,545  

Consumer Staples

       3.3         2,782,675  

Telecommunication Services

       2.8         2,355,854  

Health Care

       1.0         880,006  

PURCHASED OPTIONS

       1.5         1,297,264  

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

       0.5         370,530  

U.S TREASURY NOTE

       0.1         105,219  

FOREIGN GOVERNMENT NOTE

       0.0         9,855  

WRITTEN OPTIONS

       (0.5 )       (382,750 )

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS SOLD SHORT

       (0.7 )       (565,864 )

COMMON STOCKS SOLD SHORT

       (40.1 )       (34,037,572 )

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

       60.8         51,563,897  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       100.0 %     $ 84,798,945  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

6


S1 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

     NUMBER
 OF SHARES 
     VALUE  

COMMON STOCKS — 78.4%

     

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY—17.3%

     

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A^

     4,353         $ 153,704   

Aeropostale, Inc.*^

     16,864           137,104   

AMC Networks, Inc., Class A*^

     9,000           557,820   

Ascena Retail Group, Inc.*^

     12,940           211,181   

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.*

     25,300           428,582   

Best Buy Co., Inc.

     4,000           144,000   

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc.*†^

     25,089           496,511   

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A*^

     15,200           1,845,584   

Childrens Place Retail Stores, Inc., (The)*^

     4,900           260,582   

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*^

     788           321,638   

Comcast Corp., Class A

     14,000           589,260   

Crocs, Inc.*

     7,550           101,623   

Express, Inc.*

     9,580           201,084   

Fifth & Pacific Cos., Inc.*

     1,385           33,018   

Finish Line, Inc. (The), Class A

     969           20,310   

Foot Locker, Inc.^

     9,435           303,807   

Interval Leisure Group, Inc.

     21,000           453,600   

JC Penney Co., Inc.*

     12,626           157,573   

Liberty Interactive Corp., Class A*^

     20,386           460,316   

Liberty Ventures, Class A*^

     2,404           205,879   

LifeLock, Inc.*

     28,384           357,922   

Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. - ADR*

     19,805           538,498   

Pandora Media, Inc.*^

     23,093           425,373   

Polaris Industries, Inc.^

     2,078           226,938   

Quiksilver, Inc.*

     31,816           157,489   

Ralph Lauren Corp.

     460           76,089   

Restoration Hardware Holdings, Inc.*^

     4,826           335,552   

Select Comfort Corp.*^

     10,320           254,904   

Sirius XM Canada Holdings, Inc. (Canada)

     180,000           1,355,169   

Sirius XM Radio, Inc.^

     200,700           718,506   

Sony Corp. - Sponsored ADR^

     7,882           157,325   

Starbucks Corp.^

     2,719           191,744   

Starz, Class A*

     1,731           43,206   

Tempur Sealy International, Inc.*^

     8,571           330,069   

Time Warner, Inc.

     1,307           79,113   

WCI Communities, Inc.*

     8,900           134,835   

Wet Seal, Inc. (The), Class A*

     90,700           331,055   

Whirlpool Corp.^

     10,000           1,286,500   

William Lyon Homes*

     17,300           356,553   

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.^

     4,219           237,319   
     

 

 

 
        14,677,335   
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES—3.3%

     

Coca-Cola Central Japan Co. Ltd. (Japan)

     39,300           560,082   

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The), Class A

     291           19,020   

Japan Tobacco, Inc. (Japan)

     30,700           1,036,888   
     NUMBER
 OF SHARES 
     VALUE  

CONSUMER STAPLES—(CONTINUED)

     

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A^

     40,300         $ 1,166,685   
     

 

 

 
        2,782,675   
     

 

 

 

FINANCIALS—10.0%

     

Altisource Portfolio Solutions SA*†

     1,972           257,149   

American International Group, Inc.^

     7,100           329,866   

Brookfield Office Properties, Inc.^

     60,550           971,222   

Capital & Counties Properties, PLC (United Kingdom)

     18,450           90,791   

Capital Bank Financial Corp., Class A*^

     19,821           391,465   

Dream Unlimited Corp. - Class A (Canada)*

     28,250           304,681   

Forest City Enterprises, Inc., Class A*^

     39,287           703,237   

Fox Chase Bancorp, Inc.^

     15,298           258,230   

Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A*

     14,600           172,280   

GSV Capital Corp.*^

     38,524           477,698   

Hampden Bancorp, Inc.^

     20,640           320,333   

Heritage Commerce Corp.^

     49,830           342,830   

Hilltop Holdings, Inc.*^

     15,893           248,884   

Howard Hughes Corp., (The)*^

     5,850           597,870   

ING Groep NV (Netherlands)*

     19,200           209,042   

ING US, Inc.^

     48,300           1,391,040   

MetroCorp Bancshares, Inc.^

     41,180           416,742   

Ocwen Financial Corp.*

     4,830           243,625   

Pacific Mercantile Bancorp*

     5,400           33,696   

Realogy Holdings Corp.*

     8,150           344,990   

Unite Group PLC (United Kingdom)

     20,350           112,903   

ViewPoint Financial Group

     12,194           242,539   
     

 

 

 
        8,461,113   
     

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE—1.0%

     

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.†D

     14,450           346,800   

Athenahealth, Inc.*

     2,720           286,933   

Pfizer, Inc.^

     8,730           246,273   
     

 

 

 
        880,006   
     

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS—7.4%

     

Avis Budget Group, Inc.*^

     9,900           265,023   

Baltic Trading Ltd.

     160,000           710,400   

Cummins, Inc.^

     1,342           165,334   

Eaton Corp., PLC

     1,189           75,287   

FedEx Corp.^

     4,095           439,639   

Gencorp, Inc.*^

     12,370           186,416   

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

     17,300           416,584   

HD Supply Holdings, Inc.*

     39,300           893,682   

Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.*

     31,900           766,557   

Manitowoc Co., Inc. (The)

     15,000           299,700   

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

     1,389           22,669   

RPX Corp.*

     23,075           362,047   

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.^

     3,064           261,237   

United Rentals, Inc.*^

     20,100           1,100,877   

URS Corp.

     5,700           282,264   
     

 

 

 
        6,247,716   
     

 

 

 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

7


S1 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

     NUMBER
 OF SHARES 
     VALUE  

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY—19.2%

  

  

Angie’s List, Inc.*

     18,926         $ 396,689   

Apple, Inc.^

     2,019           983,354   

Aruba Networks, Inc.*^

     31,636           526,106   

Brightcove, Inc.*

     25,289           236,452   

Comverse, Inc.*^

     23,713           717,318   

Demandware, Inc.*

     6,890           289,931   

Ellie Mae, Inc.*^

     17,936           520,861   

Facebook, Inc., Class A*

     7,484           308,940   

Fortinet, Inc.*

     12,123           240,035   

Global Eagle Entertainment, Inc.*

     28,380           250,595   

Guidewire Software, Inc.*

     6,056           278,334   

Infoblox, Inc.*

     8,170           285,133   

Juniper Networks, Inc.*

     15,134           286,033   

LinkedIn Corp., Class A*^

     1,936           464,718   

LogiTech International SA*

     36,261           265,068   

Loral Space & Communications, Inc.^

     16,880           1,115,937   

LTX-Credence Corp.*^

     161,000           653,660   

Meru Networks, Inc.*

     97,807           337,434   

NQ Mobile, Inc. - ADR*

     23,692           401,342   

NVIDIA Corp.

     21,400           315,650   

OpenTable, Inc.*^

     2,458           183,219   

Optimal Payments, PLC (United Kingdom)*

     247,000           832,533   

Progress Software Corp.*

     9,670           236,528   

Proofpoint, Inc.*

     9,088           261,825   

QUALCOMM, Inc.

     3,910           259,155   

Rally Software Development Corp.*

     10,215           263,854   

Responsys, Inc.*^

     25,288           362,883   

Ruckus Wireless, Inc.*

     31,500           428,085   

Salesforce.com, Inc.*

     7,651           375,894   

ServiceNow, Inc.*^

     13,916           652,382   

Silicon Motion Technology Corp., ADR

     38,667           431,524   

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.*^

     23,845           437,794   

Teradyne, Inc.*^

     64,000           982,400   

Tessera Technologies, Inc.

     16,266           298,318   

VMware, Inc., Class A*

     3,105           261,286   

Yahoo!, Inc.*

     17,893           485,259   

Yelp, Inc.*

     6,139           319,105   

YY, Inc. - ADR*

     9,152           361,138   
     

 

 

 
        16,306,772   
     

 

 

 

MATERIALS—5.1%

     

Crown Holdings, Inc.*^

     16,100           699,706   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.*^

     143,400           1,191,654   

International Paper Co.

     6,500           306,865   

Owens-Illinois, Inc.*^

     36,500           1,036,235   

Rock-Tenn Co., Class A

     5,700           633,327   

Smurfit Kappa Group, PLC (Ireland)

     23,000           469,758   
     

 

 

 
        4,337,545   
     

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS—12.3%

  

  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.^

     11,250           693,788   
     NUMBER
 OF SHARES 
     VALUE  

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS—(CONTINUED)

  

American Campus Communities, Inc.

     5,550         $ 184,870   

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.^

     7,450           923,055   

Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc., Class A

     16,050           410,880   

BRE Properties, Inc.

     12,350           592,676   

CommonWealth REIT

     9,780           240,099   

Concentradora Fibra Hotelera Mexicana SA de CV (Mexico)

     31,150           56,210   

DDR Corp.

     24,800           384,896   

Education Realty Trust, Inc.^

     45,050           386,980   

Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc.^

     20,702           719,394   

Equity Residential^

     18,000           934,020   

General Growth Properties, Inc.

     30,950           593,621   

Green REIT, PLC (Ireland)*

     89,400           147,694   

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.^

     37,700           752,115   

Klepierre (France)

     7,200           285,596   

LaSalle Hotel Properties

     18,700           496,111   

Parkway Properties, Inc.^

     32,100           524,835   

Post Properties, Inc.^

     27,300           1,234,779   

RLJ Lodging Trust^

     30,050           690,549   

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.

     15,750           137,182   
     

 

 

 
        10,389,350   
     

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES—2.8%

  

  

InContact, Inc.*^

     66,761           542,767   

Vodafone Group, PLC - Sponsored ADR

     36,000           1,164,600   

Vodafone Group, PLC (United Kingdom)

     201,300           648,487   
     

 

 

 
        2,355,854   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $61,536,199)

   

     66,438,366   
     

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS — 0.5%

  

  

CURRENCY—0.3%

     

Proshares Ultrashort Yen*

     3,390           210,892   
     

 

 

 

EQUITY—0.2%

     

Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF^

     5,675           159,638   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS
(Cost $451,750)

   

     370,530   
     

 

 

 
     PAR
(000’S)
        

FOREIGN GOVERNMENT NOTE — 0.0%

  

  

Canadian Government Bond

     

3.000% 12/01/15

     CAD  10         $ 9,855   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT NOTE
(Cost $10,166)

   

     9,855   
     

 

 

 

U.S. TREASURY NOTE — 0.1%

  

  

2.625% 04/30/16^

   $ 100           105,219   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL U.S. TREASURY NOTE
(Cost $101,702)

        105,219   
     

 

 

 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

8


S1 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

     NUMBER
OF
CONTRACTS
     VALUE  

PURCHASED OPTIONS — 1.5%

     

CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED — 0.5%

     

Eagle Materials, Inc.

     

Expires 09/21/13

     

Strike Price $70

     160         $ 7,600   

Equinix, Inc.

     

Expires 12/21/13

     

Strike Price $210

     45           16,380   

Manitowoc Co., Inc. (The)

     

Expires 09/21/13

     

Strike Price $22

     300           3,000   

United Rentals, Inc.

     

Expires 09/21/13

     

Strike Price $60

     150           6,000   

Vodafone Group, PLC - Sponsored ADR

     

Expires 01/18/14

     

Strike Price $30

     1,400           434,000   

Whirlpool Corp.

     

Expires 09/21/13

     

Strike Price $135^

     80           11,200   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED
(Cost $247,772)

        478,180   
     

 

 

 

PUT OPTIONS PURCHASED — 1.0%

     

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.

     

Expires 03/22/14

     

Strike Price $35

     150           58,500   

Ebix, Inc.

     

Expires 09/21/13

     

Strike Price $19

     42           32,340   

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

     

Expires 10/19/13

     

Strike Price $95

     1,500           213,000   

NTELOS Holdings Corp.

     

Expires 12/21/13

     

Strike Price $15

     330           75,900   

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

     

Expires 09/21/13

     

Strike Price $165^

     1,000           330,000   

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

     

Expires 09/30/13

     

Strike Price $162^

     400           109,200   

Tesla Motors, Inc.

     

Expires 09/21/13

     

Strike Price $82.50

     16           144   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL PUT OPTIONS PURCHASED
(Cost $627,849)

        819,084   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS — 1.5%
(Cost $875,621)

        1,297,264   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 80.5%
(Cost $62,975,438)

      $ 68,221,234   
     

 

 

 
     NUMBER
 OF SHARES 
     VALUE  

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT — (40.8)%

     

COMMON STOCKS — (40.1)%

     

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY—(6.9)%

     

Bally Technologies, Inc.*

     (4,000)        $ (288,520

Brunswick Corp.

     (515)          (18,725

Carter’s, Inc.

     (1,183)          (87,116

Casio Computer Co. Ltd. (Japan)

     (15,000)          (127,971

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

     (424)          (19,678

Francesca’s Holdings Corp.*

     (27,720)          (668,606

GameStop Corp., Class A

     (4,316)          (216,706

Gannett Co., Inc.

     (1,451)          (34,955

Gap, Inc. (The)

     (3,923)          (158,646

Grand Canyon Education, Inc.*

     (6,650)          (229,492

Hanesbrands, Inc.

     (2,111)          (125,562

Hasbro, Inc.

     (4,390)          (200,096

HomeAway, Inc.*

     (5,370)          (169,370

Jarden Corp.*

     (439)          (18,855

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A

     (4,000)          (175,200

KB Home

     (7,000)          (112,210

LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.*

     (20,000)          (192,400

Lululemon Athletica, Inc.*†

     (2,300)          (162,932

McDonald’s Corp.

     (1,830)          (172,679

Morgans Hotel Group Co.*

     (8,300)          (57,021

NVR, Inc.*

     (212)          (181,432

Pandora Media, Inc.*

     (7,800)          (143,676

Panera Bread Co., Class A*

     (84)          (13,778

PulteGroup, Inc.

     (9,400)          (144,666

Scholastic Corp.

     (5,200)          (153,452

Sharp Corp. (Japan)*

     (68,035)          (263,362

Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.

     (5,000)          (261,850

Thor Industries, Inc.

     (9,000)          (461,070

TripAdvisor, Inc.*

     (3,785)          (279,976

Tupperware Brands Corp.

     (1,877)          (151,605

Vipshop Holdings Ltd., ADR*

     (4,820)          (208,706

WH Smith PLC (United Kingdom)

     (27,000)          (354,593
     

 

 

 
        (5,854,906
     

 

 

 

CONSUMER STAPLES—(1.1)%

     

Avon Products, Inc.

     (1,839)          (36,357

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

     (698)          (40,324

Energizer Holdings, Inc.

     (2,028)          (200,427

Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (The)*

     (2,250)          (184,005

Hengan International Group Co. Ltd. (China)

     (13,300)          (145,336

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

     (1,259)          (117,691

Kroger Co. (The)

     (3,098)          (113,387

Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B

     (203)          (9,904

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     (1,350)          (112,644

Safeway, Inc.

     (368)          (9,531
     

 

 

 
        (969,606
     

 

 

 

FINANCIALS—(3.0)%

     

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A*

     (2,200)          (34,936

Amtrust Financial Services, Inc.

     (6,160)          (220,035

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

     (7,500)          (156,600

Cohen & Steers, Inc.

     (3,565)          (111,228

Eaton Vance Corp.

     (5,440)          (209,712
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

9


S1 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

     NUMBER
 OF SHARES 
     VALUE  

FINANCIALS—(CONTINUED)

     

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

     (3,450)        $ (198,375

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

     (2,740)          (129,849

Home Capital Group, Inc. (Canada)

     (6,500)          (395,134

Lazard Ltd., Class A

     (3,910)          (138,492

Legg Mason, Inc.

     (6,925)          (225,201

MSCI, Inc.*

     (7,600)          (285,076

Stewart Information Services Corp.

     (5,300)          (162,127

US Bancorp.

     (4,700)          (169,811

Wisdomtree Investments, Inc.*

     (13,700)          (153,440
     

 

 

 
        (2,590,016
     

 

 

 

HEALTH CARE—(0.8)%

     

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*

     (400)          (154,608

Masimo Corp.

     (15,000)          (371,100

Wright Medical Group, Inc.*

     (5,800)          (139,606
     

 

 

 
        (665,314
     

 

 

 

INDUSTRIALS—(3.8)%

     

Acuity Brands, Inc.

     (3,800)          (324,900

Bouygues SA (France)

     (7,000)          (218,574

Brink’s Co. (The)

     (11,000)          (284,130

Caterpillar, Inc.

     (1,455)          (120,096

Control4 Corp.*

     (20,828)          (422,392

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.

     (6,600)          (159,786

Nielsen Holdings NV

     (13,192)          (455,124

Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.*

     (4,500)          (238,680

Proto Labs, Inc.*

     (2,100)          (149,184

Ritchie Bros Auctioneers, Inc.†

     (10,000)          (185,300

Sensata Technologies Holding NV*†

     (7,500)          (279,600

Solarcity Corp.*

     (11,900)          (372,946
     

 

 

 
        (3,210,712
     

 

 

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY—(13.9)%

  

  

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     (5,236)          (85,452

Akamai Technologies, Inc.*

     (10,674)          (490,791

Amdocs Ltd.

     (6,669)          (245,819

Bankrate, Inc.*

     (22,714)          (390,681

Dassault Systemes SA (France)

     (2,460)          (314,344

Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Class A

     (7,200)          (226,296

Electronic Arts, Inc.*

     (11,043)          (294,186

FactSet Research Systems, Inc.

     (3,821)          (391,079

First Solar, Inc.*

     (2,970)          (109,058

Flextronics International Ltd.*

     (29,813)          (267,721

Gigamon, Inc.

     (7,194)          (243,157

Global Payments, Inc.

     (8,390)          (399,784

Hewlett-Packard Co.

     (8,100)          (180,954

Intel Corp.

     (16,241)          (356,977

International Business Machines Corp.

     (1,050)          (191,384

IPG Photonics Corp.

     (2,100)          (112,896

Microsoft Corp.

     (665)          (22,211

Model N, Inc.*

     (22,273)          (320,954

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

     (7,807)          (437,270

Neopost SA (France)

     (2,100)          (147,066

Nintendo Co. Ltd. (Japan)

     (1,100)          (124,380
     NUMBER
 OF SHARES 
     VALUE  

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY—(CONTINUED)

  

Nokia OYJ (Finland)*

     (54,000)        $ (209,509

Nuance Communications, Inc.*

     (11,352)          (216,710

NVIDIA Corp.

     (23,543)          (347,259

OmniVision Technologies, Inc.*

     (8,270)          (127,772

OpenTable, Inc.*

     (4,687)          (349,369

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.*

     (7,499)          (360,102

Qualys, Inc.*

     (18,625)          (372,314

RealD, Inc.*

     (17,634)          (144,423

RealPage, Inc.*

     (25,348)          (524,957

Salesforce.com, Inc.*

     (6,200)          (304,606

SAP AG, Sponsored ADR

     (2,877)          (212,380

Seagate Technology., PLC

     (599)          (22,954

SolarWinds, Inc.*

     (3,407)          (124,185

SunPower Corp.*

     (20,530)          (441,190

Tableau Software, Inc., Class A*

     (5,453)          (394,306

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. - Sponsored ADR

     (17,000)          (281,520

Teradata Corp.*

     (12,243)          (716,950

Ultimate Software Group, Inc.*

     (1,894)          (265,558

United Microelectronics Corp. - Sponsored ADR

     (49,000)          (96,040

ValueClick, Inc.*

     (15,356)          (324,933

VistaPrint NV*

     (4,844)          (257,895

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A*

     (6,850)          (312,360
     

 

 

 
        (11,759,752
     

 

 

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS—(8.5)%

  

Acadia Realty Trust

     (7,467)          (174,205

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

     (1,500)          (185,850

BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.

     (23,050)          (424,350

Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust (Canada)

     (2,250)          (119,902

Colony Financial, Inc.

     (16,850)          (333,124

Corio NV (Netherlands)

     (3,600)          (141,416

CubeSmart

     (26,500)          (441,225

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

     (4,006)          (225,137

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

     (2,980)          (427,064

Glimcher Realty Trust

     (25,000)          (247,500

Health Care REIT, Inc.

     (8,850)         (543,744

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

     (13,950)          (471,231

Kimco Realty Corp.

     (18,700)          (374,561

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

     (25,400)          (650,240

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.

     (2,258)          (100,052

Post Properties, Inc.

     (3,210)          (145,188

Realty Income Corp.

     (15,700)          (620,150

Rouse Properties, Inc.

     (9,400)          (174,276

Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp.

     (14,630)          (230,715

Sun Communities, Inc.

     (4,050)          (174,028

Ventas, Inc.

     (4,800)          (298,848

Vornado Realty Trust

     (8,700)          (707,310
     

 

 

 
        (7,210,116
     

 

 

 

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES—(2.1)%

  

AT&T, Inc.

     (4,585)          (155,111

Belgacom SA (Belgium)

     (14,000)          (335,147

Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered Shares (Germany)

     (36,688)          (469,696
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

10


S1 FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

     NUMBER
 OF SHARES 
     VALUE  

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES—(CONTINUED)

  

Iliad SA (France)

     (1,500)        $ (359,819

Iridium Communications, Inc.*

     (12,000)          (80,280

Orange SA (France)

     (20,000)          (203,023

Verizon Communication, Inc.

     (3,674)          (174,074
     

 

 

 
        (1,777,150
     

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS SOLD SHORT
(Proceeds $33,230,860)

        (34,037,572
     

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED-FUNDS SOLD SHORT — (0.7)%

  

EQUITY—(0.7)%

     

Vanguard REIT ETF

     (8,769)          (565,864
     

 

 

 
        (565,864
     

 

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS SOLD SHORT
(Proceeds $577,496)

        (565,864
     

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT
(Proceeds $33,808,356)

   

     (34,603,436
     

 

 

 
     NUMBER
OF
 CONTRACTS 
        

WRITTEN OPTIONS — (0.5)%

  

  

CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN—0.0%

  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     

Expires 10/19/13

     

Strike Price $5

     (750)          (3,000

Eagle Materials, Inc.

     

Expires 09/21/13

     

Strike Price $77.50

     (160)          (1,600

Equinix, Inc.

     

Expires 12/21/13

     

Strike Price $250

     (30)          (4,500

Whirlpool Corp.

     

Expires 09/21/13

     

Strike Price $145

     (80)          (1,600
     

 

 

 

TOTAL CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN
(Premiums Received $51,799)

        (10,700
     

 

 

 

PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN—(0.5)%

  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     

Expires 10/19/13

     

Strike Price $4

     (750)          (60,750

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

  

  

Expires 10/19/13

     

Strike Price $98

     (500)          (118,500

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

  

  

Expires 09/30/13

     

Strike Price $156

     (400)          (42,800
     NUMBER
OF
 CONTRACTS 
     VALUE  

PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN—(CONTINUED)

  

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

     

Expires 10/19/13

     

Strike Price $155

     (1,000)        $ (150,000
     

 

 

 

TOTAL PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN
(Premiums Received $291,484)

   

     (372,050
     

 

 

 

TOTAL WRITTEN OPTIONS — (0.5)%
(Premiums Received $343,283)

   

     (382,750
     

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 60.8%

        51,563,897   
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

      $ 84,798,945   
     

 

 

 

 

*Non-income producing.

This company is domiciled outside of the United States. The security’s functional currency is the United States dollar.
D Security has been valued at fair market value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of The RBB Fund, Inc.’s Board of Directors. As of August 31, 2013, fair valued positions amounted to $346,800 or 0.4% of net assets.
^ Security position is either entirely or partially held in a segregated account as collateral for securities sold short.

 

ADR   American Depositary Receipt
CAD   Canadian Dollar
ETF   Exchange-traded Fund
MSCI   Morgan Stanley Capital International
PLC   Public Limited Company
REIT   Real Estate Investment Trust
S&P   Standard & Poors
SPDR   Standard & Poors Depositary Receipt
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

11


S1 FUND

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (cost $62,975,438)

   $ 68,221,234   

Cash

     25,826,417   

Foreign Cash (Cost $438,294)

     444,655   

Deposits held with prime broker for securities sold short and written options

     35,512,284   

Foreign currency deposits held with prime broker for securities sold short and written options (cost $1,153,641)

     1,170,385   

Receivables for:

  

Investments sold

     4,932,019   

Capital shares sold

     85,091   

Dividends and interest

     40,297   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     17,762   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     136,250,144   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Securities sold short, at value (proceeds $33,808,356)

     34,603,436   

Options written, at value (premiums received $343,283)

     382,750   

Foreign currency due to prime broker for securities sold short and written options (cost $7,688,947)

     7,800,543   

Payables for:

  

Investments purchased

     1,944,374   

Capital shares redeemed

     169,425   

Investment advisory fees

     162,733   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     451   

Dividends on securities sold short

     33,519   

Due to prime broker

     6,254,182   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     99,786   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     51,451,199   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 84,798,945   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

  

Capital stock, $0.001 par value

   $ 8,164   

Paid-in capital

     80,647,775   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (1,306,199

Accumulated net realized gain from investments, securities sold short, futures transactions and written options

     1,126,488   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, securities sold short, futures transactions, foreign currency translations, forward currency contracts and written options

     4,322,717   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 84,798,945   
  

 

 

 

I SHARES

  

Net assets

   $ 84,798,945   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     8,164,240   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 10.39   
  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

12


S1 FUND

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $27,409)

   $ 1,134,309   

Interest

     123,781   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     1,258,090   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     2,068,134   

Dividend expense on securities sold short

     740,203   

Prime broker interest expense

     374,020   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     123,199   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     76,572   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     46,508   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     44,060   

Audit fees

     43,612   

Legal fees

     33,999   

Registration and filing fees

     27,101   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     24,114   

Insurance fees

     8,344   

Other expenses

     10,886   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     3,620,752   

Less: waivers and reimbursements (Note 2)

     (288,049
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     3,332,703   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (2,074,613
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

  

Investments

     8,671,969   

Securities sold short

     (6,472,903

Futures

     (64,726

Foreign currency transactions

     (6,091

Forward currency contracts

     89,578   

Written options

     (195,365

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Investments

     1,916,583   

Securities sold short

     417,738   

Futures

     49,765   

Foreign currency translation

     (96,526

Forward currency contracts

     783   

Written options

     (58,208
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

     4,252,597   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 2,177,984   
  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

13


S1 FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2013
    FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2012
 

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM

    

OPERATIONS:

    

Net investment loss

   $ (2,074,613   $ (1,905,303

Net realized gain from investments, securities sold short, futures transactions, foreign currency transactions, forward currency contracts and written options

     2,022,462        459,494   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments, securities sold short, futures transactions, foreign currency translation, forward currency contracts and written options

     2,230,135        2,147,258   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     2,177,984        701,449   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

    

Net realized gains

     (153,211       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

     (153,211       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:

    

I Shares

    

Proceeds from shares sold

     36,986,724        29,018,574   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

     149,176          

Shares redeemed

     (18,650,974     (16,665,146
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

     18,484,926        12,353,428   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     20,509,699        13,054,877   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     64,289,246        51,234,369   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 84,798,945      $ 64,289,246   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss, end of period

   $ (1,306,199   $ (1,253,434
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

    

I Shares

    

Shares sold

     3,558,619        2,928,197   

Shares reinvested

     14,497          

Shares redeemed

     (1,799,971     (1,681,163
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in shares

     1,773,145        1,247,034   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

14


S1 FUND

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

AUGUST 31, 2013

 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 2,177,984   

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets to net cash used in operating activities:

  

Purchases of investments securities

     (198,871,482

Proceeds from disposition of long-term investments securities

     194,522,141   

Purchases to cover short sales

     (101,830,081

Proceeds from short sales

     110,137,854   

Net cost of purchased options

     (3,191,775

Proceeds from written options

     3,646,197   

Cost of closed and exercised options

     (3,293,979

Net amortization/(accretion) of premium/(discount)

     (3,938

Net realized gain on investments and investments sold short

     (2,199,066

Net unrealized appreciation, investments, investments sold short, futures, forward currency contracts and written options

     (2,326,661

Increase in deposits with brokers for securities sold short

     (16,387,828

Decrease in foreign currency deposits held with prime broker for securities sold short and written options

     388,433   

Increase in foreign currency due to prime broker for securities sold short and written options

     7,800,543   

Decrease in dividend and interest receivable

     42,472   

Decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets

     10,939   

Decrease in due to custodian

     (19,040

Decrease in variation margin payable

     (9,640

Increase in dividends payable on securities sold short

     17,640   

Increase in payable to investment advisor

     45,096   

Decrease in accrued expenses

     (20,007
  

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (9,364,198
  

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

  

Increase in due to prime broker payable

     3,600,536   

Net proceeds from fundshare activity

     18,406,202   

Distributions paid from realized capital gains

     (4,035
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     22,002,703   
  

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and foreign currency

     12,638,505   

CASH:

  

Cash and foreign currency at beginning of the year

     13,632,567   
  

 

 

 

Cash and foreign currency at end of the period

   $ 26,271,072   
  

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

  

Cash paid during the period for interest expense

   $ 373,365   
  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

15


S1 FUND

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

     I SHARES  
     FOR THE
YEAR
ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2013
    FOR THE
YEAR
ENDED
AUGUST 31,  2012
    FOR THE
PERIOD
ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2011(1)
 
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE       

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 10.06      $ 9.96      $ 10.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(2)

     (0.29     (0.32     (0.29

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

     0.64        0.42        0.25 (3) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from operations

     0.35        0.10        (0.04
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

      

From net realized gains

     (0.02              
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Distributions

     (0.02              
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 10.39      $ 10.06      $ 9.96   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(4)

     3.52     1.00     (0.40 )%(5) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

      

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

   $ 84,799      $ 64,289      $ 51,234   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements (including dividend and interest expense)

     4.43     4.42     4.06 %(6) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements (excluding dividend and interest expense)

     2.95     2.95     2.95 %(6) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements (including dividend and interest expense)

     4.81     5.24     6.39 %(6) 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

     (2.76 )%      (3.24 )%      (3.16 )%(6) 

Portfolio turnover rate

     310.41     249.27     440.88 %(5) 

 

(1) The Fund commenced investment operations on September 30, 2010.
(2) Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(3) The amount shown may not correlate with the change in the aggregate gains and losses due to the timing of sales and purchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to fluctuating market values for the Fund’s portfolio.
(4) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(5) Not annualized.
(6) Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

16


S1 FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2013

1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into seventeen separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has seventeen active investment portfolios, including the S1 Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on September 30, 2010. The Fund offers two classes of shares, I Shares and R Shares. As of August 31, 2013, Class R Shares have not been issued.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 80.773 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and forty-two classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio. The Fund has issued shares with a par value of $0.001.

PORTFOLIO VALUATION — The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Securities held by the Fund are valued using the closing price or the last sale price on a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) market system where they are primarily traded. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued using an independent pricing service, which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings, and are deemed representative of market values at the close of the market. Fixed income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Foreign securities are valued based on prices from the primary market in which they are traded, and are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. Options for which the primary market is a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which they are traded, or, in the absence of any sale, will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Options not traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last quoted bid price for long option positions and the closing ask price for short option positions. If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments. The Fund may use fair value pricing more frequently for securities traded primarily in non-U.S. markets because, among other things, most foreign markets close well before the Fund values its securities, generally as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, government actions or pronouncements, aftermarket trading, or news events may have occurred in the interim. To account for this, the Fund may value foreign securities using fair value prices based on third-party vendor modeling tools (international fair value pricing).

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — The inputs and valuations techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

Ÿ  Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities;

 

  Ÿ  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); and

 

17


S1 FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2013 (CONTINUED)

 

Ÿ  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’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.

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2013, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

                                                                                                   
    

TOTAL FAIR
VALUE AT
AUGUST 31, 2013

 

   

LEVEL 1
QUOTED
PRICE

 

   

LEVEL 2
SIGNIFICANT
OBSERVABLE
INPUTS

 

   

LEVEL 3

SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE    
INPUTS

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

        

Consumer Discretionary

   $ 14,677,335      $ 14,677,335      $      $   

Consumer Staples

     2,782,675        1,185,705        1,596,970          

Financials

     8,461,113        8,048,377        412,736          

Health Care

     880,006        533,206        346,800          

Industrials

     6,247,716        6,247,716                 

Information Technology

     16,306,772        16,306,772                 

Materials

     4,337,545        3,867,787        469,758          

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     10,389,350        10,103,754        285,596          

Telecommunication Services

     2,355,854        1,707,367        648,487          

Exchange Traded Funds

     370,530        370,530                 

Foreign Government Note

     9,855               9,855          

U.S. Treasury Note

     105,219               105,219          

Asset Derivatives

        

Equity Contracts

     1,297,264        1,297,264                 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 68,221,234      $ 64,345,813      $ 3,875,421      $   

 

 
    

TOTAL FAIR
VALUE AT
AUGUST 31, 2013

 

   

LEVEL 1
QUOTED
PRICE

 

   

LEVEL 2
SIGNIFICANT
OBSERVABLE
INPUTS

 

   

LEVEL 3

SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks Sold Short

        

Consumer Discretionary

   $ (5,854,906   $ (5,108,980   $ (745,926   $   

Consumer Staples

     (969,606     (824,270     (145,336       

Financials

     (2,590,016     (2,590,016              

Health Care

     (665,314     (665,314              

Industrials

     (3,210,712     (2,992,138     (218,574       

Information Technology

     (11,759,752     (10,964,453     (795,299       

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     (7,210,116     (7,068,700     (141,416       

Telecommunications Services

     (1,777,150     (769,284     (1,007,866       

Exchange Traded Funds

     (565,864     (565,864              

Liability Derivatives

        

Equity Contracts

     (382,750     (382,750              

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (34,986,186   $ (31,931,769   $ (3,054,417   $   

 

 

At the end of each fiscal quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

 

18


S1 FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2013 (CONTINUED)

 

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Fund’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Fund may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between Levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each Level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Fund had no significant transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3.

DISCLOSURES ABOUT DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The following tables provide quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on the Fund’s derivative instruments as of August 31, 2013.

The following table lists the fair values of the Fund’s derivative holdings as of August 31, 2013 grouped by contract type and risk exposure category.

 

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

  

BALANCE SHEET

LOCATION

 

  

EQUITY

CONTRACTS

 

   

INTEREST

RATE

CONTRACTS

 

   

FOREIGN

CURRENCY

CONTRACTS

 

   

COMMODITY

CONTRACTS

 

    

TOTAL

 

 

 

 
  

 

Asset Derivatives

  

  

 

 

Purchased Options

  

Investments, at

value

   $ 1,297,264      $      $      $       $         1,297,264   

 

 

Total Value -

Assets

      $ 1,297,264      $      $      $       $ 1,297,264   

 

 
   Liability Derivatives      

 

 

Written Options

   Options written, at value    $ (382,750   $      $      $       $ (382,750

 

 

Total Value -

Liabilities

      $ (382,750   $      $      $       $ (382,750

 

 

The following table lists the amounts of realized gains or losses included in net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

   

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

  

INCOME STATEMENT

LOCATION

 

  

EQUITY

CONTRACTS

 

   

INTEREST

RATE

CONTRACTS

 

   

FOREIGN

CURRENCY

CONTRACTS

 

   

COMMODITY

CONTRACTS

 

    

TOTAL

 

 

 

 
  

 

Realized Gain (Loss)

  

  

 

 

Purchased Options

   Net realized gain (loss) from Investments    $ (2,492,903   $ (46,312   $ (44,166   $       $ (2,583,381

 

 

Futures Contracts

   Net realized gain (loss) from Futures                    (64,726             (64,726

 

 

 

19


S1 FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2013 (CONTINUED)

 

DERIVATIVE TYPE   

INCOME STATEMENT

LOCATION

 

  

EQUITY

CONTRACTS

 

   

INTEREST

RATE

CONTRACTS

 

   

FOREIGN

CURRENCY

CONTRACTS

 

   

COMMODITY

CONTRACTS

 

     TOTAL  

 

 

Forward Contracts

  

Net realized gain

(loss) from

Forward Currency Contracts

                   89,578                89,578   

 

 

Written Options

  

Net realized gain

(loss) from Written Options

     (195,365                           (195,365

 

 

Total Realized

Gain (Loss)

      $ (2,688,268   $ (46,312   $ (19,314   $       $ (2,753,894

 

 

The following table lists the amounts of change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

   

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

  

INCOME STATEMENT

LOCATION

 

  

EQUITY

CONTRACTS

 

   

INTEREST

RATE

CONTRACTS

 

   

FOREIGN

CURRENCY

CONTRACTS

 

   

COMMODITY
CONTRACTS

 

    

TOTAL

 

 

 

 
  

 

Change in appreciation (depreciation)

  

  

 

 

Purchased Options

  

Net change in

unrealized

appreciation

(depreciation) from

Investments

   $ 452,341      $ (34,896   $ (15,835   $ 9,032       $ 410,642   

 

 

Futures Contracts

  

Net change in

unrealized

appreciation

(depreciation) from

Futures

                   49,765                49,765   

 

 

Forward Contracts

  

Net change in

unrealized

appreciation

(depreciation) from

Forward Currency

Contracts

                   783                783   

 

 

Written Options

  

Net change in

unrealized

appreciation

(depreciation) from

Written Options

     (58,208                           (58,208

 

 
Total change in appreciation (depreciation)       $ 394,133      $ (34,896   $ 34,713      $ 9,032       $ 402,982   

 

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Fund’s average volume of derivatives is as follows:

 

PURCHASED

OPTIONS

(COST)

   FORWARD FOREIGN
CURRENCY CONTRACTS
APPRECIATION
   FUTURES
NOTIONAL AMOUNT
   WRITTEN
OPTIONS
(PROCEEDS)

 

$562,334

    

 

$

 

17,725

 

 

    

 

$

 

10,300,000

 

 

    

 

$

 

220,598

 

 

 

20


S1 FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2013 (CONTINUED)

 

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME AND EXPENSES — The Fund records security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Expenses incurred for all the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Fund.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders and recorded on ex-dividend date. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. TAX STATUS — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is the Fund’s intention to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION — Assets and liabilities initially expressed in non-U.S. currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the applicable exchange rates at the date of the last business day of the financial statement period. Purchases and sales of securities, interest income, dividends, variation margin received and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect on the transaction date.

The Fund does not seperately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices of securities held. Such changes are included with the net realized gain or loss and change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investment securities in the Statement of Operations. Other foreign currency transactions resulting in realized and unrealized gain or loss are reported separately as net realized gain or loss and change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on foreign currencies in the Statement of Operations.

CURRENCY RISK — The Fund invests in securities of foreign issuers, including American Depositary Receipts. These markets are subject to special risks associated with foreign investments not typically associated with investing in U.S. markets. Because the foreign securities in which the Fund may invest generally trade in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, changes in currency exchange rates will affect the Fund’s NAV, the value of dividends and interest earned and gains and losses realized on the sale of securities. Because the NAV for the Fund is determined on the basis of U.S. dollars, the Fund may lose money by investing in a foreign security if the local currency of a foreign market depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the local currency value of the Fund holdings goes up. Generally, a strong U.S. dollar relative to these other currencies will adversely affect the value of the Fund holdings in foreign securities.

FOREIGN SECURITIES — Securities of many non-U.S. companies may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. Securities of companies traded in many countries outside the U.S., particularly emerging markets countries, may be subject to further risks due to the inexperience of local investment

 

21


S1 FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2013 (CONTINUED)

 

professionals and financial institutions, the possibility of permanent or temporary termination of trading and greater spreads between bid and asked prices of securities. In addition, non-U.S. stock exchanges and investment professionals are subject to less governmental regulation, and commissions may be higher than in the United States. Also, there may be delays in the settlement of non-U.S. stock exchange transactions.

PURCHASED OPTIONS — The Fund is subject to equity and other risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The Fund purchases option contracts. This transaction is used to hedge against changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and values of equities. The risk associated with purchasing an option is that the Fund pays a premium whether or not the option is exercised. Additionally, the Fund bears the risk of loss of premium and change in market value should the counterparty not perform under the contract. Put and call options are accounted for in the same manner as other securities owned. The cost of securities acquired through the exercise of call options is increased by the premiums paid. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of put options are decreased by the premiums paid.

OPTIONS WRITTEN — The Fund is subject to equity and other risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and may enter into options written to hedge against changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and values of equities. Such options may relate to particular securities or domestic stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic securities exchange or issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. The risk in writing a call option is that the Fund gives up the opportunity for profit if the market price of the security increases. The risk in writing a put option is that the Fund may incur a loss if the market price of the security decreases and the option is exercised. The Fund also has the additional risk of being unable to enter into a closing transaction at an acceptable price if a liquid secondary market does not exist. The Fund also may write over-the-counter options where completing the obligation depends upon the credit standing of the other party. Option contracts also involve the risk that they may result in loss due to unanticipated developments in market conditions or other causes. Written options are initially recorded as liabilities to the extent of premiums received and subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the option written. Gains or losses are realized when the option transaction expires or closes. When an option is exercised, the proceeds on sales for a written call option or the purchase cost for a written put option is adjusted by the amount of the premium received.

As of August 31, 2013, the Fund had options written valued at ($382,750).

The Fund had transactions in options written during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 as follows:

 

     NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
  PREMIUMS
RECEIVED

Options outstanding at August 31, 2012

       963       $ 112,519  

Options written

       47,471         3,646,197  

Options closed

       (42,521 )       (3,282,692 )

Options expired

       (1,643 )       (121,454 )

Options exercised

       (600 )       (11,287 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Options outstanding at August 31, 2013

       3,670       $ 343,283  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

SHORT SALES — When the investment adviser or a sub-adviser believes that a security is overvalued, the Fund may sell the security short by borrowing the same security from a broker or other institution and selling the security. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the borrowed security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund buys and replaces such borrowed security. The Fund will realize a gain if there is a decline in price of the security between those dates where the decline in price exceeds the costs of

 

22


S1 FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2013 (CONTINUED)

 

borrowing the security and other transaction costs. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to close out a short position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. Although the Fund’s gain is limited to the amount at which it sold a security short, its potential loss is unlimited. Until the Fund replaces a borrowed security, it will maintain at all times cash, U.S. Government securities, or other liquid securities in an amount which, when added to any amount deposited with a broker as collateral, will at least equal the current market value of the security sold short. Depending on arrangements made with brokers, the Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on collateral deposited with them.

In accordance with the terms of its prime brokerage agreements, the Fund may receive rebate income or be charged a fee on borrowed securities. Such income or fee is calculated on a daily basis based upon the market value of each borrowed security and a variable rate that is dependent upon the availability of such security. The Fund records these prime broker charges on a net basis as interest income or interest expense. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Fund had net charges of $307,189 on borrowed securities. Such amounts are included in prime broker interest expense on the Statement of Operations.

As of August 31, 2013, the Fund had securities sold short valued at $34,603,436 for which securities of $23,217,546 and cash deposits of $28,882,126 were pledged as collateral for securities sold short and written options. In accordance with the Special Custody and Pledge Agreement with Goldman Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”) (the Fund’s prime broker), the Fund may borrow from Goldman Sachs to the extent necessary to maintain required margin cash deposits on short positions. Interest on such borrowings is charged to the Fund based on the LIBOR rate plus an agreed upon spread.

The Fund utilized cash borrowings from Goldman Sachs to meet required margin cash deposits as follows during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013:

 

   

DAYS

UTILIZED

   AVERAGE DAILY
BORROWINGS
   WEIGHTED AVERAGE
INTEREST RATE
 

274

       AUD          103,015          3.57 %
 

  73

       CAD          943,529          1.54 %
 

  93

       CHF          88,710          0.55 %
 

215

       EUR          151,382          0.59 %
 

207

       GBP          1,081,556          0.99 %
 

204

       HKD          541,237          0.65 %
 

301

       JPY          26,088,551          0.65 %
 

235

       MXN          2,465,702          4.59 %
 

367

       USD          6,501,521          0.68 %

As of August 31, 2013, the Fund had borrowings of $14,054,725. Interest expense on cash borrowings for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 totaled $66,830.

FUTURES CONTRACTS — The Fund is subject to equity and other risk exposure in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The Fund may use futures contracts for hedging or speculative purposes consistent with its investment objective. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund must deposit initial margin in addition to segregating cash or liquid assets sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase or provide securities, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of an index-based futures contract. Such liquid assets may consist of cash, cash equivalents, liquid debt or equity securities or other acceptable assets. Pursuant to the futures contract, the Fund agrees to receive from, or pay to the broker, an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such a receipt of payment is known as “variation margin” and is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transactions and the Fund’s basis in the contract. Futures contracts have market risks, including the

 

23


S1 FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2013 (CONTINUED)

 

risk that the change in the value of the contract may not correlate with changes in the value of the underlying securities. Use of long futures contracts subjects the Fund to risk of loss in excess of the amount shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, up to the notional value of the futures contract. Use of short futures contracts subjects the Fund to unlimited risk of loss. As of August 31, 2013, the Fund had no futures contracts.

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS — In the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives, the Fund is subject to foreign investment and currency risk. The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts (“forward contracts”) for purposes of hedging, duration management, as a substitute for securities, to increase returns, for currency hedging or risk management, or to otherwise help achieve the Fund’s investment goal. These contracts are marked-to-market daily at the applicable translation rates. The Fund records realized gains or losses at the time the forward contract is closed. A forward contract is extinguished through a closing transaction or upon delivery of the currency or entering an offsetting contract. Risks may arise upon entering these contracts from the potential inability of a counterparty to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar or other currencies. As of August 31, 2013, the Fund had no forward contracts.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — The Fund considers liquid assets deposited into bank demand deposit accounts to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expense or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

OTHER — In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

2. INVESTMENT ADVISER AND OTHER SERVICES

Simple Alternatives, LLC (“Simple Alternatives” or the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. For its advisory services, the Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly fee from the Fund calculated at an annual rate of 2.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

The Adviser has contractually agreed to forgo all or a portion of its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in a aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual Fund operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceed 2.95% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s I Shares and 3.20% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s R Shares, respectively. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least December 31, 2014 and may not be terminated prior to December 31, 2014 without approval by the Company’s Board of Directors. If at any time during the first three years the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Adviser is in effect, the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for that year are less than 2.95% or 3.20%, as applicable, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund during such three-year period if such reimbursement by the Fund does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, investment advisory fees accrued and waived were $2,068,134 and $288,049, respectively. At August 31, 2013, the amount of potential recovery by the Advisor was as follows:

 

EXPIRATION
2014    2015    2016
$313,683    $472,047    $288,049

Simple Alternatives has currently retained the services of Roaring Blue Lion Capital Management, LLC; Courage Capital Management, LLC; Garelick Capital Partners, L.P.; Maerisland Capital, LLC; Sonica Capital LLC; and Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC as sub-advisers (each a “Sub-Adviser”) of the Fund. Pursuant to sub-advisory agreements

 

24


S1 FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2013 (CONTINUED)

 

between the Adviser and each Sub-Adviser, each Sub-Adviser manages the investment and reinvestment of the portion of the Fund’s portfolio allocated to it by the Adviser. The Fund is not required to invest with any minimum number of Sub-Advisers, and does not have minimum or maximum limitations with respect to allocations of assets to any Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Advisers are compensated by the Adviser and not by the Fund.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Included in the administration and accounting service fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Fund. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets subject to certain minimum monthly fees and may receive out of pocket expenses.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

3. DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The remuneration paid to the Directors by the Fund during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 was $10,996. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer or Director of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company.

4. INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

     PURCHASES    SALES

Investments in Non-U.S. Government Securities

     $ 199,675,920        $ 190,141,474  

Investments in U.S. Government Securities

                8,000,000  

5. FEDERAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION

The Fund has followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Fund to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund has determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Fund is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

 

25


S1 FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2013 (CONTINUED)

 

As of August 31, 2013, federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

 

FEDERAL TAX

COST

   UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
   UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
  NET
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
$63,898,736    $7,767,352    $(3,444,854)   $4,322,498

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2013, primarily attributable to foreign currency transactions, current year write-off of net operating loss, capitalized dividends on short sales, and passive foreign investment companies, were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED

NET INVESTMENT

INCOME

   ACCUMULATED
NET REALIZED
LOSS
  PAID-IN
CAPITAL
$2,021,848    $(280,862)   $(1,740,986)

As of August 31, 2013, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED

ORDINARY INCOME

   UNDISTRIBUTED
LONG-TERM GAINS
   UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
   QUALIFIED
LATE-YEAR
LOSSES
  OTHER
TEMPORARY
DIFFERENCES

$—

   $2,100,131    $3,399,419    $(1,311,746)   $(44,798)

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate principally to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reported as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

ORDINARY
INCOME
DIVIDEND

   LONG-TERM
CAPITAL  GAIN
DIVIDEND
   TOTAL
$—    $153,211    $153,211

There were no dividends or distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012. Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

Pursuant to federal income tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies, the Funds may elect to treat certain capital losses between November 1 and August 31 and late year ordinary losses ((i) ordinary losses between January 1 and August 31, and (ii) specified ordinary and currency losses between November 1 and August 31) as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the year ended August 31, 2013, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2013.

 

26


S1 FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2013 (CONCLUDED)

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Fund deferred to September 1, 2013, the following losses:

 

LATE-YEAR

ORDINARY

LOSS DEFERRAL

   SHORT-TERM
CAPITAL
LOSS  DEFERRAL
   LONG-TERM
CAPITAL
LOSS  DEFERRAL
$1,311,746    $—    $—

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Modernization Act”), the Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to any losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. The Funds’ first fiscal year end subject to the Modernization Act was August 31, 2012. As of August 31, 2013, the Fund had no capital loss carryforwards.

6. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities”. ASU 2011-11 requires disclosures to make financial statements that are prepared under U.S. GAAP more comparable to those prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards. The new disclosure requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of assets and liabilities as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In addition, ASU 2011-11 requires disclosure of collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreements or similar arrangements. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” This update limits the scope of the ASU No. 2011-11 to derivatives, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, securities borrowing, and securities lending transactions that are either offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities or are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar arrangements. New disclosures are required for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. Management is evaluating the impact of ASU 2011-11 on the financial statements and disclosures.

7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there were no subsequent events.

 

27


S1 FUND

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the S1 Fund (one of the series constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) (the “Fund”) as of August 31, 2013, and the related statement of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended and for the period September 30, 2010 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2011. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2013, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. 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 the S1 Fund of The RBB Fund, Inc. at August 31, 2013, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and its financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended and for the period September 30, 2010 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 25, 2013

 

28


S1 FUND

SHAREHOLDER TAX INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

Certain tax information regarding the Fund is required to be provided to shareholders based upon each Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2013. The information and distribution reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2013. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

   

LONG-TERM

CAPITAL GAIN

DIVIDENDS

   
  $153,211  

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2013. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2014.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Fund, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund.

 

29


S1 FUND

OTHER INFORMATION

PROXY VOTING

Policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (866) 882-1226 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULES

The Company files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (202) 551-8090.

APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered (1) the approval of the continuation of the investment advisory agreement between Simple Alternatives, LLC and the Company on behalf of the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”), (2) the approval of the continuation of investment sub-advisory agreements between Simple Alternatives and each of Roaring Blue Lion Capital Management, LLC, Courage Capital Management, LLC, Starwood Real Estate Securities, LLC, Lauren Templeton Capital Management, LLC and Maerisland Capital, LLC (the “Existing Sub-Advisers”) (the “Existing Sub-Advisory Agreements”), and (3) the approval of new investment sub-advisory agreements between Simple Alternatives and each of Garelick Capital Partners, L.P. and Sonica Capital LLC (the “New Sub-Advisers” and, together with the Existing Sub-Advisers, the “Sub-Advisers”) (the “New Sub-Advisory Agreements” and, together with the Existing Sub-Advisory Agreements, the “Sub-Advisory Agreements”), at a meeting of the Board held on May 15, 2013 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Advisory Agreement and the Existing Sub-Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year term and approved the New Sub-Advisory Agreements for initial periods ending August 16, 2014. The Board’s decision to approve the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue and, in the case of the New Sub-Advisory Agreements, expand the existing arrangements. In approving the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Board considered information provided by Simple Alternatives and each of the Sub-Advisers with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and Simple Alternatives with respect to the Fund, and the approval of the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements between Simple Alternatives and each Sub-Adviser, the Directors took into account all materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the Fund by Simple Alternatives and the Sub-Advisers; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of the personnel providing those services; (iii) Simple Alternatives and the Sub-Advisers’ investment philosophies and processes; (iv) the Sub-Advisers’ assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Simple Alternatives’ and the Sub-Advisers’ soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) Simple Alternatives’ and the Sub-Advisers’ advisory fee arrangements with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) Simple Alternatives’ and the Sub-Advisers’ compliance procedures; (viii) Simple Alternatives’ and the Sub-Advisers’ financial information and insurance coverage; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; (x) a report prepared by Lipper comparing the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its Lipper peer group and comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its Lipper peer group; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its benchmark.

 

30


S1 FUND

OTHER INFORMATION

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided, or in the case of the New Sub-Advisers to be provided, by Simple Alternatives and each Sub-Adviser. The Directors concluded that Simple Alternatives and each Sub-Adviser had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund. Information on the Fund’s investment performance was provided for the one-year period ended February 28, 2013. The Directors considered the Fund’s investment performance in light of its investment objective and investment strategies. The Directors concluded that the investment performance of the Fund as compared to its benchmark and Lipper peer group was acceptable. In reaching this conclusion, the Directors noted that the performance of the Fund was better than its Lipper peer group median for the one-year period.

The Directors also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement, as discussed during the presentation made by Simple Alternatives. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Fund and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. The Directors noted that the advisory fees, after waivers, of the Fund were higher than the peer group median, but considered comments made by Simple Alternatives, regarding the expense involved with managing a multi-manager product and Simple’s agreement to provide a written explanation of their fee breakdown for the Directors’ review. In addition, the Directors noted that Simple Alternatives had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses to limit total annual operating expenses to agreed upon levels for the Fund through at least December 31, 2014. The Directors also considered the sub-advisory fees payable to each Sub-Adviser under the Investment Sub-advisory Agreements. In this regard, the Directors noted that the fees for each Sub-Adviser were payable by Simple Alternatives.

After reviewing the information regarding Simple Alternatives’ and the Sub-Advisers’ costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering the services to be provided by Simple Alternatives and each Sub-Adviser, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees to be paid by the Fund to Simple Alternatives and to be paid by Simple Alternatives to each Sub-Adviser were fair and reasonable and that the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements should be approved and continued for additional one-year periods ending August 16, 2014.

 

31


S1 FUND

FUND MANAGEMENT

(UNAUDITED)

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their dates of birth, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (866) 882-1226.

 

Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
  

Position(s)

Held

with Fund

   Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served 1
  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

 

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

 

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

   Director    1988 to present   

Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications) from 1969 to 2011.

 

   17    AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommu- nications companies)

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

   Director    2002 to present   

Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.) since 1984; and Director of Cornerstone Bank since March 2004.

 

   17    None

Gregory P. Chandler

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/66

   Director    2012 to present   

Since May 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from February 2003-April 2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).

 

   17    Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/43

   Director    2006 to present    Consultant, financial services organizations from 1997 to present.    17   

Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices); Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust; (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012)

 

 

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

   Chairman Director    2005 to present 1991 to present    Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC, from 2006 to present.    17    None

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

   Director    2006 to present   

Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; from 1980 to present, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group; from 2006 to 2008, President, The New York City Hot Dog Company.

 

   17    Reich and Tang Group (asset management); The SPARX Asia Funds Group (registered investment company) (until 2009)

 

32


S1 FUND

FUND MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

  

Position(s)

Held

  with Fund  

  

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served 1

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Director*

  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

 

INTERESTED DIRECTORS 2

 

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

   Director    2012 to present    Since July 2010, Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration, BNY Mellon Asset Servicing; from 2006 to July 2010, Senior Vice President, Fund Accounting and Administration, PNC Global Investment Servicing.    17    None

Robert Sablowsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/38

   Director    1991 to present    Since July 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).    17    Kensington Funds (registered investment company) (until 2009)

 

33


S1 FUND

FUND MANAGEMENT (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

  

Position(s)    
Held    

with Fund    

   Term of Office    
and Length of    
Time Served 1    
  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Number of    
Portfolios in    
Fund  Complex  
Overseen by    
Director*    
  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

 

OFFICERS

 

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA,

CFE

Vigilant Compliance

Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 209

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

DOB: 12/62

   President and Chief Compliance Officer    President 2009 to present and Chief Compliance Officer 2004 to present    President, Vigilant Compliance Services since 2004; and Director of EIP Growth and Income Fund since 2005.    N/A    N/A

Joel Weiss

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 1/63

   Treasurer    2009 to present    Since 1993 Vice President and Managing Director, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).    N/A    N/A

Jennifer Rogers

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/74

   Secretary    2007 to present    Since 2005, Managing Director and Senior Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).    N/A    N/A

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

   Assistant Treasurer    2005 to present    Since 1995, Vice President and Senior Director of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).    N/A    N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square,

Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

DOB: 7/59

   Assistant Secretary    1999 to present    Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).    N/A    N/A

*Each Director oversees seventeen portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

1Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved a waiver of the policy with respect to Mr. Brodsky, Mr. Carnall and Mr. Sablowsky. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

2Messrs. Sablowsky and Nusblatt are considered “interested persons” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and are referred to as “Interested Directors.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer. Mr. Nusblatt is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as the Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration at BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, administrator and accounting agent and transfer agent to the Company.

 

34


S1 FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED)

S1 FUND

 

FACTS    WHAT DOES THE S1 FUND DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why?    Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?   

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

•Social Security number

•account balances

•account transactions

•transaction history

•wire transfer instructions

•checking account information

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?    All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the S1 Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your information    Does the S1 Fund Share?       

Can you limit this            

sharing?

 

For our everyday business purposes —

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

 

   Yes    No

 

For our marketing purposes —

to offer our products and services to you

 

   Yes    No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

   No    We don’t share

 

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your transactions and experiences

 

   No    We don’t share

 

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your creditworthiness

 

   No    We don’t share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

   No    We don’t share

 

For nonaffiliates to market to you

 

   No    We don’t share

 

Questions?

   Call 1-866-882-1226 or go to www.S1FUND.com

 

35


S1 FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

What we do

 

    

 

How does the S1 Fund protect my personal information?

  

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

 

 

How does the S1 Fund collect my personal information?

  

 

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

• open an account

• provide account information

• give us your contact information

• make a wire transfer

• tell us where to send the money

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

 

 

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

  

 

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

• sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness

• affiliates from using your information to market to you

• sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

 

 

Definitions

 

    

 

Affiliates

  

 

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

Our affiliates include S1 Fund’s investment

adviser, Simple Alternatives, LLC, and each sub-adviser.

 

 

Nonaffiliates

  

 

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

The S1 Fund doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

 

 

Joint marketing

  

 

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

The S1 Fund does not jointly market.

 

 

36


Investment Adviser

Simple Alternatives, LLC

90 Grove Street

Suite 205

Ridgefield, CT 06877

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP

One Commerce Square

2005 Market Street, Suite 700

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996


 

The

Schneider

Funds

 

of the RBB Fund, Inc.

Schneider Small Cap Value Fund

Schneider Value Fund

 

ANNUAL

REPORT

 

August 31, 2013

 

 

LOGO

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Funds. It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Funds.


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

Fellow Shareholder:

The annual report for the Schneider Funds covers the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013.

U.S. equities posted strong returns as the market was supported by very low short-term interest rates, positive corporate earnings, a slow but steady decline in the rate of unemployment and the continued expansion of the U.S. economy. Long-term interest rates have risen from their near historic lows in early 2013, causing many investors to abandon the bond market in favor of cash or equities.

Investor optimism was initially bolstered in the summer of 2012 when the head of the European Central Bank proclaimed full support for the then-beleaguered Spanish bonds and reaffirmed the goal of keeping interest rates low. This statement provided confidence to global markets and helped spark a rally in U.S. equities.

This year, while foreign policy issues came to the forefront, there were no dramatic summer economic headlines and this relative calm provided continued support for the domestic stock market. That said, there is much focus and discussion on how and when the Federal Reserve will begin to “taper”, or wind down, its current bond buying program. Through this program the Fed buys $85 billion of bonds on a monthly basis which has helped keep interest rates artificially low. When tapering was first discussed in late spring, interest rates spiked and both the U.S. bond and stock markets reacted negatively. This initial negative reaction in the equity market soon reversed, and stocks renewed their positive trend. Equity market participants generally believe the sooner the Fed stops this grand experiment the better, given unknowable long-term consequences.

The growth rate of the global economy has remained sluggish. For the past few years, emerging markets countries have acted as a counter-balance to the troubles in Europe; however, the three primary emerging markets of China, Brazil and India have now experienced economic slowdowns. China remains a keystone for the global economy, but it is facing challenges as it transitions from a capital expenditure and export-focused market to a consumer driven, service sector economy. In the past, China has not operated optimally as it directed its investments towards adding sometimes non-economic production capacity to meet its stated growth targets; the key outstanding question is how successfully it will re-allocate its capital to better investment opportunities that will support its changing economic focus.

In contrast, there are signs of emerging U.S. economic improvement. After six long years of GDP growth below its long–term potential, we may finally begin to shrink our enormous output gap in 2014 as headwinds to growth fade. Private sector growth is about 3% and households continue to heal, net worth is now back to 2007 levels and debt service ratios are at 30 year lows. Business balance sheets are strong with uncertainty the biggest factor currently holding back capital expenditures and employment.

Prospectively, geopolitical issues may impact the markets, as well as the economic headwinds from the enactment of Obamacare in 2014. As long-term investors, we will continue to invest with conviction, recognizing that the industries and companies we own may not conform to consensus views. We believe that the holdings in the Funds are deeply discounted to their normal valuation levels and offer potential for future earnings growth and price appreciation.

We appreciate your support and the confidence you have placed in us.

 

LOGO

Arnold C. Schneider III, CFA

Portfolio Manager

Schneider Capital Management

 

1


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

Schneider Small Cap Value Fund – Portfolio Review

The Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) posted a 30.95% return during the fiscal year versus the 24.38% return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 2000® Value Index. The overweight and favorable stock selection in regional and community banks generated strong positive contributions. Security selection in the Technology and Materials & Processing sectors also added value, while our exposure to homebuilders and the overweighting of the coal industry detracted from returns.

Even in an environment of muted economic growth, we believe the Fund’s portfolio as a whole continues to offer substantial upside potential. Many of the companies we are invested in can prosper and improve their earnings without the help of a robust U.S. expansion. We continue to exercise patience and invest with confidence which are key elements of our deep-value investment style.

Our significant positions in homebuilders continue to offer substantial upside potential. Over the past few years, increasing demand has led to a reduction of existing home inventory, while at the same time new home construction remains well below its normal level. An environment of increasing demand, lower inventory and attractive home price affordability will continue to provide support for the industry’s rebound even in the face of higher interest rates and rising home prices. Overall, profitability for the industry is on the rise and should continue as demand is supported by a better employment picture and new family formations.

As the housing rebound continues, we have also rotated our investments within the homebuilders industry away from those companies focused on first-time buyers to those focused on the move-up market such as Meritage Homes and Standard Pacific Corp. In an environment where credit availability is still tight and interest rates and prices have risen, first-time buyers are much more susceptible to “sticker shock” which can delay or cancel their purchase. On the other hand, move-up buyers are much less challenged in getting financing or they can use proceeds from the sale of their previous home, making them better financially prepared to handle higher prices.

In addition to our significant holdings in homebuilding, banking and the coal industry, we have positive views of select investments in the Technology sector as well as in other cyclical sectors. In contrast, we find few opportunities in the perceived “safer” sectors such as Consumer Staples and Utilities, which is consistent with our focus on deeply discounted out-of-favor industries and companies. We believe that as investors begin to embrace a longer-term view and return to a more traditional perspective on return and risk, the Fund will benefit as the discounted valuations and earnings potential of our holdings are recognized and rewarded.

 

2


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Concluded)

August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $20,000 Invested in

Schneider Small Cap Value Fund vs. Russell 2000® Value Index

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $20,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on September 2, 1998 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is a professionally managed mutual fund while the Russell 2000® Value Index is unmanaged, does not incur sales charges and/or expenses and is not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended August 31, 2013   
     Average Annual  
     One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since
Inception*
 

Schneider Small Cap Value

    30.95%        8.31%        8.95%        14.89%   

Russell 2000® Value Index

    24.38%        6.88%        8.55%        9.59%   

* Inception date 9/2/98

                               

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Schneider Capital Management Company, the Fund’s investment adviser, has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2013, to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes) exceed 1.15%. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no waiver or reimbursement of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-520-3277. The Fund’s gross and net annual operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus, are 1.52% and 1.15%, respectively. Shares of the Fund not purchased through reinvested dividends or capital gains and held less than one year are subject to a 1.75% redemption fee.

Small company stocks are generally riskier than large company stocks due to greater volatility and less liquidity.

Value investing involves the risk that the Fund’s investment in companies whose securities are believed to be undervalued, relative to their underlying profitability, will not appreciate in value as anticipated.

 

3


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

Schneider Value Fund – Portfolio Review

The Value Fund posted a 29.08% return during the fiscal year versus the 23.10% return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell 1000® Index. Our overweight and stock selection in the Financials sector provided a strong positive contribution. Security selection in Producer Durables and an underweight to the Utilities sector also added value, while our overweight exposure to the coal industry and our holdings in the homebuilder industry were a drag on performance.

Higher interest rates, while challenging for fixed income investors, can provide positive benefits for some industries. In the property and casualty insurance industry, companies generate revenue from two primary sources: underwriting and the returns on their investment portfolios. Over time, higher interest rates generally lead to higher investment earnings.

For the banking industry, the ultra low rate environment of the past few years has shrunk the spreads banks can earn over their funding costs. As long rates, and eventually, short rates rise, the banks will see their net interest margins increase from each rise separately. Low credit costs should continue to boost profitability as banks benefit from an improving economy and the strict loan underwriting of the last several years. In addition, the banking industry is over-capitalized, which provides the opportunity for dividend increases and/or share repurchases.

The Energy sector continues to fundamentally improve, but the market has yet to reward our holdings tied to coal. Metallurgical coal has been the weak spot as the slowing economies of China and Europe have tempered demand for met coal, forcing prices down well below producer costs. In response to the drop in demand, the market has punished all coal companies, even those, such as ours, with modest met coal exposure. We continue to believe that our investments in coal mining stocks such as Peabody Energy Corporation and Arch Coal, Inc. have significant upside potential that will be realized as demand improves and coal prices rebound.

With stable demand and improved pricing, we have seen very positive returns for some of our holdings focused on the natural gas industry. Natural gas prices have nearly doubled since their lows in mid-2012 as a result of drilling rigs dedicated to finding dry gas declining from over 1,000 to less than 400 today. In addition, the strengthening of the natural gas market also provides limited incentive to engage in the coal-to-gas switching that occurred in 2012 which will help coal earnings improve.

 

4


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER VALUE FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Concluded)

August 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $20,000 Investment in

Schneider Value Fund vs. Russell 1000® Value Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $20,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on September 2, 1998 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is a professionally managed mutual fund while the Russell 2000® Value Index is unmanaged, does not incur sales charges and/or expenses and is not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended August 31, 2013   
     Average Annual  
     One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since
Inception*
 

Schneider Value

    29.08%        1.82%        4.80%        8.24%   

Russell 1000® Value Index

    23.10%        6.69%        7.61%        9.21%   

* Inception date 9/30/02

                               

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Schneider Capital Management Company, the Fund’s investment adviser, has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2013, to the extent that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes) exceed 0.90%. Total returns shown include fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no waiver or reimbursement of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. Returns shown include the reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-888-520-3277. The Fund’s gross and net annual operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus, are 1.28% and 0.90%, respectively. Shares of the Fund not purchased through reinvested dividends or capital gains and held less than 90 days are subject to a 1.00% redemption fee.

Value investing involves the risk that the Fund’s investment in companies whose securities are believed to be undervalued, relative to their underlying profitability, will not appreciate in value as anticipated.

 

5


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Fund Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

 

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

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six months from March 1, 2013 through August 31, 2013, and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the accompanying tables 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 accompanying tables 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 your 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 these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying tables 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 accompanying tables 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 were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Schneider Small Cap Value Fund  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2013
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2013
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,065.80         $ 5.99   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,019.41           5.85   
     Schneider Value Fund  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2013
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2013
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 1,131.10         $ 4.83   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,020.67           4.58   

 

* Expenses are equal to an annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.15% for the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund and 0.90% for the Schneider Value Fund, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184), then divided by 365 to reflect the one-half year period. The Fund’s ending account values on the first line in each table are based on the actual six-month total return for each Fund of 6.58% for the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund and 13.11% for the Schneider Value Fund.

 

6


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

The following table presents a summary by sector of the portfolio holdings of the Fund:

 

     % of Net
Assets
    Value  

Common Stocks:

    

Banks

     11.1   $ 7,827,468   

Coal

     9.2        6,466,564   

Savings & Loans

     6.2        4,385,453   

Home Builders

     6.0        4,217,267   

Oil & Gas

     5.8        4,102,846   

Commercial Services

     5.3        3,707,160   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     4.9        3,417,830   

Healthcare — Services

     3.9        2,714,047   

Telecommunications

     3.7        2,632,087   

Electronics

     3.3        2,287,138   

Semiconductors

     3.1        2,205,917   

Real Estate

     2.9        2,065,996   

Insurance

     2.7        1,887,326   

Software

     2.5        1,777,753   

Mining

     2.4        1,711,102   

Office Products

     2.3        1,608,043   

Retail

     2.1        1,505,783   

Industrial

     2.0        1,405,551   

Household Durables

     2.0        1,403,903   

Internet

     1.6        1,155,183   

Machinery — Diversified

     1.3        911,229   

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

     1.2        865,532   

Apparel

     0.9        663,230   

Auto Manufacturers

     0.8        572,994   

Auto Parts

     0.7        470,188   

Computers

     0.6        439,644   

Chemicals

     0.5        342,613   

Airlines

     0.4        255,732   

Healthcare — Products

     0.3        235,134   

Securities Lending Collateral

     10.9        7,702,271   

Corporate Bonds

     1.8        1,288,662   

Exchange Traded Fund

     0.8        584,170   

Liabilities In Excess of Other Assets

     (3.2     (2,259,706
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     100.0   $ 70,556,110   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

    

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

7


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER VALUE FUND

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

 

The following table presents a summary by sector of the portfolio holdings of the Fund:

 

     % of Net
Assets
    Value  

Common Stocks:

    

Banks

     27.4   $ 9,268,184   

Oil & Gas

     15.8        5,353,793   

Insurance

     12.9        4,377,160   

Coal

     9.4        3,201,377   

Home Builders

     8.6        2,926,659   

Lodging

     4.0        1,366,514   

Health Care — Services

     2.8        934,747   

Automobile Manufacturers

     1.9        655,791   

Leisure Time

     1.8        625,259   

Aerospace & Defense

     1.4        469,718   

Automobile Parts & Equipment

     1.4        467,771   

Airlines

     1.3        452,157   

Commercial Services

     1.3        439,447   

Computers

     1.3        434,526   

Electric

     1.2        407,574   

Mining

     0.5        157,157   

Telecommunications

     0.5        153,147   

Electronics

     0.3        93,067   

Securities Lending Collateral

     7.6        2,564,546   

Exchange Traded Fund

     0.1        45,191   

Liabilities In Excess of Other Assets

     (1.5     (521,344
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     100.0   $ 33,872,441   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

8


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2013

 

    Shares     Value  
   

COMMON STOCKS — 89.7%

   

Airlines — 0.4%

   

US Airways Group, Inc. * (a)

    15,825      $ 255,732   
   

 

 

 

Apparel — 0.9%

   

Barry (R.G.) Corp.

    41,634        663,230   
   

 

 

 

Auto Manufacturers — 0.8%

   

Navistar International Corp. *

    16,720        572,994   
   

 

 

 

Auto Parts — 0.7%

   

Modine Manufacturing Co. *

    36,085        470,188   
   

 

 

 

Banks — 11.1%

   

First Horizon National Corp.

    305,455        3,378,332   

Independent Bank Corp. *

    41,430        393,585   

MainSource Financial Group, Inc.

    90,904        1,295,382   

Regions Financial Corp.

    293,635        2,760,169   
   

 

 

 
      7,827,468   
   

 

 

 

Chemicals — 0.5%

   

Ferro Corp. *

    46,614        342,613   
   

 

 

 

Coal — 9.2%

   

Arch Coal, Inc. (a)

    930,584        4,159,710   

Cloud Peak Energy, Inc. *

    146,560        2,306,854   
   

 

 

 
      6,466,564   
   

 

 

 

Commercial Services — 5.3%

   

Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, Inc.

    162,039        1,482,657   

Ardmore Shipping Corp. *

    47,515        649,055   

Baltic Trading, Ltd.

    7,450        33,078   

Hudson Global Inc *

    310,337        850,323   

Insperity, Inc.

    15,741        502,138   

Monster Worldwide, Inc. *

    42,202        189,909   
   

 

 

 
      3,707,160   
   

 

 

 

Computers — 0.6%

   

Xyratex Ltd.

    43,187        439,644   
   

 

 

 

Electronics — 3.3%

   

AU Optronics Corp. SP ADR *

    273,590        1,050,586   

Kemet Corp. *

    265,900        1,090,190   

Pulse Electronics Corp. * (a)

    36,499        146,362   
   

 

 

 
      2,287,138   
   

 

 

 

Healthcare - Products — 0.3%

   

Orthofix International NV *

    10,654        235,134   
   

 

 

 

Healthcare - Services — 3.9%

   

Emeritus Corp. *

    21,120        460,627   

Five Star Quality Care, Inc. *

    434,185        2,253,420   
   

 

 

 
      2,714,047   
   

 

 

 

Home Builders — 6.0%

   

Meritage Homes Corp. *

    83,195        3,321,144   

Taylor Morrison Home Corp., Class A *

    43,480        896,123   
   

 

 

 
      4,217,267   
   

 

 

 

 

    Shares     Value  
   

Household Durables — 2.0%

   

Standard Pacific Corp. * (a)

    196,625      $ 1,403,903   
   

 

 

 

Industrial — 2.0%

   

FreightCar America, Inc.

    78,173        1,405,551   
   

 

 

 

Insurance — 2.7%

   

Aspen Insurance Holdings, Ltd.

    15,995        568,942   

Assured Guaranty, Ltd.

    36,535        726,681   

Employers Holdings, Inc.

    22,320        591,703   
   

 

 

 
      1,887,326   
   

 

 

 

Internet — 1.6%

   

ICG Group, Inc. *

    31,200        390,624   

ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc. *

    272,085        764,559   
   

 

 

 
      1,155,183   
   

 

 

 

Machinery - Diversified — 1.3%

   

Flow International Corp. *

    23,967        80,769   

Intevac, Inc. *

    138,641        830,460   
   

 

 

 
      911,229   
   

 

 

 

Mining — 2.4%

   

Alumina Ltd. SP ADR * (a)

    104,289        368,140   

Hecla Mining Co. (a)

    12,545        42,904   

Stillwater Mining Co. *

    11,190        127,454   

Thompson Creek Metals Co., Inc. * (a)

    316,920        1,172,604   
   

 

 

 
      1,711,102   
   

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Manufacturing — 1.2%

   

Orbotech, Ltd. *

    71,650        865,532   
   

 

 

 

Office Products — 2.3%

   

OfficeMax, Inc.

    147,934        1,608,043   
   

 

 

 

Oil & Gas — 5.8%

   

Willbros Group, Inc *

    198,357        1,807,032   

WPX Energy, Inc. *

    123,034        2,295,814   
   

 

 

 
      4,102,846   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate — 2.9%

   

Forestar Group, Inc. *

    59,668        1,190,973   

Thomas Properties Group, Inc.

    159,095        875,023   
   

 

 

 
      2,065,996   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts — 4.9%

   

NorthStar Realty Finance Corp.

    185,915        1,628,615   

Redwood Trust, Inc. (a)

    35,320        628,343   

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. *

    2,300        30,314   

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. *

    139,403        1,130,558   
   

 

 

 
      3,417,830   
   

 

 

 

Retail — 2.1%

   

MarineMax, Inc. * (a)

    107,656        1,317,709   

Wet Seal Inc./The Class A *

    51,527        188,074   
   

 

 

 
      1,505,783   
   

 

 

 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

9


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

August 31, 2013

 

    Shares     Value  

Savings & Loans — 6.2%

   

Flagstar Bancorp, Inc. * (a)

    302,445      $ 4,385,453   
   

 

 

 

Semiconductors — 3.1%

   

ATMI, Inc. *

    34,124        837,744   

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. *

    593,126        1,174,389   

International Rectifier Corp. *

    5,640        134,683   

Magnachip Semiconductor Corp. *

    2,890        59,101   
   

 

 

 
      2,205,917   
   

 

 

 

Software — 2.5%

   

Avid Technology, Inc. *

    81,760        440,686   

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. *

    72,825        1,337,067   
   

 

 

 
      1,777,753   
   

 

 

 

Telecommunications — 3.7%

   

Aviat Networks, Inc. *

    767,280        1,948,891   

Comverse, Inc. *

    22,585        683,196   
   

 

 

 
      2,632,087   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $48,706,303)

      63,240,713   
   

 

 

 
    Par
(000)
       

CORPORATE BONDS — 1.8%

   

LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc. ‡ CONV
3.25%, 05/15/34

  $ 37        11,473   

Northstar Realty Finance Corp. ^ CONV
7.50%, 03/15/31

    358        543,265   

Pulse Electronics Corp. CONV
7.00%, 12/15/14

    172        122,013   

RAIT Financial Trust CONV
7.00%, 04/01/31

    563        611,911   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(Cost $1,066,453)

      1,288,662   
   

 

 

 
    Shares     Value  

EXCHANGE TRADED FUND — 0.8%

   

Finance — 0.8%

   

iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund

    6,720      $ 584,170   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUND
(Cost $586,566)

      584,170   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL — 10.9%

  

BlackRock Liquidity Fund

    7,702,271        7,702,271   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $7,702,271)

      7,702,271   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 103.2%
(Cost $58,061,593)

      72,815,816   
   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS — (3.2)%

      (2,259,706
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 70,556,110   
   

 

 

 

 

* Non-income producing.
(a) All or a portion of the security is on loan. At August 31, 2013, the market value of securities on loan was $7,292,345.
Holding in default resolution. Value has been determined in good faith by or under the direction of The RBB Fund, Inc’s Board of Directors to be the estimated value of the future payouts under the default resolution. As of August 31, 2013, this holding amounted to $11,473 or 0.0% of net assets and is deemed illiquid pursuant to the Fund’s policies and procedures.
^ Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may not be resold except to qualified institutional buyers. As of August 31, 2013, this security amounted to $543,265 or 0.8% of net assets.
CONV Convertible
SPADR Sponsered American Depository Receipt
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

10


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER VALUE FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2013

 

    Shares     Value  
             

COMMON STOCKS — 93.8%

   

Aerospace & Defense — 1.4%

   

Boeing Co. (The)

    4,520      $ 469,718   
   

 

 

 

Airlines — 1.3%

   

US Airways Group, Inc. * (a)

    27,980        452,157   
   

 

 

 

Automobile Manufacturers — 1.9%

   

Navistar International Corp. *

    19,136        655,791   
   

 

 

 

Automobile Parts & Equipment — 1.4%

   

Magna International, Inc. (a)

    6,060        467,771   
   

 

 

 

Banks — 27.4%

   

Bank of America Corp.

    130,265        1,839,342   

Citigroup, Inc.

    37,919        1,832,625   

Huntington Bancshares, Inc.

    47,220        389,093   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    23,300        1,177,349   

KeyCorp

    37,335        435,699   

Morgan Stanley

    14,855        382,665   

Regions Financial Corp.

    83,405        784,007   

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

    75,809        2,427,404   
   

 

 

 
      9,268,184   
   

 

 

 

Coal — 9.4%

   

Arch Coal, Inc. (a)

    318,480        1,423,606   

Consol Energy, Inc.

    17,315        540,747   

Peabody Energy Corp.

    71,920        1,237,024   
   

 

 

 
      3,201,377   
   

 

 

 

Commercial Services — 1.3%

   

Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, Inc.

    48,027        439,447   
   

 

 

 

Computers — 1.3%

   

Dell, Inc.

    31,556        434,526   
   

 

 

 

Electric — 1.2%

   

FirstEnergy Corp.

    1,190        44,589   

NRG Energy, Inc.

    13,828        362,985   
   

 

 

 
      407,574   
   

 

 

 

Electronics — 0.3%

   

LG Display Co., Ltd. ADR * (a)

    7,170        93,067   
   

 

 

 

Health Care - Services — 2.8%

   

Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. *

    37,360        934,747   
   

 

 

 

Home Builders — 8.6%

   

Lennar Corp., Class A

    20,710        658,785   

Meritage Homes Corp. *

    12,060        481,435   

NVR, Inc. *

    2        1,712   

Taylor Morrison Home Corp., Class A *

    8,080        166,529   

Toll Brothers, Inc. *

    52,865        1,618,198   
   

 

 

 
      2,926,659   
   

 

 

 

Insurance — 12.9%

   

ACE Ltd.

    1,320        115,791   

Allstate Corp., (The)

    18,565        889,635   
    Shares     Value  
             

Insurance — (Continued)

   

American International Group, Inc. *

    23,830      $ 1,107,142   

Assured Guaranty, Ltd.

    37,866        753,155   

Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A *

    12,990        153,282   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

    36,840        1,090,464   

WR Berkley Corp.

    6,510        267,691   
   

 

 

 
      4,377,160   
   

 

 

 

Leisure Time — 1.8%

   

Carnival Corp.

    17,325        625,259   
   

 

 

 

Lodging — 4.0%

   

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

    28,955        1,157,910   

Orient-Express Hotels, Ltd., Class A *

    17,240        208,604   
   

 

 

 
      1,366,514   
   

 

 

 

Mining — 0.5%

   

Alcoa, Inc.

    20,410        157,157   
   

 

 

 

Oil & Gas — 15.8%

   

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

    85,696        2,211,814   

Devon Energy Corp.

    20,320        1,160,069   

Weatherford International, Ltd. *

    66,670        994,050   

WPX Energy, Inc. *

    52,940        987,860   
   

 

 

 
      5,353,793   
   

 

 

 

Telecommunications — 0.5%

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    6,570        153,147   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $24,871,269)

      31,784,048   
   

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUND — 0.1%

   

Finance — 0.1%

   

iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

    535        45,191   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUND
(Cost $35,093)

      45,191   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL — 7.6%

  

 

BlackRock Liquidity Fund

    2,564,546        2,564,546   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $2,564,546)

      2,564,546   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 101.5%
(Cost $27,470,908)

      34,393,785   
   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS — (1.5)%

      (521,344
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 33,872,441   
   

 

 

 

 

* Non-income producing.
(a) All or a portion of the security is on loan. At August 31, 2013, market value of securities on loan was $2,436,601.
ADR American Depository Receipt
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

11


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Statements of Assets & Liabilities

August 31, 2013

 

     Schneider
Small Cap
Value Fund
       Schneider
Value Fund
 

ASSETS

       

Investments, at value †^

   $ 72,815,816         $ 34,393,785   

Cash and cash equivalents

     5,840,143           2,055,415   

Receivables

       

Investment adviser

               5,798   

Investments sold

     390,965             

Dividends and interest

     75,744           50,538   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     14,410           11,626   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

     79,137,078           36,517,162   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

       

Payables

       

Securities lending collateral

     7,702,271           2,564,546   

Investments purchased

     699,621             

Capital shares redeemed

     53,586           9,990   

Investment adviser

     42,575             

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     82,915           70,185   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     8,580,968           2,644,721   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 70,556,110         $ 33,872,441   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

       

Par value

   $ 3,349         $ 2,076   

Paid-in capital

     51,095,218           159,290,822   

Undistributed/accumulated net investment income

               132,641   

Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments

     4,703,320           (132,475,975

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     14,754,223           6,922,877   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $    70,556,110         $ 33,872,441   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     3,348,968           2,076,259   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 21.07         $ 16.31   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

† Investment in securities, at cost

   $ 58,061,593         $ 27,470,908   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

^ Includes market value of securities on loan

   $ 7,292,345         $ 2,436,601   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

12


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Statements of Operations

For the Year Ended August 31, 2013

 

     Schneider
Small Cap
Value Fund
     Schneider
Value Fund
 

Investment Income

     

Dividends †

   $ 946,470       $ 428,376   

Securities Lending Income

     41,636         12,878   

Interest

     95,385         496   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

     1,083,491         441,750   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses

     

Advisory fees

     706,876         240,303   

Administration and accounting fees

     124,885         113,744   

Transfer agent fees

     58,744         57,405   

Professional fees

     47,883         37,317   

Custodian fees

     46,974         22,872   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     23,352         21,148   

Registration and filing fees

     19,275         21,058   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     17,477         9,091   

Insurance fees

     9,590         6,364   

Other expenses

     2,725         2,400   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     1,057,781         531,702   

Less: waivers and reimbursements

     (244,874      (222,594
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     812,907         309,108   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

     270,584         132,642   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

     

Net realized gain from:

     

Investments

     11,809,927         5,225,439   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

     

Investments

     6,471,148         3,779,711   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

     18,281,075         9,005,150   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 18,551,659       $   9,137,792   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

† Net of foreign withholding taxes of

   $       $ (1,698
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

13


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2013
     For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2012
 

Increase in net assets from operations:

     

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ 270,584       $ (428,048

Net realized gain from investments

     11,809,927         2,801,491   

Net change in unrealized appreciation from investments

     6,471,148         8,443,417   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     18,551,659         10,816,860   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital transactions:

     

Proceeds from shares sold

     3,519,305         2,521,948   

Redemption fees *

     13,608         29,495   

Shares redeemed

     (14,219,434      (20,375,734
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from capital share transactions

     (10,686,521      (17,824,291
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

     7,865,138         (7,007,431
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

Beginning of year

     62,690,972         69,698,403   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 70,556,110       $ 62,690,972   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment loss, end of year

   $       $ (428,048
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Share transactions:

     

Shares sold

     176,906         177,643   

Shares redeemed

     (723,734      (1,368,760
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total share transactions

     (546,828      (1,191,117
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* 

There is a 1.75% redemption fee on shares redeemed which have been held less than one year in the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund. The redemption fees are retained by the Fund for the benefit of the remaining shareholders and recorded as paid-in capital.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

14


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER VALUE FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2013
     For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2012
 

Increase in net assets from operations:

     

Net investment income

   $ 132,642       $ 339,821   

Net realized gain from investments

     5,225,439         2,186,018   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investments

     3,779,711         (818,237
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     9,137,792         1,707,602   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

     

Net investment income

     (339,819      (296,010
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (339,819      (296,010
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital transactions:

     

Proceeds from shares sold

     425,034         1,030,485   

Reinvestment of distributions

     327,112         286,585   

Redemption fees *

     332         249   

Shares redeemed

     (19,397,005      (26,949,644
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from capital share transactions

     (18,644,527      (25,632,325
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

     (9,846,554      (24,220,733
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

Beginning of year

     43,718,995         67,939,728   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 33,872,441       $ 43,718,995   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income, end of year

   $ 132,641       $ 339,818   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Share transactions:

     

Shares sold

     30,588         82,574   

Shares reinvested

     24,503         24,042   

Shares redeemed

     (1,401,380      (2,119,352
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total share transactions

     (1,346,289      (2,012,736
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* There is a 1.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed which have been held less than one year in the Schneider Value Fund. The redemption fees are retained by the Fund for the benefit of the remaining shareholders and recorded as paid-in capital.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

15


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share outstanding during each period, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

    For the Years Ended August 31,  
    2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Per Share Operating Performance

         

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 16.09      $ 13.70      $ 13.19      $ 12.34      $ 14.54   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)

    0.08 (1)      (0.11 )      (0.06     (0.11     0.12   

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

    4.90        2.49        0.56        1.01        (2.20
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    4.98        2.38        0.50        0.90        (2.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

         

Net investment income

                         (0.07     (0.18
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

                         (0.07     (0.18
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption fees

    (2)      0.01        0.01        0.02        0.06   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 21.07      $ 16.09      $ 13.70      $ 13.19      $ 12.34   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

    30.95     17.45     3.87     7.48     (13.20 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

  $ 70,556      $ 62,691      $ 69,698      $ 73,243      $ 98,283   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(4)

    1.15     1.15     1.15     1.15     1.14

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and expense reimbursements

    1.50     1.52     1.40     1.43     1.42

Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets(4)

    0.38     (0.64 )%      (0.33 )%      (0.65 )%      0.97

Portfolio turnover rate

    63.87     67.85     59.18     83.39     122.36

 

(1) Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.
(2) Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
(3) Total investment return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(4) Reflects waivers and reimbursements.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

16


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER VALUE FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share outstanding during each period, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

    For the Years Ended August 31,  
    2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  

Per Share Operating Performance

         

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 12.77      $ 12.50      $ 11.72      $ 12.14      $ 16.37   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.10        0.10        0.07        0.08        0.34   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments and foreign currency transactions

    3.58        0.23        0.80        (0.23     (4.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    3.68        0.33        0.87        (0.15     (3.80
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

         

Net investment income

    (0.14     (0.06     (0.09     (0.27     (0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (0.14     (0.06     (0.09     (0.27     (0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption fees(1)

                                  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 16.31      $ 12.77      $ 12.50      $ 11.72      $ 12.14   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(2)

    29.08     2.67     7.35     (1.30 )%      (22.06 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

  $ 33,872      $ 43,719      $ 67,940      $ 98,953      $ 118,467   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(3)

    0.90     0.90     0.90     0.90     0.88

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and expense reimbursements

    1.55     1.28     1.07     1.03     1.14

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(3)

    0.39     0.63     0.31     0.52     2.24

Portfolio turnover rate

    53.08     55.87     67.80     79.30     107.13

 

(1) Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
(2) Total investment return is calculated by assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(3) Reflects waivers and reimbursements.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

17


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2013

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act, and for other purposes, and a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has seventeen active investment portfolios, including the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund (the “Small Cap Value Fund”) and the Schneider Value Fund (the “Value Fund”) (each a “Fund,” collectively the “Funds”), which commenced investment operations on September 2, 1998 and September 30, 2002, respectively. As of the date hereof, each Fund offers Institutional Class shares.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 80.773 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and forty-two classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

PORTFOLIO VALUATION — Each Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Securities held by the Funds are valued using the closing price or the last sale price on a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) market system where they are primarily traded. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Fixed Income securities having a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued using an independent pricing service. Fixed Income securities having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Foreign securities are valued based on prices from the primary market in which they are traded, and are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued based on the NAV of the investment companies (which may use Fair Value Pricing as discussed in their prospectuses). If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT — The inputs and valuations techniques used to measure fair value of the Funds’ investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and

 

  •    Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ 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.

 

18


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

The following summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2013, in valuing the Funds’ investments carried at fair value:

Small Cap Value Fund

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stocks*

   $ 63,240,713       $ 63,240,713       $       $   

Corporate Bonds

     1,288,662                 1,277,189         11,473   

Exchange Traded Fund

     584,170         584,170                   

Securities Lending Collateral

     7,702,271         7,702,271                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 72,815,816       $ 71,527,154       $ 1,277,189       $ 11,473   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Value Fund

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2013
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stocks*

   $ 31,784,048       $ 31,784,048       $       $   

Exchange Traded Fund

     45,191         45,191                   

Securities Lending Collateral

     2,564,546         2,564,546                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 34,393,785       $ 34,393,785       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

* Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for industry and security type breakouts.

Bonds that are priced using quotes derived from implied values, indicative bids, or a limited amount of actual trades are classified as Level 3 assets because the inputs used by the brokers and pricing services to derive the values are not readily observable.

Investments designated as Level 3 may include assets valued using quotes or indications furnished by brokers which are based on models or estimates and may not be executable prices. In light of the developing market conditions, Schneider Capital Management continues to search for observable data points and evaluate broker quotes and indications received for portfolio investments. Determination of fair values is uncertain because it involves subjective judgments and estimates not easily substantiated by auditing procedures.

At the end of each fiscal quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Funds’ investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values the Funds may ultimately realize. Further, such investments may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require each Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between Levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires

 

19


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

a Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when a Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each Level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when a Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the year ended August 31, 2013, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Small Cap Value Fund and the Value Fund.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME, AND EXPENSES — The Funds record security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. Each Fund estimates the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family of the Company are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family (in proportion to net assets). Expenses incurred for all of the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Funds.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION — Foreign securities and other foreign assets and liabilities are valued using the foreign currency exchange rate effective at the end of the reporting period. The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Cost of investments is translated at the currency exchange rate effective at the trade date. The gain or loss resulting from a change in currency exchange rates between the trade and settlement dates of a portfolio transaction is treated as a gain or loss on foreign currency. Likewise, the gain or loss resulting from a change in currency exchange rates, between the date income is accrued and paid, is treated as a gain or loss on foreign currency.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared, recorded on the ex-dividend date and paid at least annually to shareholders. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. TAX STATUS — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is each Fund’s intention to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — The Funds consider liquid assets deposited into a bank demand deposit account to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

OTHER — In the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Funds in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss for such claims is considered remote.

 

20


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

 

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

Schneider Capital Management Company (“SCM” or the “Adviser”) serves as each Fund’s investment adviser. For its advisory services, SCM is entitled to receive 1.00% of the Small Cap Value Fund’s average daily net assets and 0.70% of the Value Fund’s average daily net assets, computed daily and payable monthly.

SCM has contractually agreed to waive its management fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) of the Small Cap Value Fund and the Value Fund exceed 1.15% and 0.90%, respectively. In determining SCM’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2013 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors.

For the year ended August 31, 2013, investment advisory fees and waivers of advisory fees were as follows:

 

     Gross Advisory Fees        Waivers        Net Advisory Fees  

Schneider Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 706,876         $ (244,874      $ 462,002   

Schneider Value Fund

     240,303           (222,594        17,709   

The Funds will not pay SCM at a later time for any amounts it may waive or any amounts that SCM has assumed.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) serves as administrator for the Funds. For providing administration and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Included in the administration and accounting services fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Funds’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Funds. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Funds’ average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Funds’ shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

 

3. Director Compensation

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The aggregate remuneration paid to the Directors by the Funds during the year ended August 31, 2013 was $20,192. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer or Director of the Company. They are not compensated by the Funds or the Company.

 

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2013, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

     Purchases        Sales  

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 42,290,328         $ 56,655,814   

Value Fund

     17,581,358           36,448,151   

 

21


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

 

5. Federal Income Tax Information

The Funds have followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Funds to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Each Fund has determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Funds are subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2013, federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Funds were as follows:

 

     Federal Tax
Cost
       Unrealized
Appreciation
       Unrealized
Depreciation
       Net Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 61,333,607         $ 18,268,911         $ (6,786,702      $ 11,482,209   

Value Fund

     32,284,642           8,750,103           (6,640,960        2,109,143   

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2013, primarily attributable to the net investment loss, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

     Undistributed Net
Investment
Income
       Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)
       Paid-In
Capital
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 157,464         $ (157,464          

As of August 31, 2013, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

     Capital Loss
Carryforwards
     Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
       Undistributed
Long-Term Gains
       Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $       $ 2,519,287         $ 5,456,047         $ 11,482,209   

Value Fund

    
(127,662,241

     132,641                     2,109,143   

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate principally to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reportable as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

 

             Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Total  

Small Cap Value Fund

    2013         $         $         $   
    2012                                 

Value Fund

    2013           339,819                     339,819   
    2012           296,010                     296,010   

Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

 

22


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

Accumulated capital losses represent net capital loss carry forwards as of August 31, 2013 that may be available to offset future realized capital gains and thereby reduce future capital gains distributions. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Modernization Act”), the Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to any losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. The Funds’ first fiscal year end subject to the Modernization Act was August 31, 2012.

As of August 31, 2013, the Funds had the following pre-enactment net capital loss carryforwards to offset future net capital gains, if any, to the extent provided by Treasury regulations. To the extent that these carryforwards are used to offset future capital gains, it is probable that the gains that are offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

 

     August 31, 2016      August 31, 2017      August 31, 2018      August 31, 2019      Total  

Small Cap Value Fund

   $       $       $       $       $   

Value Fund

     6,608,253         75,945,572         42,948,995         2,159,421         127,662,241   

During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Small Cap Value Fund and Value Fund utilized $3,715,556 and $4,640,542 of pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards, respectively.

As of August 31, 2013, the Funds did not have any post-enactment capital loss carryforwards.

 

6. Securities Lending

The Funds may make secured loans of their portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions to earn additional income and receive cash collateral equal to at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities, as marked to market each day that the NAV of the Funds is determined. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The Funds will pay administrative and custodial fees in connection with the loan of securities. Collateral is invested in short-term investments and the Funds will bear the risk of loss of the invested collateral. Securities lending will expose the Funds to the risk of loss should a borrower default on its obligation to return the borrowed securities. The market value of the securities on loan and collateral as of August 31, 2013 and the income received for the year ended August 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

     Fair Value of
Securities Loaned
       Fair Value
of Collateral
       Income Received
from Securities
Lending
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 7,292,345         $ 7,702,271         $ 41,636   

Value Fund

     2,436,601           2,564,546           12,878   

 

7. New Accounting Pronouncement

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities”. ASU 2011-11 requires disclosures to make financial statements that are prepared under U.S. GAAP more comparable to those prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards. The new disclosure requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of assets and liabilities as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In addition, ASU 2011-11 requires disclosure of collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreements or similar arrangements. New disclosures are required for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” This update limits the scope of the ASU No. 2011-11 to derivatives, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, securities borrowing, and securities lending transactions that are either offset in the Statement of

 

23


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2013

 

Assets and Liabilities or are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar arrangements. Management is evaluating the impact of ASU 2011-11 on the Funds’ financial statements and disclosures.

 

8. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and have determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

24


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund and the Schneider Value Fund:

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund and the Schneider Value Fund, separately managed portfolios of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Funds”) at August 31, 2013, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Funds’ management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at August 31, 2013 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 28, 2013

 

25


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Shareholder Tax Information

(Unaudited)

 

Certain tax information regarding the Funds are required to be provided to shareholders based upon each Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2013. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2013. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the tax character of distributions paid by the Funds were as follows:

 

     Ordinary Income
Dividend
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $   

Value Fund

     339,819   

Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

For the Value Fund, the percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the 15% dividend income tax rate is 100.00%.

For the Value Fund, the percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 100.00%.

Because the Funds’ fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2013. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2014.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Funds, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax-exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Funds.

 

26


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Other Information

(Unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 520-3277 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules

The Company files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (202) 551-8090.

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board of the Company, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreements between SCM and the Company (the “Advisory Agreements”) on behalf of the Funds at a meeting of the Board held on May 15, 2013 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Advisory Agreements reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Advisory Agreements, the Board considered information provided by the Adviser with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal of and approval of the Advisory Agreements between the Company and SCM with respect to the Funds, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of SCM’s services provided to the Funds; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of SCM’s personnel providing those services; (iii) SCM’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) SCM’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) SCM’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) SCM’s current advisory fee arrangements with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) SCM’s compliance procedures; (viii) SCM’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Funds; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Funds; (x) a report prepared by Lipper comparing each Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its Lipper peer group and comparing the performance of each Fund to the performance of its Lipper peer group; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of each Fund to the performance of its benchmark.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by SCM. The Directors concluded that SCM had substantial resources to provide services to the Funds and that SCM’s services had been acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Funds and SCM. Information on the Funds’ investment performance was provided since inception and for one-year, three-year, and five-year periods, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The Directors noted that, for the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund, the Fund had significantly outperformed its primary benchmark since inception and over the previous year, while slightly underperforming its benchmark during the three-year and five-year periods. Regarding the Schneider Value Fund’s performance, the Directors noted that stock

 

27


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Other Information (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

selection in the energy sector had generated disappointing results, partially attributing to the Fund’s underperformance as compared to the Russell 1000 Index. The Directors concluded that the investment performance of each of the Funds as compared to their respective benchmarks and Lipper peer groups was acceptable.

The Directors also considered the advisory fee rates payable by the Funds under the Advisory Agreements. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Funds and the Funds’ total operating expense ratios (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. The Directors noted that the advisory fees, after waivers, and actual total expenses of the Funds were all lower than their respective peer group medians. In addition, the Directors noted that SCM had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2013 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 0.90% and 1.15% for the Value Fund and Small Cap Value Fund, respectively.

After reviewing the information regarding SCM’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering SCM’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Funds were fair and reasonable and that the Advisory Agreements should be approved and continued for additional one-year periods ending August 16, 2014.

 

28


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Fund Management

(Unaudited)

 

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their dates of birth, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 520-3277

 

Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
  Position(s) Held
with Fund
 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time Served1

  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund  Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  Other
Directorships
Held by Director
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

  Director   1988 to present   Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications) from 1969 to 2011.   17   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies)

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

  Director   2002 to present   Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.) since 1984; and Director of Cornerstone Bank since March 2004.   17   None

Gregory P. Chandler

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/66

  Director   2012 to present   Since May 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from February 2003-April 2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment banking/brokerage).   17   Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/43

  Director   2006 to present   Consultant, financial services organizations from 1997 to present.   17   Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices); Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust; (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012)

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC, from 2006 to present.   17   None

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; from 1980 to present, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group; from 2006 to 2008, President, The New York City Hot Dog Company.   17   Reich and Tang Group (asset management); The SPARX Asia Funds Group (registered investment company) (until 2009)

 

29


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Fund Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
  Position(s) Held
with Fund
 

Term of Office

and Length of
Time Served1

  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund  Complex
Overseen by
Director*
  Other
Directorships
Held by Director
INTERESTED DIRECTORS2

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

  Director   2012 to present   Since July 2010, Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration, BNY Mellon Asset Servicing; from 2006 to July 2010, Senior Vice President, Fund Accounting and Administration, PNC Global Investment Servicing.   17   None

Robert Sablowsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/38

  Director   1991 to present   Since July 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President, of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).   17   Kensington Funds (registered investment company) (until 2009)
OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD,

CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 209 Chadds Ford, PA 19317

DOB: 12/62

  President and Chief Compliance Officer   President 2009 to present and Chief Compliance Officer 2004 to present   President, Vigilant Compliance Services since 2004; and Director of Energy Income Partnership since 2005.   N/A   N/A

Joel Weiss

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 1/63

  Treasurer   2009 to present   Since 1993 Vice President and Managing Director, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).   N/A   N/A

Jennifer Rogers

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/74

  Secretary   2007 to present   Since 2005, Managing Director and Senior Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).   N/A   N/A

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

  Assistant Treasurer   2005 to present   Since 1995, Vice President and Senior Director of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).   N/A   N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

DOB: 7/59

 

Assistant

Secretary

  1999 to present   Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).   N/A   N/A

 

* Each Director oversees seventeen portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.

 

1 

Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved a waiver of the policy with respect to Mr. Brodsky, Mr. Carnall and Mr. Sablowsky. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

 

2 

Messrs. Sablowsky and Nusblatt are considered “interested persons” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and are referred to as “Interested Directors.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer. Mr. Nusblatt is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as the Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration at BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, administrator and accounting agent and transfer agent to the Company.

 

30


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

FACTS   WHAT DO THE SCHNEIDER VALUE AND SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUNDS (“SCHNEIDER FUNDS”) DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?
Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

•            Social Security number

•            account balances

•            account transactions

•            transaction history

•            wire transfer instructions

•            checking account information

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Schneider Funds choose to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information   Do the Schneider Funds share?   Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

  Yes   No

For our marketing purposes

to offer our products and services to you

  Yes   No
For joint marketing with other financial companies   No   We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

information about your transactions and experiences

  Yes   No

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes

information about your creditworthiness

  No   We don’t share
For our affiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you   No   We don’t share

 

Questions?   Call (888) 520-3277

 

31


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Privacy Notice (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

What we do

 
 
How do the Schneider Funds protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How do the Schneider Funds collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•           open an account

•           provide account information

•           give us your contact information

•           make a wire transfer

•           tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

•           sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

•           affiliates from using your information to market to you

•           sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

Affiliates  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•           Our affiliates include Schneider Capital Management, the investment adviser to the Schneider Funds.

Nonaffiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•           The Schneider Funds don’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. The Schneider Funds may share information with nonaffiliates that perform marketing services on our behalf.

Joint marketing  

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

•           The Schneider Funds do not jointly market.

 

32


Investment Adviser

Schneider Capital Management

460 E. Swedesford Road

Suite 1080

Wayne, PA 19087

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Two Commerce Square, Suite 1700

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042

Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996


 

LOGO

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

Class I Shares

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2013

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund.

It is not authorized for distribution unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Fund.


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

Dear Shareholder:

We are continually grateful for and cognitive of the confidence you have placed in us.

During the first half of 2013, U.S. equities experienced significant gains. The volatility of the market continued throughout May, June, July and August. Though the markets have experienced record highs, they have done so amidst both debt issues and varied U.S. economic data.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Fund’s shares rose 17.78% vs. 16.10% for the S&P 500 Index®.

As we consider recent events and ponder what may lay ahead, we know with more clarity that world events certainly affect the U.S. markets. We also know that U.S. markets affect the world. We do not stand alone, isolated from the world. U.S. companies are global companies. Their revenue and sales, business plans and investments and ultimately success or failure is more correlated to global events than ever in history. As such, we must keep an eye on such events throughout the coming months and years.

In addition to these global and political drivers, companies are unique in how each prepares, responds and survives the impact of world events and economic cycles. While some cycles may vary in length and events differ in impact, we believe, for U.S. equity exposure, the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund approach is effective over full market cycles.

Summit Global Investment’s philosophy to navigate such markets is simple and consistent throughout up and down markets. We believe that being invested in a low volatility equity portfolio over full market cycles provides lower price fluctuations, more consistent and reliable returns with smaller drawdowns and adds increased diversification when combined with other investment strategies. Summit Global Investments approach takes into account each underlying company’s stock volatility, expected market return and how it correlates with other stocks within the portfolio, ultimately seeking to maximize return with an overall lower risk than the cap-weighted benchmark. As stated in the prospectus, the Fund seeks to outperform the S&P 500® Index over a market cycle while reducing overall volatility.

Financial markets are always unpredictable but there are several time-tested investment principles that may help put the odds in your favor. We firmly believe that investing with a long-term, risk-return perspective is key to experiencing superior risk-adjusted returns. While staying the course with a low volatility portfolio doesn’t eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of market volatility.

While we remain optimistic about the opportunities within the U.S. equity market, we remain focused on monitoring the risk of individual companies and the overall portfolio. During these times of uncertainty and volatility, we believe, for U.S. equity exposure the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund approach is warranted.

Sincerely,

Summit Global Investments, LLC

 

1


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

Comparison of Change in Value of $1,000,000 Investment in Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equtity

Fund — Class I Shares

vs. S&P 500®Index

 

LOGO

This chart assumes a hypothetical $1,000,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund’s Class I Shares made on February 29, 2012 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the S&P 500® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

Total Returns as of August 31, 2013

  

     Average Annual  
     One Year     Since
Inception*
 

Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund — Class I Shares

     17.78     12.82

S&P 500® Index**

     16.10     12.21

 

* The Fund commenced operations on February 29, 2012.
** Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Fund only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher. Returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling (855) 744-8500.

The Fund applies a 1.50% fee to the value of shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. This redemption fee is not reflected in the returns shown above. The performance quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2012, are 20.03% and 0.98%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Class I Shares. These rates may fluctuate and may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Fund’s investment adviser has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse certain expenses of the Fund through December 31, 2013 to the extent necessary to ensure that the Fund’s total operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) do not exceed 0.98% (on an annual basis) of the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Expense Limitation”). The Expense Limitation shall remain in effect until December 31, 2015, unless the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. approves its earlier termination.

The Fund invests in common stock, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock and securities convertible into common stock. Portfolio composition is subject to change.

 

2


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Concluded)

August 31, 2013

(Unaudited)

The Fund evaluates performance as compared to that of the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index (“S&P 500®”). The S&P 500® is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of 500 common stocks which are generally representative of the U.S. stock market as a whole. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

 

3


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Fund Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

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

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from March 1, 2013 through August 31, 2013 and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the accompanying 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 Examples for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the accompanying 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 your 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 these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying 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 accompanying 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 were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Class I Shares  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2013
     Ending Account Value
August 31, 2013
     Expenses Paid
During  Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,067.60       $ 5.11   

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00         1,020.27         4.99   

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six month expense ratio of 0.98% for Class I Shares which includes waived fees and reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period multiplied by the number of days (184) in the most recent fiscal half year, then divided by 365 to reflect the one half year period. The Fund’s ending account values on the first line in the table is based on the actual six month total investment return for the Fund of 6.76% for Class I Shares.

 

4


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2013

(unaudited)

The following table presents a summary by sector of the portfolio holdings of the Fund.

 

Security Type/Sector Classification

   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCKS:

    

Pharmaceuticals

     16.8   $ 4,318,101   

Food

     11.5        2,941,239   

Retail

     11.4        2,918,968   

Electric

     7.8        2,000,988   

Commercial Services

     5.0        1,276,522   

Insurance

     4.4        1,117,101   

Healthcare-Products

     4.3        1,091,998   

Internet

     3.9        1,006,733   

Software

     3.8        964,254   

Pipelines

     3.1        792,653   

Healthcare-Services

     3.0        780,270   

Telecommunications

     3.0        778,831   

Environmental Control

     2.7        694,227   

Household Products/Wares

     2.5        653,330   

Oil & Gas

     2.5        652,042   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     2.3        587,430   

Chemicals

     1.7        429,669   

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

     1.0        265,647   

Diversified Financial Services

     1.0        251,355   

Transportation

     0.9        225,075   

Savings & Loans

     0.7        178,034   

Packaging & Containers

     0.6        167,118   

Electronics

     0.6        158,540   

Airlines

     0.5        121,311   

Semiconductors

     0.3        71,594   

Computers

     0.2        55,477   

Media

     0.2        43,349   

Banks

     0.1        25,291   

Apparel

     0.1        22,465   

Biotechnology

     0.1        22,323   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

     4.0        1,026,101   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     100.0   $ 25,638,036   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

5


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2013

 

     Number
of Shares
     Value  

COMMON STOCKS — 96.0%

  

Airlines — 0.5%

     

Southwest Airlines Co.

     9,470       $ 121,311   
     

 

 

 
        121,311   
     

 

 

 

Apparel — 0.1%

     

VF Corp.

     120         22,465   
     

 

 

 
        22,465   
     

 

 

 

Banks — 0.1%

     

US Bancorp

     700         25,291   
     

 

 

 
        25,291   
     

 

 

 

Biotechnology — 0.1%

     

Life Technologies Corp.*

     300         22,323   
     

 

 

 
        22,323   
     

 

 

 
     

Chemicals — 1.7%

     

Sigma-Aldrich Corp.

     5,210         429,669   
     

 

 

 
        429,669   
     

 

 

 

Commercial Services — 5.0%

  

Cintas Corp.

     610         29,134   

Equifax, Inc.

     530         31,318   

McGraw Hill Financial, Inc.

     460         26,850   

Paychex, Inc.

     7,460         288,553   

Total System Services, Inc.

     31,600         874,372   

Western Union Co., (The)

     1,500         26,295   
     

 

 

 
        1,276,522   
     

 

 

 

Computers — 0.2%

     

EMC Corp.

     950         24,491   

International Business Machines Corp.

     170         30,986   
     

 

 

 
        55,477   
     

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services — 1.0%

  

American Express Co.

     290         20,854   

CME Group, Inc.

     320         22,755   

NYSE Euronext

     4,970         207,746   
     

 

 

 
        251,355   
     

 

 

 

Electric — 7.8%

     

CMS Energy Corp.

     980         25,999   

Consolidated Edison, Inc.

     540         30,364   

Dominion Resources, Inc.

     560         32,676   

DTE Energy Co.

     510         34,104   

Northeast Utilities

     15,310         627,251   

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

     6,290         341,358   

PPL Corp.

     800         24,559   

SCANA Corp.

     1,840         88,541   
     Number
of Shares
     Value  
     

Electric — (Continued)

     

Southern Co., (The)

     610       $ 25,388   

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

     4,800         196,992   

Xcel Energy, Inc.

     20,550         573,756   
     

 

 

 
        2,000,988   
     

 

 

 

Electronics — 0.6%

     

FLIR Systems, Inc.

     4,310         134,817   

Waters Corp.*

     240         23,723   
     

 

 

 
        158,540   
     

 

 

 

Environmental Control — 2.7%

  

Republic Services, Inc.

     730         23,732   

Waste Management, Inc.

     16,580         670,495   
     

 

 

 
        694,227   
     

 

 

 

Food — 11.5%

     

Campbell Soup Co.

     580         25,044   

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

     710         24,012   

General Mills, Inc.

     3,580         176,566   

Hershey Co., (The)

     5,450         501,128   

Hormel Foods Corp.

     18,700         774,741   

Kellogg Co.

     11,870         720,628   

McCormick & Co., Inc.

     10,630         719,120   
     

 

 

 
        2,941,239   
     

 

 

 

Healthcare-Products — 4.3%

  

CareFusion Corp.*

     700         25,095   

CR Bard, Inc.

     270         31,015   

Patterson Cos., Inc.

     3,430         136,788   

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

     7,460         376,059   

Stryker Corp.

     300         20,067   

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.*

     6,870         483,992   

Zimmer Holdings, Inc.

     240         18,982   
     

 

 

 
        1,091,998   
     

 

 

 

Healthcare-Services — 3.0%

  

Cigna Corp.

     340         26,755   

Humana, Inc.

     270         24,862   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*

     7,380         706,414   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     310         22,239   
     

 

 

 
        780,270   
     

 

 

 

Household Products/Wares — 2.5%

  

Clorox Co., (The)

     7,900         653,330   
     

 

 

 
        653,330   
     

 

 

 
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

6


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2013

 

     Number
of Shares
     Value  

Insurance — 4.4%

  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*

     180       $ 20,020   

CHUBB Corp. (The)

     210         17,466   

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

     530         24,210   

Loews Corp.

     14,070         625,552   

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

     6,010         247,792   

Progressive Corp., (The)

     930         23,315   

Torchmark Corp.

     1,910         131,580   

Travelers Cos, Inc., (The)

     340         27,166   
     

 

 

 
        1,117,101   
     

 

 

 

Internet — 3.9%

  

Google, Inc., Class A*

     840         711,396   

Yahoo!, Inc.*

     10,890         295,337   
     

 

 

 
        1,006,733   
     

 

 

 

Media — 0.2%

  

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., Class A

     300         22,059   

Walt Disney Co., (The)

     350         21,290   
     

 

 

 
        43,349   
     

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Manufacturing — 1.0%

  

General Electric Co.

     11,480         265,647   
     

 

 

 
        265,647   
     

 

 

 

Oil & Gas — 2.5%

     

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

     920         36,000   

ConocoPhillips

     510         33,813   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     6,680         582,229   
     

 

 

 
        652,042   
     

 

 

 

Packaging & Containers — 0.6%

  

Bemis Co., Inc.

     4,200         167,118   
     

 

 

 
        167,118   
     

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals — 16.8%

  

Abbott Laboratories

     14,850         494,949   

Actavis, Inc.*

     205         27,712   

Cardinal Health, Inc.

     590         29,665   

Eli Lilly & Co.

     13,850         711,890   

Forest Laboratories, Inc.*

     690         29,346   

Johnson & Johnson

     8,440         729,300   

McKesson Corp.

     6,530         792,807   

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.

     230         17,257   

Mylan, Inc*

     820         28,979   

Perrigo Co.

     6,380         775,489   

Pfizer, Inc.

     24,130         680,707   
     

 

 

 
        4,318,101   
     

 

 

 
     Number
of Shares
     Value  

Pipelines — 3.1%

     

Spectra Energy Corp.

     23,940       $ 792,653   
     

 

 

 
        792,653   
     

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts — 2.3%

  

American Tower Corp.

     340         23,627   

Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A

     12,730         350,457   

HCP, Inc.

     560         22,809   

Health Care REIT, Inc.

     1,920         117,965   

Kimco Realty Corp.

     1,050         21,032   

Public Storage

     150         22,900   

Ventas, Inc.

     460         28,640   
     

 

 

 
        587,430   
     

 

 

 

Retail — 11.4%

  

Costco Wholesale Corp.

     5,560         621,997   

Dollar General Corp.*

     450         24,286   

Dollar Tree, Inc.*

     620         32,674   

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

     7,610         541,756   

Home Depot, Inc.,(The)

     240         17,878   

Kohl’s Corp.

     170         8,723   

Macy’s, Inc.

     7,920         351,886   

McDonald’s Corp.

     3,100         292,516   

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*

     210         25,769   

PetSmart, Inc.

     5,430         382,435   

Tiffany & Co.

     240         18,506   

Walgreen Co.

     560         26,919   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

     7,860         573,623   
     

 

 

 
        2,918,968   
     

 

 

 

Savings & Loans — 0.7%

  

People’s United Financial, Inc.

     12,520         178,034   
     

 

 

 
        178,034   
     

 

 

 

Semiconductors — 0.3%

  

Intel Corp.

     1,010         22,200   

Linear Technology Corp.

     590         22,615   

Microchip Technology, Inc.

     690         26,779   
     

 

 

 
        71,594   
     

 

 

 

Software — 3.8%

  

Adobe Systems, Inc.*

     610         27,908   

BMC Software, Inc.*

     2,420         111,320   

Dun & Bradstreet Corp., (The)

     240         23,875   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

     17,370         772,270   
 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

7


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

August 31, 2013

 

     Number
of Shares
     Value  

Software — (Continued)

     

Fiserv, Inc.*

     300       $ 28,881   
     

 

 

 
        964,254   
     

 

 

 

Telecommunications — 3.0%

     

AT&T, Inc.

     6,850         231,736   

Crown Castle International Corp.*

     300         20,825   

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

     480         26,885   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     10,540         499,385   
     

 

 

 
        778,831   
     

 

 

 

Transportation — 0.9%

     

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

     2,630         225,075   
     

 

 

 
        225,075   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $23,726,439)

        24,611,935   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 96.0%
(Cost $23,726,439)

        24,611,935   
     

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
LIABILITIES — 4.0%

        1,026,101   
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

      $ 25,638,036   
     

 

 

 

 

* Non-income producing security.

REIT Real Estate Investment Trusts

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

8


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2013

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (Cost $23,726,439)

   $ 24,611,935   

Cash

     1,996,887   

Receivables for:

  

Capital shares sold

     17,775   

Dividends

     57,201   

Receivable from Investment Adviser (See Note 2)

     16,463   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     7,429   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     26,707,690   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables for:

  

Capital shares redeemed

     1,009,086   

Administration and accounting services fees

     15,692   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     64   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     44,812   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,069,654   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 25,638,036   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF

  

Par value

   $ 2,163   

Paid-in capital

     24,103,662   

Undistributed net investment income

     142,225   

Accumulated net realized gain from investments

     504,490   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     885,496   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 25,638,036   
  

 

 

 

I SHARES:

  

Net Assets applicable to Class I Shares

   $ 25,638,036   
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)

     2,162,896   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 11.85   
  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

9


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Statement of Operations

August 31, 2013

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends and interest

   $ 304,639   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     304,639   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     91,823   

Administration and accounting services fees (Note 2)

     87,191   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     66,040   

Audit fees

     26,079   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     24,106   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     18,087   

Registration and filing fees

     13,223   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     12,554   

Legal fees

     7,528   

Other expenses

     12,773   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     359,404   

Less: waivers and reimbursements (Note 2)

     (230,851
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     128,553   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     176,086   
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized gain from:

  

Investments

     540,905   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on:

  

Investments

     788,121   
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

     1,329,026   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 1,505,112   
  

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

10


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Period Ended
August 31, 2012(1)
 

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

    

Net investment income

   $ 176,086      $ 12,290   

Net realized gain from investments

     540,905        22,649   

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments

     788,121        97,375   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     1,505,112        132,314   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

    

Class I Shares

    

Net investment income

     (44,910     —     

Net realized gains

     (60,335     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders.

     (105,245     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:

    

Class I Shares

    

Proceeds from shares sold

     25,571,238        3,597,193   

Reinvestment of distributions

     105,245        —     

Shares redeemed

     (5,040,783     (127,059

Redemption fees

     21        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

     20,635,721        3,470,134   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     22,035,588        3,602,448   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    

Beginning of period

     3,602,448        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 25,638,036      $ 3,602,448   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income, end of period

   $ 142,225      $ 12,290   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

    

Class I Shares

    

Shares sold

     2,227,473        366,392   

Shares reinvested

     10,248        —     

Shares redeemed

     (428,636     (12,581
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in shares

     1,809,085        353,811   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The Fund commenced investment operations on February 29, 2012.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

11


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Financial Highlights

Contained below is per share operating performance data for shares outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for the representative periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

     Class I Shares  
     For the Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the Period
February 29, 2012 to
August 31, 2012(1)
 

Per Share Operating Performance

    

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 10.18      $ 10.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(2)

     0.15        0.08   

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments(3)

     1.64        0.10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from operations

     1.79        0.18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

    

Net investment income

     (0.05     —     

Net realized gains

     (0.07     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Distributions

     (0.12     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 11.85      $ 10.18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(4)

     17.78     1.80 %(5) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

    

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

   $ 25,638      $ 3,602   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements

     0.98     0.98 %(6) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements

     2.74     20.03 %(6) 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

     1.34     1.64 %(6) 

Portfolio turnover rate

     81     95 %(5) 

 

(1) The Fund commenced investment operations on February 29, 2012.
(2) The selected per share data was calculated based on average shares outstanding method for the period.
(3) The amount shown may not correlate with the change in the aggregate gains and losses due to the timing of sales and purchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to fluctuating market values for the Fund’s portfolio.
(4) Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares on the first day and a sale of shares on the last day of each period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.
(5) Not annualized.
(6) Annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

12


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2013

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on February 29, 1988 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “Investment Company Act”) as an open-end management investment company. RBB is a “series fund,” which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios. Each portfolio is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the Investment Company Act, and for other purposes, and, a shareholder of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. Currently, RBB has seventeen active investment portfolios, including the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on February 29, 2012. As of August 31, 2013, the Fund offers three classes of shares, Class A Shares, Retail Shares and Class I Shares. As of August 31, 2013, Class A Shares and Retail Shares have not been issued.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 80.773 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and forty-two classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio. The Fund has issued shares with a par value of $0.001.

Portfolio Valuation – The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated once daily at the close of regular trading hours on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open. Securities held by the Fund are valued using the closing price or the last sale price on a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) market system where they are primarily traded. Equity securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at their closing prices. If there were no transactions on that day, securities traded principally on an exchange or on NASDAQ will be valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close. Investments in other open-end investment companies, if any, are valued based on the NAV of those investment companies (which may use fair value pricing as disclosed in their prospectuses). If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors. Relying on prices supplied by pricing services or dealers or using fair valuation may result in values that are higher or lower than the values used by other investment companies and investors to price the same investments.

Fair Value Measurements – The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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.); and
     Level 3       significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’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.

 

13


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2013, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

     Total Value at
August 31,
2013
     Level 1
Quoted

Price
     Level 2
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 24,611,935       $ 24,611,935         —           —     

 

* Please refer to Portfolio of Investments for further details.

At the end of each calendar quarter, management evaluates the classification of Levels 1, 2 and 3 assets and liabilities. Various factors are considered, such as changes in liquidity from the prior reporting period; whether or not a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price; the depth and consistency of prices from third party pricing services; and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the classification of Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

For fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs, U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) require the Fund to present a reconciliation of the beginning to ending balances for reported market values that presents changes attributable to total realized and unrealized gains or losses, purchase and sales, and transfers in and out of Level 3 during the period. Transfers in and out between Levels are based on values at the end of the period. U.S. GAAP also requires the Fund to disclose amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented only when the Fund had an amount of Level 3 investments at the end of the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets. The amounts and reasons for all transfers in and out of each Level within the three-tier hierarchy are disclosed when the Fund had an amount of total transfers during the reporting period that was meaningful in relation to its net assets as of the end of the reporting period.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Fund.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

Investment Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses — The Fund records security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund’s policy is to allocate investment income, expenses and unrealized and realized gains and losses among classes on a daily basis, when applicable. Expenses incurred on behalf of a specific class, fund or fund family are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class at the beginning of the day. Expenses incurred for all the RBB funds (such as director or professional fees) are charged to all funds in proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Company’s Board of Directors deems fair or equitable. Expenses and fees, including investment advisory and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Fund.

 

14


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly. Net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid annually. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

U.S. Tax Status — No provision is made for U.S. income taxes as it is the Fund’s intention to qualify for and elect the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to its shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve it from U.S. income and excise taxes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Funds consider liquid assets deposited into a bank demand deposit account to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay Fund expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

Redemption Fees — The Fund retains a redemption fee of 1.50% on redemptions of Fund shares held less than 60 days. The fees are reflected on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fees or waivers at any time.

Other — In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

Summit Global Investments, LLC (“Summit” or the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. For its advisory services, the Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly fee from the Fund calculated at an annual rate of 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Summit has contractually agreed to waive its management fees and/or reimburse expenses, to the extent that total annual operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 1.23% of the average daily net assets for Class A Shares and Retail Shares (Class A Shares and Retail Shares have not commenced operations as of August 31, 2013) and 0.98% of the average daily net assets for Class I Shares. In determining Summit’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2015 and may not be terminated before December 31, 2013 without approval by the Company’s Board of Directors. For the year ended August 31, 2013, investment advisory fees accrued and waived were $91,823 and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser were $139,028.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Included in the administration and accounting service fees, shown on the Statement of Operations, are fees for providing regulatory administration services to RBB. For providing these services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive compensation as agreed to by the Company and BNY Mellon. This fee is allocated to each portfolio of the Company in proportion to its net assets of the Company.

 

15


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2013

In addition, BNY Mellon serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing these transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Fund. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to certain minimum monthly fees.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC, serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of Fund’s shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

3. Director Compensation

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. The aggregate remuneration paid to the Directors by the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2013 was $7,936. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer or Director of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company.

4. Investment in Securities

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  

Investment Securities

   $ 30,084,368       $ 10,137,301   

5. Federal Income Tax Information

The Fund has followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Fund to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Fund has determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Fund is subject to examination by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable, for tax years for which applicable statutes of limitations have not expired.

As of August 31, 2013, the federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

 

Federal tax cost

   $ 23,744,527   
  

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation.

   $ 1,168,132   

Gross unrealized depreciation.

     (300,724
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 867,408   
  

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders, if any, from net investment income and realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements. To the extent these differences are permanent, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on the tax treatment; temporary differences do not require such reclassification.

 

16


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2013

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2013, primarily attributable to redesignation of dividend paid, reclassifications of short-term capital gain distributions and return of capital were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

   

Undistributed

Net Investment

Income

 

Accumulated

Net Realized

Gain/(Loss)

 

Paid-In

Capital

   
 

$(1,241)

  $1,271   $(30)  

As of August 31, 2013, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   

Undistributed

Ordinary Income

 

Undistributed

Long-Term Gains

 

Net Unrealized

Appreciation

   
  $643,787   $21,016   $867,408  

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate primarily to the timing of recognition of income and gains for federal income tax purposes. Short-term and foreign currency gains are reported as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 was as follows:

 

   

Ordinary

Income

 

Long-Term

Gains

 

Total

   
  $105,245   $—     $105,245  

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Modernization Act”), the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. The Fund’s first fiscal year-end subject to the Modernization Act was August 31, 2012. As of August 31, 2013, the Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

6. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund though the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

17


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of the

The RBB Fund, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund (one of the series constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) (the “Fund”) as of August 31, 2013, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, and the statements of changes in net assets and financial highlights for the year then ended and for the period February 29, 2012 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2012. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2013, by correspondence with the custodian. 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 the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund of The RBB Fund, Inc. at August 31, 2013, the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and its financial highlights for the year then ended and for the period February 29, 2012 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 25, 2013

 

18


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Shareholder Tax Information

(Unaudited)

Certain tax information is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended August 31, 2013. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ending December 31, 2013. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Fund paid $105,245 of ordinary income dividends to its shareholders. Dividends from net investment income and short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income dividends for federal income tax purposes.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the 15% dividend income tax rate is 30.23%.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends paid qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 34.19%.

The Fund designates 100% of the ordinary income distributions as qualified short-term gain pursuant to the American Job Creation Act of 2004.

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2013. The second notification, which will reflect the amount, if any, to be used by calendar year taxpayers on their U.S. federal income tax returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099-DIV and will be mailed in January 2014.

Foreign shareholders will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the amount of their ordinary income dividends. They will generally not be entitled to a foreign tax credit or deduction for the withholding taxes paid by the Fund, if any.

In general, dividends received by tax-exempt recipients (e.g., IRAs and Keoghs) need not be reported as taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, some retirement trusts (e.g., corporate, Keogh and 403(b)(7) plans) may need this information for their annual information reporting.

Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund.

 

19


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Other Information

(Unaudited)

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent six-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (855) 744-8500 and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules

The Company will file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third fiscal quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. The Company’s Forms N-Q will be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (202) 551-8090.

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements

As required by the Investment Company Act, the Board of the Company, including all of the Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (the “Independent Directors”), considered the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Summit and the Company (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund at a meeting of the Board held on May 15, 2013 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Advisory Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement. In approving the Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by the Adviser with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal of and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and Summit with respect to the Fund, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting and at other meetings throughout the past year, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of Summit’s services provided to the Fund; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of Summit’s personnel providing those services; (iii) Summit’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Summit’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Summit’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) Summit’s current advisory fee arrangement with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) Summit’s compliance procedures; (viii) Summit’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Fund; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; (x) a report prepared by Lipper comparing the Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its Lipper peer group and comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its Lipper peer group; and (xi) a report comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its benchmark.

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Summit. The Directors concluded that Summit had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund and that Summit’s services had been acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund and Summit. Information on the Fund’s investment performance was provided since inception, for a one-year period, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. The Directors considered the Fund’s investment performance in light of its investment objective and investment strategies. The Directors concluded that the investment performance of the Fund as compared to its benchmark was acceptable. The Directors also considered the Fund’s investment performance as compared to its Lipper peer group for the year ended February 28, 2013, noting the Fund had outperformed the Lipper performance group median.

 

20


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Other Information (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

The Directors also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Fund and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio (before and after fee waivers and expense reimbursements) were compared to similar information for mutual funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. The Directors noted that the advisory fees of the Fund, before and after waivers, were lower than the peer group median and the actual total expenses of the Fund were at the median of the peer group. In addition, the Directors noted that Summit has contractually agreed to limit total annual operating expenses to 0.98% of the Fund’s average daily net assets through at least December 31, 2013 and that Summit expects to continue these fee waivers and expense reimbursements.

The Directors also considered Summit’s profitability, including the information included in the balance sheet provided during Summit’s presentation. The Directors also noted that Summit anticipates reaching a level of Fund assets in the next three months that would constitute the break-even point where Summit’s costs of running the Fund will be covered by the advisory fee.

After reviewing the information regarding the Fund’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering Summit’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Fund were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 16, 2014.

 

21


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

FACTS

  

WHAT DOES THE SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY

FUND DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

Why?

   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

What?

  

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information may include:

 

•   Social Security number

 

•   account balances

 

•   account transactions

 

•   transaction history

 

•   wire transfer instructions

 

•   checking account information

 

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?

   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your information

  

Does the Summit Global
Investments U.S. Low
Volatility Equity Fund
Share?

  

Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purpose —

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

   Yes    No

For our marketing purposes —

to offer our products and services to you

   Yes    No

For joint marketing with other financial companies

   Yes    No

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your transactions and experiences

   Yes    No

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —

information about your creditworthiness

   No    We don’t share

For our affiliates to market to you

   No    We don’t share

For nonaffiliates to market to you

   No    We don’t share

Questions?

 

Call 1-888-251-4847 or go to www.summitglobalinvestments.com

 

22


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

What we do

  

How does the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund protect my personal information?

   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

How does the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equiy Fund collect my personal information?

  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

•    open an account

 

•    provide account information

 

•    give us your contact information

 

•    make a wire transfer

 

•    tell us where to send the money

 

We also collect your information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

•    sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness

 

•    affiliates from using your information to market to you

 

•    sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions

  

Affiliates

  

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•     Our affiliates include Summit Global Investments, LLC, the investment adviser to the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund.

Nonaffiliates

  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

•     Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund doesn’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

  

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

•     Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund may share your information with other financial institutions with whom they have joint marketing arrangements who may suggest additional fund services or other investments products which may be of interest to you. We do not currently have any joint marketing arrangements with other financial institutions.

 

23


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Fund Management

(Unaudited)

The business and affairs of the Company are managed under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is organized under and managed pursuant to Maryland law. The Directors and executive officers of the Company, their dates of birth, business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. The statement of additional information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (855) 744-8500.

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

  

Position(s)

Held

with Fund

  

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served 1

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Director*

  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

   Director    1988 to present    Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications) from 1969 to 2011.    17    AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommu- nications companies)

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

   Director    2002 to present    Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.) since 1984; and Director of Cornerstone Bank since March 2004.    17    None

Gregory P. Chandler

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/66

   Director    2012 to present    Since May 2009, Chief Financial Officer, Emtec, Inc. (information technology consulting/services); from February 2003-April 2009, Managing Director, head of Business Services and IT Services Practice, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (investment Banking/brokerage).    17    Emtec, Inc.; FS Investment Corporation (business development company); FS Energy and Power Fund (business development company).

Nicholas A. Giordano

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/43

   Director    2006 to present    Consultant, financial services organizations from 1997 to present.    17    Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices); Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust; (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds; (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012)

 

24


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Fund Management (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

  

Position(s)

Held

with Fund

  

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served 1

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Director*

  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

   Chairman Director    2005 to present 1991 to present    Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC, from 2006 to present.    17    None

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

   Director    2006 to present    Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; from 1980 to present, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group; from 2006 to 2008, President, The New York City Hot Dog Company.    17    Reich and Tang Group (asset management); The SPARX Asia Funds Group (registered investment company) (until 2009)

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

  

Position(s)

Held with

Fund

  

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served 1

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Director*

  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

INTERESTED DIRECTORS 2

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

   Director    2012 to present    Since July 2010, Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration, BNY Mellon Asset Servicing; from 2006 to July 2010, Senior Vice President, Fund Accounting and Administration, PNC Global Investment Servicing.    17    None

Robert Sablowsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/38

   Director    1991 to present    Since July 2002, Senior Vice President and prior thereto, Executive Vice President of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. (a registered broker-dealer).    17    Kensington Funds (registered investment company) (until 2009)

 

25


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Fund Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

  

Position(s)

Held

with Fund

  

Term of Office

and Length of

Time Served 1

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

  

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Director*

  

Other

Directorships

Held

by Director

OFFICERS
Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE Vigilant Compliance Services Brandywine Two 5 Christy Drive, Suite 209 Chadds Ford, PA 19317 DOB: 12/62    President and Chief Compliance Officer    President 2009 to present and Chief Compliance Officer 2004 to present    President, Vigilant Compliance Services since 2004; and Director of Energy Income Partnership since 2005.    N/A    N/A

Joel Weiss

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 1/63

   Treasurer    2009 to present    Since 1993 Vice President and Managing Director, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).    N/A    N/A

Jennifer Rogers

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/74

   Secretary    2007 to present    Since 2005, Managing Director and Senior Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).    N/A    N/A

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

   Assistant Treasurer    2005 to present    Since 1995, Vice President and Senior Director of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company).    N/A    N/A

Michael P. Malloy

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

DOB: 7/59

   Assistant Secretary    1999 to present    Since 1993, Partner, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (law firm).    N/A    N/A

 

* Each Director oversees seventeen portfolios of the Company that are currently offered for sale.
1 

Subject to the Company’s Retirement Policy, each Director may continue to serve as a Director until the last day of the calendar year in which the applicable Director attains age 75 or until his successor is elected and qualified or his death, resignation or removal. The Board reserves the right to waive the requirements of the Policy with respect to an individual Director. The Board has approved a waiver of the policy with respect to Mr. Brodsky, Mr. Carnall and Mr. Sablowsky. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors until the next special meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns or is removed.

2 

Messrs. Sablowsky and Nusblatt are considered “interested persons” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and are referred to as “Interested Directors.” Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as a senior officer of Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., a registered broker-dealer. Mr. Nusblatt is considered an “Interested Director” of the Company by virtue of his position as the Head of U.S. Fund Accounting and Administration at BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, administrator and accounting agent and transfer agent to the Company.

 

26


Investment Adviser

Summit Global Investments, LLC

620 South Main Street

Bountiful, UT 84010

Administrator

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Principal Underwriter

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC

400 Berwyn Park

899 Cassatt Road

Berwyn, PA 19312

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

One Wall Street

New York, NY 10286

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP

One Commerce Square

2005 Market Street, Suite 700

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Legal Counsel

Drinker, Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

    

 

(a)

  

The registrant, as of the end of the period covered by this report, has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.

 

(c)

  

There have been no amendments, during the period covered by this report, to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics description.

 

(d)

  

The registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s board of directors has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee. Julian A. Brodsky, Gregory P. Chandler and Nicholas A. Giordano are the registrant’s audit committee financial experts and each of them is “independent.”

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Audit Fees

 

 

(a)

  

The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years were:

 

     

Fiscal Year 2013

 

  

Fiscal Year 2012

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

  

$173,916

 

  

$195,275

 

Ernst & Young LLP

 

  

$286,625

 

  

$258,225

 

Aggregate Fees

 

  

$460,541

 

  

$453,500

 


Audit-Related Fees
 

(b)

  

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were $0 for 2013 and $0 for 2012.

Tax Fees
 

(c)

  

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning were:

 

     

Fiscal Year 2013

 

  

Fiscal Year 2012

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

  

$0

 

  

$0

 

Ernst & Young LLP

 

  

$45,198.65

 

  

$12,375

 

Aggregate Fees

 

  

$45,198.65

 

  

$12,375

 

These fees were for the review of excise tax returns and passive foreign investment company (PFICs) analysis.

 

All Other Fees
  (d)   

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item were $0 for 2013 and $0 for 2012.

  (e)(1)   

Disclose the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

   Pre-Approval of Audit and Permitted Non-Audit Services

    

 

  

 

1.

    

Pre-Approval Requirements of the Company. The Committee shall pre-approve all auditing services and permissible non-audit services (e.g., tax services) to be provided to the Company by the Auditor, including the fees associated with those services.

   

2.

    

Pre-Approval Requirements of Affiliates. Additionally, the Committee shall pre-approve any engagement of the Auditor to provide non-audit services to an investment adviser of a Portfolio or to any affiliate of such investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Company, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Company.

   

3.

    

Delegation. The Committee may delegate to the Chairman of the Committee, or if the Chairman is not available, one or more of its members, the authority to grant pre-approvals. The decisions of any member to whom authority is delegated shall be presented to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting.


   

4.

    

Prohibited Services. The Committee shall confirm with the Auditor that the Auditor is not performing contemporaneously with the Company’s audit any prohibited non-audit services for the Company, any investment adviser of a Portfolio, or any affiliates of the Company or such investment advisers. The Auditor is responsible for informing the Committee of whether it believes that a particular service is permissible or prohibited pursuant to applicable regulations and standards.

  (e)(2)   

The percentage of services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are as follows:

(b) Not Applicable

(c) 100%

(d) Not Applicable

 

 

(f)

  

The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees was 0%.

 

(g)

  

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant were:

 

     

Fiscal Year 2013

 

  

Fiscal Year 2012

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

  

$0

 

  

$0

 

Ernst & Young LLP

 

  

$84,500

 

  

96,875

 

Aggregate Fees

 

  

$84,500

 

  

$96,875

 

 

    

 

(h)

  

Not applicable.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed registrants.

Not applicable.


Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)

Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b)

Not applicable.

 

Item 7.

  

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

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

 

Item 9.

  

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

Not applicable.

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

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

 

(a)

  

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).


 

(b)

  

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

  (a)(1)   

Senior Officer Code of Ethics, or any amendment thereto, that is the subject of disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto.

  (a)(2)   

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

  (a)(3)   

Not applicable.

  (b)   

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

(12.other) Not applicable.


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.

 

(Registrant)

  

The RBB Fund, Inc.

  

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

    /s/ Salvatore Faia

  
 

    Salvatore Faia, President

  
 

    (principal executive officer)

  

 

Date

 

    11/01/13

  

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/ Salvatore Faia

  
  

    Salvatore Faia, President

  
  

    (principal executive officer)

  

 

Date

 

    11/01/13

  

 

By (Signature and Title)*

  

    /s/ Joel Weiss

  
  

    Joel Weiss, Treasurer

  
  

    (principal financial officer)

  

 

Date

 

    11/01/13

  

 

* 

Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.