N-CSR 1 d15542dncsr.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, 2015

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.


 

LOGO

ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

of

THE RBB FUND, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2015

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.


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISER’S REPORT

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

Dear Shareholder,

The Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) Class I Shares returned +18.46% net of fees for the year ended August 31, 2015, outperforming the Barclay CTA Index and S&P 500 Total Return Index, which returned +4.01% and +0.48%, respectively. The fiscal year commenced with relatively strong trends in bond, currency and commodity markets, before corrections in these sectors and choppy trading conditions in global equity markets pared gains. The strength of earlier trends ultimately benefited the Fund’s core allocation to trend following systems, through its investment in the Abbey Capital Offshore Fund Limited (the “ACOF”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. The Fund invests up to 25% of its assets in the ACOF.

 

 

   YEAR  2014,
SINCE

INCEPTION
  2015 YTD   SEPT. 1, 2014 TO
AUG. 31, 2015
  ANNUALIZED SINCE
INCEPTION ON

JULY 1, 2014

Class I Shares

       18.64 %       3.44 %       18.46 %       19.17 %*

Class A Shares

       18.50 %       3.27 %       18.17 %       18.89 %**

Class A Shares (max Load)***

       11.69 %       (2.68 %)       11.40 %       13.01 %**

BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month T-Bill Index

       0.01 %       0.02 %       0.03 %       0.03 %

S&P 500 Total Return Index

       6.12 %       (2.88 %)       0.48 %       2.61 %

Barclay CTA Index

       6.95 %       (1.26 )%       4.01 %       4.77 %

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. Visit www.abbeycapital.com for returns updated daily. Call (US Toll Free) 1-844-261-6484 or (international callers) + 1-508-871-3276 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 2.63% and 2.38%, and the Fund’s net operating expense ratio is 2.24% and 1.99% for Class A Shares and Class I Shares, respectively. Abbey Capital Limited has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 2.24% and 1.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares and Class I Shares, respectively. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors.

* The inception date of the Class I Shares was July 1, 2014.

** The inception date of the Class A Shares was August 29, 2014. The performance of Class A Shares of the Fund for periods prior to August 29, 2014 represents the performance of Class I Shares adjusted to reflect the expenses of Class A Shares. The Fund charges a 5.75% maximum sales charge (load) on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) of Class A Shares.

*** The Fund charges a 5.75% maximum sales charge (load) on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) of Class A Shares. The returns shown reflect a deduction of the maximum front-end sales charge of 5.75%.

Market Commentary

Monetary policy continued to be a key driver of markets for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, with contrasting approaches between the US Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) and most other central banks particularly evident in the first half of the period. The Fed completed the tapering of its asset-purchase program in October 2015, a month after the European Central Bank (the “ECB”) reduced interest rates for the second time that year. This continued divergence in policy widened the yield spread between the two regions, accelerating the downtrend in EUR/USD that commenced in May 2014, and supporting a strong rally in eurozone bonds. These trends were provided with further momentum in January 2015 as the ECB confirmed its intention to expand its current stimulus programme to include purchases of sovereign debt.

 

1


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISER’S REPORT (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

Concurrent with strong trends in currencies and bonds, several commodity markets extended 2014’s declines into Q1 2015. Concerns surrounding global growth initially impacted energy demand in the second half of 2014, helping to build crude oil stockpiles well above their long-run average. The combination of a weak economic outlook and a global supply glut weighed heavily on the market, with WTI crude falling to close to $45 by March of this year, ultimately contributing to global deflationary pressures experienced as the year progressed.

The latter part of the period was characterised by corrections or reversals in several markets, as investors digested changing expectations for the timing of a US interest rate hike, protracted talks between Greece and its creditors, and sharp spikes in financial market volatility. General improvements in US macroeconomic data increased speculation of a June 2015 interest rate increase by the Fed; expectations were revised, however, as policymakers cited concerns surrounding persistently low inflation, a strong USD, and political and financial instability abroad. These overseas developments were largely in reference to events in Greece and China. Failed talks between the former and its creditors were a constant source of volatility in the first half of 2015, with a breakdown in talks leading to a referendum in Greece on whether creditor reform measures should be accepted. The enforcement of capital controls until after the vote generated significant concerns that Greece may be forced to leave the euro; despite a victorious “No” campaign, Greece ultimately agreed to the reform measures, removing immediate fears of an escalation in events.

Evidence of a slowdown in the Chinese economy, and its associated impact on global growth, was an additional concern for US policymakers. The ongoing deterioration in China’s economic data appeared to be the rationale for the decision by the People’s Bank of China to devalue its currency by -3.0% over three consecutive days in August 2015. The move extended declines in commodities such as crude oil and copper over fears of a further drop in demand, and saw global share prices falling sharply amid rising risk aversion.

Performance Attribution

Returns for the ACOF over the period were driven by gains in major currency, energy and bond markets, with the ACOF’s Diversified Trend following (“Trend following”) trading advisors capturing strong trends in these sectors. The ACOF’s Value and Global Macro managers also contributed positively to performance, with both capturing solid trends in currency markets. Within this sector, the ACOF benefited from generally long USD exposure, particularly against the EUR but also against the JPY, CAD and AUD. The decision by the Swiss National Bank to remove its exchange-rate cap against the EUR created considerable volatility in currency markets, with losses from a long USD/CHF exposure partially offset by gains from short EUR/CHF positions. Gains in energy were derived from mostly short positions across the sector, notably in crude oil contracts. Elsewhere, bond markets provided further positive attribution, with the ACOF profiting from long exposure to Canadian and mixed exposure to German government debt. Smaller gains were made from short exposure in metal markets. Some losses were incurred in equity markets, with gains for Value and Global Macro managers more than offset by losses for Trend following managers from mostly long exposure in US and European indices. Short corn and wheat exposure drove losses within grains, while further losses were incurred in interest rate markets from short exposure to Eurodollar 3-month contracts.

Portfolio Allocations*

 

                           MANAGER

             PROGRAM              TRADING STYLE          ALLOCATION    
DATE
 

Cantab Capital Partners, LLP

     CCP Core Macro Fund      Diversified Trend following        July 02, 2014   

Altis Partners (Jersey) Limited

     Altis Emerald      Diversified Trend following        July 10, 2014   

P/E Global, LLC

     P/E Emerald      Global Macro        July 14, 2014   

Harmonic Capital Partners LLP

     Harmonic Emerald      Value        July 17, 2014   

 

2


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISER’S REPORT (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

 

                           MANAGER

             PROGRAM                TRADING STYLE            ALLOCATION    
DATE
 

Revolution Capital Management, LLC

       Revolution Emerald           Diversified Trend following           July 02, 2014

Eclipse Capital Management, Inc.

       Eclipse Emerald           Diversified Trend following           July 14, 2014   

Graham Capital Management L.P.

       Tactical Trend           Diversified Trend following           July 02, 2014   

Trigon Investment Advisors, LLC

       Trigon Emerald           Global Macro           July 02, 2014   

 

 

*Revolution Capital Management, LLC was terminated as a trading advisor to the ACOF as of September 04, 2014 and was reappointed as a trading advisor to the ACOF as of October 21, 2014.

 

AUD

Australian Dollar

EUR

Euro

USD

US Dollar

JPY

Japanese Yen

CAD

Canadian Dollar

CHF

Swiss Franc

 

3


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

PERFORMANCE DATA

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund - Class A Shares vs. BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, S&P 500 Total Return Index and Barclay CTA Index

 

LOGO

Class A Shares growth of an assumed $10,000 investment is adjusted for the maximum sales charge of 5.75%. This results in a net initial investment of $9,425.

 

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 31, 2015

 
     ONE
YEAR†
 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund, Class A Shares (without sales charge)

     18.17%   

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund, Class A Shares (with sales charge)

     11.40%   

BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

     0.03%   

S&P 500 Total Return Index

     0.48%   

Barclay CTA Index

     4.01%   

 

Inception date of Class A Shares of the Fund was August 29, 2014. The Fund charges a 5.75% maximum sales charge (load) on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) of Class A Shares.

The performance data quoted represents 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. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling 1-844-261-6484.

An investment in the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund is speculative and involves substantial risk. The Fund is not suitable for all investors. It is possible that an investor may lose some or all of their investment. The Fund invests in long and short positions in futures, forwards, spot contracts, swaps, and options, each of which may be tied to commodities, financial indices and instruments, foreign currencies, or equity indices. The Fund also invests in investment grade fixed income securities of all durations and maturities. The Fund may be more volatile than investments in traditional securities. Losses on futures and other derivatives can be caused by unanticipated market movements and may be potentially unlimited. Commodities, currencies, foreign investments, and interest rate-linked instruments each entail special risks. The Fund is non-diversified; therefore gains or losses on a single holding may have a relatively great impact on the Fund. A more complete description of the Fund’s risks can be found in its prospectus, which should read carefully before investing.

The Fund charges a 5.75% maximum sales charge on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) of Class A Shares. The performance quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s gross

 

4


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

PERFORMANCE DATA (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus, is 2.63%, and the Fund’s net operating expense ratio is 2.24% for Class A Shares. Abbey Capital Limited has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 2.24% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors.

The S&P 500® Total Return Index is the total return version of the S&P 500® Index. Dividends are reinvested on a daily basis and all regular cash dividends are assumed reinvested in the index on the ex-dividend date.

The Barclay CTA Index is a leading industry benchmark of representative performance of commodity trading advisors.

The BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged market index of U.S. Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

 

5


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

PERFORMANCE DATA (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $1,000,000 Investment in Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund – Class I Shares

vs. BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, S&P 500 Total Return Index and Barclay CTA Index

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2015

 
     ONE
YEAR
     SINCE
INCEPTION†
 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund, Class I Shares

     18.46%         19.17%     

BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

     0.03%         0.03%*   

S&P 500 Total Return Index

     0.48%         2.61%*   

Barclay CTA Index

     4.01%         4.77%*   

 

Inception date of Class I Shares of the Fund was July 1, 2014.

 

*

Benchmark performance is from the inception date of Class I Shares only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

The performance data quoted represents 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. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Current performance may be lower or higher. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling 1-844-261-6484.

An investment in the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund is speculative and involves substantial risk. The Fund is not suitable for all investors. It is possible that an investor may lose some or all of their investment. The Fund invests in long and short positions in futures, forwards, spot contracts, swaps, and options, each of which may be tied to commodities, financial indices and instruments, foreign currencies, or equity indices. The Fund also invests in investment grade fixed income securities of all durations and maturities. The Fund may be more volatile than investments in traditional securities. Losses on futures and other derivatives can be caused by unanticipated market movements and may be potentially unlimited. Commodities, currencies, foreign investments, and interest rate-linked instruments each entail special risks. The Fund is non-diversified; therefore gains or losses on a single holding may have a relatively great impact on the Fund. A more complete description of the Fund’s risks can be found in its prospectus, which should read carefully before investing.

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 2.38%, and the Fund’s net operating expense ratio is 1.99% for Class I Shares. Abbey Capital Limited has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses,

 

6


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

PERFORMANCE DATA (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 1.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors.

The S&P 500® Total Return Index is the total return version of the S&P 500® Index. Dividends are reinvested on a daily basis and all regular cash dividends are assumed reinvested in the index on the ex-dividend date.

The Barclay CTA Index is a leading industry benchmark of representative performance of commodity trading advisors.

The BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged market index of U.S. Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

 

7


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, (if any) and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) 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, 2015 through August 31, 2015, 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 EXAMPLE 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 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 table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase payments (if any). 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 A SHARES
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE    ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE    EXPENSES PAID
     MARCH 1, 2015    AUGUST 31, 2015    DURING PERIOD

Actual*

   $1,000.00    $ 968.50    $11.31

Hypothetical

        

(5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00    1,013.71      11.57
     CLASS I SHARES
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE    ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE    EXPENSES PAID
     MARCH 1, 2015    AUGUST 31, 2015    DURING PERIOD

Actual**

   $1,000.00    $  969.40    $10.08

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00    1,014.97      10.31

 

 

*

Expenses equal to an annualized expense ratio for the period March 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015 of 2.28% for the Class A Shares of the Fund, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses (including 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 annualized amount of interest expense was 0.04% for the period March 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015. Without this expense, the annualized expense ratio would have been 2.24%. The Fund’s ending account value on the first line in the table is based on the actual six month return for the Class A Shares of the Fund of -3.15%.

 

**

Expenses equal to an annualized expense ratio for the period March 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015 of 2.03% for the Class I Shares of the Fund, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses (including interest expense), multiplied by the average account

 

8


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

 

value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184) then divided by 365 days to reflect the one half-year period. The annualized amount of interest expense was 0.04% for the period March 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015. Without this expense, the annualized expense ratio would have been 1.99%. The Fund’s ending account value on the first line in the table is based on the actual six month return for the Class I Shares of the Fund of -3.06%.

 

9


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLE

AUGUST 31, 2015

(UNAUDITED)

The following table presents a consolidated summary of the portfolio holdings of the Fund at August 31, 2015.

 

    

OF NET

      
SECURITY TYPE    ASSETS    VALUE  

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:

           

U.S. Treasury Obligations

        74.4%          $   172,131,007   

PURCHASED OPTIONS

        0.5               1,192,701   

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

(including futures and forward foreign currency contracts and written options)

        25.1               58,130,911   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

        100.0%          $   231,454,619   
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

Refer to the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments for a detailed listing of the Fund’s holdings.

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

 

10


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

    

 

              MATURITY        PAR         
       COUPON*          DATE            (000’S)            VALUE  

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 74.4%

           

U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS—74.4%

           

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.108%         09/03/15       $ 4,400       $ 4,400,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.085%         09/10/15         5,300         5,299,995   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.093%         09/17/15         10,000         10,000,010   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.105%         09/24/15         5,300         5,300,011   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.078%         10/01/15         6,900         6,899,986   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.081%         10/08/15         19,545         19,545,274   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.065%         10/15/15         7,688         7,687,915   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.070%         11/05/15         6,700         6,700,134   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.058%         11/12/15         9,731         9,730,805   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.040%         11/19/15         11,240         11,239,865   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.045%         12/10/15         11,516         11,514,526   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.031%         12/17/15         12,866         12,863,697   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.100%         12/31/15         25,125         25,114,422   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.130%         01/14/16         6,800         6,796,444   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.100%         01/28/16         16,031         16,021,462   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     0.140%         02/11/16         13,027         13,016,461   
           

 

 

 
              172,131,007   
           

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

(Cost $ 172,132,587)

              172,131,007   
           

 

 

 

TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS — 0.5%**
(Cost $ 2,295,978)

              1,192,701   
           

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 74.9%
(Cost $ 174,428,565)

           

 

173,323,708

  

           

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 25.1%

              58,130,911   
           

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

            $ 231,454,619   
           

 

 

 

 

 

*

Short-term investments reflect the annualized effective yield on the date of purchase for discounted investments.

**

See page 19 for detail information regarding the Purchased Options.

 

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

 

11


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

FUTURES CONTRACTS

 

                      UNREALIZED  
     EXPIRATION    NUMBER OF          NOTIONAL            APPRECIATION  

LONG CONTRACTS

   DATE          CONTRACTS          COST        (DEPRECIATION)    

10-Year Mini Japanese Government Bond Futures

   09/09/15    241    $ 29,361,843       $ 40,813   

3-Month Euro Euribor

   09/14/15        5      1,400,087         3,086   

3-Month Euro Euribor

   12/14/15        1      280,270         365   

3-Month Euro Euribor

   03/14/16    263      73,787,886         15,317   

3-Month Euro Euribor

   06/13/16        2      561,003         182   

3-Month Euro Euribor

   09/19/16        2      560,989         84   

3-Month Euro Euribor

   12/19/16    116      32,516,678         15,780   

3-Month Euro Euribor

   03/13/17        2      560,428         252   

3-Month Euro Euribor

   06/19/17      13      3,642,653         126   

3-Month Euro Euribor

   09/18/17        2      559,880         267   

3-Month Euro Euribor

   12/18/17        1      279,975         (56

3-Month Euro Euribor

   03/19/18        1      279,597         140   

3-Month Euro Euribor

   06/18/18        1      279,569         (42

90-DAY Bank Bill

   12/10/15        1      708,312         (52

90-DAY Bank Bill

   03/10/16      16      11,333,335         1,043   

90-DAY Bank Bill

   06/09/16      43      30,449,269         14,114   

90-DAY Bank Bill

   09/08/16        6      4,249,731         556   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   09/14/15      24      5,974,200         3,600   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   12/14/15    397      98,602,768         170,833   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   03/14/16    232      57,616,862         23,538   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   06/13/16      46      11,394,211         14,362   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   09/19/16      48      11,872,150         9,050   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   12/19/16    278      68,531,450         141,500   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   03/13/17      66      16,258,512         17,088   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   06/19/17      72      17,705,387         21,012   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   09/18/17      35      8,608,361         (3,612

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   12/18/17        5      1,225,575         1,988   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   03/19/18        5      1,225,150         975   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   06/18/18        5      1,223,837         912   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   09/17/18        5      1,221,611         1,825   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   12/17/18        3      731,800         1,475   

90-DAY Eurodollar Futures

   03/18/19        3      732,387         250   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

   09/16/15      10      1,900,626         5,985   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

   03/16/16    311      59,162,319         49,756   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

   06/15/16      32      6,081,915         3,894   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

   09/21/16      29      5,503,526         5,064   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

   12/21/16    183      34,671,234         40,722   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

   03/15/17      13      2,462,405         480   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

   06/21/17      14      2,648,808         38   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

   09/20/17        5      944,309         652   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

   12/20/17        2      377,045         556   

90-DAY Sterling Futures

   03/21/18        1      188,377         230   

Amsterdam Index Futures

   09/18/15        7      739,254         (40,550

AUD/JPY Futures

   09/14/15        3      421,166         5,444   

AUD/NZD Futures

   09/14/15        3      427,461         (177

Australian 3-Year Bond Futures

   09/15/15      33      2,633,510         3,926   

Bank Acceptance Futures

   12/14/15      14      2,641,475         2,280   

Bank Acceptance Futures

   03/14/16      38      7,171,557         5,074   

Bank Acceptance Futures

   06/13/16      27      5,093,703         4,456   

CAD/JPY Futures

   09/14/15        1      148,060         3,530   

Canadian 10-Year Bond Futures

   12/18/15    644      70,402,759         (1,176,186

Canola Futures (Winnipeg Commodity Exchange)

   11/13/15        2      16,367         (1,931

Canola Futures (Winnipeg Commodity Exchange)

   01/14/16      38      291,330         (14,158

CHF Currency Futures

   09/14/15        4      543,150         (25,300

Cocoa Futures

   03/15/16        4      132,240         (8,600

Cocoa Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

   12/14/15      25      801,620         4,373   

Cocoa Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

   03/14/16      12      402,053         (18,307

 

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

 

12


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

                      UNREALIZED  
     EXPIRATION    NUMBER OF          NOTIONAL            APPRECIATION  

LONG CONTRACTS

   DATE          CONTRACTS          COST        (DEPRECIATION)    

Cocoa Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

   05/13/16        2    $ 63,543       $ 292   

EUR/AUD Futures

   09/14/15        1      140,008         454   

EUR/CAD Futures

   09/14/15        4      567,184         (4,247

EUR/CHF 3-Month Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

   03/14/16        1      261,108         (491

EUR/CHF 3-Month Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

   06/13/16        2      521,595         (362

EUR/CHF Futures

   09/14/15      15      2,067,618         37,333   

EUR/JPY Futures

   09/14/15        6      856,704         (14,744

Euro BUXL 30-Year Bond Futures

   09/08/15        1      178,264         (8,169

Euro STOXX 50

   09/18/15      28      1,193,615         (166,493

Euro/JPY Futures

   09/14/15      19      2,708,201         (41,995

Euro-Bobl Futures

   09/08/15    291      42,572,687         (112,125

Euro-Bund Futures

   09/08/15      20      3,487,785         (52,000

Euro-Schatz Futures

   09/08/15      40      4,997,161         (3,389

FTSE 250 Index Futures

   09/18/15      12      610,324         16,008   

FTSE/MIB Index Futures

   09/18/15        2      264,490         (18,280

GBP Currency Futures

   09/14/15        6      593,181         (17,631

GBP/AUD Futures

   09/14/15        5      969,611         (10,577

GBP/CAD Futures

   09/14/15      10      1,895,043         26,751   

GBP/CHF Futures

   09/14/15        9      1,731,715         (7,060

GBP/JPY Futures

   09/14/15      10      1,965,078         (48,759

GBP/NZD Futures

   09/14/15        6      1,084,934         66,724   

H-Shares Index Futures

   09/29/15      11      668,692         18,413   

IBEX 35 Index Futures

   09/18/15        8      958,391         (38,357

JPY Currency Futures

   09/14/15      19      2,079,807         (118,532

Lean Hogs Futures

   10/14/15        6      165,130         (1,870

Nasdaq 100 E-Mini

   09/18/15      13      1,276,900         (166,245

Nikkei 225 (Chicago Mercantile Exchange)

   09/10/15        4      390,250         (14,050

Nikkei 225 (Osaka Securities Exchange)

   09/10/15      14      2,501,588         (325,978

Nikkei 225 Mini

   09/10/15      36      601,419         (41,976

NZD/JPY Futures

   09/14/15        2      255,537         (2,425

Rapeseed Euro

   10/30/15      15      325,296         (16,425

Rapeseed Euro

   01/29/16      14      305,111         (16,243

S&P Mid 400 E-Mini

   09/18/15        2      281,740         1,160   

S&P/TSX 60 IX Futures

   09/17/15      38      4,868,091         (165,172

Soybean Meal Futures

   10/14/15        5      170,460         (13,660

Soybean Meal Futures

   12/14/15      19      643,380         (51,910

SPI 200 Futures

   09/17/15      13      1,212,434         (17,382

Topix Index Futures

   09/10/15      33      4,437,242         (263,076

U.S. Long Bond (Chicago Board of Trade)

   12/21/15      36      5,625,836         (59,336

U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes (Chicago Board of Trade)

   12/21/15    275      35,092,125         (149,938

U.S. Treasury 2-Year Notes (Chicago Board of Trade)

   12/31/15      41      8,968,750         (11,531

U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes (Chicago Board of Trade)

   12/31/15    362      43,465,305         (228,930

USD/NOK Futures

   09/14/15      10      945,596         57,269   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 
         $     883,510,964       $ (2,636,932
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

                     UNREALIZED  
     EXPIRATION    NUMBER OF          NOTIONAL           APPRECIATION  

SHORT CONTRACTS

   DATE          CONTRACTS          COST       (DEPRECIATION)    

AUD/CAD Futures

   09/14/15        2    $ (287,352   $ 2,128   

AUD/USD Currency Futures

   09/14/15      83      (6,069,550     161,610   

Australian 10-Year Bond Futures

   09/15/15      55      (5,033,363     (8,038

Brent Crude Futures

   09/15/15      48      (2,287,400     (311,800

Brent Crude Futures

   10/15/15        5      (259,980     (14,970

Brent Crude Futures

   11/13/15        3      (155,350     (12,050

Brent Crude Futures

   12/16/15        5      (257,250     (25,550

 

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

 

13


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

                     UNREALIZED  
     EXPIRATION    NUMBER OF          NOTIONAL           APPRECIATION  

SHORT CONTRACTS

   DATE          CONTRACTS          COST       (DEPRECIATION)    

Brent Crude Futures    

   01/14/16        4    $ (231,210   $ 2,210   

Brent Crude Futures

   01/29/16        5      (268,980     (20,270

Brent Crude Futures

   02/29/16        2      (102,120     (14,800

CAC40 10 Euro Futures

   09/18/15      11      (456,175     (118,050

CAD Currency Futures

   09/15/15    109      (8,433,280     162,360   

Cattle Feeder Futures

   10/29/15        4      (411,212     15,462   

Cattle Feeder Futures

   11/19/15        2      (199,000     3,850   

CHF/JPY Futures

   09/14/15        5      (1,302,986     9,836   

Cocoa Futures

   12/15/15        2      (61,220     (760

Coff Robusta Futures

   11/30/15      29      (484,190     17,000   

Coff Robusta Futures

   01/29/16      33      (560,860     23,620   

Coff Robusta Futures

   03/31/16        7      (117,060     1,840   

Coffee ’C’ Futures

   12/18/15      51      (2,437,388     60,150   

Coffee ’C’ Futures

   03/18/16        8      (399,769     16,519   

Coffee ’C’ Futures

   05/18/16        4      (199,519     4,594   

Copper Futures

   12/29/15      32      (1,865,538     (4,462

Copper Futures

   03/29/16        6      (370,450     19,225   

Corn Futures

   12/14/15      73      (1,396,312     26,650   

Corn Futures

   03/14/16      19      (371,100     4,163   

Corn Futures

   05/13/16      14      (277,425     2,500   

Corn Futures

   07/14/16      11      (220,275     1,788   

Cotton No.2 Futures

   12/08/15        1      (29,850     (1,650

Cotton No.2 Futures

   03/08/16        3      (95,565     1,695   

DAX Index Futures

   09/18/15        8      (2,244,235     (55,490

DJIA Mini e-CBOT

   09/18/15      38      (3,263,795     127,275   

Dollar Index

   09/14/15        5      (483,675     4,405   

E-Mini Crude Oil

   09/21/15        5      (134,000     11,000   

E-Mini Crude Oil

   10/19/15        6      (157,538     7,748   

E-Mini Crude Oil

   11/19/15        6      (134,625     (17,685

E-Mini Natural Gas

   09/25/15        8      (56,700     2,920   

E-Mini Natural Gas

   10/27/15      28      (195,612     2,342   

E-Mini Natural Gas

   11/24/15      30      (225,562     7,688   

EUR/GBP Futures

   09/14/15        3      (421,334     (58

Euro E-Mini Futures

   09/14/15        1      (72,231     1,988   

Euro Foreign Exchange Currency Futures

   09/14/15    232      (32,527,715     (65,385

Fed Fund 30-Day Futures

   10/30/15    341          (141,808,198     26,106   

FTSE 100 Index Futures

   09/18/15    111      (10,649,291     59,937   

FTSE/JSE Top 40

   09/17/15      15      (497,948     (2,103

Gas Oil Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

   09/10/15        1      (48,500     (75

Gas Oil Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

   12/10/15        9      (437,400     (8,325

Gasoline RBOB Futures

   09/30/15      29      (1,785,197     (40,706

Gasoline RBOB Futures

   10/30/15        4      (267,397     19,832   

Gasoline RBOB Futures

   11/30/15        3      (188,420     4,952   

Gasoline RBOB Futures

   12/31/15        4      (234,591     (10,319

Gold 100 Oz Futures

   10/28/15        4      (441,710     (11,090

Gold 100 Oz Futures

   12/29/15      36      (4,017,910     (59,090

Gold 100 Oz Futures

   02/25/16        7      (788,820     (4,560

Hang Seng Index Futures

   09/29/15      10      (1,419,333     34,568   

JPN 10-Year Bond (Osaka Securities Exchange)

   09/10/15        1      (1,296,408     75,968   

JPY E-Mini Futures

   09/14/15      28      (1,413,662     (31,488

KC HRW Wheat Futures

   12/14/15      49      (1,308,600     113,612   

KC HRW Wheat Futures

   03/14/16      20      (530,175     28,425   

Lean Hogs Futures

   12/14/15      17      (416,190     (16,460

Lean Hogs Futures

   02/12/16      23      (612,560     (8,440

Live Cattle Futures

   10/30/15      11      (629,060     (1,020

Live Cattle Futures

   12/31/15      11      (649,400     9,530   

Live Cattle Futures

   02/29/16      15      (889,370     18,470   

London Mercantile Exchange Aluminum Forward

   09/16/15      14      (710,844     152,418   

London Mercantile Exchange Aluminum Forward

   10/21/15      23      (972,516     44,035   

 

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

 

14


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

                     UNREALIZED  
     EXPIRATION    NUMBER OF          NOTIONAL           APPRECIATION  

SHORT CONTRACTS

   DATE          CONTRACTS          COST       (DEPRECIATION)    

London Mercantile Exchange Aluminum Forward

   11/18/15      25    $ (1,028,794   $ 27,700   

London Mercantile Exchange Aluminum Forward

   12/16/15      95      (3,849,904     21,404   

London Mercantile Exchange Copper Forward

   09/16/15        4      (1,095,902     581,202   

London Mercantile Exchange Copper Forward

   10/21/15      10      (1,345,255     59,505   

London Mercantile Exchange Copper Forward

   11/18/15        4      (515,759     1,959   

London Mercantile Exchange Copper Forward

   12/16/15      28      (3,555,864     (37,586

London Mercantile Exchange Lead Forward

   09/16/15        7      (305,035     2,372   

London Mercantile Exchange Lead Forward

   10/21/15      13      (548,580     (14,157

London Mercantile Exchange Lead Forward

   11/18/15      11      (464,124     (12,176

London Mercantile Exchange Lead Forward

   12/16/15      10      (415,665     (17,960

London Mercantile Exchange Nickel Forward

   09/16/15        5      (424,270     123,130   

London Mercantile Exchange Nickel Forward

   10/21/15        9      (649,595     106,895   

London Mercantile Exchange Nickel Forward

   11/18/15        6      (398,313     36,189   

London Mercantile Exchange Nickel Forward

   12/16/15        3      (171,738     (9,396

London Mercantile Exchange Tin Forward Spot

   09/16/15        1      (52,515     (19,485

London Mercantile Exchange Tin Forward Spot

   10/21/15        6      (390,935     (38,365

London Mercantile Exchange Tin Forward Spot

   11/18/15        5      (355,125     (250

London Mercantile Exchange Tin Forward Spot

   12/16/15        4      (278,075     (5,225

London Mercantile Exchange Zinc Forward ($)

   09/16/15        8      (468,390     106,440   

London Mercantile Exchange Zinc Forward ($)

   10/21/15      13      (630,756     42,506   

London Mercantile Exchange Zinc Forward ($)

   11/18/15      10      (475,144     22,519   

London Mercantile Exchange Zinc Forward ($)

   12/16/15      25      (1,098,162     (32,775

Long Gilt Futures

   12/29/15    146          (26,427,065     172,247   

Low Su Gasoil G Futures

   10/12/15      24      (1,143,750     (34,650

Low Su Gasoil G Futures

   11/12/15        7      (347,150     2,050   

Low Su Gasoil G Futures

   01/12/16        7      (325,700     (23,950

Mill Wheat Euro

   12/10/15      33      (326,797     6,480   

Mill Wheat Euro

   03/10/16        5      (50,412     547   

Mill Wheat Euro

   05/10/16        4      (40,397     (56

Mini HSI Index Futures

   09/29/15      11      (302,482     (2,166

MSCI Singapore Exchange ETS

   09/29/15      17      (763,120     (15,166

MSCI Taiwan Index

   09/29/15      22      (633,950     (28,250

MXN Futures

   09/14/15      52      (1,629,395     75,375   

Natural Gas Futures

   09/28/15      82      (2,249,930     44,950   

Natural Gas Futures

   10/28/15      23      (654,550     19,520   

Natural Gas Futures

   11/25/15      18      (539,290     16,390   

Natural Gas Futures

   12/29/15      19      (585,380     12,340   

Natural Gas Futures

   01/27/16      15      (464,850     12,900   

Natural Gas Futures

   02/25/16      18      (550,770     14,730   

Natural Gas Futures

   03/29/16      21      (616,040     20,060   

Natural Gas Futures

   04/27/16      18      (527,500     17,380   

Natural Gas Futures

   05/26/16      12      (352,770     9,330   

New York Harbor Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Futures

   09/30/15      30      (1,956,007     (187,505

New York Harbor Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Futures

   10/30/15        4      (287,582     (1,109

New York Harbor Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Futures

   11/30/15        4      (286,541     (5,006

New York Harbor Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Futures

   12/31/15        5      (331,934     (36,070

Nikkei 225 (Singapore Exchange)

   09/10/15      28      (2,180,662     2,743   

NZD Futures

   09/14/15      27      (1,834,455     124,005   

Palladium Futures

   12/29/15        5      (279,425     (21,700

Platinum Futures

   10/28/15        9      (478,760     24,035   

Red Wheat Futures (Minneapolis Grain Exchange)

   12/14/15      22      (595,962     30,012   

Red Wheat Futures (Minneapolis Grain Exchange)

   03/14/16      14      (380,650     9,475   

Russell 2000 Mini

   09/18/15        4      (484,280     21,280   

S&P500 E-Mini Futures

   09/18/15      23      (2,246,362     (18,218

SGX CNX Nifty

   09/24/15      29      (461,085     (2,915

Silver Futures

   12/29/15      37      (2,774,420     76,010   

Silver Futures

   03/29/16        1      (73,375     210   

Soybean Futures

   11/13/15      41      (1,850,562     31,188   

Soybean Futures

   01/14/16      14      (646,212     21,638   

 

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

 

15


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

                     UNREALIZED  
     EXPIRATION    NUMBER OF          NOTIONAL           APPRECIATION  

SHORT CONTRACTS

   DATE          CONTRACTS          COST       (DEPRECIATION)    

Soybean Futures

   03/14/16      14    $ (642,775   $ 17,150   

Soybean Futures

   05/13/16      12      (541,188     3,288   

Soybean Oil Futures

   10/14/15      23      (431,628     44,814   

Soybean Oil Futures

   12/14/15      41      (779,316     84,366   

Soybean Oil Futures

   01/14/16      22      (383,772     7,440   

Sugar No. 11 (World)

   09/30/15    385      (4,783,643     174,115   

Sugar No. 11 (World)

   02/29/16      74      (1,066,117     90,619   

Sugar No. 11 (World)

   04/29/16      53      (789,757     80,405   

Wheat Futures (Chicago Board of Trade)

   12/14/15      59      (1,478,012     47,262   

Wheat Futures (Chicago Board of Trade)

   03/14/16      15      (383,750     16,062   

Wheat Futures (Chicago Board of Trade)

   05/13/16        9      (229,250     6,838   

White Sugar Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

   09/15/15      10      (173,710     3,010   

White Sugar Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

   11/13/15      36      (618,250     4,810   

White Sugar Futures (Intercontinental Exchange)

   02/12/16      32      (548,575     4,895   

WTI Crude Futures

   09/22/15      75      (3,210,380     (479,620

WTI Crude Futures

   10/20/15        3      (160,240     10,450   

WTI Crude Futures

   11/20/15        4      (209,150     6,070   

WTI Crude Futures

   12/21/15        5      (267,870     9,720   

WTI Crude Futures

   01/20/16        5      (261,620     (280

WTI Crude Futures

   02/22/16        4      (209,660     (2,260

WTI Crude Futures

   03/21/16        5      (262,980     (4,370

WTI Crude Futures

   04/20/16        5      (247,220     (22,030
        

 

 

   

 

 

 
         $ (338,448,586   $ 1,861,059   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Futures Contracts

         $         545,062,378      $ (775,873
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Forward foreign currency contracts outstanding as of August 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

                              UNREALIZED  
                              APPRECIATION  
CURRENCY PURCHASED     CURRENCY SOLD     EXPIRATION   COUNTERPARTY   (DEPRECIATION)  

 

 
AUD     34,680        USD        24,845      09/01/15   BOA       $ (165)   
AUD     3,863,427        USD        2,874,128      09/16/15   BOA     (126,689)   
AUD     3,219,000        USD        2,396,000      09/18/15   BOA     (107,073)   
AUD     1,900,000        USD        1,356,306      09/28/15   BOA     (5,966)   
BRL     2,741,550        USD        813,963      09/16/15   BOA     (61,757)   
CAD     2,793,392        USD        2,193,105      09/16/15   BOA     (69,904)   
CAD     5,299,000        USD        4,234,981      09/18/15   BOA     (207,340)   
CAD     1,634,000        USD        1,242,061      09/25/15   BOA     (122)   
CAD     11,404,622        USD        8,600,000      09/28/15   BOA             68,133    
CHF     4,720,000        USD        5,039,515      09/18/15   BOA     (154,192)   
CHF     440,000        USD        461,407      09/25/15   BOA     (5,895)   
CLP     27,740,763        USD        41,557      09/16/15   BOA     (1,572)   
CZK     16,303,839        USD        675,813      09/16/15   BOA     1,168    
EUR     3,127,498        USD        3,490,966      09/16/15   BOA     19,259    
EUR     3,543,000        USD        3,912,458      09/18/15   BOA     64,232    
EUR     1,076,000        USD        1,230,297      09/25/15   BOA     (22,463)   
EUR     6,100,000        USD        7,016,507      09/28/15   BOA     (168,822)   
GBP     2,806,424        EUR        3,844,000      09/18/15   BOA     (8,443)   
GBP     240,271        USD        369,998      09/01/15   BOA     (1,303)   
GBP     92,392        USD        141,961      09/02/15   BOA     (186)   
GBP     2,231,001        USD        3,495,694      09/16/15   BOA     (72,478)   
GBP     6,055,000        USD        9,473,123      09/18/15   BOA     (182,513)   
GBP     1,203,000        USD        1,888,450      09/25/15   BOA     (42,669)   

 

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

 

16


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

                              UNREALIZED  
                              APPRECIATION  
CURRENCY PURCHASED     CURRENCY SOLD     EXPIRATION   COUNTERPARTY   (DEPRECIATION)  

 

 
GBP     450,000        USD        692,650      09/28/15   BOA   $ (2,219)   
HUF     151,283,239        USD        539,637      09/16/15   BOA     1,913    
INR     99,676,418        USD        1,528,061      09/16/15   BOA     (32,815)   
JPY     42,685,152        EUR        312,000      09/25/15   BOA     1,997    
JPY     17,752,713        USD        146,714      09/01/15   BOA     (281)   
JPY     809,255,656        USD        6,661,700      09/16/15   BOA     14,988    
JPY     169,276,000        USD        1,382,610      09/18/15   BOA     14,033    
JPY     214,642,000        USD        1,793,065      09/25/15   BOA     (21,910)   
JPY     1,698,626,138        USD        14,150,000      09/28/15   BOA     (132,786)   
KRW     938,317,983        USD        818,312      09/16/15   BOA     (25,336)   
MXN     15,564,935        USD        967,330      09/17/15   BOA     (36,758)   
MXN     5,140,000        USD        317,077      09/18/15   BOA     (9,797)   
MYR     1,238,168        USD        304,519      09/17/15   BOA     (10,059)   
NOK     123,062        USD        14,917      09/01/15   BOA     (40)   
NOK     28,247,493        USD        3,500,064      09/16/15   BOA     (86,320)   
NOK     6,191,865        USD        750,000      09/28/15   BOA     (1,887)   
NZD     165,007        USD        106,718      09/01/15   BOA     (2,137)   
NZD     9,780,221        USD        6,655,334      09/16/15   BOA     (463,561)   
NZD     451,000        USD        303,358      09/18/15   BOA     (17,879)   
NZD     22,000        USD        14,180      09/25/15   BOA     (262)   
NZD     8,700,000        USD        5,674,784      09/28/15   BOA     (172,189)   
PLN     3,755,498        USD        1,004,431      09/16/15   BOA     (10,281)   
SEK     225,537        USD        26,725      09/01/15   BOA     (85)   
SEK     21,252,410        USD        2,535,189      09/16/15   BOA     (24,077)   
SEK     42,716,078        USD        5,150,000      09/28/15   BOA         (101,456)   
SGD     538,194        USD        395,655      09/16/15   BOA     (14,511)   
TRY     3,542,178        USD        1,260,175      09/16/15   BOA     (48,180)   
TWD     2,951,956        USD        92,755      09/16/15   BOA     (2,016)   
USD     24,829        AUD        34,680      09/01/15   BOA     149    
USD     3,167,330        AUD        4,299,215      09/16/15   BOA     109,985    
USD     7,968,640        AUD        10,712,000      09/18/15   BOA     351,682    
USD     468,154        AUD        654,000      09/25/15   BOA     3,282    
USD     8,070,451        AUD        11,200,000      09/28/15   BOA     110,552    
USD     1,796,371        BRL        6,037,771      09/16/15   BOA     139,771    
USD     5,848,538        CAD        7,458,818      09/16/15   BOA     179,241    
USD     8,892,934        CAD        11,305,000      09/18/15   BOA     300,280    
USD     1,247,120        CAD        1,661,000      09/25/15   BOA     (15,341)   
USD     10,850,000        CAD        14,323,682      09/28/15   BOA     (36,777)   
USD     7,274,859        CHF        6,987,000      09/18/15   BOA     43,131    
USD     456,438        CHF        440,000      09/25/15   BOA     925    
USD     134,333        CLP        87,882,552      09/16/15   BOA     7,658    
USD     610,846        CZK        14,968,675      09/16/15   BOA     (10,695)   
USD     3,192,692        EUR        2,867,657      09/16/15   BOA     (25,894)   
USD     2,185,997        EUR        1,969,000      09/18/15   BOA     (24,023)   
USD     780,332        EUR        691,000      09/25/15   BOA     4,669    
USD     2,190,649        EUR        1,950,000      09/28/15   BOA     1,635    
USD     371,907        GBP        240,271      09/01/15   BOA     3,213    
USD     142,271        GBP        92,392      09/02/15   BOA     496    
USD     3,334,190        GBP        2,158,624      09/16/15   BOA     22,029    

 

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

 

17


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

                              UNREALIZED  
                              APPRECIATION  
CURRENCY PURCHASED     CURRENCY SOLD     EXPIRATION   COUNTERPARTY   (DEPRECIATION)  

 

 
USD     4,506,252        GBP        2,916,000      09/18/15   BOA   $ 32,029   
USD     3,287,664        GBP        2,113,000      09/25/15   BOA     45,657   
USD     6,793,127        GBP        4,300,000      09/28/15   BOA     195,674   
USD     715,585        HUF        201,450,408      09/16/15   BOA     (5,549
USD     3,115,046        INR        202,381,391      09/16/15   BOA     79,123   
USD     146,712        JPY        17,752,713      09/01/15   BOA     280   
USD     6,772,615        JPY        839,641,508      09/16/15   BOA     (154,769
USD     6,234,687        JPY        765,607,000      09/18/15   BOA     (82,096
USD     1,277,007        JPY        155,043,000      09/25/15   BOA     (2,356
USD     2,900,000        JPY        349,566,379      09/28/15   BOA     15,347   
USD     1,800,250        KRW        2,057,690,102      09/16/15   BOA     61,288   
USD     3,229,880        KRW        3,861,382,348      09/30/15   BOA     (31,910
USD     1,960,377        MXN        31,372,433      09/17/15   BOA     84,731   
USD     2,657,940        MXN        41,890,000      09/18/15   BOA     153,671   
USD     510,805        MYR        2,008,801      09/17/15   BOA     33,073   
USD     14,872        NOK        123,062      09/01/15   BOA     (4
USD     3,353,740        NOK        27,070,305      09/16/15   BOA     82,261   
USD     8,950,000        NOK        73,279,541      09/28/15   BOA     96,223   
USD     106,696        NZD        165,007      09/01/15   BOA     2,115   
USD     4,816,363        NZD        7,265,383      09/16/15   BOA     216,713   
USD     2,802,821        NZD        4,094,000      09/18/15   BOA     211,361   
USD     201,113        NZD        310,000      09/25/15   BOA     4,996   
USD     2,440,248        NZD        3,800,000      09/28/15   BOA     36,816   
USD     1,365,632        PLN        5,162,402      09/16/15   BOA     (952
USD     26,712        SEK        225,537      09/01/15   BOA     71   
USD     4,299,325        SEK        36,273,605      09/16/15   BOA     13,359   
USD     1,100,000        SEK        9,303,963      09/28/15   BOA     380   
USD     902,196        SGD        1,235,894      09/16/15   BOA     26,946   
USD     6,398,000        SGD        9,013,305      09/18/15   BOA     15,500   
USD     2,865,169        TRY        8,072,183      09/16/15   BOA     103,184   
USD     211,760        TWD        6,744,251      09/16/15   BOA     4,451   
USD     3,477,025        ZAR        43,950,881      09/16/15   BOA     170,573   
USD     284,312        ZAR        3,742,000      09/25/15   BOA     3,240   
ZAR     26,016,437        USD        2,065,213      09/16/15   BOA     (107,980
           

 

 

 

Total Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

  $ 198,743   
           

 

 

 

 

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

 

18


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

     NUMBER
OF
CONTRACTS
         VALUE      

PURCHASED OPTIONS — 0.5%

  

  

CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED—0.1%

  

  

USD CNH Currency Futures
Expires 08/22/16
Strike Price 6.77

     17,062,000       $ 307,687   

USD JPY Currency Futures
Expires 09/04/15
Strike Price 125

     7,394,000         1,224   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED

(Cost $ 415,436)

 

  

           308,911   
     

 

 

 

PUT OPTIONS PURCHASED—0.4%

     

AUD USD Currency Futures
Expires 09/04/15
Strike Price 0.71

     31,578,000         127,787   

AUD USD Currency Futures
Expires 09/04/15
Strike price 0.70

     26,929,000         32,623   

AUD USD Currency Futures
Expires 09/04/15
Strike Price 0.65

     17,853,000         413   

AUD USD Currency Futures
Expires 10/09/15
Strike Price 0.70

     17,428,000         192,998   

AUD USD Currency Futures
Expires 09/04/15
Strike Price 71

     17         7,650   

CAD Foreign Exchange Currency Futures
Expires 09/04/15
Strike Price 75.50

     102         32,640   

Crude Oil Futures
Expires 09/17/15
Strike Price 41.50

     85         21,250   
     NUMBER
OF
CONTRACTS
         VALUE      

PUT OPTIONS PURCHASED—(CONTINUED)

  

EUR Foreign Exchange Currency Futures
Expires 09/04/15
Strike Price 1.05

     201       $ 1,256   

EUR Foreign Exchange Currency Futures
Expires 09/04/15
Strike Price 1.10

     94         16,450   

Gold 100-oz Futures
Expires 09/24/15
Strike Price 100

     68         55,760   

IMM Eurodollar Futures
Expires 12/14/15
Strike Price 99.50

     1,020         146,625   

IMM Eurodollar Futures
Expires 12/14/15
Strike Price 99.25

     853         10,663   

IMM Eurodollar Futures
Expires 09/14/15
Strike Price 99.50

     841         5,256   

IMM Eurodollar Futures
Expires 12/19/16
Strike Price 98.50

     532         229,425   

IMM Eurodollar Futures
Expires 09/14/15
Strike Price 99

     479         2,994   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL PUT OPTIONS PURCHASED

(Cost $ 1,880,542)

  

  

     883,790   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS — 0.5%
(Cost $ 2,295,978)

   

           1,192,701   
     

 

 

 
 

 

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

 

19


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

     NUMBER
OF
CONTRACTS
         VALUE      

WRITTEN OPTIONS — (0.4)%

  

CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN—(0.2)%

  

IMM Eurodollar Futures
Expires 12/14/15
Strike Price 99.25

     336       $ (231,000

USD CNH Currency Futures
Expires 08/22/16
Strike Price 7.09

     17,062,000             (199,958
     

 

 

 

TOTAL CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN

(Premiums Received $ 366,927)

 

  

     (430,958
     

 

 

 

PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN—(0.2)%

     

AUD USD Currency Futures
Expires 09/04/15
Strike Price 0.70

     26,929,000         (32,623

AUD USD Currency Futures
Expires 09/04/15
Strike Price 0.65

     17,853,000         (413

AUD USD Currency Futures
Expires 10/09/15
Strike Price 0.68

     17,428,000         (75,951

AUD USD Currency Futures
Expires 09/04/15
Strike Price 0.71

     15,879,000         (64,258

Crude Oil Futures
Expires 09/17/15
Strike Price 37.50

     85         (5,100
     NUMBER
OF
CONTRACTS
         VALUE      

PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN—(CONTINUED)

  

EUR Foreign Exchange Currency Futures
Expires 09/04/15
Strike Price 1.07

     87       $ (1,631

EUR Foreign Exchange Currency Futures
Expires 09/04/15
Strike Price 1

     81         (507

IMM Eurodollar Futures
Expires 12/14/15
Strike Price 99.38

     1,020         (51,000

IMM Eurodollar Futures
Expires 09/14/15
Strike Price 98.75

     452         (2,825

IMM Eurodollar Futures
Expires 12/19/16
Strike Price 99

     266             (262,675
     

 

 

 

TOTAL PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN

(Premiums Received $ 764,156)

 

  

     (496,983
     

 

 

 

TOTAL WRITTEN OPTIONS — (0.4)%
(Premiums Received $ 1,131,083)

   

     (927,941
     

 

 

 
 

 

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

 

20


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONCLUDED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

AUD

 

Australian Dollar

BOA

 

Bank of America

BRL

 

Brazilian Real

CAD

 

Canadian Dollar

CHF

 

Swiss Franc

CLP

 

Chilean Peso

CNH

 

Chinese Renminbi

CZK

 

Czech Koruna

DAX

 

Deutscher Aktienindex

EUR

 

Euro

FTSE

 

Financial Times Stock Exchange

GBP

 

British Pound

HUF

 

Hungarian Forint

IBEX

 

Index of the Bolsa de Madrid

IMM

 

International Monetary Market

INR

 

Indian Rupee

JPY

 

Japanese Yen

KRW

 

Korean Won

MXN

 

Mexican Peso

MYR

 

Malaysian Ringgit

NOK

 

Norwegian Krone

NZD

 

New Zealand Dollar

PLN

 

Polish Zloty

RBOB

  Reformulated Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending

SEK

 

Swedish Krona

SGD

 

Singapore Dollar

TRY

 

Turkish Lira

TSX

 

Toronto Stock Exchange

TWD

 

Taiwan Dollar

USD

 

United States Dollar

ZAR

 

South African Rand

 

 

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

 

21


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (cost $174,428,565)

   $ 173,323,708   

Cash

     34,148,418   

Deposits with broker for forward foreign currency contracts and futures contracts

     22,194,715   

Foreign currency, at value (cost $1,448,115)

     1,446,291   

Receivables for:

  

Capital shares sold

     3,094,136   

Investments sold

     129,469   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     44,064   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     3,153,483   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     237,534,284   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Options written, at value (premiums received $1,131,083)

     927,941   

Payables for:

  

Investments purchased

     147,180   

Capital shares redeemed

     837,104   

Advisory fees

     292,698   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     932   

Registration and filing fees

     1,313   

Administration and accounting services fees

     38,172   

Variation margin

     775,873   

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     2,954,740   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     103,712   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     6,079,665   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 231,454,619   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

  

Capital stock, $0.001 par value

   $ 19,241   

Paid-in capital

     235,760,424   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (2,842,736

Net unrealized depreciation on investments, futures transactions, foreign currency translations, forward foreign currency contracts and written options

     (1,482,310
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 231,454,619   
  

 

 

 

CLASS A SHARES

  

Net assets

   $ 11,013,155   
  

 

 

 

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

     917,210   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share

   $ 12.01   
  

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $12.01)

   $ 12.74   
  

 

 

 

CLASS I SHARES

  

Net assets

   $ 220,441,464   
  

 

 

 

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

     18,323,360   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 12.03   
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

22


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 48,484   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     48,484   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     2,011,897   

Administration and accounting services fees (Note 2)

     164,611   

Legal fees

     70,807   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     54,816   

Audit and tax service fees

     45,841   

Interest expense

     39,246   

Registration and filing fees

     34,893   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     23,159   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     21,627   

Distribution fees (Class A Shares) (Note 2)

     11,509   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     21,370   

Insurance fees

     5,058   

Other expenses

     14,549   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     2,519,383   

Less: waivers and reimbursements (Note 2)

     (434,343
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     2,085,040   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (2,036,556
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

  

Investments

     (237,831

Futures

     2,223,289   

Foreign currency transactions

     (210,242

Forward foreign currency contracts

     2,996,259   

Written options

     248,233   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Investments

     (1,103,454

Futures

     (1,514,900

Foreign currency translation

     (6,294

Forward foreign currency contracts

     137,727   

Written options

     199,236   
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

     2,732,023   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 695,467   
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

23


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2015
    FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2014(1)
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:           

Net investment loss

      $ (2,036,556      $ (69,607

Net realized gain from investments, futures transactions, foreign currency transactions, forward foreign currency contracts and written options

        5,019,708           22,262   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, securities sold short, futures transactions, foreign currency translations, forward currency contracts and written options

        (2,287,685        805,375   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

        695,467           758,030   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

          

Net investment income

          

Class A Shares

        (20,951          

Class I Shares

        (748,827          
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total from net investment income

        (769,778          
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net realized gains

          

Class A Shares

        (1,218          

Class I Shares

        (41,776          
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total from net realized gains

        (42,994          
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

        (812,772          
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

          

Class A Shares

          

Proceeds from shares sold

        11,657,560           1,000,000   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

        15,771             

Shares redeemed

        (1,511,325          
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Class A Shares

        10,162,006           1,000,000   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Class I Shares

          

Proceeds from shares sold

        217,209,911           23,590,500   

Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions

        416,475             

Shares redeemed

        (20,564,998        (1,000,000
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Class I Shares

        197,061,388           22,590,500   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

        207,223,394           23,590,500   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

        207,106,089           24,348,530   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Beginning of period

        24,348,530             
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

      $ 231,454,619         $ 24,348,530   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss, end of period

      $ (2,842,736      $ (51,195
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

 

24


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

(CONCLUDED)

 

     FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2015
    FOR THE
PERIOD ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2014(1)
 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

          

Class A Shares

          

Shares sold

        942,331           96,525   

Shares reinvested

        1,381             

Shares redeemed

        (123,027          
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Class A Shares

        820,685           96,525   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Class I Shares

          

Shares sold

        17,778,992           2,349,865   

Shares reinvested

        36,469             

Shares redeemed

        (1,745,441        (96,525
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Class I Shares

        16,070,020           2,253,340   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in shares.

        16,890,705           2,349,865   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1)

  The Fund commenced operations on July 1, 2014.

 

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

 

25


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for Class A 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.

 

 

     CLASS A SHARES  
     FOR THE
YEAR
ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2015(1)
 
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE      

Net asset value, beginning of period

                    $ 10.36   
     

 

 

 

Net investment loss(2)

        (0.27

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

        2.14   
     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

        1.87   
     

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

     

Net investment income

        (0.21

Net realized gains

        (0.01
     

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

        (0.22
     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

      $ 12.01   
     

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

        18.17
     

 

 

 
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA      

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

      $ 11,013   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)

        2.28

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(excluding interest expense)

        2.24

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)

        2.71

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

        (2.23 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

        0.00

 

(1)

Inception date of Class A Shares of the Fund was August 29, 2014.

(2)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

(3)

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. Total return does not reflect any applicable sales charge.

 

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

 

26


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONCLUDED)

 

 

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

 

 

     CLASS I SHARES  
     FOR THE     FOR THE  
     YEAR     PERIOD  
     ENDED     ENDED  
     AUGUST 31, 2015     AUGUST 31, 2014(1)  

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

          

Net asset value, beginning of period

      $ 10.36         $ 10.00   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment loss(2)

                      (0.24                      (0.03

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

        2.14           0.39   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

        1.90           0.36   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

        (0.22          

Net realized gains

        (0.01          
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

        (0.23          
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

      $ 12.03         $ 10.36   
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

        18.46        3.60
     

 

 

      

 

 

 
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA           

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

      $ 220,441         $ 24,349   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)

        2.03        2.01 %(4) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(excluding interest expense)

        1.99        1.99 %(4) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)

        2.46        4.71 %(4) 

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

        (1.98 )%         (1.99 )%(4) 

Portfolio turnover rate

        0.00        0.00 %(5) 

 

(1)

The Class I Shares commenced operations on July 1, 2014.

(2)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

(3)

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. Periods less than one year are not annualized.

(4)

Annualized.

(5)

Not annualized.

 

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

 

27


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

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 twenty-one active investment portfolios, including the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on July 1, 2014. The Fund is authorized to offer three classes of shares, Class A Shares, Class I Shares and Class C Shares. Class A Shares are sold subject to a front-end maximum sales charge of 5.75%. Front-end sales charges may be reduced or waived under certain circumstances. Class C Shares commenced investment operations on October 6, 2015.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 82.373 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and fifty-three classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by allocating its assets between a “Managed Futures” strategy and a “Fixed Income” strategy.

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

CONSOLIDATION OF SUBSIDIARY — The Managed Futures strategy will be achieved by the Fund investing up to 25% of its total assets in Abbey Capital Offshore Fund Limited, a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The consolidated financial statements of the Fund include the Subsidiary. The Fund consolidates the results of subsidiaries in which the Fund holds a controlling economic interest (greater than 50%). All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As of August 31, 2015, the net assets of the Subsidiary were $44,262,791, which represented 19.1% of the Fund’s net assets.

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. 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, provided such amount approximates fair value. Forward exchange contracts are valued by interpolating between spot and forward currency rates as quoted by an independent pricing service. Futures contracts are generally valued using the settlement price determined by the relevant exchange. 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.

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:

 

28


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

 

• 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, 2015, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

                 LEVEL 2     LEVEL 3
     TOTAL FAIR     LEVEL 1     SIGNIFICANT     SIGNIFICANT
     VALUE AT     QUOTED     OBSERVABLE     UNOBSERVABLE
    

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

   

PRICE

 

   

INPUTS

 

   

INPUTS

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   $ 172,131,007      $ 172,131,007      $      $—

Commodity Contracts

        

Futures

     2,741,284        2,741,284            

Purchased Options

     77,010        77,010            

Equity Contracts

        

Futures

     281,383        281,383            

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

     3,153,483               3,153,483     

Futures

     739,211        739,211            

Purchased Options

     720,728        57,996        662,732     

Interest Rate Contracts

        

Futures

     897,968        897,968            

Purchased Options

     394,963        394,963            

 

Total Assets

   $ 181,137,037      $     177,320,822      $     3,816,215      $—

 

                 LEVEL 2     LEVEL 3
     TOTAL FAIR     LEVEL 1     SIGNIFICANT     SIGNIFICANT
     VALUE AT     QUOTED     OBSERVABLE     UNOBSERVABLE
    

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

   

PRICE

 

   

INPUTS

 

   

INPUTS

 

 

Commodity Contracts

        

Futures

   $ (1,733,167   $ (1,733,167   $      $—

Written Options

     (5,100     (5,100         

Equity Contracts

        

Futures

     (1,499,917     (1,499,917         

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

     (2,954,740            (2,954,740  

Futures

     (388,377     (388,377         

Written Options

     (375,341     (2,138     (373,203  

Interest Rate Contracts

        

Futures

     (1,814,258     (1,814,258         

Written Options

     (547,500     (547,500         

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (9,318,400   $ (5,990,457)      $ (3,327,943)      $—

 

At the end of each 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.

 

29


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(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 year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund had no transfers between Level 1, 2 and 3.

DISCLOSURES ABOUT DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Derivative instruments are defined as financial instruments whose value and performance are based on the value and performance of another security or financial instrument. Derivative instruments that the Fund used during the period include options, forward foreign currency contracts and futures contracts.

During the year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund used long and short contracts on U.S. and foreign equity market indices, U.S. and foreign government bonds, foreign currencies, interest rates, and commodities (through investment in the Subsidiary), to gain investment exposure in accordance with its investment objective.

The following tables provide quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on the Fund’s derivative instruments as of and for the year ended August 31, 2015.

The following table lists the fair values of the Fund’s derivative holdings as of August 31, 2015 grouped by contract type and risk exposure category.

 

    CONSOLIDATED                                   
    STATEMENT                                   
    OF ASSETS AND           INTEREST      FOREIGN                
    LIABILITIES    EQUITY      RATE      CURRENCY      COMMODITY         

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

 

LOCATION

 

  

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

    

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

Asset Derivatives

  

 

 

Purchased Options

 

Investments, at value

   $       $ 394,963       $ 720,728       $ 77,010       $ 1,192,701   

 

 

Forward Contracts

 

Unrealized

appreciation on

forward foreign

currency contracts

                     3,153,483                 3,153,483   

 

 

Futures Contracts

 

Payable:

Variation Margin

     281,383         897,968         739,211         2,741,284         4,659,846   

 

 

Total Value - Assets

     $           281,383       $           1,292,931       $           4,613,422       $           2,818,294       $           9,006,030   

 

 

 

30


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

    CONSOLIDATED                               
    STATEMENT                               
    OF ASSETS AND          INTEREST     FOREIGN              
    LIABILITIES    EQUITY     RATE     CURRENCY     COMMODITY        

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

 

LOCATION

 

  

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

Liability Derivatives

  

 

 

Written Options

  Options written, at value    $                     —      $ (547,500   $ (375,341   $ (5,100   $ (927,941

 

 

Forward Contracts

 

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

                                —        (2,954,740            (2,954,740

 

 

Futures Contracts

 

Payable:

Variation Margin

     (1,499,917     (1,814,258     (388,377     (1,733,167     (5,435,719

 

 

Total Value - Liabilities

     $           (1,499,917   $           (2,361,758   $           (3,718,458   $           (1,738,267   $           (9,318,400

 

 

The following table lists the amounts of realized gains or (losses) included in net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the year ended August 31, 2015, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

     CONSOLIDATED                                
     STATEMENT                                
     OF ASSETS AND          INTEREST     FOREIGN               
     LIABILITIES    EQUITY     RATE     CURRENCY     COMMODITY         

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

  

LOCATION

 

  

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

    

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

Realized Gain (Loss)

  

 

 

Purchased Options

  

Net realized gain (loss) from Investments

   $ (215,698   $ (92,119   $ (29,805   $ 99,791       $ (237,831

 

 

Futures Contracts

  

Net realized gain (loss) from Futures

     (3,675,619     1,536,414        2,601,740        1,760,754         2,223,289   

 

 

Forward Contracts

  

Net realized gain (loss) from Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

                         —                            —        2,996,259                2,996,259   

 

 

Written Options

  

Net realized gain (loss) from Written Options

     17,198        31,160        95,559        104,316         248,233   

 

 

Total Realized Gain (Loss)

      $           (3,874,119   $           1,475,455      $           5,663,753      $           1,964,861       $           5,229,950   

 

 

 

31


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

The following table lists the amounts of change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the year ended August 31, 2015, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

     CONSOLIDATED                               
     STATEMENT                               
     OF ASSETS AND          INTEREST     FOREIGN              
     LIABILITIES    EQUITY     RATE     CURRENCY     COMMODITY        

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

  

LOCATION

 

  

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

CONTRACTS

 

   

TOTAL

 

 

 

 
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   

 

 

Purchased Options

   Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from Investments    $ 11,430      $ (305,340   $ (652,710   $ (154,909   $ (1,101,529

 

 

Futures Contracts

   Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from Futures      (1,308,145     (1,115,336     (923     909,504        (1,514,900

 

 

Forward Contracts

   Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from Forward Foreign Currency Contracts                          —                            —                137,727                        —                137,727   

 

 

Written Options

   Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from Written Options      (3,180     38,386        131,404        32,626        199,236   

 

 

Total change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      $           (1,299,895   $           (1,382,290   $           (384,502   $           787,221      $           (2,279,466

 

 

For the year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund’s average volume of derivatives is as follows:

 

PURCHASED
OPTIONS
(COST)
  WRITTEN
OPTIONS
(PROCEEDS)
  LONG FUTURES
NOTIONAL
COST
  SHORT  FUTURES
NOTIONAL
COST
  FORWARD  FOREIGN
CURRENCY
CONTRACTS — PAYABLE
(VALUE AT TRADE DATE)
  FORWARD FOREIGN
CURRENCY
CONTRACTS — RECEIVABLE
(VALUE AT TRADE DATE)
$948,346   $(475,888)   $481,925,129   $(212,487,800)   $(124,285,769)   $124,407,427

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (receivables) or the obligation to return cash collateral (payables) arising from derivative instruments recognized at fair value executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement.

The following is a summary of financial and derivative instruments that are subject to enforceable master netting agreements (or similar arrangements) and collateral received and pledged in connection with the master netting agreements (or similar arrangements).

 

32


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

       

 

 

 

Gross Amount Not

Offset

in Statement of

Assets and Liabilities

  

  

  

  

         

 

 

 

Gross Amount Not

Offset

in Statement of

Assets and Liabilities

  

  

  

  

  

Description

 

    
 
 
 
 

 

Gross Amount
Presented in the
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities

 

  
  
  
  
  

 

    
 

 

Financial
Instruments

 

  
  

 

   
 

 

Collateral
Received

 

  
  

 

    
 

 

Net
Amount(1)

 

  
  

 

   
 
 
 
 

 

Gross Amount
Presented in the
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities

 

  
  
  
  
  

 

    
 

 

Financial
Instruments

 

  
  

 

   
 

 

Collateral
Pledged

 

  
  

 

    
 

 

Net
Amount(2)

 

  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Assets     Liabilities  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency

Contracts

   $ 3,153,483       ($ 2,954,740   $       $ 198,743      $ 2,954,740       ($ 2,954,740   $       $   

 

(1)

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 

(2)

Net amount represents the net amount payable from the counterparty in the event of default.

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 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.

For tax purposes, the Subsidiary is an exempted Cayman investment company. The Subsidiary has received an undertaking from the Government of the Cayman Islands exempting it from all local income, profits and capital gains taxes. No such taxes are levied in the Cayman Islands at the present time. For U.S. income tax purposes, the Subsidiary is a Controlled Foreign Corporation and as such is not subject to U.S. income tax.

 

33


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

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 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 — Investment in foreign securities involves currency risk associated with securities that trade or are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and which may be affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. An increase in the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to a foreign currency may cause the U.S. dollar value of an investment in that country to decline. Foreign currencies also are subject to risks caused by inflation, interest rates, budget deficits and low savings rates, political factors and government controls. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts may limit potential gains from a favorable change in value between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. Unanticipated changes in currency pricing may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in these contracts.

COMMODITY SECTOR RISK — Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, and events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s Share value to fluctuate.

FOREIGN SECURITIES MARKET RISK — A substantial portion of the trades of the Fund are expected to take place on markets or exchanges outside the United States. There is no limit to the amount of assets of the Fund that may be committed to trading on foreign markets. The risk of loss in trading foreign futures and options on futures contracts can be substantial. Participation in foreign futures and options on futures contracts involves the execution and clearing of trades on, or subject to the rules of, a foreign board of trade or exchange. Some of these foreign markets, in contrast to U.S. exchanges, are so-called principals’ markets in which performance is the responsibility only of the individual counterparty with whom the trader has entered into a commodity interest transaction and not of the exchange or clearing corporation. In these kinds of markets, there is risk of bankruptcy or other failure or refusal to perform by the counterparty.

COUNTERPARTY RISK — The derivative contracts entered into by the Fund or its Subsidiary may be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. Relying on a counterparty exposes the Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing the Fund to suffer a loss. If a counterparty defaults on its payment obligations to the Fund, this default will cause the value of an investment in the Fund to decrease.

CREDIT RISK — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the security or a counterparty in respect of a derivative instrument will not be able to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund when due. Changes in an

 

34


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. Securities rated in the four highest categories by the rating agencies are considered investment grade but they may also have some speculative characteristics. Investment grade ratings do not guarantee that bonds will not lose value or default. In addition, the credit quality of securities may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes.

OPTIONS — An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. The Fund may use futures contracts and related options for: bona fide hedging; attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of; attempting to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies; attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument; or other risk management purposes. 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 may enter into options written for: bona fide hedging; attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of; attempting to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies; attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument; or other risk management purposes. Such options may relate to particular securities or domestic stock indices, and may or may not be listed on exchanges regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or on other non-U.S. exchanges. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the option exercise period. The writer of the option is required upon exercise to assume a short futures position (if the option is a call) or a long futures position (if the option is a put). Upon exercise of the option, the accumulated cash balance in the writer’s futures margin account is delivered to the holder of the option. That balance represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract at exercise exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. The maximum risk of loss associated with writing put options is limited to the exercised fair value of the option contract. The maximum risk of loss associated with writing call options is potentially unlimited. 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. Listed option contracts present minimal counterparty credit risk since they are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded options, guarantees the options against default. As of August 31, 2015, all of the Fund’s written options are exchange-traded options.

 

35


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

The Fund had transactions in options written during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 as follows:.

 

     NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
    PREMIUMS
RECEIVED
 

Options outstanding at
August 31, 2014

     93      $ 65,784   

Options written

     119,070,677        2,574,033   

Options closed

     (1,316     (1,153,132

Options expired

     (23,916,127     (355,602
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options outstanding at
August 31, 2015

     95,153,327      $ 1,131,083   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

FUTURES CONTRACTS — 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 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.

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. The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk related to Forward Foreign Currency Contracts is the fair value of the contract. The risk may be mitigated to some extent if a master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty is in place and to the extent the Fund obtains collateral to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.

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.

 

36


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

2. INVESTMENT ADVISER AND OTHER SERVICES

Abbey Capital Limited (“Abbey Capital” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Fund is managed by the Adviser and one or more Trading Advisers unaffiliated with the Adviser. The Adviser also has the ultimate responsibility to oversee the Trading Advisers, and to recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement, subject to approval by the Board of Directors. The Fund compensates the Adviser for its services at the annual rate of 1.97% of its average annual net assets, payable on a monthly basis in arrears. The Adviser compensates the Trading Advisers out of the advisory fee that it receives from the Fund.

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 2.24%, 1.99% and 2.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares, Class I Shares and Class C Shares, respectively. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to exceed 2.24%, 1.99% or 2.99%, as applicable: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the 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 2.24%, 1.99% or 2.99%, as applicable, the Adviser may recoup any waived amount from the Fund if such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations. For the year ended August 31, 2015, investment advisory fees accrued and waived were $2,011,897 and $434,343, respectively. At August 31, 2015, the amount of potential recovery by the Adviser was as follows:

 

EXPIRATION  
FISCAL YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2017
    FISCAL YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2018
 
  $94,261              $434,343         

Altis Partners (Jersey) Limited, Cantab Capital Partners LLP, Eclipse Capital Management, Inc., Graham Capital Management, LP, Harmonic Capital Partners LLP, P/E Global, LLC, Revolution Capital Management, LLC and Trigon Investment Advisors, LLC each serves as a Trading Adviser to 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 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 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, subject to certain minimum, 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, subject to certain minimum, and 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.

 

37


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

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, 2015 was $9,109. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company.

4. INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES

For the year ended August 31, 2015, 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

     $—         $—   

Investments in U.S. Government Securities

               

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, 2015, 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

   DEPRECIATION   

$231,756,962   $19,800,000   $(21,975,771)   $(2,175,771)

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, 2015, primarily attributable to disallowed income from the Subsidiary, were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED

NET INVESTMENT

INCOME

 

ACCUMULATED

NET REALIZED

LOSS

 

PAID-IN

    CAPITAL    

$14,793   $(4,976,714)   $4,961,921

As of August 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED
ORDINARY INCOME

  UNDISTRIBUTED
LONG-TERM
GAINS
  UNREALIZED
  DEPRECIATION  
  QUALIFIED
LATE-YEAR
LOSSES
  OTHER
TEMPORARY
DIFFERENCES
$660,502   $—   $(4,985,548)   $—   $—

 

38


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONCLUDED)

 

The differences between the book and tax basis components of distributable earnings relate principally to the timing of recognition of income and gains of the Subsidiary 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 years ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Ordinary
Income
     Long-Term
Gains
   Total  

2015

   $ 812,772       $—    $ 812,772   

2014

   $       $—    $   

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses for an unlimited period. Additionally, 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. As of August 31, 2015, 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 were no subsequent events.

 

39


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY 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 consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated portfolio of investments, of the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund (one of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) (the “Fund”) as of August 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statement of operations for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for the year then ended and for the period July 1, 2014 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2014, and the consolidated 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, 2015, 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 consolidated financial position of the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund (one of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) at August 31, 2015, the consolidated results of its operations for the year then ended, the consolidated changes in its net assets for the year then ended and for the period July 1, 2014 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2014, and its consolidated financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 30, 2015

 

40


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY 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, 2015. The information and distribution reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2015. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund paid $812,772 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.

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2015. 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 2016.

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.

 

41


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY 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 (844) 261-6484 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 (800) SEC-0330.

APPROVAL OF ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND TRADING ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

As required by the Investment Company 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 renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Abbey Capital and the Company on behalf of the Fund (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”), (2) the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between Abbey Capital and Abbey Capital Offshore Limited (“ACOL”) (together with the Investment Advisory Agreement, the “Advisory Agreements”), (3) the renewal of the trading advisory agreements among Abbey Capital and ACOL and each of Altis Partners (Jersey) Limited, Cantab Capital Partners, LLP, Eclipse Capital Management, Inc., Graham Capital Management L.P., Harmonic Capital Partners LLP, P/E Global, LLC, Revolution Capital Management, LLC and Trigon Investment Advisors, LLC (collectively, the “Trading Advisers”) (the “Trading Advisory Agreements”), at a meeting of the Board held on May 13-14, 2015 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Advisory Agreements and the Trading Advisory Agreements for an additional one year term. The Board’s decision to approve the Advisory Agreements and the Trading Advisory Agreements reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the arrangements. In approving the Advisory Agreements and the Trading Advisory Agreements, the Board considered information provided by Abbey Capital and each of the Trading Advisers with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and Abbey Capital with respect to the Fund, the investment advisory agreement between ACOL and Abbey Capital, and the Trading Advisory Agreements between Abbey Capital and each Trading Adviser with respect to the Fund, 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 Abbey Capital and each Trading Adviser; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of the personnel providing those services; (iii) Abbey Capital’s and the Trading Advisers’ investment philosophies and processes; (iv) Abbey Capital’s and the Trading Advisers’ assets under management and client descriptions; (v) Abbey Capital’s and the Trading 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) Abbey Capital’s and the Trading Advisers’ advisory fee arrangements with the Company and other similarly managed clients, as applicable; (vii) Abbey Capital’s and the Trading Advisers’ compliance procedures; (viii) Abbey Capital’s and the Trading 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 Group and comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its Lipper 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 Abbey Capital and each Trading Adviser. The Directors concluded that Abbey Capital and each Trading Adviser had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund and ACOL, as applicable.

 

42


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

OTHER INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund, noting that the Fund had outperformed its benchmark for the year-to-date and since inception periods ended March 31, 2015. The Directors considered the Fund’s investment performance in light of its investment objective and investment strategies. The Directors also considered the Fund’s 1st quintile ranking within its Lipper performance universe for the period ended December 31, 2014.

The Board also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the Investment 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. In addition, the Directors noted that Abbey Capital had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2016 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 1.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Class I Shares, 2.24% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class A Shares and 2.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class C Shares. The Directors also considered the fees payable to each Trading Adviser under the Trading Advisory Agreements. In this regard, the Directors noted that the fees for each Trading Adviser were payable by Abbey Capital.

After reviewing the information regarding Abbey Capital’s and the Trading Advisers’ costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering the services to be provided by Abbey Capital and each Trading Adviser, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees to be paid by the Fund to Abbey Capital and the trading advisory fees to be paid by Abbey Capital to each Trading Adviser were fair and reasonable and that the Advisory Agreements and Trading Advisory Agreements should be approved and continued for additional one-year periods ending August 16, 2016.

 

43


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

COMPANY 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 (844) 261-6484.

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

  

Position(s)  

Held

with Company  

   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

in the Past 5 Years

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
       

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

 

   Director    1988 to present    From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).    21    AMDOCS Limited
(service provider to telecommunications companies).
       

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

   Director    2002 to present    Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since March 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.    21    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).    21    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      Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.    21    Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust; (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).
       

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

   Director    2012 to present    From July 2010 to March 2015, 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.    21    None
       

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

 

   Chairman   Director    2005 to present 1991 to present    Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC.    21    Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company)
       

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.    21    Reich and Tang Group (asset management).

 

44


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

  

Position(s)

Held

with

Company

  

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

in the Past 5 Years

INTERESTED DIRECTOR2
       

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).

 

   21    None

 

45


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

  

Position(s)

Held

with

Company

   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

in the Past 5
Years

OFFICERS
       

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 208

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

DOB: 12/62

 

   President Chief Compliance Officer    2009 to present 2004 to present    Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance Services; since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).    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
       

Christina Morse

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/64

   Secretary    2015 to present      Since August 2014, Vice President and Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company); from August 2013 to July 2014, Counsel, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC; from May 2009 to July 2013, Vice President, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.    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 twenty-one 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 Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall and Sablowsky. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board 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 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He 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.

 

46


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED)

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

FACTS   WHAT DOES THE ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY 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 Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your information   

Does the Abbey Capital

Futures Strategy 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

 

Questions?    Call 1-844-261-6484 or go to www.abbeycapital.com
        

 

47


ABBEY CAPITAL FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

What we do      
How does the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy 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 Abbey Capital Futures Strategy 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 Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund’s investment adviser, Abbey Capital Limited, and each sub-adviser.

Nonaffiliates

  

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

• The Abbey Capital Futures Strategy 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 Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund does not jointly market.

 

48


 

Investment Adviser

Abbey Capital Limited

1-2 Cavendish Row

Dublin 1, Ireland

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

ABB-AR15


LOGO

ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2015

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.


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

Dear Shareholder:

The Altair Smaller Companies Fund (the “Fund”) commenced operations on October 21, 2014, and generated a return of 5.90% through the end of the fiscal year on August 31, 2015. It outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2000 Index, which had a return of 5.36% over the same period. While its inception date was October 21, 2014, the Fund remained in cash until it was funded with the first tranche of capital eight days later. From October 29, 2014, through the end of the fiscal period, the Fund outperformed the Russell 2000 Index by 3.64 percentage points (5.90% versus 2.26%).

The Fund’s investment strategy protected capital well during the 2015 market volatility while outperforming the benchmark, despite periods of negative performance within the small cap market. Performance was aided by a growth style mandate followed by the sub-advisers with the two largest Fund asset allocations. Growth significantly outperformed value as an investing style during the fiscal period (a return of 10.69% for the Russell 2000 Growth Index versus 0.13% for the Russell 2000 Value Index for the fiscal period October 21, 2015 to August 31, 2015) as investors sought an extra edge for returns at a time when the economy grew only modestly. The Fund’s performance also benefited from a higher weighting to microcap stocks than was held by the benchmark. The Russell Microcap Index returned 7.17% during the Fund’s fiscal period, outperforming the Russell 2000 by 1.81 percentage points. Another contributor to out performance was the record pace of mergers and acquisitions, with several of our small-company sub-advisers benefiting from holding stocks that were purchased for premiums upwards of 40 percent above market prices.

Small caps far outperformed large caps, in a turnaround from the previous year. This was, in part, because small caps were less affected by currency translation losses from the soaring dollar than multinational corporations with substantial international operations. Small caps also held up better amid the intense speculation over the timing and extent of an expected interest rate increase by the Federal Reserve. While the Fed may raise rates once or twice in small increments starting soon, we still expect rates to stay low for the foreseeable future. Throughout the fiscal period we operated under the belief that the Fed will not hike rates substantially without significant economic improvement, which has yet to occur.

We reduced the allocations of two micro cap sub-advisers we felt were due for lagging returns versus the benchmark, which helped overall performance for the fiscal period. The reductions were based on our research into sub-adviser performance cycles, which vary in length but often last roughly three to five years.

While the Fund delivered a positive return, it had a net realized loss. The majority of the realized losses came from our tax loss harvesting sub-adviser, which offset realized gains from other sub-advisers in the portfolio.

From a sector perspective the Fund is currently underweight interest-rate sensitive areas of the market – utilities, financials and REITs. The Fund’s overweight positions include technology, consumer discretionary and industrials. Given the Fund’s exposure to micro cap stocks, the weighted average market cap is 40% less than the small cap market.

We view the majority of sub-advisers of the Fund to be in productive parts of their performance cycles as we start the new reporting period.

Sincerely,

Altair Advisers LLC

 

1


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Annual Report

Performance Data

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in Altair Smaller Companies Fund

vs. Russell 2000®Index

 

LOGO

This chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on October 21, 2014 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the Russell 2000® Index is unmanaged, does not incur expenses and is not available for investment.

 

Total Returns for the period ended August 31, 2015  
      Since  
      Inception*  

Altair Smaller Companies Fund

     5.90%       

Russell 2000® Index**

     5.36%       

 

Not annualized.

 

*

The Fund commenced operations on October 21, 2014.

 

**

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 (844) 261-6482.

The Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2014, are 1.15% of average daily net assets. This ratio may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Adviser has contractually agreed to 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 1.35% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. This contractual limitation is in effect until October 20, 2015 and may not be terminated without approval by the Company’s Board of Directors.

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.

The Fund evaluates performance as compared to that of the Russell 2000® Index. 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 and is considered representative of small-cap stocks. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

 

2


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Annual Report

Performance Data (Concluded)

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

Investment Considerations

Investing in the Fund involves risk and an investor may lose money. The success of the Fund’s strategy depends on the Adviser’s ability to select Sub-Advisers and each manager’s ability to select investments for the Fund. The Fund may invest in riskier type investments including small and micro-cap stocks, IPOs, special situations and illiquid securities all of which may be more volatile and less liquid.

 

3


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES 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, 2015 through August 31, 2015 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.

 

  

 

     Beginning Account Value    Ending Account Value    Expenses Paid
     March 1, 2015    August 31, 2015    During Period*

Actual

   $1,000.00    $ 985.10    $5.70

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

   1,000.00    1,019.46    5.80

 

 

 

*

Expenses equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.14% for the Fund, 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 -1.49%.

 

4


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

    

    

 

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

 

Security Type/Sector        % of Net            

Classification

   Assets     Value  

COMMON STOCKS:

    

Commercial Services

     8.2   $ 17,445,598   

Retail

     7.1        15,145,821   

Software

     6.1        13,003,274   

Healthcare-Products

     5.5        11,733,206   

Banks

     5.3        11,177,638   

Computers

     4.2        8,971,413   

Pharmaceuticals

     4.2        8,912,082   

Internet

     4.1        8,653,965   

Biotechnology

     3.9        8,251,394   

Semiconductors

     3.4        7,260,206   

Telecommunications

     2.8        5,927,360   

Building Materials

     2.8        5,926,529   

Diversified Financial Services

     2.6        5,565,433   

Apparel

     2.5        5,412,314   

Electronics

     2.2        4,617,387   

Healthcare-Services

     2.1        4,499,347   

Transportation

     2.0        4,347,569   

Insurance

     1.9        3,938,160   

Food

     1.8        3,900,998   

Oil & Gas

     1.6        3,474,964   

Chemicals

     1.5        3,244,578   

REITS

     1.3        2,839,581   

Home Builders

     1.3        2,746,908   

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

     1.3        2,679,140   

Oil & Gas Services

     1.2        2,615,785   

Entertainment

     1.2        2,552,769   

Engineering & Construction

     1.0        2,217,728   

Aerospace/Defense

     1.0        2,105,890   

Home Furnishings

     0.9        1,925,745   

Auto Parts & Equipment

     0.9        1,835,064   

Textiles

     0.8        1,729,065   

Machinery-Diversified

     0.8        1,709,176   
Security Type/Sector        % of Net            

Classification

   Assets     Value  

Real Estate

     0.7   $ 1,574,320   

Environmental Control

     0.7        1,521,878   

Airlines

     0.7        1,508,195   

Metal Fabricate/Hardware

     0.7        1,464,816   

Office Furnishings

     0.6        1,265,956   

Lodging

     0.6        1,240,500   

Savings & Loans

     0.5        1,106,586   

Leisure Time

     0.5        956,938   

Electrical Components & Equipment

     0.4        898,183   

Gas

     0.4        869,878   

Investment Companies

     0.4        853,937   

Beverages

     0.4        852,290   

Mining

     0.4        850,357   

Household Products / Wares

     0.4        787,850   

Housewares

     0.4        753,742   

Water

     0.3        703,602   

Hand / Machine Tools

     0.3        573,059   

Packaging & Containers

     0.2        497,128   

Electric

     0.2        452,210   

Forest Products & Paper

     0.2        307,449   

Distribution/Wholesale

     0.1        242,334   

Agriculture

     0.1        183,948   

Media

     0.1        181,708   

Machinery-Construction & Mining

     0.1        92,335   

Iron / Steel

     0.0        83,158   

Energy-Alternate Sources

     0.0        62,395   

Advertising

     0.0        12   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

     3.1        6,683,492   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     100.0   $ 212,934,343   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

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

 

5


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2015

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

COMMON STOCKS — 96.9%

     

Advertising — 0.0%

  

  

Journal Media Group, Inc.

     2           $ 12   
     

 

 

 

Aerospace/Defense — 1.0%

  

  

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.*

     4,669             96,041   

Aerovironment, Inc.*

     2,504             60,221   

Cubic Corp.

     12,069             508,346   

Kaman Corp.

     2,287             88,804   

KLX, Inc.*

     22,818             892,184   

Moog, Inc., Class A*

     2,723             171,821   

National Presto Industries, Inc.

     728             59,732   

Orbital ATK, Inc.

     1,778             134,649   

Teledyne Technologies, Inc.*

     961             94,092   
     

 

 

 
              2,105,890   
     

 

 

 

Agriculture — 0.1%

  

  

Andersons, Inc. (The)

     3,181             112,544   

Universal Corp.

     1,451             71,404   
     

 

 

 
        183,948   
     

 

 

 

Airlines — 0.7%

  

  

Allegiant Travel Co

     1,851             376,234   

Controladora Vuela Cia de Aviacion SAB de CV, ADR (Mexico)*

     16,817             224,339   

SkyWest, Inc.

     8,137             129,378   

Spirit Airlines, Inc.*

     7,072             362,440   

Virgin America, Inc.*

     12,743             415,804   
     

 

 

 
        1,508,195   
     

 

 

 

Apparel — 2.5%

  

  

Carter’s, Inc.

     4,376             430,205   

Cherokee, Inc.

     32,642             836,941   

Crocs, Inc.*

     3,870             57,005   

G-III Apparel Group Ltd.*

     9,197             637,628   

Lakeland Industries, Inc.*

     19,056             177,030   

Oxford Industries, Inc.

     1,003             84,412   

Rocky Brands, Inc.

     32,750             597,688   

Sequential Brands Group, Inc.*

     30,458             498,597   

Skechers U.S.A. Inc., Class A*

     6,216             874,840   

Steven Madden Ltd.*

     16,897             690,411   

Superior Uniform Group, Inc.

     25,519             433,313   

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

     3,497             94,244   
     

 

 

 
        5,412,314   
     

 

 

 

Auto Parts & Equipment — 0.9%

  

  

Dorman Products, Inc.*

     1,838             92,543   

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc.*

     28,000             892,920   

Remy International, Inc.

     —^           8   

Spartan Motors, Inc.

     88,180             385,347   

Standard Motor Products, Inc.

     843             29,842   

Titan International, Inc.

     13,465             123,609   
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Auto Parts & Equipment — (Continued)

  

  

Unique Fabricating, Inc.

     26,294           $ 310,795   
     

 

 

 
              1,835,064   
     

 

 

 

Banks — 5.3%

  

  

1st Source Corp.

     8,449             252,966   

American River Bankshares*

     49,340             498,334   

Bank of Commerce Holdings

     67,640             389,606   

Bank of the Ozarks, Inc.

     9,478             396,180   

BankUnited, Inc.

     11,568             412,284   

Banner Corp.

     1,722             76,474   

BB&T Corp.

     —^           11   

BBCN Bancorp, Inc.

     8,040             116,982   

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

     1,574             32,645   

City Holding Co.

     4,208             200,385   

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

     2,132             64,621   

CVB Financial Corp.

     4,745             77,106   

FCB Financial Holdings, Inc., Class A*

     12,583             414,987   

First BanCorp (Puerto Rico)*

     8,073             32,373   

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

     779             184,763   

First Financial Bancorp

     7,350             135,534   

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

     4,122             128,359   

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

     5,819             102,647   

First Security Group, Inc.*

     107,860             268,571   

FNB Corp.

     13,275             166,734   

Glacier Bancorp, Inc.

     4,882             126,981   

Hilltop Holdings, Inc.*

     19,550             403,708   

Home BancShares, Inc.

     5,717             217,932   

Horizon Bancorp

     470             11,106   

International Bancshares Corp.

     9,169             235,185   

Live Oak Bancshares, Inc.*

     20,364             392,414   

MB Financial, Inc.

     2,529             83,305   

MidSouth Bancorp, Inc.

     22,510             312,889   

National Penn Bancshares, Inc.

     10,089             121,219   

NBT Bancorp, Inc.

     1,048             27,143   

Northrim BanCorp, Inc.

     19,090             518,866   

Orrstown Financial Services, Inc.

     22,720             395,555   

Pacific Continental Corp.

     33,660             434,887   

Pacific Mercantile Bancorp*

     77,250             556,972   

Park Sterling Corp.

     88,630             639,022   

People’s Utah Bancorp

     14,370             242,134   

Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc.

     34,770             537,544   

PrivateBancorp, Inc.

     2,852             107,948   

S&T Bancorp, Inc.

     3,937             117,795   

Southside Bancshares, Inc.

     5             139   

Suffolk Bancorp

     15,170             404,432   

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.*

     2,307             124,255   

Tompkins Financial Corp.

     1,660             87,133   
 

 

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

 

6


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

     Number         
         of Shares          Value  

Banks — (Continued)

  

  

TrustCo Bank Corp.

     14,061           $ 83,241   

United Bankshares, Inc.

     2,652             99,238   

Walker & Dunlop, Inc.*

     1,341             32,627   

Westamerica Bancorporation

     2,871             129,597   

Western Alliance Bancorp*

     13,227             403,688   

Wilshire Bancorp, Inc.

     9,430             100,712   

Wintrust Financial Corp.

     5,459             278,409   
     

 

 

 
            11,177,638   
     

 

 

 

Beverages — 0.4%

  

  

Farmer Bros Co.*

     25,684             587,136   

Reed’s, Inc.*

     50,029             265,154   
     

 

 

 
        852,290   
     

 

 

 

Biotechnology — 3.9%

  

  

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.*

     2,262             72,316   

Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     5,450             211,188   

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     18,298             212,989   

Blueprint Medicines Corp.*

     21,578             590,374   

Cambrex Corp.*

     1,943             92,895   

Dynavax Technologies Corp.*

     32,856             931,796   

Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.*

     2,245             74,736   

Exelixis, Inc.*

     41,180             245,021   

Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc.*

     17,077             325,658   

Genocea Biosciences, Inc.*

     12,803             148,899   

Harvard Bioscience, Inc.*

     61,569             269,057   

KemPharm, Inc.*

     18,038             353,725   

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     1,187             109,133   

Loxo Oncology, Inc.*

     24,771             497,897   

MacroGenics, Inc.*

     16,869             444,498   

Medicines Co. (The)*

     4,827             197,907   

Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     5,303             103,462   

Myriad Genetics, Inc.*

     12,649             475,096   

NeoGenomics, Inc.*

     195,788             1,190,391   

NewLink Genetics Corp.*

     5,937             266,631   

Nivalis Therapeutics, Inc.*

     13,453             195,607   

Pfenex, Inc.*

     20,444             446,701   

Repligen Corp.*

     7,918             269,845   

Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.*

     20,245             192,530   

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     6,074             44,158   

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     84,716             100,812   

Veracyte, Inc.*

     19,944             188,072   
     

 

 

 
        8,251,394   
     

 

 

 

Building Materials — 2.8%

  

  

AAON, Inc.

     2,382             49,260   

Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

     9,549             497,980   

Aspen Aerogels, Inc.*

     40,577             303,110   

Builders FirstSource, Inc.*

     30,969             458,651   

Caesarstone Sdot-Yam Ltd. (Israel)

     6,469             257,402   
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Building Materials — (Continued)

  

Drew Industries, Inc.

     1,629           $ 90,019   

Energy Focus, Inc.*

     10,064             220,402   

Gibraltar Industries, Inc.*

     23,770             389,590   

Griffon Corp.

     4,619             76,860   

Headwaters, Inc.*

     4,288             86,532   

NCI Building Systems, Inc.*

     30,056             313,484   

Patrick Industries, Inc.*

     16,512             623,988   

PGT, Inc.*

     62,365             833,820   

Quanex Building Products Corp.

     2,595             46,580   

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

     4,180             145,924   

Stock Building Supply Holdings, Inc.*

     19,812             373,060   

Universal Forest Products, Inc.

     2,701             162,222   

US Concrete, Inc.*

     19,267             997,645   
     

 

 

 
              5,926,529   
     

 

 

 

Chemicals — 1.5%

     

A. Schulman, Inc.

     1,903             65,330   

Aceto Corp.

     10,328             231,450   

American Vanguard Corp.

     17,479             233,519   

Balchem Corp.

     1,608             94,116   

Calgon Carbon Corp.

     4,496             73,105   

Codexis, Inc.*

     65,260             243,420   

Hawkins, Inc.

     6,889             262,126   

Innophos Holdings, Inc.

     1,419             68,211   

Innospec, Inc.

     1,325             65,058   

Intrepid Potash, Inc.*

     6,698             52,981   

KMG Chemicals, Inc.

     16,370             330,674   

Koppers Holdings, Inc.

     3,636             75,629   

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc.*

     3,213             67,826   

Landec Corp.*

     83,839             1,115,059   

OM Group, Inc.

     2,104             70,484   

Quaker Chemical Corp.

     932             73,964   

Stepan Co.

     2,701             121,626   
     

 

 

 
        3,244,578   
     

 

 

 

Commercial Services — 8.2%

  

  

ABM Industries, Inc.

     2,589             82,874   

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.*

     16,490             280,660   

Albany Molecular Research, Inc.*

     4,052             80,797   

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.*

     49,299             1,656,446   

ARC Document Solutions, Inc.*

     50,270             333,793   

Ascent Capital Group, Inc., Class A*

     5,586             156,855   

Barrett Business Services, Inc.

     19,710             702,662   

Brink’s Co. (The)

     25,755             738,138   

Capella Education Co.

     1,794             87,457   

Cardtronics, Inc.*

     2,382             82,179   

CorVel Corp.*

     1,091             32,763   
 

 

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

 

7


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Commercial Services — (Continued)

  

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.*

     101,876           $ 1,415,058   

Electro Rent Corp.

     35,930             383,014   

ExamWorks Group, Inc.*

     2,830             101,371   

Green Dot Corp., Class A*

     3,371             59,633   

Hackett Group, Inc. (The)

     52,689             742,388   

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.

     3,392             113,428   

Heartland Payment Systems, Inc.

     1,233             73,462   

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

     15,400             300,146   

Huron Consulting Group, Inc.*

     5,707             413,130   

INC Research Holdings, Inc., Class A*

     9,133             374,544   

Insperity, Inc.

     6,436             285,694   

Kelly Services, Inc., Class A

     23,614             341,222   

Kforce, Inc.

     7,505             201,059   

Korn/Ferry International

     3,699             126,025   

Landauer, Inc.

     1,752             67,294   

LendingTree, Inc.*

     10,451                   1,107,283   

Liberty Tax, Inc.

     12,760             300,626   

Matthews International Corp.,
Class A

     1,608             81,654   

Medifast, Inc.*

     14,900             413,773   

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.

     1,672             105,988   

Monster Worldwide, Inc.*

     8,469             61,570   

Navigant Consulting, Inc.*

     3,071             48,491   

Nord Anglia Education, Inc.
(Cayman Islands)*

     17,513             359,717   

Nutrisystem, Inc.

     14,669             410,439   

NV5 Holdings, Inc.*

     8,250             177,540   

On Assignment, Inc.*

     3,035             109,199   

PAREXEL International Corp.*

     2,736             179,810   

Patriot National, Inc.*

     34,069             553,962   

Paylocity Holding Corp.*

     13,938             460,233   

PFSweb, Inc.*

     57,324             748,078   

Resources Connection, Inc.

     3,737             58,634   

ServiceSource International, Inc.*

     26,722             126,662   

Sotheby’s

     14,165             498,750   

SP Plus Corp.*

     37,394             858,940   

Strayer Education, Inc.*

     1,605             83,845   

Team Health Holdings, Inc.*

     6,854             402,604   

Team, Inc.*

     8,505             355,849   

TrueBlue, Inc.*

     2,701             64,824   

Viad Corp.

     9,991             273,154   

WEX, Inc.*

     3,934             371,881   
     

 

 

 
        17,445,598   
     

 

 

 
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Computers — 4.2%

     

CACI International, Inc., Class A*

     1,145           $ 89,791   

Computer Services, Inc.

     16,069             658,829   

Convergys Corp.

     9,239             208,801   

Datalink Corp.*

     82,410             477,978   

Digimarc Corp.*

     15,405             587,393   

Dot Hill Systems Corp.*

     67,380             651,565   

Electronics For Imaging, Inc.*

     1,897             83,032   

EPAM Systems, Inc.*

     6,889             486,432   

ExlService Holdings, Inc.*

     13,091             473,632   

Globant S.A. (Luxembourg)*

     41,196                   1,120,531   

Icad, Inc.*

     111,605             443,072   

Immersion Corp.*

     22,476             260,497   

Insight Enterprises, Inc.*

     3,352             84,839   

Kornit Digital Ltd. (Israel)*

     21,402             262,174   

Manhattan Associates, Inc.*

     11,183             653,982   

MAXIMUS, Inc.

     3,243             196,364   

Mercury Systems, Inc.*

     25,243             399,849   

NetScout Systems, Inc.*

     1,276             46,638   

PAR Technology Corp.*

     31,860             143,370   

Radisys Corp.*

     108,290             296,715   

Super Micro Computer, Inc.*

     2,807             76,771   

Sykes Enterprises, Inc.*

     12,473             313,696   

Synaptics, Inc.*

     2,264             158,684   

TeleTech Holdings, Inc.

     3,501             94,702   

Virtusa Corp.*

     1,029             54,455   

Vocera Communications, Inc.*

     25,883             303,866   

Xplore Technologies Corp.*

     61,112             343,755   
     

 

 

 
        8,971,413   
     

 

 

 

Distribution/Wholesale — 0.1%

  

  

Pool Corp.

     2,106             146,746   

ScanSource, Inc.*

     1,716             65,551   

Veritiv Corp.*

     836             30,037   
     

 

 

 
        242,334   
     

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services — 2.6%

  

  

Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc., Class B*

     23,863             942,827   

Ellie Mae, Inc.*

     12,362             895,380   

Enova International, Inc.*

     —^           5   

Evercore Partners, Inc., Class A

     2,877             150,697   

Financial Engines, Inc.

     2,493             80,923   

FNFV Group*

     43,573             630,501   

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

     3,337             117,162   

Hennessy Advisors, Inc.

     14,130             349,506   

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A

     3,063             122,275   

JMP Group, LLC

     54,280             388,102   

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

     2,439             220,534   

Piper Jaffray Cos*

     2,205             92,301   
 

 

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

 

8


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

     Number         
         of Shares          Value  

Diversified Financial Services — (Continued)

  

PRA Group, Inc.*

     9,174           $ 488,882   

Silvercrest Asset Management Group, Inc., Class A

     19,466             229,115   

Stifel Financial Corp.*

     2,715             126,519   

Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

     955             109,882   

WageWorks, Inc.*

     7,756             347,546   

Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.

     4,923             273,276   
     

 

 

 
              5,565,433   
     

 

 

 

Electric — 0.2%

     

ALLETE, Inc.

     4,232             202,205   

Avista Corp.

     831             26,085   

El Paso Electric Co.

     1,366             48,356   

UIL Holdings Corp.

     3,856             175,564   
     

 

 

 
        452,210   
     

 

 

 

Electrical Components & Equipment — 0.4%

  

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.*

     2,466             59,850   

Encore Wire Corp.

     1,278             41,497   

General Cable Corp.

     6,009             87,431   

Highpower International, Inc.*

     11,500             25,185   

Insteel Industries, Inc.

     20,900             361,779   

Powell Industries, Inc.

     1,009             29,624   

PowerSecure International, Inc.* .

     24,280             292,817   
     

 

 

 
        898,183   
     

 

 

 

Electronics — 2.2%

     

American Science & Engineering, Inc.

     1,481             58,218   

Badger Meter, Inc.

     1,318             76,826   

Benchmark Electronics, Inc.*

     4,783             102,213   

Brady Corp., Class A

     4,189             91,990   

Checkpoint Systems, Inc.

     8,260             66,741   

Coherent, Inc.*

     504             29,383   

CTS Corp.

     2,929             55,212   

ESCO Technologies, Inc.

     1,906             68,826   

II-VI, Inc.*

     3,812             64,385   

IMAX Corp. (Canada)*

     12,773             400,434   

Imprivata, Inc.*

     10,246             214,551   

Itron, Inc.*

     4,655             139,650   

Ituran Location and Control Ltd.
(Israel)

     15,941             385,613   

Methode Electronics, Inc.

     3,109             82,606   

Napco Security Technologies, Inc.*

     44,741             267,551   

Newport Corp.*

     2,072             31,702   

OSI Systems, Inc.*

     1,315             96,048   

Park Electrochemical Corp.

     1,616             28,458   

Rofin-Sinar Technologies, Inc.*

     2,850             72,590   

Rogers Corp.*

     1,097             61,059   

TASER International, Inc.*

     20,444             478,390   
     Number         
         of Shares          Value  

Electronics — (Continued)

     

Tech Data Corp.*

     13,470           $ 878,783   

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

     19,396             191,632   

Watts Water Technologies, Inc., Class A

     2,071             113,594   

ZAGG, Inc.*

     76,630             560,932   
     

 

 

 
              4,617,387   
     

 

 

 

Energy-Alternate Sources — 0.0%

  

  

Renewable Energy Group, Inc.*

     1,800             15,156   

REX American Resources Corp.*.

     881             47,239   
     

 

 

 
        62,395   
     

 

 

 

Engineering & Construction — 1.0%

  

  

Aegion Corp.*

     5,582             102,709   

Argan, Inc.

     5,696             222,998   

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

     30,815             854,192   

Dycom Industries, Inc.*

     2,682             190,663   

EMCOR Group, Inc.

     4,741             218,513   

Exponent, Inc.

     1,390             59,422   

MYR Group, Inc.*

     9,736             279,326   

Sterling Construction Co., Inc.*

     45,970             213,301   

TopBuild Corp.*

     2,415             76,604   
     

 

 

 
        2,217,728   
     

 

 

 

Entertainment — 1.2%

     

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc., Class A

     7,317             212,047   

Carmike Cinemas, Inc.*

     18,670             445,280   

International Speedway Corp., Class A

     28,078             901,023   

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.

     2,258             160,341   

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.*

     3,694             139,522   

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

     39,020             694,556   
     

 

 

 
        2,552,769   
     

 

 

 

Environmental Control — 0.7%

  

  

Clean Harbors, Inc.*

     11,467             563,259   

Fenix Parts, Inc.*

     22,256             221,892   

Tetra Tech, Inc.

     4,089             106,232   

US Ecology, Inc.

     12,620             630,495   
     

 

 

 
        1,521,878   
     

 

 

 

Food — 1.8%

     

B&G Foods, Inc.

     4,803             145,963   

Calavo Growers, Inc.

     9,329             543,414   

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

     1,158             61,513   

Darling Ingredients, Inc.*

     10,474             134,486   

Diamond Foods, Inc.*

     1,830             55,211   

Fresh Market, Inc. (The)*

     23,470             505,309   

Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A

     4,742             235,677   

Inventure Foods, Inc.*

     36,951             319,626   

J&J Snack Foods Corp.

     681             77,607   
 

 

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

 

9


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Food — (Continued)

     

John B Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.

     6,868           $ 355,007   

Lifeway Foods, Inc.*

     13,858             199,694   

Pinnacle Foods, Inc.

     10,333             463,332   

Sanderson Farms, Inc.

     4,541             313,511   

Snyder’s-Lance, Inc.

     3,587             121,133   

SpartanNash Co.

     1,672             47,318   

Village Super Market, Inc., Class A

     11,594             322,197   
     

 

 

 
              3,900,998   
     

 

 

 

Forest Products & Paper — 0.2%

  

  

Deltic Timber Corp.

     1,796             111,550   

Neenah Paper, Inc.

     1,303             75,209   

PH Glatfelter Co.

     3,361             60,700   

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

     1,698             59,990   
     

 

 

 
        307,449   
     

 

 

 

Gas — 0.4%

     

Laclede Group, Inc. (The)

     5,337             282,541   

New Jersey Resources Corp.

     2,340             66,152   

Northwest Natural Gas Co.

     2,390             105,112   

Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc.

     5,397             208,216   

South Jersey Industries, Inc.

     5,980             144,118   

Southwest Gas Corp.

     1,157             63,739   
     

 

 

 
        869,878   
     

 

 

 

Hand / Machine Tools — 0.3%

  

  

Franklin Electric Co., Inc.

     2,910             85,234   

Hardinge, Inc.

     47,500             487,825   
     

 

 

 
        573,059   
     

 

 

 

Healthcare-Products — 5.5%

  

  

ABIOMED, Inc.*

     1,897             181,922   

Affymetrix, Inc.*

     5,381             50,205   

Alpha Pro Tech Ltd.*

     110,399             229,630   

Analogic Corp.

     569             45,850   

AtriCure, Inc.*

     57,224             1,399,699   

Avinger, Inc.*

     15,974             230,665   

Cantel Medical Corp.

     1,814             90,029   

CONMED Corp.

     1,664             88,292   

Cyberonics, Inc.*

     1,406             91,868   

Cynosure, Inc., Class A*

     17,894             566,166   

Digirad Corp.

     69,985             265,943   

GenMark Diagnostics, Inc.*

     20,504             212,011   

Glaukos Corp.*

     9,575             281,218   

Greatbatch, Inc.*

     1,228             69,775   

ICU Medical, Inc.*

     771             87,524   

Inogen, Inc.*

     11,373             560,575   

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.*

     1,544             92,609   

Intersect ENT, Inc.*

     23,131             588,915   
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Healthcare-Products — (Continued)

  

K2M Group Holdings, Inc.*

     36,790           $ 781,052   

LDR Holding Corp.*

     24,662             920,386   

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

     38,127             504,039   

Luminex Corp.*

     3,317             60,436   

Masimo Corp.*

     3,409             138,508   

Mazor Robotics Ltd., SP ADR
(Israel)*

     27,142             321,904   

Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

     4,835             92,494   

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.*

     2,635             59,946   

NanoString Technologies, Inc.*

     13,634             207,373   

Natus Medical, Inc.*

     1,325             53,901   

NuVasive, Inc.*

     2,238             117,987   

Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.*

     11,943             210,436   

OraSure Technologies, Inc.*

     39,240             211,896   

Oxford Immunotec Global PLC
(United Kingdom)*

     20,334             292,200   

PhotoMedex, Inc.*

     47,740             37,476   

SeaSpine Holdings Corp.*

     1             9   

Synergetics USA, Inc.*

     104,750             445,188   

T2 Biosystems, Inc.*

     8,056             95,705   

TransEnterix, Inc.*

     46,822             123,610   

Trinity Biotech PLC, SP ADR
(Ireland)

     31,477             483,487   

Vascular Solutions, Inc.*

     13,298             459,579   

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

     10,504             586,648   

Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.*

     12,273             396,050   
     

 

 

 
              11,733,206   
     

 

 

 

Healthcare-Services — 2.1%

  

  

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.*

     6,011             438,983   

Addus HomeCare Corp.*

     10,084             289,814   

Adeptus Health, Inc., Class A*

     4,077             406,232   

Air Methods Corp.*

     13,500             505,575   

Almost Family, Inc.*

     7,310             323,833   

Amedisys, Inc.*

     2,217             85,665   

Amsurg Corp.*

     7,941             622,733   

Cancer Genetics, Inc.*

     30,845             296,420   

Chemed Corp.

     621             84,673   

Ensign Group, Inc. (The)

     930             43,664   

IPC Healthcare, Inc.*

     1,552             123,229   

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.

     7,193             144,435   

LHC Group, Inc.*

     5,106             221,090   

Molina Healthcare, Inc.*

     2,020             150,672   

Providence Service Corp. (The)*

     927             41,557   

Psychemedics Corp.

     24,410             270,951   

Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc.*

     12,307             449,821   
     

 

 

 
        4,499,347   
     

 

 

 

Home Builders — 1.3%

     

Cavco Industries, Inc.*

     5,995             428,942   
 

 

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

 

10


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Home Builders — (Continued)

     

Green Brick Partners, Inc.*

     52,537           $ 638,325   

Installed Building Products, Inc.*

     27,547             736,056   

M/I Homes, Inc.*

     2,055             51,334   

Meritage Homes Corp.*

     2,475             104,296   

Ryland Group, Inc. (The)

     3,091             133,655   

UCP, Inc., Class A*

     32,040             261,126   

William Lyon Homes, Class A*

     17,351             393,174   
     

 

 

 
              2,746,908   
     

 

 

 

Home Furnishings — 0.9%

     

American Woodmark Corp.*

     7,324             485,435   

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.

     14,254             413,651   

Daktronics, Inc.

     33,920             294,765   

Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

     2,052             61,047   

Hooker Furniture Corp.

     14,796             353,033   

La-Z-Boy, Inc.

     3,067             84,680   

Skullcandy, Inc.*

     33,210             233,134   
     

 

 

 
        1,925,745   
     

 

 

 

Household Products / Wares — 0.4%

  

  

Acme United Corp.

     15,608             270,799   

SodaStream International Ltd.
(Israel)*

     28,460             433,730   

WD-40 Co.

     995             83,321   
     

 

 

 
        787,850   
     

 

 

 

Housewares — 0.4%

     

Lifetime Brands, Inc.

     38,780             563,086   

Toro Co. (The)

     2,674             190,656   
     

 

 

 
        753,742   
     

 

 

 

Insurance — 1.9%

     

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

     2,236             54,245   

American National Insurance Co.

     5,300             526,237   

Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. (Cayman Islands)*

     22,736             366,732   

Conifer Holdings, Inc.*

     8,880             88,445   

eHealth, Inc.*

     9,610             143,573   

Employers Holdings, Inc.

     3,729             82,224   

Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. (Bermuda)

     1             34   

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.*

     52,080             598,399   

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

     3,432             114,011   

Infinity Property & Casualty Corp.

     1,164             89,954   

ProAssurance Corp.

     2,565             123,710   

RLI Corp.

     1,478             77,019   

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

     3,866             117,217   

Stewart Information Services Corp.

     982             38,043   
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Insurance — (Continued)

     

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

     2,126           $ 52,363   

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. (Bermuda)

     2,038             1,465,954   
     

 

 

 
              3,938,160   
     

 

 

 

Internet — 4.1%

     

Autobytel, Inc.*

     13,900             245,335   

Blucora, Inc.*

     4,421             61,717   

Blue Nile, Inc.*

     3,051             103,917   

Chegg, Inc.*

     49,758             369,702   

comScore, Inc.*

     9,970             520,534   

ePlus, Inc.*

     8,642             654,372   

FTD Cos, Inc.*

     1,304             38,977   

j2 Global, Inc.

     2,243             156,068   

magicJack VocalTec Ltd.
(Israel)*

     60,390             548,945   

Marketo, Inc.*

     14,408             403,568   

NIC, Inc.

     3,334             62,813   

Perficient, Inc.*

     1,298             21,495   

Q2 Holdings, Inc.*

     44,300             1,158,888   

QuinStreet, Inc.*

     46,047             253,258   

Rapid7, Inc.*

     10,909             230,071   

Reis, Inc.

     16,435             409,232   

RingCentral, Inc., Class A*

     25,301             435,430   

Shopify, Inc., Class A (Canada)*

     11,626             320,180   

SMTP, Inc.

     25,173             117,810   

Stamps.com, Inc.*

     11,764             968,648   

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc., Class A*

     200,050             700,175   

TheStreet, Inc.

     121,509             212,641   

Tucows, Inc., Class A*

     8,152             211,300   

VASCO Data Security International, Inc.*

     1,622             27,120   

Zendesk, Inc.*

     20,395             421,769   
     

 

 

 
        8,653,965   
     

 

 

 

Investment Companies — 0.4%

  

  

Capital Southwest Corp.

     12,528             568,020   

PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.

     23,767             285,917   
     

 

 

 
        853,937   
     

 

 

 

Iron / Steel — 0.0%

     

AK Steel Holding Corp.*

     26,912             83,158   
     

 

 

 

Leisure Time — 0.5%

     

Arctic Cat, Inc.

     10,940             289,144   

Callaway Golf Co.

     4,678             41,400   

MCBC Holdings, Inc.*

     15,140             225,586   

Nautilus, Inc.*

     4,949             75,621   

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A*

     12,399             220,826   
 

 

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

 

11


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Leisure Time — (Continued)

  

Town Sports International Holdings, Inc.*

     40,450           $ 104,361   
     

 

 

 
        956,938   
     

 

 

 

Lodging — 0.6%

     

Boyd Gaming Corp.*

     4,776             76,894   

Interval Leisure Group, Inc.

     196             3,932   

Marcus Corp. (The)

     20,911             405,883   

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.*

     24,943             437,750   

Red Lion Hotels Corp.*

     39,211             316,041   
     

 

 

 
              1,240,500   
     

 

 

 

Machinery-Construction & Mining — 0.1%

  

Astec Industries, Inc.

     2,337             92,335   
     

 

 

 

Machinery-Diversified — 0.8%

  

  

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

     3,840             162,586   

Briggs & Stratton Corp.

     3,946             78,841   

Chart Industries, Inc.*

     4,451             113,768   

Columbus McKinnon Corp.

     15,150             288,002   

Hurco Cos, Inc.

     15,190             468,460   

Manitex International, Inc.*

     41,630             266,432   

Tennant Co.

     1,666             95,495   

Twin Disc, Inc.

     16,840             235,592   
     

 

 

 
        1,709,176   
     

 

 

 

Media — 0.1%

     

Gannett Co., Inc.

     9,737             127,652   

Scholastic Corp.

     1,251             54,056   
     

 

 

 
        181,708   
     

 

 

 

Metal Fabricate/Hardware — 0.7%

  

  

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

     7,746             220,064   

CIRCOR International, Inc.

     2,058             93,104   

Dynamic Materials Corp.

     45,475             515,232   

Haynes International, Inc.

     89             3,402   

Mueller Industries, Inc.

     2,467             78,475   

NN, Inc.

     18,560             449,338   

TimkenSteel Corp.

     5,887             105,201   
     

 

 

 
        1,464,816   
     

 

 

 

Mining — 0.4%

     

Alcoa, Inc.

     —^           3   

A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc.

     26,581             279,100   

Century Aluminum Co.*

     10,485             58,716   

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.

     1,268             105,979   

Materion Corp.

     933             28,886   

Stillwater Mining Co.*

     12,813             122,364   

United States Lime & Minerals, Inc.

     5,185             255,309   
     

 

 

 
        850,357   
     

 

 

 
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Miscellaneous Manufacturing — 1.3%

  

Actuant Corp., Class A

     7,774           $ 166,675   

AZZ, Inc.

     1,154             58,392   

Barnes Group, Inc.

     3,127             120,796   

CLARCOR, Inc.

     6,307             355,526   

EnPro Industries, Inc.

     2,026             96,113   

Fabrinet (Cayman Islands)*

     3,054             60,714   

Federal Signal Corp.

     2,265             32,050   

Harsco Corp.

     11,836             136,824   

John Bean Technologies Corp.

     2,493             82,568   

Lydall, Inc.*

     14,616             396,971   

Proto Labs, Inc.*

     5,610             408,576   

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.*

     36,618             662,053   

Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.

     1,620             101,882   
     

 

 

 
        2,679,140   
     

 

 

 

Office Furnishings — 0.6%

     

Interface, Inc.

     23,639             573,009   

Kimball International, Inc., Class B.

     23,006             251,456   

Knoll, Inc.

     18,457             441,491   
     

 

 

 
              1,265,956   
     

 

 

 

Oil & Gas — 1.6%

     

Callon Petroleum Co.*

     27,808             254,999   

Diamondback Energy, Inc.*

     6,180             422,032   

Evolution Petroleum Corp.

     76,221             447,417   

Gran Tierra Energy, Inc.*

     116,010             288,865   

Murphy USA, Inc.*

     11,740             600,031   

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.*

     15,824             95,419   

PDC Energy, Inc.*

     10,329             580,283   

QEP Resources, Inc.

     16,140             226,606   

RSP Permian, Inc.*

     14,126             338,176   

Synergy Resources Corp.*

     6,624             71,142   

Unit Corp.*

     9,868             149,994   
     

 

 

 
        3,474,964   
     

 

 

 

Oil & Gas Services — 1.2%

     

Dawson Geophysical Co.*

     55,961             259,099   

Flotek Industries, Inc.*

     31,011             606,575   

Independence Contract Drilling, Inc.*

     29,267             202,820   

Matrix Service Co.*

     3,158             63,160   

Mitcham Industries, Inc.*

     27,894             120,223   

Natural Gas Services Group, Inc.*

     27,630             599,295   

Newpark Resources, Inc.*

     15,095             110,646   

PHI, Inc., Non Voting Shares*

     8,644             219,212   

Profire Energy, Inc.*

     173,230             188,821   

SEACOR Holdings, Inc.*

     1,242             80,121   

Tesco Corp. (Canada)

     2,751             23,356   
 

 

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

 

12


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Oil & Gas Services — (Continued)

  

TETRA Technologies, Inc.*

     18,525           $ 142,457   
     

 

 

 
              2,615,785   
     

 

 

 

Packaging & Containers — 0.2%

  

  

AEP Industries, Inc.*

     9,130             497,128   
     

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals — 4.2%

     

Akorn, Inc.*

     3,082             122,633   

Anika Therapeutics, Inc.*

     1,068             37,818   

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.*

     61,123             412,580   

Cempra, Inc.*

     7,097             244,137   

Chiasma, Inc.*

     17,900             464,684   

Depomed, Inc.*

     17,130             461,311   

DexCom, Inc.*

     6,932             652,578   

Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc.*

     9,030             356,595   

Foamix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Israel)*

     45,244             459,679   

Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.*

     10,147             502,175   

Heron Therapeutics, Inc.*

     7,796             299,834   

Impax Laboratories, Inc.*

     3,480             142,541   

Imprimis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     36,105             281,258   

Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.*

     6,805             182,306   

Lannett Co., Inc.*

     748             35,867   

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.*

     12,405             320,297   

Nektar Therapeutics*

     7,708             85,173   

Neogen Corp.*

     1,733             89,492   

Nevro Corp.*

     4,457             200,699   

OPKO Health, Inc.*

     4,103             44,394   

Owens & Minor, Inc.

     12,300             418,077   

PharMerica Corp.*

     2,116             69,236   

PRA Health Sciences, Inc.*

     5,437             204,594   

Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc.*

     4,121             191,709   

Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp.*

     14,992             181,853   

Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.*

     12,457             157,955   

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     24,008             435,745   

Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     48,449             339,143   

Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     14,116             612,776   

uniQure NV (Netherlands)*

     17,165             459,850   

Xencor, Inc.*

     16,633             278,935   

Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     5,911             166,158   
     

 

 

 
        8,912,082   
     

 

 

 

Real Estate — 0.7%

     

Farmland Partners, Inc.

     26,965             285,020   

Forestar Group, Inc.*

     8,338             107,810   

HFF, Inc., Class A

     12,953             470,582   

Marcus & Millichap, Inc.*

     16,743             710,908   
     

 

 

 
        1,574,320   
     

 

 

 
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

REITS — 1.3%

     

Acadia Realty Trust

     3,764           $ 111,226   

Agree Realty Corp.

     1,641             46,686   

American Assets Trust, Inc.

     1,089             41,948   

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

     4,280             47,979   

Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.

     15,667             98,075   

Chesapeake Lodging Trust

     3,271             94,565   

CoreSite Realty Corp.

     1,355             65,975   

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

     17,242             202,766   

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

     2,185             117,990   

GEO Group, Inc. (The)

     20,220             607,207   

Getty Realty Corp.

     5,876             92,606   

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

     7,137             163,437   

Inland Real Estate Corp.

     9,846             82,805   

Lexington Realty Trust

     25,135             202,839   

LTC Properties, Inc.

     3,774             153,941   

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

     —^           7   

Post Properties, Inc.

     2,005             110,997   

PS Business Parks, Inc.

     760             55,450   

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

     3,666             58,399   

Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.

     6,477             155,254   

Sovran Self Storage, Inc.

     1,313             117,815   

Universal Health Realty Income Trust

     3,063             140,898   

Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., Class A

     3,944             70,716   
     

 

 

 
              2,839,581   
     

 

 

 

Retail — 7.1%

     

Ascena Retail Group, Inc.*

     27,712             334,484   

Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.*

     —^           3   

Barnes & Noble, Inc.

     2,744             42,834   

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp.

     50,480             580,520   

Biglari Holdings, Inc.*

     1,876             700,236   

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.*

     637             27,385   

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.*

     20,500             447,720   

Buckle, Inc. (The)

     1,533             64,693   

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.*

     3,318             629,358   

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.*

     24,110             472,556   

Burlington Stores, Inc.*

     4,474             237,525   

Caleres, Inc.

     2,536             84,449   

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.*

     45,685             577,915   

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.

     1,888             199,864   

Children’s Place, Inc. (The)

     5,848             350,412   

Christopher & Banks Corp.*

     84,460             147,805   

Chuy’s Holdings, Inc.*

     18,166             556,606   

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

     1,050             151,389   

Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.*

     16,213             205,743   
 

 

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

 

13


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Retail — (Continued)

     

DineEquity, Inc.

     907           $ 86,618   

Express, Inc.*

     5,095             103,938   

Ezcorp, Inc., Class A*

     7,436             46,996   

Finish Line, Inc. (The), Class A

     2,711             71,489   

First Cash Financial Services, Inc.*

     1,291             53,280   

Five Below, Inc.*

     5,646             218,331   

Fogo De Chao, Inc.*

     34,871             670,221   

Genesco, Inc.*

     976             58,453   

Good Times Restaurants, Inc.*

     39,175             270,308   

Gordmans Stores, Inc.*

     141,510             534,908   

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

     894             78,136   

Jack in the Box, Inc.

     6,903             539,677   

Kirkland’s, Inc.

     33,822             754,907   

Kona Grill, Inc.*

     24,703             453,794   

Lithia Motors, Inc., Class A

     1,495             159,367   

Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.*

     4,086             61,739   

MarineMax, Inc.*

     27,024             440,491   

Men’s Wearhouse, Inc. (The)

     3,502             197,688   

Movado Group, Inc.

     2,997             84,845   

New York & Co., Inc.*

     84,240             221,551   

Outerwall, Inc.

     7,472             460,275   

Papa John’s International, Inc.

     1,415             95,159   

PC Connection, Inc.

     22,610             476,393   

PCM, Inc.*

     43,310             423,572   

Pep Boys-Manny Moe & Jack (The)*

     8,204             99,268   

Rave Restaurant Group, Inc.*

     24,271             229,846   

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.*

     711             56,020   

Regis Corp.*

     2,708             29,355   

Restoration Hardware Holdings, Inc.*

     4,226             390,820   

Ruby Tuesday, Inc.*

     63,563             418,245   

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

     3,265             52,501   

Sonic Automotive, Inc., Class A

     2,467             53,065   

Sonic Corp.

     2,998             80,946   

Stage Stores, Inc.

     16,500             177,210   

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

     2,804             100,916   

TravelCenters of America, LLC*

     17,349             204,545   

Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.*

     1,989             71,206   

Wingstop, Inc.*

     12,018             328,812   

Xcel Brands, Inc.*

     21,301             181,698   

Zoe’s Kitchen, Inc.*

     8,620                     297,735   
     

 

 

 
        15,145,821   
     

 

 

 

Savings & Loans — 0.5%

     

Astoria Financial Corp.

     5,686             91,943   

Banc of California, Inc.

     46,770             579,480   
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Savings & Loans — (Continued)

  

  

Brookline Bancorp, Inc.

     9,875           $ 104,181   

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

     8,292             141,213   

Northwest Bancshares, Inc.

     4,708             60,451   

Provident Financial Services, Inc.

     1,738             32,918   

Sterling BanCorp.

     6,871             96,400   
     

 

 

 
              1,106,586   
     

 

 

 

Semiconductors — 3.4%

     

Ambarella, Inc. (Cayman Islands)*

     2,156             206,178   

Amtech Systems, Inc.*

     51,830             282,992   

AXT, Inc.*

     121,190             265,406   

Cabot Microelectronics Corp.*

     1,204             52,230   

Cavium, Inc.*

     6,691             455,122   

CEVA, Inc.*

     12,083             232,598   

Cirrus Logic, Inc.*

     3,525             106,314   

Cohu, Inc.

     43,000             417,100   

Diodes, Inc.*

     4,886             96,205   

Exar Corp.*

     9,657             56,976   

GigOptix, Inc.*

     196,340             327,888   

Inphi Corp.*

     4,581             108,753   

Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc.

     28,520             626,584   

IPG Photonics Corp.*

     2,401             202,692   

M/A-COM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.*

     13,099             386,551   

Microsemi Corp.*

     4,990             158,482   

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

     10,030             482,343   

Nanometrics, Inc.*

     2,355             32,711   

Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd. (Israel)*

     20,263             221,475   

Power Integrations, Inc.

     3,164             124,187   

Qorvo, Inc.*

     —^           23   

Rovi Corp.*

     18,278             202,337   

Rubicon Technology, Inc.*

     64,110             89,754   

Rudolph Technologies, Inc.*

     61,491             784,625   

Sigma Designs, Inc.*

     24,343             239,779   

Silicon Motion Technology Corp., ADR (Cayman Islands)

     12,646             319,944   

Tessera Technologies, Inc.

     2,426             79,427   

Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.*

     83,190             564,860   

Ultratech, Inc.*

     2,385             41,022   

Veeco Instruments, Inc.*

     4,146             95,648   
     

 

 

 
        7,260,206   
     

 

 

 

Software — 6.1%

     

2U, Inc.*

     15,795             552,351   

American Software, Inc., Class A

     27,472             251,644   

Benefitfocus, Inc.*

     11,749             430,953   

Blackbaud, Inc.

     2,160             123,422   
 

 

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

 

14


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Software — (Continued)

     

Bottomline Technologies, Inc.*

     3,324           $ 88,884   

BroadSoft, Inc.*

     11,750             370,830   

Callidus Software, Inc.*

     104,901             1,654,289   

Computer Programs & Systems, Inc.

     901             41,464   

CSG Systems International, Inc.

     38,360             1,185,708   

Cvent, Inc.*

     15,326             483,382   

Dealertrack Technologies, Inc.*

     2,223             139,515   

Ebix, Inc.

     2,006             56,950   

Evolent Health, Inc., Class A*

     23,903             406,351   

Hortonworks, Inc.*

     8,064             191,601   

InnerWorkings, Inc.*

     70,590             512,483   

Interactive Intelligence Group, Inc.*

     19             665   

MAM Software Group, Inc.*

     38,359             229,003   

MedAssets, Inc.*

     4,258             89,929   

Medidata Solutions, Inc.*

     3,734             179,307   

MicroStrategy, Inc., Class A*

     2,630             522,581   

Model N, Inc.*

     23,490             241,947   

Omnicell, Inc.*

     2,250             76,455   

Paycom Software, Inc.*

     31,541                   1,215,590   

Progress Software Corp.*

     4,675             126,646   

Proofpoint, Inc.*

     14,598             822,451   

QAD, Inc., Class A

     22,678             570,805   

Qlik Technologies, Inc.*

     13,287             503,046   

Radware Ltd. (Israel)*

     19,102             355,488   

Simulations Plus, Inc.

     52,779             356,258   

SYNNEX Corp.

     1,652             130,822   

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.*

     3,989             116,200   

Tyler Technologies, Inc.*

     3,231             446,007   

Verint Systems, Inc.*

     7,189             383,389   

Xactly Corp.*

     21,565             146,858   
     

 

 

 
        13,003,274   
     

 

 

 

Telecommunications — 2.8%

     

Anixter International, Inc.*

     2,639             167,999   

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.

     9,119             651,553   

CalAmp Corp.*

     1,804             29,982   

Ciena Corp.*

     17,712             396,040   

Comtech Telecommunications Corp.

     2,710             72,303   

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.

     2,873             56,052   

General Communication, Inc., Class A*

     4,528             76,297   

Gigamon, Inc.*

     22,828             520,022   

GTT Communications, Inc.*

     35,983             791,266   

Infinera Corp.*

     21,648             472,359   

Inteliquent, Inc.

     15,025             275,258   
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Telecommunications — (Continued)

  

Ixia*

     6,177           $ 95,558   

LogMeIn, Inc.*

     1,382             86,154   

NETGEAR, Inc.*

     2,001             60,790   

NeuStar, Inc., Class A*

     25,370             709,092   

ORBCOMM, Inc.*

     46,298             281,955   

Sonus Networks, Inc.*

     36,379             256,108   

Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.

     26,953             766,543   

ViaSat, Inc.*

     2,757             162,029   
     

 

 

 
              5,927,360   
     

 

 

 

Textiles — 0.8%

     

Dixie Group, Inc. (The)*

     29,022             289,930   

G&K Services, Inc., Class A

     1,071             72,410   

UniFirst Corp.

     12,607             1,366,725   
     

 

 

 
        1,729,065   
     

 

 

 

Transportation — 2.0%

     

Air Transport Services Group, Inc.*

     33,804             307,278   

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.*

     1,379             56,966   

CAI International, Inc.*

     13,160             173,186   

Celadon Group, Inc.

     2,623             50,073   

Echo Global Logistics, Inc.*

     6,841             159,122   

Forward Air Corp.

     6,251             281,420   

Gener8 Maritime, Inc. (Marshall Islands)*

     28,473             370,149   

Heartland Express, Inc.

     3,048             61,692   

Hub Group, Inc., Class A*

     3,609             136,023   

Knight Transportation, Inc.

     2,061             56,059   

Marten Transport Ltd.

     29,441             544,953   

Matson, Inc.

     2,740             103,243   

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.*

     7,764             516,228   

PAM Transportation Services, Inc.*

     14,850             573,656   

Radiant Logistics, Inc.*

     34,718             209,002   

Saia, Inc.*

     1,823             68,454   

Swift Transportation Co.*

     18,346             357,564   

UTi Worldwide, Inc. (British Virgin Islands)*

     5,906             42,051   

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

     10,587             280,450   
     

 

 

 
        4,347,569   
     

 

 

 
 

 

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

 

15


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

August 31, 2015

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Water — 0.3%

     

American States Water Co.

     2,811           $ 106,115   

PICO Holdings, Inc.*

     46,138             597,487   
     

 

 

 
        703,602   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $195,622,999)

   

     206,250,851   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 96.9%
(Cost $195,622,999)

   

     206,250,851   
     

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES - 3.1%

   

     6,683,492   
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.0%

  

   $     212,934,343   
     

 

 

 

 

*

Non-income producing security.

^

Amount is less than 0.5 Shares

 

ADR

American Depository Receipt

PLC

Public Limited Company

REIT

Real Estate Investment Trust

SP ADR

Sponsored American Depository Receipt

 

 

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

 

16


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2015

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (Cost $195,622,999)

   $ 206,250,851   

Cash

     7,649,709   

Receivables for:

  

Investments sold

     6,627,578   

Capital shares sold

     442,948   

Dividends

     77,627   

Prepaid expenses

     4,501   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     221,053,214   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables for:

  

Investments purchased

     7,770,345   

Investment sub-advisory fees

     149,787   

Administration and accounting services fees

     81,346   

Capital shares redeemed

     46,000   

Transfer agent fees

     8,797   

Custodian fees

     4,781   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     57,815   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     8,118,871   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 212,934,343   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF

  

Par value

   $ 20,110   

Paid-in capital

     205,376,401   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (606,391

Accumulated net realized loss from investments

     (2,483,671

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency

     10,627,894   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 212,934,343   
  

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARES:

  

Net Assets

   $ 212,934,343   
  

 

 

 

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

     20,110,050   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 10.59   
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

17


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Statement of Operations

For The Period Ended August 31, 2015(1)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $ 3,793)

   $ 1,198,953   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income.

     1,198,953   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Sub-Advisory fees (Note 2)

     1,322,557   

Administration and accounting services fees (Note 2)

     192,282   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     143,292   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     45,486   

Legal fees

     43,500   

Registration and filing fees

     40,160   

Audit fees

     18,945   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     13,000   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     9,067   

Other expenses

     43,768   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,872,057   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (673,104
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized loss from:

  

Investments

     (2,483,676

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Investments

     10,627,852   

Foreign currency translation

     42   
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

     8,144,218   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 7,471,114   
  

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Fund commenced operations on October 21, 2014.

 

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

 

18


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the  
     Period Ended  
     August 31, 2015(1)  

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

     

Net investment loss

                $ (673,104

Net realized loss from investments

        (2,483,676

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

        10,627,894   
     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

        7,471,114   
     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

     

Proceeds from shares sold

        213,199,410   

Shares redeemed

        (7,736,181
     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

        205,463,229   
     

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

        212,934,343   
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     

Beginning of period

          
     

 

 

 

End of period

      $ 212,934,343   
     

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss, end of period

      $ (606,391
     

 

 

 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

     

Shares sold

        20,816,801   

Shares redeemed

        (706,751
     

 

 

 

Net increase in shares

        20,110,050   
     

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Fund commenced operations on October 21, 2014.

 

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

 

19


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES 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 period. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

                                        
     For the Period
     October 21, 2014(1)
     to August 31, 2015

Per Share Operating Performance

    

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 10.00  
    

 

 

 

Net investment loss(2)

       (0.04 )

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

       0.63  
    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       0.59  
    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 10.59  
    

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

       5.90 %(4)
    

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

    

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

     $ 212,934  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

       1.15 %(5)

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

       (0.41 )%(5)

Portfolio turnover rate

       95 %(4)

 

(1)

Commencement of operations.

(2)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

(3)

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.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

 

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

 

20


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2015

    

    

 

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 twenty-one active investment portfolios, including the Altair Smaller Companies Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced operations on October 21, 2014.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 82.373 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and fifty-three 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”) (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. 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, 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.

 

21


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

    

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2015, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

                   Level 2         
                   Other      Level 3  
            Level 1      Significant      Significant  
     Total Value      Quoted      Observable      Unobservable  
    

at August 31, 2015

     Price      Inputs      Inputs  

Investments in Securities*

   $ 206,250,851       $ 206,250,851       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

                        

           

* Please refer to Portfolio of Investments for further details.

     

At the end of each 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 period ended August 31, 2015, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Fund.

Use of Estimates — The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. 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

 

22


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

    

 

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, if any, are declared and paid annually. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term 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.

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

Altair Advisers LLC (“Altair” or the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. Aperio Group, LLC, Driehaus Capital Management LLC, Granite Investment Partners, LLC, Pacific Ridge Capital Partners, LLC, Pier Capital LLC and River Road Asset Management, LLC each serves as an investment sub-adviser (“Sub-Adviser”) to the Fund.

The Fund is managed by the Adviser and one or more Sub-Advisers unaffiliated with the Adviser. The Adviser also has the ultimate responsibility to oversee the Sub-Advisers, and to recommend their hiring, termination and replacement, subject to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The Adviser has an investment team that is jointly responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. The Sub-Advisers provide investment advisory services to the portion of the Fund’s portfolio allocated to them by the Adviser. The Adviser and the Fund have entered into sub-advisory agreements with the Sub-Advisers to manage the Fund, subject to supervision of the Adviser and the Board, and in accordance with the investment objective and restrictions of the Fund. For their services, each Sub-Adviser is entitled to receive a fee based upon a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets, which will be paid by the Fund and not by the Adviser. However, in no event will the total sub-advisory fees exceed the annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the period ended August 31, 2015, collectively, the Sub-Advisers earned fees of $1,322,557 or an annualized rate of 0.81%.

The Fund is currently only available to clients of the Adviser and to other investors at the Fund’s discretion. The Adviser does not receive a separate management fee from the Fund. However, pursuant to the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser, the Adviser is entitled to receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses it incurs in connection with its compliance monitoring of Fund trading, up to 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

23


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

    

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to reimburse expenses in an aggregate amount equal to the amount by which the total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceeds 1.35% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual Fund operating expenses to exceed 1.35%: acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, litigation, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least October 20, 2015 and may not be terminated without approval by the Company’s Board of Directors. If at any time during the first three years the investment advisory agreement is in effect, the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.35%, the Adviser may recoup any waived or reimbursed amounts from the Fund if such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement. For the period ended August 31, 2015, the Adviser earned no fees and did not waive or reimburse any fees.

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.

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, subject to certain minimum, 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, subject to certain minimum, and 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 aggregate remuneration paid to the Directors by the Fund during the period ended August 31, 2015 was $8,736. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company.

4. Investment in Securities

For the period ended August 31, 2015, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

    

    Purchases  

  

      Sales      

Investment Securities

   $354,012,907    $155,893,887

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,

 

24


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

    

 

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, 2015, the federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

 

            

Federal tax cost

   $ 196,517,442     
  

 

 

   

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 22,241,169     

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (12,507,760  
  

 

 

   

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 9,733,409                                                                   
  

 

 

   

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.

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2015, primarily attributable to disallowed expenses and current year write-off of net operating loss, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

Undistributed   Accumulated      
Net Investment   Net Realized   Paid-In  
Income   Gain/(Loss)   Capital  
$66,713   $5   $ (66,718

As of August 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed   Undistributed   Net Unrealized   Qualified Late-Year

Ordinary Income

  Long-Term Gains   Appreciation   Losses
$ —   $1,998   $9,733,451   $(2,197,617)

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 reportable as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

There were no dividends or distributions paid during the period ended August 31, 2015.

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, 2015, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2015.

 

25


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2015

    

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund deferred to September 1, 2015, the following losses:

 

Late-Year   Short-Term   Long-Term
Ordinary   Capital   Capital
Loss Deferral   Loss Deferral   Loss Deferral
$606,391   $1,591,226   $—

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses for an unlimited period. Additionally, 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. As of August 31, 2015, 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.

 

26


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of the Altair Smaller Companies 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 Altair Smaller Companies Fund, a separately managed portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) at August 31, 2015, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the period October 21, 2014 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2015, 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 audit. We conducted our audit 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 audit, which included confirmation of securities at August 31, 2015 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2015

 

27


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES 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 period ended August 31, 2015. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ending December 31, 2015. During the fiscal period ended August 31, 2015, the Fund did not pay ordinary income dividends nor 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 2015. 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 2016.

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.

 

28


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES 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 (844) 261-6482 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 (800) SEC-0330.

 

29


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Company 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 (844) 261-6482.

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

   Position(s)  
Held
with Company  
   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

in the Past 5
Years

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809 DOB: 7/33

   Director    1988 to present    From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).    21   

AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommu- nications companies).

 

           

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809 DOB: 9/38

   Director    2002 to present   

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

 

   21    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).    21   

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

   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.    21   

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

 

 

30


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Company Management (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

   Position(s)  
Held
with Company  
   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

in the Past 5
Years

 

           

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809 DOB: 4/61

   Director    2012 to present   

From July 2010 to March 2015, 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.

 

   21    None
           

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809 DOB: 5/48

   Chairman Director    2005 to present 1991 to present    Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC.    21   

Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).

 

           

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809 DOB: 3/41

   Director    2006 to present    Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group.    21   

Reich and Tang Group (asset management).

 

              
INTERESTED DIRECTOR 2
           

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).    21    None

 

31


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Company Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Age

   Position(s)
Held
with Company  
   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
in the Past 5
Years

 

OFFICERS
           

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE Vigilant Compliance Services Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 208

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

DOB: 12/62

   President Chief   Compliance Officer    2009 to present 2004 to present    Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance Services; since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).    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
           

Christina Morse

301 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/64

   Secretary    2015 to present    Since August 2014, Vice President and Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company); from August 2013 to July 2014, Counsel, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC; from May 2009 to July 2013, Vice President, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.    N/A    N/A
           

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

   Assistant Treasurer    2005 to present    Since 1995, Senior Director and Vice President 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 twenty-one 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 waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, and 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 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He 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.

 

32


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

FACTS      

  

 

WHAT DOES THE ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES 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 Altair Smaller Companies Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your information

 

   Does the Altair Smaller
Companies 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 1-844-261-6482

 

33


ALTAIR SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

 

What we do

 

   

How does the Altair Smaller Companies 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 Altair Smaller Companies 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 credit worthiness

 

•  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 Altair Advisers LLC, the investment adviser to the Altair Smaller Companies Fund.

 

 

Nonaffiliates

 

 

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

• Altair Smaller Companies 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.

• Altair Smaller Companies 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.

 

 

34


Investment Adviser

Altair Advisers LLC

303 West Madison Street

Chicago, IL 60606

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

2001 Market Street, Suite 1800

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

ALT-AR15


 

 

BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP

GROWTH FUND

of THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

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, 2015, the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) Investor Class of shares returned -9.09% and the Institutional Class of shares returned -8.99%, both net of fees, underperforming the unmanaged Russell 2000® Index of small cap stocks (the “Benchmark”), which returned +0.03%. The Fund’s periodic returns and returns since inception are shown in the charts on pages five and six (returns are calculated as the growth of the dollar value of a minimum investment made at the inception 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 Bogle Investment Management, L.P. business update.

Market Environment. U.S. equity markets delivered flat performance for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, though the lack of any material total return belies the approximate 20% trading range the Benchmark experienced during the fiscal year. Market volatility, as measured by the VIX level of implied, expected volatility, which had been quite low in the past few years, spiked at both the beginning of the fiscal year (amid concerns over global economic weakness and the rapid decline of oil prices that fell over -50% from the beginning of the period, on September 1, 2014, through late January) and at the end of the fiscal year (with escalating concern about slowing economic growth in China). U.S. small cap equities dropped in September 2014 and the first half of October with the Benchmark losing more than -10%. The Benchmark then rebounded strongly, rising more than +11% in the second half of October. Small cap equity stocks then moved up fairly steadily; from November 1, 2014 through late-June 2015, the Benchmark added over +11%. However, that gain was short lived as small cap stocks declined from late-June through August 2015 to finish the fiscal year approximately flat. Concerns regarding the global impact of China’s problems, declining commodity prices, and uncertainty regarding the timing of Federal Reserve tightening dominated the headlines during the final months of the fiscal year.

For much of the fiscal year, investors tended to favor more expensive growth stocks as the Russell 2000® Growth Index outperformed the Russell 2000® Value Index (up +5.11% versus -4.95%); and by market-cap weighted indices generally outperforming equal weighted indices, with the Russell 2000® Index (market-cap weighted) advancing +0.03%, compared with the Russell 2000® Equal Weighted Index returning -3.06%. Size was not a material factor differentiating stock returns as both the Russell 1000® Index of large cap stocks and the Russell 2000® Index of small cap stocks were flat over the period. Volatility of the Fund and the Benchmark, as measured by the variability (standard deviation) of their returns, were below long-term averages.

Performance Attribution. Our management of the Fund during fiscal year 2015 was very disappointing. The Fund’s Investor Class of shares underperformed the Benchmark by -9.12%, net of all fees, and the Institutional Class of shares underperformed by -9.02%, net of all fees. The most basic evaluation we perform on our investment returns versus our Benchmark is to look at how much of the difference is attributed to our overall market exposure, any economic sector exposures we have that are different from the Benchmark, and the exposures that we have to individual stocks that are different from the Benchmark, which we refer to as “stock selection.” Because we hold very little cash and do not tend to have large active sector bets, the significant majority of our performance is typically attributed to stock selection, and this was the case in fiscal year 2015 (though sector exposures also had a negative impact). Most of the Fund’s underperformance can be attributed to the first four months of the fiscal year, amid the collapse in oil prices, from September 1 to December 31, when the Fund returned -5.86%, compared to the Benchmark return of +3.09%. Individual stocks in several sectors (including energy minerals and industrial services), that were affected by the price of oil, experienced such steep declines that even small sector differences resulted in unusually negative relative performance. Over the next four months from January 1 to April 30, the Fund rebounded and outperformed the Benchmark by over +3% as markets stabilized. However, the Fund gave back those gains from May 1 to the end of the fiscal year on August 31. The economic sectors of the stocks that detracted the most from relative performance

 

1


were industrial services and energy minerals. Specific stocks with large negative contributions were Comstock Resources, Inc. (CRK), Pioneer Energy Services Corp. (PES), and Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (HLX). Sectors with positive contributions included consumer non-durables, notably Skechers USA, Inc. (SKX), and health technology stocks, Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ANAC) and ICON PLC (ICLR).

While stock and sector selection are standard classifications for performance attribution, it is also important to evaluate the various components of our investment process that led to these results. Our investment process continues to be driven by a proprietary stock selection model that has been created and enhanced over our sixteen years in business by our team of five investment professionals, each with not less than a dozen years of quantitative investment experience. Our investment process combines insights derived from longer-term fundamental financial data with those exploiting 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 fundamental financial characteristics that are, for any of myriad reasons, not fully appreciated by the market, and secondarily, by opportunistically modifying our exposure to 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 many of the following characteristics when compared to their closest peers: more attractive free cash flow, less leverage, more transparent accounting, organic improvement in their businesses, less expensive share prices, improving earnings outlooks, 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 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 add value by finding both a greater number of opportunities from, and greater likelihood of success with, mispricings caused by structurally driven trading. Given the volatile market environment during the fiscal year, and consistent with model tendencies, our fundamental models detracted the most from our performance. Within this category of our models, the Fund’s exposure to stocks that had attractively priced multiples on assets and cash flows, and stocks that we consider high financial quality (conservative accounting, lower or declining leverage, improving free cash flow, etc.) were the largest detractors to performance, as investors were demonstrating a strong preference for stocks that were relatively more expensive and those that exhibited what our models deemed to be poor financial quality.

Although our underperformance this year is frustrating, our extensive experience managing assets has given us the conviction that market conditions unfavorable to our investment approach are temporary and tend to self-correct, providing good opportunities to earn compelling returns when they do. We have seen before, and surely will see again, individual models or our entire investment process going through periods of significant underperformance. While many investors might have a tendency to think that “the world has changed” and consider changing their approach in an attempt to adapt to what the markets have been rewarding, we have probably a greater tendency than most to be patient with these episodes. We are quite slow and deliberate to make changes to what we are doing, believing that the more painful the underperformance, the more likely it is to be driven by temporarily manic market behavior that will ultimately abate, providing uncommonly good opportunities as a reward for that patience. This conviction comes not from tests; it comes from experiencing it with your and our own real world investments. We are confident that our approach will be rewarded over the long term. That said, we are careful to not allow ourselves to become dogmatic in our beliefs; we continue to evaluate every aspect of our performance every day. We are not only open to evolutionary changes to our approach, we continually and actively seek new insights that we hope will add value for our shareholders.

Fund Characteristics. As of the end of the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund held 217 stocks, with the largest position representing 1.40% of net assets. As shown in the table on the next page, the Fund looks similar to its investable universe across a variety of fundamental risk characteristics. As of August 31, 2015, the Fund’s median market capitalization was smaller than its investable universe. The Fund’s median price-to-sales ratio was also below its investable universe, 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 5.9% in the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, below the Fund’s long-term

 

2


average of 6.8%. The Fund’s beta with the Benchmark, at approximately 1.07, was slightly higher than its long-term average.

Self-Assessment. Each year we take a hard, objective look at how well we have performed for you, both in investment results and the quality of service the Fund’s operations team provides. We deserve a failing grade for our fiscal 2015 investment performance as we underperformed the Benchmark by a considerable margin. While we have pointed to the factors that led to these poor results, at the end of the day we are one hundred percent responsible for building those factors into our investment process. Despite the recent negative performance, our long-term performance is strong. As of the end of this fiscal year, the Fund has beaten the Benchmark by approximately two and a half percentage points per year for the past three- and five-year periods, and by over three percentage points per year since the inception of the Fund almost sixteen years ago. This long-term performance has resulted in a cumulative net return of 441% for the Fund’s Investor Class of shares, almost twice the 234% cumulative return to the Benchmark. Despite the poor performance this year, we remain confident that our approach will be rewarded over the long term.

 

FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

Median

   BOGLX*      Investable
Universe
 

Median Market Cap ($mil.)

     $1,476         $2,984   

Price/Historical Earnings

     20.7x         22.3x   

Price/Forward Earnings

     18.0x         19.1x   

Price/Sales

     1.2x         2.1x   
* 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®
Index
 

Standard Deviation

     18.3%         16.1%   

Active Volatility

     5.9%        

Beta with Russell 2000® Index

     1.07        
* 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 movements.       
 

While investment results are (and should be!) the focus of your investor experience with us, our shareholder and investor services are important as well. We continue to work with BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., giving them feedback that we have received 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 2015, net assets in the Fund were $180.3 million. Our investment team remains unchanged; the same five analysts we have always had continue to work together coming up with new ideas for improving our investment process. We appreciate you staying the course with your investments during this recent period of difficult performance. We remain confident that our investment models will again rebound, hopefully strongly, and that you will be rewarded for your patience and long-term perspective.

 

3


More information about the Fund, including 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.

The Fund’s investment adviser, Bogle Investment Management, L.P. (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2015 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain expenses) exceed 1.25% and 1.35% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively. The Adviser, in its discretion, has the right to extend this waiver. The total expense ratios for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2014, are 1.32% and 1.42%, respectively.

The Russell 2000® Index is an index of stocks 1001 through 3000 in the Russell 3000® Index as ranked by total market capitalization. A direct investment in the index is not possible. The Russell® Indexes are a trademark of the Frank Russell Company (“FRC”). FRC is the owner of the copyrights relating to the Russell Indexes and is the source of the Performance Values for the Russell Indexes.

Investing in small companies can involve more volatility, less liquidity and less available information than investing in large companies.

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

 

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, 2014, is 1.32% 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) The Adviser 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, 2015.

 

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, 2014, is 1.42% 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) The Adviser 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, 2015.

 

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, 2015 through August 31, 2015, 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, 2015
       ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE
AUGUST  31, 2015
       EXPENSES PAID  DURING
PERIOD*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 921.10         $ 6.05   

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,018.90           6.36   
     INVESTOR CLASS  
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE
MARCH  1, 2015
       ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE
AUGUST 31, 2015
       EXPENSES PAID  DURING
PERIOD*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 920.50         $ 6.53   

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 (7.89)% for the Institutional Class and (7.95)% for the Investor Class.

 

7


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLE

AUGUST 31, 2015

(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:

         

Finance

       22.5%         $ 40,542,730   

Health Technology

       11.0           19,901,642   

Technology Services

       10.3           18,602,026   

Electronic Technology

       8.5           15,320,023   

Producer Manufacturing

       7.0           12,616,646   

Consumer Services

       5.4           9,777,428   

Retail Trade

       4.8           8,647,826   

Consumer Durables

       4.4           7,939,119   

Energy Minerals

       4.4           7,839,080   

Process Industries

       4.1           7,400,414   

Industrial Services

       3.5           6,314,490   

Health Services

       3.3           6,001,744   

Commercial Services

       2.5           4,453,581   

Transportation

       2.4           4,315,596   

Consumer Non-Durables

       2.2           3,987,065   

Non-Energy Minerals

       1.8           3,204,044   

Utility

       1.3           2,313,456   

Distribution Services

       0.1           195,267   

Communications

       0.1           157,937   

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT

       1.2           2,138,369   

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS

       (0.8)           (1,401,444
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       100.0%         $ 180,267,039   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at anytime.

 

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

 

8


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

COMMON STOCKS—99.6%

   

COMMERCIAL SERVICES—2.5%

  

Civeo Corp

    173,084      $ 337,514   

Constant Contact, Inc. *

    9,320        230,763   

Groupon, Inc. *

    350,903        1,579,064   

Hackett Group, Inc., (The)

    1,707        24,052   

Insperity, Inc.

    18,329        813,624   

ManpowerGroup, Inc.

    14,953        1,299,416   

RetailMeNot, Inc. *

    13,446        121,014   

Vectrus, Inc. *

    1,937        48,134   
   

 

 

 
      4,453,581   
   

 

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS—0.1%

  

Inteliquent, Inc.

    8,621        157,937   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER DURABLES—4.4%

  

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.

    10,724        311,210   

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.

    46,867        1,809,066   

Fossil Group, Inc. *

    24,894        1,532,973   

Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc. *

    45,839        313,997   

Movado Group, Inc.

    4,828        136,681   

Nautilus, Inc. *

    48,148        735,701   

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. *

    54,055        1,574,622   

TiVo, Inc. *

    167,568        1,524,869   
   

 

 

 
      7,939,119   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER NON-DURABLES—2.2%

  

Alliance One International, Inc. *

    2,382        54,977   

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.

    3,449        178,279   

Phibro Animal Health Corp., Class A

    3,017        106,500   

Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A *

    16,261        2,288,573   

USANA Health Sciences, Inc. *

    7,945        1,163,863   

Vince Holding Corp. *

    21,228        194,873   
   

 

 

 
      3,987,065   
   

 

 

 

CONSUMER SERVICES—5.4%

  

Ascent Capital Group, Inc., Class A *

    9,624        270,242   

Boyd Gaming Corp. *

    91,804        1,478,044   

CTC Media, Inc.

    60,841        111,339   

Denny’s Corp. *

    51,940        583,286   

Jack in the Box, Inc.

    23,752        1,856,931   

K12, Inc. *

    45,691        604,035   

McClatchy Co., (The), Class A *

    41        52   

MoneyGram International, Inc. *

    54,653        477,667   

Nutrisystem, Inc.

    8,576        239,956   

Penn National Gaming, Inc. *

    80,534        1,462,497   
    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

CONSUMER SERVICES—(CONTINUED)

  

Phoenix New Media Ltd., ADR *

    17,042      $ 81,631   

ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. *

    37,713        1,326,743   

Steiner Leisure Ltd. *

    19,065        1,213,869   

Wingstop, Inc. *

    2,600        71,136   
   

 

 

 
      9,777,428   
   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTION SERVICES—0.1%

  

SpartanNash Co.

    5,709        161,565   

Veritiv Corp. *

    938        33,702   
   

 

 

 
      195,267   
   

 

 

 

ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY—8.5%

  

ADTRAN, Inc.

    2,991        47,916   

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. *

    28,403        689,341   

Allied Motion Technologies, Inc.

    877        16,681   

Calix, Inc. *

    400        3,204   

Celestica, Inc. *

    361        4,408   

Checkpoint Systems, Inc.

    2,406        19,440   

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES Bermuda Ltd.

    95,095        1,767,816   

Cohu, Inc.

    10,621        103,024   

Eastman Kodak Co. *

    800        11,264   

Embraer SA, SP ADR

    16,300        412,064   

Flextronics International Ltd. *

    1,100        11,561   

FormFactor, Inc. *

    217,530        1,446,575   

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.

    7,274        127,659   

Infinera Corp. *

    71,374        1,557,381   

Ixia *

    40,371        624,539   

Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc. *

    54,837        579,079   

Mellanox Technologies Ltd. *

    842        34,050   

NeoPhotonics Corp. *

    73,181        529,830   

NETGEAR, Inc. *

    18,070        548,967   

Polycom, Inc. *

    125,018        1,345,194   

Sigma Designs, Inc. *

    61,817        608,897   

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

    24,028        2,098,846   

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. *

    112,875        1,354,500   

Teradyne, Inc.

    76,374        1,377,787   
   

 

 

 
      15,320,023   
   

 

 

 

ENERGY MINERALS—4.4%

  

Baytex Energy Corp.

    186,747        1,077,530   

Contango Oil & Gas Co. *

    88,687        825,676   

Enerplus Corp.

    275,517        1,746,778   

Penn West Petroleum Ltd.

    248,295        191,187   

Stone Energy Corp. *

    302,216        1,713,565   
 

 

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, 2015

 

    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

ENERGY MINERALS—(CONTINUED)

  

SunCoke Energy, Inc.

    46,596      $ 534,922   

WPX Energy, Inc. *

    239,319        1,749,422   
   

 

 

 
      7,839,080   
   

 

 

 

FINANCE—22.5%

  

Aaron’s, Inc.

    15,571        586,248   

Ambac Financial Group, Inc. *

    28,506        463,223   

American National Insurance Co.

    12,091        1,200,515   

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

    54,960        1,388,290   

Bancolumbia SA, SP ADR

    43,080        1,486,260   

Cash America International, Inc.

    70,068        1,933,877   

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

    75,487        1,565,600   

Employers Holdings, Inc.

    54,435        1,200,292   

ePlus, Inc. *

    12,591        953,391   

First BanCorp Puerto Rico *

    344,228        1,380,354   

First Defiance Financial Corp.

    7,829        295,075   

First Horizon National Corp.

    113,614        1,650,811   

GAMCO Investors, Inc., Class A

    12,371        723,704   

Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A *

    308,161        1,596,274   

Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

    22,436        815,997   

Hilltop Holdings, Inc. *

    72,780        1,502,907   

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A

    51,410        2,052,287   

INTL. FCStone, Inc. *

    52,429        1,387,271   

Investment Technology Group, Inc.

    99,292        1,630,375   

Legg Mason, Inc.

    26,165        1,159,894   

LendingTree, Inc. *

    20,540        2,176,213   

MBIA, Inc. *

    303,424        2,130,036   

Navigators Group, Inc., (The) *

    21,603        1,642,908   

Nelnet, Inc., Class A

    9,584        360,838   

OM Asset Management PLC

    12,935        213,686   

Phoenix Cos, Inc. (The) *

    7,725        125,531   

Piper Jaffray Cos. *

    38,108        1,595,201   

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

    24,449        2,221,925   

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

    62,748        1,902,519   

TAL International Group, Inc. *

    96,188        1,763,126   

United Insurance Holdings Corp.

    4,267        56,068   

United Rentals, Inc. *

    19,300        1,338,069   
    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

FINANCE—(CONTINUED)

  

Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

    1,785      $ 43,965   
   

 

 

 
      40,542,730   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH SERVICES—3.3%

  

Alliance HealthCare Services, Inc. *

    10,861        155,530   

Amedisys, Inc. *

    15,736        608,039   

INC Research Holdings, Inc., Class A *

    32,533        1,334,178   

LHC Group, Inc. *

    4,231        183,202   

Molina Healthcare, Inc. *

    27,859        2,078,003   

VCA , Inc. *

    29,664        1,642,792   
   

 

 

 
      6,001,744   
   

 

 

 

HEALTH TECHNOLOGY—11.0%

  

Affymetrix, Inc. *

    101,779        949,598   

Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. *

    9,851        68,563   

Alere, Inc. *

    17,440        906,357   

Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    17,249        2,249,442   

Atrion Corp.

    422        163,314   

Avalanche Biotechnologies, Inc. *

    32,973        344,898   

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Class A *

    10,405        1,449,729   

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. *

    164        8,144   

Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    9,863        153,666   

Cytokinetics, Inc. *

    4,130        28,580   

Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    58,661        58,074   

ICON PLC. *

    32,807        2,526,139   

ICU Medical, Inc. *

    4,713        535,020   

ImmunoGen, Inc. *

    122,619        1,650,452   

Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    138,328        1,220,053   

Lipocine, Inc. *

    9,429        138,795   

Masimo Corp. *

    8,273        336,132   

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. *

    11,202        254,846   

Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    27,482        536,174   

NewLink Genetics Corp. *

    43,590        1,957,627   

OraSure Technologies, Inc. *

    97,658        527,353   

Orthofix International N.V. *

    15,711        588,848   

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    102,785        753,414   

Recro Pharma, Inc. *

    24,567        329,689   

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    50,149        150,447   

RTI Surgical, Inc. *

    2,997        19,121   

SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    39,715        312,160   

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class A *

    62,184        1,670,262   
 

 

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

 

10


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

HEALTH TECHNOLOGY—(CONTINUED)

  

Syneron Medical Ltd *

    1,562      $ 14,745   
   

 

 

 
      19,901,642   
   

 

 

 

INDUSTRIAL SERVICES—3.5%

  

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

    6,538        181,233   

Dycom Industries, Inc. *

    19,816        1,408,719   

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. *

    256,946        1,785,775   

Nabors Industries Ltd.

    144,741        1,670,311   

Pacific Drilling SA *

    59,900        119,800   

Parker Drilling Co. *

    164,220        553,421   

Pioneer Energy Services Corp. *

    179,828        595,231   
   

 

 

 
      6,314,490   
   

 

 

 

NON-ENERGY MINERALS—1.8%

  

Century Aluminum Co. *

    274,425        1,536,780   

Constellium N.V., Class A *

    16,718        109,503   

Dominion Diamond Corp.

    75,669        895,921   

Gerdau SA, SP ADR

    230,931        341,778   

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., Class A

    18,490        320,062   
   

 

 

 
      3,204,044   
   

 

 

 

PROCESS INDUSTRIES—4.1%

  

Argan, Inc.

    16,975        664,571   

Braskem SA, SP ADR

    24,246        188,149   

Cabot Corp.

    45,341        1,535,700   

Cambrex Corp. *

    40,536        1,938,026   

Cosan Ltd. Class A

    397,590        1,483,011   

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. *

    28,330        598,046   

Tronox Ltd., Class A

    123,343        992,911   
   

 

 

 
      7,400,414   
   

 

 

 

PRODUCER MANUFACTURING—7.0%

  

Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.

    46,281        1,323,637   

American Woodmark Corp. *

    18,984        1,258,260   

Blount International, Inc. *

    20,607        141,982   

Broadwind Energy, Inc. *

    6,146        19,544   

Chart Industries, Inc. *

    68,494        1,750,707   

Continental Building Products, Inc. *

    40,495        809,495   

Core Molding Technologies, Inc. *

    5,093        111,282   

Energy Focus, Inc. *

    13,023        285,204   

Global Brass & Copper Holdings, Inc.

    19,598        384,905   

Interface, Inc.

    61,602        1,493,232   

ITT Corp.

    42,045        1,572,903   

KMG Chemicals, Inc.

    1,686        34,057   

SPX Corp.

    8,595        504,784   

Tower International, Inc. *

    49,908        1,220,251   
    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

PRODUCER MANUFACTURING—(CONTINUED)

  

Wabash National Corp. *

    139,526      $ 1,706,403   
   

 

 

 
      12,616,646   
   

 

 

 

RETAIL TRADE—4.8%

  

AutoNation, Inc. *

    20,100        1,202,784   

Barnes & Noble, Inc.

    42,496        663,363   

Carter’s, Inc.

    13,073        1,285,207   

Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao, SP PRF ADR

    58,161        1,001,532   

Citi Trends, Inc.

    53,968        1,425,295   

Express, Inc. *

    85,000        1,734,000   

Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A

    13,443        668,117   

Pep Boys-Manny, Moe & Jack (The) *

    17,950        217,195   

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. *

    524        4,024   

Shoe Carnival, Inc.

    17,232        446,309   
   

 

 

 
      8,647,826   
   

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES—10.3%

  

A10 Networks, Inc. *

    13,623        90,457   

Aspen Technology, Inc. *

    40,397        1,529,834   

Bitauto Holdings Ltd., ADR *

    8,866        238,052   

BSQUARE Corp. *

    1,645        9,985   

CDW Corp.

    53,545        2,128,414   

CoreLogic, Inc. *

    29,212        1,108,595   

Earthlink Holdings Corp.

    65,356        548,337   

EnerNOC, Inc. *

    16,370        152,896   

Gigamon, Inc. *

    26,719        608,659   

Imperva, Inc. *

    25,281        1,506,242   

Infoblox, Inc. *

    73,319        1,410,658   

Jive Software, Inc. *

    76,172        343,536   

LogMein, Inc. *

    31,170        1,943,138   

Manhattan Associates, Inc. *

    31,598        1,847,851   

Marchex, Inc., Class B

    13,886        55,127   

MicroStrategy, Inc., Class A *

    2,053        407,931   

Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. *

    39,209        807,313   

NICE-Systems Ltd., SP ADR

    13,887        854,884   

Rovi Corp. *

    89,240        987,887   

Sohu.com, Inc. *

    31,010        1,467,703   

Sykes Enterprises, Inc. *

    8,451        212,543   

Tucows, Inc., Class A *

    8,358        216,639   

United Online, Inc. *

    237        2,581   

Web.com Group, Inc. *

    5,702        122,764   
   

 

 

 
      18,602,026   
   

 

 

 

TRANSPORTATION—2.4%

  

Air Transport Services Group, Inc. *

    212        1,927   

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. *

    35,940        1,484,681   

JetBlue Airways Corp. *

    99,023        2,210,193   
 

 

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

 

11


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONCLUDED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

    NUMBER
OF SHARES
    VALUE  

TRANSPORTATION—(CONTINUED)

  

Latam Airlines Group SA, SP ADR *

    58,730      $ 324,190   

PAM Transportation Services, Inc. *

    3,068        118,517   

Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. *

    7,104        21,880   

USA Truck, Inc. *

    7,808        154,208   
   

 

 

 
      4,315,596   
   

 

 

 

UTILITIES—1.3%

  

Calpine Corp. *

    73,300        1,168,402   

CPFL Energia SA, ADR

    43,920        382,543   

Pampa Energia SA, SP ADR *

    15,334        244,424   

Talen Energy Corp. *

    36,357        518,087   
   

 

 

 
      2,313,456   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $187,199,771)

   

    179,530,114   
   

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT—1.2%

  

BofA Cash Reserves Fund

    2,138,369        2,138,369   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT
(Cost $2,138,369)

   

    2,138,369   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—100.8%
(Cost $189,338,140)

   

    181,668,483   
   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(0.8)%

   

    (1,401,444
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

  

  $ 180,267,039   
   

 

 

 

 

* Non-income producing.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt.

PLC—Public Limited Company

SP ADR—Sponsored American Depositary Receipt.

 

 

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

 

12


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (cost $189,338,140)

   $ 181,668,483   

Receivables for:

  

Investments sold

     2,309,307   

Capital shares sold

     157,514   

Dividends and interest

     180,102   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     24,629   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     184,340,035   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables for:

  

Investments purchased

     3,303,436   

Capital shares redeemed

     481,089   

Investment advisory fees and shareholder servicing fees

     137,367   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     151,104   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     4,072,996   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 180,267,039   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

  

Capital stock, $0.001 par value

   $ 6,072   

Paid-in capital

     166,090,277   

Accumulated net investment loss

     (411,281

Accumulated net realized gain from investments

     22,251,628   

Net unrealized depreciation on investments

     (7,669,657
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 180,267,039   
  

 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

  

Net assets

   $ 88,085,898   
  

 

 

 

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

     2,936,405   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 30.00   
  

 

 

 

INVESTOR CLASS

  

Net assets

   $ 92,181,141   
  

 

 

 

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

     3,135,307   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 29.40   
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

13


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2015

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $30,137)

   $ 1,460,185   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     1,460,185   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     2,034,432   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     292,391   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     150,540   

Shareholder servicing fees (Investor Class)

     103,225   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     73,218   

Professional fees

     58,464   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     50,748   

Registration and filing fees

     38,718   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     26,341   

Insurance fees

     11,167   

Other expenses

     3,579   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers

     2,842,823   

Less: waivers

     (193,985
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers

     2,648,838   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (1,188,653
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized gain from investments

     26,788,339   

Net change in unrealized appreciation /(depreciation) on investments

     (46,136,365
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss on investments

     (19,348,026
  

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (20,536,679
  

 

 

 

 

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

 

14


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     FOR THE
YEAR  ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2015
     FOR THE
YEAR  ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2014
 

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

     

Net investment loss

   $ (1,188,653    $ (1,554,746

Net realized gain from investments

     26,788,339         36,367,817   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     (46,136,365      18,834,972   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

     (20,536,679      53,648,043   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

     

Net investment income

     

Institutional Class

             (211,232

Investor Class

             (92,941

Net realized capital gains

     

Institutional Class

     (13,849,300        

Investor Class

     (13,815,545        
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (27,664,845      (304,173
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

     

Institutional Class

     

Proceeds from shares sold

     19,079,419         37,241,140   

Reinvestment of distributions

     13,556,406         205,141   

Distributions for shares redeemed

     (38,571,504      (47,869,174
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from Institutional Class

     (5,935,679      (10,422,893

Investor Class

     

Proceeds from shares sold

     19,241,414         31,368,704   

Reinvestment of distributions

     13,118,025         87,771   

Distributions for shares redeemed

     (32,546,993      (16,267,560
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from Investor Class

     (187,554      15,188,915   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

     (6,123,233      4,766,022   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

     (54,324,757      58,109,892   

NET ASSETS:

     

Beginning of year

     234,591,796         176,481,904   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 180,267,039       $ 234,591,796   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss, end of year

   $ (411,281    $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

 

15


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (CONCLUDED)

 

     FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2015
     FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2014
 

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

     

Institutional Class

     

Shares sold

     585,082         1,084,194   

Shares reinvested

     437,753         6,207   

Shares redeemed

     (1,183,973      (1,346,938
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from Institutional Class

     (161,138      (256,537
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor Class

     

Shares sold

     586,070         913,039   

Shares reinvested

     431,968         2,698   

Shares redeemed

     (998,233      (475,125
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total from Investor Class

     19,805         440,612   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

     (141,333      184,075   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

    INSTITUTIONAL CLASS  
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/15
     FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/14
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/13
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/12
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/11
 

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 38.07       $ 29.49      $ 21.76      $ 19.38      $ 14.81   
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)*

    (0.18      (0.23     0.10        (0.04     (0.10

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments

    (3.09      8.87        7.63        2.42        4.67   
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

    (3.27      8.64        7.73        2.38        4.57   
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

            (0.06                     

Net realized capital gain

    (4.80                             
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (4.80      (0.06                     
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 30.00       $ 38.07      $ 29.49      $ 21.76      $ 19.38   
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(1)

    (8.99 )%       29.34     35.52     12.28     30.86
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

          

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

  $ 88,086       $ 117,923      $ 98,898      $ 48,526      $ 38,274   

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

    1.35 %       1.32     1.39     1.51     1.44

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

    (0.53 )%       (0.66 )%      0.37     (0.21 )%      (0.48 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    196.15 %       175.06     237.59     288.88     302.71

 

* 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

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
8/31/15
     FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/14
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/13
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/12
    FOR  THE
YEAR
ENDED
8/31/11
 

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

          

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 37.45       $ 29.00      $ 21.42      $ 19.10      $ 14.61   
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)*

    (0.21      (0.26     0.07        (0.07     (0.12

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)
from investments

    (3.04      8.74        7.51        2.39        4.61   
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

    (3.25      8.48        7.58        2.32        4.49   
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

          

Net investment income

            (0.03                     

Net realized capital gain

    (4.80                             
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (4.80      (0.03                     
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 29.40       $ 37.45      $ 29.00      $ 21.42      $ 19.10   
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(1)

    (9.09 )%       29.28     35.39     12.15     30.73
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

          

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

  $ 92,181       $ 116,669      $ 77,584      $ 58,011      $ 74,155   

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

    1.45 %       1.43     1.49     1.60     1.54

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

    (0.63 )%       (0.76 )%      0.27     (0.36 )%      (0.58 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    196.15 %       175.06     237.59     288.88     302.71

 

* 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.

 

18


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 twenty-one 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, 2015, 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 82.373 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and fifty-three 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, 2015, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

      Total
Value at
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS*

     $181,668,483         $181,668,483         $                    —         $                    —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* See Portfolio of Investments for detail on portfolio holdings.

 

19


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

At the end of each 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, 2015, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Fund that require disclosure.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. 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.

 

20


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 and could cause total annual Fund operating expenses to exceed 1.25% and 1.35%, as applicable: 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 without the approval of the Company’s Board. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2015.

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, 2015, investment advisory fees and waivers of the Fund were as follows:

 

GROSS
ADVISORY FEES
    WAIVERS     NET
ADVISORY FEES
 
$ 2,034,432      $ 168,555      $ 1,865,877   

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, 2015, administration and accounting fees and waivers of the Fund were as follows:

 

GROSS ADMINISTRATION
AND  ACCOUNTING
FEES
    WAIVERS     NET ADMINISTRATION
AND  ACCOUNTING
FEES
 
$ 292,391      $ 25,430      $ 266,961   

 

 

21


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, subject to certain minimum, 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, subject to certain minimum, and 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.

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 year ended August 31, 2015 was $12,515. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company.

 

4. INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES

For the year ended August 31, 2015, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

INVESTMENT SECURITIES  
PURCHASES     SALES  
$ 395,472,821      $ 430,776,626   

 

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, 2015, 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
DEPRECIATION
 
$ 189,945,681      $ 16,164,523      $ (24,441,721   $ (8,277,198

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

 

22


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONCLUDED)

 

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, 2015, primarily attributable to short-term capital gains netted against net operating loss, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED
NET  INVESTMENT
INCOME/(LOSS)

   

ACCUMULATED
NET REALIZED
GAIN/(LOSS)

   

PAID-IN
CAPITAL

 
$ 777,372      $ (777,372   $   

As of August 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

CAPITAL LOSS
CARRYFORWARD
    UNDISTRIBUTED
ORDINARY INCOME
    UNDISTRIBUTED
LONG-TERM  GAINS
    UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
    QUALIFIED
LATE-YEAR LOSS
DEFERRAL
 
$      $ 3,127      $ 22,856,042      $ (8,277,198   $ (411,281

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 dividend and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

 

      ORDINARY
INCOME
    LONG-TERM
GAINS
 
  2015      $ 11,234,768      $ 16,430,077   
  2014        304,173          

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 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, 2015, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2015. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund deferred to September 1, 2015, late-year ordinary loss deferrals of $411,281.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. Additionally, 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.

As of August 31, 2015, the Fund did not have any 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.

 

23


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, 2015, 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, 2015 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2015

 

24


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, 2015. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2015. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund paid $11,234,768 of ordinary income dividends to its shareholders and paid $16,430,077 of 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.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the 15% dividend tax rate is 8.75%.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 7.57%.

The percentage of qualified interest related dividends not subject to withholding tax for non-resident aliens and foreign corporations is 0.00%.

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2015. 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 2016.

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.

 

25


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, 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 13-14, 2015 (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 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.

 

 

26


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 had been acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund and Bogle. The Directors noted that each class of the Fund had outperformed the Fund’s primary benchmark for the year-to-date, since inception, and three- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2015. The Directors noted that the investment performance of the Fund was in the 4th quintile within its Lipper Peer Group and Lipper performance universe for the one-year period ended December 31, 2014, but that it was in the 1st quintile for the two-, three-, four- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2014.

The Board 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 equal to the peer group median, and the actual advisory fees of the Fund were slightly lower 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, 2015 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 1.25% and 1.35% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively.

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, 2016.

 

27


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

COMPANY 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 Company

 

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

During

5 Years

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809
DOB: 7/33

  Director   1988 to present  

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

    21      AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809
DOB: 9/38

  Director   2002 to present  

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

    21      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).     21      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  

Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.

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

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809
DOB: 4/61

  Director   2012 to present   From July 2010 to March 2015, 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.     21      None

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809
DOB: 5/48

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

 

Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC.

    21      Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809
DOB: 3/41

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group.     21      Reich and Tang Group (asset management).

 

28


BOGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

 

Position(s)

Held

with Company

 

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

During

5 Years

INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

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).     21      None
OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD,

CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 208
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
DOB: 12/62

 

President

Chief Compliance Officer

 

2009 to present

2004 to present

 

Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance Services; since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).

    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

Christina Morse

301 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809 DOB: 12/64

  Secretary   2015 to present  

Since August 2014, Vice President and Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company); from August 2013 to July 2014, Counsel, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC; from May 2009 to July 2013, Vice President, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

    N/A      N/A

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809
DOB: 10/60

  Assistant Treasurer   2005 to present   Since 1995, Senior Director and Vice President 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 twenty-one 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 waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, and 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. 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He 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.

 

29


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 Investment Management 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

 

30


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.

 

31


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 1800

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square

Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

BOG-AR15


LOGO

 


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II

(formerly Robeco Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II)

Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund

(formerly Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund)

Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund

(formerly Robeco Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund)

Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund

(formerly Robeco Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund)

WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

(formerly Robeco WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund)

Boston Partners Global Equity Fund

(formerly Robeco Boston Partners Global Equity Fund)

Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund

(formerly Robeco Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund)

Table of Contents

 

General Market Commentary

     1   

Fund Expense Examples

     21   

Portfolio Holdings Summary Tables

     23   

Portfolio of Investments

     25   

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     54   

Statements of Operations

     56   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     58   

Financial Highlights

     62   

Notes to Financial Statements

     66   

Other Information

     80   

Privacy Notice

     84   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

GENERAL MARKET COMMENTARY

 

 

Dear Shareholder,

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the S&P 500 Index returned 0.48%, which would mark the worst yearly return in six years. As of the August close, investor sentiment was dealing with the lackluster performance of the European economies, the new potential for a significant slowdown in China and the subsequent drop in commodity prices, all of which capped off a tumultuous year for investors now worried about an impending global recession. With valuations stretched, earnings growth put on hold and the Federal Reserve likely to raise interest rates by year-end, we have been due for a pullback. The market has become increasingly narrow with momentum from Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google stocks leading the market. In these uncertain times, investors have been more comfortable paying up for perceived predictability as growth (Russell 3000 Growth Index) has outperformed value (Russell 3000 Value Index) by over 7.5% so far this year. Prior to the August correction, many economically sensitive sectors, including energy, basic materials, transportation, industrials and media, had been underperforming, leading to top-heavy leadership. We view the correction as necessary and healthy for the overall market.

The global economy certainly has challenges. Global growth has been tepid over the past several years with investors patiently waiting for a noticeable pick-up in the Eurozone. It now appears that any improvement in Europe will be more than offset by the slowdown in China. Coincident economic indicators in China suggest that the current level of manufacturing economic growth may be closer to 2% to 3%, as opposed to government published GDP figures of 7%. Regardless of the exact number, Chinese growth has been disappointing for the past two years and investment will likely be pulled back until capacity utilization improves. The Chinese government has many tools at its disposal and has been using them including cutting the base lending rate and reserve requirement ratio for banks, pledging money to support the stock market and infrastructure spending and devaluing the Yuan. These actions will help re-accelerate growth, but investors may have to wait a year or more for visible signs of economic improvement.

While global growth is not accelerating as hoped, we would not draw parallels to the economic developments of 2008 and 2009. Corporate earnings in the U.S. appear to have hit a plateau due to slowing emerging markets, the strong U.S. dollar and lower oil and commodity prices. However, we do not believe the current earnings recession will lead to an economic recession. Earnings appear to be taking a pause, but not collapsing as they did in 2008. The U.S. financial system is quite healthy today as major banks are among the best capitalized banks in the world and increased regulations are keeping a lid on speculative activities. Aside from pockets of energy loans at selected financial institutions, credit quality, often referred to as the backbone of the economy, remains quite strong. In other sectors of the economy, corporate revenues and earnings comparisons have been negatively influenced by falling energy and commodity prices and the strong U.S. dollar. We believe these factors, which will continue to weigh on results for the remainder of the year, have been largely discounted by the market. Employment, housing, and consumer spending statistics also continue to point toward a healthy, growing economy aided in part by the lower cost of oil over the past year that has provided an economic tailwind for consumers’ disposable income.

We are not sure when this market sell-off will reach bottom, but we do not expect this correction will evolve into a recession-led bear market. During this time of uncertainty, our idea generation has picked up considerably. High quality, free cash generating companies that have a history of responsibly allocating capital have been unduly punished and offer excellent value today. We would expect to see more signs of stress in lower quality companies that have been aggressively using capital and pricing to carry out their unsustainable business models. We expect this market decline will result in new opportunities for active managers with long histories of success to exploit the current controversies and create excess returns for their clients.

Sincerely,

Boston Partners Investment Funds Management

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

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        1   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

The Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Value Index (the “Index”), for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. After a strong performance last year, the small cap value market has experienced higher volatility in 2015, pushing the Index to a -4.95% return for the full fiscal year while the Fund’s Institutional Class returned -1.45%. The Fund has protected capital during recent market drops as well as performing well in the up markets, adding value across most sectors and maintaining its edge over the Index.

Over the last year, the Energy sector dropped precipitously with a return of -60.68% while Basic Industries returned -33.54%. In this environment, the Fund’s holdings in these areas held up better than those in the Index. Further, we were able to pick up stocks of high quality companies, exhibiting positive business momentum, as valuations dropped. Strong stock selection within Consumer Services and Consumer Non-Durables also contributed to relative performance, particularly Business Services and Retail holdings. The portfolio’s Capital Goods position was the largest detractor from relative performance, declining more than the Index as several machinery positions missed earnings and experienced weakness in their end markets.

Our positions within Finance, Utilities and REITs performed well overall, but our underweights detracted as we continued to be opportunistic in these areas. These sectors performed in line or better than the market and, at almost 50% of the Index’s weighting, their returns were impactful. Within Finance, the Fund has a healthy 20% weighting, but was focused more towards Insurance and Financial Services companies with strong fundamentals, with an underweight to regional banks which comprise a large percentage of the Index. As interest rates remained low, investors continued to look for high yielding stocks, driving up Utilities and REITs to what we believe are unattractive and unsustainable levels. When rates begin to rise, we expect this to be a tailwind for the Fund.

With higher volatility in the market, we see more opportunities for picking up high quality companies at attractive valuations. Further, we believe the U.S. financial system is strong and the market can withstand a moderate pullback. With this backdrop, we continue to look for the best opportunities from a risk/reward perspective across the market. Looking forward, we believe that the portfolio is well positioned with the 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, 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 Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II should be part of a carefully diversified portfolio.

P/E: Price/Earnings: A valuation ratio of a company’s current share price compared to its per-share earnings

P/B: Price/Book: A valuation ratio used by investors which compares a stock’s per-share price (market value) to its book value.

ROE: Return on Equity: Measures a corporation’s profitability by revealing how much profit a company generates with the money invested.

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets: The return on operating assets measurement focuses attention on only those assets used to generate revenue.

Portfolio characteristics refer to the underlying securities in the fund’s portfolio and do not represent or predict the performance of any fund.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/15)

 

% of Net Assets

 

First American Financial Corp.

    1.89%   

World Fuel Services Corp.

    1.77%   

SYNNEX Corp.

    1.66%   

Men’s Wearhouse, Inc., (The)

    1.55%   

Finish Line, Inc., (The), Class A

    1.47%   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    1.32%   

EnerSys

    1.28%   

Stewart Information Services Corp.

    1.28%   

Drew Industries, Inc.

    1.26%   

Two Harbors Investment Corp.

    1.25%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/15)      

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    15.6

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.5

Holdings:

    162   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $1,914   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    12.4

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    37.8

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

2      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (unaudited) (continued)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in 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, 2005 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 The Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
   
     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

    -1.45%        13.76%        15.55%        7.65%        1.23%        1.10%   

Russell 2000® Value Index

    -4.95%        11.77%        13.23%        5.70%        n/a        n/a   

Russell 2000® Index(1)

    0.03%        14.12%        15.55%        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. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive certain fees and/or reimburse expenses until December 31, 2016 as set forth in the notes to financial statements. Furthermore, the Adviser is entitled to recoup fees foregone or expenses reimbursed for a three year period from May 28, 2014 to May 28, 2017 if operating expenses for that year are less than 1.10%. 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. These ratios 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.boston-partners.com. There is a 1% redemption fee for shares held less than 60 days.

 

(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 2015        3   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (unaudited) (concluded)

 

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

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, 2005 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 The Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
   
     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

    -1.68%        13.48%        15.26%        7.38%        1.48%        1.35%   

Russell 2000® Value Index

    -4.95%        11.77%        13.23%        5.70%        n/a        n/a   

Russell 2000® Index(1)

    0.03%        14.12%        15.55%        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. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive certain fees and/or reimburse expenses until December 31, 2016 as set forth in the notes to financial statements. Furthermore, the Adviser is entitled to recoup fees foregone or expenses reimbursed for a three year period from May 28, 2014 to May 28, 2017 if operating expenses for that year are less than 1.35%. 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. These ratios 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.boston-partners.com. There is a 1% redemption fee for shares held less than 60 days.

 

(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 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (Institutional Class) underperformed its benchmark, the S&P 500® Index (“S&P 500”). The Fund generated a net return of -8.35% during the past year versus the S&P 500’s return of 0.48% and the Russell 2000 Index (“Russell 2000”) return of 0.03%. The Fund’s return for the fiscal year was predominantly driven by a decline in the long portfolio, as the short portfolio was down fractionally for the period. Despite the generally lackluster performance displayed by both the S&P 500 and Russell 2000, there was a considerable amount of movement underneath the surface as evidenced by the stark return differentials between the “growth” and “value” segments of the market. For example, the Russell 2000 Growth Index (“Russell 2000 Growth”) produced a return of 5.11%, while the Russell 2000 Value Index (“Russell 2000 Value”) produced a return of -4.95%.

One of the dominant performance attribution themes of 2014, namely narrow economic sector performance, carried over into the first calendar quarter of 2015. Specifically, of the 13 economic sectors in the S&P 500, six sectors (Finance, Consumer Non-Durables, Utilities, Transportation, Energy and Basic Industries) representing 40% of the Index, produced negative returns. Three sectors (Health Care, Consumer Durables and Consumer Service) representing 28% of the Index produced returns of 5.5% or greater. Once again, while the popular financial press spoke of the healthy breadth seen out of the markets’ recent advance off of the October 2014 lows, in reality it was one particular segment within the small cap universe that produced outsized returns.

Within the context of this backdrop, the long portfolio, with a contribution to return of 2.3%, performed admirably yet unexceptionally through the first half of the fiscal year. During the first quarter, for example, our long portfolio outperformed both the S&P 500 (0.95%) and the Russell 3000 Value Index (-0.51%) substantially, but only modestly outperformed the Russell 2000 Value (1.98%). We had particularly good stock specific performance relative to the broader market out of the Finance, Technology, Health Care, and Consumer Non-Durables sectors of the market. The underlying strong performance of these top contributors was driven by company specific factors rather than any macro themes.

In contrast, the long portfolio performance was disappointing during the second half of the fiscal year. While our smaller cap orientation (at least vis-à-vis the S&P 500) was a detractor for this particular period and explains a good bit of our long underperformance versus the S&P 500, we would have expected our portfolio to outperform the Russell 2000 during the recent market correction and it did not. We had some poor performance out of some of our Consumer Non-Durables, Communications, and Consumer Services sector exposures. However, perusing the names that fell sharply, we believe that many of those represent some of the more compelling longer-term opportunities for attractive total return. Financial Services, Transportation (one of our longs was acquired at a healthy premium), and Health Care were all strong relative performers for the Fund.

While the short portfolio performed poorly through the end of the first quarter of 2015, performance improved through the rest of the fiscal year. For example, of the Fund’s top twenty individual stock contributions to returns during the second quarter, seven were short sales. The short portfolio continued to perform well, both in absolute and relative terms, into the August close. As of the fiscal year close, the shorts had fallen considerably more than the longs, allowing the Fund to generate a positive return during a period of generally falling equity prices. The strong performance enjoyed by the short portfolio was broad based, as the portfolio had exposure to all thirteen economic sectors and in eleven of the thirteen cases the Fund’s short holdings fell more than the respective benchmark sector return (positive from the short sellers’ perspective). Moreover, of the top twenty contributors to the Fund’s total return for the quarter, eighteen were short positions. Amongst these eighteen appear many “concept” or “story” stocks which promised big returns resulting from business exposure to large addressable markets, yet the valuations already captured all or more of the probable success without any regard for execution risk or competitive threats. As risk tolerances have subsided (along with the end of central bank liquidity creation) these stocks are being re-rated for the higher risk profile that they deserve.

The recent market correction was long overdue and, we believe, appropriate given full valuations, decelerating revenue/profit growth and

clear pockets of excess resulting from years of zero interest rate policies and unprecedented amounts of global liquidity infusions by central banks. How much farther the correction has to go remains to be seen, yet we can state that we have been slowly covering shorts and adding to longs judiciously and, consequently, our net long exposure has increased throughout the fourth quarter, yet remains toward the low end of our long run profile.

As of August 31, the Fund had a net long position of 24%. From a capitalization perspective, the long portfolio had a median market cap of $2.6 billion and the short portfolio had a median market cap of $1.3 billion. The Fund remains extremely well diversified with 187 positions held long and 214 positions held short.

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 15.6x price-to-earnings and 1.4x price-to-book, and the short portfolio trades at 32.9x price-to-earnings and 4.7x price-to-book. We believe that consistently positioning the Fund with these general characteristics increases the probability of success over the long term and continues to be the focus of our efforts.

Sincerely,

Robert Jones, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund

 

Investment in shares of the 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.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/15)

 

% of Net Assets

 

American International Group, Inc.

    1.92%   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    1.63%   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    1.54%   

Maiden Holdings Ltd.

    1.42%   

ARRIS Group, Inc.

    1.42%   

Sprott, Inc.

    1.39%   

International Speedway Corp., Class A

    1.34%   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    1.31%   

Bank of America Corp.

    1.23%   

Citigroup, Inc.

    1.22%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/15)   Long     Short  

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    15.6     32.9

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.4     4.7

Holdings:

    187        214   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $34,660        $5,204   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    13.2     (11.7 )% 

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    22.2     (2.4 )% 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        5   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

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, 2005 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 The Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

Long/Short Equity Fund — Institutional Class

    -8.35%        4.52%        10.02%        10.50%        4.33%        4.33%   

S&P 500® Index

    0.48%        14.31%        15.87%        7.15%        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. The Adviser has contractually agreed, until at least January 26, 2016, 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 prospectus. These ratios 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.boston-partners.com. There is a 2% redemption fee for shares held less than 1 year.

The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of 500 large-cap stocks.

 

6      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

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

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, 2005 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 The Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

Long/Short Equity Fund — Investor Class

    -8.55%        4.26%        9.75%        10.17%        4.58%        4.58%   

S&P 500® Index

    0.48%        14.31%        15.87%        7.15%        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. The Adviser has contractually agreed, until at least January 26, 2016, 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 prospectus. These ratios 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.boston-partners.com. There is a 2% redemption fee for shares held less than 1 year.

The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of 500 large-cap stocks.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        7   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

The Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund’s Institutional Class returned 1.73% net of fees for the year ended August 31, 2015. The Fund outperformed the 0.48% return of the S&P 500 Index (“Index”) over the same time period.

The Fund’s long holdings declined approximately -0.6% during the period, underperforming the Index but strongly outperforming the Fund’s short holdings. Short holdings declined in price by approximately -6.30% during the period, underperforming the Index, which is beneficial to relative performance, and contributing positively to overall gross performance. On the long side, the Fund’s Consumer Services holdings detracted from relative performance, though this was somewhat offset by positive relative performance within the Basic Industries and Technology sectors. Short holdings in the Energy and Capital Goods sectors strongly contributed to the Fund’s return during the year.

While global growth is not accelerating as hoped, we would not draw parallels to 2008 and 2009. Corporate earnings in the U.S. have hit a plateau due to slowing emerging markets, the strong U.S. dollar and lower oil and commodity prices. However, we do not believe the current earnings recession will lead to an economic recession. Earnings appear to be taking a pause and not collapsing as they did in 2008. The U.S. financial system is quite healthy today as major banks are among the best capitalized banks in the world and increased regulations are keeping a lid on speculative activities. Aside from pockets of energy loans at selected financial institutions, credit quality, often referred to as the backbone of the economy, remains quite strong. Employment, housing and consumer spending statistics continue to point toward a healthy, growing economy.

During this time of uncertainty, our idea generation has picked up considerably. High quality, free cash generating companies that have a history of responsibly allocating capital have been unduly punished and offer excellent value today. We would expect to see more signs of stress in lower quality companies that have been aggressively using capital and pricing to carry out their unsustainable business models. We expect this market decline will result in new opportunities for active managers with long histories of success to exploit the current controversies and create excess returns for their clients.

The Fund ended the fiscal year with approximately 47% net long exposure, with roughly 95% of capital invested long and approximately 48% invested short; the Fund is approximately 3% less net long compared to the same time last year. Fund portfolio managers maintain highest net long exposures to the Financials, Information Technology, and Capital Goods sectors. Conversely, Fund portfolio managers are less bullish on the prospects for the Utilities, REITs, and Consumer Non-Durables sectors, evidenced by net short exposures to those sectors.

Turnover in the Fund’s holdings was more active on the short side than long side of the portfolio throughout the year. The Fund added 120 new short positions and 59 new long positions throughout the year, but the overall number of portfolio holdings decreased as of the August close, resulting in an end-of-year portfolio that held 143 short positions and 105 long positions. The decreased number of portfolio holdings resulted from covering and selling positions and then reallocating capital to companies with the highest levels of conviction. Given the strong equity run over the past couple of years, the Fund has been positioned with the prospects of the average short position in the portfolio providing for larger downside opportunity than upside opportunity for the average long position.

The Fund portfolio managers continue to focus their efforts on purchasing shares of only those companies they deem most likely to appreciate on the long side, while selling short securities likely to fail due to a combination of valuation risk, earnings risk, and/or balance sheet risk. Our analysis process is bottom-up and

rooted in the three circles framework of low valuation, positive momentum and strong business fundamentals that the portfolio managers of Boston Partners and its predecessors have been employing for over a quarter century.

Sincerely,

Joseph Feeney, CFA & Eric Connerly, CFA

Portfolio Managers, Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund

 

The 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 8/31/15)   % of Net Assets  

Microsoft Corp.

    1.21%   

Apple, Inc.

    1.15%   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    1.05%   

Citigroup, Inc.

    1.04%   

Oracle Corp.

    1.04%   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    1.01%   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    1.01%   

Capital One Financial Corp.

    1.00%   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    0.99%   

Liberty Global PLC, Series C

    0.96%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/15)   Long     Short  

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    15.9     26.6

P/B: Price/Book:

    2.1     2.8

Holdings:

    210        212   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $56,648        $10,648   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    22.5     17.2

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    59.2     28.9

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

8      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (unaudited) (continued)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in
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 The Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense

Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     Since
Inception (1)
     

Long/Short Research Fund — Institutional Class

    1.73%        9.46%        9.68%        2.52%        2.52%   

S&P 500® Index

    0.48%        14.31%        14.16%        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. The Adviser has contractually agreed to forgo all or a portion of certain fees and/or reimburse expenses until January 26, 2016 as set forth in the notes to financial statements. Furthermore, the Adviser is entitled to recoup fees foregone or expenses reimbursed for the first three years the advisory agreement is in effect. This recoupment is reflected in the net expense ratio. 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 prospectus. These ratios 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.boston-partners.com. There is a 1% redemption fee for shares held less than 60 days.

 

(1)

For the period September 30, 2010 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2015.

The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of 500 large-cap stocks.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        9   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $10,000 Investment in
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 The Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     Since
Inception (1)
     

Long/Short Research Fund — Investor Class

    1.41%        9.16%        8.84%        2.77%        2.77%   

S&P 500® Index

    0.48%        14.31%        13.61%        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. The Adviser has contractually agreed to forgo all or a portion of certain fees and/or reimburse expenses until January 26, 2016 as set forth in the notes to financial statements. Furthermore, the Adviser is entitled to recoup fees foregone or expenses reimbursed for the first three years the advisory agreement is in effect. This recoupment is reflected in the net expense ratio. 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 prospectus. These ratios 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.boston-partners.com. There is a 1% redemption fee for shares held less than 60 days.

 

(1)

For the period November 29, 2010 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2015.

The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of 500 large-cap stocks.

 

10      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

The Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 3000® Value Index (“Benchmark”), for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. The Fund generated a net return of 0.88% for the Institutional Class during the fiscal year versus the Benchmark’s return of -3.60%.

The Fund’s stock selection outmatched the Benchmark across the majority of major economic sectors, led by Consumer Non-Durables which returned 33.14% for the Fund versus the Benchmark’s -1.17% return for that sector. Communications and Healthcare were also top contributors to the Fund’s overall performance for the period. While our stock-specific investments in Communications returned 13.73% versus the Benchmark’s -3.15% return, the portfolio’s overweight position in the Healthcare sector was also a top contributor to overall Fund performance versus the Benchmark.

The Fund’s long-term avoidance of REITs and Utilities helped the relative return of the Fund for the period, which marks a reversal of the past several years in which the portfolio’s underweight in these two sectors has hurt relative performance. The Fund has continued to be underweight these sectors given their demanding valuations and mediocre fundamentals, and we’ve continued to find much stronger opportunities elsewhere in the market on a bottom-up basis.

Our holdings in Technology, Energy and Basic Industries were the negative performers for the period, but relative to the Benchmark, fared much better due principally to solid stock selection and to a lesser extent sector allocation. While our Technology sector holdings, for example, were on average twice the weighting of the Benchmark (19.75% versus 9.41%) over the period, the Fund had nonetheless experienced a much less pronounced negative return for the sector versus the Benchmark due to superior stock selection (-1.28% for the Fund versus -7.26% for the Benchmark).

During the period, we made a host of stock-specific decisions to refresh the portfolio’s risk/return profile. We continued to find financials, both banks and insurance attractive. Financial stock valuations remained below pre-crisis levels despite significantly improved balance sheets and reduced leverage. We do not expect post-crisis return on equity (“ROE”) to match historical highs, but valuations in our estimation do not properly reflect the reduced risks in today’s environment. Much of the improvement in ROE lies ahead if and when the Federal Reserve normalizes interest rate policy.

In Consumer Services, new portfolio positions focused on companies having direct exposure to home improvement and durables. The domestic housing market remains far below prior build activity and has recovered at a slower pace than the overall economy. This has created a long “runway” for continued improvement and companies exposed to those sectors are experiencing continued business momentum. We sold consumer positions during the fiscal year in media as alternative viewing platforms are having an adverse impact on advertising revenues.

The technology sector also remains an attractive investment opportunity within the Fund. High quality companies continued to sell at very attractive valuations. The threats of technological obsolescence or product disruptions appeared overly discounted in stock valuations throughout the period. With good balance sheets and management’s willingness to return substantial cash

flows to shareholders, technology stocks remained one of the best opportunities we find in the market.

Looking ahead, we will continue to invest your portfolio on a stock-by-stock basis 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 on your portfolio’s behalf.

Duilio Romallo, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund

 

The Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund may invest 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 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 more sensitive to changes in market conditions. As a result, investment in the Fund should be part of a carefully diversified portfolio.

 

Top Ten Positions (as of 8/31/15)   % of Net Assets  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    3.30%   

Citigroup, Inc.

    2.14%   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    2.13%   

General Electric Co.

    2.01%   

Capital One Financial Corp.

    1.99%   

Oracle Corp.

    1.94%   

Johnson & Johnson

    1.91%   

Amgen, Inc.

    1.85%   

EMC Corp.

    1.83%   

Fifth Third Bancorp

    1.63%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/15)      

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    15.3

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.9

Holdings:

    136   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $74,678   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    17.5

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    71.6

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        11   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

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, 2005 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 The Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

All-Cap Value Fund — Institutional Class

    0.88%        16.57%        16.04%        8.73%        0.94%        0.70%   

Russell 3000® Value Index

    -3.60%        13.74%        14.56%        6.14%        n/a        n/a   

Russell 3000® Index(1)

    0.36%        14.63%        16.03%        7.33%        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. The Adviser has contractually agreed, until at least January 26, 2016, 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 prospectus. These ratios 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.boston-partners.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.

 

12      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

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

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, 2005 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 The Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

All-Cap Value Fund — Investor Class

    0.66%        16.36%        15.81%        8.49%        1.19%        0.95%   

Russell 3000® Value Index

    -3.60%        13.74%        14.56%        6.14%        n/a        n/a   

Russell 3000® Index(1)

    0.36%        14.63%        16.03%        7.33%        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. The Adviser has contractually agreed, until at least January 26, 2016, 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 prospectus. These ratios 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.boston-partners.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 2015        13   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

WPG PARTNERS SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

The WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Value Index, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. The Fund generated a net loss of -14.01% during the fiscal year versus the Russell 2000 Value® Index loss of -4.95%. Volatility was a central theme during the year. Most notably, the collapse of commodity prices, specifically oil, during the year had lasting impacts on many names in our coverage universe. The commodity weakness coupled with expectations for the Federal Reserve tightening, Eurozone economic stresses and slowing emerging market economies pressured global equity markets. Furthermore, unlike some earlier periods this year, we have recently seen unmitigated and indiscriminant liquidation in our names. While temporally painful, our experience has proven to us time and time again that these periods create attractive opportunities that drive performance in subsequent periods. Said another way, when the headwinds turn to tailwinds, we experience the flipside of illiquidity, driving significant gains in our portfolio. We firmly believe the current environment and the portfolio we hold today is setting the stage for a strong outcome prospectively. Below, we will provide further clarity to the recent attribution and our constructive view going forward.

In the 2015 fiscal year, both stock selection and sector attribution detracted from results. The largest detractors from returns were the Energy, Capital Goods and Transportation sectors. The significant decline in commodity prices globally and reduced infrastructure demand out of China has caused many of our holdings in the Energy Exploration and Production sector, Machinery and Railroads to revise earnings guidance and reassess demand forecasts. The biggest contributors from stock selection were the Consumer Durables and Technology sectors. Consumer products companies benefitted from increased unit demand domestically and improved free cash flow from deleveraging strategies. Our Technology portfolio benefitted from significant takeout activity of our undervalued software and semiconductor names.

We remain steadfast in our investment methodology and our process remains consistent. Our team conducts approximately 700 one-on-one interviews with company managements per annum. As such, we derive a good measure on company fundamentals, health of the U.S. economy, where value opportunities exist and where the most irrational exuberance lays. Our current views synthesized from these meetings and our macroeconomic overlay dictate to us that we are not headed into a domestic recession, valuations are pricing in draconian projections and insider purchases and buybacks are accelerating. We clearly feel there are pronounced macro and style headwinds that have challenged our methodology over the past year. While it is impossible to pinpoint when the timing of these trends will reverse, we do think the outperformance of small-caps specifically after rate-hikes is an important trend. We believe it is inevitable that we are headed for an interest rate hike and as such should see some tailwinds during what is also a seasonally strong period for us. Furthermore, the recent outperformance of cyclicals and small-caps during the start of the 2016 fiscal year is encouraging. We are excited for the opportunity set in front of us and look forward to the coming fiscal year.

Sincerely,

Richard Shuster, CFA

Portfolio Manager, WPG Partners 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 WPG Partners 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 8/31/15)   % of Net Assets  

Geo Group, Inc. (The)

    2.61%   

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.

    2.37%   

Scorpio Tankers, Inc.

    2.19%   

Accuray, Inc.

    2.07%   

MDC Partners, Inc., Class A

    1.95%   

FreightCar America, Inc.

    1.94%   

Carmike Cinemas, Inc.

    1.92%   

Bill Barrett Corp.

    1.89%   

Fidelity & Guaranty Life

    1.83%   

Customers Bancorp, Inc.

    1.81%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/15)      

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    15.4

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.2

Holdings:

    109   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $1,186   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    6.4

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    13.1

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

14      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

WPG PARTNERS SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

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

WPG Partners 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, 2005 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 The Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense

Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     5 Year     10 Year      

WPG Partners Small/Micro-Cap Value Fund — Institutional Class

    -14.01%        10.54%        10.67%        5.20%        1.35%        1.10%   

Russell 2000® Value Index

    -4.95%        11.77%        13.23%        5.70%        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. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive certain fees and/or reimburse expenses until December 31, 2016 as set forth in the notes to financial statements. Furthermore, the Adviser is entitled to recoup fees foregone or expenses reimbursed for a three year period from May 28, 2014 to May 28, 2017 if operating expenses for that year are less than 1.10%. 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. These ratios 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.boston-partners.com. There is a 2% redemption fee for shares held less than 60 days.

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.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        15   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

The Boston Partners Global Equity Fund returned -1.75% for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. During that same period the MSCI World Index returned -3.61%.

The fiscal year was bookended by two market selloffs with a record high in between for the MSCI World Index. The period opened on a down trend as investors fretted about global growth, Central Bank stimulus, and a smattering of geopolitical issues principally from Russia and Greece. The ebb and flow of these concerns drove broad market movements during the fiscal year, just as they have since the onset of the global financial crisis. Global growth, or a lack thereof, has been the dominant theme for some time. The U.S. economy appears to be plateauing, but there are no clear candidates to assume the responsibility as driver of global growth. The 2015 GDP expectations for Japan and Europe are uninspiring. As the world’s second largest economy, China remains a particular concern for investors. Slowing Chinese economic growth led to a precipitous decline in the price of commodities as exemplified by the rout in oil prices. Oil only just began to decline when this letter was written last year. Of course, the increase in supply from U.S. fracking contributed equitably to the decline. Softening Chinese demand for commodities has had painful knock-on effects for energy companies, energy exporters, and emerging markets and currencies. Conversely, energy importers have benefitted through lower inflation and input costs. As mentioned in the first sentence of this paragraph, the MSCI World Index reached an all-time high on May 21, but closed the period on a down note following China’s currency devaluation in August. The devaluation raises concerns about the ability of Chinese policy makers to prevent a hard landing in the world’s second-largest economy.

Regardless of the above commentary, our strategy remains focused on identifying dislocations between underlying fundamentals and valuations on an individual company basis. Stock selection was the primary driver of the Fund’s outperformance. The Materials, Energy, and Industrials sectors were the largest contributors to performance. Small detractors from performance came from within the Information Technology, Consumer Staples, and Telecomm sectors. Large individual stock contributors to performance came from overweight or off-benchmark positions that reported better-than-expected earnings. Several companies cited lower energy costs as a contributor to their better-than-expected results, and analysts raised estimates for 2015. M&A speculation benefitted several positions in the Fund’s portfolio, particularly within the Media industry. Shares of an overweight Japanese manufacturing and medical company traded higher on news that the company will start an anti-fibrosis drug trial. Finally, an overweight position in a German financial acquisition and development company traded higher following strong results and favorably viewed acquisitions.

At the sector level, Industrials and Consumer Discretionary are the largest overweight sectors. Aerospace & Defense and Machinery are the overweight industries in the Industrials sector and Media is the most overweight industry in the Consumer Discretionary sector. The largest underweight sectors are Financials and Utilities. Utilities trade at unattractive valuations and we remain skeptical of European Bank capitalization levels. From a region perspective, the Fund’s portfolio is overweight in the United Kingdom, while North America remains the region with the

largest underweight. The underlying rationale for all of the portfolio’s exposures is the dislocation between valuations and company fundamentals.

We expect global economic data to remain mixed in the near term as North America continues to show intermediate signs of strength, while growth elsewhere is subdued. Central Bank activity as exemplified by the Chinese Yuan devaluation or the Federal Reserve’s interest rate activity will continue to exert substantial influence on markets for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, this dynamic creates the opportunity for strong security selection through fundamental and valuation dislocations. The Fund’s portfolio remains well positioned with holdings that reflect Boston Partners’ three circle characteristics—attractive valuations, solid fundamentals, and identifiable catalysts.

Sincerely,

Christopher K. Hart, CFA

Portfolio Manager, 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 8/31/15)   % of Net Assets  

Apple, Inc.

    3.63%   

Liberty Global PLC, Series C

    3.01%   

CVS Health Corp.

    2.50%   

Fifth Third Bancorp

    2.46%   

Google, Inc., Class C

    2.44%   

Comcast Corp., Class A

    2.36%   

Safran SA

    2.09%   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    1.87%   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    1.66%   

American International Group, Inc.

    1.42%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/15)      

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    16.2

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.9

Holdings:

    106   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $75,216   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    15.7

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    53.4

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

16      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND (unaudited)  (concluded)

 

Comparison of Change in Value of $100,000 Investment in
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 The Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     3 Year     Since
Inception(1)
     

Global Equity Fund — Institutional Class

    -1.75%        13.35%        13.70%        1.39%        0.95%   

MSCI World Index

    -3.61%        11.56%        12.49%        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. The Adviser has contractually agreed, until at least January 26, 2016, 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. Furthermore, the Adviser is entitled to recoup fees foregone or expenses reimbursed for the first three years the advisory agreement is in effect. 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. These ratios 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.boston-partners.com. There is a 1% redemption fee for shares held less than 60 days.

 

(1)

For the period December 30, 2011 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2015.

The MSCI World Index is an unmanaged index that measures the equity market performance of developed markets.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        17   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder:

The Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund’s Institutional Class returned 2.43% net of fees for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. The Fund outperformed the -3.61% return posted by the MSCI World Index during this time period.

The Fund’s long holdings declined roughly -0.1% during the period and outperformed the Index. Short holdings declined approximately -10.9% in price, underperforming the Index, which is beneficial to relative performance, and contributing positively to the Fund’s performance for the fiscal year. On the long side, the Fund’s Materials, Industrials, and Energy holdings accounted for the majority of relative outperformance. Short holdings in the Industrials, Energy, and Information Technology sectors strongly contributed to positive performance during the fiscal year.

The global economy certainly has challenges. Global growth has been tepid over the past several years with investors patiently waiting for a noticeable pick-up in the Eurozone. It now appears that any improvement in Europe will be more than offset by the slowdown in China. Coincident economic indicators in China suggest that the current level of manufacturing economic growth may be closer to 2% to 3%, as opposed to government published GDP figures of 7%. Regardless of the exact number, Chinese growth has been disappointing for the past two years and investment will likely be pulled back until capacity utilization improves. The Chinese government has many tools at its disposal and has been using them including cutting the base lending rate and reserve requirement ratio for banks, pledging money to support the stock market and infrastructure spending and devaluing the Yuan. These actions will help re-accelerate growth, but investors may have to wait a year or more for visible signs of economic improvement.

During this time of uncertainty, our idea generation has picked up considerably. High quality, free cash generating companies that have a history of responsibly allocating capital have been unduly punished and offer excellent value today. We would expect to see more signs of stress in lower quality companies that have been aggressively using capital and pricing to carry out their unsustainable business models. We expect this market decline will result in new opportunities for active managers with long histories of success to exploit the current controversies and create excess returns for their clients.

The Fund ended the fiscal year with approximately 36% net long exposure, with roughly 91% of capital invested long and approximately 55% invested short; net exposure is approximately 7% lower than at the same time last year, as the team has identified more short opportunities over recent months. The Fund’s portfolio managers maintain highest net long exposures to the Health Care, Financials, and Information Technology sectors as well as the North American region. Conversely, Fund’s portfolio managers are least bullish on the prospects for the Utilities, Telecommunications, and Industrials sectors, evidenced by low net exposures to those sectors.

Turnover in the Fund’s holdings was more active on the short side than long side of the portfolio throughout the year. The Fund added 96 new short positions and 56 new long positions over the period, and held 88 short positions and 86 long positions as of the August close. Given the strong equity run over the past couple of years, the Fund had positioned the short book with the prospects of the average short position providing for larger downside opportunity than upside opportunity for the average long position within the portfolio.

The Fund’s portfolio managers continue to focus their efforts on purchasing shares of only those companies they deem most likely to appreciate on the long side, while selling short securities likely to fail due to a combination of valuation risk, earnings risk, and/or balance sheet risk. Our analysis process is bottom-up and rooted in the three circles framework of low valuation, positive momentum and strong business fundamentals that the portfolio managers of Boston Partners and its predecessors have been employing for over a quarter century.

Sincerely,

Christopher Hart, CFA & Joshua Jones, CFA

Portfolio Managers, Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund

 

The Fund will engage in short sales which theoretically involves unlimited loss potential since the market price of securities sold short 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), REITS (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 8/31/15)   % of Net Assets  

Apple, Inc.

    3.56%   

Liberty Global PLC, Series C

    2.98%   

CVS Health Corp.

    2.52%   

Google, Inc., Class C

    2.44%   

Safran SA

    2.05%   

Fifth Third Bancorp

    1.95%   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    1.81%   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    1.64%   

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

    1.45%   

WH Smith PLC

    1.36%   

 

Portfolio Review (as of 8/31/15)   Long     Short  

P/E: Price/Earnings:

    16.6     22.2

P/B: Price/Book:

    1.9     2.4

Holdings:

    106        142   

Weighted Average Market Capitalization (millions):

    $74,871        $10,643   

ROE: Return on Equity:

    12.1     10.9

OROA: Operating Return on Operating Assets:

    52.5     18.7

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

18      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund vs. MSCI World Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $100,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on December 31, 2013 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 The Period Ended August 31, 2015   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     Since
Inception(1)
     

Global Long/Short Fund — Institutional Class

    2.43%        3.27%        4.89%        3.88%   

MSCI World Index

    -3.61%        1.98%        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. The Adviser has contractually agreed, until at least January 26, 2016, 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. Furthermore, the Adviser is entitled to recoup fees foregone or expenses reimbursed for the first three years the advisory agreement is in effect. 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 prospectus. These ratios 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.boston-partners.com. There is a 1% redemption fee for shares held less than 60 days.

 

(1)

For the period December 31, 2013 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2015.

The MSCI World Index is an unmanaged index that measures the equity market performance of developed markets.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        19   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (unaudited) (concluded)

 

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

Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund vs. MSCI World Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund made on April 11, 2014 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 The Period Ended August 31, 2015   
   
     Average Annual Total Return     Gross
Expense
Ratio
    Net
Expense
Ratio
 
     1 Year     Since
Inception(1)
     

Global Long/Short Fund — Investor Class

    2.14%        4.70%        5.14%        4.13%   

MSCI World Index

    -3.61%        2.06%        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. The Adviser has contractually agreed, until at least January 26, 2016, 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. Furthermore, the Adviser is entitled to recoup fees foregone or expenses reimbursed for the first three years the advisory agreement is in effect. 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 prospectus. These ratios 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.boston-partners.com. There is a 1% redemption fee for shares held less than 60 days.

 

(1)

For the period April 11, 2014 (commencement of operations) through August 31, 2015.

The MSCI World Index is an unmanaged index that measures the equity market performance of developed markets.

 

20      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS 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 (if applicable); 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, 2015 through August 31, 2015, 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, 2015
     Ending Account
Value
August 31, 2015
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
    Expenses
Paid During
Period*
 
Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II           

Institutional

          

Actual

     $1,000.00         $962.20         1.10     $5.44   

Hypothetical

     1,000.00         1,019.66         1.10     5.60   

Investor

          

Actual

     $1,000.00         $961.20         1.35     $6.67   

Hypothetical

     1,000.00         1,018.40         1.35     6.87   
Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund           

Institutional

          

Actual

     $1,000.00         $1,006.30         6.06 %(1)      $30.65   

Hypothetical

     1,000.00         994.66         6.06 %(1)      30.47   

Investor

          

Actual

     $1,000.00         $1,005.10         6.47 %(1)      $32.70   

Hypothetical

     1,000.00         992.59         6.47 %(1)      32.50   
Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund           

Institutional

          

Actual

     $1,000.00         $982.50         2.49 %(1)      $12.44   

Hypothetical

     1,000.00         1,012.65         2.49 %(1)      12.63   

Investor

          

Actual

     $1,000.00         $980.40         2.77 %(1)      $13.85   

Hypothetical

     1,000.00         1,011.24         2.77 %(1)      14.04   

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        21   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

     Beginning Account
Value
March 1, 2015
     Ending Account
Value
August 31, 2015
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
    Expenses
Paid During
Period*
 
Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund           

Institutional

          

Actual

     $1,000.00         $955.00         0.70     $3.45   

Hypothetical

     1,000.00         1,021.68         0.70     3.57   

Investor

          

Actual

     $1,000.00         $954.40         0.95     $4.68   

Hypothetical

     1,000.00         1,020.42         0.95     4.84   
WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund           

Institutional

          

Actual

     $1,000.00         $905.90         1.10     $5.28   

Hypothetical

     1,000.00         1,019.66         1.10     5.60   
Boston Partners Global Equity Fund           

Institutional

          

Actual

     $1,000.00         $954.40         0.95     $4.68   

Hypothetical

     1,000.00         1,020.42         0.95     4.84   
Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund           

Institutional

          

Actual

     $1,000.00         $1,013.40         3.37 %(1)      $17.10   

Hypothetical

     1,000.00         1,008.22         3.37 %(1)      17.06   

Investor

          

Actual

     $1,000.00         $1,011.60         3.52 %(1)      $17.85   

Hypothetical

     1,000.00         1,007.46         3.52 %(1)      17.81   

 

* 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 (3.78)% and (3.88)% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II; 0.63% and 0.51% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund; (1.75%) and (1.96%) for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund; (4.50%) and (4.56%) for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund; (9.41)% for the Institutional Class of the WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund; (4.56%) for the Institutional Class of the Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and 1.34% and 1.16% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Global Long/Short 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 3.44% and 1.11% of average net assets for the six-month period ended August 31, 2015 for both the Institutional Class and Investor Class of the Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund and Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, respectively, and 1.46% of average net assets for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund.

 

22      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLES (unaudited)

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS

SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    21.0   $ 65,096,133   

Consumer Services

    20.1        62,329,509   

Capital Goods

    13.0        40,146,630   

Health Care

    10.1        31,184,176   

Technology

    8.7        27,054,600   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    8.0        24,723,240   

Consumer Non-Durables

    3.6        11,195,856   

Basic Industries

    3.5        10,777,722   

Consumer Durables

    3.4        10,508,184   

Energy

    2.8        8,507,122   

Transportation

    1.5        4,607,825   

Utilities

    0.4        1,384,016   

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL

    3.1        9,627,911   

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    0.8        2,387,801   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 309,530,725   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

BOSTON PARTNERS

LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    19.5   $ 114,610,373   

Consumer Services

    17.5        102,896,229   

Capital Goods

    11.7        68,552,076   

Technology

    11.3        66,522,516   

Health Care

    10.6        62,349,468   

Energy

    8.9        52,376,600   

Basic Industries

    8.0        46,830,102   

Communications

    5.3        31,179,115   

Consumer Non-Durables

    2.6        15,310,392   

Consumer Durables

    1.3        7,546,110   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    1.1        6,382,608   

Utilities

    0.5        3,285,384   

Transportation

    0.5        3,238,717   

OPTIONS PURCHASED

    0.4        2,041,545   

WARRANTS

    0.1        562,789   

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL

    2.0        11,779,621   

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

   

Basic Industries

    (0.3     (1,656,817

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    (0.3     (1,734,335

Energy

    (0.5     (2,924,630

Utilities

    (0.6     (3,803,782

Transportation

    (1.6     (9,528,732

Consumer Non-Durables

    (2.8     (16,518,292

Finance

    (2.9     (16,894,622

Consumer Durables

    (4.1     (24,002,262

Capital Goods

    (4.2     (24,783,182

Communications

    (5.6     (32,711,518

Consumer Services

    (13.7     (80,522,061

Health Care

    (18.5     (108,660,622

Technology

    (19.9     (117,096,932

WRITTEN OPTIONS

    (0.3     (1,499,100

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    74.0        435,083,889   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 588,210,647   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

BOSTON PARTNERS

LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    19.4   $ 1,367,758,750   

Technology

    16.8        1,179,952,570   

Consumer Services

    12.0        846,461,590   

Capital Goods

    11.0        771,990,737   

Health Care

    9.7        681,362,201   

Energy

    8.8        620,055,238   

Basic Industries

    5.9        416,782,793   

Communications

    4.0        280,154,519   

Consumer Non-Durables

    3.2        224,956,795   

Consumer Durables

    2.6        180,767,941   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    1.0        72,844,202   

Transportation

    0.5        38,841,572   

Utilities

    0.4        28,243,644   

WARRANTS

    0.0        600,781   

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

   

Utilities

    (0.4     (25,773,618

Consumer Durables

    (1.7     (120,497,498

Transportation

    (1.7     (121,422,032

Basic Industries

    (1.7     (121,621,742

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    (2.1     (144,367,675

Energy

    (2.6     (182,778,903

Health Care

    (3.0     (212,341,147

Communications

    (3.2     (227,724,598

Capital Goods

    (4.3     (299,434,528

Consumer Non-Durables

    (5.2     (368,282,615

Finance

    (5.8     (411,471,508

Consumer Services

    (8.2     (575,327,951

Technology

    (8.3     (583,881,556

WRITTEN OPTIONS

    (0.3     (22,030,485

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    53.2        3,745,662,739   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 7,039,480,216   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

BOSTON PARTNERS

ALL-CAP VALUE FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    26.6   $ 276,614,542   

Technology

    19.0        198,210,237   

Health Care

    17.5        182,742,049   

Capital Goods

    9.3        96,575,325   

Consumer Services

    8.8        91,484,896   

Energy

    6.6        68,490,258   

Consumer Non-Durables

    3.5        36,879,065   

Communications

    2.4        25,369,429   

Basic Industries

    2.1        22,196,324   

Consumer Durables

    2.1        21,483,697   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    0.0          

SECURITY LENDING COLLATERAL

    1.2        12,040,240   

RIGHTS

    0.0          

WRITTEN OPTIONS

    (0.2     (1,482,000

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    1.1        11,137,371   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 1,041,741,433   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        23   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLES (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

WPG PARTNERS

SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    28.7   $ 10,447,020   

Capital Goods

    11.5        4,193,524   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

    10.0        3,662,857   

Technology

    10.0        3,646,368   

Consumer Services

    9.1        3,311,939   

Transportation

    7.4        2,705,861   

Energy

    6.0        2,184,299   

Utilities

    4.8        1,754,775   

Health Care

    4.2        1,538,256   

Consumer Non-Durables

    2.9        1,062,562   

Consumer Durables

    1.5        563,840   

Mining & Metals

    1.5        528,264   

Basic Industries

    1.0        348,090   

Communications

    0.4        153,470   

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL

    11.4        4,141,270   

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS

    (10.4     (3,781,009
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 36,461,386   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

BOSTON PARTNERS

GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Finance

    16.6   $ 46,407,949   

Consumer Discretionary

    15.3        42,944,300   

Industrial

    14.5        40,758,972   

Health Care

    13.3        37,288,662   

Information Technology

    13.2        36,866,850   

Consumer Staples

    7.6        21,217,482   

Energy

    7.4        20,630,756   

Materials

    5.7        16,010,258   

Telecommunications Services

    2.7        7,473,132   

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    3.7        10,379,402   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 279,977,763   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

BOSTON PARTNERS

GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND

 

Security Type/Sector Classification   % of Net
Assets
    Value  

COMMON STOCK

   

Consumer Discretionary

    13.9   $ 52,437,364   

Industrials

    13.7        51,878,837   

Information Technology

    13.6        51,457,451   

Financials

    13.5        51,020,283   

Health Care

    12.9        48,862,093   

Energy

    8.6        32,369,083   

Consumer Staples

    7.4        27,971,839   

Materials

    5.2        19,669,081   

Telecommunication Services

    1.9        7,026,750   

WARRANTS

    0.0        3,691   

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

   

Telecommunication Services

    (0.5     (1,862,784

Materials

    (3.8     (14,514,343

Energy

    (4.3     (16,099,961

Consumer Staples

    (4.6     (17,201,998

Health Care

    (5.3     (19,970,089

Information Technology

    (6.3     (23,639,180

Financials

    (7.4     (27,889,064

Consumer Discretionary

    (9.8     (37,159,414

Industrials

    (12.7     (47,800,662

OPTIONS WRITTEN

    (0.4     (1,539,850

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES

    64.2        242,500,196   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0   $ 377,519,323   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

24      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
   
Value
 

COMMON STOCK—96.1%

   

Basic Industries—3.5%

   

Cloud Peak Energy, Inc. * (a)

    247,158      $ 1,181,417   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    290,136        4,090,918   

Orchids Paper Products Co.

    71,531        1,790,421   

PolyOne Corp.

    22,494        730,380   

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

    58,552        2,068,642   

Sensient Technologies Corp.

    14,059        915,944   
   

 

 

 
      10,777,722   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—13.0%

   

Actuant Corp., Class A

    71,261        1,527,836   

Aegion Corp. *

    83,638        1,538,939   

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.

    25,274        311,376   

Brady Corp., Class A

    69,007        1,515,394   

Cabot Corp.

    39,193        1,327,467   

Cubic Corp.

    72,286        3,044,686   

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

    27,382        1,799,271   

Drew Industries, Inc.

    70,633        3,903,180   

Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.

    120,621        1,657,333   

Granite Construction, Inc.

    47,429        1,636,301   

Hillenbrand, Inc.

    47,849        1,290,009   

LSB Industries, Inc. *

    42,387        1,013,473   

MRC Global, Inc. *

    89,461        1,162,098   

Mueller Industries, Inc.

    30,231        961,648   

Orion Marine Group, Inc. *

    182,771        1,312,296   

Rofin-Sinar Technologies, Inc. *

    38,021        968,395   

Stock Building Supply Holdings, Inc. *

    117,869        2,219,473   

Terex Corp.

    132,944        3,101,584   

Tutor Perini Corp. *

    69,662        1,233,017   

WESCO International, Inc. *

    56,134        3,141,820   

World Fuel Services Corp.

    141,812        5,481,034   
   

 

 

 
      40,146,630   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—3.4%

   

Strattec Security Corp.

    12,704        801,495   

Tempur Sealy International, Inc. *

    35,123        2,564,681   

Thor Industries, Inc.

    60,695        3,312,733   

Tower International, Inc. *

    91,197        2,229,767   

Winnebago Industries, Inc.

    78,101        1,599,508   
   

 

 

 
      10,508,184   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—3.6%

   

Blyth, Inc. *

    124,291        742,017   

Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.

    38,779        1,535,261   

Matthews International Corp., Class A

    16,586        842,237   

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Class A (a)

    43,392        1,982,147   

Steven Madden Ltd. *

    57,544        2,351,248   

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. *

    77,112        2,246,273   

Universal Corp.

    30,414        1,496,673   
   

 

 

 
      11,195,856   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—20.1%

   

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A (a)

    122,438        2,431,619   

ABM Industries, Inc.

    80,622        2,580,710   
    Number of
Shares
   
Value
 

Consumer Services—(continued)

   

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (a)

    216,577      $ 3,686,141   

Ascena Retail Group, Inc. *

    91,090        1,099,456   

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

    72,606        1,938,580   

Brink’s Co., (The)

    50,490        1,447,043   

CBIZ, Inc. *

    83,504        814,164   

Civeo Corp.

    298,217        581,523   

Ennis, Inc.

    33,290        543,626   

Finish Line, Inc., (The), Class A

    172,438        4,547,190   

FTD Cos., Inc. *

    65,424        1,955,523   

FTI Consulting, Inc. *

    52,290        2,084,279   

G&K Services, Inc., Class A

    28,110        1,900,517   

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

    27,946        2,442,480   

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

    60,547        1,180,061   

ICF International, Inc. *

    43,381        1,484,064   

International Speedway Corp., Class A

    62,422        2,003,122   

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

    93,794        3,474,130   

Knoll, Inc.

    73,174        1,750,322   

Korn/Ferry International

    28,709        978,116   

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. *

    37,338        919,262   

MAXIMUS, Inc.

    36,564        2,213,950   

Men’s Wearhouse, Inc., (The)

    84,880        4,791,476   

Navigant Consulting, Inc. *

    188,851        2,981,957   

Papa Murphy’s Holdings, Inc. *

    187,589        2,772,565   

Rent-A-Center, Inc.

    48,408        1,301,691   

RPX Corp. *

    162,584        2,238,782   

Starz, Class A *

    46,155        1,735,890   

Steiner Leisure Ltd. *

    12,317        784,223   

Tetra Tech, Inc.

    79,638        2,068,995   

Viad Corp.

    22,812        623,680   

XO Group, Inc. *

    66,510        974,372   
   

 

 

 
      62,329,509   
   

 

 

 

Energy—2.8%

   

Contango Oil & Gas Co. *

    16,860        156,967   

Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. *

    68,031        1,069,447   

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. *

    207,184        1,439,929   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A *

    152,288        2,619,354   

RSP Permian, Inc. *

    68,036        1,628,782   

Western Refining, Inc.

    37,021        1,592,643   
   

 

 

 
      8,507,122   
   

 

 

 

Finance—21.0%

   

Air Lease Corp.

    32,428        1,043,209   

Ameris Bancorp

    36,777        1,002,909   

AMERISAFE, Inc.

    28,790        1,345,645   

Apollo Investment Corp. (a)

    103,197        671,812   

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

    67,942        1,716,215   

BBCN Bancorp, Inc.

    208,115        3,028,073   

CenterState Banks, Inc.

    85,219        1,177,727   

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

    44,059        1,335,428   

Essent Group Ltd. *

    91,789        2,459,027   

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., Class C

    90,020        2,130,773   

Fifth Street Finance Corp.

    144,019        941,884   

First American Financial Corp.

    150,847        5,861,914   

First Cash Financial Services, Inc. *

    8,924        368,293   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        25   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
   
Value
 

Finance—(continued)

   

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

    5,226      $ 1,239,503   

First NBC Bank Holding Co. *

    51,978        1,819,230   

FirstMerit Corp.

    98,763        1,773,783   

Flushing Financial Corp.

    41,801        833,930   

Gladstone Capital Corp. (a)

    24,430        221,580   

Global Indemnity PLC *

    22,213        596,197   

Heritage Financial Corp.

    53,773        952,858   

Infinity Property & Casualty Corp.

    17,419        1,346,140   

James Rivers Group Holdings, Ltd.

    64,756        1,787,266   

Maiden Holdings Ltd.

    250,216        3,585,595   

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc. * (a)

    121,084        2,024,524   

Navigators Group, Inc., (The) *

    13,877        1,055,346   

Nelnet, Inc., Class A

    61,280        2,307,192   

OneBeacon Insurance Group Ltd., Class A

    96,326        1,391,911   

Park Sterling Corp.

    68,198        491,708   

PHH Corp. *

    114,611        1,856,698   

Radian Group, Inc.

    106,552        1,915,805   

Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

    15,731        827,136   

SLM Corp. *

    140,723        1,193,331   

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc.

    21,763        2,474,671   

Stewart Information Services Corp.

    102,364        3,965,581   

Symetra Financial Corp.

    120,901        3,804,754   

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. *

    145,314        3,535,490   

Washington Federal, Inc.

    44,645        1,012,995   
   

 

 

 
      65,096,133   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—10.1%

   

Amsurg Corp. *

    32,935        2,582,763   

Chemed Corp.

    25,822        3,520,830   

Hanger, Inc. *

    69,526        1,246,601   

ICON PLC *

    35,494        2,733,038   

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp. *

    46,161        2,768,737   

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.

    129,231        2,594,958   

LHC Group, Inc. *

    26,914        1,165,376   

LifePoint Health, Inc. *

    23,484        1,834,805   

Omnicell, Inc. *

    39,940        1,357,161   

Owens & Minor, Inc. (a)

    41,475        1,409,735   

PAREXEL International Corp. *

    34,774        2,285,347   

SeaSpine Holdings Corp. *

    15,387        217,418   

Select Medical Holdings Corp.

    139,256        1,796,402   

Symmetry Surgical, Inc. *

    203,793        1,828,023   

U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc.

    83,634        3,842,982   
   

 

 

 
      31,184,176   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—8.0%

  

Altisource Residential Corp.

    40,338        615,961   

American Capital Mortgage Investment Corp.

    45,709        697,976   

American Residential Properties, Inc.

    112,504        1,906,943   

Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp.

    191,763        964,568   

Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp.

    169,120        2,117,382   

Chatham Lodging Trust

    91,412        2,097,905   

Colony Financial, Inc.

    34,785        755,182   

CYS Investments, Inc.

    340,941        2,662,749   
    Number of
Shares
   
Value
 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—(continued)

  

Gladstone Commercial Corp.

    28,150      $ 405,360   

Hatteras Financial Corp.

    144,336        2,342,573   

MFA Financial, Inc.

    448,896        3,191,651   

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp.

    110,030        1,047,486   

QTS Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

    25,285        1,016,204   

Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp.

    65,109        1,019,607   

Two Harbors Investment Corp.

    410,327        3,881,693   
   

 

 

 
      24,723,240   
   

 

 

 

Technology—8.7%

   

Bel Fuse, Inc., Class B

    90,110        1,591,343   

Belden, Inc.

    62,918        3,170,438   

Brooks Automation, Inc.

    70,311        729,828   

Coherent, Inc. *

    23,532        1,371,916   

Convergys Corp.

    42,215        954,059   

EnerSys

    74,316        3,973,677   

Insight Enterprises, Inc. *

    30,484        771,550   

Magnachip Semiconductor Corp. * (a)

    66,338        567,190   

NETGEAR, Inc. *

    45,069        1,369,196   

PC Connection, Inc.

    20,275        427,194   

Sykes Enterprises, Inc. *

    128,132        3,222,520   

SYNNEX Corp.

    64,773        5,129,374   

TeleTech Holdings, Inc.

    110,835        2,998,087   

Teradyne, Inc.

    43,139        778,228   
   

 

 

 
      27,054,600   
   

 

 

 

Transportation—1.5%

   

Diana Shipping, Inc. *

    140,147        953,000   

Landstar System, Inc.

    13,403        887,279   

Virgin America, Inc. * (a)

    84,816        2,767,546   
   

 

 

 
    4,607,825   
   

 

 

 

Utilities—0.4%

   

PNM Resources, Inc.

    54,042        1,384,016   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK (Cost $251,708,626)

      297,515,013   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL—3.1%

  

BlackRock Liquidity TempFund, Institutional Shares

    9,627,911        9,627,911   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $9,627,911)

      9,627,911   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—99.2%
(Cost $261,336,537)

      307,142,924   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—0.8%

      2,387,801   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 309,530,725   
   

 

 

 

 

PLC     Public Limited Company
*     Non-income producing.
(a)     All or a portion of the security is on loan. At August 31, 2015, the market value of securities on loan was $9,582,054.
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

26      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2015 is as follows (see Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31,
2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock *

   $ 297,515,013       $ 297,515,013       $       $   

Securities Lending Collateral

     9,627,911         9,627,911                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 307,142,924       $ 307,142,924       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        27   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

LONG POSITIONS—101.3%

   

COMMON STOCK—98.8%

   

Basic Industries—8.0%

   

AEP Industries, Inc. * †

    98,173      $ 5,345,517   

AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. * (a) †

    349,673        3,409,312   

Alcoa, Inc.

    138,423        1,308,097   

American Vanguard Corp. †

    318,135        4,250,284   

Cloud Peak Energy, Inc. * (a)

    187,200        894,816   

Crown Holdings, Inc. * †

    76,447        3,789,478   

Eastman Chemical Co. †

    61,526        4,458,174   

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. †

    171,252        1,822,121   

Greif, Inc., Class B †

    39,678        1,408,172   

Koppers Holdings, Inc. †

    90,963        1,892,030   

Monsanto Co. †

    27,248        2,660,767   

Owens-Illinois, Inc. * †

    112,655        2,348,857   

Pan American Silver Corp. (a)

    144,531        1,001,600   

POSCO — ADR

    50,399        2,036,120   

Praxair, Inc.

    23,052        2,437,749   

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. †

    61,679        3,584,783   

UFP Technologies, Inc. *

    151,149        3,252,726   

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. *

    71,555        929,499   
   

 

 

 
      46,830,102   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—11.7%

   

Actuant Corp., Class A †

    116,741        2,502,927   

AECOM Technology Corp. * †

    119,905        3,297,388   

Alamo Group, Inc. †

    83,215        4,284,740   

Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. * †

    67,921        1,253,142   

Caterpillar, Inc.

    31,052        2,373,615   

Cemex SAB de CV ADR * †

    226,075        1,776,950   

Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. NV (a) †

    53,666        2,376,330   

Commercial Metals Co. †

    133,164        2,090,675   

Crane Co. †

    45,723        2,402,286   

Esterline Technologies Corp. *

    77,356        6,320,759   

Fluor Corp. †

    71,640        3,268,217   

Global Brass & Copper Holdings, Inc. †

    240,386        4,721,181   

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. *

    346,730        1,924,352   

Joy Global, Inc. (a) †

    68,497        1,658,997   

Pentair PLC

    33,918        1,875,326   

Preformed Line Products Co. †

    70,568        2,138,210   

Raytheon Co.

    36,787        3,772,875   

Rofin-Sinar Technologies, Inc. * †

    155,411        3,958,318   

Safran SA — ADR †

    167,342        3,259,822   

Terex Corp.

    98,940        2,308,270   

United Technologies Corp.

    55,204        5,057,238   

WESCO International, Inc. * (a) †

    58,649        3,282,585   

World Fuel Services Corp. †

    68,509        2,647,873   
   

 

 

 
      68,552,076   
   

 

 

 

Communications—5.3%

   

Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. *

    1,367,757        3,036,421   

Blucora, Inc. * †

    436,180        6,089,073   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Communications—(continued)

  

Discovery Communications, Inc. * †

    164,462      $ 4,170,756   

GoldMoney, Inc. *

    561,309        2,082,082   

GoldMoney, Inc. 144A *

    466,200        1,729,292   

Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc. * †

    244,249        5,375,920   

Iridium Communications, Inc. * †

    669,347        4,986,635   

Tremor Video, Inc. *

    378,643        768,645   

Verisign, Inc * (a) †

    42,650        2,940,291   
   

 

 

 
      31,179,115   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—1.3%

   

Dorel Industries, Inc., Class B

    81,612        2,188,018   

Helen of Troy Ltd. * †

    19,845        1,689,603   

Tenneco, Inc. * †

    77,970        3,668,489   
   

 

 

 
      7,546,110   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—2.6%

   

Johnson Outdoors, Inc., Class A

    79,261        1,987,073   

Leucadia National Corp. †

    193,359        4,149,484   

Procter & Gamble Co.

    59,620        4,213,345   

Unilever NV †

    88,488        3,550,139   

Vince Holding Corp. *

    153,633        1,410,351   
   

 

 

 
      15,310,392   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—17.5%

   

Amaya, Inc *

    71,432        1,488,800   

Ascena Retail Group, Inc. *

    151,339        1,826,662   

Atento SA * (a)

    440,238        4,877,837   

Cenveo, Inc. * (a)

    717,931        1,234,841   

Civeo Corp.

    518,140        1,010,373   

CVS Health Corp. †

    57,158        5,852,979   

Destination Maternity Corp. †

    193,903        2,200,799   

Essendant, Inc. †

    155,683        5,371,064   

Fogo De Chao, Inc. * (a)

    30,000        576,600   

FTD Cos., Inc. * †

    79,471        2,375,388   

Genesco, Inc. * †

    41,570        2,489,627   

GNC Holdings, Inc., Class A †

    77,627        3,632,944   

H&R Block, Inc. †

    155,637        5,294,771   

Harte-Hanks, Inc.

    306,954        1,181,773   

ICF International, Inc. *

    51,201        1,751,586   

International Game Technology PLC (a)

    104,356        1,771,965   

International Speedway Corp., Class A †

    245,661        7,883,261   

ITE Group PLC

    582,911        1,341,401   

Liberty Interactive Corp., Class A * †

    120,342        3,254,048   

Liberty Ventures, Series A * †

    17,109        679,741   

Markit Ltd. *

    21,285        608,325   

McDonald’s Corp.

    19,777        1,879,211   

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. — Sponsored ADR †

    100,451        2,058,241   

Overstock.com, Inc. * (a) †

    233,427        4,586,841   

Providence Service Corp. * †

    58,549        2,624,752   

Realogy Holdings Corp. * †

    58,428        2,354,648   

Rush Enterprises, Inc., Class B *

    145,080        3,278,808   

Salem Media Group, Inc.

    71,689        458,810   

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (a) †

    82,388        1,466,506   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

28      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Services—(continued)

  

Shake Shack, Inc., Class A * (a)

    29,375      $ 1,466,988   

Speedway Motorsports, Inc. †

    208,492        4,034,320   

Systemax, Inc. * †

    349,873        3,190,842   

Tetra Tech, Inc. †

    87,420        2,271,172   

Time Warner, Inc.

    67,063        4,768,179   

Tropicana Entertainment, Inc. *

    88,833        1,412,445   

United Natural Foods, Inc. †

    73,400        3,534,210   

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. †

    47,974        4,152,150   

Wyndham Worldwide Corp. †

    34,693        2,653,321   
   

 

 

 
      102,896,229   
   

 

 

 

Energy—8.9%

   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. †

    108,317        2,433,883   

Core Laboratories NV (a)

    18,126        2,096,816   

Dawson Geophysical Co. *

    536,061        2,481,962   

EOG Resources, Inc.

    43,118        3,376,571   

Exxon Mobil Corp. †

    127,162        9,567,669   

Gazprom OAO — Sponsored ADR

    322,286        1,456,733   

Halliburton Co. †

    49,596        1,951,603   

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    95,547        3,096,678   

Lukoil OAO — Sponsored ADR

    33,187        1,281,350   

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

    28,498        1,206,320   

Occidental Petroleum Corp. †

    63,231        4,616,495   

Pacific Drilling SA * (a)

    205,716        411,432   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A * †

    137,288        2,361,354   

Phillips 66

    34,714        2,744,836   

Rice Energy, Inc. *

    65,688        1,277,632   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A —ADR

    60,293        3,190,706   

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    160,167        4,523,116   

TransGlobe Energy Corp. (a)

    489,322        1,668,588   

Valero Energy Corp.

    44,369        2,632,856   
   

 

 

 
      52,376,600   
   

 

 

 

Finance—19.5%

   

ACE Ltd. †

    46,410        4,741,246   

AerCap Holdings NV * †

    92,718        3,897,865   

American International Group, Inc. †

    186,889        11,276,882   

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. †

    71,095        3,263,971   

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. †

    42,988        2,407,328   

Bank of America Corp. †

    442,284        7,226,921   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B * †

    67,684        9,072,363   

Century Bancorp, Inc., Class A †

    33,518        1,397,365   

CIT Group, Inc. †

    54,425        2,364,222   

Citigroup, Inc. †

    133,792        7,155,196   

Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. * (a) †

    277,809        3,525,396   

Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. †

    83,760        5,339,700   

ePlus, Inc. * †

    24,427        1,849,612   

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. †

    4,085        1,905,816   

Flushing Financial Corp. †

    88,546        1,766,493   

JPMorgan Chase & Co. †

    120,125        7,700,013   

Lake Sunapee Bank Group

    26,815        394,985   

Loews Corp. †

    97,735        3,562,441   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Finance—(continued)

   

Maiden Holdings Ltd. †

    584,140      $ 8,370,726   

National Western Life Insurance Co., Class A †

    8,710        1,980,828   

PHH Corp. * †

    89,472        1,449,446   

Renaissance Holdings Ltd. †

    37,909        3,864,823   

Sprott, Inc.

    4,794,896        8,200,453   

Steel Excel, Inc. * †

    127,172        2,479,854   

Validus Holdings Ltd. †

    121,102        5,362,397   

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. †

    5,636        4,054,031   
   

 

 

 
      114,610,373   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—10.6%

   

Alphatec Holdings, Inc. *

    1,171,944        673,868   

Amgen, Inc. †

    22,957        3,484,413   

Biolase Technology, Inc. *

    1,211,150        1,816,725   

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc. * †

    77,610        5,870,420   

Express Scripts Holding Co. * †

    62,839        5,253,340   

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA — ADR †

    146,068        5,568,112   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings * †

    29,788        3,509,324   

LHC Group, Inc. * †

    108,952        4,717,622   

LifePoint Health, Inc. *

    21,891        1,710,344   

Lion Biotechnologies, Inc * (a)

    334,763        2,380,165   

McKesson Corp.

    15,586        3,079,482   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    91,402        4,921,998   

PharMerica Corp. * †

    215,732        7,058,751   

Sanofi — ADR †

    59,487        2,910,104   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. — Sponsored ADR †

    82,245        5,297,400   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc. †

    35,414        4,097,400   
   

 

 

 
      62,349,468   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—1.1%

  

Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc., Class A †

    68,235        1,889,427   

Hatteras Financial Corp. †

    132,787        2,155,133   

Two Harbors Investment Corp. †

    247,151        2,338,048   
   

 

 

 
      6,382,608   
   

 

 

 

Technology—11.3%

   

Alpha & Omega Semiconductor Ltd. *

    203,575        1,557,349   

ARRIS Group, Inc. * †

    316,306        8,356,805   

Box, Inc., Class A * (a)

    136,959        1,846,207   

CIBER, Inc. *

    269,879        922,986   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A * †

    37,355        2,351,124   

Computer Task Group, Inc.

    105,278        706,415   

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. †

    164,657        4,393,049   

Covisint Corp. *

    360,193        972,521   

CSG Systems International, Inc. †

    195,299        6,036,692   

Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Class A †

    72,969        2,375,871   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        29   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Technology—(continued)

   

Energy Focus, Inc. * (a)

    60,206      $ 1,318,512   

Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc *

    204,841        2,785,838   

Flextronics International Ltd. * †

    224,471        2,359,190   

Generac Holdings, Inc. * †

    48,165        1,489,262   

Houston Wire & Cable Co.

    214,508        1,638,841   

Ingram Micro, Inc., Class A †

    111,949        3,029,340   

International Business Machines Corp. †

    32,038        4,738,100   

Jabil Circuit, Inc. †

    119,604        2,314,337   

Open Text Corp.

    58,956        2,671,886   

Oracle Corp. †

    64,728        2,400,762   

Pegasystems, Inc. †

    109,819        2,691,664   

Quality Systems, Inc.

    188,044        2,555,518   

ScanSource, Inc. *

    24,318        928,948   

Sykes Enterprises, Inc. * †

    119,451        3,004,193   

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

    311,448        3,077,106   
   

 

 

 
      66,522,516   
   

 

 

 

Transportation—0.5%

   

Con-way, Inc. †

    92,009        3,238,717   
   

 

 

 
      3,238,717   
   

 

 

 

Utilities—0.5%

   

AES Corp. †

    273,782        3,285,384   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $550,681,917)

      581,079,690   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Contracts
       

OPTIONS PURCHASED ††—0.4%

  

GNC Holdings, Inc. * Call Options Expires 01/20/17
Strike Price $42.50

    510        481,950   

McDonald’s Corp. * Call Options Expires 01/20/17
Strike Price $90.00

    800        840,000   

Outerwall, Inc. * Call Options Expires 01/15/16
Strike Price $60.00

    657        450,045   

Outerwall, Inc. * Call Options Expires 01/15/16
Strike Price $65.00

    599        269,550   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS PURCHASED
(Cost $2,467,932)

      2,041,545   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
       

WARRANTS—0.1%

   

BitMoney, Inc.
Exercise Price CAD 1.35,
Expires 08/18/16 * ‡

    262,555        562,789   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL WARRANTS
(Cost $84,018)

      562,789   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL—2.0%

  

BlackRock Liquidity TempFund, Institutional Shares

    11,779,621      $ 11,779,621   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $11,779,621)

      11,779,621   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—101.3%
(Cost $565,013,488)

      595,463,645   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(75.0%)

  

COMMON STOCK—(75.0%)

  

Basic Industries—(0.3%)

  

Kennady Diamonds, Inc. *

    (45,900     (122,455

NewMarket Corp.

    (3,858     (1,478,540

Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corp. *

    (171,865     (55,822
   

 

 

 
      (1,656,817
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—(4.2%)

   

Applied Energetics, Inc. *

    (238,070     (500

Builders FirstSource, Inc. *

    (203,572     (3,014,901

DynaMotive Energy Systems Corp. * ‡

    (72,185     (7

Installed Building Products, Inc. *

    (100,459     (2,684,264

Interface, Inc.

    (111,835     (2,710,880

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

    (13,428     (2,253,218

NN, Inc.

    (51,332     (1,242,748

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. *

    (100,205     (1,811,706

Taser International, Inc. *

    (121,583     (2,845,042

Vipshop Holdings Ltd. *

    (179,704     (3,232,875

Vulcan Materials Co.

    (22,625     (2,118,153

Wabash National Corp. *

    (118,658     (1,451,187

Zagg, Inc. *

    (193,675     (1,417,701
   

 

 

 
      (24,783,182
   

 

 

 

Communications—(5.6%)

   

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., Class A *

    (388,010     (3,255,404

CTC Communications Group, Inc. * ‡

    (98,900     0   

Descartes Systems Group, Inc., (The) *

    (123,605     (2,134,658

Equinix, Inc.

    (20,112     (5,425,614

Etsy, Inc. *

    (359,947     (5,158,041

Grubhub, Inc. *

    (156,210     (4,131,755

Interliant, Inc. * ‡

    (600     0   

LinkedIn Corp., Class A *

    (12,051     (2,176,411

LivePerson, Inc. *

    (129,999     (1,189,491

Marketo, Inc. *

    (76,729     (2,149,179

MicroStrategy, Inc., Class A *

    (11,843     (2,353,204

Rubicon Project, Inc. (The) *

    (82,072     (1,181,837

Shutterstock, Inc. *

    (20,509     (687,257

Straight Path Communications Inc. *

    (58,447     (1,329,669

TechTarget, Inc. *

    (17,043     (157,307

Twitter, Inc. *

    (49,719     (1,381,691
   

 

 

 
      (32,711,518
   

 

 

 
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

30      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Durables—(4.1%)

   

American Axle & Manaufacturing Holdings, Inc. *

    (68,529   $ (1,384,286

Cavco Industries, Inc. *

    (29,660     (2,122,173

GoPro, Inc., Class A *

    (49,930     (2,326,239

Mobileye NV *

    (131,295     (7,426,045

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. *

    (77,361     (2,467,042

Qsound Labs, Inc. * ‡

    (4,440     (18

Select Comfort Corp. *

    (74,726     (1,819,578

Tesla Motors, Inc. *

    (25,925     (6,456,881
   

 

 

 
      (24,002,262
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—(2.8%)

  

Amish Naturals, Inc. * ‡

    (25,959     0   

Amplify Snack Brands, Inc. *

    (92,232     (1,215,618

Columbia Sportswear Co.

    (22,694     (1,392,731

Farmer Bros Co. *

    (66,644     (1,523,482

Fitbit, Inc. *

    (30,966     (1,068,017

Freshpet, Inc. *

    (102,669     (1,333,670

G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. *

    (17,304     (1,199,686

Hain Celestial Group, Inc., (The) *

    (66,759     (4,062,953

IGI Laboratories, Inc. *

    (144,112     (1,128,397

Mead Johnson Nutrition Co

    (22,751     (1,782,313

MGP Ingredients, Inc.

    (113,640     (1,811,422

Valence Technology, Inc. * ‡

    (27,585     (3
   

 

 

 
      (16,518,292
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—(13.7%)

  

Barrett Business Services, Inc.

    (41,565     (1,481,792

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. *

    (40,311     (1,732,970

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. *

    (19,759     (3,747,887

Chegg, Inc. *

    (173,300     (1,287,619

Conn’s, Inc. *

    (71,507     (2,134,484

Container Store Group, Inc. (The) *

    (213,159     (3,604,519

Corporate Resource Services, Inc. *

    (218,896     (1,204

Coupons.com, Inc.

    (158,150     (1,477,121

Habit Restaurants Inc., (The) *

    (95,889     (2,389,554

HealthEquity, Inc. *

    (92,838     (2,722,010

HomeAway, Inc. *

    (71,776     (2,059,253

inContact, Inc. *

    (156,504     (1,181,605

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.

    (47,757     (2,468,559

Lululemon Athletica, Inc. *

    (25,401     (1,625,918

Mattress Firm Holding Corp. *

    (26,006     (1,562,701

Medidata Solutions, Inc. *

    (31,683     (1,521,418

Netflix, Inc. *

    (70,050     (8,057,852

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. *

    (37,414     (2,947,849

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

    (24,043     (2,119,631

Sears Holdings Corp. *

    (114,241     (3,047,950

Shake Shack, Inc., Class A *

    (48,853     (2,439,719

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. *

    (49,863     (1,015,709

Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.

    (30,761     (1,934,559

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

    (106,228     (3,823,146

Tile Shop Holdings, Inc. *

    (344,188     (4,095,837

Viggle, Inc. *

    (61     (77

VistaPrint NV

    (51,141     (3,578,847

Whitewave Foods Co., (The) *

    (37,800     (1,744,092
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Services—(continued)

  

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

    (35,335   $ (2,686,520

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Class A

    (178,105     (3,572,786

Zillow Group, Inc., Class A *

    (45,844     (1,163,521

Zillow Group, Inc., Class C *

    (93,435     (2,304,107

Zoe’s Kitchen, Inc.

    (76,789     (2,652,292

zulily, Inc., Class A *

    (131,772     (2,338,953
   

 

 

 
      (80,522,061
   

 

 

 

Energy—(0.5%)

  

Beard Co. *

    (9,710     (12

Neste Oil OYJ

    (114,080     (2,924,618
   

 

 

 
      (2,924,630
   

 

 

 

Finance—(2.9%)

  

Bofi Holding, Inc. *

    (24,474     (2,835,068

Credit Acceptance Corp. *

    (25,548     (5,206,938

IDI, Inc.

    (58,888     (412,216

LendingClub Corp. *

    (478,259     (6,002,150

WisdomTree Investments, Inc.

    (130,040     (2,438,250
   

 

 

 
      (16,894,622
   

 

 

 

Health Care—(18.5%)

  

AAC Holdings, Inc. *

    (114,012     (2,691,823

Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. *

    (210,318     (4,126,439

Accuray, Inc. *

    (230,867     (1,590,674

Air Methods Corp. *

    (45,745     (1,713,150

Albany Molecular Research, Inc. *

    (193,669     (3,861,760

Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (24,828     (962,085

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (7,221     (1,243,384

Align Technology, Inc. *

    (36,634     (2,073,484

Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (53,802     (692,432

Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (14,307     (1,865,776

Ani Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (69,779     (3,403,122

Aratana Therapeutics, Inc. *

    (139,756     (2,468,091

athenahealth, Inc. *

    (22,099     (2,938,504

BioTime, Inc. *

    (85,880     (259,358

BodyTel Scientific, Inc. * ‡

    (4,840     0   

CareView Communications, Inc. *

    (207,465     (68,463

Cerner Corp. *

    (18,998     (1,173,316

Concordia Healthcare Corp.

    (31,557     (2,460,815

Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. *

    (242,358     (1,211,790

Corindus Vascular Robotics, Inc. *

    (350,167     (1,225,585

DexCom, Inc. *

    (28,550     (2,687,697

EndoChoice Holdings, Inc. *

    (60,402     (1,020,794

Endologix, Inc. *

    (183,554     (2,382,531

Exact Sciences Corp. *

    (74,762     (1,652,988

GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. *

    (138,738     (1,434,551

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. *

    (63,734     (1,112,796

HealthStream, Inc. *

    (154,379     (3,836,318

HeartWare International, Inc. *

    (41,012     (3,510,627

Inogen, Inc. *

    (50,942     (2,510,931

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc *

    (114,975     (861,163

Insulet Corp. *

    (89,295     (2,652,954

Insys Therapeutics, Inc. *

    (104,780     (3,396,968
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        31   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Health Care—(continued)

  

Intrexon Corp. *

    (71,658   $ (3,188,781

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. *

    (5,185     (2,649,276

InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp. *

    (84,574     (824,597

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (89,067     (979,737

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (46,914     (2,354,145

MiMedx Group, Inc. *

    (402,735     (3,910,557

Mindray Medical International Ltd. — ADR

    (65,519     (1,586,870

NanoString Technologies, Inc *

    (77,495     (1,178,699

Nevro Corp. *

    (25,904     (1,166,457

Novadaq Technologies, Inc. *

    (220,542     (2,547,260

Novavax, Inc. *

    (137,554     (1,481,457

NuVasive, Inc. *

    (47,491     (2,503,726

Opko Health, Inc. *

    (103,248     (1,117,143

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. *

    (147,531     (2,655,558

OvaScience, Inc. *

    (81,371     (1,581,852

PDL BioPharma, Inc.

    (265,734     (1,501,397

Quotient Ltd. *

    (23,365     (383,186

Relypsa, Inc. *

    (15,168     (348,257

Retrophin, Inc. *

    (73,353     (2,011,339

Rockwell Medical, Inc. *

    (140,223     (1,678,469

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. *

    (51,445     (1,836,587

Spectranetics Corp. *

    (88,342     (1,488,563

Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (158,374     (1,108,618

TherapeuticsMD, Inc. *

    (295,387     (1,810,722

Utah Medical Products, Inc.

    (10,951     (584,674

Wright Medical Group, Inc. *

    (134,041     (3,092,326
   

 

 

 
      (108,660,622
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—(0.3%)

  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    (27,390     (1,734,335
   

 

 

 
      (1,734,335
   

 

 

 

Technology—(19.9%)

  

Aerohive Networks, Inc. *

    (232,923     (1,448,781

Alliance Fiber Optic Products, Inc.

    (158,601     (2,991,215

Ambarella, Inc. *

    (11,243     (1,075,168

ANTs Software, Inc. *

    (10,334     (1

Arista Networks, Inc. *

    (27,281     (2,040,346

ARM Holdings PLC — Sponsored ADR

    (31,361     (1,322,180

ASML Holding NV

    (19,580     (1,782,172

Barracuda Networks, Inc. *

    (38,906     (1,022,839

Blackbaud, Inc.

    (30,834     (1,761,855

Box, Inc., Class A *

    (551,001     (7,427,493

Capstone Turbine Corp. *

    (675,539     (271,296

Castlight Health, Inc., Class B *

    (111,875     (591,819

Cavium, Inc. *

    (77,629     (5,280,325

Ciena Corp. *

    (167,583     (3,747,156

Cirrus Logic, Inc. *

    (147,988     (4,463,318

Consygen, Inc. * ‡

    (200     0   

CyberArk Software Ltd. *

    (44,901     (2,292,196

Demandware, Inc. *

    (36,512     (2,037,004

Ellie Mae, Inc. *

    (44,166     (3,198,943

Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc. *

    (133,945     (2,048,019
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Technology—(continued)

  

Ener1, Inc. *

    (102,820   $ (10

Energy Focus, Inc. *

    (112,473     (2,463,159

Entegris, Inc. *

    (83,493     (1,146,359

Finisar Corp. *

    (132,411     (2,043,102

FireEye, Inc. *

    (79,664     (3,009,706

GT Advanced Technologies, Inc. *

    (198,179     (30,004

Guidewire Software, Inc. *

    (69,437     (3,882,223

Himax Technologies, Inc. — ADR

    (146,824     (1,016,022

Hortonworks, Inc. *

    (97,760     (2,322,778

HubSpot, Inc. *

    (46,316     (2,190,284

Infinera Corp. *

    (211,360     (4,611,875

KLA-Tencor Corp.

    (28,914     (1,448,881

Neonode, Inc. *

    (206,220     (604,225

Nestor, Inc. * ‡

    (15,200     (2

NetSuite, Inc. *

    (35,422     (3,147,245

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. *

    (12,407     (2,037,478

PowerSecure International, Inc. *

    (74,564     (899,242

Proofpoint, Inc. *

    (41,708     (2,349,829

Q2 Holdings, Inc. *

    (67,715     (1,771,424

Qlik Technologies, Inc. *

    (76,976     (2,914,311

SciQuest Inc *

    (124,160     (1,363,277

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

    (43,062     (3,761,466

Splunk, Inc. *

    (28,683     (1,777,486

Tableau Software, Inc., Class A *

    (18,256     (1,719,168

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. — Sponsored ADR

    (73,966     (1,470,444

Textura Corp. *

    (81,788     (2,115,038

Tiger Telematics, Inc. * ‡

    (6,510     0   

Tower Semiconductor Ltd. *

    (212,110     (2,568,652

Uni-Pixel, Inc. *

    (19,665     (22,811

Universal Display Corp. *

    (148,307     (5,463,630

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A *

    (116,201     (3,009,606

VeriFone Systems, Inc. *

    (46,407     (1,449,755

Vicor Corp. *

    (206,044     (2,010,989

Workday, Inc., Class A *

    (53,985     (3,792,986

Workiva, Inc. *

    (270,850     (3,881,281

WorldGate Communications, Inc. * ‡

    (582,655     (58

Xybernaut Corp. * ‡

    (34,156     0   
   

 

 

 
      (117,096,932
   

 

 

 

Transportation—(1.6%)

  

American Railcar Industries, Inc.

    (144,002     (5,970,323

GATX Corp.

    (23,912     (1,185,318

Student Transportation, Inc.

    (575,993     (2,373,091
   

 

 

 
      (9,528,732
   

 

 

 

Utilities—(0.6%)

  

Genie Energy, Ltd.

    (153,241     (1,639,679
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

32      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Utilities—(continued)

  

SolarCity Corp. *

    (44,824   $ (2,164,103
   

 

 

 
      (3,803,782
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Proceeds $426,084,245)

      (440,837,787
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(75.0%)
(Proceeds $426,084,245)

      (440,837,787
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Contracts
       

OPTIONS WRITTEN ††—(0.3%)

  

BP PLC Put Options
Expires 01/15/16
Strike Price $47.00

    (1,052     (1,499,100
   

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Premiums received $649,513)

      (1,499,100
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—74.0%

      435,083,889   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 588,210,647   
   

 

 

 
ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
144A     Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institutional buyers. As of August 31, 2015, these securities amounted to $1,729,292 or 0.3% 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. At August 31, 2015, the market value of securities on loan was $10,850,544.
    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, 2015, long positions amounted to $562,789 or 0.1% of net assets; short positions amounted to ($88) or 0.0% of net assets.
 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2015 is as follows (see Note I in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock

           

Basic Industries

   $ 46,830,102       $ 46,830,102       $       $   

Capital Goods

     68,552,076         68,552,076                   

Communications

     31,179,115         31,179,115                   

Consumer Durables

     7,546,110         7,546,110                   

Consumer Non-Durables

     15,310,392         15,310,392                   

Consumer Services

     102,896,229         101,554,828         1,341,401           

Energy

     52,376,600         52,376,600                   

Finance

     114,610,373         114,610,373                   

Health Care

     62,349,468         62,349,468                   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     6,382,608         6,382,608                   

Technology

     66,522,516         66,522,516                   

Transportation

     3,238,717         3,238,717                   

Utilities

     3,285,384         3,285,384                   

Options Purchased

           

Equity Contracts

     2,041,545         2,041,545                   

Warrants

     562,789                         562,789   

Securities Lending Collateral

     11,779,621         11,779,621                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 595,463,645       $ 593,559,455       $ 1,341,401       $ 562,789   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        33   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Securities Sold Short

           

Basic Industries

   $ (1,656,817    $ (1,656,817    $       $   

Capital Goods

     (24,783,182      (24,783,175              (7

Communications

     (32,711,518      (32,711,518                

Consumer Durables

     (24,002,262      (24,002,244              (18

Consumer Non-Durables

     (16,518,292      (16,518,289              (3

Consumer Services

     (80,522,061      (80,522,061                

Energy

     (2,924,630      (12      (2,924,618        

Finance

     (16,894,622      (16,894,622                

Health Care

     (108,660,622      (108,660,622                

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     (1,734,335      (1,734,335                

Technology

     (117,096,932      (117,096,861      (11      (60

Transportation

     (9,528,732      (9,528,732                

Utilities

     (3,803,782      (3,803,782                

Options Written

           

Equity Contracts

     (1,499,100      (1,499,100                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (442,336,887    $ (439,412,170    $ (2,924,629    $ (88
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

34      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

LONG POSITIONS—95.3%

   

COMMON STOCK—95.3%

   

Basic Industries—5.9%

   

Avery Dennison Corp. †

    767,564      $ 44,580,117   

Barrick Gold Corp.

    1,852,195        12,872,755   

Berry Plastics Group, Inc. * †

    1,201,120        35,553,152   

Cloud Peak Energy, Inc. *

    648,665        3,100,619   

Crown Holdings, Inc. * †

    906,312        44,925,886   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co. †

    4,938,273        69,629,649   

Lintec Corp.

    775,800        17,852,364   

Mosaic Co. (The) †

    913,041        37,279,464   

Packaging Corp of America †

    541,298        36,326,509   

Stornoway Diamond Corp. *

    19,386,145        11,493,762   

Valspar Corp., (The) †

    711,319        52,139,683   

WestRock Co. †

    859,795        51,028,833   
   

 

 

 
      416,782,793   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—11.0%

   

BAE Systems PLC

    2,829,696        19,477,773   

Boeing Co. (The)

    137,267        17,938,052   

Carlisle Cos, Inc. †

    263,562        26,540,693   

Crane Co. †

    333,829        17,539,376   

CRH, Inc.

    930,735        27,202,946   

Cubic Corp. †

    313,169        13,190,678   

Danaher Corp. †

    651,890        56,727,468   

General Dynamics Corp. †

    292,679        41,569,198   

Honeywell International, Inc. †

    310,041        30,777,770   

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. †

    320,458        36,077,162   

Ingersoll-Rand PLC †

    1,006,008        55,622,182   

KION Group AG

    193,657        8,595,704   

Lockheed Martin Corp. †

    306,329        61,627,268   

Masco Corp. †

    1,568,255        41,135,329   

Meggitt PLC

    2,530,609        18,405,121   

Melrose Industries PLC

    5,313,005        21,597,649   

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    2,368,000        23,563,457   

Nitto Denko Corp.

    219,300        14,696,679   

Northrop Grumman Corp. †

    258,728        42,364,123   

Raytheon Co. †

    383,545        39,336,375   

Safran SA

    539,599        42,099,371   

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. †

    495,826        50,336,256   

Textron, Inc. †

    1,043,246        40,477,945   

United Technologies Corp. †

    273,902        25,092,162   
   

 

 

 
      771,990,737   
   

 

 

 

Communications—4.0%

   

Baidu, Inc. — Sponsored ADR * †

    61,868        9,110,063   

Comcast Corp., Class A †

    1,006,142        56,675,979   

Google, Inc., Class A * †

    50,764        32,885,935   

Google, Inc., Class C * †

    12,344        7,631,678   

Liberty Broadband Corp., Class C * †

    222,559        11,913,583   

Liberty Global PLC LiLAC, Class C * †

    63,524        2,112,173   

Liberty Global PLC, Series C * †

    1,506,401        67,592,213   

NetEase, Inc. — ADR †

    81,169        9,024,369   

Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. — ADR *

    196,359        10,381,500   

Verizon Communications, Inc. †

    720,131        33,133,227   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Communications—(continued)

   

Vodafone Group PLC

    7,978,071      $ 27,471,937   

Yahoo!, Inc. * †

    379,090        12,221,862   
   

 

 

 
      280,154,519   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—2.6%

   

Alpine Electronics Inc.

    598,300        8,378,856   

Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.

    681,800        23,834,938   

Lear Corp. †

    246,097        25,296,311   

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. †

    1,209,619        50,961,249   

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    34,995        32,201,435   

Tenneco, Inc. * †

    555,282        26,126,018   

Toyota Industries Corp.

    282,400        13,969,134   
   

 

 

 
      180,767,941   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—3.2%

   

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    884,850        25,333,256   

Britvic PLC

    2,333,803        23,843,933   

Coca-Cola West Co. Ltd.

    290,200        5,964,687   

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A †

    152,665        19,541,120   

Global Brands Group Holding Ltd. *

    57,148,000        10,825,693   

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

    892,260        42,947,846   

Ontex Group NV

    775,845        24,207,283   

Reynolds American, Inc. †

    138,382        11,589,493   

Stock Spirits Group PLC

    3,563,779        10,718,461   

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A †

    1,182,238        49,985,023   
   

 

 

 
      224,956,795   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—12.0%

   

CBS Corp., Class B non-voting shares †

    447,182        20,230,514   

Civeo Corp.

    1,075,996        2,098,192   

CVS Health Corp. †

    367,331        37,614,694   

eBay, Inc. *

    1,015,498        27,530,152   

Equifax, Inc. †

    477,060        46,704,174   

Expedia, Inc. †

    254,221        29,232,873   

H&R Block, Inc. †

    1,175,770        39,999,695   

ITV PLC

    10,916,848        41,574,549   

Liberty Media Corp., Class A * †

    379,110        14,121,848   

Liberty Media Corp., Class C * †

    504,410        18,269,730   

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    301,547        20,858,006   

Macy’s, Inc. †

    396,463        23,236,696   

ManpowerGroup, Inc. †

    546,701        47,508,317   

Marks & Spencer Group PLC

    4,563,089        36,230,463   

Moody’s Corp. †

    377,840        38,656,810   

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. — Sponsored ADR

    291,026        5,963,123   

Omnicom Group, Inc. †

    634,407        42,492,581   

Outerwall, Inc. †

    188,712        11,624,659   

Phoenix New Media Ltd. — ADR *

    1,284,537        6,152,932   

ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE

    569,744        27,671,674   

Randstad Holding NV

    541,666        34,119,161   

Robert Half International, Inc. †

    654,465        33,397,349   

Six Flags Entertainment Corp. †

    435,192        19,570,584   

Starz, Class A *

    485,945        18,276,391   

Target Corp. †

    488,745        37,980,374   

TEGNA, Inc.

    936,375        22,276,361   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        35   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Services—(continued)

  

Time, Inc. †

    619,031      $ 12,857,274   

Towers Watson & Co., Class A †

    378,538        44,943,817   

Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. †

    1,096,955        30,045,597   

Viacom, Inc., Class B †

    515,208        21,005,030   

WPP PLC

    1,662,260        34,217,970   
   

 

 

 
      846,461,590   
   

 

 

 

Energy—8.8%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp. # †

    487,702        34,909,709   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    963,962        21,660,226   

Diamondback Energy, Inc. * #

    953,074        65,085,423   

Energen Corp. †

    873,058        45,399,016   

EOG Resources, Inc. #

    628,153        49,190,661   

EQT Corp. †

    231,959        18,051,049   

Exxon Mobil Corp. # †

    982,381        73,914,346   

Inpex Corp.

    1,413,000        14,322,431   

Kosmos Energy Ltd. * †

    1,882,712        13,178,984   

Marathon Petroleum Corp. # †

    626,514        29,640,377   

Occidental Petroleum Corp. # †

    740,814        54,086,830   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A * †

    3,283,269        56,472,227   

Phillips 66 # †

    643,440        50,876,801   

QEP Resources, Inc. †

    1,434,187        20,135,986   

Rice Energy, Inc. * †

    824,409        16,034,755   

RSP Permian, Inc. * †

    1,960,060        46,923,836   

Viper Energy Partners LP

    622,557        10,172,581   
   

 

 

 
      620,055,238   
   

 

 

 

Finance—19.4%

   

ACE Ltd. †

    383,381        39,166,203   

Alleghany Corp. * †

    57,843        27,174,063   

Allstate Corp., (The) †

    686,406        40,003,742   

Ally Financial, Inc. * †

    1,657,990        36,243,661   

American International Group, Inc. †

    637,627        38,474,413   

Aon PLC †

    451,326        42,171,901   

Bank of America Corp. †

    1,624,693        26,547,484   

BB&T Corp. †

    1,583,333        58,456,654   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B * †

    294,544        39,480,678   

Capital One Financial Corp. †

    906,839        70,506,732   

Charles Schwab Corp., (The) †

    772,889        23,480,368   

Citigroup, Inc. †

    1,374,805        73,524,571   

Discover Financial Services †

    1,116,206        59,973,748   

Fifth Third Bancorp †

    3,367,924        67,089,046   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (The)

    239,978        45,259,851   

Huntington Bancshares, Inc. †

    2,557,502        27,902,347   

Investors Bancorp, Inc. †

    2,060,785        24,276,047   

JPMorgan Chase & Co. †

    1,111,932        71,274,841   

MetLife, Inc. †

    674,059        33,770,356   

Morgan Stanley

    785,832        27,071,912   

Navient Corp. †

    1,976,648        25,281,328   

PICC Property & Casualty Co Ltd.

    4,928,000        9,347,584   

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., (The) †

    317,251        28,907,911   

Raymond James Financial, Inc. †

    453,638        24,038,278   

Regions Financial Corp. †

    2,721,612        26,100,259   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Finance—(continued)

   

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. †

    135,527      $ 12,316,694   

SLM Corp. *

    3,607,936        30,595,297   

State Street Corp. †

    540,688        38,886,281   

SunTrust Banks, Inc. †

    717,879        28,980,775   

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. †

    688,193        23,026,938   

Torchmark Corp. †

    356,262        20,827,077   

Travelers Cos., Inc., (The) †

    225,917        22,490,037   

Unum Group †

    1,065,298        35,730,095   

Validus Holdings Ltd.

    313,958        13,902,060   

Wells Fargo & Co. †

    1,333,556        71,118,541   

WR Berkley Corp. †

    658,244        35,729,485   

XL Group PLC †

    1,304,143        48,631,492   
   

 

 

 
      1,367,758,750   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—9.7%

  

AbbVie, Inc. †

    604,594        37,732,712   

Anthem, Inc. †

    193,785        27,333,374   

Cardinal Health, Inc. †

    341,796        28,119,557   

Celgene Corp. *

    49,052        5,792,060   

CIGNA Corp. †

    239,751        33,754,543   

Express Scripts Holding Co. * †

    580,145        48,500,122   

Gilead Sciences, Inc. †

    420,144        44,144,530   

ICON PLC *

    379,839        29,247,603   

Johnson & Johnson †

    497,913        46,793,864   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings * †

    313,924        36,983,386   

McKesson Corp. †

    120,267        23,762,354   

MEDNAX, Inc. * †

    390,314        31,439,793   

Medtronic PLC †

    557,979        40,336,302   

Merck & Co., Inc. †

    855,257        46,055,589   

Novartis AG — Sponsored ADR

    155,661        15,133,362   

Pfizer, Inc. †

    1,444,179        46,531,447   

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

    457,269        31,002,838   

Shire PLC — ADR

    118,679        27,533,528   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. — Sponsored ADR †

    634,605        40,874,908   

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. †

    389,053        40,290,329   
   

 

 

 
      681,362,201   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—1.0%

  

American Capital Agency Corp. REIT †

    607,518        11,621,819   

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A

    645,127        10,309,129   

American Residential Properties, Inc. †

    524,940        8,897,733   

Boston Properties, Inc. †

    77,233        8,756,678   

Cheung Kong Property Holdings Ltd. *

    1,223,500        8,617,594   

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    508,192        9,010,244   

LaSalle Hotel Properties

    201,374        6,335,226   

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

    672,146        9,295,779   
   

 

 

 
      72,844,202   
   

 

 

 
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

36      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Technology—16.8%

  

Alliance Data Systems Corp. *

    93,415      $ 24,025,404   

Amdocs Ltd. †

    638,870        36,549,753   

Apple, Inc. †

    715,484        80,677,976   

Arrow Electronics, Inc. * †

    700,880        39,193,210   

Avago Technologies Ltd. †

    378,146        47,635,052   

Avnet, Inc.

    739,158        31,340,299   

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.

    4,478,013        47,690,838   

CDW Corp. †

    1,114,970        44,320,058   

Cisco Systems, Inc. †

    1,341,639        34,721,617   

Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.

    1,481,500        11,170,196   

EMC Corp. †

    2,088,927        51,951,614   

EVERTEC, Inc. †

    688,058        12,453,850   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. †

    464,639        32,087,969   

Flextronics International Ltd. * †

    4,459,784        46,872,330   

Global Payments, Inc.

    122,526        13,648,171   

Harris Corp. †

    549,922        42,245,008   

Hewlett-Packard Co. †

    1,816,164        50,961,562   

Hollysys Automation Technologies, Ltd.

    515,467        9,046,446   

Jabil Circuit, Inc. †

    2,821,909        54,603,939   

Microsoft Corp. †

    1,953,185        85,002,611   

Motorola Solutions, Inc. †

    424,632        27,524,646   

NXP Semiconductors NV * †

    509,234        43,106,658   

ON Semiconductor Corp. *

    4,611,691        44,064,708   

Oracle Corp. †

    1,976,389        73,304,268   

Seagate Technology PLC †

    774,982        39,834,075   

TE Connectivity Ltd. †

    273,166        16,196,012   

Texas Instruments, Inc. †

    1,057,945        50,612,089   

Total System Services, Inc. †

    677,533        31,051,337   

Western Digital Corp. †

    708,405        58,060,874   
   

 

 

 
      1,179,952,570   
   

 

 

 

Transportation—0.5%

   

Delta Air Lines, Inc. †

    887,199        38,841,572   
   

 

 

 
      38,841,572   
   

 

 

 

Utilities—0.4%

  

AES Corp.

    2,353,637        28,243,644   
   

 

 

 
      28,243,644   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK—95.3%
(Cost $6,454,686,082)

      6,710,172,552   
   

 

 

 

WARRANTS—0.0%

   

Basic Industries—0.0%

   

Stornoway Diamond Corp.
Exercise Price CAD 0.90,
Expires 07/08/16 *

    7,527,500        600,781   
   

 

 

 
      600,781   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL WARRANTS—0.0%
(Cost $773,078)

      600,781   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—95.3%
(Cost $6,455,459,160)

      6,710,773,333   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(48.2%)

  

COMMON STOCK—(48.2%)

  

Basic Industries—(1.7%)

  

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

    (139,974   $ (19,530,572

BASF SE

    (173,904     (13,972,582

Bemis Co., Inc.

    (197,706     (8,386,689

Detour Gold Corp. *

    (565,009     (5,707,639

EI Du Pont de Nemours & Co.

    (192,742     (9,926,213

FMC Corp.

    (216,273     (9,150,511

FP Corp.

    (349,000     (12,095,790

Goldcorp, Inc.

    (461,389     (6,394,852

Oji Holdings Corp.

    (2,356,000     (10,875,399

Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp.

    (655,600     (8,014,808

Vale SA — ADR

    (1,848,574     (9,150,441

Wausau Paper Corp.

    (1,080,391     (8,416,246
   

 

 

 
      (121,621,742
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—(4.3%)

  

Atlas Copco AB

    (693,985     (17,473,804

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

    (613,459     (17,906,868

Bombardier, Inc., Class B

    (6,609,875     (6,481,255

CNH Industrial NV

    (1,558,757     (12,329,768

Deere & Co.

    (259,257     (21,202,037

GEA Group AG

    (232,722     (9,060,046

IMI PLC

    (1,190,626     (18,806,004

Kennametal, Inc.

    (559,175     (17,054,838

Keppel Corp Ltd.

    (1,836,700     (8,941,092

Metso OYJ

    (868,316     (21,391,107

Proto Labs, Inc. *

    (561,767     (40,913,491

Raven Industries, Inc.

    (445,182     (8,066,698

Sun Hydraulics Corp.

    (300,619     (9,697,969

TOTO Ltd.

    (730,000     (10,723,682

Trex Co., Inc. *

    (283,032     (10,984,472

USG Corp. *

    (762,834     (23,274,065

Weir Group PLC/The

    (347,552     (7,439,548

WW Grainger, Inc.

    (54,519     (12,181,725

Zardoya Otis SA

    (1,270,771     (13,550,436

Zodiac Aerospace

    (393,464     (11,955,623
   

 

 

 
      (299,434,528
   

 

 

 

Communications—(3.2%)

  

CenturyLink, Inc.

    (501,915     (13,571,782

Cogent Communications Group, Inc.

    (538,212     (14,946,147

Eutelsat Communications SA

    (660,783     (19,906,901

Frontier Communications Corp

    (2,856,848     (14,484,219

LinkedIn Corp., Class A *

    (68,452     (12,362,431

Millicom International Cellular SA — SDR

    (276,215     (18,403,514

Pandora Media, Inc. *

    (1,205,725     (21,630,707

Rackspace Hosting, Inc. *

    (804,055     (24,451,313

Sprint Corp. *

    (5,559,852     (28,132,851

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc. *

    (520,138     (21,008,374

TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC

    (4,283,631     (19,628,407

Telefonica SA — Sponsored ADR

    (1,364,460     (19,197,952
   

 

 

 
      (227,724,598
   

 

 

 
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        37   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Durables—(1.7%)

  

Autoliv, Inc.

    (260,326   $ (26,592,301

Dorman Products, Inc. *

    (353,900     (17,818,865

Electrolux AB — Series B

    (651,024     (18,336,275

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

    (389,588     (17,305,499

Lennar Corp., Class A

    (163,812     (8,338,031

LKQ Corp. *

    (661,631     (19,842,314

Tesla Motors, Inc. *

    (49,242     (12,264,213
   

 

 

 
      (120,497,498
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—(5.2%)

  

B&G Foods, Inc.

    (651,234     (19,791,001

Boston Beer Co., Inc., (The) Class A *

    (79,768     (16,358,024

Campbell Soup Co.

    (244,710     (11,743,633

Clorox Co., (The)

    (213,649     (23,751,359

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    (295,441     (18,556,649

Flowers Foods, Inc.

    (796,621     (18,489,573

Hain Celestial Group, Inc., (The) *

    (336,433     (20,475,312

JM Smucker Co., (The)

    (178,716     (21,038,448

Kagome Co. Ltd.

    (557,800     (9,432,965

Mattel, Inc.

    (755,653     (17,704,950

McCormick & Co., Inc. non-voting shares

    (276,709     (21,937,489

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    (553,023     (23,426,054

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    (153,200     (31,520,318

Snyders-Lance, Inc.

    (308,852     (10,429,932

Tod’s SpA

    (142,375     (12,995,464

TreeHouse Foods, Inc. *

    (239,565     (19,014,274

Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd. Class H

    (2,268,000     (11,145,389

Tumi Holdings, Inc. *

    (990,645     (19,535,519

Under Armour, Inc., Class A *

    (300,261     (28,683,933

Want Want China Holdings Ltd.

    (15,198,000     (12,252,329
   

 

 

 
      (368,282,615
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—(8.2%)

   

Acxiom Corp. *

    (856,191     (17,945,763

Aramark

    (636,684     (19,953,677

Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

    (440,018     (19,884,413

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. *

    (112,227     (21,287,217

CarMax, Inc. *

    (364,953     (22,262,133

Cheesecake Factory, Inc., (The)

    (216,784     (11,764,868

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. *

    (26,583     (18,874,196

DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., Class A *

    (883,253     (17,612,065

Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.

    (251,215     (12,600,944

Etsy, Inc. *

    (713,166     (10,219,669

GrainCorp, Ltd.

    (2,396,959     (13,889,103

Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B

    (644,795     (24,758,663

HomeAway, Inc. *

    (468,606     (13,444,306

Jack in the Box, Inc.

    (148,649     (11,621,379

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. *

    (1,263,082     (21,649,225

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    (86,110     (14,332,076

Mattress Firm Holding Corp. *

    (326,859     (19,640,957

Medidata Solutions, Inc. *

    (630,489     (30,276,082
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Services—(continued)

  

 

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.

    (368,564   $ (23,363,272

Netflix, Inc. *

    (80,014     (9,204,010

Nord Anglia Education, Inc. *

    (28,296     (581,200

Nordstrom, Inc.

    (147,341     (10,738,212

Pearson PLC

    (1,065,434     (18,470,909

Pricesmart, Inc.

    (169,974     (14,449,490

Qunar Cayman Islands Ltd. *

    (351,473     (11,422,873

Restoration Hardware Holdings, Inc. *

    (227,587     (21,047,246

Rollins, Inc.

    (690,962     (19,291,659

Seek Ltd.

    (1,754,952     (15,411,084

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

    (657,198     (23,652,556

Tiffany & Co.

    (166,177     (13,668,058

Ultimate Software Group, Inc., (The) *

    (113,869     (20,062,579

Wayfair, Inc. *

    (566,332     (21,124,184

Wendy’s Co., (The)

    (2,381,248     (21,693,169

Yum! Brands, Inc.

    (114,463     (9,130,714
   

 

 

 
      (575,327,951
   

 

 

 

Energy—(2.6%)

   

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

    (674,839     (15,973,439

Chevron Corp.

    (253,469     (20,528,454

Concho Resources, Inc. *

    (121,109     (13,099,149

Continental Resources, Inc. *

    (348,709     (11,193,559

CVR Energy, Inc.

    (233,723     (9,398,002

Devon Energy Corp.

    (414,077     (17,664,525

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

    (927,967     (22,002,098

EQT Midstream Partners LP

    (173,524     (13,500,167

Matador Resources Co. *

    (597,567     (13,690,260

Noble Energy, Inc.

    (581,889     (19,440,911

Oasis Petroleum, Inc. *

    (341,594     (3,812,189

Repsol SA

    (1,115,732     (15,908,028

Southwestern Energy Co. *

    (404,441     (6,568,122
   

 

 

 
      (182,778,903
   

 

 

 

Finance—(5.8%)

   

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC

    (2,837,726     (13,774,262

Astoria Financial Corp.

    (1,115,065     (18,030,601

Banco de Sabadell SA

    (4,680,581     (9,916,655

BancorpSouth, Inc.

    (718,112     (17,062,341

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

    (186,745     (11,589,395

Bankinter SA

    (1,425,879     (10,683,159

Barclays PLC

    (2,041,141     (8,111,083

Community Bank System, Inc.

    (487,916     (17,399,085

Credit Acceptance Corp. *

    (38,930     (7,934,323

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

    (239,435     (15,481,867

CVB Financial Corp.

    (1,039,253     (16,887,861

Eaton Vance Corp.

    (539,067     (18,689,453

Financial Engines, Inc.

    (525,821     (17,068,150

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

    (555,525     (17,299,049

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.

    (1,369,177     (12,664,887

Glacier Bancorp, Inc.

    (560,283     (14,572,961

HDFC Bank Ltd. — ADR

    (198,955     (11,338,445

Home Bancshares, Inc.

    (292,460     (11,148,575

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.

    (517,081     (20,796,998

Mobile Mini, Inc.

    (394,364     (13,412,320
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

38      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Finance—(continued)

   

New York Community Bancorp, Inc.

    (1,139,707   $ (20,127,226

PacWest Bancorp

    (321,059     (13,689,956

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. *

    (129,441     (6,971,692

Trustmark Corp.

    (578,082     (13,313,228

UMB Financial Corp.

    (264,585     (13,263,646

United Bankshares, Inc.

    (602,755     (22,555,092

Valley National Bancorp

    (1,999,025     (18,910,777

Westamerica Bancorporation

    (416,004     (18,778,421
   

 

 

 
      (411,471,508
   

 

 

 

Health Care—(3.0%)

   

Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (932,244     (6,889,283

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

    (185,321     (6,729,005

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. *

    (36,240     (6,240,166

athenahealth, Inc. *

    (169,496     (22,537,883

BTG PLC *

    (940,220     (9,042,352

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG

    (637,198     (16,904,210

Cerner Corp. *

    (135,035     (8,339,762

DexCom, Inc. *

    (175,046     (16,478,830

Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc. *

    (281,506     (11,116,672

Elekta AB, B Shares

    (2,047,201     (12,683,167

Halyard Health, Inc. *

    (321,982     (10,123,114

Henry Schein, Inc. *

    (100,059     (13,689,072

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. *

    (265,408     (18,968,710

Juno Therapeutics, Inc. *

    (158,330     (5,748,962

Kite Pharma, Inc. *

    (132,546     (7,047,471

Sirona Dental Systems, Inc. *

    (147,333     (14,052,622

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

    (461,054     (25,749,866
   

 

 

 
      (212,341,147
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—(2.1%)

  

Equinix, Inc.

    (105,949     (28,581,862

HCP, Inc.

    (599,166     (22,205,092

Health Care REIT, Inc.

    (291,122     (18,442,579

Hulic Co. Ltd.

    (1,447,200     (13,285,006

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

    (399,988     (13,511,595

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc.

    (484,162     (18,635,395

Realty Income Corp.

    (515,023     (23,016,378

Rouse Properties, Inc.

    (430,487     (6,689,768
   

 

 

 
      (144,367,675
   

 

 

 

Technology—(8.3%)

   

3D Systems Corp. *

    (1,193,206     (16,382,718

Ambarella, Inc. *

    (108,086     (10,336,264

Arista Networks, Inc. *

    (314,721     (23,537,984

Aspen Technology, Inc. *

    (691,962     (26,204,601

Blackbaud, Inc.

    (464,917     (26,565,357

Cirrus Logic, Inc. *

    (250,933     (7,568,139

Dassault Systemes SA

    (295,144     (20,448,326

Electronics for Imaging, Inc. *

    (482,245     (21,107,864

Finisar Corp. *

    (1,455,223     (22,454,091

Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.

    (34,500     (3,933,370

Infosys Ltd. — Sponsored ADR

    (1,749,290     (30,000,324

InvenSense, Inc. *

    (81,187     (828,919

Itron, Inc. *

    (988,823     (29,664,690

National Instruments Corp.

    (1,302,847     (38,056,161
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Technology—(continued)

   

NetSuite, Inc. *

    (355,476   $ (31,584,043

Nidec Corp.

    (149,300     (11,689,740

Proofpoint, Inc. *

    (494,982     (27,887,286

Super Micro Computer, Inc. *

    (902,677     (24,688,216

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B

    (1,107,453     (10,794,787

Trimble Navigation Ltd. *

    (842,164     (15,916,900

Unisys, Corp. *

    (1,259,584     (16,588,721

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A *

    (877,709     (22,732,663

VeriFone Systems, Inc. *

    (835,278     (26,094,085

Verint Systems, Inc. *

    (604,892     (32,258,890

ViaSat, Inc. *

    (267,855     (15,741,838

VTech Holdings Ltd.

    (919,000     (10,613,661

Wipro Ltd. — ADR

    (2,948,507     (34,527,017

Workday, Inc., Class A *

    (365,427     (25,674,901
   

 

 

 
      (583,881,556
   

 

 

 

Transportation—(1.7%)

  

Heartland Express, Inc.

    (668,096     (13,522,263

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

    (187,243     (13,627,545

Keikyu Corp.

    (1,599,220     (12,839,938

Kintetsu Group Holdings, Co., Ltd.

    (3,990,000     (14,233,897

Knight Transportation, Inc.

    (353,447     (9,613,758

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA *

    (313,913     (14,077,731

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. *

    (187,282     (12,452,380

Panalpina Welttransport Holding AG, Registered Shares

    (103,897     (13,080,500

Ryder System, Inc.

    (88,926     (7,289,264

XPO Logistics, Inc. *

    (304,409     (10,684,756
   

 

 

 
      (121,422,032
   

 

 

 

Utilities—(0.4%)

  

Ormat Technologies, Inc.

    (369,556     (13,008,371

Spectra Energy Corp.

    (439,121     (12,765,247
   

 

 

 
      (25,773,618
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Proceeds $3,510,988,845)

      (3,394,925,371
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(48.2%)
(Proceeds $3,510,988,845)

      (3,394,925,371
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Contracts
       

OPTIONS WRITTEN ††—(0.3%)

  

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
Call Options Expires 01/15/16
Strike Price $80.00

    (4,870     (1,670,410

Diamondback Energy, Inc.
Call Options Expires 01/15/16
Strike Price $70.00

    (2,000     (1,380,000

Diamondback Energy, Inc.
Call Options Expires 12/18/15
Strike Price $60.00

    (3,291     (3,965,655
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        39   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Contracts
    Value  

Diamondback Energy, Inc. Call Options Expires 12/18/15
Strike Price $70.00

    (3,000   $ (1,950,000

EOG Resources Call Options Expires 01/15/16
Strike Price $80.00

    (1,133     (719,455

Exxon Mobil Corp. Call Options Expires 01/15/16
Strike Price $70.00

    (2,153     (1,636,280

Exxon Mobil Corp. Call Options Expires 01/15/16
Strike Price $80.00

    (7,457     (1,528,685

Marathon Petroleum Corp. Call Options Expires 01/15/16
Strike Price $55.00

    (5,000     (770,000

Occidental Petroleum Corp. Call Options Expires 01/15/16
Strike Price $75.00

    (4,500     (1,665,000

Phillips 66 Call Options Expires 01/15/16
Strike Price $70.00

    (4,500     (5,310,000
    Number of
Contracts
    Value  

Phillips 66 Call Options Expires 01/15/16
Strike Price $75.00

    (1,750   $ (1,435,000
   

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN
(Premiums received $17,783,087)

      (22,030,485
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—53.2%

      3,745,662,739   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 7,039,480,216   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
LP     Limited Partnership
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.
#     Security segregated as collateral for options written.
††     Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.
 

Contracts For Difference held by the Fund at August 31, 2015, are as follows:

 

Reference Company

   Counterparty      Number of
Contracts (Short)
     Notional
Amount
     Unrealized
Appreciation
 
Semiconductor Manufacturing
International, Corp.
     Goldman Sachs         (338,540,000    $ 31,440,910       $ 1,990,523   

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2015 is as follows (see Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level  2
Significant

Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock

           

Basic Industries

   $ 416,782,793       $ 398,930,429       $ 17,852,364       $   

Capital Goods

     771,990,737         596,352,037         175,638,700           

Communications

     280,154,519         252,682,582         27,471,937           

Consumer Durables

     180,767,941         102,383,578         78,384,363           

Consumer Non-Durables

     224,956,795         117,167,353         107,789,442           

Consumer Services

     846,461,590         672,647,773         173,813,817           

Energy

     620,055,238         605,732,807         14,322,431           

Finance

     1,367,758,750         1,358,411,166         9,347,584           

Health Care

     681,362,201         681,362,201                   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     72,844,202         72,844,202                   

Technology

     1,179,952,570         1,168,782,374         11,170,196           

Transportation

     38,841,572         38,841,572                   

Utilities

     28,243,644         28,243,644                   

Warrants

     600,781         600,781                   

Contracts for difference

     1,990,523                 1,990,523           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 6,712,763,856       $ 6,094,982,499       $ 617,781,357       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

40      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Securities Sold Short

           

Basic Industries

   $ (121,621,742    $ (76,663,163    $ (44,958,579    $   

Capital Goods

     (299,434,528      (180,093,186      (119,341,342        

Communications

     (227,724,598      (169,785,776      (57,938,822        

Consumer Durables

     (120,497,498      (102,161,223      (18,336,275        

Consumer Non-Durables

     (368,282,615      (290,936,150      (77,346,465        

Consumer Services

     (575,327,951      (488,466,116      (86,861,835        

Energy

     (182,778,903      (166,870,875      (15,908,028        

Finance

     (411,471,508      (368,986,349      (42,485,159        

Health Care

     (212,341,147      (186,394,585      (25,946,562        

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     (144,367,675      (131,082,669      (13,285,006        

Technology

     (583,881,556      (526,401,672      (57,479,884        

Transportation

     (121,422,032      (80,270,466      (41,151,566        

Utilities

     (25,773,618      (25,773,618                

Options Written

           

Equity Contracts

     (22,030,485      (22,030,485                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (3,416,955,856    $ (2,815,916,333    $ (601,039,523    $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        41   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

RIGHTS—0.0%

   

Technology—0.0%

   

CVR Banctec, Inc. Escrow Shares * ‡

    14,327      $ 0   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL RIGHTS
(Cost $0)

      0   
   

 

 

 

COMMON STOCK—97.9%

   

Basic Industries—2.1%

   

Avery Dennison Corp.

    62,087        3,606,013   

Crown Holdings, Inc. *

    99,646        4,939,452   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    312,870        4,411,467   

Huntsman Corp.

    117,240        1,937,977   

International Paper Co.

    57,370        2,474,942   

Mosaic Co. (The)

    118,209        4,826,473   
   

 

 

 
      22,196,324   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—9.3%

   

Cubic Corp.

    35,406        1,491,301   

Fluor Corp.

    88,115        4,019,806   

General Electric Co.

    844,574        20,962,327   

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

    26,034        2,930,908   

Ingersoll-Rand PLC

    55,725        3,081,035   

Masco Corp.

    126,924        3,329,216   

Oshkosh Corp.

    112,065        4,712,333   

Parker Hannifin Corp.

    74,498        8,020,455   

Raytheon Co.

    131,066        13,442,129   

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

    74,943        7,608,213   

Terex Corp.

    199,757        4,660,331   

Textron, Inc.

    100,871        3,913,795   

Timken Co.

    135,141        4,290,727   

United Technologies Corp.

    89,314        8,182,056   

WESCO International, Inc. * (a)

    105,962        5,930,693   
   

 

 

 
      96,575,325   
   

 

 

 

Communications—2.4%

   

AT&T, Inc.

    151,640        5,034,448   

Comcast Corp., Class A

    94,384        5,316,651   

Google, Inc., Class A * #

    10,095        6,539,743   

NetEase, Inc. — ADR

    76,260        8,478,587   
   

 

 

 
      25,369,429   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—2.1%

   

Brunswick Corp.

    57,754        2,870,951   

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

    80,138        4,491,735   

Lear Corp.

    53,153        5,463,597   

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

    86,303        3,635,945   

Thor Industries, Inc.

    92,002        5,021,469   
   

 

 

 
      21,483,697   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—3.5%

   

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    529,911        15,171,352   

Electronic Arts, Inc. *

    125,938        8,330,799   

PepsiCo, Inc.

    92,785        8,622,510   

Reynolds American, Inc.

    56,769        4,754,404   
   

 

 

 
      36,879,065   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—8.8%

   

AutoZone, Inc. *

    4,169        2,984,962   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Consumer Services—(continued)

  

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. *

    76,292      $ 4,738,496   

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    115,878        4,257,358   

CVS Health Corp.

    47,708        4,885,299   

eBay, Inc. *

    368,549        9,991,363   

H&R Block, Inc.

    165,464        5,629,085   

Kohl’s Corp.

    225,247        11,494,354   

Korn/Ferry International

    94,571        3,222,034   

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    78,703        5,443,886   

Macy’s, Inc.

    146,268        8,572,767   

Manpowergroup, Inc.

    78,924        6,858,496   

New Oriental Education & Technology Group. Inc. — Sponsored ADR *

    223,301        4,575,437   

Office Depot, Inc. *

    393,744        3,122,390   

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    167,782        11,238,038   

Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, Inc. *

    260,850        3,370,182   

Viacom, Inc., Class B

    26,999        1,100,749   
   

 

 

 
      91,484,896   
   

 

 

 

Energy—6.6%

   

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

    62,483        4,472,533   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    205,231        4,611,541   

Energen Corp.

    121,054        6,294,808   

EOG Resources, Inc.

    32,807        2,569,116   

EQT Corp.

    47,302        3,681,042   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    120,245        9,047,234   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    64,302        3,042,128   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    165,672        12,095,713   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A *

    87,404        1,503,349   

Phillips 66

    161,344        12,757,470   

QEP Resources, Inc.

    154,452        2,168,506   

Rice Energy, Inc. *

    152,464        2,965,425   

Western Refining, Inc.

    76,276        3,281,393   
   

 

 

 
      68,490,258   
   

 

 

 

Finance—26.6%

   

ACE Ltd.

    89,328        9,125,748   

AFLAC, Inc.

    171,603        10,055,936   

Alleghany Corp. *

    17,292        8,123,609   

Ally Financial, Inc. *

    146,749        3,207,933   

American International Group, Inc.

    193,003        11,645,801   

Aon PLC

    55,813        5,215,167   

BB&T Corp.

    336,976        12,441,154   

Capital One Financial Corp.

    265,972        20,679,323   

Citigroup, Inc.

    416,412        22,269,714   

FCB Financial Holdings, Inc., Class A *

    67,740        2,234,065   

Fifth Third Bancorp

    850,239        16,936,761   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (The)

    55,876        10,538,214   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    536,739        34,404,970   

Loews Corp.

    227,203        8,281,549   

MetLife, Inc.

    163,810        8,206,881   

Navient Corp.

    403,342        5,158,744   

OneBeacon Insurance Group Ltd., Class A

    202,657        2,928,394   

Peoples Choice Financial Corp. 144A * ‡

    1,465        0   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

42      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Finance—(continued)

   

Prudential Financial, Inc.

    133,547      $ 10,777,243   

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    142,846        7,569,410   

SLM Corp. *

    265,873        2,254,603   

Solar Cayman Ltd. 144A * ‡

    19,375        0   

State Street Corp.

    126,436        9,093,277   

Torchmark Corp.

    91,444        5,345,816   

Travelers Cos., Inc., (The)

    106,705        10,622,483   

Validus Holdings Ltd.

    180,160        7,977,485   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    96,548        5,148,905   

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.

    16,246        11,685,910   

WR Berkley Corp.

    174,355        9,463,989   

XL Group PLC

    140,023        5,221,458   
   

 

 

 
      276,614,542   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—17.5%

   

AbbVie, Inc.

    101,852        6,356,583   

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. *

    197,544        2,720,181   

Amgen, Inc.

    127,209        19,307,782   

Anthem, Inc.

    44,380        6,259,799   

Boston Scientific Corp. *

    233,904        3,915,553   

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    96,495        7,938,644   

Express Scripts Holding Co. *

    126,815        10,601,734   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    134,133        14,093,354   

Johnson & Johnson

    212,266        19,948,759   

McKesson Corp.

    26,137        5,164,148   

Medtronic PLC

    207,976        15,034,585   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    412,642        22,220,772   

Novartis AG — Sponsored ADR (a)

    172,611        16,781,241   

Pfizer, Inc.

    308,822        9,950,245   

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

    79,578        5,634,918   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. — Sponsored ADR

    154,166        9,929,832   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    59,498        6,883,919   
   

 

 

 
      182,742,049   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—0.0%

  

TMST, Inc. ‡

    191,097        0   
   

 

 

 

Technology—19.0%

   

Amdocs Ltd.

    104,308        5,967,461   

Arrow Electronics, Inc. *

    134,629        7,528,454   

Avnet, Inc.

    166,343        7,052,943   

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.

    541,057        5,762,257   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    645,354        16,701,762   

Computer Sciences Corp.

    80,179        4,970,296   

EMC Corp.

    764,611        19,015,876   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    137,513        9,496,648   

Flextronics International Ltd. *

    863,990        9,080,535   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

    491,544        13,792,725   

Jabil Circuit, Inc.

    257,837        4,989,146   

Linear Technology Corp.

    80,576        3,245,601   

Microsemi Corp. *

    202,543        6,432,766   

Microsoft Corp.

    365,827        15,920,791   

ON Semiconductor Corp. *

    657,372        6,281,189   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Technology—(continued)

   

Oracle Corp.

    545,096      $ 20,217,611   

PayPal Holdings, Inc. *

    194,932        6,822,620   

Seagate Technology PLC (a)

    53,193        2,734,120   

Symantec Corp.

    212,017        4,344,228   

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    146,148        8,665,115   

Total System Services, Inc.

    239,448        10,973,902   

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

    307,640        3,039,483   

Western Digital Corp.

    63,137        5,174,708   
   

 

 

 
      198,210,237   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $872,354,763)

      1,020,045,822   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL—1.2%

  

BlackRock Liquidity TempFund, Institutional Shares

    12,040,240        12,040,240   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $12,040,240)

      12,040,240   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—99.1% (Cost $884,395,003)

      1,032,086,062   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Contracts
       

OPTIONS WRITTEN ††—(0.2%)

  

Google, Inc. Call Options
Expires 01/15/2016
Strike Price $500.00 Expires

    (95     (1,482,000
   

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Premiums received $558,681)

      (1,482,000
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—1.1%

      11,137,371   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 1,041,741,433   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
144A     Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institutional buyers. As of August 31, 2015, these securities amounted to $0 or 0.0% of net assets. These 144A securities have been deemed illiquid. (See Note 7 in Notes to Financial Statements).
*     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, 2015, these securities amounted to $0 or 0% of net assets.
#     Security segregated as collateral for options written.
(a)     All or a portion of the security is on loan. At August 31, 2015, the market value of securities on loan was $11,725,432.
††     Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        43   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

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, 2015 is as follows (see Note I in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock

           

Basic Industries

   $ 22,196,324       $ 22,196,324       $       $   

Capital Goods

     96,575,325         96,575,325                   

Communications

     25,369,429         25,369,429                   

Consumer Durables

     21,483,697         21,483,697                   

Consumer Non-Durables

     36,879,065         36,879,065                   

Consumer Services

     91,484,896         91,484,896                   

Energy

     68,490,258         68,490,258                   

Finance

     276,614,542         276,614,542                   

Health Care

     182,742,049         182,742,049                   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

                               

Technology

     198,210,237         198,210,237                   

Securities Lending Collateral

     12,040,240         12,040,240                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 1,032,086,062       $ 1,032,086,062       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Options Written

           

Equity Contracts

   $ (1,482,000    $ (1,482,000    $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (1,482,000    $ (1,482,000    $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

44      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

WPG PARTNERS SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

COMMON STOCK—99.0%

   

Basic Industries—1.0%

   

Allegheny Technologies, Inc.

    8,600      $ 166,066   

Novagold Resources, Inc. * (a)

    48,800        182,024   
   

 

 

 
      348,090   
   

 

 

 

Capital Goods—11.5%

   

Aegion Corp. *

    10,000        184,000   

Carpenter Technology Corp.

    6,300        245,700   

FreightCar America, Inc.

    32,800        706,840   

Global Power Equipment Group, Inc.

    12,100        55,660   

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. *

    156,000        865,800   

KBR, Inc.

    12,900        224,976   

KEYW Holding Corp., (The) * (a)

    18,500        155,400   

Landec Corp. *

    38,100        506,730   

Matrix Service Co. *

    10,600        212,000   

Orion Marine Group, Inc. *

    48,300        346,794   

Primoris Services Corp.

    12,200        224,114   

Tutor Perini Corp. *

    26,300        465,510   
   

 

 

 
      4,193,524   
   

 

 

 

Communications—0.4%

   

Iridium Communications, Inc. * (a)

    20,600        153,470   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Durables—1.5%

   

Libbey, Inc.

    16,000        563,840   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Non-Durables—2.9%

   

Callaway Golf Co.

    22,800        201,780   

Crocs, Inc. *

    9,200        135,516   

Matthews International Corp., Class A

    10,600        538,268   

Universal Corp.

    3,800        186,998   
   

 

 

 
      1,062,562   
   

 

 

 

Consumer Services—9.1%

   

ARC Document Solutions, Inc. *

    43,900        291,496   

Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Inc. *

    14,400        183,600   

Carmike Cinemas, Inc. *

    29,300        698,805   

Destination XL Group, Inc. *

    16,900        102,245   

ICF International, Inc. *

    8,700        297,627   

K12, Inc. *

    9,500        125,590   

Landauer, Inc.

    3,100        119,071   

MDC Partners, Inc., Class A (a)

    36,200        710,968   

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

    17,900        354,599   

Shoe Carnival, Inc.

    3,400        88,060   

Titan Machinery, Inc. * (a)

    12,700        147,701   

Tribune Publishing Co. (a)

    16,300        192,177   
   

 

 

 
      3,311,939   
   

 

 

 

Energy—6.0%

   

Approach Resources, Inc. * (a)

    129,800        332,288   

Bill Barrett Corp. * (a)

    125,800        688,126   

Gulfport Energy Corp. *

    5,600        200,648   

Pacific Ethanol, Inc. * (a)

    68,600        485,688   

TETRA Technologies, Inc. *

    62,100        477,549   
   

 

 

 
      2,184,299   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Finance—28.7%

   

Central Pacific Financial Corp.

    21,600      $ 447,984   

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

    26,700        477,663   

Customers Bancorp, Inc *

    27,000        661,770   

Employers Holdings, Inc.

    27,400        604,170   

Equity Commonwealth *

    23,100        593,439   

FBR & Co.

    18,295        401,392   

Fidelity & Guaranty Life

    27,000        665,820   

First Foundation, Inc. *

    6,200        131,440   

FNFV Group *

    26,200        379,114   

Gramercy Property Trust, Inc.

    19,650        434,462   

Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., (The)

    4,000        315,600   

Investors Bancorp, Inc.

    46,100        543,058   

Kemper Corp.

    16,500        584,430   

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.

    23,000        551,080   

Maiden Holdings Ltd.

    42,600        610,458   

Meridian Bancorp, Inc. *

    35,100        447,174   

Nelnet, Inc., Class A

    2,700        101,655   

Northfield Bancorp, Inc.

    33,432        500,477   

Popular, Inc. *

    16,000        469,760   

State Bank Financial Corp.

    31,600        638,320   

THL Credit, Inc.

    12,800        159,488   

United Community Banks, Inc.

    22,000        430,540   

Yadkin Financial Corp.

    14,300        297,726   
   

 

 

 
      10,447,020   
   

 

 

 

Health Care—4.2%

  

Accuray, Inc. * (a)

    109,700        755,833   

Alere, Inc. *

    3,200        166,304   

Symmetry Surgical, Inc. *

    5,500        49,335   

Trinity Biotech PLC — Sponsored ADR

    36,900        566,784   
   

 

 

 
      1,538,256   
   

 

 

 

Mining & Metals—1.5%

  

Westmoreland Coal Co. * (a)

    34,800        528,264   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts—10.0%

  

CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc., Class A

    47,800        481,346   

Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.

    72,000        450,720   

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc.

    38,600        311,502   

Geo Group, Inc., (The)

    31,700        951,951   

Hatteras Financial Corp.

    10,300        167,169   

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

    4,400        166,936   

Rouse Properties, Inc. (a)

    23,100        358,974   

Starwood Waypoint Residential Trust

    20,500        493,845   

Two Harbors Investment Corp.

    19,500        184,470   

Winthrop Realty Trust

    6,700        95,944   
   

 

 

 
      3,662,857   
   

 

 

 

Technology—10.0%

  

Applied Micro Circuits Corp. * (a)

    33,700        197,145   

CIBER, Inc. *

    91,800        313,956   

Computer Task Group, Inc.

    12,900        86,559   

Digi International, Inc. *

    30,800        315,392   

Diodes, Inc. *

    5,500        108,295   

Dot Hill Systems Corp. *

    19,300        186,631   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        45   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

WPG PARTNERS SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Technology—(continued)

  

Exar Corp. *

    79,600      $ 469,640   

Finisar Corp. *

    8,400        129,612   

Generac Holdings, Inc. * (a)

    10,600        327,752   

Knowles Corp. * (a)

    5,400        87,912   

Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. *

    4,700        74,448   

Plantronics, Inc.

    5,600        297,696   

QAD, Inc., Class A

    10,300        259,251   

SuperCom Ltd. *

    13,300        132,867   

Ultratech, Inc. *

    18,600        319,920   

Xcerra Corp. *

    54,200        339,292   
   

 

 

 
      3,646,368   
   

 

 

 

Transportation—7.4%

  

Air Transport Services Group, Inc. *

    20,900        189,981   

Ardmore Shipping Corp.

    14,700        164,934   

Celadon Group, Inc.

    11,000        209,990   

DHT Holding, Inc.

    12,100        86,515   

Navigator Holdings Ltd. *

    19,300        314,590   

Rand Logistics, Inc. *

    27,200        66,912   

Scorpio Bulkers, Inc. *

    111,300        182,532   

Scorpio Tankers, Inc.

    84,400        798,424   

Spirit Airlines, Inc. *

    5,700        292,125   

StealthGas, Inc. *

    40,600        198,534   

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

    7,600        201,324   
   

 

 

 
      2,705,861   
   

 

 

 

Utilities—4.8%

  

Cadiz, Inc. * (a)

    34,800        279,444   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

    6,200      $ 305,474   

Utilities—(continued)

  

Covanta Holding Corp.

    12,400        245,520   

Empire District Electric Co. (The)

    8,400        181,860   

Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc.

    8,400        324,072   

Portland General Electric Co.

    7,500        259,050   

UIL Holdings Corp.

    3,500        159,355   
   

 

 

 
      1,754,775   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK (Cost $34,517,147)

      36,101,125   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL—11.4%

  

BlackRock Liquidity TempFund, Institutional Shares

    4,141,270        4,141,270   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $4,141,270)

      4,141,270   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—110.4% (Cost $38,658,417)

      40,242,395   
   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(10.4)%

      (3,781,009
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 36,461,386   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
*     Non-income producing.
(a)     All or a portion of the security is on loan. At August 31, 2015, the market value of securities on loan was $4,102,421.
 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2015 is as follows (see Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock *

   $ 36,101,125       $ 36,101,125       $       $   

Securities Lending Collateral

     4,141,270         4,141,270                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 40,242,395       $ 40,242,395       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* 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 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

COMMON STOCK—96.3%

   

Australia—0.8%

   

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    116,341      $ 2,313,892   
   

 

 

 

Bermuda—0.6%

   

Validus Holdings Ltd.

    35,941        1,591,467   
   

 

 

 

Canada—1.0%

   

Barrick Gold Corp.

    96,544        670,981   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    49,243        1,109,593   

HudBay Minerals, Inc

    192,099        962,247   
   

 

 

 
      2,742,821   
   

 

 

 

China—0.6%

   

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd.

    359,000        1,812,440   
   

 

 

 

France—5.0%

   

Bollore

    279,285        1,508,235   

Cap Gemini SA

    24,759        2,219,452   

Havas SA

    287,512        2,425,257   

Safran SA

    74,837        5,838,763   

Teleperformance SA

    29,366        2,064,495   
   

 

 

 
      14,056,202   
   

 

 

 

Germany—3.9%

   

Allianz SE, Registered Shares

    9,053        1,442,435   

Aurelius AG

    66,387        3,210,347   

KION Group AG

    36,018        1,598,703   

Merck KGaA

    28,108        2,676,343   

NORMA Group AG

    38,606        1,898,729   
   

 

 

 
      10,826,557   
   

 

 

 

Hong Kong—1.4%

   

Cheung Kong Property Holdings Ltd. *

    186,957        1,316,812   

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.

    104,652        1,393,877   

WH Group Ltd. *

    2,070,500        1,086,852   
   

 

 

 
      3,797,541   
   

 

 

 

Ireland—4.5%

   

CRH, Inc.

    95,075        2,778,793   

Greencore Group PLC

    528,822        2,412,513   

Ingersoll-Rand PLC

    44,136        2,440,279   

Medtronic PLC

    46,255        3,343,774   

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    52,872        1,559,459   
   

 

 

 
      12,534,818   
   

 

 

 

Israel—0.7%

   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. — Sponsored ADR

    31,616        2,036,387   
   

 

 

 

Japan—8.3%

   

Alpine Electronics Inc.

    59,900        838,866   

Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.

    260,000        1,960,345   

Coca-Cola West Co., Ltd.

    84,600        1,738,844   

Hoshizaki Electric Co. Ltd.

    22,800        1,453,763   

Inpex Corp.

    232,800        2,359,704   

Lintec Corp.

    134,000        3,083,548   

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    263,000        2,617,056   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Japan—(continued)

   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    92,300      $ 3,520,521   

Nippon Television Holdings, Inc.

    105,000        1,816,157   

Nitto Denko Corp.

    31,600        2,117,716   

Toyota Industries Corp.

    34,700        1,716,462   
   

 

 

 
      23,222,982   
   

 

 

 

Netherlands—1.2%

   

Koninklijke Ahold NV

    165,299        3,260,119   
   

 

 

 

South Korea—0.4%

   

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    1,258        1,157,577   
   

 

 

 

Switzerland—3.3%

   

Georg Fischer AG, Registered Shares

    3,507        2,104,155   

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

    37,401        3,649,807   

Roche Holding AG, Participation Certificate

    11,340        3,087,025   

Swatch Group AG (The), Registered Shares

    6,583        486,992   
   

 

 

 
      9,327,979   
   

 

 

 

Taiwan—0.4%

   

Casetek Holdings Ltd.

    285,000        1,064,153   
   

 

 

 

United Kingdom—16.3%

   

Aon PLC

    20,162        1,883,937   

BAE Systems PLC

    313,570        2,158,410   

Berendsen PLC

    133,478        2,031,859   

Cambian Group PLC

    476,900        1,946,590   

Daily Mail & General Trust PLC, Class A

    112,716        1,411,732   

HSBC Holdings PLC

    349,026        2,758,578   

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

    61,339        2,952,478   

ITV PLC

    518,025        1,972,791   

Liberty Global PLC LiLAC, Class C *

    9,394        312,351   

Liberty Global PLC, Series C *

    187,887        8,430,490   

Marks & Spencer Group PLC

    302,853        2,404,622   

Meggitt PLC

    285,432        2,075,947   

Melrose Industries PLC

    920,986        3,743,857   

Rio Tinto PLC

    31,024        1,132,703   

Stock Spirits Group PLC

    124,984        375,903   

Vodafone Group PLC

    1,147,870        3,952,611   

WH Smith PLC

    170,230        3,894,652   

WPP PLC

    105,460        2,170,916   
   

 

 

 
      45,610,427   
   

 

 

 

United States—47.9%

   

ACE Ltd.

    22,385        2,286,852   

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    88,857        2,543,976   

Allstate Corp., (The)

    24,014        1,399,536   

American International Group, Inc.

    65,671        3,962,588   

Amgen, Inc.

    14,571        2,211,586   

Apple, Inc.

    90,046        10,153,587   

BB&T Corp.

    57,570        2,125,484   

Capital One Financial Corp.

    44,051        3,424,965   

CIGNA Corp.

    21,752        3,062,464   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        47   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United States—(continued)

   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    85,909      $ 2,223,325   

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

    111,287        2,762,143   

Comcast Corp., Class A

    117,545        6,621,310   

CVS Health Corp.

    68,358        6,999,859   

Diamondback Energy, Inc. *

    41,277        2,818,806   

eBay, Inc. *

    89,112        2,415,826   

Energen Corp.

    40,228        2,091,856   

EOG Resources, Inc.

    27,175        2,128,074   

Express Scripts Holding Co. *

    24,854        2,077,794   

Fifth Third Bancorp

    346,273        6,897,758   

Google, Inc., Class C *

    11,056        6,835,372   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    145,291        2,048,603   

Honeywell International, Inc.

    20,581        2,043,076   

Intel Corp.

    64,184        1,831,811   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings *

    29,476        3,472,568   

Macy’s, Inc.

    33,231        1,947,669   

McKesson Corp.

    7,793        1,539,741   

MEDNAX, Inc. *

    43,429        3,498,206   

Merck & Co., Inc.

    86,118        4,637,454   

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    15,392        2,520,286   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    45,203        3,300,271   

Packaging Corp of America

    24,679        1,656,208   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A *

    132,867        2,285,312   

Pfizer, Inc.

    61,934        1,995,513   

Phillips 66

    36,152        2,858,539   

Raytheon Co.

    31,980        3,279,869   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United States—(continued)

   

Rofin-Sinar Technologies, Inc. *

    60,621      $ 1,544,017   

RSP Permian, Inc. *

    70,117        1,678,601   

State Street Corp.

    28,543        2,052,813   

Target Corp.

    35,195        2,735,003   

Tenneco, Inc. *

    21,191        997,037   

Wells Fargo & Co.

    97,936        5,222,927   

Western Digital Corp.

    16,900        1,385,124   

WestRock Co.

    23,277        1,381,490   

WR Berkley Corp.

    32,340        1,755,415   

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A *

    18,488        1,532,285   
   

 

 

 
      134,242,999   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $276,229,408)

      269,598,361   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—96.3%
(Cost $276,229,408)

      269,598,361   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—3.7%

      10,379,402   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 279,977,763   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR   — American Depositary Receipt
PLC   — Public Limited Company
*   — Non-income producing.
 

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2015 is as follows (see Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted

Price
     Level 2
Significant

Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock

           

Australia

   $ 2,313,892       $       $ 2,313,892       $   

Bermuda

     1,591,467         1,591,467                   

Canada

     2,742,821         2,742,821                   

China

     1,812,440                 1,812,440           

France

     14,056,202                 14,056,202           

Germany

     10,826,557                 10,826,557           

Hong Kong

     3,797,541                 3,797,541           

Ireland

     12,534,818         8,196,566         4,338,252           

Israel

     2,036,387         2,036,387                   

Japan

     23,222,982                 23,222,982           

Netherlands

     3,260,119                 3,260,119           

South Korea

     1,157,577                 1,157,577           

Switzerland

     9,327,979                 9,327,979           

Taiwan

     1,064,153                 1,064,153           

United Kingdom

     45,610,427         12,949,271         32,661,156           

United States

     134,242,999         134,242,999                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 269,598,361       $ 161,759,511       $ 107,838,850       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

48      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

LONG POSITIONS—90.8%

   

COMMON STOCK—90.8%

   

Australia—0.8%

   

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    149,470      $ 2,972,787   
   

 

 

 
      2,972,787   
   

 

 

 

Canada—1.1%

   

Barrick Gold Corp.

    143,873        999,917   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. †

    60,964        1,373,793   

HudBay Minerals, Inc.

    239,655        1,200,461   

Stornoway Diamond Corp. *

    915,037        542,512   
   

 

 

 
      4,116,683   
   

 

 

 

France—5.5%

   

Bollore SA

    381,082        2,057,974   

Cap Gemini SA

    33,040        2,961,780   

Havas SA

    359,681        3,034,025   

Safran SA †

    99,146        7,735,345   

Saft Groupe SA †

    56,869        2,077,467   

Teleperformance †

    38,760        2,724,914   
   

 

 

 
    20,591,505   
   

 

 

 

Germany—3.1%

   

Aurelius AG †

    72,351        3,498,754   

KION Group AG † *

    47,987        2,129,962   

Merck KGaA

    37,565        3,576,804   

Norma Group SE †

    50,277        2,472,734   
   

 

 

 
      11,678,254   
   

 

 

 

Hong Kong—1.6%

   

Cheung Kong Property Holdings Ltd. *

    229,086        1,613,543   

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.

    134,701        1,794,105   

NewOcean Energy Holdings Ltd.

    3,507,101        1,452,759   

WH Group Ltd. *

    2,564,000        1,345,902   
   

 

 

 
      6,206,309   
   

 

 

 

India—0.6%

   

Videocon d2h Ltd. ADR *

    224,630        2,457,452   
   

 

 

 
      2,457,452   
   

 

 

 

Ireland—4.4%

   

CRH PLC †

    124,650        3,643,193   

Greencore Group PLC †

    698,056        3,184,569   

Ingersoll-Rand PLC †

    58,086        3,211,575   

Medtronic PLC †

    59,609        4,309,135   

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    70,274        2,072,730   
   

 

 

 
      16,421,202   
   

 

 

 

Israel—0.7%

   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. — Sponsored ADR †

    41,988        2,704,447   
   

 

 

 
      2,704,447   
   

 

 

 

Japan—9.0%

   

Alpine Electronics, Inc.

    87,400        1,223,988   

Amano Corp.

    223,233        2,819,942   
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Japan—(continued)

   

Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.

    329,900      $ 2,487,376   

Coca-Cola East Japan Co., Ltd.

    125,200        2,261,965   

Coca-Cola West Co., Ltd.

    153,800        3,161,161   

Hoshizaki Electric Co., Ltd.

    30,000        1,912,846   

Inpex Corp.

    298,953        3,030,243   

Lintec Corp.

    171,556        3,947,770   

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    315,000        3,134,497   

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    49,496        1,887,884   

Nippon Television Holdings, Inc.

    181,600        3,141,086   

Nitto Denko Corp.

    41,142        2,757,185   

Toyota Industries Corp.

    44,111        2,181,985   
   

 

 

 
      33,947,928   
   

 

 

 

Netherlands—1.1%

   

Koninklijke Ahold NV †

    214,681        4,234,059   
   

 

 

 
      4,234,059   
   

 

 

 

South Korea—0.4%

   

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    1,584        1,457,553   
   

 

 

 
      1,457,553   
   

 

 

 

Switzerland—4.1%

   

ACE Ltd. †

    31,100        3,177,176   

Georg Fischer AG, Registered Shares †

    4,191        2,514,546   

Novartis AG, Registered Shares †

    51,840        5,058,848   

Roche Holding AG, Participation Certificate †

    16,074        4,375,736   

Swatch Group AG (The), Registered Shares

    7,323        541,735   
   

 

 

 
      15,668,041   
   

 

 

 

Taiwan—0.4%

   

Casetek Holdings Ltd.

    361,000        1,347,927   
   

 

 

 
      1,347,927   
   

 

 

 

United Kingdom—14.2%

   

Aon PLC †

    30,416        2,842,071   

BAE Systems PLC

    408,967        2,815,061   

Cambian Group PLC †

    459,767        1,876,658   

HSBC Holdings PLC †

    484,784        3,831,562   

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC †

    84,868        4,085,019   

ITV PLC †

    681,514        2,595,405   

Liberty Global PLC LiLAC, Class C * †

    11,982        398,402   

Liberty Global PLC, Series C * †

    250,427        11,236,660   

Marks & Spencer Group PLC

    405,729        3,221,447   

Meggitt PLC

    342,299        2,489,541   

Melrose Industries PLC

    1,161,749        4,722,571   

Stock Spirits Group PLC †

    59,017        177,500   

Vodafone Group PLC †

    1,492,368        5,138,866   

WH Smith PLC †

    224,703        5,140,927   

WPP PLC †

    140,909        2,900,641   
   

 

 

 
      53,472,331   
   

 

 

 

United States—43.8%

   

Activision Blizzard, Inc. †

    123,011        3,521,805   

Allstate Corp., (The) †

    31,660        1,845,145   
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        49   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United States—(continued)

   

American International Group, Inc. †

    48,823      $ 2,945,980   

Amgen, Inc. †

    11,991        1,819,994   

Apple, Inc. † #

    119,233        13,444,713   

BB&T Corp. †

    101,397        3,743,577   

Capital One Financial Corp. †

    50,111        3,896,130   

Cigna Corp. †

    28,940        4,074,463   

Cisco Systems, Inc. †

    115,230        2,982,152   

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. †

    151,761        3,766,708   

Comcast Corp., Class A †

    73,699        4,151,465   

CVS Health Corp. †

    92,985        9,521,664   

Diamondback Energy, Inc. * † #

    80,197        5,476,653   

eBay, Inc. * †

    103,834        2,814,940   

Energen Corp. †

    52,069        2,707,588   

EOG Resources, Inc. †

    41,411        3,242,895   

Express Scripts Holding Co. * †

    31,846        2,662,326   

Fifth Third Bancorp †

    369,382        7,358,089   

Google, Inc., Class C * †

    14,908        9,216,871   

Graphic Packaging Holding Co. †

    194,171        2,737,811   

Honeywell International, Inc. †

    28,012        2,780,751   

Intel Corp. †

    86,067        2,456,352   

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings * †

    38,434        4,527,910   

Macy’s, Inc. †

    44,317        2,597,419   

McKesson Corp. †

    10,303        2,035,667   

MEDNAX, Inc. * †

    60,039        4,836,141   

Merck & Co., Inc. †

    114,740        6,178,749   

Northrop Grumman Corp. †

    17,778        2,910,970   

Occidental Petroleum Corp. † #

    60,136        4,390,529   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A * †

    180,849        3,110,603   

Pfizer, Inc. †

    83,857        2,701,873   

Phillips 66 † #

    51,129        4,042,770   

Raytheon Co. †

    42,843        4,393,978   

Rofin-Sinar Technologies, Inc. * †

    83,803        2,134,462   

RSP Permian, Inc. * †

    124,119        2,971,409   

State Street Corp. †

    37,381        2,688,442   

Target Corp. †

    47,438        3,686,407   

Tenneco, Inc. * †

    43,606        2,051,662   

Viper Energy Partners LP †

    34,874        569,841   

Wells Fargo & Co. †

    128,264        6,840,319   

Western Digital Corp. †

    21,790        1,785,908   

WestRock Co †

    29,781        1,767,502   

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A * †

    24,441        2,025,670   
   

 

 

 
      165,416,303   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Cost $352,127,291)

      342,692,781   
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

WARRANTS—0.0%

   

Canada—0.0%

   

Stornoway Diamond Corp. Exercise Price CAD 0.90 Expires 7/08/16 *

    46,241      $ 3,691   
   

 

 

 
      3,691   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL WARRANTS
(Cost $4,833)

      3,691   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS—90.8%
(Cost $352,132,124)

      342,696,472   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(54.6%)

  

 

COMMON STOCK—(54.6%)

   

Australia—(0.3%)

   

Seek Ltd.

    (132,194     (1,160,860
   

 

 

 
      (1,160,860
   

 

 

 

Brazil—(0.5%)

   

Vale SA — Sponsored ADR

    (352,938     (1,747,043
   

 

 

 
      (1,747,043
   

 

 

 

China—(1.3%)

   

Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd., H Shares

    (335,144     (1,646,962

Vipshop Holdings Ltd., ADR *

    (65,928     (1,186,045

Want Want China Holdings Ltd.

    (1,543,000     (1,243,936

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co., Ltd., H Shares

    (2,197,000     (880,980
   

 

 

 
      (4,957,923
   

 

 

 

Denmark—(0.7%)

   

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    (18,868     (1,282,883

Novo Nordisk A/S — Sponsored ADR

    (26,362     (1,457,028
   

 

 

 
      (2,739,911
   

 

 

 

Finland—(0.5%)

   

Metso OYJ

    (82,098     (2,022,498
   

 

 

 
      (2,022,498
   

 

 

 

France—(1.3%)

   

Edenred

    (82,358     (1,742,000

Remy Cointreau SA

    (20,350     (1,206,429

Zodiac Aerospace

    (60,253     (1,830,821
   

 

 

 
      (4,779,250
   

 

 

 

Germany—(1.1%)

   

Duerr AG

    (11,506     (887,748

GEA Group AG

    (46,926     (1,826,865

Linde AG

    (8,262     (1,433,796
   

 

 

 
      (4,148,409
   

 

 

 

Hong Kong—(0.8%)

   

ASM Pacific Technology Ltd.

    (209,600     (1,624,007

Noble Group Ltd.

    (3,277,486     (1,267,436
   

 

 

 
      (2,891,443
   

 

 

 
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

50      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Italy—(0.7%)

   

Tod’s SpA

    (14,826   $ (1,353,263

UniCredit SpA

    (174,682     (1,139,353
   

 

 

 
      (2,492,616
   

 

 

 

Japan—(5.7%)

   

Calbee,Inc.

    (40,900     (1,562,474

FP Corp.

    (41,109     (1,424,773

Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.

    (14,800     (1,687,359

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.

    (36,365     (1,263,327

Hulic Co., Ltd.

    (198,063     (1,818,179

Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd.

    (47,700     (1,404,639

Keikyu Corp.

    (166,000     (1,332,793

Kintetsu Group Holdings, Co., Ltd.

    (388,000     (1,384,148

LIXIL Group Corp.

    (44,200     (910,547

McDonald’s Holdings Co., Ltd.

    (98,423     (2,166,886

Nidec Corp

    (18,900     (1,479,813

Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd.

    (30,488     (1,445,527

Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corp.

    (79,370     (970,310

TOTO Ltd.

    (57,000     (837,329

Unicharm Corp.

    (84,600     (1,706,798
   

 

 

 
      (21,394,902
   

 

 

 

Luxembourg—(0.5%)

   

SES SA

    (59,105     (1,753,531
   

 

 

 
      (1,753,531
   

 

 

 

Mexico—(0.5%)

   

Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV ADR

    (168,151     (1,898,425
   

 

 

 
      (1,898,425
   

 

 

 

Netherlands—(0.4%)

   

Fugro NV *

    (80,794     (1,686,783
   

 

 

 
      (1,686,783
   

 

 

 

Singapore—(1.4%)

   

Keppel Corp.,td.

    (372,267     (1,812,203

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

    (222,700     (1,410,255

Sembcorp Marine Ltd.

    (1,155,500     (1,963,223
   

 

 

 
      (5,185,681
   

 

 

 

Spain—(1.9%)

   

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

    (239,594     (2,216,425

Banco de Sabadell SA

    (961,153     (2,036,376

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

    (39,218     (1,302,468

Repsol SA

    (128,667     (1,834,525
   

 

 

 
      (7,389,794
   

 

 

 

Sweden—(1.6%)

   

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

    (27,530     (693,176

Autoliv, Inc.

    (18,798     (1,920,216

Elekta AB, B Shares

    (304,677     (1,887,587
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

Sweden—(continued)

   

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, B Shares

    (150,137   $ (1,463,445
   

 

 

 
      (5,964,424
   

 

 

 

Switzerland—(0.3%)

   

SGS SA, Registered Shares

    (702     (1,236,545
   

 

 

 
      (1,236,545
   

 

 

 

Thailand—(0.3%)

   

Siam Commercial Bank PCL, (The) — NVDR

    (313,500     (1,241,397
   

 

 

 
      (1,241,397
   

 

 

 

United Kingdom—(6.5%)

   

Aberdeen Asset Management PLC

    (363,577     (1,764,795

Aggreko PLC

    (95,669     (1,555,913

AO World PLC *

    (646,439     (1,283,593

BTG PLC *

    (203,668     (1,958,731

CNH Industrial NV

    (140,684     (1,112,810

Compass Group PLC

    (113,650     (1,792,550

G4S PLC

    (469,763     (1,837,573

GW Pharmaceuticals PLC — ADR *

    (14,061     (1,495,387

IMI PLC

    (124,411     (1,965,079

Intertek Group PLC

    (61,121     (2,364,209

John Wood Group PLC

    (98,688     (961,453

Ocado Group PLC *

    (213,441     (1,110,386

Pearson PLC

    (109,987     (1,906,791

PZ Cussons PLC

    (382,278     (1,849,220

Rotork PLC

    (524,366     (1,672,788
   

 

 

 
      (24,631,278
   

 

 

 

United States—(28.3%)

   

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

    (14,641     (2,042,859

Alere, Inc. *

    (29,623     (1,539,507

AO Smith Corp.

    (25,104     (1,619,459

AptarGroup, Inc.

    (20,385     (1,373,134

Arista Networks, Inc. *

    (15,364     (1,149,074

Astoria Financial Corp.

    (96,506     (1,560,502

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. *

    (46,141     (1,346,856

BancorpSouth, Inc.

    (52,588     (1,249,491

Bemis Co., Inc.

    (28,069     (1,190,687

Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

    (32,071     (1,449,288

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. *

    (9,551     (1,811,634

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

    (56,724     (1,342,657

CarMax, Inc. *

    (31,566     (1,925,526

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.

    (67,079     (1,862,784

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    (29,561     (1,856,726

Continental Resources, Inc. *

    (40,975     (1,315,298

Cullen/Frost Bankers,Inc.

    (27,462     (1,775,693

Deckers Outdoor Corp. *

    (21,518     (1,385,544

Devon Energy Corp.

    (26,945     (1,149,474

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

    (75,351     (1,786,572

Eaton Vance Corp.

    (39,819     (1,380,525

EI du Pont de Nemours & Co.

    (25,837     (1,330,606

Exact Sciences Corp. *

    (56,747     (1,254,676

Finisar Corp. *

    (87,347     (1,347,764
 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        51   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (continued)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United States—(continued)

   

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

    (72,152   $ (2,246,813

FMC Corp.

    (39,099     (1,654,279

Franklin Electric Co., Inc.

    (68,281     (1,999,950

Gogo, Inc. *

    (66,567     (1,057,750

Halyard Health, Inc. *

    (55,285     (1,738,160

Insys Therapeutics, Inc. *

    (27,219     (882,440

Itron, Inc. *

    (30,758     (922,740

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

    (17,030     (1,239,443

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. *

    (110,424     (1,892,667

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

    (34,994     (1,554,433

LinkedIn Corp., Class A *

    (5,024     (907,334

LKQ Corp. *

    (49,128     (1,473,349

Matador Resources Co. *

    (63,777     (1,461,131

Medidata Solutions, Inc. *

    (25,488     (1,223,934

Mobile Mini, Inc.

    (53,088     (1,805,523

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.

    (28,454     (1,803,699

Monster Beverage Corp. *

    (10,680     (1,478,753

National Instruments Corp.

    (68,002     (1,986,338

Netflix, Inc. *

    (15,536     (1,787,106

NetSuite, Inc. *

    (16,226     (1,441,680

Noble Energy, Inc.

    (36,590     (1,222,472

Northern Trust Corp.

    (20,584     (1,437,587

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. *

    (28,253     (1,878,542

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. *

    (9,466     (1,554,507

Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc. REIT

    (44,122     (1,698,256

Proofpoint, Inc. *

    (22,758     (1,282,186

Proto Labs, Inc. *

    (14,782     (1,076,573

Rackspace Hosting, Inc. *

    (29,306     (891,195

ResMed, Inc.

    (29,589     (1,536,853

Restoration Hardware Holdings, Inc. *

    (10,754     (994,530

Rollins, Inc.

    (54,365     (1,517,871

Seattle Genetics, Inc. *

    (26,196     (1,054,913

Shutterstock, Inc. *

    (31,270     (1,047,858

Spectra Energy Corp.

    (66,562     (1,934,957

Stratasys Ltd. *

    (28,702     (880,003

Sun Hydraulics Corp.

    (45,062     (1,453,700

Tesla Motors, Inc. *

    (6,320     (1,574,059

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. *

    (34,747     (1,871,473

TreeHouse Foods, Inc. *

    (16,464     (1,306,748

Trex Co., Inc. *

    (36,904     (1,432,244

UMB Financial Corp.

    (26,913     (1,349,149

Under Armour, Inc., Class A *

    (21,702     (2,073,192

Unisys, Corp. *

    (69,765     (918,805

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A *

    (53,848     (1,394,663

VeriFone Systems, Inc. *

    (41,915     (1,309,425

Westamerica Bancorporation

    (37,501     (1,692,795

Workday, Inc., Class A *

    (16,886     (1,186,410

Yelp, Inc. *

    (40,416     (981,300
    Number of
Shares
    Value  

United States—(continued)

   

Yum! Brands, Inc.

    (20,793   $ (1,658,658
   

 

 

 
      (106,814,782
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCK
(Proceeds $229,070,623)

      (206,137,495
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(54.6%)
(PROCEEDS $229,070,623)

      (206,137,495
   

 

 

 
    Number of
Contracts
       

OPTIONS WRITTEN ††—(0.4%)

   

Apple, Inc. Call Options
Expires 01/15/2016
Strike Price $115.00

    (181     (145,705

Diamondback Energy, Inc. Call Options Expires 01/15/2016 Strike Price $70.00

    (300     (207,000

Diamondback Energy, Inc. Call Options Expires 12/18/2015 Strike Price $60.00

    (281     (338,605

Occidental Petroleum Corp. Call Options Expires 01/15/2016 Strike Price $70.00

    (524     (322,260

Philips 66 Call Options
Expires 01/15/2016
Strike Price $70.00

    (446     (526,280
   

 

 

 

TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN
(Premiums received $1,055,665)

      (1,539,850
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—64.2%

      242,500,196   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS—100.0%

    $ 377,519,323   
   

 

 

 

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
PLC     Public Limited Company
REIT     Real Estate Investment Trust
*     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.
#     Security segregated as collateral for options written.
 

 

Contracts For Difference held by the Fund at August 31, 2015, are as follows:

 

Reference Company

   Counterparty      Number of
Contracts (Short)
     Notional
Amount
     Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

     Goldman Sachs         (1,422,700    $ 1,423,633       $ 120,235   

Exxaro Resources Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (203,061      1,475,701         437,475   

Prada SpA

     Goldman Sachs         (332,900      1,772,853         424,741   

Sun Art Retail Group Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs         (1,250,500      1,139,263         97,944   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 
         $ 5,811,450       $ 1,080,395   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

52      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND (concluded)

  PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of August 31, 2015 is as follows (see Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements):

 

     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stock

           

Australia

   $ 2,972,787       $       $ 2,972,787       $   

Canada

     4,116,683         4,116,683                   

France

     20,591,505                 20,591,505           

Germany

     11,678,254                 11,678,254           

Hong Kong

     6,206,309                 6,206,309           

India

     2,457,452         2,457,452                   

Ireland

     16,421,202         10,705,279         5,715,923           

Israel

     2,704,447         2,704,447                   

Japan

     33,947,928                 33,947,928           

Netherlands

     4,234,059                 4,234,059           

South Korea

     1,457,553                 1,457,553           

Switzerland

     15,668,041         3,177,176         12,490,865           

Taiwan

     1,347,927                 1,347,927           

United Kingdom

     53,472,331         16,531,291         36,941,040           

United States

     165,416,303         165,416,303                   

Warrants

     3,691         3,691                   

Contracts for Difference

     1,080,395                 1,080,395           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 343,776,867       $ 205,112,322       $ 138,664,545       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Total
Value as of
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Securities Sold Short

           

Australia

   $ (1,160,860    $ (1,160,860    $       $   

Brazil

     (1,747,043      (1,747,043                

China

     (4,957,923      (1,186,045      (3,771,878        

Denmark

     (2,739,911      (1,457,028      (1,282,883        

Finland

     (2,022,498              (2,022,498        

France

     (4,779,250              (4,779,250        

Germany

     (4,148,409              (4,148,409        

Hong Kong

     (2,891,443              (2,891,443        

Italy

     (2,492,616              (2,492,616        

Japan

     (21,394,902              (21,394,902        

Luxembourg

     (1,753,531              (1,753,531        

Mexico

     (1,898,425      (1,898,425                

Netherlands

     (1,686,783              (1,686,783        

Singapore

     (5,185,681              (5,185,681        

Spain

     (7,389,794              (7,389,794        

Sweden

     (5,964,424      (3,807,803      (2,156,621        

Switzerland

     (1,236,545              (1,236,545        

Thailand

     (1,241,397              (1,241,397        

United Kingdom

     (24,631,278      (3,891,790      (20,739,488        

United States

     (106,814,782      (106,814,782                

Options

           

Equity Contracts

     (1,539,850      (1,539,850                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (207,677,345    $ (123,503,626    $ (84,173,719    $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        53   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

 

     Boston
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund II
     Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Equity Fund
     Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Research Fund
     Boston
Partners
All-Cap
Value Fund
 

ASSETS

           

Investments in securities, at value † ^

   $ 307,142,924       $ 593,422,100       $ 6,710,773,333       $ 1,032,086,062   

Investments in purchased options, at value (primary risk exposure is equity contracts)¯

             2,041,545                   

Cash

     11,028,273                 106,607,445         14,636,515   

Foreign currency, at value #

             8,757,375         291,969,823           

Receivables

           

Investments sold

     3,017,955         66,598,795         71,574,040         11,257,165   

Deposits with brokers for securities sold short

             473,213,373         3,388,451,610           

Dividends and interest

     238,469         1,038,035         9,416,362         1,504,129   

Capital shares sold

     228,444         290,514         47,016,687         3,813,469   

Unrealized appreciation on contracts for difference (primary risk exposure is equity contracts)

                     1,990,523           

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     20,958         42,007         20,834         40,719   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     321,677,023         1,145,403,744         10,627,820,657         1,063,338,059   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

           

Securities sold short, at fair value ‡

   $       $ 440,837,787       $ 3,394,925,371       $   

Options written, at value (primary risk exposure is equity contracts) *

             1,499,100         22,030,485         1,482,000   

Due to Custodian, at value

             1,681,458                   

Foreign cash overdraft

                     44,151,309           

Payables

           

Securities lending collateral

     9,627,911         11,779,621                 12,040,240   

Investments purchased

     1,899,074         40,460,739         105,688,449         6,320,276   

Capital shares redeemed

     252,676         2,973,323         9,659,260         975,557   

Due to prime broker

             56,200,096                   

Investment advisory fees

     182,472         1,377,543         7,377,540         420,574   

Custodian fees

     8,593         1,650         47,291         12,557   

Distribution and service fees

     28,062         21,430         63,571         52,860   

Dividends on securities sold-short

             102,005         3,375,861           

Administration and accounting fees

     71,342         141,080         701,068         177,441   

Prime broker interest payable

             759                   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     1,986         4,347         18,723         4,499   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     74,182         112,159         301,513         110,622   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     12,146,298         557,193,097         3,588,340,441         21,596,626   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 309,530,725       $ 588,210,647       $ 7,039,480,216       $ 1,041,741,433   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

           

Par value

   $ 14,379       $ 31,244       $ 463,510       $ 47,225   

Paid-in capital

     253,988,937         564,857,024         6,516,740,504         834,724,282   

Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss)

     1,144,627         (21,533,946      (14,204,586      9,541,984   

Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, written options, contracts for difference and foreign currency

     8,576,395         30,749,403         168,562,076         50,660,202   

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, securities sold short, written options and foreign currency translation

     45,806,387         14,106,922         367,918,712         146,767,740   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 309,530,725       $ 588,210,647       $ 7,039,480,216       $ 1,041,741,433   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

           

Net assets

   $ 180,057,158       $ 493,751,165       $ 6,738,894,028       $ 793,098,250   

Shares outstanding

     8,225,123         25,933,560         443,487,782         35,912,050   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 21.89       $ 19.04       $ 15.20       $ 22.08   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

INVESTOR CLASS

           

Net assets

   $ 129,473,567       $ 94,459,482       $ 300,586,188       $ 248,643,183   

Shares outstanding

     6,154,114         5,310,472         20,022,355         11,312,637   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 21.04       $ 17.79       $ 15.01       $ 21.98   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

† Investment in securities, at cost

   $ 261,336,537       $ 562,545,556       $ 6,455,459,160       $ 884,395,003   

¯ Investment in purchased options, at cost

   $       $ 2,467,932       $       $   

^ Includes market value of securities on loan

   $ 9,582,054       $ 10,850,544       $       $ 11,725,432   

# Foreign currency, at cost

   $       $ 9,491,799       $ 292,677,501       $   

‡ Proceeds received, securities sold short

   $       $ 426,084,245       $ 3,510,988,845       $   

* Premiums received, options written

   $       $ 649,513       $ 17,783,087       $ 558,681   

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

54      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (concluded)

 

     WPG Partners
Small/Micro Cap
Value Fund
     Boston
Partners Global
Equity Fund
     Boston
Partners Global
Long/Short
Fund
 

ASSETS

        

Investments in securities, at value † ^

   $ 40,242,395       $ 269,598,361       $ 342,696,472   

Cash

     249,424         8,330,616         5,257,196   

Foreign currency, at value #

             45,556         16,291,160   

Receivables

        

Investments sold

     187,056         2,122,801         4,474,057   

Deposits with brokers for securities sold short

                     213,793,634   

Dividends and interest

     45,888         395,260         593,485   

Capital shares sold

     300                 5,617,774   

Unrealized appreciation on contracts for difference (primary risk exposure is equity contracts)

                     1,080,395   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     13,227         10,087         42,214   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     40,738,290         280,502,681         589,846,387   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Securities sold short, at fair value ‡

   $       $       $ 206,137,495   

Options written, at value (primary risk exposure is equity contracts) *

                     1,539,850   

Payables

        

Securities lending collateral

     4,141,270                   

Investments purchased

     37,763         231,730         837,721   

Capital shares redeemed

     26,159                 1,986,934   

Due to prime broker

                     937,779   

Investment advisory fees

     7,040         169,822         244,334   

Custodian fees

     4,998         3,226         7,346   

Distribution and service fees

                     13,562   

Dividends on securities sold-short

                     384,729   

Administration and accounting fees

     20,735         58,141         84,963   

Prime broker interest payable

                     29,159   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     821         628           

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     38,118         61,371         123,192   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     4,276,904         524,918         212,327,064   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 36,461,386       $ 279,977,763       $ 377,519,323   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

        

Par value

   $ 2,368       $ 19,103       $ 35,811   

Paid-in capital

     35,468,217         286,333,023         372,618,123   

Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss)

     223,566         473,804         (2,641,862

Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, contracts for difference and foreign currency

     (816,743      (209,843      (6,432,984

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, securities sold short, written options and foreign currency translation

     1,583,978         (6,638,324      13,940,235   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 36,461,386       $ 279,977,763       $ 377,519,323   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

        

Net assets

   $ 36,461,386       $ 279,977,763       $ 317,600,406   

Shares outstanding

     2,368,108         19,103,374         30,112,329   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 15.40       $ 14.66       $ 10.55   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

INVESTOR CLASS

        

Net assets

   $       $       $ 59,918,917   

Shares outstanding

                     5,698,622   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $       $       $ 10.51   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

† Investment in securities, at cost

   $ 38,658,417       $ 276,229,408       $ 352,132,124   

^ Includes market value of securities on loan

   $ 4,102,421       $       $   

# Foreign currency, at cost

   $       $ 46,792       $ 16,385,401   

‡ Proceeds received, securities sold short

   $       $       $ 229,070,623   

* Premiums received, options written

   $       $       $ 1,055,665   

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        55   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    FOR THE YEAR ENDED  AUGUST 31, 2015

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

     Boston
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund II
     Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Equity Fund
     Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Research Fund
     Boston
Partners
All-Cap
Value Fund
 

Investment Income

           

Dividends †

   $ 5,326,189       $ 9,832,090       $ 93,509,626       $ 20,283,037   

Interest

     962         71,937         545,101         2,722   

Income from securities loaned (Note 6)

     185,544         826,925                 11,622   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

     5,512,695         10,730,952         94,054,727         20,297,381   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses

           

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     2,740,747         16,931,601         77,665,207         8,020,715   

Distribution fees (Investor Class) (Note 2)

     314,744         400,250         700,114         566,846   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     242,797         586,915         2,656,345         675,287   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     196,443         440,744         3,416,849         433,891   

Registration and filing fees

     45,819         62,091         266,050         64,463   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     37,716         126,717         882,578         76,744   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     30,170         65,913         452,638         85,298   

Audit fees

     28,704         38,606         68,470         28,046   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     26,631         44,285         227,525         52,561   

Legal fees

     25,013         253,382         624,650         100,763   

Dividend expense on securities sold-short

             2,830,504         47,623,909           

Prime broker interest expense

             21,055,363         16,940,743           

Other expenses

     8,510         28,620         157,797         29,966   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     3,697,294         42,864,991         151,682,875         10,134,580   

Less: waivers and reimbursements

     (362,104                      (2,542,627
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     3,335,190         42,864,991         151,682,875         7,591,953   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)

     2,177,505         (32,134,039      (57,628,148      12,705,428   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

           

Investments *

     11,421,347         104,456,684         272,362,536         58,375,753   

Investments sold-short

             (51,752,366      22,711,835           

Foreign currency transactions

             (793,644      (5,543,616        

Written options **

             503,830         18,950,367         212,360   

Contracts for difference**

                     4,202,550           

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

           

Investments ***

     (18,484,290      (145,435,923      (410,721,202      (64,956,939

Investments sold short

             51,169,905         235,941,201           

Foreign currency translation

             (740,399      (1,128,679        

Written options **

             (1,161,277      (4,653,611      (870,686

Contracts for difference **

                     1,990,523           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     (7,062,943      (43,753,190      134,111,904         (7,239,512
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

   $ (4,885,438    $ (75,887,229    $ 76,483,756       $ 5,465,916   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

† Net of foreign withholding taxes of

   $       $ (380,446    $ (928,306    $ (114,266
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Includes realized losses from purchased options $67,181 for the Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund. Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

 

** Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

 

*** Includes net appreciation on purchased options $287,636 for the Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund. Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

56      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    FOR THE YEAR ENDED  AUGUST 31, 2015

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (concluded)

 

 

     WPG Partners
Small/Micro Cap
Value Fund
     Boston
Partners Global
Equity Fund
     Boston
Partners Global
Long/Short
Fund
 

Investment Income

        

Dividends †

   $ 569,579       $ 1,972,374       $ 3,289,881   

Interest

     791         343         107,190   

Income from securities loaned (Note 6)

     199,121                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

     769,491         1,972,717         3,397,071   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses

        

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     328,211         979,089         2,795,490   

Distribution fees (Investor Class) (Note 2)

                     62,175   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     75,660         128,697         201,450   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     58,632         33,380         215,713   

Registration and filing fees

     20,377         50,433         47,469   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     34,896         71,058         198,680   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     1,417         3,692         22,095   

Audit fees

     27,147         43,049         33,208   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     20,940         22,060         25,562   

Legal fees

     3,921         7,701         14,996   

Dividend expense on securities sold-short

                     1,624,909   

Prime broker interest expense

                     492,255   

Other expenses

     5,666         10,580         12,523   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements, or recoupment

     576,867         1,349,739         5,746,525   

(Waivers and reimbursements) or recoupment

     (125,396      (316,245      87,459   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements, or recoupment

     451,471         1,033,494         5,833,984   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)

     318,020         939,223         (2,436,913
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

        

Investments

     493,855         (48,687      (4,462,788

Investments sold-short

                     (1,501,561

Foreign currency transactions

             (140,677      (473,404

Contracts for difference **

                     (21,472

Written options **

                     266,357   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

        

Investments

     (7,011,432      (12,627,342      (10,831,826

Investments sold short

                     22,546,510   

Foreign currency translation

             (6,066      (153,328

Written options **

                     (484,185

Contracts for difference **

                     1,093,090   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     (6,517,577      (12,822,772      5,977,393   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

   $ (6,199,557    $ (11,883,549    $ 3,540,480   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

† Net of foreign withholding taxes of

   $ (4,164    $ (68,017    $ (207,517
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

** Primary risk exposure is equity contracts

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        57   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

     Boston Partners
Small Cap Value Fund II
     Boston Partners
Long/Short Equity Fund
 
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

           

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ 2,177,505       $ 1,061,610       $ (32,134,039    $ (25,293,589

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments and foreign currency

     11,421,347         11,625,465         52,414,504         63,810,043   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investment and foreign currency

     (18,484,290      20,145,483         (96,167,694      70,697,079   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

     (4,885,438      32,832,558         (75,887,229      109,213,533   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

           

Net investment income

           

Institutional Class

     (951,560      (345,221                

Investor Class

     (605,107      (237,918                

Net realized capital gains

           

Institutional Class

     (1,769,477              (54,248,415      (36,987,514

Investor Class

     (1,642,628              (17,937,422      (13,170,066
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (4,968,772      (583,139      (72,185,837      (50,157,580
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

           

Institutional Class

           

Proceeds from shares sold

     108,813,499         28,174,661         183,268,691         162,787,046   

Reinvestment of distributions

     2,662,389         324,783         41,021,708         26,413,733   

Shares redeemed

     (27,945,647      (17,191,647      (295,605,895      (179,141,615

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     3,324         2,396         461,615         341,715   

Investor Class

           

Proceeds from shares sold

     41,539,251         25,973,463         33,166,844         42,099,643   

Reinvestment of distributions

     2,215,225         233,663         17,388,360         12,197,068   

Shares redeemed

     (22,434,161      (18,920,805      (131,640,788      (76,854,075

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     2,798         2,956         95,675         116,495   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

     104,856,678         18,599,470         (151,843,790      (12,039,990
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

     95,002,468         50,848,889         (299,916,856      47,015,963   

Net assets

           

Beginning of year

     214,528,257         163,679,368         888,127,503         841,111,540   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 309,530,725       $ 214,528,257       $ 588,210,647       $ 888,127,503   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

   $ 1,144,627       $ 496,166       $ (21,533,946    $ (17,692,303
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Share transactions:

           

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     4,831,433         1,287,470         9,233,291         7,541,514   

Shares reinvested

     120,853         15,262         2,087,619         1,291,625   

Shares redeemed

     (1,235,515      (804,194      (15,272,150      (8,592,855
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     3,716,771         498,538         (3,951,240      240,284   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     1,929,191         1,306,062         1,718,153         2,068,807   

Shares reinvested

     104,442         11,392         945,533         632,300   

Shares redeemed

     (1,038,869      (912,305      (7,262,224      (3,894,482
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease)

     994,764         405,149         (4,598,538      (1,193,375
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

58      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

 

 

     Boston Partners
Long/Short Research Fund
     Boston Partners
All-Cap Value Fund
 
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

           

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ (57,628,148    $ (30,664,883    $ 12,705,428       $ 7,757,538   

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments and foreign currency

     312,683,672         16,068,536         58,588,113         40,311,296   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investment and foreign currency

     (178,571,768      451,206,324         (65,827,625      112,721,801   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     76,483,756         436,609,977         5,465,916         160,790,635   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

           

Net investment income

           

Institutional Class

                     (7,085,713      (4,677,165

Investor Class

                     (1,598,987      (911,496

Net realized capital gains

           

Institutional Class

     (73,750,367      (10,191,255      (29,675,856      (15,951,494

Investor Class

     (4,130,770      (644,954      (8,739,308      (3,674,790
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (77,881,137      (10,836,209      (47,099,864      (25,214,945
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

           

Institutional Class

           

Proceeds from shares sold

     2,791,886,689         3,419,038,875         207,860,146         242,389,813   

Reinvestment of distributions

     38,567,891         5,470,231         30,283,496         18,483,816   

Shares redeemed

     (1,144,904,742      (515,145,972      (150,603,776      (74,884,387

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     167,655         154,051                   

Investor Class

           

Proceeds from shares sold

     156,222,923         180,979,395         97,996,009         141,871,828   

Reinvestment of distributions

     4,096,486         626,724         10,146,888         4,474,110   

Shares redeemed

     (153,804,307      (44,186,169      (66,372,364      (33,638,548

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     8,206         9,674                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

     1,692,240,801         3,046,946,809         129,310,399         298,696,632   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     1,690,843,420         3,472,720,577         87,676,451         434,272,322   

Net assets

           

Beginning of year

     5,348,636,796         1,875,916,219         954,064,982         519,792,660   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 7,039,480,216       $ 5,348,636,796       $ 1,041,741,433       $ 954,064,982   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

   $ (14,204,586    $ (29,066,893    $ 9,541,984       $ 5,521,256   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Share transactions:

           

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     181,998,959         237,515,897         9,071,242         11,615,055   

Shares reinvested

     2,532,409         384,686         1,351,338         902,530   

Shares redeemed

     (74,788,910      (35,242,438      (6,536,171      (3,515,836
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase

     109,742,458         202,658,145         3,886,409         9,001,749   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     10,289,490         12,636,422         4,291,105         6,795,381   

Shares reinvested

     271,831         44,386         454,203         219,104   

Shares redeemed

     (10,152,820      (3,099,558      (2,935,493      (1,587,653
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase

     408,501         9,581,250         1,809,815         5,426,832   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        59   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

 

 

     WPG Partners
Small/Micro Cap Value Fund
     Boston Partners
Global Equity Fund
 
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

           

Net investment income

   $ 318,020       $ 156,573       $ 939,223       $ 628,987   

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments and foreign currency

     493,855         6,948,796         (189,364      2,302,099   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investment and foreign currency

     (7,011,432      (60,529      (12,633,408      4,347,444   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

     (6,199,557      7,044,840         (11,883,549      7,278,530   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

           

Net investment income

           

Institutional Class

     (276,767      (50,358      (672,980      (91,861

Net realized capital gains

           

Institutional Class

     (4,758,990      (3,952,860      (2,575,966      (1,411,674
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (5,035,757      (4,003,218      (3,248,946      (1,503,535
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

           

Institutional Class

           

Proceeds from shares sold

     2,054,005         1,940,266         232,601,137         54,896,316   

Reinvestment of distributions

     4,460,767         3,615,431         2,531,256         1,503,534   

Shares redeemed

     (4,827,146      (3,343,540      (109,225      (13,584,041

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     1,045                           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

     1,688,671         2,212,157         235,023,168         42,815,809   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

     (9,546,643      5,253,779         219,890,673         48,590,804   

Net assets

           

Beginning of year

     46,008,029         40,754,250         60,087,090         11,496,286   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 36,461,386       $ 46,008,029       $ 279,977,763       $ 60,087,090   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

   $ 223,566       $ 177,498       $ 473,804       $ 546,411   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Share transactions:

           

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     121,210         96,374         15,083,287         3,756,181   

Shares reinvested

     270,350         185,502         172,547         105,585   

Shares redeemed

     (276,855      (166,761      (7,231      (893,583
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase

     114,705         115,115         15,248,603         2,968,183   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

60      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS    AUGUST 31, 2015

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (concluded)

 

 

     Boston Partners
Global Long/Short Fund
 
     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
     For the
Period Ended
August 31, 2014*
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

     

Net investment loss

   $ (2,436,913    $ (237,573

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments and foreign currency

     (6,192,868      (544,340

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) from investment and foreign currency

     12,170,261         1,769,974   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     3,540,480         988,061   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

     

Institutional Class

     

Proceeds from shares sold

     313,149,804         36,909,632   

Shares redeemed

     (36,579,598      (441,329

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     1,356         252   

Investor Class

     

Proceeds from shares sold

     70,409,274         2,787,714   

Shares redeemed

     (13,263,610        

Redemption fees (Note 8)

     17,273         14   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

     333,734,499         39,256,283   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     337,274,979         40,244,344   

Net assets

     

Beginning of period

     40,244,344           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 377,519,323       $ 40,244,344   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income (accumulated net investment loss), end of period

   $ (2,641,862    $ (5,296
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Share transactions:

     

Institutional Class

     

Shares sold

     30,018,537         3,676,348   

Shares redeemed

     (3,539,107      (43,449
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase

     26,479,430         3,632,899   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor Class

     

Shares sold

     6,674,425         276,209   

Shares redeemed

     (1,252,012        
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase

     5,422,413         276,209   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Inception date of the Fund was December 31, 2013.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        61   


BOSTON PARTNERS 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
   

Net Increase/

(Decrease)
in Net Assets
Resulting
from
Operations

    Dividends to
Shareholders
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions to
Shareholders
from Net
Realized Gains
    Total
Dividend and
Distributions
to Shareholders
    Redemption
Fees*
      
Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II

  

         

Institutional Class

  

               

8/31/15

  $ 22.65      $ 0.21      $ (0.54   $ (0.33   $ (0.15   $ (0.28   $ (0.43   $     

8/31/14

    19.06        0.15        3.53        3.68        (0.09            (0.09     3   

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     3   

8/31/11

    11.02        0.03        1.91        1.94        (0.04            (0.04     3   

Investor Class

                 

8/31/15

  $ 21.79      $ 0.14      $ (0.51   $ (0.37   $ (0.10   $ (0.28   $ (0.38   $     

8/31/14

    18.35        0.09        3.40        3.49        (0.05            (0.05     3   

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     3   

8/31/11

    10.62        (— )3      1.84        1.84        (0.02            (0.02     3     
Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund

  

         

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/15

  $ 22.65      $ (0.84   $ (1.01   $ (1.85   $      $ (1.77   $ (1.77   $ 0.01     

8/31/14

    20.94        (0.63     3.57        2.94               (1.24     (1.24     0.01     

8/31/13

    20.47        (0.54     2.24        1.70               (1.24     (1.24     0.01     

8/31/12

    19.88        (0.54     3.15        2.61               (2.03     (2.03     0.01     

8/31/11

    17.41        (0.47     4.55        4.08               (1.62     (1.62     0.01     

Investor Class

                 

8/31/15

  $ 21.33      $ (0.84   $ (0.94   $ (1.78   $      $ (1.77   $ (1.77   $ 0.01     

8/31/14

    19.84        (0.65     3.37        2.72               (1.24     (1.24     0.01     

8/31/13

    19.51        (0.57     2.13        1.56               (1.24     (1.24     0.01     

8/31/12

    19.08        (0.56     3.01        2.45               (2.03     (2.03     0.01     

8/31/11

    16.80        (0.50     4.39        3.89               (1.62     (1.62     0.01       
Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund

  

         

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/15

  $ 15.14      $ (0.14   $ 0.40      $ 0.26      $      $ (0.20   $ (0.20   $ 3   

8/31/14

    13.30        (0.12     2.02        1.90               (0.06     (0.06     3   

8/31/13

    11.91        (0.14     1.66        1.52               (0.13     (0.13     3   

8/31/12

    10.60        (0.13     1.53        1.40               (0.09     (0.09     3   

9/30/10** through 8/31/11

    10.00        (0.12     0.71        0.59                             0.01     

Investor Class

                 

8/31/15

  $ 15.00      $ (0.18   $ 0.39      $ 0.21      $      $ (0.20   $ (0.20   $ 3   

8/31/14

    13.21        (0.15     2.00        1.85               (0.06     (0.06     3   

8/31/13

    11.86        (0.18     1.66        1.48               (0.13     (0.13     3   

8/31/12

    10.58        (0.15     1.52        1.37               (0.09     (0.09     3   

11/29/10** through 8/31/11

    10.40        (0.12     0.29        0.17                             0.01       

 

* 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 $0.005 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.

 

62      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

  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,
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
 
               
               
  $ 21.89        (1.45 )%    $ 180,057        1.10 %      N/A        1.23 %      0.91 %      14 % 
    22.65        19.33        102,112        1.21         N/A        1.23         0.68         16    
    19.06        25.19        76,442        1.29        N/A        1.29        0.53        19   
    15.31        18.98        53,604        1.30         N/A        1.36         0.37         32    
    12.92        17.59        30,172        1.30        N/A        1.37        0.22        38   
               
  $ 21.04        (1.68 )%    $ 129,474        1.35 %      N/A        1.48     0.66 %      14 % 
    21.79        19.01        112,417        1.46         N/A        1.48         0.43         16    
    18.35        24.90        87,237        1.54        N/A        1.54        0.28        19   
    14.74        18.67        66,689        1.55         N/A        1.61         0.12         32    
      12.44        17.28        70,490        1.55        N/A        1.62        (0.03     38   
       
               
  $ 19.04        (8.35 )%    $ 493,751        5.64 %      2.47 %      5.64 %      (4.22 )%      75 % 
    22.65        14.72        676,756        4.33         2.42         4.33         (2.93 )      65    
    20.94        8.61        620,804        4.30         2.43        4.30         (2.58 )      67    
    20.47        14.16        505,108        4.29         2.48         4.29         (2.68 )      71    
    19.88        23.66        344,935        3.70        2.47        3.71        (2.35     103   
               
  $ 17.79        (8.55 )%    $ 94,459        5.89 %      2.72 %      5.89 %      (4.47 )%      75 % 
    21.33        14.41        211,372        4.57         2.66         4.57         (3.18 )      65    
    19.84        8.30        220,307        4.55         2.68        4.55         (2.83 )      67    
    19.51        13.90        170,834        4.54         2.73         4.54         (2.93 )      71    
      19.08        23.37        128,184        3.95        2.72        3.96        (2.60     103   
       
               
  $ 15.20        1.73   $ 6,738,894        2.43 %      1.39 %      2.43 %      (0.92 )%      62 % 
    15.14        14.28        5,054,388        2.52         1.39         2.52         (0.81 )      57    
    13.30        12.81        1,743,406        2.75        1.48        2.71        (1.09     65   
    11.91        13.32        254,170        2.81         1.54         2.84         (1.12 )      53 4 
 

 

10.60

  

    6.00        37,237        2.70 5      1.74 5      4.05 5      (1.21 )5      61 6 
               
  $ 15.01        1.41   $ 300,586        2.68 %      1.64 %      2.68 %      (1.17 )%      62 % 
    15.00        13.99        294,249        2.77         1.64         2.77         (1.06 )      57    
    13.21        12.52        132,511        3.05        1.73        3.01        (1.39     65   
    11.86        13.06        48,296        3.00         1.79         3.04         (1.31 )      53 4 
      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 2015        63   


BOSTON PARTNERS 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
   

Net Increase/

(Decrease)
in Net Assets
Resulting
from
Operations

    Dividends to
Shareholders
from Net
Investment
Income
    Distributions to
Shareholders
from Net
Realized Gains
    Total
Dividend and
Distributions
to Shareholders
   

Redemption

Fees*

      
Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund

  

             

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/15

  $ 23.00      $ 0.30      $ (0.08   $ 0.22      $ (0.22   $ (0.92   $ (1.14   $     

8/31/14

    19.19        0.22        4.39        4.61        (0.18     (0.62     (0.80         

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         

Investor Class

                 

8/31/15

  $ 22.90      $ 0.25      $ (0.08   $ 0.17      $ (0.17   $ (0.92   $ (1.09   $     

8/31/14

    19.12        0.17        4.38        4.55        (0.15     (0.62     (0.77         

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           
WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

  

             

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/15

  $ 20.42      $ 0.13      $ (2.84   $ (2.71   $ (0.13   $ (2.18   $ (2.31   $ 3   

8/31/14

    19.06        0.07        3.16        3.23        (0.02     (1.85     (1.87         

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                                   
Boston Partners Global Equity Fund

  

             

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/15

  $ 15.59      $ 0.13      $ (0.40   $ (0.27   $ (0.14   $ (0.52   $ (0.66   $     

8/31/14

    12.97        0.18        2.82        3.00        (0.02     (0.36     (0.38         

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                                   
Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund

  

             

Institutional Class

                 

8/31/15

  $ 10.30      $ (0.13   $ 0.38      $ 0.25      $      $      $      $ 3   

12/31/13** through 8/31/14

    10.00        (0.14     0.44        0.30                             3   

Investor Class

                 

8/31/15

  $ 10.29      $ (0.16   $ 0.38      $ 0.22      $      $      $      $ 3   

4/11/14** through 8/31/14

    9.86        (0.09     0.52        0.43                             3     

 

* 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, if any, are reflected in total return calculations.

3 

Amount is less than $0.005.

4 

Annualized.

5 

Not Annualized.

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

64      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS 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
and Recoupment,
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 and

Reimbursements
and Recoupment,
if any

    Ratio of Net
Investment
Income/(Loss) to
Average Net
Assets With
Waivers and
Reimbursements
and Recoupment,
if any
    Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
 
               
               
  $ 22.08        0.88   $ 793,098        0.70 %      N/A        0.95 %      1.32 %      33 % 
    23.00        24.52        736,475        0.70        N/A        0.94        1.05        26   
    19.19        26.11        441,856        0.70        N/A        0.97        1.37        32   
    15.57        16.73        343,885        0.70        N/A        1.03        1.38        33   
    14.34        13.75        210,113        0.70        N/A        1.03        1.00        47   
           
  $ 21.98        0.66   $ 248,643        0.95 %      N/A        1.20 %      1.07 %      33 % 
    22.90        24.29        217,590        0.95        N/A        1.20        0.80        26   
    19.12        25.93        77,936        0.95        N/A        1.22        1.12        32   
    15.50        16.44        25,189        0.95        N/A        1.28        1.13        33   
      14.28        13.55        26,436        0.95        N/A        1.28        0.75        47   
               
               
  $ 15.40        (14.01 )%    $ 36,461        1.10 %      N/A        1.41 %      0.78 %      80
    20.42        17.46        46,008        1.36        N/A        1.42        0.35        75   
    19.06        33.71        40,754        1.54        N/A        1.54        0.41        72   
    14.32        16.33        37,367        1.70        N/A        1.70        (0.34 )      84   
      12.31        5.67        33,238        1.67        N/A        1.72        (0.43     85   
               
               
  $ 14.66        (1.75 )%    $ 279,978        0.95     N/A        1.24     0.86     98
    15.59        23.39        60,087        0.96        N/A        1.39        1.20        136   
    12.97        20.14        11,496        1.30        N/A        3.05        1.00        102   
   

 

11.00

  

    10.00 5      11,234        1.30 4      N/A        3.56 4      1.39 4      83 5 
               
               
  $ 10.55        2.43   $ 317,600        3.09 %      1.96 %      3.05     (1.27 )%      132
 

 

10.30

  

    3.00        37,403        3.88 4      2.00 4      4.89 4      (2.04 )4      72 5 
               
  $ 10.51        2.14   $ 59,919        3.34 %      2.21 %      3.30 %      (1.52 )%      132
      10.29        4.36        2,841        4.12 4      2.25 4      4.44 4      (2.28 )4      72 5 

 

THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        65   


BOSTON PARTNERS 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 twenty-one active investment portfolios, including Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II (“BP Small Cap Value Fund II”), Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (“BP Long/Short Equity Fund”), Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund (“BP Long/Short Research Fund”), Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund (“BP All-Cap Value Fund”), Boston Partners Global Equity Fund (“BP Global Equity Fund”), Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund (“BP Global Long/Short Fund”) (collectively “BP Funds”), and WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund (“WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund” and, collectively with the BP Funds, the “Funds”). As of August 31, 2015, the BP Funds each offer two classes of shares, Institutional Class and Investor Class. As of August 31, 2015, Investor Class shares of the BP Global 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 82.373 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and fifty-three classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

The Funds are investment companies and, accordingly, follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

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 (“OTC”) 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, provided such amount approximates fair 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).

 

66      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS 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, 2015 is included in each Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.

At the end of each 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 Funds 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 Funds 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.

Foreign securities that utilize international fair pricing are categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. For the BP Global Long/Short Fund securities held as long positions with an end of period value of $3,034,025 transferred from Level 1 into Level 2. For the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, BP Long/Short Research Fund, and BP Global Long/Short Fund securities held as short positions with an end of period value of $2,924,618, $10,613,661 and $2,830,436, respectively, transferred from Level 1 into Level 2. These transfers occurred as a result of securities being valued utilizing the international fair value pricing at August 31, 2015. For the Global Equity Fund and Global Long Short Fund securities held as long positions with an end of period value of $2,788,416, and $3,362,070, respectively, transferred from Level 2 into Level 1. For the Global Long Short Fund, securities held as short positions with an end of period value of $1,887,587 transferred from Level 2 into Level 1. These transfers occurred as a result of these securities no longer being valued utilizing the international fair value pricing at August 31, 2015.

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 reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        67   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

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 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 Statements 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 Statements 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.

 

68      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

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. An option contract is a commitment that gives the purchaser of the contract the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a specific price on or before a specified future date. On the other hand, the writer of an option contract is obligated, upon the exercise of the option, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a specific price on or before a specified future date. The maximum risk of loss associated with writing put options is limited to the exercised fair value of the option contract. The maximum risk of loss associated with writing call options is potentially unlimited. 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 OTC 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. Listed option contracts present minimal counterparty credit risk since they are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded options, guarantees the options against default. A Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk related to OTC option contracts is limited to the premium paid. As of August 31, 2015, all of each Fund’s written options were exchange-traded options.

The BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund, the BP All-Cap Value Fund and the BP Global Long Short Fund had transactions in options written during the year ended August 31, 2015 as follows:

 

     BP Long/Short Equity Fund     BP Long/Short Research Fund     BP All-Cap Value Fund     BP Global Long/Short Fund  
     Number of
Contracts
    Premiums
Received
    Number of
Contracts
    Premiums
Received
    Number of
Contracts
    Premiums
Received
    Number of
Contracts
    Premiums
Received
 

Options outstanding at August 31, 2014

     355      $ 326,590        5,378      $ 3,161,737        2,123      $ 743,607             $   

Options written

     1,052        649,513        105,115        46,877,021        95        558,681        2,685        1,578,977   

Options closed

                   (42,448     (16,755,806                   (281     (198,637

Options expired

     (343     (315,724     (13,490     (6,087,188     (849     (212,360     (274     (102,928

Options exercised

     (12     (10,866     (14,901     (9,412,677     (1,274     (531,247     (398     (221,747
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Options outstanding at August 31, 2015

     1,052      $ 649,513        39,654      $ 17,783,087        95      $ 558,681        1,732      $ 1,055,665   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the year ended August 31, 2015, the average volume of derivatives were as follows:

 

Fund

     Purchased
Options
(Cost)
       Written
Options
(Proceeds)
 

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

     $ 1,686,010         $    723,425   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

                 8,762,502   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

                 627,854   

BP Global Long/Short Fund

                 290,405   

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 Global Long/Short 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

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        69   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

charges on a net basis as interest income or interest expense. For the year ended August 31, 2015, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund and the Global Long/Short Fund had net charges of $20,758,124, $16,061,541 and $385,065, respectively, on borrowed securities. Such amounts are included in prime broker interest expense on the Statements of Operations.

As of August 31, 2015, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, BP Long/Short Research Fund and the BP Global Long/Short Fund had securities sold short valued at $440,837,787, $3,394,925,371 and $206,137,495, respectively, for which securities of $369,899,470, $3,033,914,768 and $177,593,223 and cash deposits of $473,213,373, $3,388,451,610, and $213,793,634, 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, the BP Long/Short Research Fund and the BP Global Long/Short 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, the BP Long/Short Research Fund and BP Global Long/Short Fund utilized cash borrowings from Goldman Sachs to meet required margin cash deposits as follows during the year ended August 31, 2015:

 

BP Long/Short Equity Fund   BP Long/Short Research Fund   BP Global Long/Short Fund
Days
Utilized
  Average Daily
Borrowings
  Weighted Average
Interest Rate
  Days
Utilized
  Average Daily
Borrowings
  Weighted Average
Interest Rate
  Days
Utilized
  Average Daily
Borrowings
  Weighted Average
Interest Rate
168       CAD 4,602,229         1.37 %       129         AUD 27,425,975         2.43 %       152         AUD 412,808         2.93 %
328       EUR 1,118,646         0.38 %       195         CAD 8,606,734         1.08 %       156         CAD 104,767         1.40 %
329       USD 53,652,255         0.54 %       174         CHF 12,010,499         0.35 %       271         CHF 274,398         0.21 %
              144         DKK 130,266,025         0.16 %       355         DKK 518,536         0.33 %
              204         EUR 69,575,199         0.29 %       348         EUR 7,730,239         0.32 %
              103         GBP 9,372,846         0.89 %       353         GBP 2,308,243         0.88 %
              64         HKD 81,368,608         0.48 %       324         HKD 3,960,682         0.49 %
              211         JPY 3,763,280,554         0.51 %       332         JPY 482,800,882         0.51 %
              56         NOK 14,935,693         1.41 %       206         NOK 752,048         1.58 %
              151         SEK 183,798,707         0.11 %       328         NZD 245,830         3.85 %
              10         SGD 34,886         0.68 %       266         SEK 1,302,253         0.54 %
              259         USD 80,692,692         0.54 %       221         SGD 783,408         0.59 %
                          357         THB 18,601,738         2.00 %
                          1         USD 157,361         0.55 %

As of August 31, 2015, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, had borrowings of $56,200,096. Such amounts are included in due to prime broker on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund and BP Global Long/Short Fund incurred interest expense for the year ended August 31, 2015, in the amount of $297,239, $879,202 and $107,190, respectively.

Contracts for Difference — The BP Global Long/Short Fund and BP Long/Short Research Fund (for this section only, each a “Fund”) may enter into Contracts for Differences (“CFDs”). CFDs are leveraged derivative instruments that allow a Fund to take a position on the change in the market price of an underlying asset, such as a stock, or the value of an index or currency exchange rate. With a short CFD, a Fund is seeking to profit from falls in the market price of the asset. CFDs are subject to liquidity risk because the liquidity of CFDs is based on the liquidity of the underlying instrument, and are subject to counterparty risk, i.e., the risk that the counterparty to the CFD transaction may be unable or unwilling to make payments or to otherwise honor its financial obligations under the terms of the contract. It is also possible that the market price of the CFD will move between the time the order is placed by a Fund and when it is executed by the issuer, which can result in the trade being executed at a less favorable price. CFDs, like many other derivative instruments, involve the risk that, if the derivative security declines in value, additional margin would be required to maintain the margin level. The seller may require a Fund to deposit additional sums to cover this decline in value, and the margin call may be at short notice. If additional margin is not provided in time, the seller may liquidate the positions at a loss for which a Fund is liable. The potential for margin calls and large losses are much greater in CFDs than in other leveraged products. Most CFDs are traded OTC. CFDs are not registered with the SEC or any U.S. regulator, and are not subject to U.S. regulation. In a short position, the Fund will receive or pay an amount based upon the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the CFD would have decreased or increased in value had it sold the particular stocks short, less the dividends that would have been paid on those stocks, plus a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the CFD. All of these components are reflected in the market value of the CFD.

 

70      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

CFDs are marked-to-market daily based upon quotations from market makers and the resulting changes in market values, if any, are recorded as an unrealized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Periodic payments made or received are recorded as realized gains or losses. Entering into CFDs involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit and market risk in excess of the amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these contracts, that the counterparty to the contract may default on its obligation to perform and that there may be unfavorable changes in market conditions. CFDs outstanding at period end, if any, are listed on the Schedule of Investments. In connection with CFDs, cash or securities may be segregated as collateral by the Funds’ custodian. As of August 31, 2015, the BP Long/Short Research Fund and BP Global Long/Short Fund held CFDs.

For the year ended August 31, 2015, the average volume of CFDs was as follows:

 

Fund

     Notional Amount  

BP Long/Short Research Fund

     $ 6,288,182   

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       1,462,977   

 

2. 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 the BP Global Equity Fund’s average daily net assets and 1.50% of the BP Global Long/Short Fund’s average daily net assets, each accrued daily and payable monthly. Robeco is also entitled to receive advisory fees, accrued daily and paid monthly, as follows:

 

WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund    0.80% of net assets up to $500 million
   0.75% of net assets in excess of $500 million

 

Robeco has contractually agreed to limit the 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 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 January 26, 2016 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. The contractual limitations of the BP Long/Short Equity Fund and BP All-Cap Value Fund are the following:

 

       Institutional        Investor  

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       2.50        2.75

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       0.70        0.95

For BP Small Cap Value Fund II, 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 1.10% and 1.35%, of the average daily net assets attributable to the Funds’ Institutional Class shares and Investor Class shares, respectively. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors. If at any time during the three years from May 28, 2014 to May 28, 2017 in which the Fund’s advisory agreement with Robeco is in effect, the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.10% for the Institutional Class and 1.35% for the Investor Class, Robeco is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees foregone and other payments remitted by Robeco to the Fund during such three-year period.

For the BP Long/Short Research Fund and BP Global Long/Short 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% and 2.00%, respectively, of the average daily net assets attributable to the Funds’ Institutional Class shares and 1.75% and 2.25%, respectively, of the average daily net assets attributable to the Funds’ Investor Class. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least January 26, 2016 and may not be terminated without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. If at any time within three years from the date on which

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        71   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

such waiver or reimbursement was made, the Funds’ Total annual Fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.50% for the Institutional Class and 1.75% for the Investor Class of the BP Long/Short Research Fund or 2.00% for the Institutional Class and 2.25% for the Investor Class of the BP Global Long/Short Fund, Robeco is entitled to reimbursement by the Funds of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by Robeco to the Funds during such three-year period.

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 the BP Global Equity Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceeds 0.95% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Institutional Class shares and 1.20% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Investor Class. This contractual limitation is in effect until at least January 26, 2016 and may not be terminated without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. If at any time within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, the 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 the Fund during such three-year period.

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 1.10%. The contractual limitation is in effect until at least December 31, 2016 and may not be terminated without approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. If at any time during the three years from May 28, 2014 to May 28, 2017 in which the Fund’s advisory agreement with Robeco is in effect, the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.10%, Robeco is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees waived and other payments remitted by Robeco to the Fund during such three-year period.

At August 31, 2015, the amount of potential recoupment by Robeco was as follows:

 

       Expiration
August 31, 2016
       Expiration
August 31, 2017
       Expiration
August 31, 2018
       Total  

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $         $ 41,219         $ 362,104         $ 403,323   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

                 27,146           125,396           152,542   

BP Global Equity Fund

       202,243           217,404           316,245           735,892   

During the year ended August 31, 2015, the BP Global Long/Short Fund recouped $87,459 of expenses waived in previous years.

For the year ended August 31, 2015, Robeco waived and reimbursed fees as follows:

 

Funds

     Investment Adviser
Expense Waived
       Investment Adviser
Reimbursement
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $ 362,104         $   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

                   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

                   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       2,542,627             

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       125,396             

BP Global Equity Fund

       316,245             

BP Global Long/Short Fund

                   

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.

 

72      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

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, and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Funds. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

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, 2015 was $248,681. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer of the Company. They are not compensated by the Funds or the Company.

 

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2015, 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

     $ 134,860,343         $ 36,640,619   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       564,414,730           822,911,201   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       5,327,962,534           3,646,655,830   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       419,023,924           325,890,431   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       31,405,867           32,739,963   

BP Global Equity Fund

       338,078,801           114,570,284   

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       548,705,165           229,150,551   

 

5. Capital Share Transactions

As of August 31, 2015, 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 BP Long/Short Research Fund and the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, which have 500,000,000 shares and 50,000,000 shares, respectively, 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 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, 2015, the Funds participated in securities lending. The market value of securities on loan and collateral as of August 31, 2015 and the income generated from the program during the year ended August 31, 2015 with respect to such loans were as follows:

 

Fund

     Market Value
of Securities
Loaned
       Market Value
of Collateral
       Income Received
from Securities
Lending
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $ 9,582,054         $ 9,627,911         $ 185,544   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       10,850,544           11,779,621           826,925   

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        73   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

Fund

     Market Value
of Securities
Loaned
       Market Value
of Collateral
       Income Received
from Securities
Lending
 

BP All-Cap Value Fund

     $ 11,725,432         $ 12,040,240         $ 11,622   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       4,102,421           4,141,270           199,121   

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under a Master Securities Lending Agreement (“MSLA”) which permits the Funds, under certain circumstances including an event of default (such as bankruptcy or insolvency), to offset amounts payable by the Funds to the same counterparty against amounts to be received and create one single net payment due to or from the Funds. The following table is a summary of the Funds’ open securities lending transactions which are subject to a MSLA as of August 31, 2015:

 

                          Gross Amount Net Offset in the
Statement of Assets  and Liabilities
 

Fund

   Gross Amount of
Recognized Assets
     Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Assets and  Liabilities
     Net Amount of
Assets Presented in
the Statement  of
Assets and Liabilities
     Financial
Instruments
     Cash
Collateral
Received
     Net
Amount
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $ 9,582,054               $ 9,582,054               $ 9,582,054           

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

     10,850,544                 10,850,544                 10,850,544           

BP All-Cap Value Fund

     11,725,432                 11,725,432                 11,725,432           

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

     4,102,421                 4,102,421                 4,102,421           

 

1 

Amount disclosed is limited to the amount of assets presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Actual collateral received may be more than the amount shown.

 

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, as amended (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, 2015, the following Fund held restricted securities that were illiquid:

 

       Acquisition Date      Acquisition
Cost
       Shares/Par        Value        % of
Net Assets
 

BP All-Cap Value Fund

                        
Common Stocks:                         

Peoples Choice Financial Corp. 144A

     12/21/04-01/23/06      $ 14,293           1,465         $ 0.00           0.0

Solar Cayman Ltd. 144A

     03/24/10                  19,375           0.00           0.0   
         

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
          $ 14,293           20,840         $           0.0
         

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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 Global Long/Short 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.

 

74      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

As of August 31, 2015, 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/
(Depreciation)
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $ 262,077,884         $ 64,105,312         $ (19,040,272    $ 45,065,040   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       573,488,611           150,892,976           (128,917,942      21,975,034   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       6,485,864,201           756,724,821           (531,815,689      224,909,132   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       886,683,206           183,788,187           (38,385,331      145,402,856   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       40,148,481           4,921,232           (4,827,318      93,914   

BP Global Equity Fund

       276,592,801           8,729,056           (15,723,496      (6,994,440

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       357,660,342           9,071,732           (24,035,602      (14,963,870

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, 2015, 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 contract for differences and investments in partnerships and passive foreign investment companies.

 

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

     $ 27,623       $ (27,623    $   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       28,292,396         795,415         (29,087,811

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       72,490,455         (72,489,975      (480

BP All-Cap Value Fund

                         

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value

       4,815         (4,815        

BP Global Equity Fund

       (338,850      338,850           

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       (199,653      249,690         (50,037

As of August 31, 2015, 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
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $ 2,433,498       $ 8,028,871       $       $ 45,065,040       $   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

             48,419,040         (421,617      (5,630,777      (19,044,267

BP Long/Short Research Fund

             199,155,028                 334,472,770         (11,351,596

BP All-Cap Value Fund

     17,612,903         44,877,486                 144,479,537           

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

     228,530         668,357                 93,914           

BP Global Equity Fund

     477,344         150,010                 (7,001,717        

BP Global Long/Short Fund

             436,375                 7,331,622         (2,902,608

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.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        75   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (concluded)

 

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the two fiscal years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

     2015      2014  

Fund

   Ordinary
Income
     Long-Term
Gains
     Total      Ordinary
Income
     Long-Term
Gains
     Total  

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

   $ 1,556,667       $ 3,412,105       $ 4,968,772       $ 583,139       $       $ 583,139   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

             72,185,837         72,185,837         2,623,279         47,534,301         50,157,580   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

             77,881,138         77,881,138                 10,836,209         10,836,209   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

     21,516,995         25,582,869         47,099,864         12,757,029         12,457,916         25,214,945   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

     2,796,155         2,239,602         5,035,757         50,358         3,952,860         4,003,218   

BP Global Equity Fund

     2,166,520         1,082,426         3,248,946         1,079,874         423,661         1,503,535   

BP Global Long/Short Fund

                                               

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, 2015, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2015.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the following Funds deferred to September 1, 2015, the following qualified late-year losses:

 

Fund

     Late-Year
Ordinary
Loss Deferral
       Short-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral
       Long-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral
 

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

     $ 19,044,267         $         $   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       11,351,596                       

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       1,505,537           1,397,071             

Accumulated capital losses represent net capital loss carryforwards as of August 31, 2015 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 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.

As of August 31, 2015, the Funds had the following pre-enactment net capital loss carryforwards to offset future net capital gains, if any, to the extent provided by U.S. 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

     Expiration
August 31, 2016
       Total  

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

     $ 421,617         $ 421,617   

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 $421,617 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, 2015, the BP Global Long/Short Fund utilized $161,107 of prior year capital loss carryforwards.

 

10. 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.

 

76      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund, WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund (seven of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) (the “Funds”) as of August 31, 2015, 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, 2015, 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 Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II, Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund, WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, Boston Partners Global Equity Fund and Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund (seven of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) at August 31, 2015, 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 30, 2015

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        77   


BOSTON PARTNERS 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, 2015. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ending December 31, 2015. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the following dividends and distributions were paid by each of the Funds:

 

       Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Capital Gains
 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

     $ 1,556,667         $ 3,412,105   

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

                 72,185,837   

BP Long/Short Research Fund

                 77,881,138   

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       21,516,995           25,582,869   

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       2,796,155           2,239,602   

BP Global Equity Fund

       2,166,520           1,082,426   

BP Global Long/Short Fund

                   

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

Under the Jobs and Growth Tax relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 the following percentages of ordinary dividends paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 are designated as “qualified dividend income,” as defined in the Act, and are subject to reduced tax rates:

 

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

       83.49

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       0.00

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       0.00

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       66.35

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       8.99

BP Global Equity Fund

       53.57

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       0.00

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

       84.01

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       0.00

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       0.00

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       61.44

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       10.32

BP Global Equity Fund

       30.39

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       0.00

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

       0.02

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       0.00

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       0.00

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       0.02

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       0.05

BP Global Equity Fund

       0.03

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       0.00

 

78      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

SHAREHOLDER TAX INFORMATION (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

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 Small Cap Value Fund II

       0.00

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

       0.00

BP Long/Short Research Fund

       0.00

BP All-Cap Value Fund

       100.00

WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       0.00

BP Global Equity Fund

       100.00

BP Global Long/Short Fund

       0.00

Because each Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2015. 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 2016.

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.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        79   


BOSTON PARTNERS 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 (800) SEC-0330.

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreements

At a regular meeting of the Board held on May 13-14, 2015 (the “Meeting” ), the Board of Directors, including all of the Independent Directors, considered the approval of the continuation of the investment advisory agreement between Robeco and the Company, on behalf of the Funds (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Board’s decision to approve the continuation of the Advisory Agreement reflects the exercise of its business judgment to continue the existing arrangement with Robeco. In approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreement, the Board considered information provided by Robeco with the assistance and advice of counsel to the Independent Directors and the Company.

In considering the renewal and approval of the Advisory Agreement, 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 Robeco’s services provided to the Funds; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of Robeco 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) report prepared by Lipper comparing each Fund’s management fees and total expense ratio to those each Fund’s respective Lipper Group and comparing the performance of each Fund to the performance of each Fund’s respective Lipper 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 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. Information on the Funds’ investment performance was provided for one-, three-, and five-year periods ended March 31, 2015, 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 Groups was acceptable.

In reaching this conclusion, the Directors noted that the BP All-Cap Value Fund outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 3000 Value Index for the year-to-date, one-, three- and five-year, and since inception periods ended March 31, 2015. The Directors also noted that the BP All-Cap Value Fund ranked in the second quintile in both its Lipper Group and Lipper performance universe for the one-year period ended December 31, 2014.

The Directors noted that the BP Long/Short Equity Fund underperformed its primary benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, for the one-, three-, and five-year periods ended March 31, 2015. However, it outperformed its primary benchmark for the since inception period ended March 31, 2015. The Directors noted that the BP Long/Short Equity Fund’s performance ranked in the second quintile in both its Lipper Group and Lipper performance universe for the one-year period ended December 31, 2014.

 

 

80      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

OTHER INFORMATION (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

The Directors noted that while the performance of the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund was below the performance of its primary benchmark, the Russell 2000 Value Index, since inception, it had outperformed the Lipper Group median for the three-year period ended December 31, 2014.

Next, the Directors also reviewed the performance of the BP Long/Short Research Fund. They noted that the Fund had underperformed its benchmark for the one- and three-year periods ended March 31, 2015, but outperformed its Lipper Group median for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2014. The Directors also noted that the BP Long/Short Research Fund ranked within the 1st quintile in its Lipper Group for the one-, two-, three-, and four-year and since inception periods ended December 31, 2014. In addition, the Directors noted that the Fund ranked in the second quintile for the one- and two-year periods and first quintile for the three- and four- year periods ended December 31, 2014 in its Lipper performance universe.

The Directors next reviewed the performance of the BP Small Cap Value Fund II, which outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2000 Value Index, for the year-to-date, one-, three- and five-year, and since inception periods ended March 31, 2015. In addition, the Directors noted that the Fund ranked in the second quintile in its Lipper Group for the one-year period ending December 31, 2014.

The Directors also considered the performance of the BP Global Equity Fund, which outperformed its benchmark, the MSCI World Index, for the year-to-date, one- and three-year, and since inception periods ended March 31, 2015. They noted that the Fund ranked in the second quintile for the one-year period ended December 31, 2014 in both its Lipper Group and Lipper performance universe. They also noted that Fund ranked in the first quintile for the two- and three-year and since inception periods ended December 31, 2014 in both its Lipper Group and Lipper performance universe.

The Directors noted that the BP Global Long/Short Fund had underperformed its benchmark, the MSCI World Index, for the one-year and since inception periods ended March 31, 2015. They noted that for the one- and two-year periods ended December 31, 2014, the Fund ranked in the fourth quintile in both its Lipper Group and Lipper performance universe.

The Board 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. After reviewing the comparable fee information provided in the Lipper Reports, the Directors noted that actual adviser fees were lower than the respective Lipper Group median fees for the BP All-Cap Value Fund, BP Global Equity Fund, and BP Global Long/Short Fund; higher than the respective Lipper Group median fees for the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, BP Long/Short Research Fund and WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund; and the same as its Lipper Group median for BP Small Cap Value II Fund. The Directors considered discussions held during Robeco’s presentation on the variance in fees, and the higher costs of managing certain portfolios. The Directors noted that Robeco had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through at least December 31, 2015 to limit total annual operating expenses to agreed upon levels for each Fund.

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 by the Funds were fair and reasonable and that the Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for additional one-year periods ending August 16, 2016.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        81   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

 

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 date 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 1-888-261-4073.

 

Name, Address,
and Date of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
Company
  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 in the
Past 5 Years
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

  Director   1988 to present   From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).   21   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

  Director   2002 to present   Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since March 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.   21   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).   21   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   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.   21   Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

  Director   2012 to present   From July 2010 to March 2015, 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.   21   None

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC.   21  

Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group.   21   Reich and Tang Group (asset management).

 

82      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (concluded)

 

 

Name, Address,
and Age
  Position(s)
Held with
Company
  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 in the
Past 5 Years
INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

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).   21   None
OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two 5 Christy Drive, Suite 208 Chadds Ford, PA 19317

DOB: 12/62

 

President

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

2009 to present

2004 to present

  Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance Services; since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).   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

Christina Morse

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/64

  Secretary   2015 to present   Since August 2014, Vice President and Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company); from August 2013 to July 2014, Counsel, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC; from May 2009 to July 2013, Vice President, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.   N/A   N/A

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

  Assistant Treasurer   2005 to present   Since 1995, Senior Director and Vice President 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 twenty-one 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 waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, and Sablowsky. Each officer holds office at the pleasure of the Board 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. 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” 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.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        83   


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

PRIVACY NOTICE (unaudited)

 

 

FACTS   WHAT DO THE BOSTON PARTNERS 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 Boston Partners Investment Funds chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information   Do the Boston Partners 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.boston-partners.com

 

84      ANNUAL REPORT 2015


BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS     

 

PRIVACY NOTICE (unaudited) (concluded)

 

 

What we do

 
 
How do the Boston Partners 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 Boston Partners 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 Boston Partners Investment Funds don’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. The Boston Partners 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 Boston Partners 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.

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2015        85   


 

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

 

 

 

BOS-AR15

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

CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

of

THE RBB FUND, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2015

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.


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISER’S REPORT

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

The Campbell Core Trend Fund (the “Fund”) was launched on December 31, 2014, with an initial net asset value (“NAV”) of $10.00 per share. The Fund’s objective is to seek capital appreciation by exploiting the tendency of asset markets to exhibit persistent trends. The Fund has investments across a variety of global futures and forward markets and can be either long or short, resulting in a low long-term correlation to traditional investments.

PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND

 

     6 MONTH RETURN    
     MARCH 1, 2015   INCEPTION THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2015
     THROUGH   (“FISCAL PERIOD”)

NAME

   AUGUST 31, 2015   RETURN*

Campbell Core Trend Fund - Institutional Class

   -8.75%   -2.90%

BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

   0.01%   0.02%

Barclay BTOP50 Index

   -5.41%   -2.18%

Newedge Trend Index

   -5.37%   -0.73%

MSCI World Index

   -7.19%   -3.77%

* Inception date of the Fund is December 31, 2014.

The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. 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. Current performance may be lower or higher. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained at 1-800-698-7235. Performance would have been lower without fee waivers in effect.

Returns of the Fund’s shares for the six month period and Fiscal Period ended August 31, 2015 are shown in the table above, along with the performance of several industry benchmarks. The Fund finished the Fiscal Period with positive performance in foreign exchange, and negative performance in fixed income, equity indices and commodities. Sharp reversals in all sectors during the second quarter of 2015 contributed to negative returns for short-term (less than 1 month) and medium-term (1 to 3 months) time horizons. Longer-term strategies (greater than 3 months) were less impacted by the change in sentiment, and provided significant offsetting gains. Moderate underperformance versus the benchmark indices was driven primarily by a larger exposure to the short-term time horizon.

FISCAL PERIOD 2015 HIGHLIGHTS

Our research and trading teams incorporated a number of new innovations into the Fund’s portfolio during the Fiscal Period ended August 31, 2015. Areas of focus included Commodity-specific strategies, Risk Management, and the addition of new markets.

One of the key objectives of the Fund is to provide performance that is both compelling on a stand-alone basis and representative of the momentum exposure tracked by the major Commodity Trading Advisor (“CTA”) indices. As a result, we have adjusted the time horizon exposure within the portfolio. The new time horizon allocation reflects an even split between Medium-Term and Long-Term time horizons, with the Short-Term time horizon omitted.

Industry education remains a primary focus for Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC (“Campbell”). So far this year, we have published two white papers intended to assist investors with the construction of CTA portfolios. The first paper, “Return Dispersion and Counterintuitive Correlation,” explores CTA manager performance and the impact of the environment on expected dispersion. The second paper, “Quantifying CTA Risk Management,” attempts to provide a factor-based framework to quantify CTA risk management. If you would like a copy of either paper, please contact us through our website at www.campbell.com.

Finally, we are pleased to report two senior level additions to our team during the most recent Fiscal Period. Dr. Kathryn Kaminski joined Campbell in January in the role of Director, Investment Strategies. Dr. Kaminski has significant

 

1


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

ANNUAL INVESTMENT ADVISER’S REPORT (CONCLUDED)

(UNAUDITED)

    

    

 

experience as a quantitative investment professional and is an accomplished academic, most recently co-authoring the book Trend Following with Managed Futures: The Search for Crisis Alpha. Richard M. Johnson joined Campbell in March in the role of Managing Director and Global Head of Institutional Sales. He has a wealth of experience supporting institutional clients, most recently as the Managing Director of Strategic Business Development at a multi-billion dollar investment firm. Mr. Johnson has assumed leadership of the institutional sales team, focusing on supporting existing clients and expanding our distribution efforts.

Given the uncertain economic landscape, we believe that diversifying strategies such as trend following may serve as a valuable complement to traditional investment portfolios in 2016. With the ability to take both long and short positions in a broad array of markets, the Core Trend Program of the Fund has the potential to capture opportunities that are difficult to access with a traditional asset allocation scheme. We look forward to speaking with you during the coming year and welcome any questions you may have regarding the Fund.

 

The BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged market index of U.S. Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income.

The Barclay BTOP50 Index (“BTOP50”) seeks to replicate the overall composition of the managed futures industry with regard to trading style and overall market exposure. The BTOP50 employs a top-down approach in selecting its constituents. The largest investable trading advisor programs, as measured by assets under management, are selected for inclusion in the BTOP50. The index portfolio is equally weighted among the selected programs at the beginning of each calendar year and rebalanced annually. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

The Newedge Trend Index is equal-weighted and reconstituted annually. The index calculates the net daily rate of return for a pool of trend following based hedge fund managers.

The MSCI World Index captures large and mid-cap representation across 23 developed markets countries.

 

2


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

ANNUAL REPORT

PERFORMANCE DATA

AUGUST 31, 2015

(UNAUDITED)

 

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

Campbell Core Trend Fund vs. Barclays BTOP50 Index

and BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

 

LOGO

This chart assumes a hypothetical $1,000,000 minimum initial investment in the Fund is made on December 31, 2014 (commencement of operations) and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is an actively managed mutual fund while the BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index and Barclays BTOP50 Index are unmanaged, do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.

 

TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 31, 2015*  
      Since  
      Inception**  

 Campbell Core Trend Fund, Institutional Shares

     -2.90%   

 BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index***

     0.02%   

 Barclay BTOP50 Index***

     -2.18%   

 

*

Not annualized.

 

**

Inception date of the Fund is December 31, 2014.

 

***

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Fund only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

Performance data 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 the Fund at 1-844-261-6488 for returns current to the most recent month-end.

An investment in the Fund is speculative and involves substantial risk. The Fund is not suitable for all investors. It is possible that an investor may lose some or all of its investment. The Fund invests in long and short positions in futures, forwards and spot contracts, each of which may be tied to commodities, financial indices and instruments, foreign currencies, or equity indices. The Fund also invests in investment grade fixed income securities of all durations and maturities. The Fund may be more volatile than investments in traditional securities. Losses on futures and other derivatives can be caused by unanticipated market movements and may be potentially unlimited. Commodities, currencies, foreign investments, and interest rate-linked instruments each entail special risks. The Fund is non-diversified; therefore gains or losses on a single holding may have a relatively great impact on the Fund. A more complete description of the Fund’s risks can be found in its prospectus, which should read carefully before investing.

 

3


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

ANNUAL REPORT

PERFORMANCE DATA (CONCLUDED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

(UNAUDITED)

 

The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year, as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (“Code”). To maintain qualification for federal income tax purposes as a RIC under the Code, the Fund must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution of its income requirements. If the Fund were to fail to qualify as a RIC and became subject to federal income tax, shareholders of the Fund would be subject to diminished returns.

The performance data quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Fund’s total annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 30, 2014, is 1.62% and the Fund’s net operating expense ratio is 1.25%. Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Institutional Shares. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2015 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc.

The BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged market index of U.S. Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income.

The Barclay BTOP50 Index (“BTOP50”) seeks to replicate the overall composition of the managed futures industry with regard to trading style and overall market exposure. The BTOP50 employs a top-down approach in selecting its constituents. The largest investable trading advisor programs, as measured by assets under management, are selected for inclusion in the BTOP50. The index portfolio is equally weighted among the selected programs at the beginning of each calendar year and rebalanced annually. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

 

4


CAMPBELL CORE TREND 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 period from March 1, 2015 through August 31, 2015, 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 EXAMPLE 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 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 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.

 

     INSTITUTIONAL SHARES  
     BEGINNING ACCOUNT VALUE      ENDING ACCOUNT VALUE      EXPENSES PAID  
     MARCH 1, 2015      AUGUST 31, 2015*      DURING PERIOD*  

Actual

     $1,000.00                 $   912.50                 $6.07           

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00                 1,018.85                 6.41           

 

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.26% for the Institutional Shares, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses (including 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 annualized amount of interest expense was 0.01% for the period March 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015. Without this expense, the annualized expense ratio would have been 1.25%. The Fund’s ending account value on the first line in the table is based on the actual six-month total return for the Institutional Shares of the Fund of (8.75)%.

 

5


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLE

AUGUST 31, 2015

(UNAUDITED)

    

 

The following table presents a consolidated summary of the portfolio holdings of the Fund at August 31, 2015.

 

     OF NET         
SECURITY TYPE/SECTOR CLASSIFICATION    ASSETS      VALUE  

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:

     

U.S. Treasury Obligations

     66.9%       $ 6,498,347   

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (including futures and forward foreign currency contracts)

     33.1            3,216,165   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     100.0%       $  9,714,512   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

Refer to the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments for a detailed listing of the Fund’s holdings.

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

 

6


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

     COUPON*      MATURITY      PAR      VALUE  

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 66.9%

           

U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS—66.9%

           

U.S. Treasury Bill

     0.030%         10/22/15       $ 3,250,000       $ 3,249,885   

U.S. Treasury Bill

     0.135%         01/21/16         3,250,000         3,248,462   
           

 

 

 
              6,498,347   
           

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

(Cost $ 6,498,347)

              6,498,347   
           

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 66.9%
(Cost $ 6,498,347)

              6,498,347   
           

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 33.1%

              3,216,165   
           

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

            $     9,714,512   
           

 

 

 

 

*

Short-term investments reflect the annualized effective yield on the date of purchase for discounted investments.

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

 

7


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

FUTURES CONTRACTS

 

                     UNREALIZED  
     EXPIRATION    NUMBER OF    NOTIONAL     APPRECIATION  

LONG CONTRACTS

   DATE    CONTRACTS    COST     (DEPRECIATION)  

10-Year Mini Japanese Government Bond

   09/09/15      1    $ 121,368      $ 635   

3-Month Euro Euribor

   09/19/16    16      4,488,344        238   

90-DAY Bank Bill

   12/11/15    11      7,790,610        245   

90-DAY Eurodollar

   09/19/16    11      2,721,075        1,700   

90-DAY Sterling

   09/21/16    19      3,604,676        4,399   

Australian 10-Year Bond

   09/16/15      1      92,862        (1,200

Australian 3-Year Bond

   09/16/15      9      717,220        2,080   

Canadian 10-Year Bond

   12/31/15      2      218,106        (3,116

Euro-Bobl

   09/10/15      1      146,710        (740

Euro-Schatz

   09/10/15      3      375,337        (426

London Metals Exchange Aluminum

   09/16/15    25      1,045,139        (47,952

London Metals Exchange Copper

   09/16/15      8      1,112,967        (83,567

London Metals Exchange Nickel

   09/16/15      9      606,357        (64,305

London Metals Exchange Zinc

   09/16/15    13      647,223        (59,054

Long Gilt

   12/31/15      1      181,914        (2,087

Nikkei 225 Index

   09/11/15      1      85,268        (7,486

U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes

   12/31/15      2      256,203        (2,078

U.S. Treasury 2-Year Notes

   01/06/16      6      1,313,344        (2,531

U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes

   01/06/16      3      360,047        (1,734
        

 

 

   

 

 

 
         $             25,884,770      $             (266,979
        

 

 

   

 

 

 
                     UNREALIZED  
     EXPIRATION    NUMBER OF    NOTIONAL     APPRECIATION  

SHORT CONTRACTS

   DATE    CONTRACTS    COST     (DEPRECIATION)  

Brent Crude

   09/15/15      -3    $ (153,730   $ (13,520

Coffee

   12/31/15      -2      (96,150     2,925   

Corn

   12/16/15      -1      (19,887     1,125   

Cotton No.2

   12/22/15      -1      (31,505     5   

FTSE 100 Index

   09/21/15      -1      (100,625     5,225   

FTSE/JSE Top 40

   09/17/15      -1      (32,851     (571

Gasoline Rbob

   10/29/15      -2      (125,030     (895

Gold 100 Oz

   12/31/15      -1      (108,150     (5,100

Lean Hogs

   10/16/15      -3      (78,890     (2,740

Live Cattle

   11/16/15      -4      (230,790     1,670   

London Metals Exchange Aluminum

   09/16/15    -36      (1,522,166     86,216   

London Metals Exchange Copper

   09/16/15    -10      (1,429,815     143,065   

London Metals Exchange Nickel

   09/16/15    -11      (800,572     138,065   

London Metals Exchange Zinc

   09/16/15    -17      (854,782     85,638   

Low Sulphur Gas Oil

   10/31/15      -3      (145,375     (3,075

MSCI Taiwan Index

   09/29/15      -3      (85,200     (5,100

Natural Gas

   10/31/15      -3      (84,030     3,360   

SGX CNX Nifty Index

   09/24/15      -3      (47,313     (687

Silver

   12/31/15      -2      (147,550     1,690   

Soybean

   11/17/15      -1      (47,587     3,212   

Sugar No. 11 (World)

   12/15/15    -13      (160,563     5,264   

Wheat

   12/16/15      -1      (25,737     1,487   

WTI Crude

   10/31/15      -3      (136,960     (15,450
        

 

 

   

 

 

 
         $ (6,465,258   $ 431,809   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Futures Contracts

         $ 19,419,512      $ 164,830   
        

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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

 

8


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

Forward foreign currency contracts outstanding as of August 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

                                  UNREALIZED  
                                  APPRECIATION  
CURRENCY PURCHASED      CURRENCY SOLD      EXPIRATION    COUNTERPARTY    (DEPRECIATION)  

 

 
AUD      700,000       USD      524,213       09/16/15    UBS    $ (26,466
AUD      500,000       USD      377,929       09/16/15    UBS      (22,396
AUD      200,000       USD      144,866       09/16/15    UBS      (2,653
AUD      200,000       USD      146,335       09/16/15    UBS      (4,122
AUD      100,000       USD      71,271       09/16/15    UBS      (165
AUD      100,000       USD      73,640       09/16/15    UBS      (2,534
AUD      100,000       USD      77,553       09/16/15    UBS      (6,447
CAD      800,000       USD      645,232       09/16/15    UBS      (37,171
CAD      700,000       USD      564,881       09/16/15    UBS      (32,828
CAD      600,000       USD      486,588       09/16/15    UBS      (30,542
CAD      400,000       USD      313,251       09/16/15    UBS      (9,221
CAD      300,000       USD      228,275       09/16/15    UBS      (252
CAD      200,000       USD      151,653       09/16/15    UBS      362   
CAD      200,000       USD      152,913       09/16/15    UBS      (898
CAD      100,000       USD      75,613       09/16/15    UBS      394   
CAD      100,000       USD      77,010       09/16/15    UBS      (1,003
CHF      900,000       USD      963,804       09/16/15    UBS      (32,280
CHF      100,000       USD      106,083       09/16/15    UBS      (2,580
CHF      100,000       USD      108,044       09/16/15    UBS      (4,541
EUR      1,550,000       USD      1,729,405       09/16/15    UBS      10,326   
EUR      1,550,000       USD      1,746,596       09/16/15    UBS      (6,864
EUR      900,000       USD      1,000,791       09/16/15    UBS      9,376   
EUR      400,000       USD      444,457       09/16/15    UBS      4,506   
EUR      200,000       USD      223,321       09/16/15    UBS      1,160   
EUR      100,000       USD      115,516       09/16/15    UBS      (3,275
GBP      800,000       USD      1,251,430       09/16/15    UBS      (23,934
GBP      400,000       USD      624,746       09/16/15    UBS      (10,999
GBP      300,000       USD      470,647       09/16/15    UBS      (10,336
GBP      200,000       USD      309,034       09/16/15    UBS      (2,160
GBP      200,000       USD      312,284       09/16/15    UBS      (5,410
GBP      100,000       USD      156,033       09/16/15    UBS      (2,596
GBP      100,000       USD      156,457       09/16/15    UBS      (3,020
JPY      493,400,000       USD      4,020,844       09/16/15    UBS      50,044   
JPY      153,750,000       USD      1,248,639       09/16/15    UBS      19,904   
JPY      125,850,000       USD      1,031,529       09/16/15    UBS      6,820   
JPY      48,500,000       USD      391,163       09/16/15    UBS      8,996   
JPY      23,200,000       USD      187,538       09/16/15    UBS      3,877   
JPY      22,800,000       USD      189,841       09/16/15    UBS      (1,725
JPY      22,200,000       USD      181,532       09/16/15    UBS      1,634   
JPY      7,800,000       USD      63,471       09/16/15    UBS      884   
JPY      800,000       USD      6,506       09/16/15    UBS      95   
JPY      600,000       USD      4,820       09/16/15    UBS      131   
MXN      13,700,000       USD      874,976       09/17/15    UBS      (56,024
MXN      9,000,000       USD      575,785       09/17/15    UBS      (37,787
MXN      4,600,000       USD      283,899       09/17/15    UBS      (8,922

 

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

 

9


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

                                  UNREALIZED  
                                  APPRECIATION  
CURRENCY PURCHASED      CURRENCY SOLD      EXPIRATION    COUNTERPARTY    (DEPRECIATION)  

 

 
MXN      4,200,000       USD      253,435       09/17/15    UBS    $ (2,370
MXN      2,400,000       USD      151,131       09/17/15    UBS      (7,665
MXN      1,200,000       USD      71,174       09/17/15    UBS      559   
MXN      200,000       USD      12,180       09/17/15    UBS      (225
MXN      100,000       USD      6,128       09/17/15    UBS      (150
MXN      100,000       USD      6,293       09/17/15    UBS      (315
NOK      2,600,000       USD      334,083       09/16/15    UBS      (19,883
NOK      2,300,000       USD      296,104       09/16/15    UBS      (18,157
NOK      1,900,000       USD      231,411       09/16/15    UBS      (1,803
NOK      1,700,000       USD      210,109       09/16/15    UBS      (4,670
NOK      200,000       USD      24,354       09/16/15    UBS      (185
NOK      200,000       USD      24,669       09/16/15    UBS      (499
NZD      800,000       USD      536,683       09/16/15    UBS      (30,292
NZD      500,000       USD      339,122       09/16/15    UBS      (22,628
NZD      400,000       USD      265,598       09/16/15    UBS      (12,403
NZD      300,000       USD      196,447       09/16/15    UBS      (6,550
NZD      200,000       USD      130,140       09/16/15    UBS      (3,543
NZD      200,000       USD      130,268       09/16/15    UBS      (3,670
NZD      200,000       USD      131,755       09/16/15    UBS      (5,157
NZD      200,000       USD      133,181       09/16/15    UBS      (6,583
NZD      100,000       USD      65,912       09/16/15    UBS      (2,613
SEK      6,600,000       USD      798,818       09/16/15    UBS      (18,949
SEK      3,100,000       USD      374,076       09/16/15    UBS      (7,774
SEK      2,600,000       USD      305,668       09/16/15    UBS      1,553   
SEK      1,400,000       USD      173,381       09/16/15    UBS      (7,954
SEK      1,300,000       USD      154,686       09/16/15    UBS      (1,075
SEK      500,000       USD      58,465       09/16/15    UBS      616   
SEK      300,000       USD      35,591       09/16/15    UBS      (142
SGD      1,300,000       USD      966,889       09/16/15    UBS      (46,334
SGD      1,200,000       USD      884,918       09/16/15    UBS      (35,175
SGD      400,000       USD      284,824       09/16/15    UBS      (1,576
SGD      300,000       USD      222,535       09/16/15    UBS      (10,099
SGD      300,000       USD      224,274       09/16/15    UBS      (11,838
SGD      200,000       USD      142,502       09/16/15    UBS      (878
SGD      100,000       USD      71,240       09/16/15    UBS      (428
USD      681,635       AUD      900,000       09/16/15    UBS      41,674   
USD      605,901       AUD      800,000       09/16/15    UBS      37,047   
USD      216,554       AUD      300,000       09/16/15    UBS      3,233   
USD      146,864       AUD      200,000       09/16/15    UBS      4,650   
USD      144,245       AUD      200,000       09/16/15    UBS      2,031   
USD      73,576       AUD      100,000       09/16/15    UBS      2,469   
USD      72,249       AUD      100,000       09/16/15    UBS      1,142   
USD      1,275,723       CAD      1,600,000       09/16/15    UBS      59,603   
USD      637,154       CAD      800,000       09/16/15    UBS      29,093   
USD      621,572       CAD      800,000       09/16/15    UBS      13,512   
USD      242,736       CAD      300,000       09/16/15    UBS      14,713   
USD      229,460       CAD      300,000       09/16/15    UBS      1,437   
USD      228,371       CAD      300,000       09/16/15    UBS      349   
USD      151,490       CAD      200,000       09/16/15    UBS      (525

 

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

 

10


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

                                    UNREALIZED  
                                    APPRECIATION  
CURRENCY PURCHASED      CURRENCY SOLD      EXPIRATION    COUNTERPARTY    (DEPRECIATION)  

 

 
USD      78,681         CAD         100,000       09/16/15    UBS    $ 2,673   
USD      987,908         CHF         910,000       09/16/15    UBS      46,034   
USD      203,998         CHF         190,000       09/16/15    UBS      7,343   
USD      2,321,645         EUR         2,100,000       09/16/15    UBS      (35,411
USD      1,565,105         EUR         1,400,000       09/16/15    UBS      (6,265
USD      660,444         EUR         600,000       09/16/15    UBS      (13,000
USD      446,340         EUR         400,000       09/16/15    UBS      (2,623
USD      110,970         EUR         100,000       09/16/15    UBS      (1,271
USD      108,681         EUR         100,000       09/16/15    UBS      (3,560
USD      1,551,866         GBP         1,000,000       09/16/15    UBS      17,496   
USD      466,271         GBP         300,000       09/16/15    UBS      5,960   
USD      466,197         GBP         300,000       09/16/15    UBS      5,886   
USD      463,175         GBP         300,000       09/16/15    UBS      2,864   
USD      308,694         GBP         200,000       09/16/15    UBS      1,820   
USD      152,690         GBP         100,000       09/16/15    UBS      (747
USD      4,250,999         JPY         531,800,000       09/16/15    UBS      (136,716
USD      1,452,002         JPY         178,400,000       09/16/15    UBS      (19,920
USD      609,835         JPY         74,600,000       09/16/15    UBS      (5,667
USD      527,252         JPY         65,000,000       09/16/15    UBS      (9,042
USD      249,366         JPY         31,100,000       09/16/15    UBS      (7,230
USD      152,264         JPY         18,900,000       09/16/15    UBS      (3,674
USD      60,833         JPY         7,500,000       09/16/15    UBS      (1,047
USD      49,732         JPY         6,200,000       09/16/15    UBS      (1,422
USD      1,612         JPY         200,000       09/16/15    UBS      (38
USD      1,082,126         MXN         17,000,000       09/17/15    UBS      65,908   
USD      620,528         MXN         9,800,000       09/17/15    UBS      34,708   
USD      552,205         MXN         8,700,000       09/17/15    UBS      32,140   
USD      170,302         MXN         2,800,000       09/17/15    UBS      2,925   
USD      153,696         MXN         2,400,000       09/17/15    UBS      10,229   
USD      141,626         MXN         2,200,000       09/17/15    UBS      10,115   
USD      91,586         MXN         1,500,000       09/17/15    UBS      1,920   
USD      67,169         MXN         1,100,000       09/17/15    UBS      1,414   
USD      24,353         MXN         400,000       09/17/15    UBS      442   
USD      6,337         MXN         100,000       09/17/15    UBS      359   
USD      450,340         NOK         3,600,000       09/16/15    UBS      15,293   
USD      353,486         NOK         2,800,000       09/16/15    UBS      15,117   
USD      205,297         NOK         1,700,000       09/16/15    UBS      (142
USD      199,010         NOK         1,600,000       09/16/15    UBS      5,656   
USD      88,944         NOK         700,000       09/16/15    UBS      4,352   
USD      84,747         NOK         700,000       09/16/15    UBS      154   
USD      84,338         NOK         700,000       09/16/15    UBS      (255
USD      60,387         NOK         500,000       09/16/15    UBS      (37
USD      37,650         NOK         300,000       09/16/15    UBS      1,397   
USD      631,710         NZD         900,000       09/16/15    UBS      62,020   
USD      546,825         NZD         800,000       09/16/15    UBS      40,434   
USD      475,112         NZD         700,000       09/16/15    UBS      32,019   
USD      338,539         NZD         500,000       09/16/15    UBS      22,045   
USD      130,446         NZD         200,000       09/16/15    UBS      3,848   
USD      129,551         NZD         200,000       09/16/15    UBS      2,953   

 

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

 

11


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

                                  UNREALIZED  
                                  APPRECIATION  
CURRENCY PURCHASED      CURRENCY SOLD      EXPIRATION    COUNTERPARTY    (DEPRECIATION)  

 

 
USD      67,373       NZD      100,000       09/16/15    UBS    $ 4,074   
USD      65,325       NZD      100,000       09/16/15    UBS      2,026   
USD      438,776       SEK      3,700,000       09/16/15    UBS      1,576   
USD      313,581       SEK      2,600,000       09/16/15    UBS      6,360   
USD      275,232       SEK      2,300,000       09/16/15    UBS      3,459   
USD      274,917       SEK      2,300,000       09/16/15    UBS      3,144   
USD      202,658       SEK      1,700,000       09/16/15    UBS      1,783   
USD      162,716       SEK      1,400,000       09/16/15    UBS      (2,711
USD      149,800       SEK      1,300,000       09/16/15    UBS      (3,811
USD      131,631       SEK      1,100,000       09/16/15    UBS      1,653   
USD      34,870       SEK      300,000       09/16/15    UBS      (578
USD      34,401       SEK      300,000       09/16/15    UBS      (1,047
USD      34,246       SEK      300,000       09/16/15    UBS      (1,202
USD      886,541       SGD      1,200,000       09/16/15    UBS      36,798   
USD      885,175       SGD      1,200,000       09/16/15    UBS      35,431   
USD      805,844       SGD      1,100,000       09/16/15    UBS      26,912   
USD      293,675       SGD      400,000       09/16/15    UBS      10,427   
USD      216,393       SGD      300,000       09/16/15    UBS      3,958   
USD      215,130       SGD      300,000       09/16/15    UBS      2,695   
USD      145,331       SGD      200,000       09/16/15    UBS      3,707   
USD      142,321       SGD      200,000       09/16/15    UBS      697   
USD      1,114,937       ZAR      14,100,000       09/16/15    UBS      54,562   
USD      280,621       ZAR      3,500,000       09/16/15    UBS      17,408   
USD      201,039       ZAR      2,600,000       09/16/15    UBS      5,509   
USD      137,201       ZAR      1,800,000       09/16/15    UBS      1,834   
USD      119,585       ZAR      1,500,000       09/16/15    UBS      6,780   
USD      119,272       ZAR      1,500,000       09/16/15    UBS      6,466   
USD      84,284       ZAR      1,100,000       09/16/15    UBS      1,560   
USD      60,339       ZAR      800,000       09/16/15    UBS      176   
USD      7,920       ZAR      100,000       09/16/15    UBS      400   
ZAR      8,100,000       USD      651,338       09/16/15    UBS      (42,186
ZAR      5,300,000       USD      426,847       09/16/15    UBS      (28,266
ZAR      3,000,000       USD      232,599       09/16/15    UBS      (6,987
ZAR      650,000       USD      52,446       09/16/15    UBS      (3,563
ZAR      600,000       USD      48,313       09/16/15    UBS      (3,190
ZAR      550,000       USD      44,383       09/16/15    UBS      (3,021
ZAR      400,000       USD      30,850       09/16/15    UBS      (768
ZAR      400,000       USD      31,138       09/16/15    UBS      (1,056
ZAR      400,000       USD      31,433       09/16/15    UBS      (1,351
                 

 

 

 

Total Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

   $ (1,954
                 

 

 

 

 

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

 

13


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONCLUDED)

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

AUD

  Australian Dollar

CAD

  Canadian Dollar

CHF

  Swiss Franc

CNX Nifty

  National Stock Exchange of India

EUR

  Euro

FTSE

  Financial Times Stock Exchange

GBP

  British Pound

JPY

  Japanese Yen

JSE

  Johannesburg Stock Exchange

MSCI

  Morgan Stanley Capital International

MXN

  Mexican Peso

NOK

  Norwegian Krone

NZD

  New Zealand Dollar

SEK

  Swedish Krona

SGD

  Singapore Dollar

SGX

  Singapore Stock Exchange

UBS

  UBS AG

USD

  United States Dollar

WTI

  West Texas Intermediate

ZAR

  South African Rand
 

 

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

 

13


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (cost $6,498,347)

   $ 6,498,347   

Cash

     2,183,127   

Cash collateral on futures contracts and forward foreign currency contracts

     1,143,498   

Foreign Cash (Cost $74,610)

     73,905   

Receivables for:

  

Variation margin

     164,830   

Due from Adviser

     6,026   

Prepaid expenses

     10,754   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     1,027,109   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     11,107,596   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Foreign cash, overdraft (cost $262,057)

     258,675   

Payables for:

  

Administration and accounting fees

     42,218   

Transfer agent fees

     8,970   

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     1,029,063   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     54,158   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,393,084   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 9,714,512   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

  

Capital stock, $0.001 Par value

   $ 1,000   

Paid-in capital

     9,401,338   

Accumulated net realized gain from futures transactions, foreign currency transactions and forward foreign currency contracts

     145,211   

Net unrealized appreciation on futures transactions, foreign currency translation and forward foreign currency contracts

     166,963   
  

 

 

 

Net assets

   $ 9,714,512   
  

 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL SHARES

  

Net assets

   $ 9,714,512   
  

 

 

 

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

     1,000,000   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 9.71   
  

 

 

 

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

 

14


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED

AUGUST 31, 2015(1)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Interest

   $ 552   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     552   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     71,074   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     97,006   

Audit and tax service fees

     40,067   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     21,175   

Registration and filing fees

     16,506   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     12,961   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     10,604   

Legal fees

     9,400   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     5,000   

Interest expense

     494   

Other expenses

     13,059   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     297,346   

Less: waivers and reimbursements (Note 2)

     (212,241
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     85,105   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (84,553
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

  

Futures transactions

     (599,916

Foreign currency transactions

     18,796   

Forward foreign currency contracts

     213,222   
  

 

 

 

Net realized loss from investments

     (367,898
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Futures transactions

     164,830   

Foreign currency translation

     4,087   

Forward foreign currency contracts

     (1,954
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     166,963   
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss on investments

     (200,935
  

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (285,488
  

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Fund commenced investment operations on December 31, 2014.

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

 

15


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    FOR THE  
    PERIOD ENDED  
   

AUGUST 31, 2015(1)

 

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM

    

OPERATIONS:

    

Net investment loss

     $ (84,553

Net realized loss from futures transactions, foreign currency transactions and forward currency contracts

       (367,898

Net change in unrealized appreciation on futures transactions, foreign currency translation and forward foreign currency contracts

       166,963   
    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

       (285,488
    

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

          

Institutional Shares

    

Proceeds from shares sold

       10,000,000   
    

 

 

 

Total Institutional Shares

       10,000,000   
    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

       10,000,000   
    

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

       9,714,512   
    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS:

    

Beginning of period

         
    

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 9,714,512   
    

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss, end of period

     $   
    

 

 

 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

    

Institutional Shares

    

Shares sold

       1,000,000   
    

 

 

 

Total Institutional Shares

       1,000,000   
    

 

 

 

Net increase in shares

       1,000,000   
    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The Fund commenced investment operations on December 31, 2014.

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

 

16


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

CONSOLIDATED 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 period. This information has been derived from information provided in the consolidated financial statements.

 

    INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
    FOR THE
    PERIOD
    ENDED
    AUGUST 31, 2015(1)

PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE

       

Net asset value, beginning of period

        $ 10.00  
       

 

 

 

Net investment loss(2)

          (0.08 )

Net realized and unrealized loss from investments

          (0.21 )
       

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

          (0.29 )
       

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

                 $ 9.71  
       

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

          (2.90 )%
       

 

 

 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

       

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

        $ 9,715  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)

          1.26 %(5)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(excluding interest expense)

          1.25 %(5)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)

          4.39 %(5)

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

          (1.25 )%(5)

Portfolio turnover rate

          0.00 %(4)

 

(1)

The Fund commenced investment operations on December 31, 2014.

(2)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

(3)

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. Periods less than one year are not annualized.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

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

 

17


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

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 twenty-one active investment portfolios, including the Campbell Core Trend Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on December 31, 2014. The Fund offers Institutional Class shares.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 82.373 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and fifty-three classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

CONSOLIDATION OF SUBSIDIARY — The Fund pursues its investment objective by allocating (i) up to 25% of its assets in its wholly-owned subsidiary, Campbell Core Offshore Limited (the “Subsidiary”), that employs the Adviser’s Campbell Core Trend Program and (ii) the remainder of its assets directly in an actively managed, short duration fixed-income portfolio. The consolidated financial statements of the Fund include the financial statements of the Subsidiary. The Fund consolidates the results of subsidiaries in which the Fund holds a controlling economic interest (greater than 50%). All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As of August 31, 2015, the net assets of the Subsidiary were $1,336,651, which represented 13.8% of the Fund’s net assets.

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. 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, provided such amount approximates fair value. Forward exchange contracts are valued by interpolating between spot and forward currency rates as quoted by an independent pricing service. Futures contracts are generally valued using the settlement price determined by the relevant exchange. 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.

 

18


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2015, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

                                                                                       
                 LEVEL 2     LEVEL 3  
     TOTAL FAIR     LEVEL 1     SIGNIFICANT     SIGNIFICANT  
     VALUE AT     QUOTED     OBSERVABLE     UNOBSERVABLE  
     AUGUST 31, 2015     PRICE     INPUTS     INPUTS  
                          

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   $ 6,498,347      $      $ 6,498,347      $   

Commodity Contracts

        

Futures

     473,722        473,722                 

Equity Contracts

        

Futures

     5,225        5,225                 

Interest Rate Contracts

        

Futures

     9,297        9,297                 

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

     1,027,109               1,027,109          

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 8,013,700      $ 488,244      $ 7,525,456      $   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                 LEVEL 2     LEVEL 3  
     TOTAL FAIR     LEVEL 1     SIGNIFICANT     SIGNIFICANT  
     VALUE AT     QUOTED     OBSERVABLE     UNOBSERVABLE  
     AUGUST 31, 2015     PRICE     INPUTS     INPUTS  
                          

 

 

Commodity Contracts

        

Futures

   $ (295,658   $ (295,658   $      $   

Equity Contracts

        

Futures

     (13,844     (13,844              

Interest Rate Contracts

        

Futures

     (13,912     (13,912              

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

     (1,029,063            (1,029,063       

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ (1,352,477   $ (323,414   $ (1,029,063   $   

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At the end of each 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

 

19


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

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 period from commencement of operations (December 31, 2014) through August 31, 2015 (the “fiscal period”), the Fund had no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3.

DISCLOSURES ABOUT DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Derivative instruments are defined as financial instruments whose value and performance are based on the value and performance of another security or financial instrument. Derivative instruments that the Fund used during the period include forward foreign currency contracts and futures contracts.

During the fiscal period ended August 31, 2015, the Fund used long and short contracts on foreign currencies and U.S. and foreign equity market indices, U.S. and foreign government bonds, and commodities (through investment in the Subsidiary), to gain investment exposure in accordance with its investment objective.

The following tables provide quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of, and gains and losses on, the Fund’s derivative instruments as of and for the period ended August 31, 2015.

The following table lists the fair values of the Fund’s derivative holdings as of August 31, 2015 grouped by contract type and risk exposure category.

 

    CONSOLIDATED                                     
    STATEMENT                                     
    OF ASSETS AND             INTEREST      FOREIGN                
    LIABILITIES      EQUITY      RATE      CURRENCY      COMMODITY         
DERIVATIVE TYPE   LOCATION      CONTRACTS      CONTRACTS      CONTRACTS      CONTRACTS      TOTAL  

 

 
Asset Derivatives   

 

 
 

Unrealized

appreciation on forward foreign

                

Forward Contracts

  currency contracts      $       $       $ 1,027,109       $       $     1,027,109   

 

 

Futures

  Receivable:                 

Contracts(a)

  Variation Margin        5,225         9,297                 473,722         488,244   

 

 

Total Value -

Assets

       $ 5,225       $ 9,297       $ 1,027,109       $ 473,722       $ 1,515,353   

 

 
Liability Derivatives   

 

 
 

Unrealized depreciation on

forward foreign

                

Forward Contracts

  currency contracts      $       $       $ (1,029,063    $       $ (1,029,063

 

 

Futures

  Receivable:                 

Contracts(a)

  Variation Margin        (13,844      (13,912              (295,658      (323,414

 

 

Total Value -

Liabilities

       $ (13,844    $ (13,912    $ (1,029,063    $ (295,658    $ (1,352,477

 

 

 

(a) This amount represents the cumulative appreciation/depreciation of futures contracts as reported in the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments. The Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities only reflects the current day’s variation margin receivable from/payable to brokers.

 

20


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

The following table lists the amounts of realized gains or (losses) included in net decrease in net assets resulting from operations for the fiscal period ended August 31, 2015, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

    CONSOLIDATED                                     
    STATEMENT OF             Interest      FOREIGN                
    OPERATIONS      EQUITY      RATE      CURRENCY      COMMODITY         

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

 

LOCATION

 

    

  CONTRACTS  

 

    

  CONTRACTS  

 

    

  CONTRACTS  

 

    

  CONTRACTS  

 

    

  TOTAL  

 

 

 

 
Realized Gain (Loss)   

 

 
  Net realized gain                 
Futures Contracts   (loss) from Futures      $ (166,592    $ (166,945    $       $ (266,379    $     (599,916

 

 
  Net realized gain                 
  (loss) from                 
  Forward Foreign                 
Forward Contracts   Currency Contracts                        213,222                 213,222   

 

 

Total Realized

Gain (Loss)

       $ (166,592    $ (166,945    $ 213,222       $ (266,379    $ (386,694

 

 

    The following table lists the amounts of change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) included in net decrease in net assets resulting from operations for the fiscal period ended August 31, 2015, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

   
    CONSOLIDATED                                     
    STATEMENT OF             INTEREST      FOREIGN                
    OPERATIONS      EQUITY      RATE      CURRENCY      COMMODITY         

DERIVATIVE TYPE

 

 

LOCATION

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

    

CONTRACTS

 

    

TOTAL

 

 

 

 
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   

 

 
 

Net change in

unrealized

appreciation

                
  (depreciation) from                 
Futures Contracts   Futures      $ (8,619    $ (4,615    $       $ 178,064       $ 164,830   

 

 
 

Net change in

unrealized

appreciation

                
  (depreciation) from                 
  Forward Foreign                 
Forward Contracts   Currency Contracts                        (1,954              (1,954

 

 
Total change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)        $ (8,619    $ (4,615    $ (1,954    $ 178,064       $ 162,876   

 

 

 

21


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

For the fiscal period ended August 31, 2015, the Fund’s average volume of derivatives is as follows:

 

          FORWARD FOREIGN    FORWARD FOREIGN
LONG FUTURES    SHORT FUTURES    CURRENCY    CURRENCY
NOTIONAL    NOTIONAL    CONTRACTS — PAYABLE    CONTRACTS — RECEIVABLE
COST    COST    (VALUE AT TRADE DATE)    (VALUE AT TRADE DATE)
$31,679,389    $(6,502,530)    $(49,821,281)    $49,821,281

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral (receivables) or the obligation to return cash collateral (payables) arising from derivative instruments recognized at fair value executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement.

The following is a summary of financial and derivative instruments that are subject to enforceable master netting agreements (or similar arrangements) and collateral received and pledged in connection with the master netting agreements (or similar arrangements).

 

            Gross Amount Not                    Gross Amount Not         
     Gross Amount      Offset             Gross Amount      Offset         
     Presented in the      in Consolidated             Presented in the      in Consolidated         
     Consolidated      Statement of             Consolidated      Statement of         
     Statement of      Assets and Liabilities             Statement of      Assets and Liabilities         
     Assets and      Financial      Collateral      Net      Assets and      Financial      Collateral      Net  
Description    Liabilities      Instruments      Received      Amount(1)      Liabilities      Instruments      Pledged(2)      Amount(3)  

 

    

 

 

 
     Assets      Liabilities  
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts      $1,027,109         ($1,027,109)         $—         $—         $1,029,063         ($1,027,109)         ($1,954)         $—   

 

(1)

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 

(2)

Actual collateral received may be more than the amount shown.

 

(3)

Net amount represents the net amount payable from the counterparty in the event of default.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of consolidated 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 consolidated 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

 

22


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

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.

For tax purposes, the Subsidiary is an exempted Cayman investment company. The Subsidiary has received an undertaking from the Government of the Cayman Islands exempting it from all local income, profits and capital gains taxes. No such taxes are levied in the Cayman Islands at the present time. For U.S. income tax purposes, the Subsidiary is a Controlled Foreign Corporation and as such is not subject to U.S. income tax.

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 consolidated 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 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 Consolidated 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 Consolidated Statement of Operations.

CURRENCY RISK — Investment in foreign securities involves currency risk associated with securities that trade or are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and which may be affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. An increase in the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to a foreign currency may cause the U.S. dollar value of an investment in that country to decline. Foreign currencies also are subject to risks caused by inflation, interest rates, budget deficits and low savings rates, political factors and government controls. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts may limit potential gains from a favorable change in value between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. Unanticipated changes in currency pricing may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not engaged in these contracts.

COMMODITY SECTOR RISK — Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, and events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

 

23


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

FOREIGN SECURITIES MARKET RISK — A substantial portion of the trades of the Fund are expected to take place on markets or exchanges outside the United States. There is no limit to the amount of assets of the Fund that may be committed to trading on foreign markets. The risk of loss in trading foreign futures and options on futures contracts can be substantial. Participation in foreign futures and options on futures contracts involves the execution and clearing of trades on, or subject to the rules of, a foreign board of trade or exchange. Some of these foreign markets, in contrast to U.S. exchanges, are so-called principals’ markets in which performance is the responsibility only of the individual counterparty with whom the trader has entered into a commodity interest transaction and not of the exchange or clearing corporation. In these kinds of markets, there is risk of bankruptcy or other failure or refusal to perform by the counterparty.

COUNTERPARTY RISK — The derivative contracts entered into by the Fund or its Subsidiary may be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. These contracts also involve exposure to credit risk, since contract performance depends in part on the financial condition of the counterparty. Relying on a counterparty exposes the Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing the Fund to suffer a loss. If a counterparty defaults on its payment obligations to the Fund, this default will cause the value of an investment in the Fund to decrease.

CREDIT RISK — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the security or a counterparty in respect of a derivative instrument will not be able to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. Securities rated in the four highest categories by the rating agencies are considered investment grade but they may also have some speculative characteristics. Investment grade ratings do not guarantee that bonds will not lose value or default. In addition, the credit quality of securities may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes.

FUTURES CONTRACTS — The Fund uses futures contracts in the normal course of pursuing 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 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 Consolidated 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.

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS — The Fund uses forward foreign currency contracts in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. 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. A Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk related to forward foreign currency contracts

 

24


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

is the fair value of the contract. The risk may be mitigated to some extent if a master netting arrangement between a Fund and the counterparty is in place and to the extent a Fund obtains collateral to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty.

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

Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC (“Campbell” or the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Campbell & Company, LP. For its advisory services, the Adviser is entitled to receive a monthly fee from the Fund calculated at an annual rate of 1.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Campbell 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 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual Fund operating expenses to exceed 1.25%: 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 without the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company. If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than 1.25%, the Adviser may recoup from the Fund any waived amount or other payments remitted by the Adviser within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made if such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

For the fiscal period ended August 31, 2015, investment advisory fees accrued and waived were $71,074 and fees reimbursed by the Adviser were $88,302. At August 31, 2015, the amount of potential recovery by the Adviser was as follows:

 

EXPIRATION

FISCAL YEAR ENDING

AUGUST 31, 2018

$159,376

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. For the fiscal period ended August 31, 2015, BNY Mellon accrued administration and accounting fees totaling $97,006 and waived fees totaling $38,078.

Included in the administration and accounting service fees, shown on the Consolidated 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.

 

25


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

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, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses. For the fiscal period ended August 31, 2015, BNY Mellon accrued transfer agent fees totaling $21,175 and waived fees totaling $9,146.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Fund. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses. For the fiscal period ended August 31, 2015, the Custodian accrued custodian fees totaling $10,604 and waived fees totaling $5,641.

BNY Mellon and the Custodian have the ability to recover such amounts previously waived, if the Fund terminates its agreements with BNY Mellon or the Custodian within three years of signing the agreements.

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 period ended August 31, 2015 was $3,889. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company.

4. INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES

For the period ended August 31, 2015, there were no purchases and sales of investment securities for the Fund, excluding short term investments for cash management purposes.

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 consolidated 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, 2015, federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

 

               NET
FEDERAL TAX    UNREALIZED    UNREALIZED    UNREALIZED
COST    APPRECIATION    DEPRECIATION    DEPRECIATION
$8,248,347    $—    $(425,359)    $(425,359)

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.

 

26


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AUGUST 31, 2015

(CONTINUED)

 

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2015, primarily attributable to disallowed expenses, short-term realized gains being offset with current net operating loss, reclassification of capital gains and income received from wholly-owned controlled foreign corporation, reclassifications of short-term capital gain distributions and reclassifications for treatment of certain foreign currency transactions were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED    ACCUMULATED     
NET INVESTMENT    NET REALIZED    PAID-IN
INCOME    LOSS    CAPITAL
$84,553    $513,109    $(597,662)

As of August 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

               QUALIFIED     
UNDISTRIBUTED    UNDISTRIBUTED    UNREALIZED    LATE-YEAR    OTHER TEMPORARY
ORDINARY INCOME    LONG-TERM GAINS    APPRECIATION    LOSSES    DIFFERENCES
$22,182    $106,779    $183,213    $—    $—

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

There were no dividends and distributions paid during the period ended August 31, 2015.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses for an unlimited period. Additionally, 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. As of August 31, 2015, 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 consolidated financial statements were issued, and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

 

27


CAMPBELL CORE TREND 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 consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated schedule of investments, of the Campbell Core Trend Fund (one of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) (the “Fund”) as of August 31, 2015, and the related consolidated statement of operations, the consolidated statement of changes in net assets and the consolidated financial highlights for the period December 31, 2014 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2015. 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 audit.

We conducted our audit 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 audit 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, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. We believe that our audit provides 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 consolidated financial position of the Campbell Core Trend Fund (one of the portfolios constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) at August 31, 2015, and the consolidated results of its operations, the consolidated changes in its net assets and its consolidated financial highlights for the period December 31, 2014 (commencement of operations) to August 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 30, 2015

 

28


CAMPBELL CORE TREND 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, 2015. The information and distribution reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2015. During the period ended August 31, 2015, there were no distributions paid.

Because the Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2015. 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 2016.

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


CAMPBELL CORE TREND 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 will be available without charge, upon request, by calling (844) 261-6488 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 Form N-Q will be 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 (800) SEC-0330.

 

30


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

AFFIRMATION OF THE COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR

AUGUST 31, 2015

 

To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the information contained in the Annual Report for the period ended August 31, 2015 is accurate and complete.

 

LOGO

G. William Andrews, Chief Executive Officer

Campbell & Company, LP

CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

 

31


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT

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

Company

 

  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

in the Past 5 Years

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

 

           

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

 

  Director   1988 to present   From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).   21   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).
           

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

  Director   2002 to present  

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

 

  21   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).

 

  21  

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   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.   21  

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

 

           

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

  Director   2012 to present  

From July 2010 to March 2015, 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.

 

  21   None
           

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809            

DOB: 5/48

 

  Chairman Director  

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC.   21  

Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).

 

 

32


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

 

 

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

 

  Position(s)  

Held

with

Company

 

  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

        in the Past 5 Years        

 

INTERESTED DIRECTOR 2

 

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).   21   None

 

33


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

COMPANY MANAGEMENT (CONCLUDED)

 

 

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

 

Position(s)

Held

with

Company

 

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

        in the Past 5 Years        

 

OFFICERS

 

           

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA,

CFE

Vigilant Compliance

Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 208    

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

DOB: 12/62

 

  President Chief Compliance Officer   2009 to present 2004 to present    Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance Services; since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).   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
           

Christina Morse

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/64

  Secretary   2015 to present   

Since August 2014, Vice President and Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company); from August 2013 to July 2014, Counsel, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC; from May 2009 to July 2013, Vice President, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

 

  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 twenty-one 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 Messrs, Brodsky, Carnall and 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.

2Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He 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.

 

34


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED)

Campbell Core Trend Fund

 

FACTS    

 

WHAT DOES THE CAMPBELL CORE TREND 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 Campbell Core Trend Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your information      

 

Does the Campbell Core

Trend 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

 

 

 

Questions?

 

 

 

Call 1-844-261-6488

 

   

    

   

 

35


CAMPBELL CORE TREND FUND

PRIVACY NOTICE

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

What we do

 

   

 

How does the Campbell Core

Trend 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 Campbell Core

Trend 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 Campbell Core Trend Fund’s investment adviser, Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC.

 

 

Nonaffiliates

 

 

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

• The Campbell Core Trend 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 Campbell Core Trend Fund does not jointly market.

 

 

36


Investment Adviser

Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC

2850 Quarry Lake Drive

Baltimore, Maryland 21209

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

 

CAM-AR15


 

 

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, 2015

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, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

Enclosed is your annual report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.

Equity markets, both domestic and international, have experienced increased volatility over the last twelve-months and broad based negative returns over the last quarter. The end of 2014 saw a decline in international equities, while domestic equities stayed fairly flat. International equities rallied and showed strong returns through the first two quarters of 2015 — particularly in the developed markets — but could not hold on to these gains as markets fell sharply into the third quarter. Several factors have influenced markets over the past year. A strong dollar and a weakening demand for oil resulted in oil prices dropping and commodity markets in general staying depressed through much of the year. Internationally, there were several geopolitical events that put a strain on equity markets. For much of 2015, the impending Greek default and potential Greek exit from the EU weighed heavily. Later in the summer, the Chinese stock market decline caused some uneasiness with investors. These events certainly impacted investor sentiment, and as such, the international markets reversed gains from early 2015. However, even with some domestic good news, U.S. investors were not sheltered from the effects of the global economy. Without a major bounce, the S&P 500 Index is on its way to its first negative year since 2008.

The Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, the Free Market International Equity Fund, and the Free Market Fixed Income Fund had returns of -3.55%, -11.25%, and 0.37%, respectively, for the twelve months ended August 31, 2015. This compared with a decline of -0.32% in the Russell 2500 Index, a decline of -9.25% in the MSCI World ex USA Index, and a return of 1.21% for the Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index.

Despite the turbulence in the market, seasoned investors, like Free Market Fund shareholders, did not panic and let the short-term volatility affect their long-term investing goals. When an investor can keep focused on the long term, and adheres to a prudent investment philosophy, the day-to-day ups and downs do not seem as threatening.

Matson Money, Inc. (“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 we believe 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.

LOGO

Mark E. Matson

Chief Executive Officer

Matson Money, Inc.

 

1


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund—Investment Review

The twelve-month period ended August 31, 2015 proved turbulent for investors as a result of the volatility in the global economy and financial markets. U.S. stocks erased early gains and finished fairly flat, while global stocks finished negative for the year ended August 31, 2015. Despite a strong finish in 2014 and encouraging economic news by way of continued low interest rates and decreasing unemployment, U.S. stocks reversed course in 2015 as global economic tensions rose in the Eurozone and China’s financial system went through a decline. The volatility over the recent year underscores the importance of not reacting on the emotion created by short term movements, and instead maintaining a well-diversified portfolio. Returns for the broad market within the U.S., as measured by the Russell 3000 Index, were 0.36%. Asset class returns ranged from 0.48% in the S&P 500 Index to -4.95% for the Russell 2000 Value Index (U.S. small cap value).

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2015, the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund provided a total return of -3.55%. This compares with a return of -0.32% for the fund’s benchmark, the Russell 2500 Index.

Nevertheless, as a result of the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund’s diversified investment approach, performance principally was determined by broad structural trends in 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 Free Market U.S. Equity 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. large company stocks performed better than small company stocks. The Russell 2000 Index has returned 0.03% while the S&P 500 Index was up 0.48% for the year ending August 31. Furthermore, for the same time period, the Russell 2000 Value Index returned -4.95% and the Russell 1000 Value Index returned -3.48%.

In summary, U.S. large cap stocks performed slightly better than U.S. small cap stocks and U.S. growth stocks did better than U.S. value stocks, which also contributed to returns of the Fund.

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, 2015 (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 Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
     Average Annual  
     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     Since
Inception*
 

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

    -3.55%        14.66%        15.76%        8.20%   

Russell 2500® Index

    -0.32%        15.10%        16.22%        7.84%   

Composite Index**

    -1.96%        13.52%        14.83%        6.06%   

 

* 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, 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 0.83% (included in the ratio is 0.23% 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 $16.08 per share on August 31, 2015.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

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’s expenses.

 

3


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

Free Market International Equity Fund—Investment Review

The global conditions proved unsettling for investors during the twelve-month period ended August 31, 2015, and were especially tumultuous for emerging market countries. Tensions in the Eurozone culminating with a Greek default and decelerating growth in China which spurred a financial collapse caused a decline in investor confidence in the global markets. Despite a renaissance with strong positive returns in early 2015, the geopolitical turmoil proved too much, resulting in losses in the broad international markets.

For the twelve months ended August 31, 2015, the Free Market International Equity Fund was down 11.25%. This compares with a return of -9.25% for the Fund’s benchmark, the MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index.

As a result of the Free Market International Equity 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 Free Market International Equity Fund, are company size and company value/growth characteristics of the underlying fund holdings and broad exposure to emerging market equities.

International large company stocks fared better than international small company stocks. The MSCI EAFE Index (gross of dividends) returned -7.07% from September 1, 2014 through August 31, 2015, while the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index was down -1.53%. Furthermore, for the same time period, the MSCI EAFE Value Index (gross of dividends) was down -10.20% versus the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Value Index was down -5.15%, and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (net of dividends) was down -22.95%.

In summary, factors that hindered the Fund’s return compared to the benchmark can largely be explained by its exposure in emerging markets, as well as its tilt toward value stocks, despite its weighting toward small company stocks which did provide a premium over large cap 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.

 

4


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2015 (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 Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
      Average Annual  
      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since
Inception*
 

Free Market International Equity Fund

     -11.25%         8.50%         6.26%         1.44%   

MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index

     -9.25%         7.49%         6.43%         -0.59%   

Composite Index**

     -10.07%         7.22%         5.94%         -0.15%   

 

* 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, 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 1.07% (included in the ratio is 0.45% 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 $9.28 per share on August 31, 2015.

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’s expenses.

 

5


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

Free Market Fixed Income Fund—Investment Review

The U.S. economy grew modestly during the past twelve months. Total unemployment continued its decline toward pre-crash levels. Monetary policy remains accommodative, and the Federal Reserve did not make any changes to its policy of keeping the target for the federal funds rate near zero. With the end of the Federal Reserve’s “easy money” policy looming on the horizon, interest rate-sensitive assets in general still returned relatively low results. Non-U.S. fixed income performed slightly better than the U.S. fixed income. The broad proxy for the U.S. bond market, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, produced a 1.56% return, while the Barclays Global Aggregate Bond Index (hedged) returned 2.23% for the twelve-month period ended August 31, 2015. In comparison, the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Three-Month Treasury Bill Index returned just 0.03%.

The Free Market Fixed Income 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, 2015, the Free Market Fixed Income Fund provided a total return of 0.37%. This compares with a return of 1.21% for the Fund’s benchmark, the Citigroup World Government Bond 1 - 5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index.

The Free Market Fixed Income 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, 2015 (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 Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
     Average Annual  
     1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     Since
Inception*
 

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

    0.37%        0.06%        0.82%        1.73%   

Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged
U.S. Dollar Index

    1.21%        1.28%        1.42%        2.41%   

Composite Index**

    1.13%        0.87%        1.56%        2.62%   

 

* 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, 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 0.78% (included in the ratio is 0.17% 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 $10.25 per share on August 31, 2015.

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’s 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; 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, 2015 through August 31, 2015, 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, 2015
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2015
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 942.60         $ 2.94   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,022.18           3.06   
     Free Market International Equity Fund  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2015
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2015
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 932.70         $ 3.12   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,021.98           3.26   

 

 

8


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Fund Expense Examples (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

     Free Market Fixed Income Fund  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2015
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2015
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 998.00         $ 3.02   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,022.18           3.06   

 

* Expenses are equal to an annualized six-month expense ratio of 0.60% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, 0.64% for the Free Market International Equity Fund and 0.60% 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 the underlying funds’ 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%-0.27%   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 -5.74% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, -6.73% for the Free Market International Equity Fund and -0.20% for the Free Market Fixed Income Fund.

 

9


FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2015

 

    Number
of Shares
    Value  

EQUITY FUNDS — 99.9%

   

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

    25,677,202      $ 589,805,340   

U.S. Large Company Portfolio(a)

    18,831,034        294,140,757   

U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio(b)

    15,752,540        295,517,647   

U.S. Small Cap Portfolio(b)

    9,719,713        295,187,682   

U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio(b)

    14,987,686        495,193,128   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY FUNDS
(Cost $1,540,873,613)

      1,969,844,554   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.9%
(Cost $1,540,873,613)

   

    1,969,844,554   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.1%

      1,585,752   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 1,971,430,306   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

Equity Funds

    99.9%      $ 1,969,844,554   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    0.1%        1,585,752   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

    100.0%      $ 1,971,430,306   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(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, 2015

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS — 99.9%

  

 

Asia Pacific Small Company Portfolio(a)

    961,848      $ 17,322,874   

Canadian Small Company Series(b)

    2,146,978        17,969,222   

Continental Small Company Portfolio(a)

    1,454,972        29,957,869   

Continental Small Company Series(b)

    276,434        18,107,471   

DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio(a)

    30,252,381        583,568,440   

DFA International Value
Portfolio III(c)

    29,267,973        429,653,839   

Emerging Markets Portfolio(a)

    3,425,590        74,335,309   

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio(a)

    3,864,297        68,591,264   

Emerging Markets Value Portfolio(a)

    3,158,565        69,046,228   

Japanese Small Company Portfolio(a)

    1,663,277        33,365,338   

Large Cap International Portfolio(a)

    3,535,713        71,244,615   

United Kingdom Small Company Portfolio(a)

    186,329        6,633,333   

United Kingdom Small Company Series(b)

    338,573        21,804,357   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS
(Cost $1,416,595,216)

      1,441,600,159   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.9%
(Cost $1,416,595,216)

   

    1,441,600,159   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.1%

      1,493,907   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 1,443,094,066   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

     % of
Net Assets
    Value  

International Equity Funds

     99.9   $ 1,441,600,159   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

     0.1     1,493,907   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

     100.0   $ 1,443,094,066   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(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, 2015

 

    Number
of Shares
    Value  

FIXED INCOME FUNDS — 99.6%

  

 

DFA Five-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    45,525,923      $ 500,785,154   

DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio(a)

    8,629,964        100,366,487   

DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    18,969,728        239,967,062   

DFA One-Year Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    47,735,963        492,157,776   

DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio(a)

    14,949,891        160,412,328   

DFA Two-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    50,521,497        502,183,681   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL FIXED INCOME FUNDS (Cost $2,007,630,163)

      1,995,872,488   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.6%
(Cost $2,007,630,163)

   

    1,995,872,488   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.4%

      8,631,365   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 2,004,503,853   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

Fixed Income Funds

    99.6%      $ 1,995,872,488   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    0.4%        8,631,365   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

    100.0%      $ 2,004,503,853   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(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, 2015

 

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

ASSETS

        

Investments in non-affiliated funds, at value †

   $ 1,969,844,554       $ 1,441,600,159       $ 1,995,872,488   

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,901,712         1,649,963         9,523,468   

Receivables

        

Receivable for capital shares sold

     2,058,515         1,561,743         2,159,803   

Dividends and interest receivable

     38         19         80   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     44,071         37,953         42,432   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     1,973,848,890         1,444,849,837         2,007,598,271   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Payables

        

Capital shares redeemed

     975,390         641,935         1,673,712   

Investment adviser

     844,972         625,475         841,101   

Administration and accounting fees

     317,454         199,020         312,790   

Transfer agent fees

     161,957         106,393         150,120   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     118,811         182,948         116,695   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,418,584         1,755,771         3,094,418   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 1,971,430,306       $ 1,443,094,066       $ 2,004,503,853   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF

        

Par value

   $ 122,591       $ 155,481       $ 195,477   

Paid-in capital

     1,411,380,538         1,397,997,438         2,014,466,591   

Undistributed/accumulated net investment income

     3,869,763         7,778,107         2   

Accumulated net realized gain from investments

     127,086,473         12,158,097         1,599,458   

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     428,970,941         25,004,943         (11,757,675
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 1,971,430,306       $ 1,443,094,066       $ 2,004,503,853   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized)

     122,591,053         155,481,450         195,476,757   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 16.08       $ 9.28       $ 10.25   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

† Investment in non-affiliated funds, at cost

   $ 1,540,873,613       $ 1,416,595,216       $ 2,007,630,163   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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

 

13


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Statements of Operations

For the Year Ended August 31, 2015

 

     Free Market
U.S. Equity

Fund
       Free Market
International
Equity Fund
       Free Market
Fixed Income
Fund
 

Investment Income

            

Dividends from non-affiliated funds

   $ 27,102,999         $ 34,235,055         $ 22,193,622   

Interest income

     460           296           1,061   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total investment income

     27,103,459           34,235,351           22,194,683   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Expenses

            

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     10,004,450           7,218,249           9,559,437   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     992,370           749,024           956,796   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     514,593           374,887           494,222   

Professional fees

     205,768           153,426           198,880   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     129,688           100,625           124,205   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     84,705           66,194           81,461   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     62,878           55,710           62,118   

Other expenses

     148,359           517,450           155,998   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses

     12,142,811           9,235,565           11,633,117   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

     14,960,648           24,999,786           10,561,566   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

            

Net realized gain from:

            

Non-affiliated funds

     68,373,954           7,904,501           765,352   

Capital gain distributions from non-affiliated fund investments

     70,579,654           18,347,299           3,354,446   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

            

Non-affiliated funds

     (224,846,063        (217,542,374        (7,341,731
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss on investments

     (85,892,455        (191,290,574        (3,221,933
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

   $ (70,931,807      $ (166,290,788      $ 7,339,633   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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, 2015
       For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment income

   $ 14,960,648         $ 9,008,786   

Net realized gain from investments

     138,953,608           66,531,162   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     (224,846,063        247,588,404   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

     (70,931,807        323,128,352   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

     (12,868,563        (9,536,519

Net realized capital gains

     (69,294,465        (44,315,396
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (82,163,028        (53,851,915
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     481,633,915           515,748,465   

Reinvestment of distributions

     82,140,004           53,851,915   

Shares redeemed

     (382,690,734        (251,088,223
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     181,083,185           318,512,157   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     27,988,350           587,788,594   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of year

     1,943,441,956           1,355,653,362   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 1,971,430,306         $ 1,943,441,956   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed/accumulated net investment income, end of year

   $ 3,869,763         $ 1,343,186   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     28,410,530           31,414,367   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     4,843,161           3,277,658   

Shares redeemed

     (22,522,042        (15,298,894
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     10,731,649           19,393,131   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

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, 2015
       For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment income

   $ 24,999,786         $ 22,646,918   

Net realized gain from investments

     26,251,800           29,805,092   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     (217,542,374        154,746,684   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

     (166,290,788        207,198,694   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

     (30,251,548        (21,275,248

Net realized capital gains

     (27,870,005        (16,001,172
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (58,121,553        (37,276,420
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     415,117,229           391,563,874   

Reinvestment of distributions

     58,105,492           37,276,420   

Shares redeemed

     (220,334,516        (148,239,892
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     252,888,205           280,600,402   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     28,475,864           450,522,676   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of year

     1,414,618,202           964,095,526   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 1,443,094,066         $ 1,414,618,202   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed/accumulated net investment income, end of year

   $ 7,778,107         $ 12,770,343   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     41,730,653           36,958,338   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     6,168,311           3,594,640   

Shares redeemed

     (21,995,248        (13,995,432
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     25,903,716           26,557,546   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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, 2015
       For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
 

Increase in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment income

   $ 10,561,566         $ 5,784,700   

Net realized gain from investments

     4,119,798           5,965,336   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     (7,341,731        8,828,057   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     7,339,633           20,578,093   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

     (12,641,658        (6,397,117

Net realized capital gains

     (5,364,149        (3,094,776
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (18,005,807        (9,491,893
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     513,176,788           654,712,458   

Reinvestment of distributions

     18,003,175           9,491,893   

Shares redeemed

     (340,642,921        (167,456,841
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     190,537,042           496,747,510   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     179,870,868           507,833,710   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of year

     1,824,632,985           1,316,799,275   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 2,004,503,853         $ 1,824,632,985   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed/accumulated net investment income, end of year

   $ 2         $ 103,887   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     49,931,448           63,714,255   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     1,762,515           928,801   

Shares redeemed

     (33,153,150        (16,292,693
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     18,540,813           48,350,363   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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, 2015
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2011
 

Per Share Operating Performance

         

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 17.37      $ 14.66      $ 11.70      $ 10.33      $ 8.65   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(1)

    0.13        0.09        0.12        0.08        0.06   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

    (0.71     3.18        3.07        1.43        1.68   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

   
(0.58

 

 

3.27

  

 

 

3.19

  

    1.51        1.74   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

         

Net investment income

    (0.11     (0.10     (0.15     (0.06     (0.06

Net realized capital gains

    (0.60     (0.46     (0.08     (0.08     (2) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (0.71     (0.56     (0.23     (0.14     (0.06
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 16.08      $ 17.37      $ 14.66      $ 11.70      $ 10.33   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

    (3.55 )%      22.49     27.61 %      14.77     20.11
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $ 1,971,430      $ 1,943,442      $ 1,355,653      $ 933,514      $ 679,147   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(4)

    0.60 %      0.60     0.62 %      0.64     0.64

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

    0.74 %      0.54     0.91 %      0.73     0.55

Portfolio turnover rate

    6 %      3     6 %      4     9

 

(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, 2015
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2011
 

Per Share Operating Performance

         

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 10.92      $ 9.36      $ 8.04      $ 8.78      $ 7.97   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(1)

    0.17        0.19        0.18        0.18        0.16   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

    (1.39     1.71        1.36        (0.64     0.78   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

    (1.22     1.90        1.54        (0.46     0.94   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

         

Net investment income

    (0.22     (0.19     (0.15     (0.17     (0.13

Net realized capital gains

    (0.20     (0.15     (0.07     (0.11       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (0.42     (0.34     (0.22     (0.28     (0.13
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 9.28      $ 10.92      $ 9.36      $ 8.04      $ 8.78   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(2)

    (11.25 )%      20.49     19.44 %      (4.98 )%      11.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $ 1,443,094      $ 1,414,618      $ 964,096      $ 648,710      $ 516,073   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(3)

    0.64 %      0.62     0.65 %      0.65     0.66

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

    1.72 %      1.84     1.96 %      2.21     1.66

Portfolio turnover rate

    3 %      2     3 %      3     4

 

(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, 2015
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2012
    For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2011
 

Per Share Operating Performance

         

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 10.31      $ 10.24      $ 10.54      $ 10.48      $ 10.50   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(1)

    0.06        0.04        0.05        0.11        0.12   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

    (0.02     0.09        (0.21     0.09        0.09   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

    0.04        0.13        (0.16     0.20        0.21   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders
from:

         

Net investment income

    (0.07     (0.04     (0.08     (0.14     (0.22

Net realized capital gains

    (0.03     (0.02     (0.06     (2)      (2) 

Tax return of capital

                                (0.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (0.10     (0.06     (0.14     (0.14     (0.23
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 10.25      $ 10.31      $ 10.24      $ 10.54      $ 10.48   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

    0.37 %      1.34     (1.50 )%      1.90     2.06
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $ 2,004,504      $ 1,824,633      $ 1,316,799      $ 946,975      $ 761,683   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(4)

    0.60 %      0.61     0.62 %      0.63     0.65

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

    0.55 %      0.37     0.52 %      1.08     1.12

Portfolio turnover rate

    2 %      0     0 %      1     0

 

(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, 2015

 

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 twenty-one 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 82.373 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and fifty-three 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, 2015, in valuing the Funds’ investments carried at fair value:

FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 1,969,844,554       $ 1,969,844,554       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 1,441,600,159       $ 1,441,600,159       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

21


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 1,995,872,488       $ 1,995,872,488       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

At the end of each 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, 2015, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Funds.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. 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

 

22


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

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.

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 the 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. The Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit Total Annual Operating Expenses to 1.13%, 1.35% and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund and Free Market Fixed Income Fund, respectively. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time.

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 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, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Funds. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

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, 2015

 

 

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, 2015 was $149,681. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer of the Company. They are not compensated by the Funds or the Company.

 

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2015, 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

   $ 313,514,808         $ 129,142,109   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     284,943,800           47,943,511   

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     226,180,615           38,785,327   

 

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.

As of August 31, 2015, 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

   $ 1,546,053,786       $ 428,970,941       $ (5,180,173    $ 423,790,768   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     1,428,663,556         113,625,544         (100,688,941      12,936,603   

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     2,007,957,371         2,187,956         (14,272,839      (12,084,883

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, 2015, 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

   $ 434,492         $ (434,492      $   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     259,526           (259,525        (1

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     1,976,207           (1,976,207          

 

24


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

As of August 31, 2015, 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

   $ 3,869,763         $ 132,266,646         $ 423,790,768         $   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     6,747,760           25,256,784           12,936,603             

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     2           1,926,666           (12,084,883          

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, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

                Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Total  

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

       2015         $ 12,868,563         $ 69,294,465         $ 82,163,028   
       2014           9,536,519           44,315,395           53,851,914   

Free Market International Equity Fund

       2015           30,387,545           27,734,008           58,121,553   
       2014           21,275,248           16,001,172           37,276,420   

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

       2015           11,548,488           6,457,319           18,005,807   
       2014           6,397,117           3,094,776           9,491,893   

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 Funds are 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. As of August 31, 2015, 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 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, 2015, 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, 2015 by correspondence with the custodian and underlying funds’ transfer agent, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2015

 

26


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Shareholder Tax Information

(Unaudited)

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

     Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Total  

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

   $ 12,868,563         $ 69,294,465         $ 82,163,028   

Free Market International Equity Fund

     30,387,545           27,734,008           58,121,553   

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

     11,548,488           6,457,319           18,005,807   

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 96.83% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund and 83.19% for the Free Market International Equity Fund.

The percentage of total ordinary dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 96.71% 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 44.83% for the Free Market Fixed Income Fund. A total of 0.34% 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.

The percentage of ordinary income distributions designated as qualified short-term gain pursuant to the American Job Creation Act of 2004 is 100% for the Free Market International Equity Fund.

Because each Fund’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2015. 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 2016.

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 $1,483,645 and earned $53,116,683 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 twelve-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 (800) SEC-0330.

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

As required by the 1940 Act, the Board, 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 and the Company (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Funds at a meeting of the Board held on May 13-14, 2015 (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 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; (viii) 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 Group and comparing the performance of each Fund to the performance of its respective Lipper 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 during Matson Money’s presentation 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-, three- and five-year periods, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. 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 Groups was acceptable. In reaching this conclusion, the Directors observed that the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund had outperformed its benchmark for the since inception period, the Free Market International Equity

 

28


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Other Information

(Unaudited)

 

Fund had outperformed its benchmark for the since inception period, and the Free Market Fixed Income Fund had outperformed its benchmark for the year-to-date period.

The Board 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 noted that Matson Money had voluntarily agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2015 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 1.13%, 1.35% and 1.00% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund, and Free Market Fixed Income Fund, respectively.

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, 2016.

 

29


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Company 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 866-780-0357, ext. 3683.

 

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

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
in the
Past 5 Years
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

  Director   1988 to present   From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).   21   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

  Director   2002 to present   Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since March 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.   21   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).   21   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   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.   21   Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

  Director   2012 to present   From July 2010 to March 2015, 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.   21   None

 

30


FREE MARKET FUNDS

Company Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,
and Age
  Position(s) Held
with Company
 

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
in the
Past 5 Years
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC.   21  

Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group.   21   Reich and Tang Group (asset management).
INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

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).   21   None
OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 208

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

DOB: 12/62

 

President

Chief Compliance Officer

 

2009 to present

2004 to present

  Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance Services; since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).   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

Christina Morse

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/64

  Secretary   2015 to present   Since August 2014, Vice President and Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company); from August 2013 to July 2014, Counsel, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC; from May 2009 to July 2013, Vice President, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.   N/A   N/A

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

  Assistant Treasurer   2005 to present   Since 1995, Senior Director and Vice President 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 twenty-one 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 waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, and 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. 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He 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.

 

31


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

 

32


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.

 

33


 

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 1800

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

 

FMF-AR15


MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

of

THE RBB FUND, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2015

 

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.


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

August 31, 2015

Dear Shareholder,

Enclosed is your annual report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.

Equity markets, both domestic and international, have experienced increased volatility over the last 12 months and broad based negative returns over the last quarter. The end of 2014 saw a decline in international equities, while domestic equities stayed fairly flat. International equities rallied and showed strong returns through the first two quarters of 2015 — particularly in the developed markets — but could not hold on to these gains as markets fell sharply into the third quarter. Several factors have influenced markets over the past year. A strong dollar and a weakening demand for oil resulted in oil prices dropping and commodity markets in general staying depressed through much of the fiscal year. Internationally, there were several geopolitical events that put strain on equity markets. For much of 2015, the impending Greek default and potential Greek exit from the EU weighed heavily. Later in the summer, the Chinese stock market decline caused some uneasiness with investors. These events certainly impacted investor sentiment, and as such, the international markets reversed gains from early 2015. However, even with some domestic good news, US investors were not sheltered from the effects of the global economy. Without a major bounce, the S&P 500 is on its way to its first negative year since 2008.

The Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio, the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio and the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio had returns of -0.06%, -3.92%, and -11.77%, respectively, for the year ended August 31, 2015. This compared with a return of 1.21% for the Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Hedged U.S. Dollar Index, a decline of -0.32% in the Russell 2500® Index and a decline of -9.25% in the MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index, respectively.

Despite the turbulence in the market, seasoned investors, like Matson Money VI Fund shareholders, did not panic and let the short term volatility affect their long term investing goals. When an investor can keep focused on the long term, and adhere to a prudent investment philosophy, the day-to-day ups and downs do not 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 Matson Money VI 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

Chief Executive Officer

Matson Money, Inc.

 

1


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio — Investment Review

The year ended August 31, 2015 proved turbulent for investors as a result of the volatility in the global economy and financial markets. U.S. stocks erased early gains and finished fairly flat, while global stocks finished negative for the year ended August 31. Despite a strong finish in 2014 and encouraging economic news by way of continued low interest rates and decreasing unemployment, U.S. stocks reversed course in 2015 as global economic tensions rose in the Eurozone and China’s financial system went through a decline. The volatility over the recent year underscores the importance of not reacting on the emotion created by short term movements, and instead maintaining a well-diversified portfolio. Returns for the broad market within the U.S, as measured by the Russell 3000, was 0.36%. Asset Class returns ranged from 0.48% in the S&P 500 index, to -4.95% for the Russell 2000 Value Index (US small cap value).

For the year ended August 31, 2015, the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio provided a total return of -3.92% at net asset value. This compares with a return of -0.32% for the Portfolio’s benchmark, the Russell 2500® Index.

Nevertheless, as a result of the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio’s diversified investment approach, performance principally was determined by broad structural trends in 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 Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, 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. Large Company Stocks performed better than Small Company Stocks. The Russell 2000® Index has returned 0.03% while the S&P 500® Index was up 0.48% for the year ended August 31, 2015. Furthermore, for the same time period, the Russell 2000® Value Index returned -4.95% and the Russell 1000 Value Index, returned -3.48%.

In summary, U.S. large cap stocks performed slightly better than small cap and US growth stocks did better than US value stocks, which also contributed to the returns of the Portfolio.

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


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

                                         Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio                                        

 

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

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio vs. Russell 2500® Index and Composite Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Portfolio made on February 18, 2014 (commencement of operations) and reflects Portfolio expenses. Investors should note that the Portfolio 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 Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
     Average Annual  
     1 Year     Since
Inception*
 

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

    -3.92%        1.93%   

Russell 2500® Index

    -0.32%        4.88%   

Composite Index**

    -1.96%        4.55%   

 

* The Portfolio commenced operations on February 18, 2014.
**

The Composite Index is comprised of the S&P 500® Index, Russell 1000® Value Index, Russell 2000® Index and Russell 2000® Value Index, 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 Portfolio distributions or on the redemption of Portfolio shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-866-780-0357 ext. 3863. The Portfolio’s gross annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus is 4.36% (included in the ratio is 0.29% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses). The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses for the Portfolio to the extent that total annual portfolio operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceed 1.13% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2015 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Portfolio’s net annual operating expense ratio as stated in the prospectus is 1.13%.

The Portfolio’s aggregate total return since inception is based on a increase in net asset value from $25.00 per share on February 18, 2014 (commencement of operations) to $25.65 per share on August 31, 2015.

The Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio 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 Portfolio will incur the expenses of the underlying funds in addition to the Portfolio’s expenses.

 

3


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio — Investment Review

The global conditions proved unsettling for investors during the year ended August 31, 2015, and were especially tumultuous for emerging market countries. Tensions in the Eurozone culminating with a Greek default and decelerating growth in China, which spurred a financial collapse, caused a decline in investor confidence in the global markets. Despite a renaissance with strong positive returns in early 2015, the geopolitical turmoil proved too much, resulting in losses in the broad international markets.

For the year ended August 31, 2015, the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio was down -11.77%. This compares with a return of -9.25% for the Portfolio’s benchmark, the MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index.

As a result of the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio’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 Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, are company size and company value/growth characteristics of the underlying fund holdings and broad exposure to emerging market equities.

International Large Company Stocks fared better than International Small Company Stocks. The MSCI EAFE Index (gross of dividends) returned -7.07% from September 1, 2014 through August 31, 2015, while the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index was down -1.53%. Furthermore, for the same time period, the MSCI EAFE Value Index (gross of dividends) decreased -10.20% versus MSCI EAFE Small Cap Value Index at -5.15% and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (net of dividends) down -22.95%.

In summary, factors that hindered the Portfolio’s return compared to the benchmark can largely be explained by its exposure to emerging markets, as well as its tilt toward value stocks, despite its weighting toward small company stocks, which did provide a premium over large cap 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.

 

 

4


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

                                         Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio                                        

 

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

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio vs. MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index and Composite Index

 

LOGO

The chart assumes a hypothetical $10,000 minimum initial investment in the Portfolio made on February 18, 2014 (commencement of operations) and reflects Portfolio expenses. Investors should note that the Portfolio 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 Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
      Average Annual  
      1 Year      Since
Inception*
 

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     -11.77%         -5.89%   

MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index

     -9.25%         -1.28%   

Composite Index**

     -10.07%         -1.35%   

 

* The Portfolio commenced operations on February 18, 2014.
** The Composite Index is comprised of the MSCI EAFE Index, MSCI EAFE Value Index, MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index, and MSCI Emerging Markets Index, 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 Portfolio distributions or on the redemption of Portfolio shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-866-780-0357 ext. 3863. The Portfolio’s gross annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus is 5.61% (included in the ratio is 0.54% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses). The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses for the Portfolio to the extent that total annual portfolio operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceed 1.35% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2015 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Portfolio’s net annual operating expense ratio as stated in the prospectus is 1.35%.

The Portfolio’s aggregate total return since inception is based on a increase in net asset value from $25.00 per share on February 18, 2014 (commencement of operations) to $22.48 per share on August 31, 2015.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

The Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio’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 Portfolio will incur the expenses of the underlying funds in addition to the Portfolio’s expenses.

 

5


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio — Investment Review

The U.S. economy grew modestly during the year ended August 31, 2015. Total unemployment continued its decline toward pre-crash levels. Monetary policy remains accommodative, and the Federal Reserve did not make any changes to its policy of keeping the target for the federal funds rate near zero. With the end of the Federal Reserve’s “easy money” policy looming on the horizon, interest rate-sensitive assets generally returned relatively low results. Non-U.S. fixed income performed slightly better than U.S. fixed income. The broad proxy for the U.S. bond market, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, produced a 1.56% return, while the Barclays Global Aggregate Bond Index (hedged) returned 2.23% for the year ended August 31, 2015. In comparison, the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Three Month Treasury Bill Index returned just 0.03%.

The Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio focuses on mutual funds that invest in global high quality and shorter-term Government and Corporate fixed income assets. For the year ended August 31, 2015, the Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio provided a total return of -0.06%. This compares with a return of 1.21% for the Portfolio’s benchmark, the Citigroup World Government Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged US Dollar Index.

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

 

 

6


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

                                         Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio                                        

 

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

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio 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 Portfolio made on February 18, 2014 (commencement of operations) and reflects Portfolio expenses. Investors should note that the Portfolio 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 Periods Ended August 31, 2015   
     Average Annual  
     1 Year     Since
Inception*
 

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

    -0.06%        0.17%   

Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index

    1.21%        1.40%   

Composite Index**

    1.13%        1.56%   

 

* The Portfolio commenced operations on February 18, 2014.
** 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, 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 Portfolio distributions or on the redemption of Portfolio shares. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, please call 1-866-780-0357 ext. 3863. The Portfolio’s gross annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus is 3.59% (included in the ratio is 0.19% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses). The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses for the Portfolio to the extent that total annual portfolio operating expenses (other than acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) exceed 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2015 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Portfolio’s net annual operating expense ratio as stated in the prospectus is 1.00%.

The Portfolio’s aggregate total return since inception is based on an increase in net asset value from $25.00 per share on February 18, 2014 (commencement of operations) to $24.93 per share on August 31, 2015.

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

The Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio’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 Portfolio will incur expenses of the underlying funds in addition to the Portfolio’s expenses.

 

7


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Portfolio Expense Examples

(Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Portfolio(s), you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Portfolio expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio(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, 2015 through August 31, 2015, 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 each Portfolio’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not your 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 each 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. 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.

 

     Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2015
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2015
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 943.00         $ 5.53   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,019.51           5.75   
     Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2015
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2015
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 929.30         $ 6.56   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,018.40           6.87   

 

 

8


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Portfolio Expense Examples (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

     Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio  
     Beginning Account Value
March  1, 2015
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2015
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 996.40         $ 5.03   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,020.16           5.09   

 

* Expenses are equal to an annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.13%, 1.35% and 1.00% for Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio, respectively, 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 weighted expense ratios of the underlying funds held by the Portfolios, as stated in their current prospectuses, were as follows:

 

Matson Money U.S.
Equity VI Portfolio

  Matson Money International
Equity VI Portfolio
  Matson Money Fixed
Income VI Portfolio
0.01%-0.08%   0.01%-0.19%   0.01%-0.05%

Each Portfolio’s ending account values on the first line each table are based on the actual six-month total return for each Portfolio of -5.70% for Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, -7.07% for the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio and -0.36% for the Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio.

 

9


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2015

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

EQUITY FUNDS — 98.9%

   

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

    154,600      $ 3,551,166   

U.S. Large Company Portfolio(a)

    116,050        1,812,710   

U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio(b)

    109,783        2,059,531   

U.S. Small Cap Portfolio(b)

    67,607        2,053,231   

U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio(b)

    41,387        1,367,431   

VA U.S. Large Value Portfolio(b)

    24,605        537,856   

VA U.S. Targeted Value
Portfolio(b)

    116,436        2,060,911   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY FUNDS
(Cost $14,041,586)

      13,442,836   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.9%
(Cost $14,041,586)

      13,442,836   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 1.1%

      155,169   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 13,598,005   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holding Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

Equity Funds

    98.9%      $ 13,442,836   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    1.1%        155,169   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0%      $ 13,598,005   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(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


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2015

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS — 99.4%

  

 

DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio(a)

    142,160      $   2,742,274   

DFA International Value Portfolio III(b)

    197,057        2,892,803   

Emerging Markets Portfolio(a)

    23,486        509,640   

Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio(a)

    26,057        462,504   

Emerging Markets Value Portfolio(a)

    21,406        467,945   

Large Cap International Portfolio(a)

    18,567        374,126   

VA International Small Portfolio(b)

    144,405        1,660,653   

VA International Value Portfolio(b)

    41,175        469,801   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS
(Cost $10,513,492)

   

    9,579,746   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.4%
(Cost $10,513,492)

      9,579,746   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.6%

      61,430   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 9,641,176   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holding Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

International Equity Funds

    99.4%      $ 9,579,746   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    0.6%        61,430   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0%      $ 9,641,176   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2015

 

    Number of
Shares
    Value  

FIXED INCOME FUNDS — 98.8%

   

DFA Five-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    164,816      $ 1,812,973   

DFA Inflation Protected Securities Portfolio(a)

    78,148        908,863   

DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    171,772        2,172,923   

DFA One-Year Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    379,079        3,908,306   

DFA Short-Term Fixed Portfolio(a)

    35,328        360,695   

DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio(a)

    135,283        1,451,589   

DFA Two-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio(a)

    457,181        4,544,378   

VA Global Bond Portfolio(a)

    251,024        2,721,096   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL FIXED INCOME FUNDS
(Cost $17,896,184)

      17,880,823   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 98.8%
(Cost $17,896,184)

      17,880,823   
   

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 1.2%

      217,520   
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 18,098,343   
   

 

 

 

Portfolio Holding Summary Table

(Unaudited)

 

    % of
Net Assets
    Value  

Fixed Income Funds

    98.8%      $ 17,880,823   

Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities

    1.2%        217,520   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0%      $ 18,098,343   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(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


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Statements of Assets And Liabilities

August 31, 2015

 

     Matson Money
U.S. Equity
VI Portfolio
       Matson Money
International Equity
VI Portfolio
       Matson Money
Fixed Income
VI Portfolio
 

ASSETS

            

Investments in non-affiliated funds, at value †

   $ 13,442,836         $ 9,579,746         $ 17,880,823   

Cash and cash equivalents

     203,762           102,050           275,440   

Receivables

            

Receivable for capital shares sold

     2,710           4,617           41   

Receivable from Investment Adviser

     7,984           9,857           11,357   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     2,875           2,834           2,898   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

     13,660,167           9,699,104           18,170,559   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

            

Payables

            

Audit fees

     25,441           25,441           25,441   

Transfer agent fees

     11,366           10,145           11,548   

Administration and accounting fees

     9,754           9,187           10,385   

Custodian fees

     5,177           5,177           5,177   

Capital shares redeemed

                         7,318   

Advisory fees

     4,911           2,908           5,668   

Printing fees

     3,670           2,137           4,301   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     1,843           2,933           2,378   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     62,162           57,928           72,216   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 13,598,005         $ 9,641,176         $ 18,098,343   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF

            

Par value

   $ 530         $ 429         $ 726   

Paid-in capital

     13,747,750           10,530,189           18,162,697   

Undistributed/accumulated net investment loss

     (33,525        (11,990        (66,535

Accumulated net realized gain from investments

     482,000           56,294           16,816   

Net unrealized depreciation on investments

     (598,750        (933,746        (15,361
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 13,598,005         $ 9,641,176         $ 18,098,343   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

     530,158           428,928           725,847   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 25.65         $ 22.48         $ 24.93   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

† Investment in non-affiliated funds, at cost

   $ 14,041,586         $ 10,513,492         $ 17,896,184   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

 

13


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Statements of Operations

For the Year Ended August 31, 2015

 

     Matson Money
U.S. Equity
VI Portfolio
       Matson Money
International Equity
VI Portfolio
       Matson Money
Fixed Income
VI Portfolio
 

Investment Income

            

Dividends from non-affiliated funds

   $ 150,780         $ 194,951         $ 162,066   

Interest income

     13           10           14   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total investment income

     150,793           194,961           162,080   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Expenses

            

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     60,182           43,157           73,445   

Audit fees

     37,998           37,282           38,725   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     21,130           21,023           21,200   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     14,405           15,255           14,515   

Legal fees

     14,131           10,392           19,710   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     10,974           5,830           16,196   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     7,716           6,174           9,285   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     3,892           2,041           4,555   

Other expenses

     3,329           2,960           3,819   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses

     173,757           144,114           201,450   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Less: Advisory fee waiver

     (37,729        (27,575        (54,542
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net operating expenses

     136,028           116,539           146,908   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

     14,765           78,422           15,172   
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments

            

Net realized gain/(loss) from:

            

Non-affiliated funds

     88,991           (48,263        369   

Capital gain distributions from non-affiliated fund investments

     395,633           111,526           23,034   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

            

Non-affiliated funds

     (928,940        (989,329        (49,374
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss on investments

     (444,316        (926,066        (25,971
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

   $ (429,551      $ (847,644      $ (10,799
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

 

14


MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
       For the Period
February 18, 2014*
through
August 31,  2014
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ 14,765         $ (10,724

Net realized gain from investments

     484,624           830   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     (928,940        330,190   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

     (429,551        320,296   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

     (41,020          
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (41,020          
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     8,285,808           7,592,809   

Reinvestment of distributions

     41,020             

Shares redeemed

     (2,074,633        (96,724
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     6,252,195           7,496,085   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     5,781,624           7,816,381   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of period

     7,816,381             
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 13,598,005         $ 7,816,381   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed/accumulated net investment loss, end of period

   $ (33,525      $ (9,736
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     313,052           295,612   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     1,520             

Shares redeemed

     (76,233        (3,793
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     238,339           291,819   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

* Commencement of operations

 

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

 

15


MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
       For the Period
February 18, 2014*
through
August 31,  2014
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment income

   $ 78,422         $ 7,620   

Net realized gain from investments

     63,263           1,459   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     (989,329        55,583   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

     (847,644        64,662   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

     (104,954          

Net realized capital gains

     (1,506          
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (106,460          
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     6,557,941           5,464,106   

Reinvestment of distributions

     106,460             

Shares redeemed

     (1,476,695        (121,194
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     5,187,706           5,342,912   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     4,233,602           5,407,574   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of period

     5,407,574             
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 9,641,176         $ 5,407,574   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of period

   $ (11,990      $ 7,620   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     275,347           214,126   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     4,641             

Shares redeemed

     (60,454        (4,732
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     219,534           209,394   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

* Commencement of operations

 

 

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

 

16


MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
       For the Period
February 18, 2014*
through
August 31,  2014
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment income/(loss)

   $ 15,172         $ (13,039

Net realized gain/(loss) from investments

     23,403           (13

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     (49,374        34,013   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

     (10,799        20,961   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

     (75,242          
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (75,242          
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     10,320,471           9,971,763   

Reinvestment of distributions

     75,242             

Shares redeemed

     (2,138,714        (65,339
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital shares

     8,256,999           9,906,424   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

     8,170,958           9,927,385   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of period

     9,927,385             
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 18,098,343         $ 9,927,385   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed/accumulated net investment loss, end of period

   $ (66,535      $ (13,031
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     412,588           398,366   

Dividends and distributions reinvested

     3,022             

Shares redeemed

     (85,517        (2,612
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

     330,093           395,754   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

* Commencement of operations

 

 

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

 

17


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

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, 2015
    For the Period
February 18, 2014(1)

through
August 31, 2014
 

Per Share Operating Performance

    

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 26.79      $ 25.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

     0.03        (0.06

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     (1.07     1.85   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     (1.04     1.79   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

    

Net investment income

     (0.10       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (0.10       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 25.65      $ 26.79   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

     (3.92 )%      7.16 %(4) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

    

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

   $ 13,598      $ 7,816   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers(5)

     1.13     1.13 %(6) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers(5)

     1.44     4.07 %(6) 

Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets with waivers(5)

     0.12     (0.47 )%(6) 

Portfolio turnover rate

     13.65     1.32 %(4) 

 

(1) Commencement of operations.
(2) The selected per share data was calculated using the average shares outstanding method for the period.
(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) Not Annualized.
(5) The Portfolio also will indirectly bear its prorated share of expenses of the underlying funds. Such expenses are not included in the calculation of this ratio.
(6) Annualized.

 

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

 

18


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

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, 2015
    For the Period
February 18, 2014(1)
through
August 31, 2014
 

Per Share Operating Performance

    

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 25.82      $ 25.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(2)

     0.22        0.07   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     (3.26     0.75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     (3.04     0.82   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

    

Net investment income

     (0.30       

Net realized capital gains

     (3)        
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (0.30       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 22.48      $ 25.82   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(4)

     (11.77 )%      3.28 %(5) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

    

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

   $ 9,641      $ 5,408   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers(6)

     1.35     1.35 %(7) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers(6)

     1.67     5.07 %(7) 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets with waivers(6)

     0.91     0.49 %(7) 

Portfolio turnover rate

     14.90     2.47 %(5) 

 

(1) Commencement of operations.
(2) The selected per share data was calculated using the average shares outstanding method for the period.
(3) Amount less than $(0.005) per share.
(4) 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.
(5) Not Annualized.
(6) The Portfolio also will indirectly bear its prorated share of expenses of the underlying funds. Such expenses are not included in the calculation of this ratio.
(7) Annualized.

 

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

 

19


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

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, 2015
    For the Period
February 18, 2014(1)
through
August 31, 2014
 

Per Share Operating Performance

    

Net asset value, beginning of period

   $ 25.08      $ 25.00   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

     0.03        (0.05

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     (0.04     0.13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     (0.01     0.08   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

    

Net investment income

     (0.14       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (0.14       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

   $ 24.93      $ 25.08   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

     (0.06 )%      0.32 %(4) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

    

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

   $ 18,098      $ 9,927   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers(5)

     1.00     1.00 %(6) 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers(5)

     1.37     3.40 %(6) 

Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets with waivers(5)

     0.10     (0.40 )%(6) 

Portfolio turnover rate

     10.90     0.55 %(4) 

 

(1) Commencement of operations.
(2) The selected per share data was calculated using the average shares outstanding method for the period.
(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) Not Annualized.
(5) The Portfolio also will indirectly bear its prorated share of expenses of the underlying funds. Such expenses are not included in the calculation of this ratio.
(6) Annualized.

 

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

 

20


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2015

 

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 twenty-one active investment portfolios, including the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio and the Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio (each a “Portfolio,” collectively the “Portfolios”). Each Portfolio operates as a “fund of funds” and commenced investment operations on February 18, 2014. Shares of the Portfolios are offered to separate accounts of participating life insurance companies for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 82.373 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and fifty-three 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 Portfolios’ 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 Portfolios’ 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, 2015, in valuing the Portfolios’ investments carried at fair value:

MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 13,442,836       $ 13,442,836       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 9,579,746       $ 9,579,746       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

21


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

 

     Total Value at
August 31, 2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Input
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Input
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 17,880,823       $ 17,880,823       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

At the end of each 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 Portfolios’ 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 Portfolios 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 Portfolio 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, purchases 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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, 2015, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Portfolios.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standard Codification Topic 946. 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 Portfolios estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. Each Portfolio’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 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 net asset value of the

 

22


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

Portfolios. In addition to the net annual operating expenses that the Portfolios bear directly, the shareholders indirectly bear the Portfolios’ pro-rata expenses of the underlying mutual funds in which each Portfolio invests.

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 Portfolios with the exception of the Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio 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 Portfolio’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 Portfolios 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 Portfolio 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 Portfolios may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Portfolios’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Portfolios 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 Portfolio’s investment adviser. The Adviser is entitled to an advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.50% of the first $1 billion of each Portfolio’s average daily net assets, 0.49% of each Portfolio’s average daily net assets over $1 billion to $5 billion and 0.47% of each Portfolio’s average daily net assets over $5 billion. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses in order to limit total annual Portfolio operating expenses (excluding certain items disclosed below) to 1.13%, 1.35% and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio, 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, 2015 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2015.

As of August 31, 2015, Matson Money has waived and reimbursed fees as follows:

 

Portfolios

   Investment
Advisor
Expense
Waived
     Investment
Advisor
Expense
Reimbursement
 

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $ 37,729       $         —   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     27,575           

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

     54,542           

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

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

 

23


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

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 Portfolios’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Portfolios. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC serves as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Portfolios’ 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 Portfolios during the year ended August 31, 2015 was $23,271. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer of the Company. They are not compensated by the Portfolios or the Company.

 

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2015, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Portfolios were as follows:

 

     Purchases        Sales  

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $ 8,175,719         $ 1,610,684   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     6,488,509           1,200,812   

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

     9,692,078           1,580,067   

 

5. Federal Income Tax Information

The Portfolios have followed the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Portfolios 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 Portfolios have determined that there was no effect on the financial statements from following this authoritative guidance. In the normal course of business, the Portfolios 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, 2015, the federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by each Portfolio were as follows:

 

     Federal Tax
Cost
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $ 14,041,857       $ 7,795       $ (606,816    $ (599,021

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     10,571,507                 (991,761      (991,761

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

     17,900,366         20,223         (39,766      (19,543

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.

 

24


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2015, primarily attributable to 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  

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $     2,466         $     (2,466      $         —   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     6,922           (6,922          

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

     6,566           (6,566          

As of August 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

     Undistributed
Ordinary Income
       Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
       Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
       Qualified
Late-Year
Losses
 

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $         —         $         482,271         $     (599,021)         $     (33,525)   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

               114,309           (991,761)           (11,990)   

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

               20,998           (19,543)           (66,535)   

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, 2015 are as follows:

 

      Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Total  

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $ 40,987         $ 33         $ 41,020   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     106,436           24           106,460   

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

     75,242                     75,242   

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

Pursuant to federal income tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies, the Portfolios 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, 2015, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2015.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the Portfolios deferred to September 1, 2015, the following qualified late-year losses:

 

Portfolio

   Late-Year
Ordinary
Loss Deferral
       Short-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral
       Long-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral
 

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $     (33,525      $         —         $         —   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     (11,990                    

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

     (66,535                    

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Portfolios 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

 

25


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2015

 

long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under the previous law. As of August 31, 2015, the Portfolios did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

 

6. Subsequent Event

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Portfolios 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.

 

26


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. and Shareholders of the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio:

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 Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio, separately managed portfolios of The RBB Fund, Inc. (the “Portfolios”) at August 31, 2015, the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets and the financial highlights for each period indicated, 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 Portfolios’ 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, 2015 by correspondence with the custodian and underlying funds’ transfer agent, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2015

 

27


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Shareholder Tax Information

(Unaudited)

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

     Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Total  

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

   $ 40,987         $ 33         $ 41,020   

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

     106,436           24           106,460   

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

     75,242                     75,242   

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 100.00% for the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio and 100.00% for the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio.

The percentage of total ordinary dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 100.00% for the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio.

The percentage of qualified interest income related dividends not subject to withholding tax for non-resident aliens and foreign corporations is 28.55% for the Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio. A total of 6.54% 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 Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio.

Because each Portfolio’s fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2015. 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 2016.

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 Portfolios, if any. The Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio passed through foreign tax credits of $8,529 and earned $314,078 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 Portfolios.

 

28


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Other Information

(Unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting

Policies and procedures that the Portfolios use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities as well as information regarding how the Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling Matson Money VI Portfolios 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 (800) SEC-0330.

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 and the Company (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Funds at a meeting of the Board held on May 13-14, 2015 (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 and approval of the Advisory Agreement between the Company and Matson Money with respect to the Portfolios, 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 Portfolios; (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 Portfolios; (viii) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Portfolios; (ix) a report prepared by Lipper comparing each Portfolio’s management fees and total expense ratio to those of its respective Lipper Group and comparing the performance of each Portfolio to the performance of its respective Lipper Group; and (x) a report comparing the performance of each Portfolio 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 during Matson Money’s presentation earlier in the Meeting. The Directors concluded that Matson Money had substantial resources to provide services to the Portfolios and that Matson Money’s services had been acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Portfolios and Matson Money. Information on the Portfolios’ investment performance was provided since inception and for the one-year period, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The Directors considered the Portfolios’ investment performance in light of their investment objectives and investment strategies. The Directors concluded that the investment performance of each of the Portfolios as compared to their respective benchmarks and Lipper Groups was acceptable. The Directors considered that each of the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio and Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio had underperformed since inception, noting that each Portfolio had been in operation less than two years.

 

29


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Other Information (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

The Board also considered the advisory fee rates payable by the Portfolios under the Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees paid by the Portfolios and the Portfolios’ 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. In addition, the Directors noted that Matson Money had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2015 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 1.13%, 1.35% and 1.00% for the Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio, and Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio, respectively.

After reviewing the information regarding the Portfolios’ costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering Matson Money’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees paid by the Portfolios were fair and reasonable and that the Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 16, 2016.

 

30


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Company Management

(Unaudited)

 

Directors and Executive Officers

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 866-780-0357, ext. 3683.

 

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

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
in the
Past 5 Years
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

  Director   1988 to present   From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).   21   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

  Director   2002 to present   Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since March 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.  

21

  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).  

21

  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   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.  

21

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

 

31


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Company Management (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

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

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
in the
Past 5 Years
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

  Director   2012 to present   From July 2010 to March 2015, 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.  

21

  None

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC.  

21

  Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company)

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group.  

21

  Reich and Tang Group (asset management).
INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

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).  

21

  None
OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE Vigilant Compliance Services Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 208

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

DOB: 12/62

 

President

Chief Compliance Officer

 

2009 to present

2004 to present

  Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance Services; since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust.   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

Christina Morse

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/64

  Secretary   2015 to present   Since August 2014, Vice President and Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company); from August 2013 to July 2014, Counsel, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC; from May 2009 to July 2013, Vice President, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.   N/A   N/A

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

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

 

32


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Company Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,
and Age
  Position(s) Held
with Company
 

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
in the
Past 5 Years
OFFICERS

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 twenty-one 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 waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, and 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. 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He 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.

 

33


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

 

FACTS   WHAT DO THE MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS 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 Matson Money VI Portfolios choose to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information   Do the Matson Money VI Portfolios 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

 

34


MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Privacy Notice (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

 

What we do

 
 
How do the Matson Money VI Portfolios 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 Matson Money VI Portfolios 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 Matson Money VI Portfolios don’t share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. The Portfolios 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 Matson Money VI Portfolios 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.

 

35


 

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 1800

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

MAT-AR15


 

The

Schneider

Funds

 

of the RBB Fund, Inc.

Schneider Small Cap Value Fund

Schneider Value Fund

 

ANNUAL

REPORT

 

August 31, 2015

 

 

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, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

Fellow Shareholder:

This annual report for the Schneider Funds covers the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.

U.S. equities posted lackluster returns during the fiscal year, as investor concerns about pending interest rates hikes and a slowing global economy offset the positive influences of a steadily improving domestic economy. The unemployment picture continued to improve, consumer confidence and spending were strong and interest rates remained at very low levels. The Russell 3000 Index rose a nominal 0.4% while the yield on the key 10-year Treasury note trended downward during the period and ended near the 2.2% level.

On the global stage, interest rates remain at historically low levels as many economies continue to engage in various quantitative easing programs to provide extra liquidity with the goal of jump starting their economies, but with limited success. While Europe and Japan both struggle to engineer GDP growth, the U.S. stands alone as the only developed region with a decent recovery.

The U.S. dollar is among the world’s strongest currencies, which has provided hurdles for domestic exporters, but has made imported foreign goods more affordable for consumers. The fact that the trading value of a currency is linked to relative interest rates, and that the U.S. will be the first to raise rates, the demand for the U.S. dollar may become even more pronounced, potentially driving the value of the currency even higher.

Regarding China, it has been apparent that the official projections of 7% GDP growth for 2015 were overstated. The challenges of converting a state capitalist economy from one that is capital-intensive to one that is consumer driven have been more daunting than consensus had expected. We continue to believe this is a secular and not just a cyclical slowdown. An unaffordable housing and real estate market, significant banking and credit issues, and high overall debt levels will impede the growth of the Chinese economy.

Turmoil in the global energy markets has been a focus for the markets as Saudi Arabia increased production of crude oil in the latter part of 2014. This additional production tipped the delicate demand and supply equation, and oil prices have fallen nearly 50% from previous highs. While not explicitly stated as a goal, the actions of the Saudis have effectively punished its enemy Iran. In addition, the fall in oil prices has provided significant problems for other oil exporting countries such as Nigeria, Russia and a nearly bankrupt Venezuela, all of whom rely on oil revenues to support their social programs and overall economies.

The key to a rise in the price of oil rests in the supply and demand equation. Beyond the potential addition of 500,000 new barrels of oil per day from Iran, production from the rest of the world is generally static or in the initial phases of sequential decline. While the U.S. has been the primary source of new supply in recent years, its production has begun to ease from its peak this spring and could have a year over year decline in 2016 as the effects of the exploration and production industry cut-backs intensify. In addition, global demand is projected to increase annually by over 1 million per day. Barring a radical change in the current dynamic, this implies that the market could potentially become supply constrained as soon as the second half of 2016 given the small amount of surplus capacity.

In the U.S., beyond the challenges in the energy industry, the signs of a continuation of economic improvement are evident. The unemployment rate has declined to nearly 5% and wage growth is accelerating. That said, some caution may be advised as the “official” unemployment rate does not include those people who have tried, but failed, to find work and have withdrawn from the labor market. And while wages are rising, much of the gain has been centered in the lower paying job segments of the economy (i.e., fast food and retail workers), where compensation has been depressed for some time.

As long-term investors, we tend to view the market disruptions as opportunities to invest in companies with tremendous upside potential but currently selling at a discount price. The Fund began the fiscal year with roughly a market weight energy position, but started slowly adding new investments after the price of oil collapsed. The market has pushed oil stocks down further, even as the price of oil has stabilized, allowing us to judiciously increase our exposure. Our focus on opportunities which, at time of purchase, may be considered “out-of-favor” by most investors, is a key component of our investment style and has historically provided investment success when these companies begin to return to their normal valuation levels and investors once again begin to appreciate their potential for earnings growth.

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, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

Schneider Small Cap Value Fund Annual Letter (as of 8/31/15)

The Schneider Small Cap Value Fund posted a return of -25.88% for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 and lagged the return of its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Value Index. Positive contributions from our security selection in the Financial Services sector and the specialty retail industry were swamped by our overweight position in the Energy sector.

In the U.S., energy firms of all types have been roiled by the steep decline in the price of oil and natural gas. While all segments of the sector have suffered, exploration and production firms as well as the oil services industry have been particularly challenged. Investors have negatively responded to the declines in the price of energy caused by the increase in supply due primarily to the expansion of Saudi production.

Within the U.S. shale oil industry, a focus on expansion of production has been replaced by a drive to minimize expenses and manage businesses as efficiently as possible. As a result, the rig count has been dramatically reduced, capital expenditure budgets and headcounts have been slashed, and activity has been directed to the highest returning assets. In addition, as the exploration and production companies reduce their level of activity, they in turn are canceling or negotiating more favorable agreements with their oil services suppliers to further lessen their costs.

In the Financial Services sector, regional and community banks are continuing to improve and are showing superior progress versus their larger money center bank brethren. An improving economy is helping to support the many activities of banks, as attractive borrowing rates and a steadily growing economy are helping expand their loan portfolios as demand from businesses and consumers strengthens.

Internally, many of the regional and community banks are seeing the benefits of improved expense management. Given that these banks did not face the same rigorous and very expensive compliance hurdles that the largest banks did, this has allowed them to focus their resources to better manage their companies. An increase use of technology, the closing of branches and reducing headcount have all had positive impacts of their operating profits and margins. In addition, a decline in bad loans from the housing bubble are abating, all the while new mortgage lending and refinancings have been growing.

The valuation of many of these regional and community banks still do not fully reflect their potential upside and as a result there is expectation that a wave of merger and acquisition activity will arise. In addition, as domestic interest rates begin to rise, the banks will see their net interest margin (what they earn on their investments) begin to rise, further expanding their profitability and making them potentially even more attractive to potential suitors.

 

2


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Concluded)

August 31, 2015 (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, 2015   
     Average Annual  
     One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since
Inception*
 

Schneider Small Cap Value

    -25.88%        5.92%        0.80%        11.83%   

Russell 2000® Value Index

    -4.95%        13.23%        5.70%        9.15%   

* 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, 2015, 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.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

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, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

Schneider Value Fund Annual Letter (as of 8/31/15)

The Schneider Value Fund posted a return of -12.99%, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, lagging the return of its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Value Index. Security selection in the Financial Services sector and the Consumer Discretionary sector were positive contributors to returns, while the Fund’s overweight position in the Energy sector and its underweight exposure to the Health Care sector detracted from performance.

The large money center banks continue to see operational and margin improvements as they move beyond the multi-year period of large litigation charges and can again focus on growing their businesses. Tighter expense controls, a greater reliance on technology and a reduction in branch networks and related headcount (as mobile banking becomes more popular) have helped counter-balance the increased regulatory and compliance costs banks have faced. When U.S. interest rates rise, banks will see an increase in the returns on their investments, which will further drive margins and profitability.

While the insurance industry struggles with over capitalization and pricing challenges, we have invested in select companies that have managed to successfully navigate this difficult landscape. Our property casualty insurance holdings performed well, driven by active capital management strategies and company specific underwriting improvements, which more than offset the impact of weakening industry pricing power. One specialty insurance holding with housing exposure also performed well as both refinance and purchase activity showed strength during certain parts of the fiscal year. In addition, a number of our holdings have enacted expense control programs, which have helped bolster profitability.

A confirming sign of the building strength in the economy can be found in the Consumer Discretionary sector, where expenditures are closely linked to consumer confidence. The homebuilding industry continues to heal as the employment picture brightens and wages begin to rise. There are signs that demand from first time home buyers (especially the millennials) is growing, and even while the move up market remains healthy, it is the entry level market that will play a critical role in determining the industry’s future growth and prosperity.

In the U.S., energy firms of all types have been roiled by the steep decline in the price of oil and natural gas. While all segments of the sector have suffered, exploration and production firms as well as the oil services industry have been particularly challenged. Investors have negatively responded to the declines in the price of energy caused by the increase of supply due primarily to the expansion of Saudi production. In addition, low natural gas prices, sagging Chinese demand, and an unfavorable regulatory environment have delivered a near knock-out blow to all but the lowest cost, strongest coal companies.

Within the U.S. shale oil industry, a focus on expansion of production has been replaced by a drive to minimize expenses and manage businesses as efficiently as possible. As a result, the rig count has been dramatically reduced, capital expenditure budgets and headcounts have been slashed, and activity has been directed to the highest returning and most prolific assets.

 

4


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER VALUE FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Concluded)

August 31, 2015 (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 30, 2002 and reflects Fund expenses. Investors should note that the Fund is a professionally managed mutual fund while the Russell 1000® 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, 2015   
     Average Annual  
     One Year     Five Years     Ten Years     Since
Inception*
 

Schneider Value

    -12.99%        8.74%        1.11%        7.47%   

Russell 1000® Value Index

    -3.48%        14.68%        6.18%        9.27%   

* 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, 2015, 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 1.50% 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.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

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, 2015 through August 31, 2015, 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 table for each Fund 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 table for each Fund 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, 2015
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2015
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 826.40         $ 5.29   

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     1,000.00           1,019.41           5.85   
     Schneider Value Fund  
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2015
       Ending Account Value
August 31, 2015
       Expenses Paid
During Period*
 

Actual

   $ 1,000.00         $ 894.90         $ 4.30   

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 -17.36% for the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund and -10.51% for the Schneider Value Fund.

 

6


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

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

 

     % of Net
Assets
    Value  

Common Stocks:

    

Savings & Loans

     14.8   $ 4,503,988   

Oil & Gas

     13.9        4,235,447   

Commercial Services

     10.1        3,077,005   

Telecommunications

     9.4        2,857,120   

Banks

     7.6        2,313,846   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     6.1        1,858,517   

Semiconductors

     5.3        1,598,435   

Home Builders

     3.9        1,169,890   

Machinery — Construction & Mining

     3.0        901,331   

Healthcare — Services

     2.8        858,091   

Insurance

     2.7        825,639   

Machinery — Diversified

     1.9        569,274   

Coal

     1.9        562,262   

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

     1.7        523,374   

Industrial

     1.7        507,761   

Electronics

     1.6        488,199   

Healthcare — Products

     1.4        431,395   

Internet

     1.3        399,515   

Real Estate

     1.1        328,345   

Retail

     0.7        215,268   

Mining

     0.7        197,708   

Auto Parts & Equipment

     0.2        54,410   

Iron/Steel

     0.1        39,093   

Metals Fabricating

     0.1        33,977   

Securities Lending Collateral

     6.3        1,923,950   

Corporate Bonds

     1.5        461,808   

Exchange Traded Fund

     0.7        204,641   

Liabilities In Excess Of Other Assets

     (2.5     (753,171
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     100.0   $ 30,387,118   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

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

 

     % of Net
Assets
    Value  

Common Stocks:

    

Banks

     33.5   $ 8,151,880   

Oil & Gas

     17.4        4,231,482   

Insurance

     12.4        3,023,761   

Home Builders

     6.2        1,513,129   

Leisure Time

     5.8        1,400,101   

Lodging

     5.6        1,366,918   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

     2.8        680,665   

Commercial Services

     2.3        568,113   

Office Products

     1.8        429,417   

Machinery — Diversified

     1.7        404,892   

Real Estate

     1.6        394,193   

Coal

     1.5        373,145   

IT Services

     0.8        193,200   

Aircraft

     0.6        142,946   

Electric

     0.1        10,067   

Securities Lending Collateral

     6.8        1,658,902   

Exchange Traded Fund

     0.5        114,189   

Liabilities In Excess Of Other Assets

     (1.4     (335,228
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     100.0   $ 24,321,772   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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, 2015

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS — 94.0%

   

Auto Parts & Equipment — 0.2%

   

Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. *

    10,627      $ 54,410   
   

 

 

 

Banks — 7.6%

   

Bancorp, Inc. (The) *

    57,778        424,091   

Dundee Corp., Class A *

    5,930        46,728   

MainSource Financial Group, Inc.

    13,897        287,807   

MidSouth Bancorp Inc.

    2,688        37,363   

Regions Financial Corp.

    158,275        1,517,857   
   

 

 

 
        2,313,846   
   

 

 

 

Coal — 1.9%

   

Peabody Energy Corp. (a)

    208,245        562,262   
   

 

 

 

Commercial Services — 10.1%

   

Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, Inc.

    140,423        1,187,979   

Ardmore Shipping Corp.

    57,624        646,541   

Avis Budget Group, Inc. *

    5,688        251,011   

Genco Shipping & Trading, Ltd. *

    11,448        64,452   

Hudson Global Inc. *

    118,128        304,770   

Stolt-Nielsen, Ltd.

    23,042        350,930   

Viad Corp.

    9,924        271,322   
   

 

 

 
      3,077,005   
   

 

 

 

Electronics — 1.6%

   

Kemet Corp. *

    236,989        488,197   

TTM Technologies, Inc. *

      2   
   

 

 

 
      488,199   
   

 

 

 

Healthcare - Products — 1.4%

   

Orthofix International NV *

    11,510        431,395   
   

 

 

 

Healthcare - Services — 2.8%

   

Five Star Quality Care, Inc. *

    253,873        858,091   
   

 

 

 

Home Builders — 3.9%

   

Cavco Industries, Inc. *

    1,291        92,371   

Taylor Morrison Home Corp., Class A *

    54,011        1,077,519   
   

 

 

 
      1,169,890   
   

 

 

 

Industrial — 1.7%

   

FreightCar America, Inc.

    23,562        507,761   
   

 

 

 

Insurance — 2.7%

   

Assured Guaranty, Ltd.

    27,712        700,005   

Stewart Information Services Corp.

    3,243        125,634   
   

 

 

 
      825,639   
   

 

 

 

Internet — 1.3%

   

ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc. * (a)

    126,830        399,515   
   

 

 

 

Iron/Steel — 0.1%

   

Commercial Metals Co.

    2,490        39,093   
   

 

 

 
    Shares     Value  

Machinery - Construction & Mining — 3.0%

  

Terex Corp.

    38,634      $ 901,331   
   

 

 

 

Machinery - Diversified — 1.9%

   

Intevac, Inc. *

    120,865        569,274   
   

 

 

 

Metals Fabricating — 0.1%

   

AM Castle & Co. * (a)

    12,266        33,977   
   

 

 

 

Mining — 0.7%

   

Alumina Ltd. SP ADR

    11,407        43,118   

Thompson Creek Metals Co., Inc. *

    69,003        33,121   

Ur-Energy, Inc. *

    180,676        121,469   
   

 

 

 
      197,708   
   

 

 

 

Miscellaneous Manfacturing — 1.7%

   

Orbotech, Ltd. *

    31,415        523,374   
   

 

 

 

Oil & Gas — 13.9%

   

Approach Resources, Inc. * (a)

    360,623        923,195   

MRC Global, Inc. *

    148,036        1,922,988   

Rex Energy Corp. * (a)

    67,511        232,913   

Scorpio Tankers Inc.

    6,505        61,537   

Swift Energy Co. * (a)

    47,243        28,440   

Willbros Group, Inc. *

    310,071        279,219   

WPX Energy, Inc. *

    107,682        787,155   
   

 

 

 
      4,235,447   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate — 1.1%

   

Forest City Enterprises, Inc., Class A *

    11,359        244,559   

Forestar Group, Inc. * (a)

    6,480        83,786   
   

 

 

 
      328,345   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts — 6.1%

  

Parkway Properties, Inc.

    57,044        903,577   

Redwood Trust, Inc. (a)

    12,886        188,007   

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

    41,460        535,663   

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

    16,722        231,270   
   

 

 

 
      1,858,517   
   

 

 

 

Retail — 0.7%

   

Office Depot, Inc. *

    27,146        215,268   
   

 

 

 

Savings & Loans — 14.8%

   

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.

    159,070        1,471,398   

Flagstar Bancorp, Inc. *

    125,941        2,560,381   

HomeStreet, Inc. *

    13,752        306,120   

Pulaski Financial Corp.

    12,573        166,089   
   

 

 

 
        4,503,988   
   

 

 

 

Semiconductors — 5.3%

   

Alpha & Omega Semiconductor, Ltd. *

    13,314        101,852   

Axcelis Technologies, Inc. *

    149,563        487,575   

SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. *

    84,084        1,009,008   
   

 

 

 
      1,598,435   
   

 

 

 
 

 

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, 2015

 

    Shares     Value  

Telecommunications — 9.4%

  

Aviat Networks, Inc. *

    1,278,354      $ 1,482,891   

Comverse, Inc. *

    30,850        581,214   

UTStarcom Holdings Corp. * (a)

    394,535        793,015   
   

 

 

 
      2,857,120   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $32,625,774)

      28,549,890   
   

 

 

 
    Par
(000)
       

CORPORATE BONDS — 1.5%

  

LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc. CONV ‡
3.25%, 05/15/34

  $ 33        8,068   

RAIT Financial Trust CONV
7.00%, 04/01/31

    463        453,740   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(Cost $463,000)

      461,808   
   

 

 

 
    Shares        

EXCHANGE TRADED FUND — 0.7%

  

Finance — 0.7%

  

iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund

    2,184        204,641   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUND
(Cost $214,218)

      204,641   
   

 

 

 
    Shares     Value  

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL — 6.3%

  

BlackRock Liquidity TempFund, Institutional Shares

    1,923,950      $ 1,923,950   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING
COLLATERAL
(Cost $1,923,950)

      1,923,950   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 102.5%
(Cost $35,226,942)

      31,140,289   
   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS — (2.5)%

      (753,171
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 30,387,118   
   

 

 

 

 

* Non-income producing.
(a) All or a portion of the security is on loan. At August 31, 2015, the market value of securities on loan was $1,973,933.
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, 2015, this holding amounted to $8,068 or 0.0% of net assets and is deemed illiquid by the portfolio manager pursuant to the Fund’s policies and procedures.
CONV Convertible
SP ADR Sponsored 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, 2015

 

    Shares     Value  

COMMON STOCKS — 94.1%

  

Aircraft — 0.6%

   

Bombardier, Inc., Class B

    146,431      $ 142,946   
   

 

 

 

Banks — 33.5%

   

Barclays PLC, SP ADR

    26,976        430,267   

Citigroup, Inc.

    25,289        1,352,456   

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.

    62,015        573,639   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    21,460        1,375,586   

Regions Financial Corp.

    122,770        1,177,364   

State Street Corp.

    18,463        1,327,859   

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

    47,429        1,914,709   
   

 

 

 
      8,151,880   
   

 

 

 

Coal — 1.5%

   

Peabody Energy Corp. (a)

    138,202        373,145   
   

 

 

 

Commercial Services — 2.3%

   

Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, Inc.

    40,341        341,285   

Avis Budget Group, Inc. *

    5,140        226,828   
   

 

 

 
      568,113   
   

 

 

 

Electric — 0.1%

   

FirstEnergy Corp.

    315        10,067   
   

 

 

 

Home Builders — 6.2%

   

Pulte Homes, Inc.

    57,426        1,188,144   

Taylor Morrison Home Corp., Class A *

    16,290        324,985   
   

 

 

 
      1,513,129   
   

 

 

 

Insurance — 12.4%

   

American International Group, Inc.

    11,923        719,434   

Assured Guaranty, Ltd.

    34,233        864,726   

First American Financial Corp.

    391        15,194   

Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A *

    54,360        281,585   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

    24,871        1,142,822   
   

 

 

 
      3,023,761   
   

 

 

 

IT Services — 0.8%

   

Symantec Corp.

    9,429        193,200   
   

 

 

 

Leisure Time — 5.8%

   

Carnival Corp.

    28,440        1,400,101   
   

 

 

 

Lodging — 5.6%

   

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

    19,345        1,366,918   
   

 

 

 

Machinery - Diversified — 1.7%

   

Terex Corp.

    17,355        404,892   
   

 

 

 
    Shares     Value  

Office Products — 1.8%

   

Office Depot, Inc. *

    54,151      $ 429,417   
   

 

 

 

Oil & Gas — 17.4%

   

Chesapeake Energy Corp. (a)

    169,594        1,324,529   

Devon Energy Corp.

    9,564        408,000   

Weatherford International PLC. *

    138,594        1,406,729   

WPX Energy, Inc. *

    149,415        1,092,224   
   

 

 

 
      4,231,482   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate — 1.6%

   

Forest City Enterprises, Inc., Class A *

    18,309        394,193   
   

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts — 2.8%

  

Equity Commonwealth *

    10,740        275,911   

NorthStar Realty Finance Corp.

    8,036        112,906   

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

    17,208        291,848   
   

 

 

 
      680,665   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $21,174,565)

      22,883,909   
   

 

 

 

EXCHANGE TRADED FUND — 0.5%

  

 

Finance — 0.5%

   

iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund

    1,180        114,189   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUND
(Cost $122,687)

      114,189   
   

 

 

 

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL — 6.8%

  

BlackRock Liquidity TempFund, Institutional Shares

    1,658,902        1,658,902   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL
(Cost $1,658,902)

      1,658,902   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 101.4%
(Cost $22,956,154)

      24,657,000   
   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS — (1.4)%

      (335,228
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

    $ 24,321,772   
   

 

 

 

 

* Non-income producing.
(a) All or a portion of the security is on loan. At August 31, 2015, market value of securities on loan was $1,697,674.
PLC Public Limited Company
SP ADR Sponsored American Depository Receipt
 

 

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

 

11


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Statements of Assets & Liabilities

August 31, 2015

 

     Schneider
Small Cap
Value Fund
       Schneider
Value Fund
 

ASSETS

       

Investments, at value †^

   $ 31,140,289         $ 24,657,000   

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,255,584           1,056,233   

Receivables

       

Investments sold

     101,898           396,539   

Capital shares sold

     10,000          

  

Dividends and interest

     43,190           47,668   

Investment adviser

     11,656           15,591   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     4,692           12,532   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total assets

     32,567,309           26,185,563   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

       

Payables

       

Securities lending collateral

     1,923,950           1,658,902   

Investments purchased

     150,195           116,429   

Capital shares redeemed

     5,188             

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     100,858           88,460   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,180,191           1,863,791   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $    30,387,118         $ 24,321,772   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

       

Par value

   $ 2,764         $ 1,406   

Paid-in capital

     38,211,523           146,506,841   

Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss)

     (26,158        74,724   

Accumulated net realized loss from investments

     (3,714,358        (123,962,045

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     (4,086,653        1,700,846   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 30,387,118         $ 24,321,772   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

     2,763,707           1,406,410   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 11.00         $ 17.29   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

† Investment in securities, at cost

   $ 35,226,942         $ 22,956,154   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

^ Includes market value of securities on loan

   $ 1,973,933         $ 1,697,674   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

 

12


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Statements of Operations

For the Year Ended August 31, 2015

 

     Schneider
Small Cap
Value Fund
       Schneider
Value Fund
 

Investment Income

       

Dividends †

   $ 275,533         $ 353,701   

Securities Lending Income

     152,005           18,775   

Interest

     35,101           224   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total investment income

     462,639           372,700   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Expenses

       

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     421,085           202,041   

Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)

     121,389           116,585   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     55,892           52,806   

Professional fees

     44,211           40,517   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     43,850           25,554   

Registration and filing fees

     25,215           21,486   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     23,895           15,431   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     20,955           20,591   

Insurance fees

     8,748           6,006   

Other expenses

     2,849           1,810   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     768,089           502,827   

Less: waivers and reimbursements

     (283,563        (242,783
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     484,526           260,044   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment gain/(loss)

     (21,887        112,656   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments

       

Net realized gain from:

       

Investments

     874,089           3,523,407   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

       

Investments

     (13,727,629        (7,449,371
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     (12,853,540        (3,925,964
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

   $ (12,875,427      $ (3,813,308
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

† Net of foreign withholding taxes of

   $ (1,093      $ (965
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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, 2015
       For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2014
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment loss

   $ (21,887      $ (299,985

Net realized gain from investments

     874,089           13,970,629   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     (13,727,629        (5,113,247
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

     (12,875,427        8,557,397   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net realized capital gains

     (12,187,028        (10,779,654

Tax Return of capital

     (101,204          
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (12,288,232        (10,779,654
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     651,878           734,685   

Reinvestment of distributions

     10,101,136           9,110,476   

Redemption fees *

     786           14,213   

Shares redeemed

     (16,443,081        (16,953,169
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from capital share transactions

     (5,689,281        (7,093,795
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

     (30,852,940        (9,316,052
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of year

     61,240,058           70,556,110   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 30,387,118         $ 61,240,058   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss, end of year

   $ (26,158      $ (7,188
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     48,865           35,697   

Shares reinvested

     783,641           466,248   

Shares redeemed

     (1,106,138        (813,574
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total share transactions

     (273,632        (311,629
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

* 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, 2015
       For the Year
Ended
August 31, 2014
 

Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:

       

Net investment income

   $ 112,656         $ 96,249   

Net realized gain from investments

     3,523,407           4,990,523   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

     (7,449,371        2,227,340   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

     (3,813,308        7,314,112   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

       

Net investment income

     (134,181        (132,641
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

     (134,181        (132,641
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Capital Share transactions:

       

Proceeds from shares sold

     256,126           165,688   

Reinvestment of distributions

     130,012           126,471   

Redemption fees*

     45             

Shares redeemed

     (7,872,575        (5,590,418
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from capital share transactions

     (7,486,392        (5,298,259
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

     (11,433,881        1,883,212   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net assets:

       

Beginning of year

     35,755,653           33,872,441   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 24,321,772         $ 35,755,653   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income, end of year

   $ 74,724         $ 96,249   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Share transactions:

       

Shares sold

     13,750           9,187   

Shares reinvested

     6,793           6,957   

Shares redeemed

     (405,884        (300,652
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total share transactions

     (385,341        (284,508
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

* There is a 1.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed which have been held less than 90 days 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,  
    2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Per Share Operating Performance

         

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 20.16      $ 21.07      $ 16.09      $ 13.70      $ 13.19   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss)

    (0.01 )(1)      (0.09 )(1)      0.08 (1)      (0.11 )      (0.06

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

    (4.53     2.63        4.90        2.49        0.56   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

    (4.54     2.54        4.98        2.38        0.50   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

         

Net investment income

                                  

Net realized gains

    (4.58     (3.45                     

Tax return of capital

    (0.04                            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (4.62     (3.45                     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption fees

    (2)      (2)      (2)      0.01        0.01   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 11.00      $ 20.16      $ 21.07      $ 16.09      $ 13.70   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

    (25.88 )%      12.59 %      30.95     17.45     3.87
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $ 30,387      $ 61,240      $ 70,556      $ 62,691      $ 69,698   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(4)

    1.15 %      1.15 %      1.15     1.15     1.15

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and expense reimbursements

    1.82 %      1.52 %      1.50     1.52     1.40

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

    (0.05 )%      (0.44 )%      0.38     (0.64 )%      (0.33 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    88.80 %      72.33 %      63.87     67.85     59.18

 

(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,  
    2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Per Share Operating Performance

         

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 19.96      $ 16.31      $ 12.77      $ 12.50      $ 11.72   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.07 (1)      0.05 (1)      0.10        0.10        0.07   

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments and foreign currency transactions

    (2.65     3.67        3.58        0.23        0.80   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

    (2.58     3.72        3.68        0.33        0.87   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

         

Net investment income

    (0.09     (0.07     (0.14     (0.06     (0.09
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

    (0.09     (0.07     (0.14     (0.06     (0.09
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption fees

    (2)             (2)      (2)      (2) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 17.29      $ 19.96      $ 16.31      $ 12.77      $ 12.50   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return(3)

    (12.99 )%      22.83 %      29.08     2.67     7.35
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio/Supplemental Data

         

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

  $ 24,322      $ 35,756      $ 33,872      $ 43,719      $ 67,940   

Ratio of expenses to average net
assets
(4)

    0.90     0.90 %      0.90     0.90     0.90

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and expense reimbursements

    1.74     1.50 %      1.55     1.28     1.07

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

    0.39     0.27 %      0.39     0.63     0.31

Portfolio turnover rate

    62.01     44.34 %      53.08     55.87     67.80

 

(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.

 

17


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2015

 

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 twenty-one 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 82.373 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and fifty-three 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, 2015

 

The following summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2015, in valuing the Funds’ investments carried at fair value:

Small Cap Value Fund

    

Total
Value as of
August 31, 2015

     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stocks*

   $ 28,549,890       $ 28,549,890       $       $   

Corporate Bonds

     461,808                 453,740         8,068   

Exchange Traded Fund

     204,641         204,641                   

Securities Lending Collateral

     1,923,950         1,923,950                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 31,140,289       $ 30,678,481       $ 453,740       $ 8,068   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Value Fund

    

Total
Value as of
August 31, 2015

     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Common Stocks*

   $ 22,883,909       $ 22,883,909       $       $   

Exchange Traded Fund

     114,189         114,189                   

Securities Lending Collateral

     1,658,902         1,658,902                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 24,657,000       $ 24,657,000       $       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

The fair value of a Fund’s bonds are generally based on quotes received from brokers of independent pricing services. Bonds with quotes that are based on actual trades with a sufficient level of activity on or near the measurement date are classified as Level 2 assets. 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 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

 

19


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

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, 2015, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Small Cap Value Fund and the Value Fund.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. 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.

 

20


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

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

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 advisory 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 and could cause net total annual operating expenses to exceed 1.15% and 0.90%, respectively: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2015 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors.

For the year ended August 31, 2015, advisory fees and waivers of advisory fees were as follows:

 

     Gross Advisory Fees        Waivers        Reimbursement        Net Advisory Fees  

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 421,085         $ (283,563      $         $ 137,522   

Value Fund

     202,041           (202,041        (40,742        (40,742

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, subject to certain minimum monthly and out of pocket expenses.

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Custodian”) provides certain custodial services to the Funds. The Custodian is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, and out of pocket expenses.

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, 2015 was $16,849. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer of the Company. They are not compensated by the Funds or the Company.

 

21


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

 

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2015, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

     Purchases        Sales  

Small Cap Value Fund

     $35,651,557           $50,644,724   

Value Fund

     16,585,199           22,482,915   

 

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, 2015, 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
Depreciation
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 37,174,153         $ 4,248,293         $ (10,282,157      $ (6,033,864

Value Fund

     25,401,642           5,038,540           (5,783,182        (744,642

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, 2015, primarily attributable to short-term capital gains being netted against net operating loss, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

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

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 2,917         $ (2,917      $   

As of August 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

     Capital Loss
Carryforwards
    Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
     Undistributed
Long-Term Gains
     Unrealized
Depreciation
    Qualified
Late-Year
Losses
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $      $       $       $ (6,033,864   $ (1,793,305

Value Fund

     (121,516,557     74,724                 (744,642       

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.

 

22


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

 

             Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Return of
Capital
       Total  

Small Cap Value Fund

    2015         $ 714,807         $ 11,472,221         $ 101,204         $ 12,288,232   
    2014           3,741,955           7,037,699                     10,779,654   

Value Fund

    2015           134,181                               134,181   
    2014           132,641                               132,641   

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, 2015, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2015.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the Small Cap Value Fund deferred to September 1, 2015, the following losses:

 

Late-Year
Ordinary
Loss Deferral

    

Short-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral

    

Long-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral

$26,158

     $808,181      $958,966

Accumulated capital losses represent net capital loss carry forwards as of August 31, 2015 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 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.

As of August 31, 2015, 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

     462,569         75,945,572         42,948,995         2,159,421         121,516,557   

During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the Value Fund utilized $1,875,647 of pre-enactment capital loss carry forwards.

As of August 31, 2015, 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

 

23


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2015

 

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, 2015 and the income received for the year ended August 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

     Fair Value of
Securities Loaned
       Fair Value
of Collateral
       Income Received
from Securities
Lending
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 1,973,933         $ 1,923,950         $ 159,294   

Value Fund

     1,697,674           1,658,902           18,775   

Securities lending transactions are entered into by each Fund under a Master Securities Lending Agreement (“MSLA”) which permits the Funds, under certain circumstances including an event of default (such as bankruptcy or insolvency), to offset amounts payable by the Funds to the same counterparty against amounts to be received and create one single net payment due to or from the Funds. The following table is a summary of each Fund’s open securities lending transactions which are subject to a MSLA as of August 31, 2015:

 

Securities Lending

   Gross Amounts of
Recognized Assets
     Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
     Net Amounts of
Assets Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
     Gross Amount Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
            Financial
Instruments1
    Cash
Collateral
Received
     Net
Amount2
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 1,973,933       $     —       $ 1,973,933       $ (1,923,950   $     —       $ 49,983   

Value Fund

     1,697,674             —         1,697,674         (1,658,902         —         38,772   

 

1 

Amount disclosed is limited to the amount of assets presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Actual collateral received may be more than the amount shown.

2 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 

7. New Accounting Pronouncement

In June 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Repurchase-to- Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. The ASU changes the accounting for certain repurchase agreements and expands disclosure requirements related to repurchase agreements, securities lending, repurchase-to maturity and similar transactions. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Adoption will have no effect on the fund’s net assets or results of operations.

 

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, 2015, 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, 2015 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

LOGO

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2015

 

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, 2015. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2015. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the tax character of distributions paid by the Funds were as follows:

 

     Ordinary Income
Dividend
     Long-Term
Capital Gain
Dividends
     Tax Return
of Capital
 

Small Cap Value Fund

   $ 714,807       $ 11,472,221       $ 101,204   

Value Fund

     134,181                   

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 16.97% for the Small Cap Value Fund and 100.00% for the Value Fund.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 22.38% for the Small Cap Value Fund and 100.00% for the Value Fund.

The percentage of qualified interest income related dividends not subject to withholding tax for non-resident aliens and foreign corporations is 0% for the Value Fund.

For the Small Cap Value Fund, the percentage of ordinary income distributions designated as qualified short-term gains pursuant to the American Job Creation Act of 2004 is 100%.

Because the Funds’ fiscal year is not the calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2015. 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 2016.

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 (800) SEC-0330.

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 13-14, 2015 (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 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 Group and comparing the performance of each Fund to the performance of its Lipper 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-, three- and five-year periods, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The Directors noted that the Small Cap Value Fund had outperformed its primary benchmark, the Russell 2000 Value Index, for the since inception period. The Directors noted that for the one-year period ended December 31, 2014, the investment performance of the Small Cap Value Fund was in the 5th quintile within both its Lipper Group and Lipper performance universe and the Value Fund was in the 4th quintile and 5th quintile within its Lipper Group and Lipper

 

27


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Other Information (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

performance universe, respectively. The Directors noted that the Value Fund outperformed the Lipper Group median for the three-year period ended December 31, 2014.

The Board 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, 2015 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 an additional one-year period ending August 16, 2016.

 

28


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Company 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 Company
 

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
in the Past
5 Years
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809
DOB: 7/33

  Director   1988 to present   From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).   21   AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommunications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809
DOB: 9/38

  Director   2002 to present   Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since March 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.   21   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).   21   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   Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.   21   Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809
DOB: 4/61

  Director   2012 to present   From July 2010 to March 2015, 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.   21   None

 

29


THE SCHNEIDER FUNDS

Company Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

  Position(s) Held
with Company
 

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
in the Past
5 Years
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809
DOB: 5/48

 

Chairman

Director

 

2005 to present

1991 to present

  Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC.   21  

Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809
DOB: 3/41

  Director   2006 to present   Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group.   21   Reich and Tang Group (asset management).
INTERESTED DIRECTOR2

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).   21   None
OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD,

CPA, CFE

Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 208

Chadds Ford, PA 19317
DOB: 12/62

 

President

Chief Compliance Officer

 

2009 to present

2004 to present

  Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance Services; since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).   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

Christina Morse

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809
DOB: 12/64

  Secretary   2015 to present   Since August 2014, Vice President and Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company); from August 2013 to July 2014, Counsel, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC; from May 2009 to July 2013, Vice President, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.   N/A   N/A

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809
DOB: 10/60

  Assistant Treasurer   2005 to present   Since 1995, Senior Director and Vice President 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 twenty-one 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 waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, and 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. 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He 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.

 

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 or go to www.schneidercap.com

 

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


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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 1800

2001 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

SCH-AR15

 

 


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2015

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.


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

August 31, 2015

Dear Shareholder:

We are pleased to provide you with this annual report for the Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund (“Fund”). In this report, you will find important financial information about the Fund for the year ended August 31, 2015.

During the year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund’s broad based benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the “Index”), returned 4.26% while the Fund earned a return of 11.49%. The Fund outperformed the Index primarily as a result of individual security selection within the information technology and healthcare sectors. Not having exposure to the energy sector during the period was also a notable positive for relative Fund performance, as the benchmark’s energy holdings posted a large negative return of more than 25%. Primary contributors to performance included network security company Palo Alto Networks, data analytics software company Tableau Software, and biopharmaceutical company Pharmacyclics which was acquired by AbbVie Inc, in March 2015. At period end, the information technology, consumer discretionary and healthcare sectors comprised more than 90% of the Fund. The Fund ended the fiscal year holding 25 individual stocks. As a result of the portfolio’s concentration, each individual security within the portfolio has a much more meaningful impact on the Fund’s performance than any individual security within the Index.

We have been managing our firm’s U.S. Growth strategy since 1998. Over the past 17 years, there have been numerous turbulent periods in the market similar to what we have recently experienced and they have typically resulted in good buying opportunities. The opportunity may not have occurred in the ensuing six months, but it is quite likely that it occurred over the following three years. In the equity markets, time should be your main ally. We believe that the opportunity to make money in non-index U.S. companies has never been greater than it is today.

We employ a disciplined, repeatable, and proven investment process that focuses on a bottom-up stock selection approach to generate excess returns. Our investment process begins by screening a universe of more than 5,000 publicly listed companies to seek out those with high revenue growth, high earnings growth, and the ability to become significantly larger companies. Sector weights in our Fund are derived strictly from this bottom-up stock selection process. Looking at the returns of our Fund over the years, the overwhelming majority has been driven by stock selection.

Thank you for your investment and confidence in the Fund. We appreciate the opportunity you have given us to assist you in meeting your investment goals. We are grateful for the trust placed in us.

Sincerely,

Noah Blackstein, CFA

Vice President & Portfolio Manager

Scotia Institutional Asset Management U.S., Ltd.

Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to change and risk.

 

1


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Performance Data

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

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

Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund vs. Russell 1000® Growth Index

 

LOGO

 

      Total Returns for the Periods Ended  August 31, 2015

 

   Average Annual
      One Year      Three Year      Five Year      Since
Inception
          

Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund - Class I Shares*

     11.49%         15.80%         19.95%         23.96%         

Russell 1000® Growth Index**

     4.26%         15.30%         17.40%         18.74%           

 

*

The Fund operated as a series of Scotia Institutional Funds prior to the close of business on March 21, 2014 (the “Predecessor Fund”), at which time the Predecessor Fund was reorganized into the Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund (the “Fund”), a newly created series of The RBB Fund, Inc. The fiscal year end of the Predecessor Fund was September 30. The performance shown for periods prior to March 21, 2014 represents the performance for the Predecessor Fund. While the Predecessor Fund commenced operations on March 31, 2009, the Predecessor Fund began investing consistent with its investment objective on April 1, 2009. The performance data includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, consequently, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

**

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Predecessor 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 1-888-572-0968.

The Fund applies a 2.00% redemption fee to the value of shares redeemed or exchanged within 60 days of purchase. This redemption fee is not reflected in the returns shown above. The performance data 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, 2014, are 1.13% and 0.84%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Class I Shares. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse certain expenses of the Fund through December 31, 2015 to the extent necessary to ensure that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage commissions and interest) do not exceed 0.84% (on an annual basis) of Class I’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.

 

2


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Performance Data (Concluded)

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

The Fund is non-diversified and invests in a limited number of securities. As a result, the Fund’s investment performance may be more volatile, as it may be more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political, or regulatory event than a fund that invests in a greater number of issuers.

From time to time the Fund may focus its investments in one or more specific economic sectors and may be subject to greater risk from downturns affecting a specific sector.

The value of the Fund’s investments in equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day-to-day causing price volatility.

The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Index is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased barometer for the large-cap growth segment. The index assumes the reinvestment of all dividends. The performance of an index assumes no transaction costs, taxes, management fees or other expenses. A direct investment in an index is not possible.

 

3


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Fund Expense Examples

(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, 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, 2015 through August 31, 2015 and held for the entire period.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the table below 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 table below 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 table below 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 transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

     Class I Shares
     Beginning Account Value
March 1, 2015
   Ending Account Value
August 31, 2015
   Expenses Paid
During Period*

Actual

   $1,000.00    $1,018.00    $4.27

Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)

   1,000.00    1,020.97      4.28

 

 

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six month expense ratio of 0.84% 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 value on the first line in the table is based on the annualized six month total investment return for the Fund as of August 31, 2015 of 1.80% for Class I Shares.

 

4


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2015

(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:

        

Consumer Discretionary

       42.0 %     $ 30,043,906  

Information Technology

       33.6         24,047,647  

Health Care

       16.7         11,960,986  

Financials

       1.1         776,128  

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

       6.6         4,694,311  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       100.0 %     $   71,522,978  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

5


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2015

 

     Number
  of Shares  
         Value      

COMMON STOCKSD - 93.4%

     

Consumer Discretionary — 42.0%

  

  

Amazon.Com, Inc.*

     7,000       $ 3,590,230   

Arista Networks, Inc.*

     34,700         2,595,213   

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*

     3,900         2,769,039   

Expedia, Inc

     20,500         2,357,295   

Netflix, Inc.*

     25,400         2,921,762   

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*

     14,600         3,505,022   

Tesla Motors, Inc.*

     3,100         772,086   

Tractor Supply Co

     29,800         2,542,238   

Ulta Salon Cosmetics &
Fragrance, Inc.*

     22,300         3,525,407   

Under Armour, Inc., Class A*

     37,400         3,572,822   

Zoe’s Kitchen, Inc.*

     54,800         1,892,792   
     

 

 

 
              30,043,906   
     

 

 

 

Financials — 1.1%

     

BofI Holding, Inc.*

     6,700         776,128   
     

 

 

 
        776,128   
     

 

 

 

Health Care — 16.7%

     

ABIOMED, Inc.*

     37,500         3,596,250   

Incyte Corp.*

     9,500         1,103,805   

Molina Healthcare, Inc.*

     21,500         1,603,685   

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     6,100         3,132,350   

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

     19,800         2,524,896   
     

 

 

 
        11,960,986   
     

 

 

 
     Number
  of Shares  
         Value      
   

Information Technology — 33.6%

  

  

Ellie Mae, Inc.*

     23,000       $ 1,665,890   

Facebook, Inc., Class A*

     39,700         3,550,371   

Fortinet, Inc.*

     66,900         2,819,166   

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.*

     22,500         3,694,950   

Paycom Software, Inc.*

     54,400         2,096,576   

Red Hat, Inc.*

     42,900         3,097,809   

salesforce.com, Inc.*

     64,000         4,439,040   

Tableau Software, Inc., Class A* .

     28,500         2,683,845   
     

 

 

 
              24,047,647   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $62,741,020)

   

     66,828,667   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 93.4%
(Cost $62,741,020)

   

     66,828,667   
     

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
LIABILITIES - 6.6%

   

     4,694,311   
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.0%

  

   $ 71,522,978   
     

 

 

 

 

 

D

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

*

Non-income producing security.

 

 

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

 

6


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2015

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value (Cost $62,741,020)

   $ 66,828,667   

Cash

     4,985,135   

Receivables for:

  

Investments sold

     2,408,741   

Capital shares sold

     263,875   

Dividends

     10,895   

Prepaid expenses

     14,330   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     74,511,643   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Payables for:

  

Investments purchased

     2,690,617   

Capital shares redeemed

     177,338   

Advisory fees

     14,969   

Administration and accounting services fees

     36,748   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

     68,993   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,988,665   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 71,522,978   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF

  

Par value

   $ 2,528   

Paid-in capital

     62,108,043   

Accumulated net realized gain from investments

     5,324,760   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments.

     4,087,647   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

   $ 71,522,978   
  

 

 

 

CLASS I SHARES

  

Net Assets applicable to Class I Shares

   $ 71,522,978   
  

 

 

 

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

     2,528,157   
  

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

   $ 28.29   
  

 

 

 

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

 

7


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended August 31, 2015

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends

   $ 40,187   

Interest

     191   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     40,378   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     398,591   

Administration and accounting services fees (Note 2)

     88,189   

Shareholder servicing fees

     61,322   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     33,550   

Registration and filing fees

     31,363   

Audit fees

     30,114   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     22,742   

Legal fees

     21,038   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     20,643   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     9,385   

Insurance expense

     6,721   

Other expenses

     14,782   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     738,440   

Less: waivers and reimbursements (Note 2)

     (223,030
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     515,410   
  

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (475,032
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized gain from:

  

Investments

     7,073,585   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Investments

     (675,621
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

     6,397,964   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 5,922,932   
  

 

 

 

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

 

8


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     For the   For the   For the
     Year Ended   Eleven Months Ended   Year Ended
     August 31, 2015   August 31, 2014*   September 30, 2013

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

            

Net investment loss

     $ (475,032 )     $ (487,645 )     $ (307,756 )

Net realized gain from investments

       7,073,585         6,742,166         6,250,314  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/
(depreciation) on investments

       (675,621 )       (5,023,483 )       2,137,548  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       5,922,932         1,231,038         8,080,106  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

            

Class I Shares

            

Net realized gains.

       (4,595,816 )       (5,671,518 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

       (4,595,816 )       (5,671,518 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

            

Class I Shares

            

Proceeds from shares sold

       21,554,359         55,361,805         28,465,703  

Reinvestment of distributions

       4,441,210         5,501,369          

Shares redeemed.

       (15,730,473 )       (52,236,586 )       (39,815,730 )

Redemption fees**

       7,266                  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

       10,272,362         8,626,588         (11,350,027 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total increase/(decrease) in net assets

       11,599,478         4,186,108         (3,269,921 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS:

            

Beginning of period

       59,923,500         55,737,392         59,007,313  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

     $ 71,522,978       $ 59,923,500       $ 55,737,392  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

            

Class I Shares

            

Shares sold

       754,021         1,975,436         1,273,440  

Shares reinvested

       182,241         210,700          

Shares redeemed.

       (576,114 )       (2,048,881 )       (1,871,114 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in shares

       360,148         137,255         (597,674 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

*

The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31.

**

Effective July 14, 2014, the Fund applies a 2.00% redemption fee to the value of shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase.

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

 

9


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. 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 representative periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

    Class I Shares
    For the   For the   For the   For the   For the   For the
    Year Ended   Eleven Months Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended
    August 31, 2015   August 31, 2014(1)(2)    September 30, 2013   September 30, 2012   September 30, 2011   September 30, 2010

Per Share Operating Performance

                       

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 27.64       $ 27.45       $ 22.45       $ 18.83       $ 16.36       $ 12.32  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment loss(3)

      (0.21 )       (0.20 )       (0.14 )       (0.16 )       (0.16 )       (0.13 )

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments

      3.04         2.96         5.14         4.21         2.82         5.80  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      2.83         2.76         5.00         4.05         2.66         5.67  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

                       

Net investment income

                                              (0.23 )

Net realized gains

      (2.18 )       (2.57 )               (0.50 )       (0.24 )       (1.40 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

      (2.18 )       (2.57 )               (0.50 )       (0.24 )       (1.63 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Redemption fees added to paid-in capital(3)

      (4)                       0.07         0.05         (4)
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 28.29       $ 27.64       $ 27.45       $ 22.45       $ 18.83       $ 16.36  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment return(5)

      11.49 %       10.62 %(6)(7)       22.27 %       22.31 %       16.54 %       49.82 %
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

                       

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) .

    $ 71,523       $ 59,924       $ 55,737       $ 59,007       $ 53,332       $ 10,319  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements

      0.84 %       0.84 %(8)       0.86 %       0.95 %       0.95 %       0.95 %

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements

      1.20 %       1.13 %(8)       1.13 %       1.25 %       1.32 %       6.14 %

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets

      (0.77 )%       (0.80 )%(8)       (0.63 )%       (0.75 )%       (0.80 )%       (0.90 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

      297.13 %       276.74 %(6)       345.12 %       323.54 %       358.15 %       244.38 %

 

(1)

The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31.

(2)

Effective as of the close of business on March 21, 2014, the Fund acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund (“Predecessor Fund”), a series of Scotia Institutional Funds. The financial highlights for the periods prior to that date reflect the performance of the Predecessor Fund.

(3)

The selected per share data was calculated based on average shares outstanding method for the period.

(4)

Amount represent less than $0.005 per share.

(5)

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. Periods less than one year are not annualized.

(6)

Not annualized.

(7)

Includes adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, consequently, the net asset value for financial reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset values and returns for the shareholder transactions.

(8)

Annualized.

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

 

10


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements

August 31, 2015

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 twenty-one active investment portfolios, including the Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is authorized to issue three classes of shares, Institutional Shares, Class I Shares and Class II Shares. As of August 31, 2015, Institutional Shares and Class II shares were not yet being offered to the public.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 82.373 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and fifty-three 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.

The Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”), a series of Scotia Institutional Funds, transferred all of its assets and liabilities to the Fund in a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”). The Reorganization occurred at the close of business on March 21, 2014. The Predecessor Fund commenced operations on March 31, 2009. As a result of the Reorganization, the performance and accounting history of the Predecessor Fund was assumed by the Fund. Performance and accounting information prior to the close of business on March 21, 2014 included herein is that of the Predecessor Fund.

At the date of the reorganization, the Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31.

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 (“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 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.

 

11


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

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, 2015, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

     Total Value at
August 31,
2015
     Level 1
Quoted
Price
     Level 2
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
     Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Investments in Securities*

   $ 66,828,667       $ 66,828,667       $  —       $  —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

  *

Please refer to Portfolio of Investments for further details.

At the end of each 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 be 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, 2015, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the Fund.

 

12


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

Use of Estimates — The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. 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 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 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 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 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 — On May 13, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the imposition of a redemption fee of 2.00% on redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares held less than 60 days effective on July 14, 2014. The fees are reflected on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate the redemption fee or any waivers of such fee 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.

 

13


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

Scotia Institutional Asset Management US, Ltd. (“SIAM” or the “Adviser”) serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. For its advisory services, the Adviser is entitled to receive an advisory fee calculated daily and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.65% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees and reimburse expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage commissions and interest) exceed 0.74% for Institutional Shares, 0.84% for Class I Shares and 0.99% for Class II Shares (Institutional Shares and Class II Shares have not commenced operations as of August 31, 2015) until December 31, 2015. Prior to such date, this contractual agreement may only be terminated by the Fund’s Board of Directors. The expenses that are excluded from the waiver could cause the net total annual fund operating expenses to exceed 0.74%, 0.84% or 0.99%, as applicable. If it becomes unnecessary for the Adviser to waive fees or make reimbursements, the Adviser may recapture any of its prior waivers or reimbursements for a period not to exceed three years from the date on which the waiver or reimbursement was made to the extent that such a recapture does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding taxes, extraordinary expenses, brokerage commissions and interest) to exceed the applicable expense limitation that was in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

For the year ended August 31, 2015, the Adviser earned fees of $398,591 and waived fees of $223,030. For the period March 24, 2014 through August 31, 2014, the Adviser earned fees of $186,594 and waived fees of $109,821.

As of August 31, 2015, the amount of the Adviser’s potential recovery was as follows:

 

Expiration

August 31, 2017

   August 31, 2018

$109,821

   $223,030

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 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, subject to certain minimum, 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, subject to certain minimum, and 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. Shareholder Servicing Plan

The Fund has adopted Shareholder Services Plans for the Class I and Class II Shares. Under the Shareholder Services Plans, the Fund may pay service fees to firms that provide shareholder services, such as responding to shareholder

 

14


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

inquiries and assisting shareholders with their accounts, not exceeding ten basis points (0.10%) and twenty-five basis points (0.25%), respectively, of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares and Class II Shares.

4. 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 for the year ended August 31, 2015 was $4,504. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company.

5. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2015, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

         Purchases      Sales  
 

Investment Securities

   $     174,787,520       $     175,028,573   

6. 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, 2015, the federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

 

  Federal tax cost    $ 63,227,511   
    

 

 

 
 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 5,229,580   
 

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,628,424
    

 

 

 
 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,601,156   
    

 

 

 

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.

 

15


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2015

 

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2015, primarily attributable to short-term capital gains netted against net operating loss, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

Undistributed

Net Investment

Income/(Loss)

  

Accumulated

Net Realized

Gain/(Loss)

 

Paid-In

Capital

$475,032

   $(475,032)   $—

As of August 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed

Ordinary Income

  

Undistributed

Long-Term Gains

  

Net Unrealized

Appreciation

$1,608,803

   $4,202,448    $3,601,156

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, 2015, the eleven month period ended August 31, 2014, and the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:

 

     Ordinary
Income
     Long-Term
Gains
 

2015

   $ 1,974,976       $ 2,620,840   

2014

   $ 3,859,576       $ 1,811,942   

2013

   $       $   

Accumulated capital losses represent net capital loss carry forwards as of August 31, 2015 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 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. As of August 31, 2015, the Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

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 requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

16


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders of Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund and Board of Directors of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund, a separately managed portfolio of The RBB Fund, Inc., including the portfolio of investments, as of August 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended and the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended and the eleven months ended August 31, 2014. 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. The statement of changes in net assets for the year ended September 30, 2013, and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2013, have been audited by other auditors, whose report dated November 25, 2013, expressed an unqualified opinion on such financial statements and financial highlights. The financial highlights for the year ended September 30, 2010, were audited by other auditors, whose report dated November 26, 2010, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of August 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund as of August 31, 2015, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended and the eleven months ended August 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

BBD, LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 26, 2015

 

17


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. 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 period ended August 31, 2015. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ending December 31, 2015. During the fiscal period ended August 31, 2015, the Fund paid $1,974,976 of ordinary income dividends and $2,620,840 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.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends qualifying for the 15% dividend income tax rate is 0.41%.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends paid qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 0.42%.

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 2015. 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 2016.

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.

 

18


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. 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 twelve-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 572-0968 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 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 (800) SEC-0330.

Advisory Agreement

As required by the Investment Company Act, the Board, 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 SIAM and the Company (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund at a meeting of the Board held on May 13–14, 2015 (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 and approval of the Advisory Agreement between the Company and SIAM 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 SIAM’s services provided to the Fund; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of SIAM’s personnel providing those services; (iii) SIAM’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) SIAM’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) SIAM’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) SIAM’s current advisory fee arrangement with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) SIAM’s compliance procedures; (viii) SIAM’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 SIAM; 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 SIAM. The Directors concluded that SIAM had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund and that SIAM services had been acceptable.

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund and SIAM. Information on the Fund’s (including the predecessor fund’s) investment performance was provided since inception and for one-, three- and five-year periods, and for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The Directors noted that the Fund outperformed its primary benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index, for the since inception and one- and five-year periods ended March 31, 2015. The Directors considered the Fund’s investment performance in light of its investment objective and investment strategies. The Directors

 

19


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Other Information (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

also considered the Fund’s investment performance as compared to the Lipper Group median noting that the Fund outperformed its Lipper Group median for the five-year period ended December 31, 2014.

The Board 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 SIAM. In addition, the Directors noted that SIAM had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through December 31, 2015 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed 0.74% for Institutional Class Shares, 0.84% for Class I Shares and 0.99% for Class II Shares.

After reviewing the information regarding the Fund’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering SIAM’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, 2016.

 

20


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Company 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) 572-0968.

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

   Position(s)
Held
with Company  
     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
in
the Past 5 Years
 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

 

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

   Director    1988 to present    From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).    21    AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommu- nications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

   Director    2002 to present    Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since March 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.    21    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).    21    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    Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.    21    Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

 

21


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Company Management (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

   Position(s)
Held
with Company  
     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
in
the Past 5 Years
           

Jay F. Nusblatt 103

Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

   Director    2012 to present   

From July 2010 to March 2015, 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.

 

   21    None
           

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

   Chairman Director    2005 to present 1991 to present    Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC.    21    Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (Registered Investment Company).
           

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

   Director    2006 to present   

Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group.

 

   21    Reich and Tang Group (asset management).

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

   Position(s)
Held
with Company  
     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
in
the Past 5 Years
 

INTERESTED DIRECTOR 2

 

           

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).    21    None
           
                          

 

22


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Company Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

   Position(s)
Held
with Company  
     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 208

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

DOB: 12/62

 

   President Chief Compliance Officer    2009 to present 2004 to present   

Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance Services; since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).

 

   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
           

Christina Morse 301

Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/64

   Secretary    2015 to present   

Since August 2014, Vice President and Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company); from August 2013 to July 2014, Counsel, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC; from 2009 to July 2013, Vice President, BNY May 2009 to July 2013, Vice President, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

 

   N/A    N/A
           

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

 

   Assistant Treasurer    2005 to present   

Since 1995, Senior Director and Vice President 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 twenty-one 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 waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, and 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 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the 1940 Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He 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.

 

23


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

FACTS        WHAT DOES THE SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. 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 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 Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your information                Does the Scotia Dynamic
U.S. Growth 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 investi-gations, or report to credit bureaus

 

  Yes   No
   

For our marketing purposes —

to offer our products and services to you

 

  No   We don’t share
   

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

  No   We don’t share
     

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences

 

  Yes   No
   

For affiliates’ everyday business purposes —
information about your credit worthiness

 

  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 1-888-572-0968 or go to us.scotiafunds.com

 

 

24


SCOTIA DYNAMIC U.S. GROWTH FUND

Privacy Notice

(Unaudited)

 

What we do     

How does the Scotia Dynamic U.S. 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 Scotia Dynamic U.S. 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 companies such as Scotia Institutional Investments US, LP and Hollis Wealth Inc.

Nonaffiliates   

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

•  Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth 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.

•  Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund doesn’t jointly market.

 

25


Investment Adviser

Scotia Institutional Asset Management U.S., Ltd.

1 Adelaide St. E., Ste. 2800,

Toronto, ON M5C 2V9

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

BBD, LLP

1835 Market Street, 26th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Ste. 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

SCO-AR15


 

LOGO

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

of

The RBB Fund, Inc.

ANNUAL REPORT

August 31, 2015

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, 2015

(Unaudited)

Dear Shareholder:

We appreciate the confidence you have placed in us and are continually grateful to work with you. It enables all of us at Summit Global Investments to do what we love everyday; managing equities. We believe that investors are ultimately rewarded when equity risk is prudently managed. Our strategy utilizes time-tested investment principles and seeks to be fully invested in the equity market while providing a smoother ride than other investment strategies.

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 does not eliminate risk, it can considerably lessen the effect of market gyrations.

Our investment approach to portfolio construction takes into consideration a multitude of factors that ultimately help drive the price of equities. We sincerely value and believe strongly that return and risk must coincide and be effectively managed together. Investing in cap-weighted indexes, higher risk strategies, or products or markets just for exposure without regard to the investment’s return seems unwarranted. Investing for return must always be weighed against the risk of the investments.

Since our last letter to shareholders dated February 28, 2015, U.S. equities have experienced increased volatility, specifically in relation to oil and interest rates. Volatility spiked in August and the market experienced a correction of down more than -12% from the market high on July 20th to the low on August 25th. The price of oil continued to slide and the global economy showed continued weakness.

Over the twelve months ended August 31, 2015, the Fund returned 4.82% vs. -1.56% for the S&P 500® Index (the “Index”), thus outperforming the Index by 6.38%. The beta1 for the Fund, as of August 31, 2015, was 0.71.

Year to date, January 1 through August 31, 2015, the total return for the Fund was –1.64% vs. –4.21% for the Index, outperforming the Index by 2.57%.

For the six-month period from March 1, 2015 through August 31, 2015, the return for the Fund was –3.37% vs. –6.29% for the Index, outperforming the Index by 2.92%. More specifically, from July 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015, when market volatility spiked, the return for the Fund was –0.36% vs. –4.41% for the Index, outperforming the Index by 4.05%.

The Fund benefited from its active stock selection within Financials, Consumer Discretionary and Health Care sectors, while poor stock selection within Information Technology sector detracted from performance. The Fund also benefited from its over-allocation to the Healthcare and Consumer Staples sector, and its under-allocation to Energy and Industrials sectors.

We continue to reiterate that large market events are being driven more and more by world events than ever before. U.S. markets do not stand alone, isolated from the world. U.S. companies are global companies. Their revenue and profits, business plans and investments, and ultimately success or failure is more correlated to global events than ever in history. As such, companies must be as strong or stronger, balance sheet wise, than the country in which they are headquartered. We must keep an eye on such events and company strength throughout the coming months and years.

In addition to global and political events, companies are unique in how each prepares, responds and survives the impact of such macro events and economic cycles. While some cycles may vary in length and events differ in impact, we believe, for U.S. equity exposure, the Fund’s approach is effective over full market cycles.

Our 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

 

 

1Beta attempts to measure relative market risk. A beta rating above 1.0 indicates greater volatility than the market. A beta rating below 1.0 indicates lower volatility than the market.

 

1


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

 

 

strategies. Our 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 a cap-weighted benchmark. As stated in the prospectus dated December 31, 2014, the Fund seeks to outperform the Index over a full 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. It is our sincere effort to follow such principles and provide acceptable long-term, risk-adjusted returns.

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 continued uncertainty, we believe the Fund will provide access to market returns with less overall risk.

Sincerely,

Summit Global Investments, LLC

 

2


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Performance Data

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

Comparison of Change in Value of $1,000,000 Investment in Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity

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.

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended August 31, 2015        
               Three      Since        
      One Year        Years      Inception*        

Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity
Fund - Class I Shares

     4.82%           13.54      12.05%        

S&P 500® Index (excluding dividends)**

     -1.56%           11.92      11.07%        

 

*

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% redemption 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 data 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, 2014, are 1.35% 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, 2015 to the extent necessary to ensure that the Fund’s total annual 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.

 

3


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Performance Data (Concluded)

August 31, 2015

(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.

 

4


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Fund Expense Examples

August 31, 2015

(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 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, 2015 through August 31, 2015 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    Ending Account Value    Expenses Paid
     March 1, 2015    August 31, 2015    During Period*

Actual

   $1,000.00    $ 967.00    $4.86

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 value on the first line in the table is based on the actual six month total investment return for the Fund of -3.30% for Class I Shares.

 

5


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

August 31, 2015

(Unaudited)

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

 

         % of Net        

Security Type/Sector Classification

   Assets   Value

COMMON STOCKS:

        

Pharmaceuticals

       10.1 %     $ 7,350,869  

Insurance

       9.7         7,088,069  

Food

       7.6         5,569,440  

Electric

       7.3         5,345,348  

Software

       7.2         5,238,068  

Retail

       7.0         5,067,883  

Real Estate Investment Trusts

       6.7         4,896,894  

Computers.

       6.2         4,514,381  

Telecommunications

       4.8         3,529,703  

Healthcare-Services

       3.7         2,688,350  

Healthcare-Products

       3.4         2,472,476  

Oil & Gas.

       2.7         1,966,188  

Household Products/Wares

       2.7         1,953,427  

Banks

       2.6         1,903,827  

Environmental Control

       2.5         1,791,298  

Cosmetics/Personal Care

       2.2         1,579,540  

Distribution/Wholesale

       1.9         1,360,887  

Commercial Services

       1.8         1,296,455  

Media

       1.4         1,015,454  

Transportation

       1.0         737,851  

Electronics

       1.0         697,057  

Internet

       0.5         403,429  

Chemicals

       0.2         146,475  

Semiconductors

       0.1         65,642  

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

       5.7         4,170,888  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       100.0 %     $   72,849,899  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

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

 

6


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments

August 31, 2015

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

COMMON STOCKS - 94.3%

     

Banks — 2.6%

     

Northern Trust Corp.

     1,050         $ 73,332   

US Bancorp

     35,000           1,482,250   

Wells Fargo & Co.

     6,530           348,245   
     

 

 

 
        1,903,827   
     

 

 

 

Chemicals — 0.2%

     

Monsanto Co.

     1,500           146,475   
     

 

 

 
        146,475   
     

 

 

 

Commercial Services — 1.8%

     

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

     800           61,856   

Cintas Corp.

     3,640           309,364   

H&R Block, Inc.

     2,400           81,648   

PayPal Holdings, Inc.*

     1,200           42,000   

Total System Services, Inc.

     16,050           735,572   

Western Union Co., (The)

     3,580           66,015   
     

 

 

 
        1,296,455   
     

 

 

 

Computers — 6.2%

     

Accenture, PLC, Class A

     19,480           1,836,380   

Apple, Inc.

     12,770           1,439,945   

EMC Corp.

     2,700           67,149   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

     2,200           61,732   

International Business Machines Corp.

     7,500           1,109,175   
     

 

 

 
              4,514,381   
     

 

 

 

Cosmetics/Personal Care — 2.2%

  

  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

     1,610           101,124   

Procter & Gamble Co., (The)

     20,920           1,478,416   
     

 

 

 
        1,579,540   
     

 

 

 

Distribution/Wholesale — 1.9%

     

Genuine Parts Co.

     16,300           1,360,887   
     

 

 

 
        1,360,887   
     

 

 

 

Electric — 7.3%

     

CMS Energy Corp.

     4,550           149,149   

DTE Energy Co.

     1,770           138,166   

Duke Energy Corp.

     10,140           719,027   

Edison International

     23,270           1,360,830   

PG&E Corp.

     1,300           64,454   

PPL Corp.

     23,640           732,604   

SCANA Corp.

     2,990           158,141   

Southern Co., (The)

     3,630           157,578   

TECO Energy, Inc.

     27,860           587,010   

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

     15,970           760,971   

Xcel Energy, Inc.

     15,340           517,418   
     

 

 

 
        5,345,348   
     

 

 

 

Electronics — 1.0%

     

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     5,560           697,057   
     

 

 

 
        697,057   
     

 

 

 
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Environmental Control — 2.5%

     

Republic Services, Inc.

     25,260         $ 1,035,155   

Stericycle, Inc.*

     4,570           645,010   

Waste Management, Inc.

     2,220           111,133   
     

 

 

 
        1,791,298   
     

 

 

 

Food — 7.6%

     

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

     2,000           83,360   

General Mills, Inc.

     20,600           1,169,256   

Hershey Co., (The)

     1,740           155,765   

Hormel Foods Corp.

     19,080           1,165,788   

Kellogg Co.

     13,800           914,664   

McCormick & Co., Inc.

     3,920           310,778   

Sysco Corp.

     44,390           1,769,829   
     

 

 

 
        5,569,440   
     

 

 

 

Healthcare-Products — 3.4%

     

Baxter International, Inc.

     8,090           311,060   

DENTSPLY International, Inc.

     1,240           64,988   

Medtronic, PLC

     2,750           198,798   

Patterson Cos., Inc.

     35,340           1,619,632   

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

     1,000           70,810   

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.*

     2,550           207,188   
     

 

 

 
              2,472,476   
     

 

 

 

Healthcare-Services — 3.7%

     

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*

     10,700           1,260,567   

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

     6,400           433,920   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     8,590           993,863   
     

 

 

 
        2,688,350   
     

 

 

 

Household Products/Wares — 2.7%

  

  

Clorox Co., (The)

     15,770           1,753,151   

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

     1,880           200,276   
     

 

 

 
        1,953,427   
     

 

 

 

Insurance — 9.7%

     

ACE Ltd

     900           91,944   

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.,
Class B*

     500           67,020   

Chubb Corp., (The)

     15,400           1,860,474   

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

     32,300           1,690,259   

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

     24,400           1,311,012   

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

     6,280           316,198   

Progressive Corp., (The)

     58,450           1,751,162   
     

 

 

 
        7,088,069   
     

 

 

 

Internet — 0.5%

     

eBay, Inc.*

     1,200           32,532   

VeriSign, Inc.*

     5,380           370,897   
     

 

 

 
        403,429   
     

 

 

 

Media — 1.4%

     

Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc

     1,050           55,744   
 

 

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, 2015

 

     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Media — (Continued)

     

Walt Disney Co., (The)

     9,420         $ 959,710   
     

 

 

 
        1,015,454   
     

 

 

 

Oil & Gas — 2.7%

     

Chevron Corp.

     7,330           593,657   

ConocoPhillips

     1,100           54,065   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     16,000           1,203,840   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

     1,570           114,626   
     

 

 

 
              1,966,188   
     

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals — 10.1%

     

Baxalta, Inc.

     8,090           284,363   

Eli Lilly & Co.

     22,680           1,867,698   

Express Scripts Holding Co.*

     9,060           757,416   

Johnson & Johnson

     13,190           1,239,596   

Merck & Co., Inc.

     28,070           1,511,570   

Pfizer, Inc.

     50,370           1,622,921   

Zoetis, Inc.

     1,500           67,305   
     

 

 

 
        7,350,869   
     

 

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts — 6.7%

  

  

Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A

     5,540           199,606   

Care Capital Properties, Inc.*

     2,092           66,505   

Crown Castle International Corp.

     1,200           100,068   

Equity Residential

     5,000           356,250   

General Growth Properties, Inc.

     20,040           508,615   

HCP, Inc.

     1,340           49,660   

Health Care REIT, Inc.

     10,470           663,274   

Prologis, Inc.

     3,800           144,400   

Public Storage

     9,100           1,831,557   

Simon Property Group, Inc.

     2,880           516,442   

Ventas, Inc.

     8,370           460,517   
     

 

 

 
        4,896,894   
     

 

 

 

Retail — 7.0%

     

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.*

     1,050           65,216   

Costco Wholesale Corp.

     11,200           1,568,560   

Dollar Tree, Inc.*

     6,080           463,661   

Macy’s, Inc.

     4,740           277,811   

McDonald’s Corp.

     6,500           617,630   

TJX Cos., Inc., (The)

     12,000           843,840   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

     19,020           1,231,165   
     

 

 

 
        5,067,883   
     

 

 

 

Semiconductors — 0.1%

     

Intel Corp.

     2,300           65,642   
     

 

 

 
        65,642   
     

 

 

 
     Number         
       of Shares        Value  

Software — 7.2%

     

Cerner Corp.*

     5,100         $ 314,976   

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

     1,420           98,065   

Fiserv, Inc.*

     16,200           1,381,374   

Intuit, Inc.

     12,560           1,077,020   

Microsoft Corp.

     26,160           1,138,483   

Paychex, Inc.

     27,500           1,228,150   
     

 

 

 
        5,238,068   
     

 

 

 

Telecommunications — 4.8%

     

AT&T, Inc.

     43,990           1,460,468   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     19,360           501,037   

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

     890           57,690   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     32,830           1,510,508   
     

 

 

 
        3,529,703   
     

 

 

 

Transportation — 1.0%

     

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

     6,960           469,313   

United Parcel Service, Inc.,
Class B.

     2,750           268,538   
     

 

 

 
        737,851   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $64,662,483)

        68,679,011   
     

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 94.3%
(Cost $64,662,483)

        68,679,011   
     

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF
LIABILITIES - 5.7%

        4,170,888   
     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.0%

      $     72,849,899   
     

 

 

 

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

PLC

Public Limited Company

REIT

Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

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, 2015

 

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value (Cost $64,662,483)

  $ 68,679,011   

Cash

    3,773,811   

Receivables for:

 

Capital shares sold

    398,552   

Dividends

    118,765   

Prepaid expenses and other assets.

    17,119   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    72,987,258   
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Payables for:

 

Capital shares redeemed

    21,946   

Advisory fees

    32,923   

Audit fees

    26,801   

Administration and accounting services fees

    25,984   

Transfer agent fees

    18,500   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

    11,205   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    137,359   
 

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 72,849,899   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF

 

Par value

  $ 5,286   

Paid-in capital

    64,771,666   

Undistributed net investment income

    700,661   

Accumulated net realized gain from investments

    3,355,758   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

    4,016,528   
 

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 72,849,899   
 

 

 

 

CLASS I SHARES:

 

Net Assets applicable to Class I Shares

  $ 72,849,899   
 

 

 

 

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

    5,286,483   
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

  $ 13.78   
 

 

 

 

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

 

9


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended August 31, 2015

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends and interest.

   $ 1,679,741   
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     1,679,741   
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Advisory fees (Note 2)

     480,767   

Administration and accounting services fees (Note 2)

     91,147   

Transfer agent fees (Note 2)

     82,478   

Registration and filing fees

     40,225   

Audit fees

     27,013   

Legal fees

     23,132   

Printing and shareholder reporting fees

     20,603   

Custodian fees (Note 2)

     18,700   

Directors’ and officers’ fees

     9,392   

Other expenses

     27,357   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements

     820,814   

Less: waivers and reimbursements (Note 2)

     (147,547
  

 

 

 

Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements

     673,267   
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     1,006,474   
  

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized gain from:

  

Investments

     3,435,300   

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:

  

Investments

     (1,560,314
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain on investments

     1,874,986   
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ 2,881,460   
  

 

 

 

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   For the
     Year Ended   Year Ended
     August 31, 2015   August 31, 2014

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:

        

Net investment income

     $ 1,006,474       $ 571,518  

Net realized gain from investments

       3,435,300         2,064,024  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

       (1,560,314 )       4,691,346  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       2,881,460         7,326,888  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

        

Class I Shares

        

Net investment income

       (764,753 )       (250,235 )

Net realized gains

       (1,984,239 )       (668,385 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders

       (2,748,992 )       (918,620 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

        

Class I Shares

        

Proceeds from shares sold

       23,177,135         33,583,169  

Reinvestment of distributions

       2,688,722         918,422  

Shares redeemed

       (13,416,205 )       (6,284,602 )

Redemption fees

       1,492         2,994  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

       12,451,144         28,219,983  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

       12,583,612         34,628,251  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

        

Beginning of year

       60,266,287         25,638,036  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

     $ 72,849,899       $ 60,266,287  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income, end of year

     $ 700,661       $ 458,940  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

        

Class I Shares

        

Shares sold

       1,648,561         2,641,785  

Shares reinvested

       198,723         74,608  

Shares redeemed

       (954,075 )       (486,015 )
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in shares

       893,209         2,230,378  
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

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
                 Period
     For the   For the   For the   February 29,
     Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   2012
     August 31,   August 31,   August 31,   to August 31,
     2015   2014   2013   2012(1)

Per Share Operating Performance

                

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 13.72       $ 11.85       $ 10.18       $ 10.00  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(2)

       0.21         0.16         0.15         0.08  

Net realized and unrealized gain from investments(3)

       0.44         2.01         1.64         0.10  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

       0.65         2.17         1.79         0.18  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

                

Net investment income

       (0.16 )       (0.08 )       (0.05 )        

Net realized gains

       (0.43 )       (0.22 )       (0.07 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

       (0.59 )       (0.30 )       (0.12 )        
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 13.78       $ 13.72       $ 11.85       $ 10.18  
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment return(4)

       4.82 %       18.57 %       17.78 %       1.80 %(5)
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

                

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

     $ 72,850       $ 60,266       $ 25,638       $ 3,602  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements

       0.98 %       0.98 %       0.98 %       0.98 %(6)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements

       1.20 %       1.35 %       2.74 %       20.03 %(6)

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

       1.47 %       1.25 %       1.34 %       1.64 %(6)

Portfolio turnover rate

       42 %       110 %       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, 2015

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 twenty-one 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, 2015, the Fund offers three classes of shares, Class A Shares, Retail Shares and Class I Shares. As of August 31, 2015, Class A Shares and Retail Shares have not been issued.

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 82.373 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and fifty-three classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

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 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 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, 2015

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of August 31, 2015, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

     Total Value at
August 31,
2015
     Level 1
Quoted

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

Investments in Securities*

   $ 68,679,011       $ 68,679,011       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*   Please refer to Portfolio of Investments for further details.

      

At the end of each 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, 2015, 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. Estimated components of distributions received from real estate investment trusts may be considered income, return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. 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

 

14


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

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, 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 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 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 imposes 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 advisory 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 advisory 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 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 and could cause net total annual operating expenses to exceed 1.23% or 0.98%, as applicable: 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, 2015 without approval by the Company’s Board of Directors. Effective January 1, 2013, if at any time the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses for that year are less than 1.23% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Class A Shares or Retail Shares or less than 0.98% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund’s Class I Shares, the Adviser is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of the advisory fees forgone and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund within three years from the date

 

15


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

August 31, 2015

 

 

on which such waiver or reimbursement was made. For the year ended August 31, 2015, advisory fees accrued were $480,767, of which $147,547 were waived by the Adviser.

As of August 31, 2015, the Fund had amounts available for recoupment as follows:

 

Expiration fiscal years ending

August 31, 2016

  

August 31, 2017

  

August 31, 2018

$151,296    $170,961    $147,547

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 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 these transfer agent services, BNY Mellon is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum, 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, subject to certain minimum, and 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 aggregate remuneration paid to the Directors by the Fund during the year ended August 31, 2015 was $9,082. Certain employees of BNY Mellon serve as an Officer of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company.

4. Investment in Securities

For the year ended August 31, 2015, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

       Purchases        Sales  

Investment Securities

     $ 36,561,339         $ 27,476,972   

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.

 

16


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

August 31, 2015

 

As of August 31, 2015, the federal tax cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held by the Fund were as follows:

 

                       
 

Federal tax cost

   $   64,698,818   
    

 

 

 
 

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 6,408,233   
 

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (2,428,040
    

 

 

 
 

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 3,980,193   
    

 

 

 

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.

As of August 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed

Ordinary Income

    

Undistributed

Long-Term Gains

    

Net Unrealized

Appreciation

$2,112,615      $1,980,139      $3,980,193

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.

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the years ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Ordinary
Income
       Long-Term
Gains
       Total  

2015

   $ 1,969,231         $ 779,761         $ 2,748,992   

2014

   $ 834,929         $ 83,691         $ 918,620   

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, 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. As of August 31, 2015, 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 Board of Directors and Shareholders of

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, 2015, 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 three years in the period 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, 2015, 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 (one of the series constituting The RBB Fund, Inc.) at August 31, 2015, 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 three years in the period 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 30, 2015

 

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, 2015. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ending December 31, 2015. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, the Fund paid $1,969,231 of ordinary income dividends and $779,761 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.

The Fund designates 52.19% of the ordinary income distribution as qualified dividend income pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.

The percentage of ordinary income dividends paid qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction is 53.71%.

The percentage of qualified interest income related dividends not subject to withholding tax for non-resident aliens and foreign corporations is 0.01% for the Fund.

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 2015. 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 2016.

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 12-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 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 (800) SEC-0330.

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

As required by the Investment Company Act, the Board, 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 13-14, 2015 (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 and approval of the 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 Group and comparing the performance of the Fund to the performance of its Lipper 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. 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 as compared to its primary benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, was higher for the since inception and one- and three-year periods ended March 31, 2015. The Directors also noted that the Fund ranked

 

20


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Other Information (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

in the 2nd quintile in its Lipper Group and the 1st quintile in its Lipper performance universe for the one-year period ended December 31, 2014.

The Board 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 slightly above 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% for Class I Shares and 1.23% for Class A Shares or Retail Shares of the Fund’s average daily net assets through at least December 31, 2015 and that Summit expects to continue these fee waivers and expense reimbursements. The Directors also considered Summit’s profitability and overall firm wide assets which totaled approximately $261 million.

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 Advisory Agreement should be approved and continued for an additional one-year period ending August 16, 2016.

 

21


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Company 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 Company  

  

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

in the Past 5

Years

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Julian A. Brodsky

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 7/33

   Director    1988 to present    From 1969 to 2011, Director and Vice Chairman, Comcast Corporation (cable television and communications).    21    AMDOCS Limited (service provider to telecommu- nications companies).

J. Richard Carnall

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 9/38

   Director    2002 to present    Since 1984, Director of Haydon Bolts, Inc. (bolt manufacturer) and Parkway Real Estate Company (subsidiary of Haydon Bolts, Inc.); since March 2004, Director of Cornerstone Bank.    21    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).    21    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    Since 1997, Consultant, financial services organizations.    21    Kalmar Pooled Investment Trust (registered investment company); Wilmington Funds (registered investment company); WT Mutual Fund (registered investment company) (until March 2012); Independence Blue Cross; Intricon Corp. (producer of medical devices).

 

22


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Company Management (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

  

Position(s)

Held

with Company

  

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

in the Past 5

Years

Jay F. Nusblatt

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 4/61

   Director    2012 to present    From July 2010 to March 2015, 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.    21    None

Arnold M. Reichman

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 5/48

   Chairman Director    2005 to present 1991 to present    Since 2006, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifebooker, LLC.    21    Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).

Robert A. Straniere

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 3/41

   Director    2006 to present    Since 2009, Administrative Law Judge, New York City; since 1980, Founding Partner, Straniere Law Group.    21    Reich and Tang Group (asset management).

 

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS 2

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).    21    None

 

23


SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

Company Management (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

Name, Address,

and Date of Birth

  

Position(s)
Held

with Company  

  

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

in the Past 5

Years

OFFICERS

Salvatore Faia, JD, CPA, CFE Vigilant Compliance Services

Brandywine Two

5 Christy Drive, Suite 208

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

DOB: 12/62

   President Chief Compliance   Officer    2009 to present 2004 to present    Since 2004, President, Vigilant Compliance Services; since 2005, Independent Trustee of EIP Investment Trust (registered investment company).    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

Christina Morse

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 12/64

   Secretary    2015 to present    Since August 2014, Vice President and Counsel, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (financial services company); from August 2013 to July 2014, Counsel, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC; from May 2009 to July 2013, Vice President, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.    N/A    N/A

James G. Shaw

103 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

DOB: 10/60

   Assistant Treasurer    2005 to present    Since 1995, Senior Director and Vice President 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 twenty-one 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 waivers of the policy with respect to Messrs. Brodsky, Carnall, and 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 

Mr. Sablowsky is considered an “interested person” of the Company as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act and is referred to as an “Interested Director.” He 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.

 

24


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 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 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

 

   

    

   

 

25


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.

 

 

 

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

SUM-AR15


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 2015

 

   Fiscal Year 2014

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

  

$236,874

 

  

$231,633

 

Ernst & Young LLP

 

  

$323,425

 

  

$353,325

 

BBD LLP

 

  

$15,000

 

  

$15,000

 

Aggregate Fees

 

  

$575,299

 

  

$599,958

 

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 2015 and $0 for 2014.

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 2015

 

  

Fiscal Year 2014

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

  

$2,000

 

  

$21,600

 

Ernst & Young LLP

 

  

$38,291

 

  

$39,485

 

BBD LLP

 

  

$0

 

  

$0

 

Aggregate Fees

 

  

$40,291

 

  

$63,085

 

 

    

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 2015 and $0 for 2014.

 

  (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 2015

 

   Fiscal Year 2014

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

  

$41,600

  

$13,206,393

Ernst & Young LLP

 

  

$96,104

 

  

$85,000

BBD LLP

 

  

$0

  

$0

Aggregate Fees

 

  

$137,704

  

$13,291,393

 

  (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    11/4/2015                                                                                                                          

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    11/4/2015                                                                                                                          

By (Signature and Title)*      /s/ Joel Weiss                                                                               

                                               Joel Weiss, Treasurer

                                               (principal financial officer)

Date    11/4/2015                                                                                                                          

 

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.