N-CSRS/A 1 fp0041241_ncsrsa.htm

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on [date]

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

811-05518

Investment Company Act file number

 

The RBB FUND, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Salvatore Faia, President

c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC

615 East Michigan Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202
(Name and address of agent for service)

 

(414) 765-5366

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

 

Date of fiscal year end: August 31

 

Date of reporting period: February 28, 2018

 

 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

of

 

THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

 

 

February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

The Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) Class I Shares returned +1.43% net of fees for the six-month period ended February 28, 2018. The positive performance was driven by strong trends in equities, energy and interest rates over the period, with some partially offsetting losses from trading in bonds and major currencies. The presence of strong trends in some markets supported the Fund’s core allocation to trendfollowing systems, through its investment in Abbey Capital Offshore Fund Limited (the “ACOF”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. The Fund invests up to 25% of its assets into the ACOF and its remaining assets in a fixed income strategy consisting primarily of U.S. Treasury obligations.

 

2018
YTD

MAR. 1, 2017 TO
FEB. 28, 2018

SEPT. 1, 2017 TO
FEB. 28, 2018

ANNUALIZED
SINCE INCEPTION
ON JULY 1, 2014 TO
FEB. 28, 2018

Class I Shares

-2.07%

-2.57%

1.43%

4.20%

Class A Shares*

-2.16%

-2.84%

1.25%

3.94%

Class A Shares (max load)*

-7.76%

-8.43%

-4.56%

2.27%

Class C Shares**

-2.28%

-3.56%

0.91%

3.18%

BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month T-Bill Index

0.21%

0.99%

0.58%

0.40%

S&P 500® Total Return Index

1.83%

17.10%

10.84%

11.58%

Barclay CTA Index

-1.02%

0.09%

0.34%

1.03%

 

Source: Abbey Capital and Bloomberg

 

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.

 

Please note the above is shown for illustrative purposes only; the Fund is not benchmarked against any of the indices referenced.

 

*

Class A Shares performance prior to its inception on August 29, 2014 is the performance of Class I Shares, adjusted for the Class A Shares expense ratio. There is a maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) of 5.75% in Class A Shares.

**

Class C Shares performance prior to its inception on October 6, 2015 is the performance of Class I Shares, adjusted for the Class C Shares expense ratio.

 

The Barclay CTA Index is derived from data which is self-reported by investment managers based on the performance of privately managed funds. In contrast, the S&P 500® Total Return Index and the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3-Month T-Bill Index are comprised of publicly traded securities. As a result of these differences, these indices may not be directly comparable and the above is shown for illustrative purposes only.

 

Abbey Capital Limited (the “Adviser”) 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 1.79%, 2.04% and 2.79% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares, Class A Shares, and Class C Shares, respectively. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018, and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. In addition, the Adviser may recoup any waived or reimbursed amounts from the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made by the Adviser, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive its investment 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. Without the

 

1

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

limitation agreement, the expense ratios are 1.93%. 2.18% and 2.93% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares, Class A Shares, and Class C Shares, respectively, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2017, as supplemented (and which may differ from the actual expense ratios for the period covered by this report). The quoted performance would have been lower without the expense limitation.

 

Please refer to the prospectus for further information on expenses and fees.

 

Market Commentary

 

In general, investor sentiment was positive over the six-month period ended February 28, 2018 and this supported risk assets amid signs of an uptick in global growth; however this positive sentiment did appear to unwind somewhat in late January and February on signs of building inflationary pressures.

 

Global equities rallied over the period, supported by solid earnings growth, signs of improving economic conditions and the passing of U.S. tax reform. While most developed market equity indices were positive for the period, gains were pared from late January onwards as worries that mounting inflationary pressures could lead to a more aggressive pace of central bank tightening weighed on risk appetite.

 

Signs of higher inflation also impacted U.S. Treasuries. The Federal Reserve (“Fed”) began its balance sheet normalisation program in September 2017 and hiked interest rates in December 2017, and this, along with some hawkish Fed signals and higher inflation expectations, resulted in a decline in U.S. Treasury prices as the market priced a steeper path of monetary tightening. In Europe, the European Central Bank began tapering its asset purchase program in January 2018, and this helped to push bond yields in the region higher. The re-appointment of Kuroda as Bank of Japan Governor together with the re-affirmation of the central bank’s commitment to accommodative monetary policy and its yield targeting program meant that Japanese bond yields were largely range-bound over the period.

 

Despite the improving yield differential of U.S. Treasuries versus other developed market bonds and forecasts of more aggressive Fed rate hikes, the USD weakened over the period. Worries that tax reform could lead to a larger budget deficit weighed on demand for the greenback, as did uncertainty about the U.S. government’s views on currency strength. The EUR was supported by signs of stronger growth in the eurozone, while GBP benefited from reports of progress in Brexit negotiations and forecasts of rate hikes by the Bank of England in 2018.

 

Signs of stronger global growth were generally supportive of commodity markets, as was the overall weakness in the USD. Crude oil rallied over the period, boosted by the extension of OPEC supply cuts and projections of stronger global demand, however gains were pared somewhat in February as U.S. production reached a 47-year high. Stronger global growth was generally supportive of base metals prices, while in precious metals, the benefits from a weaker USD were offset by signs of a reduction in safe-haven demand. In agricultural commodities, both wheat and soybeans benefited late in the period from concerns about growing conditions in the U.S. and Argentina, respectively, while sugar dropped on concerns of a global supply glut.

 

Performance Attribution

 

Returns for the ACOF were driven by gains in equities, interest rates and energy. Within equities, strong upward trends in prices generated profits from long positions, however these gains unwound somewhat later in the period amid sharp corrections in equity markets. Within equities, the S&P 500®, Nikkei 225 and NASDAQ 100 were the top-performing positions, with ACOF’s Diversified Trendfollowing (“Trendfollowing”) sub-advisors (sub-advisors are also known as “Trading Advisors”) generating the largest gains. Profits from energy were generated mostly by Trendfollowing sub-advisors via long positions in crude oil and distillates. In interest rates, the ACOF’s Global Macro and Trendfollowing sub-advisors performed positively, with mostly short positions in 3-month Eurodollar contracts the primary driver. In major currencies, a short position in USD/NOK was the worst performer, with Value sub-advisors seeing the largest

 

2

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

losses in this currency pair. Trendfollowing sub-advisors saw the largest losses in bonds, with primarily long positions in UK and eurozone contracts the largest detractors, while Value sub-advisors saw some partially offsetting profits through short positions in U.S. Treasury contracts as U.S. rate hike expectations increased.

 

An investment in the Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund is speculative and involves substantial risk and conflicts of interest. It is possible that an investor may lose some or all of their investment. Except for fund returns, the portfolio statistics shown in this presentation are based only on the open forward, future and option contracts held by Abbey Capital Offshore Fund Limited (a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Fund) and does not take into account any other assets held by the Fund (primarily cash and cash-equivalents). The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Abbey Capital Offshore Fund Limited which is a multi-advisor fund that invests in managed futures and foreign exchange. All investments in securities involve risk of the loss of capital. An investment in the Fund includes the risks inherent in an investment in securities, as well as specific risks associated with this open-ended investment product. Among the risks associated with investing in this Fund are Commodity Sector Risk, Counter-Party Risk, Credit Risk, Currency Risk, Derivatives Risk, Manager and Management Risks, Advisory Risk, Subsidiary Risks, Tax Risks, Emerging Markets Risk, Leveraging Risks, Foreign Investment Risks, Fixed Income Securities Risks, Short Sale Risk and Portfolio Turnover Risks. The Fund may invest in or utilize derivative investments, futures contracts, and hedging strategies. A portfolio of hedge funds may increase the potential for losses or gains. One or more underlying managers, from time to time, may invest a substantial portion of the assets managed in a specific industry sector. As a result, the underlying manager’s investment portfolio (as well as the Fund’s) may be subject to greater risk and volatility than if investments had been made in the securities of a broader range of issuers. Trading in futures is not suitable for all investors given its speculative nature and the high level of risk involved. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s or an underlying manager’s strategy (hedging or otherwise) will be successful or that it will employ such strategies with respect to all or any portion of its portfolio. The value of the Fund’s portfolio investments should be expected to fluctuate. Investing in managed futures is not suitable for all investors given its speculative nature and the high level of risk involved. The Fund is appropriate only for investors who can bear the risks associated with the product. Investors may lose some or all of their investment. This brief statement cannot disclose all of the risks and other factors necessary to evaluate a participation in the Fund. Investors are urged to take appropriate investment advice and to carefully consider their investment objectives, personal situation, and factors such as net worth, income, age, risk tolerance and liquidity needs before investing in the Fund. Before investing, investors should carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, conflicts, tax considerations, charges and expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in this report for a complete list of fund holdings.

 

Earnings growth is not representative of the Fund’s future performance.

 

3

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Performance Data

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended February 28, 2018

 

Six
Months†

One
Year

Three
Years

Since
Inception††

Class A Shares (without sales charge) (Pro forma July 1, 2014 to August 29, 2014)

1.25%

-2.84%

-3.03%

3.94%*

Class A Shares (with sales charge) (Pro forma July 1, 2014 to August 29, 2014)

-4.56%

-8.43%

-4.93%

2.27%*

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

0.58%

0.99%

0.48%

0.40%**

S&P 500® Total Return Index

10.84%

17.10%

11.14%

11.58%**

Barclay CTA Index

0.34%

0.09%

-1.92%

1.03%**

 

Not annualized.

 

††

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

 

*

Class A Shares performance prior to its inception on August 29, 2014 is the performance of Class I Shares, adjusted for the Class A Shares expense ratio.

 

**

Performance is from the inception date of the Fund and is not the inception date of the index itself. The above is shown for illustrative purposes only the Fund is not benchmarked against any of the indices referenced.

 

The Fund charges a 5.75% maximum sales charge on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) of Class A Shares. The performance data quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Adviser 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 2.04% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares. Without the limitation arrangement, the gross expense ratios are 2.18% for Class A Shares as stated in the current prospectus (and which may differ from the actual expense ratios for the period covered by this report). This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. Please see the Consolidated Financial Highlights for current figures.

 

4

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Performance Data (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended February 28, 2018

 

Six
Months†

One
Year

Three
Years

Since
Inception††

Class I Shares

1.43%

-2.57%

-2.80%

4.20%

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

0.58%

0.99%

0.48%

0.40%*

S&P 500® Total Return Index

10.84%

17.10%

11.14%

11.58%*

Barclay CTA Index

0.34%

0.09%

-1.92%

1.03%*

 

Not annualized.

 

††

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

 

*

Performance is from the inception date of the Fund and is not the inception date of the index itself. The above is shown for illustrative purposes only, the Fund is not benchmarked against any of the indices referenced.

 

The performance data quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Adviser 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 1.79% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares. Without the limitation arrangement, the gross expense ratio is 1.93% for Class I Shares, as stated in the current prospectus (and which may differ from the actual expense ratios for the period covered by this report). This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. Please see the Consolidated Financial Highlights for current figures.

 

 

5

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Performance Data (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended February 28, 2018

 

Six
Months†

One
Year

Three
Years

Since
Inception††

Class C Shares (Pro forma July 1, 2014 to October 6, 2015)

0.91%

-3.56%

N/A

3.18%*

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

0.58%

0.99%

0.48%

0.40%**

S&P 500® Total Return Index

10.84%

17.10%

11.14%

11.58%**

Barclay CTA Index

0.34%

0.09%

-1.92%

1.03%**

 

Not annualized.

 

††

Inception date of Class C Shares of the Fund was October 6, 2015.

 

*

Class C Shares performance prior to its inception on October 6, 2015 is the performance of Class I Shares, adjusted for the Class C Shares expense ratio.

 

**

Performance is from the inception date of the Fund and is not the inception date of the index itself. The above is shown for illustrative purposes only the Fund is not benchmarked against any of the indices referenced.

 

The performance data quoted reflects fee waivers in effect and would have been less in their absence. The Adviser 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 2.79% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares. Without the limitation arrangement, the gross expense ratio is 2.93% for Class C Shares, as stated in the current prospectus (and which may differ from the actual expense ratios for the period covered by this report). This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. Please see the Consolidated Financial Highlights for current figures.

 

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. 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 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 Barclay CTA Index is derived from data which is self-reported by investment managers based on the performance of privately managed funds. In contrast, the S&P 500® Total Return Index and the BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index are comprised of publicly traded securities. As a result of these differences, these indices may not be directly comparable, are not available for direct investment and the above is shown for illustrative purposes only.

 

 

6

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Performance Data (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The S&P 500® Total Return Index

 

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.

 

S&P 500® Index

 

The S&P 500® Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of 500 US stocks chosen for market size, liquidity and industry grouping, among other factors. The S&P 500® Index is designed to be a leading indicator of U.S. equities and is meant to reflect the risk/return characteristics of the large cap universe. The S&P 500® Index was first introduced on the 1st of January, 1923, though expanded to 500 stocks on March 4, 1957.

 

Nasdaq 100 Index

 

Launched in January 1985, the Nasdaq-100 Index includes 100 of the largest US domestic and international non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock market. The Nasdaq-100 Index is calculated under a modified capitalization-weighted methodology. The index reflects companies across major industry groups including computer hardware and software, telecommunications, retail/wholesale trade and biotechnology. It does not contain securities of financial companies including investment companies.

 

Barclay CTA Index

 

The Barclay CTA Index is a leading industry benchmark of representative performance of commodity trading advisors. There are currently 541 programs included in the calculation of the Barclay CTA Index for 2018. The Barclay CTA Index is equally weighted and rebalanced at the beginning of each year.

 

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

 

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.

 

Hang Seng Index

 

The Hang Seng Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of 40 of the largest companies that trade on the Hong Kong Exchange. The Hang Seng Index is maintained by a subsidiary of Hang Seng Bank, and has been published since 1969.

 

Nikkei 225 Index

 

The Nikkei 225 Index is a price-weighted index comprised of Japan’s top 225 blue-chip companies traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

 

Portfolio composition is subject to change. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

7

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Fund Expense Examples

February 28, 2018 (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.

 

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018, 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
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018

Expenses Paid
During Period*

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,012.50

$ 10.18

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,014.68

10.19

 

 

Class I Shares

 

Beginning
Account Value
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018

Expenses Paid
During Period**

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,014.30

$ 8.94

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,015.92

8.95

 

8

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Fund Expense Examples (Concluded)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Class C Shares

 

Beginning
Account Value
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018

Expenses Paid
During Period***

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,009.10

$ 13.90

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,010.96

13.91

 

 

*

Expenses are equal to an annualized expense ratio for the period September 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 of 2.04% 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 (181) 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 Class A Shares of the Fund of 1.25%.

 

**

Expenses are equal to an annualized expense ratio for the period September 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 of 1.79% for the Class I 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 (181) 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 Class I Shares of the Fund of 1.43%.

 

***

Expenses are equal to an annualized expense ratio for the period September 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 of 2.79% for the Class C 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 (181) 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 Class C Shares of the Fund of 0.91%.

 

9

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following table presents a consolidated summary of the portfolio holdings of the Fund at February 28, 2018.

 

   % of Net
Assets
   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:        
U.S. Treasury Obligations   94.8%  $894,516,988 
PURCHASED OPTIONS   0.9    8,638,070 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES          
(including futures, forward foreign currency contracts and written options)   4.3    40,926,049 
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $944,081,107 

 

 

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.

 

10

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Coupon*   Maturity
Date
  Par
(000’s)
   Value 
Short-Term Investments — 94.8%               
U.S. Treasury Obligations — 94.8%               
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.086%  03/01/18  $51,370   $51,370,000 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.133%  03/08/18   4,825    4,823,898 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.167%  03/22/18   24,525    24,505,776 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.192%  03/29/18   2,990    2,986,576 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.226%  04/05/18   20,784    20,754,498 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.226%  04/12/18   4,690    4,681,707 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.252%  04/19/18   7,874    7,857,524 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.242%  04/26/18   23,948    23,891,329 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.374%  05/10/18   57,543    57,369,292 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.382%  05/17/18   63,050    62,838,781 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.412%  05/24/18   61,218    60,990,524 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.421%  05/31/18   10,731    10,687,124 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.438%  06/07/18   40,754    40,576,216 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.477%  06/14/18   70,880    70,544,059 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.509%  06/21/18   18,150    18,057,677 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.549%  06/28/18   25,087    24,950,172 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.563%  07/05/18   9,518    9,461,576 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.601%  07/12/18   77,940    77,443,328 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.610%  07/19/18   97,200    96,535,912 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.613%  07/26/18   42,912    42,604,106 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.635%  08/02/18   52,611    52,219,399 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.746%  08/09/18   27,306    27,091,071 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.826%  08/16/18   12,858    12,750,068 
U.S. Treasury Bills   1.831%  08/23/18   90,319    89,526,375 
                 894,516,988 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS                  
(Cost $894,901,865)                894,516,988 
Total Purchased Options — 0.9%**                  
(Cost $4,027,045)                8,638,070 
Total Investments — 95.7%                  
(Cost $898,928,910)                903,155,058 
                   
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 4.3%                40,926,049 
Net Assets — 100.0%               $944,081,107 

 

 

*

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

**

See page 19 for detailed information regarding the Purchased Options.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
11

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Futures contracts outstanding as of February 28, 2018 were as follows:

 

Long Contracts  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
   Value and
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)
 
10-Year Mini Japanese Government Bond Futures  Mar-18   46   $4,311,355   $4,836 
2-Year Euro Swapnote Futures  Mar-18   47    5,734,015    (4,301)
3-Month Euro Euribor  Jun-18   10    3,050,008    1,525 
3-Month Euro Euribor  Sep-18   8    2,440,006    732 
3-Month Euro Euribor  Dec-18   247    75,335,196    4,789 
3-Month Euro Euribor  Mar-19   25    7,625,020    137 
3-Month Euro Euribor  Jun-19   340    103,700,270    (28,182)
3-Month Euro Euribor  Sep-19   11    3,355,009    (1,189)
5-Year Euro Swapnote Futures  Mar-18   12    1,464,004    (16,372)
90-DAY Bank Bill  Jun-18   48    37,281,553    (588)
90-DAY Bank Bill  Sep-18   516    400,776,699    22,880 
90-DAY Bank Bill  Dec-18   112    86,990,291    (1,708)
90-DAY Bank Bill  Mar-19   22    17,087,379    341 
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Dec-18   694    173,500,000    (1,063,613)
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Jun-21   1    250,000    (63)
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Sep-21   2    500,000    (163)
90-DAY Sterling Futures  Jun-18   10    1,720,886    (2,925)
90-DAY Sterling Futures  Sep-18   7    1,204,620    (2,409)
Amsterdam Index Futures  Mar-18   61    7,968,170    179,572 
AUD/USD Currency Futures  Mar-18   215    16,684,774    (435,738)
BP Currency Futures  Mar-18   366    31,464,492    (471,590)
Brent Crude Futures  May-18   160    10,356,800    (41,850)
Brent Crude Futures  Jun-18   18    1,160,280    3,030 
Brent Crude Futures  Jul-18   14    897,820    4,430 
Brent Crude Futures  Aug-18   12    765,360    (1,020)
Brent Crude Futures  Sep-18   3    190,320    (5,040)
Brent Crude Futures  Oct-18   3    189,210    (5,720)
CAC40 10 Euro Futures  Mar-18   117    7,592,360    187,228 
CAD Currency Futures  Mar-18   49    3,817,835    (49,481)
Cattle Feeder Futures  Mar-18   9    651,375    (12,000)
Cattle Feeder Futures  Apr-18   15    1,102,500    (14,275)
Cattle Feeder Futures  May-18   19    1,411,225    (1,425)
CHF Currency Futures  Mar-18   87    11,515,248    (186,084)
Cocoa Futures  May-18   73    1,619,140    85,310 
Cocoa Futures  Jul-18   8    179,280    6,850 
Cocoa Futures  Sep-18   3    67,710    2,000 
COP/USD Futures  Mar-18   107    3,733,061    97,877 
Copper Futures  May-18   101    7,909,563    (178,075)
Copper Futures  Jul-18   10    788,000    (30,388)
Copper Futures  Sep-18   1    79,238    (1,575)
Corn Futures  May-18   61    1,165,100    (64,163)
Cotton No.2 Futures  May-18   146    6,053,890    (36,780)
DAX Index Futures  Mar-18   7    2,654,346    (267,104)
EUR Foreign Exchange Currency Futures  Mar-18   86    13,110,236    (2,063,836)
Euro E-Mini Futures  Mar-18   29    2,210,447    (40,600)
Euro STOXX 50  Mar-18   18    754,987    (188,478)
Euro/CHF 3-Month Futures ICE  Jun-18   1    264,718    (26)
Euro/CHF 3-Month Futures ICE  Sep-18   4    1,058,873    (26)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
12

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Long Contracts  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
   Value and
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)
 
Euro/CHF 3-Month Futures ICE  Dec-18   4   $1,058,873   $26 
Euro/CHF 3-Month Futures ICE  Mar-19   2    529,437    79 
Euro/JPY Futures  Mar-18   7    1,067,112    (48,315)
Euro-BTP Futures  Mar-18   114    13,908,036    (99,833)
Euro-BTP Futures  Jun-18   19    2,318,006    (695)
Euro-Bund Futures  Jun-18   3    366,001    11,773 
Euro-Oat Futures  Mar-18   26    3,172,008    11,053 
Euro-Schatz Futures  Mar-18   134    16,348,043    (1,659)
FTSE 100 Index Futures  Mar-18   51    5,073,530    (286,941)
FTSE 250 Index Futures  Mar-18   46    2,493,437    (50,576)
FTSE/JSE TOP 40  Mar-18   60    2,610,722    (68,009)
FTSE/MIB Index Futures  Mar-18   33    4,549,794    (145,388)
Gasoline RBOB Futures  Apr-18   196    15,843,307    (363,661)
Gasoline RBOB Futures  May-18   21    1,710,463    (60,203)
Gasoline RBOB Futures  Jul-18   2    161,557    (4,339)
Gold 100 Oz Futures  Apr-18   507    66,817,530    (1,109,860)
Gold 100 Oz Futures  Jun-18   16    2,117,920    (15,410)
Hang Seng China Enterprises Index Futures  Mar-18   115    9,072,567    (210,538)
Hang Seng Index Futures  Mar-18   93    18,260,366    (276,760)
IBEX 35 Index Futures  Mar-18   25    2,999,500    32,550 
ILS/USD Futures  Mar-18   16    4,604,250    (31,460)
INR/USD Futures  Mar-18   295    9,049,177    (12,492)
JPN 10-Year Bond (Osaka Securities Exchange)  Mar-18   139    130,277,895    342,284 
JPY Currency Futures  Mar-18   313    36,692,476    444,218 
Lean Hogs Futures  Jun-18   7    225,892    (13,550)
Live Cattle Futures  Apr-18   107    5,276,176    (69,010)
Live Cattle Futures  Jun-18   49    2,265,760    (13,180)
Live Cattle Futures  Aug-18   22    994,180    (12,280)
LME Aluminum Forward  Mar-18   1,471    78,312,363    (469,874)
LME Aluminum Forward  Apr-18   34    1,810,500    (123,133)
LME Aluminum Forward  May-18   6    319,725    (54,916)
LME Aluminum Forward  Jun-18   292    15,581,850    (371,282)
LME Copper Forward  Mar-18   1    172,588    183,525 
LME Copper Forward  Apr-18   34    5,878,388    (270,456)
LME Copper Forward  May-18   1    173,194    (2,981)
LME Copper Forward  Jun-18   156    27,077,700    (646,276)
LME Lead Forward  Mar-18   8    500,000    20,873 
LME Lead Forward  Apr-18   11    687,775    (30,001)
LME Lead Forward  May-18   4    250,000    (5,800)
LME Nickel Forward  Mar-18   5    412,575    815,626 
LME Nickel Forward  Apr-18   19    1,569,438    84,478 
LME Nickel Forward  May-18   7    578,970    3,921 
LME Nickel Forward  Jun-18   80    6,626,400    (459)
LME Zinc Forward  Mar-18   10    865,000    646,862 
LME Zinc Forward  Apr-18   23    1,986,625    17,555 
LME Zinc Forward  May-18   9    776,588    (9,756)
LME Zinc Forward  Jun-18   60    5,169,750    (45,831)
Low Sulphur Gasoil G Futures  Apr-18   185    10,706,875    (155,725)
Low Sulphur Gasoil G Futures  May-18   38    2,197,350    (29,625)
Low Sulphur Gasoil G Futures  Jun-18   5    288,000    (5,550)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
13

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Long Contracts  Expiration
Date
  Number of Contracts   Notional
Amount
   Value and
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)
 
Mini HSI Index Futures  Mar-18   24   $942,471   $(16,157)
MSCI EAFE Index Futures  Mar-18   29    2,952,925    (98,445)
MSCI Emerging Markets Index Futures  Mar-18   62    3,667,300    (13,460)
MSCI Singapore Exchange ETS  Mar-18   180    5,443,820    (14,335)
MSCI Taiwan Index Futures  Mar-18   118    4,697,580    (6,080)
MXN Currency Futures  Mar-18   386    10,247,751    (33,425)
Nasdaq 100 E-Mini  Mar-18   280    38,444,000    (6,050)
Natural Gas Futures  Nov-18   1    28,400    (570)
Nikkei 225 (Chicago Mercantile Exchange)  Mar-18   10    1,096,000    (35,750)
Nikkei 225 (Singapore Exchange)  Mar-18   67    6,940,508    (424,575)
Nikkei 225 Mini  Mar-18   191    3,956,230    (217,709)
NY Harbor Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Futures  Apr-18   174    13,910,778    (616,224)
NY Harbor Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Futures  May-18   13    1,040,130    (48,476)
NY Harbor Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Futures  Jun-18   23    1,838,588    (57,288)
NZD Currency Futures  Mar-18   367    26,442,256    (437,435)
OMX Stockholm 30 Index Futures  Mar-18   30    569,154    10,783 
Palladium Futures  Jun-18   19    1,971,440    20,850 
Platinum Futures  Apr-18   76    3,754,780    (85,120)
PLN/USD Futures  Mar-18   46    6,716,544    92,270 
RUB Currency Futures  Mar-18   62    2,754,162    116,125 
Russell 2000 E-Mini  Mar-18   112    8,462,720    (231,340)
S&P 500 E-Mini Futures  Mar-18   122    16,557,840    (553,868)
S&P Mid 400 E-Mini Futures  Mar-18   28    5,220,600    (173,410)
S&P/TSX 60 IX Futures  Mar-18   70    9,957,762    (308,180)
SGX Nifty 50  Mar-18   294    6,185,172    5,628 
Soybean Futures  May-18   257    13,563,175    246,075 
Soybean Futures  Jul-18   2    106,425    725 
Soybean Futures  Sep-18   1    52,275    (88)
Soybean Meal Futures  May-18   214    8,446,580    461,270 
Soybean Meal Futures  Jul-18   46    1,803,660    56,950 
Soybean Meal Futures  Aug-18   5    193,050    5,190 
SPI 200 Futures  Mar-18   194    22,605,709    30,369 
Swiss Federal Bond Futures  Mar-18   20    2,117,747    (39,814)
Topix Index Futures  Mar-18   59    9,776,653    (230,048)
TRY/USD Futures  Mar-18   29    3,812,579    10,265 
WTI Crude Futures  Apr-18   312    19,231,680    109,250 
WTI Crude Futures  May-18   183    11,249,010    (277,520)
WTI Crude Futures  Jun-18   10    611,400    (15,230)
WTI Crude Futures  Jul-18   2    121,340    (3,180)
WTI Crude Futures  Aug-18   6    360,840    21,390 
WTI Crude Futures  Sep-18   6    357,480    (4,050)
WTI Crude Futures  Oct-18   1    59,040    (1,680)
WTI Crude Futures  Nov-18   1    58,560    (1,770)
                $(9,880,388)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
14

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Short Contracts  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
   Value and
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)
 
3-Month Euro Euribor  Dec-19   1,083   $(330,315,859)  $227,238 
3-Month Euro Euribor  Mar-20   4    (1,220,003)   (717)
3-Month Euro Euribor  Jun-20   19    (5,795,015)   (3,248)
3-Month Euro Euribor  Sep-20   1    (305,001)   (31)
3-Month Euro Euribor  Dec-20   1    (305,001)   (76)
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Mar-18   72    (18,000,000)   94,838 
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Jun-18   224    (56,000,000)   220,300 
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Sep-18   295    (73,750,000)   251,900 
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Mar-19   298    (74,500,000)   268,725 
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Jun-19   1,827    (456,750,000)   2,445,483 
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Sep-19   209    (52,250,000)   252,038 
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Dec-19   2,549    (637,250,000)   2,649,125 
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Mar-20   77    (19,250,000)   66,963 
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Jun-20   71    (17,750,000)   62,537 
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Sep-20   1    (250,000)   (125)
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Dec-20   132    (33,000,000)   143,325 
90-DAY Eurodollar Futures  Mar-21   2    (500,000)   (75)
90-DAY Sterling Futures  Dec-18   1,512    (260,197,971)   62,933 
90-DAY Sterling Futures  Mar-19   145    (24,952,848)   (688)
90-DAY Sterling Futures  Jun-19   223    (38,375,759)   (12,291)
90-DAY Sterling Futures  Sep-19   271    (46,636,012)   20,302 
90-DAY Sterling Futures  Dec-19   416    (71,588,860)   109,338 
90-DAY Sterling Futures  Mar-20   252    (43,366,328)   14,920 
90-DAY Sterling Futures  Jun-20   273    (46,980,189)   40,763 
90-DAY Sterling Futures  Sep-20   8    (1,376,709)   120 
90-DAY Sterling Futures  Dec-20   220    (37,859,493)   104,819 
Australian 10-Year Bond Futures  Mar-18   88    (6,834,951)   (50,167)
Australian 3-Year Bond Futures  Mar-18   19    (1,475,728)   (12,751)
Bank Acceptance Futures  Jun-18   13    (2,532,731)   (3,419)
Bank Acceptance Futures  Sep-18   59    (11,494,701)   2,445 
Bank Acceptance Futures  Dec-18   85    (16,560,162)   18,937 
Canadian 10-Year Bond Futures  Jun-18   358    (27,899,002)   (215,578)
Canola Futures (Winnipeg Commodity Exchange)  May-18   1    (8,167)   (401)
Canola Futures (Winnipeg Commodity Exchange)  Jul-18   5    (41,225)   (1,897)
Cocoa Futures  May-18   69    (1,502,788)   (113,207)
Cocoa Futures  Jul-18   22    (484,299)   (53,471)
Coffee 'C' Futures  May-18   325    (14,868,750)   253,144 
Coffee 'C' Futures  Jul-18   45    (2,094,188)   67,781 
Coffee 'C' Futures  Sep-18   10    (473,250)   3,769 
Coffee Robusta Futures  May-18   72    (1,241,280)   77,340 
Coffee Robusta Futures  Jul-18   30    (526,200)   120 
Corn Futures  Sep-18   25    (493,750)   (28,525)
DJIA Mini E-CBOT  Mar-18   60    (7,511,400)   (431,385)
Dollar Index  Mar-18   3    (300,000)   (4,448)
E-Mini Natural Gas  Apr-18   16    (106,675)   (1,780)
Euro BUXL 30-Year Bond Futures  Mar-18   17    (2,074,005)   (53,241)
Euro/CHF 3-Month Futures ICE  Mar-18   1    (264,718)   (132)
Euro-Bobl Futures  Mar-18   444    (54,168,141)   (96,917)
Euro-Bobl Futures  Jun-18   186    (22,692,059)   (20,740)
Euro-Bund Futures  Mar-18   193    (23,546,061)   (388,546)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
15

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Short Contracts  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
   Value and
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)
 
Euro-Oat Futures  Jun-18   37   $(4,514,012)  $(451)
Kansas City Hard Red Winter Wheat Futures  May-18   22    (574,475)   (46,025)
Kansas City Hard Red Winter Wheat Futures  Jul-18   58    (1,563,100)   (131,925)
Lean Hogs Futures  Apr-18   92    (2,473,880)   67,880 
Lean Hogs Futures  Jul-18   1    (32,880)   (850)
LME Aluminum Forward  Mar-18   1,471    (78,312,363)   447,614 
Long Gilt Futures  Jun-18   306    (42,127,290)   (131,710)
Mill Wheat Euro  Mar-18   1    (10,172)   (427)
Mill Wheat Euro  May-18   180    (1,847,390)   10,217 
Mill Wheat Euro  Sep-18   118    (1,239,859)   (30,454)
Natural Gas Futures  Apr-18   533    (14,215,200)   (54,980)
Natural Gas Futures  May-18   207    (5,580,700)   (28,220)
Natural Gas Futures  Jun-18   20    (547,000)   (9,070)
Natural Gas Futures  Jul-18   14    (389,100)   (7,290)
Natural Gas Futures  Aug-18   6    (167,500)   (3,740)
Natural Gas Futures  Sep-18   1    (27,700)   (700)
Nikkie 225 (Osaka Securities Exchange)  Mar-18   5    (1,035,662)   (6,467)
Rapeseed Euro  May-18   94    (2,067,112)   (55,998)
Rapeseed Euro  Aug-18   62    (1,345,450)   (4,514)
Rapeseed Euro  Nov-18   6    (131,211)   (4,133)
Silver Futures  May-18   97    (7,957,400)   84,795 
Silver Futures  Jul-18   5    (412,450)   3,125 
Soybean Futures  Aug-18   3    (159,488)   (11,975)
Soybean Oil Futures  May-18   98    (1,895,124)   74,262 
Soybean Oil Futures  Jul-18   88    (1,712,304)   36,042 
Sugar No. 11 (World)  May-18   355    (5,319,888)   78,299 
Sugar No. 11 (World)  Jul-18   314    (4,744,163)   37,094 
Sugar No. 11 (World)  Oct-18   22    (340,278)   1,042 
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes (Chicago Board of Trade)  Jun-18   1,559    (152,323,900)   54,609 
U.S. Treasury 2-Year Notes (Chicago Board of Trade)  Jun-18   694    (136,276,340)   63,813 
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes (Chicago Board of Trade)  Jun-18   2,012    (192,733,675)   242,054 
U.S. Treasury Long Bond (Chicago Board of Trade)  Jun-18   246    (29,597,586)   (106,570)
U.S. Treasury Ultra Long Bond (Chicago Board of Trade)  Jun-18   22    (2,432,024)   (26,164)
USD/CZK Futures  Mar-18   30    (3,000,000)   60,939 
USD/HUF Futures  Mar-18   29    (2,900,000)   (26,120)
USD/NOK Futures  Mar-18   1    (100,000)   (49,036)
USD/SEK Futures  Mar-18   3    (300,000)   (6,266)
Wheat (Chicago Board of Trade)  May-18   53    (1,311,750)   (200,038)
Wheat (Chicago Board of Trade)  Jul-18   10    (253,625)   (21,400)
White Sugar ICE  May-18   111    (2,005,215)   4,280 
White Sugar ICE  Aug-18   51    (914,175)   43,860 
White Sugar ICE  Oct-18   3    (54,210)   (30)
                $6,310,719 
Total Futures Contracts               $(3,569,669)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
16

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Forward foreign currency contracts outstanding as of February 28, 2018 were as follows:

 

Currency Purchased  Currency Sold  Expiration
Date
Counterparty  Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) 
AUD   28,207,023  USD   21,925,673  Mar 21 2018

BOA

  $(16,788)
AUD   62,391,000  USD   49,588,180  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   (1,127,841)
AUD   66,000  USD   51,293  Mar 28 2018

BOA

   (29)
BRL   35,100,283  USD   10,635,697  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   150,069 
BRL   4,083,438  USD   1,250,000  Jun 20 2018

BOA

   (6,969)
CAD   411,008  USD   320,712  Mar 01 2018

BOA

   (408)
CAD   43,572,010  USD   34,524,849  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (554,833)
CAD   35,824,000  USD   28,619,060  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   (688,285)
CAD   83,000  USD   64,710  Mar 28 2018

BOA

   10 
CHF   18,249,000  USD   19,460,315  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   (95,082)
CHF   2,108,000  USD   2,257,788  Mar 28 2018

BOA

   (19,671)
CLP   9,543,488,344  USD   15,089,803  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   945,930 
CLP   5,739,651,730  USD   9,700,000  Jun 20 2018

BOA

   (67,079)
CNH   35,398,277  USD   5,450,000  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   136,056 
EUR   1,211,918  USD   1,492,251  Mar 01 2018

BOA

   (13,617)
EUR   351,108  USD   428,352  Mar 02 2018

BOA

   53 
EUR   7,000,000  HUF   2,193,803,866  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   15,246 
EUR   20,200,000  NOK   198,381,048  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (452,959)
EUR   4,200,000  PLN   17,540,487  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   6,001 
EUR   32,900,000  SEK   326,224,377  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   773,199 
EUR   57,430,978  USD   68,993,607  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   1,190,419 
EUR   40,911,000  USD   49,034,498  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   970,126 
EUR   51,000  JPY   6,636,865  Mar 28 2018

BOA

   28 
EUR   1,598,000  USD   1,967,381  Mar 28 2018

BOA

   (13,303)
GBP   187,872  USD   262,411  Mar 01 2018

BOA

   (3,758)
GBP   629,759  USD   868,438  Mar 02 2018

BOA

   (1,393)
GBP   40,902,068  USD   55,339,182  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   1,027,891 
GBP   28,572,000  USD   38,718,816  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   660,764 
HUF   1,209,335,168  EUR   3,900,000  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (58,811)
HUF   871,004,193  USD   3,331,682  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   58,616 
ILS   60,457,605  USD   17,400,000  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   2,551 
INR   1,592,111,220  USD   24,581,464  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (204,581)
INR   464,187,362  USD   7,050,000  Jun 20 2018

BOA

   (12,507)
JPY   132,243,069  USD   1,235,398  Mar 01 2018

BOA

   4,116 
JPY   33,394,981  USD   313,074  Mar 02 2018

BOA

   (47)
JPY   13,734,831,293  USD   123,792,616  Mar 22 2018

BOA

   5,146,085 
JPY   7,665,381,000  USD   70,211,719  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   1,754,740 
JPY   754,889,850  EUR   5,756,000  Mar 28 2018

BOA

   51,666 
JPY   269,445,000  USD   2,529,742  Mar 28 2018

BOA

   1,005 
KRW   15,558,251,318  USD   14,321,492  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   50,069 
KRW   6,203,926,766  USD   5,800,000  Jun 20 2018

BOA

   (54,855)
MXN   247,139,302  USD   12,925,820  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   138,374 
MXN   42,318,000  USD   2,234,541  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   1,700 
NOK   1,995,841  USD   253,054  Mar 02 2018

BOA

   (316)
NOK   182,185,533  EUR   18,850,000  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   50,467 
NOK   76,291,950  USD   9,469,998  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   197,602 
NZD   567,875  USD   411,550  Mar 01 2018

BOA

   (2,005)
NZD   646,453  USD   466,752  Mar 02 2018

BOA

   (543)
NZD   29,127,323  USD   20,780,991  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   221,313 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
17

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Currency Purchased  Currency Sold  Expiration
Date
Counterparty  Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) 
NZD   26,641,000  USD   19,503,897  Mar 23 2018

BOA

  $(294,674)
PHP   152,928,179  USD   3,000,000  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (67,139)
PHP   52,708,000  USD   1,000,000  Jun 20 2018

BOA

   5,739 
PLN   59,357,624  EUR   14,100,000  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   117,720 
PLN   41,783,161  USD   11,878,179  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   333,993 
RUB   697,612,030  USD   11,850,000  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   491,484 
RUB   582,127,294  USD   10,300,000  Jun 20 2018

BOA

   (95,873)
SEK   102,050,745  EUR   10,300,000  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (251,770)
SEK   55,748,129  USD   6,835,933  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (97,350)
SGD   18,595,366  USD   13,921,309  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   119,601 
THB   281,887,053  USD   8,750,000  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   235,164 
TRY   92,811,563  USD   23,922,279  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   332,803 
TWD   141,365,177  USD   4,837,566  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   9,586 
TWD   13,005,450  USD   450,000  Jun 20 2018

BOA

   (1,327)
USD   19,565,650  AUD   25,093,248  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   75,288 
USD   44,176,625  AUD   56,848,000  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   21,646 
USD   3,725,832  AUD   4,784,000  Mar 28 2018

BOA

   9,972 
USD   8,847,371  BRL   28,935,944  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (44,190)
USD   321,789  CAD   411,008  Mar 01 2018

BOA

   1,486 
USD   31,434,971  CAD   39,648,157  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   524,105 
USD   44,962,240  CAD   56,987,000  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   531,381 
USD   4,766,897  CAD   6,079,000  Mar 28 2018

BOA

   26,738 
USD   17,011,798  CHF   16,644,000  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   (650,263)
USD   10,953,013  CHF   10,287,000  Mar 28 2018

BOA

   31,046 
USD   14,800,000  CLP   8,868,988,180  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (102,383)
USD   1,150,000  CNH   7,330,709  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (6,829)
USD   1,483,788  EUR   1,211,918  Mar 01 2018

BOA

   5,154 
USD   428,615  EUR   351,108  Mar 02 2018

BOA

   210 
USD   59,106,325  EUR   48,486,598  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (147,144)
USD   28,729,544  EUR   23,458,000  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   57,342 
USD   11,520,132  EUR   9,383,000  Mar 28 2018

BOA

   46,343 
USD   260,932  GBP   187,872  Mar 01 2018

BOA

   2,279 
USD   872,316  GBP   629,759  Mar 02 2018

BOA

   5,272 
USD   46,249,538  GBP   33,729,682  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (233,282)
USD   27,658,457  GBP   19,905,000  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   224,236 
USD   2,314,604  HUF   599,008,928  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (16,979)
USD   11,600,000  ILS   40,282,107  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   4,909 
USD   20,649,868  INR   1,336,353,258  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   188,906 
USD   50,000  INR   3,307,516  Jun 20 2018

BOA

   (145)
USD   1,230,443  JPY   132,243,069  Mar 01 2018

BOA

   (9,071)
USD   311,734  JPY   33,394,981  Mar 02 2018

BOA

   (1,294)
USD   98,816,578  JPY   10,953,406,181  Mar 22 2018

BOA

   (4,010,893)
USD   51,519,027  JPY   5,703,270,000  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   (2,026,145)
USD   13,401,378  KRW   14,391,319,609  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   107,742 
USD   9,136,033  MXN   175,545,983  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (143,619)
USD   7,904,221  MXN   154,908,000  Mar 23 2018

BOA

   (281,694)
USD   253,470  NOK   1,995,841  Mar 02 2018

BOA

   731 
USD   8,291,714  NOK   67,238,070  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (228,592)
USD   412,815  NZD   567,875  Mar 01 2018

BOA

   3,269 
USD   467,453  NZD   646,453  Mar 02 2018

BOA

   1,244 
USD   17,986,186  NZD   25,480,884  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (386,847)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
18

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Currency Purchased  Currency Sold  Expiration
Date
Counterparty  Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) 
USD   10,865,269  NZD 15,391,000  Mar 23 2018

BOA

  $(232,256)
USD   3,000,000  PHP 154,804,442  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   31,156 
USD   9,195,286  PLN 31,764,012  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (88,539)
USD   12,437,693  RUB 697,612,030  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   96,209 
USD   5,149,397  SEK 41,633,135  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   116,972 
USD   4,417,203  SGD 5,862,398  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (9,352)
USD   3,200,000  THB 101,847,261  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (46,387)
USD   13,415,657  TRY 52,288,666  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (249,298)
USD   5,140,721  TWD 152,408,122  Mar 21 2018

BOA

   (85,073)
USD   5,986,475  ZAR 74,065,828  Mar 22 2018

BOA

   (271,782)
ZAR   177,193,588  USD 14,000,133  Mar 22 2018

BOA

   971,996 
ZAR   19,636,000  USD 1,688,550  Mar 28 2018

BOA

   (30,988)
Total Forward Foreign Currency Contracts         $4,778,960 

 

   Put/Call   Counterparty   Number
Of Contracts
   Notional
Amount
  Value 
Purchased Options — 0.9%                   
3-Month Euro Euribor, Expires 12/16/19, Strike Price $99.50   

Put

    

BAML

    4,356   EUR 173,996,064  $963,223 
EURO Currency Futures, Expires 4/06/18, Strike Price $1.20   

Put

    

BAML

    561   EUR 70,125,000   203,363 
IMM Eurodollar Futures, Expires 12/17/18, Strike Price $97.625   

Put

    

BAML

    2,420   EUR 94,350,960   1,376,375 
IMM Eurodollar Futures, Expires 12/17/18, Strike Price $97.875   

Put

    

BAML

    4,699   EUR 183,204,612   5,022,056 
IMM Eurodollar Futures, Expires 3/19/18, Strike Price $98   

Put

    

BAML

    1,753   EUR 68,636,962   514,944 
U.S. 10-Year Treasury Bond, Expires 3/23/18, Strike Price $119   

Put

    

BAML

    1,508   USD 181,035   282,750 
USD JPY Currency Futures, Expires 4/06/18, Strike Price $103   

Put

    

BAML

    111,032,000   JPY 111,032,000   275,359 
TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS (COST $4,027,045)           $8,638,070 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
19

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Put/Call   Counterparty   Number Of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
  Value 
Written Options — (0.6)%                       
3-Month Euro Euribor, Expires 12/16/19, Strike Price $99.375   

Put

    

BAML

    4,356   EUR 173,996,064  $(697,506)
IMM Eurodollar Futures, Expires 12/17/18, Strike Price $97.5   

Put

    

BAML

    2,420   EUR 94,350,960   (892,375)
IMM Eurodollar Futures, Expires 12/17/18, Strike Price $97.75   

Put

    

BAML

    4,699   EUR 183,204,612   (3,788,569)
U.S. 10-Year Treasury Bond, Expires 3/23/18, Strike Price $118   

Put

    

BAML

    1,508   USD 181,035   (70,687)
USD JPY Currency Futures, Expires 4/06/18, Strike Price $100   

Put

    

BAML

    111,032,000   JPY 111,032,000   (79,499)
TOTAL WRITTEN OPTIONS (PREMIUMS RECEIVED $2,164,490)           $(5,528,636)

 

AUD

Australian Dollar

BAML

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

BOA

Bank of America

BRL

Brazilian Real

CAD

Canadian Dollar

CBOT

Chicago Board of Trade

CHF

Swiss Franc

CLP

Chilean Peso

CNH

Chinese Yuan Renminbi

COP

Colombian Peso

CZK

Czech Koruna

DAX

Deutscher Aktienindex

DJIA

Dow Jones Industrial Average

EUR

Euro

FTSE

Financial Times Stock Exchange

GBP

British Pound

HUF

Hungarian Forint

IBEX

Index of the Bolsa de Madrid

ICE

Intercontinental Exchange

ILS

Israeli New Shekel

IMM

International Monetary Market

INR

Indian Rupee

JPY

Japanese Yen

KRW

Korean Won

LME

London Mercantile Exchange

MXN

Mexican Peso

NOK

Norwegian Krone

NZD

New Zealand Dollar

PHP

Philippine Peso

PLN

Polish Zloty

RBOB

Reformulated Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending

RUB

Russian Ruble

SEK

Swedish Krona

SGD

Singapore Dollar

SGX

Singapore Exchange

THB

Thai Baht

TRY

Turkish Lira

TSX

Toronto Stock Exchange

TWD

Taiwan Dollar

USD

United States Dollar

WTI

West Texas Intermediate

ZAR

South African Rand

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
20

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Statement of Assets And Liabilities

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS    
Investments, at value (cost $898,928,910)  $903,155,058 
Cash   17,881,937 
Deposits with broker for forward foreign currency contracts   10,935,448 
Deposits with brokers for futures contracts   66,187,979 
Receivables for:     
Capital shares sold   9,860,916 
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts   18,285,818 
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   13,172,628 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   65,644 
Total assets   1,039,545,428 
LIABILITIES     
Options written, at value (premiums received $2,164,490)   5,528,636 
Due to broker   2,395,078 
Payables for:     
Investments purchased   55,379,630 
Advisory fees   1,211,443 
Capital shares redeemed   432,956 
Administration and accounting services fees   72,108 
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts   13,506,858 
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts   16,742,297 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities   195,315 
Total liabilities   95,464,321 
Net assets  $944,081,107 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Par value  $83,096 
Paid-in capital   921,161,000 
Accumulated net investment income/(loss)   (13,674,585)
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments, futures contracts, foreign currency transactions, forward foreign currency contracts and written options   34,401,388 
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, futures contracts, foreign currency translation, forward foreign currency contracts and written options   2,110,208 
Net assets  $944,081,107 
      
CLASS A SHARES:     
Net assets  $13,107,496 
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   1,160,554 
Net asset value and redemption price per share  $11.29 
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of $11.29)  $11.98 
      
CLASS I SHARES:     
Net assets  $921,700,371 
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized)   81,101,363 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $11.36 
      
CLASS C SHARES:     
Net assets  $9,273,240 
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   834,273 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $11.12 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
21

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations

For the Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME    
Interest  $4,773,127 
Total investment income   4,773,127 
EXPENSES     
Advisory fees (Note 2)   7,678,675 
Administration and accounting services fees (Note 2)   194,293 
Legal fees   93,565 
Registration and filing fees   53,329 
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)   47,853 
Printing and shareholder reporting fees   46,579 
Distribution fees (Class C Shares) (Note 2)   35,797 
Distribution fees (Class A Shares) (Note 2)   17,217 
Audit and tax service fees   31,245 
Directors fees   26,945 
Officers fees   16,127 
Custodian fees (Note 2)   8,765 
Other expenses   32,113 
Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements   8,282,503 
Less: waivers and reimbursements (Note 2)   (447,424)
Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements   7,835,079 
Net investment income/(loss)   (3,061,952)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS     
Net realized gain/(loss) from:     
Investments   2,242,234 
Futures contracts   37,972,930 
Foreign currency transactions   71,372 
Forward foreign currency contracts   (4,566,810)
Written options   (1,313,894)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:     
Investments   4,447,722 
Futures contracts   (26,263,709)
Foreign currency translation   38,915 
Forward foreign currency contracts   2,465,906 
Written options   (3,416,396)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments   11,678,270 
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $8,616,318 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
22

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET FROM OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $(3,061,952)  $(10,879,903)
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, futures contracts, foreign currency transactions, forward foreign currency contracts and written options   34,405,832    (50,609,874)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, futures contracts, foreign currency translation, forward foreign currency contracts and written options   (22,727,562)   20,193,769 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   8,616,318    (41,296,008)
capital SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Class A Shares          
Proceeds from shares sold   1,754,722    9,247,071 
Shares redeemed   (4,206,562)   (10,029,596)
Total from Class A Shares   (2,451,840)   (782,525)
Class I Shares          
Proceeds from shares sold   340,278,315    561,507,438 
Shares redeemed   (199,363,200)   (489,198,240)
Total from Class I Shares   140,915,115    72,309,198 
Class C Shares          
Proceeds from shares sold   1,068,532    6,146,653 
Shares redeemed   (1,342,971)   (4,447,796)
Total from Class C Shares   (274,439)   1,698,857 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions   138,188,836    73,225,530 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   146,805,154    31,929,522 
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   797,275,953    765,346,431 
End of period  $944,081,107   $797,275,953 
Accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of period  $(13,674,585)  $(10,612,633)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
23

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Concluded)

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
SHARE TRANSACTIONS:        
Class A Shares          
Shares sold   153,265    807,849 
Shares redeemed   (374,285)   (881,702)
Total Class A Shares   (221,020)   (73,853)
Class I Shares          
Shares sold   29,381,645    49,037,837 
Shares redeemed   (17,226,439)   (42,813,179)
Total Class I Shares   12,155,206    6,224,658 
Class C Shares          
Shares sold   93,830    539,738 
Shares redeemed   (118,786)   (395,929)
Total Class C Shares   (24,956)   143,809 
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   11,909,230    6,294,614 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
24

 

 

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 consolidated financial statements.

 

   Class A Shares 
   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2017
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2016
  

For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2015(1)

 
Per Share Operating Performance
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.15   $11.77   $12.01   $10.36 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

   (0.05)   (0.18)   (0.24)   (0.27)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)
from investments
   0.19    (0.44)   0.01    2.14 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting
from operations
   0.14    (0.62)   (0.23)   1.87 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                    
Net investment income           (0.01)   (0.21)
Net realized capital gains               (0.01)
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders           (0.01)   (0.22)
Net asset value, end of period  $11.29   $11.15   $11.77   $12.01 

Total investment return(3)

   1.25%(4)   (5.18)%   (1.94)%   18.17%
Ratios/Supplemental Data                    
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)  $13,107   $15,401   $17,125   $11,013 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with
waivers and reimbursements (including
interest expense)(6)

   2.04%(5)   2.14%   2.26%   2.28%

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with
waivers and reimbursements (excluding
interest expense)(6)

   2.04%(5)   2.14%   2.24%   2.24%

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without
waivers and reimbursements (including
interest expense)(6)

   2.14%(5)   2.28%   2.42%   2.71%
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to
average net assets
   (0.94)%(5)   (1.60)%   (2.01)%   (2.23)%

Portfolio turnover rate(7)

   0.00%(4)   0.00%   0.00%   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 year reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect any applicable sales charge.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

(6)

Effective February 28, 2017, the Adviser 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 2.04% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares. Prior to February 28, 2017, the contractual fee waiver limited 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.

(7)

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated for the Fund, as a whole, for the entire period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
25

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

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 respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the consolidated financial statements.

 

   Class I Shares 
   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2017
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2016
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2015
  

For the
Period
Ended
August 31,
2014(1)

 
Per Share Operating Performance
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.20   $11.80   $12.03   $10.36   $10.00 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

   (0.04)   (0.15)   (0.21)   (0.24)   (0.03)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments   0.20    (0.45)   0.01    2.14    0.39 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   0.16    (0.60)   (0.20)   1.90    0.36 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                         
Net investment income           (0.03)   (0.22)    
Net realized gains               (0.01)    
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders           (0.03)   (0.23)    
Net asset value, end of period  $11.36   $11.20   $11.80   $12.03   $10.36 

Total investment return(3)

   1.43%(4)   (5.00)%   (1.68)%   18.46%   3.60%(4)
Ratios/Supplemental Data                         
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)  $921,700   $772,413   $739,842   $220,441   $24,349 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)(6)

   1.79%(5)   1.89%   2.01%   2.03%   2.01%(5)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
(excluding interest expense)(6)

   1.79%(5)   1.89%   1.99%   1.99%   1.99%(5)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements
(including interest expense)(6)

   1.89%(5)   2.03%   2.17%   2.46%   4.71%(5)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   (0.69)%(5)   (1.35)%   (1.76)%   (1.98)%   (1.99)%(5)

Portfolio turnover rate(7)

   0.00%(4)   0.00%   0.00%   0.00%   0.00%(4)

 

 

(1)

Inception date of Class I Shares of the Fund was 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.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

(6)

Effective February 28, 2017, the Adviser 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 1.79% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares. Prior to February 28, 2017, the contractual fee waiver limited total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 1.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares.

(7)

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated for the Fund, as a whole, for the entire period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
26

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Consolidated Financial Highlights (Concluded)

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for Class C 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 consolidated financial statements.

 

 

   Class C Shares 
   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2017
  

For the
Period
Ended
August 31,
2016(1)

 
Per Share Operating Performance            
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.01   $11.71   $11.99 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

   (0.09)   (0.26)   (0.30)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments   0.20    (0.44)   0.03 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   0.11    (0.70)   (0.27)
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:               
Net investment income           (0.01)
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders           (0.01)
Net asset value, end of period  $11.12   $11.01   $11.71 

Total investment return(3)

   0.91%(4)   (5.89)%   (2.22)%(4)
Ratios/Supplemental Data               
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)  $9,273   $9,462   $8,380 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements (including interest expense)(6)

   2.79%(5)   2.89%   3.01%(5)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements (excluding interest expense)(6)

   2.79%(5)   2.89%   2.99%(5)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements (including interest expense)(6)

   2.89%(5)   3.03%   3.17%(5)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   (1.69)%(5)   (2.35)%   (2.76)%(5)

Portfolio turnover rate(7)

   0.00%(4)   0.00%   0.00%(4)

 

 

(1)

Inception date of Class C Shares of the Fund was October 6, 2015.

(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 the period reported and includes reinvestments of dividends and distributions, if any.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

(6)

Effective February 28, 2017, the Adviser 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 2.79% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares. Prior to February 28, 2017, the contractual fee waiver limited total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) to 2.99% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares.

(7)

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated for the Fund, as a whole, for the entire period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
27

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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-nine 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 four classes of shares, Class A Shares, Class I Shares, Class C Shares and Class T 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 T Shares are not currently available for sale.

 

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 87.023 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and eighty-one 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 (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 – “Financial Services – Investment Companies.”

 

The end of the reporting period for the Fund is February 28, 2018, and the period covered by these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is the six months ended February 28, 2018 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

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 (the “Subsidiary”), a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. 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 financial interest (greater than 50%). All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As of the end of the reporting period, the net assets of the Subsidiary were $188,789,159, which represented 20.00% 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 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. 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 (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 the fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

 

● Level 1

– Prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

28

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

● Level 2 –

Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

 

● Level 3 –

Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

The inputs or methodologies 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 the end of the reporting period, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Short-Term Investments  $894,516,988   $894,516,988   $   $ 
Commodity Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   4,086,824    4,086,824         
Equity Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   446,130    446,130         
Foreign Currency Contracts                    
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts   18,285,818        18,285,818     
Futures Contracts   821,694    821,694         
Purchased Options   478,722    478,722         
Interest Rate Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   7,817,980    7,817,980         
Purchased Options   8,159,348    8,159,348         
Total Assets  $934,613,504   $916,327,686   $18,285,818   $ 

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Commodity Contracts                    
Futures Contracts  $(6,197,715)  $(6,197,715)  $   $ 
Equity Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   (4,261,053)   (4,261,053)        
Foreign Currency Contracts                    
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts   (13,506,858)       (13,506,858)    
Futures Contracts   (3,896,326)   (3,896,326)        
Written Options   (79,499)   (79,499)        
Interest Rate Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   (2,387,203)   (2,387,203)        
Written Options   (5,449,137)   (5,449,137)        
Total Liabilities  $(35,777,791)  $(22,270,933)  $(13,506,858)  $ 

 

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 (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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”) requires 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.

 

During the current 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 options, forward foreign currency contracts and futures contracts.

 

During the current fiscal period, 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 current fiscal period.

 

The following tables list the fair values of the Fund’s derivative holdings as of the end of the reporting period, grouped by contract type and risk exposure category.

 

Derivative Type  Consolidated
Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
Location
  Equity
Contracts
   Interest
Rate
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Contracts
   Commodity
Contracts
   Total 
Asset Derivatives
Purchased Options  Investments, at
value
  $   $8,159,348   $478,722   $   $8,638,070 

Forward Contracts (a)

  Unrealized
appreciation on
forward foreign currency contracts
           18,285,818        18,285,818 

Futures Contracts (a)

  Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   446,130    7,817,980    821,694    4,086,824    13,172,628 
Total Value-
Assets
     $446,130   $15,977,328   $19,586,234   $4,086,824   $40,096,516 

 

(a)

This amount represents the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of forwards and futures contracts as reported on the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments.

 

30

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Derivative Type  Consolidated
Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
Location
  Equity
Contracts
   Interest
Rate
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Contracts
   Commodity
Contracts
   Total 
Liability Derivatives
Written Options  Options written, at
value
  $   $(5,449,137)  $(79,499)  $   $(5,528,636)

Forward Contracts (a)

  Unrealized
depreciation on
forward foreign currency contracts
           (13,506,858)       (13,506,858)

Futures Contracts (a)

  Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts   (4,261,053)   (2,387,203)   (3,896,326)   (6,197,715)   (16,742,297)
Total Value- Liabilities     $(4,261,053)  $(7,836,340)  $(17,482,683)  $(6,197,715)  $(35,777,791)

 

(a)

This amount represents the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of forwards and futures contracts as reported on the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments.

 

The following table lists the amounts of realized gains/(losses) included in net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations during the current fiscal period, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

Derivative Type  Consolidated
Statement of
Operations
Location
  Equity
Contracts
   Interest
Rate
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Contracts
   Commodity
Contracts
   Total 
Realized Gain/(Loss)
Purchased Options  Net realized
gain/(loss) from
Investments
  $(542,047)  $3,193,359   $(114,245)  $(304,107)  $2,232,960 
Futures Contracts  Net realized
gain/(loss) from
Futures Contracts
   33,538,268    2,478,501    (3,627,079)   5,583,240    37,972,930 
Forward Contracts  Net realized
gain/(loss) from
Forward Foreign
Currency Contracts
           (4,566,810)       (4,566,810)
Written Options  Net realized
gain/(loss) from
Written Options
   199,544    (1,513,438)           (1,313,894)
Total Realized Gain/(Loss)     $33,195,765   $4,158,422   $(8,308,134)  $5,279,133   $34,325,186 

 

 

31

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following table lists the amounts of change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) included in net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations during the current fiscal period, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

Derivative Type  Consolidated
Statement of
Operations
Location
  Equity
Contracts
   Interest
Rate
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Contracts
   Commodity
Contracts
   Total 
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)
Purchased Options  Net change in
unrealized
appreciation/
(depreciation) on
investments
  $26,260   $5,111,428   $(170,676)  $   $4,967,012 
Futures Contracts  Net change in
unrealized
appreciation/
(depreciation) on
futures contracts
   (6,369,006)   (2,002,820)   (4,669,129)   (13,222,754)   (26,263,709)
Forward Contracts  Net change in
unrealized
appreciation/
(depreciation) on
forward foreign
currency contracts
           2,465,906        2,465,906 
Written Options  Net change in
unrealized
appreciation/
(depreciation) on
written options
       (3,591,383)   174,987        (3,416,396)
Total Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)     $(6,342,746)  $(482,775)  $(2,198,912)  $(13,222,754)  $(22,247,187)

 

During the current fiscal period, the Fund’s quarterly average volume of derivatives was as follows:

 

Purchased
Options
(Cost)
   Written
Options
(Proceeds)
   Long Futures
Notional
Amount
   Short Futures
Notional
Amount
   Forward Foreign Currency
Contracts — Payable
(Value at Trade Date)
   Forward Foreign Currency
Contracts — Receivable
(Value at Trade Date)
 
$2,299,981   $(1,049,330)  $3,102,129,942   $(2,492,687,344)  $(1,801,185,795)  $1,801,539,324 

 

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.

 

32

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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
Offset in Consolidated
Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
          Gross Amount Not
Offset in Consolidated
Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
    
Description  Gross Amount
Presented
in the
Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities
   Financial
Instruments
  Collateral
Received
  

Net
Amount(1)

   Gross Amount
Presented
in the
Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities
   Financial
Instruments
 

Collateral
Pledged(2)

  

Net
Amount(3)

 
   Assets   Liabilities 
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts  $18,285,818   $(13,506,858)  $   $4,778,960   $13,506,858 $ (13,506,858)  $   $ 

 

 

(1)

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

 

(2)

Actual collateral pledged may be more than the amount shown.

 

(3)

Net amount represents the net amount payable to 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 reporting 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 gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund’s investment income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) 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 Board 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 the 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.

 

33

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

For tax purposes, the Subsidiary is an exempted Cayman Islands 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 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 investments 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.

 

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.

 

34

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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.

 

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 the end of the reporting period, all of the Fund’s written options are exchange-traded options.

 

Futures Contracts — The Fund may use 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

 

35

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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 — In the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives, the Fund is subject to foreign investment and currency risk. The Fund uses 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 — 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

 

Abbey Capital Limited (“Abbey Capital” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund and its Subsidiary. The Adviser allocates the assets of the Subsidiary to one or more Trading Advisers unaffiliated with the Adviser to manage. 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. The Fund compensates the Adviser for its services at an annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”), payable on a monthly basis in arrears, as shown in the following table.

 

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 the rates (“Expense Caps”) shown in the following table 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 the Expense Caps as applicable: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses, interest and taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2018.

 

Advisory Fee

Expense Caps

Class A

Class I

Class C

Class T

1.77%

2.04%

1.79%

2.79%

2.04%

 

36

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

During the current fiscal period, investment advisory fees accrued, waived and reimbursed were as follows:

 

Gross
Advisory
Fees
   Waivers   Net
Advisory
Fees
 
$7,678,675   $(447,424)  $7,231,251 

 

If at any time the Fund's total annual fund operating expenses (not including acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes) for a year are less than the relevant share class’s Expense Cap, the Adviser may recoup any waived or reimbursed amounts from the Fund within three years from the date on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

As of the end of the reporting period, the Fund had amounts available for recoupment as follows:

 

Expiration 
August 31,
2019
   August 31,
2020
   August 31,
2021
   Total 
$801,204   $1,087,123   $447,424   $2,335,751 

 

Altis Partners (Jersey) Limited, Aspect Capital Limited, Cantab Capital Partners LLP, Conquest Capital, LLC, Eclipse Capital Management, Inc., Graham Capital Management, LP, Harmonic Capital Partners LLP, P/E Global, LLC, Revolution Capital Management, LLC, Trigon Investment Advisors, LLC and Welton Investment Partners, LLC each served as a Trading Adviser to the Fund during the period.

 

Effective October 4, 2017, Conquest Capital LLC no longer serves as a Trading Adviser to the Fund. Effective February 8, 2018, Harmonic Capital Partners LLP no longer serves as a Trading Adviser to the Fund.

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

USBFS serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (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.

 

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

 

For compensation amounts payable to USBFS, please refer to the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

The Board has adopted a Plan of Distribution for the Class A Shares, Class C Shares and Class T Shares (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, the Fund’s distributor is entitled to receive from the Fund a distribution fee with respect to the Shares, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, of up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Class A Shares and Class T Shares and up to 1.00% of the Class C Shares. The actual amount of such compensation under the Plan is agreed upon by the Board and by the Distributor. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Plan may be used by the Distributor to cover expenses that are related to (i) the sale of the 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 Shares, all as set forth in the Fund’s 12b-1 Plan.

 

37

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

3. Director’s And Officer’s Compensation

 

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. An employee of RBB serves as Treasurer and Secretary and is compensated for services provided. Certain employees of USBFS serve as officers of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company. For Director’s and Officer’s compensation amounts, please refer to the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

4. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities

 

During the current fiscal period, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments and derivative transactions) 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 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. The Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

As of August 31, 2017, the federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments held by the Fund were as follows:

 

Federal Tax
Cost
   Unrealized
Appreciation
   Unrealized
(Depreciation)
   Net
Unrealized
Appreciation/ (Depreciation)
 
$ 742,804,483   $ 29,545,769   $ —   $ 29,545,769 

 

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 consolidated 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.

 

38

 

 

Abbey Capital Futures Strategy Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2017, primarily attributable to disallowed losses from the Subsidiary, and net investment loss, were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

Undistributed
Net Investment
Income/(Loss)
   Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)
   Paid-In
Capital
 
$ 10,874,916   $ 50,606,729   $(61,481,645)

 

As of August 31, 2017, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
   Undistributed Long-Term
Capital Gains
   Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
   Capital Loss Carryforwards   Qualified
Late-Year
Losses
   Other
Temporary Differences
 
$ —   $ —   $ 21,334,532   $ (4,444)  $ (7,109,395)  $ — 

 

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 fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, were as follows:

 

 

Ordinary
Income

    

Long-Term
Gains

    

Total

 
$ —   $ —   $ — 

 

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 fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2017.

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, the Fund deferred to September 1, 2017, the following losses:

 

Late-Year
Ordinary
Loss Deferral
   Short-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral
   Long-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral
 
$ 7,109,395   $ —   $ — 

 

Accumulated capital losses represent net capital loss carry forwards as of August 31, 2017 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 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, 2017, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards of $4,444.

 

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 was the following subsequent event:

 

Effective March 5, 2018 (subsequent to the end of the reporting period), Tudor Investment Corporation (“Tudor”) serves as a Trading Adviser to the Fund.

 

39

 

 

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 twelve-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.

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

Investment Adviser
Abbey Capital Limited
1-2 Cavendish Row
Dublin 1, Ireland

 

Administrator and Transfer Agent
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI 53201

 

Principal Underwriter
Quasar Distributors, LLC
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Floor 6
Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Custodian
U.S. Bank, N.A.
1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

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, Suite 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

 

ABB-SAR18

 

 

 

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

of

 

The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

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.

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

Semi-Annual Report
Performance Data

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended February 28, 2018  
  Six
Months†
One
Year
Since
Inception*
 
Adara Smaller Companies Fund 9.89% 15.33% 11.06%  
Russell 2000® Index 8.30% 10.51% 11.10%**  

 

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 than the returns quoted. 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, 2017, are 0.95% 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 Fund invests in common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stocks and securities convertible into common stocks. 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.

 

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.

 

1

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 


Fund Expense Example

February 28, 2018 (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. This example is 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 September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018 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. 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
September 1, 2017
Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018
Expenses Paid
During Period*
Actual $1,000.00 $1,098.90 $4.68
Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)
1,000.00 1,020.33 4.51

 

 

* Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 0.90%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (181) 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 9.89%.

 

2

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

   % of Net
Assets
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS:        
Software   8.9%  $25,535,683 
Banks   7.0    20,178,210 
Commercial Services   5.4    15,456,755 
Healthcare-Products   5.1    14,564,944 
Retail   4.6    13,247,366 
Pharmaceuticals   3.8    10,873,042 
Internet   3.6    10,503,386 
Semiconductors   3.6    10,358,838 
Computers   3.6    10,243,133 
Telecommunications   3.6    10,221,925 
Machinery-Diversified   3.2    9,232,108 
Transportation   2.7    7,764,182 
Miscellaneous Manufacturing   2.5    7,213,650 
Insurance   2.4    6,879,596 
Electronics   2.3    6,743,505 
Diversified Financial Services   2.3    6,520,857 
Engineering & Construction   2.2    6,443,227 
Building Materials   1.9    5,363,598 
Biotechnology   1.6    4,563,887 
Entertainment   1.6    4,544,253 
Aerospace/Defense   1.6    4,520,826 
Oil & Gas   1.4    3,968,763 
Chemicals   1.3    3,636,626 
Investment Companies   1.2    3,548,756 
Leisure Time   1.2    3,318,635 
Food   1.1    3,282,425 
Mining   1.1    3,232,807 
Auto Parts & Equipment   1.0    2,840,470 
Healthcare-Services   1.0    2,782,659 
Home Builders   1.0    2,770,264 
Home Furnishings   0.9    2,539,504 
Distribution/Wholesale   0.8    2,445,918 
Apparel   0.8    2,418,928 
Savings & Loans   0.8    2,376,210 
Household Products / Wares   0.8    2,281,862 
Metal Fabricate/Hardware   0.8%  $2,162,137 
Oil & Gas Services   0.7    2,153,543 
Electrical Components & Equipment   0.7    2,068,656 
Lodging   0.7    2,050,512 
REITS   0.7    2,042,362 
Textiles   0.6    1,824,154 
Real Estate   0.6    1,809,606 
Scientific Research and Development Services   0.5    1,417,652 
Beverages   0.5    1,308,610 
Energy-Alternate Sources   0.4    1,121,276 
Hand / Machine Tools   0.4    1,066,054 
Environmental Control   0.3    813,975 
Gas   0.3    799,837 
Airlines   0.2    535,692 
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing   0.2    444,152 
Electric   0.1    421,522 
Forest Products & Paper   0.1    365,040 
Iron / Steel   0.1    363,615 
Education Services   0.1    264,282 
Media   0.1    236,547 
Agriculture   0.1    228,191 
Packaging & Containers   0.0    203,115 
Water   0.0    168,108 
Trucking & Leasing   0.0    166,900 
Cosmetics/Personal Care   0.0    97,054 
Office Furnishings   0.0    73,883 
Coal   0.0    52,695 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS   4.2    12,149,669 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS   (0.3)   (1,004,086)
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $287,821,551 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
3

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS — 96.1%        
         
Aerospace/Defense — 1.6%        
Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.*   22,286   $601,722 
Aerovironment, Inc.*   1,433    71,249 
Cubic Corp.   19,627    1,205,098 
Curtiss-Wright Corp.   2,004    270,500 
Kaman Corp.   2,787    170,620 
KLX, Inc.*   11,908    805,933 
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.*   31,511    379,708 
Moog, Inc., Class A*   1,762    147,708 
National Presto Industries, Inc.   1,201    109,051 
Orbital ATK, Inc.   1,778    234,803 
Triumph Bancorp, Inc.*   10,856    444,553 
Triumph Group, Inc.   2,858    79,881 
         4,520,826 
Agriculture — 0.1%          
Andersons, Inc., (The)   3,403    119,275 
Universal Corp.   2,216    108,916 
         228,191 
Airlines — 0.2%          
Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.   2,494    89,784 
SkyWest, Inc.   8,137    445,908 
         535,692 
Apparel — 0.8%          
Citi Trends, Inc.   8,061    178,632 
Crocs, Inc.*   43,105    527,605 
JC Penney Co, Inc.*   12,695    54,969 
Lakeland Industries, Inc.*   23,652    311,024 
Oxford Industries, Inc.   1,483    118,521 
Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A*   6,336    259,269 
Steven Madden Ltd.   3,222    141,446 
Stitch Fix, Inc., Class A*   6,820    141,174 
Superior Uniform Group, Inc.   17,022    427,252 
Unifi, Inc.*   2,830    99,050 
Wolverine World Wide, Inc.   5,464    159,986 
         2,418,928 
Auto Parts & Equipment — 1.0%
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.*   6,688    98,715 
Gentherm, Inc.*   3,355    103,334 
Motorcar Parts of America, Inc.*   48,007    978,383 
Spartan Motors, Inc.   69,237    1,021,246 
Unique Fabricating, Inc.   82,960    638,792 
         2,840,470 
Banks — 7.0%          
American River Bankshares   45,350    693,855 
Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc.*   26,552    459,349 
Bank of Commerce Holdings   57,490    620,892 
Banner Corp.   1,722    95,192 
Boston Private Financial Holdings, Inc.   14,098    205,831 
Central Pacific Financial Corp.   2,762    76,977 
City Holding Co.   4,208    283,493 
CoBiz Financial, Inc.   13,008    246,632 
Community Bank System, Inc.   1,997    106,460 
CVB Financial Corp.   8,715    200,445 
Esquire Financial Holdings, Inc.*   37,190    855,370 
Farmers National Bancorp   40,980    553,230 
FCB Financial Holdings, Inc., Class A*   12,717    682,267 
First BanCorp*   46,257    278,930 
First Bancshares, Inc., (The)   15,790    501,332 
First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A   859    349,699 
First Commonwealth Financial Corp.   11,374    158,895 
First Financial Bancorp   7,350    199,920 
First Financial Bankshares, Inc.   6,581    302,726 
First Northwest Bancorp*   23,460    375,360 
First of Long Island Corp.   11,253    306,644 
Glacier Bancorp, Inc.   3,879    150,893 
Heritage Commerce Corp.   21,264    335,546 
Home BancShares, Inc.   34,788    799,776 
Hope Bancorp, Inc.   14,673    264,994 
Horizon Bancorp   25,835    731,130 
Independent Bank Corp.   1,226    85,084 
Live Oak Bancshares, Inc.   25,568    667,325 
MB Financial, Inc.   6,569    269,395 
Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp.*   11,610    515,716 
Midland States Bancorp, Inc.   22,640    709,764 
MidSouth Bancorp, Inc.   41,570    519,625 
Northeast Bancorp   27,150    595,942 
Northrim BanCorp, Inc.   13,090    435,243 
OFG Bancorp   8,517    91,558 
Opus Bank   3,209    90,012 
Orrstown Financial Services, Inc.   15,980    394,706 
Parke Bancorp, Inc.   12,420    257,715 
People's Utah Bancorp   23,360    708,976 
Preferred Bank   7,915    493,342 
Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc.   35,180    619,872 
Southside Bancshares, Inc.   4,513    150,734 
Sterling Bancorp, Inc.   24,740    346,360 
Summit Financial Group, Inc.   25,940    621,263 
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.*   1,396    125,919 
Tompkins Financial Corp.   1,809    138,823 
TriState Capital Holdings, Inc.*   9,365    209,308 
TrustCo Bank Corp.   19,387    164,790 
UMB Financial Corp.   3,746    273,458 
United Bankshares, Inc.   5,943    210,977 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
4

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Banks — (Continued)        
United Community Banks, Inc.   28,931   $894,257 
Walker & Dunlop, Inc.   1,239    59,881 
West Bancorporation, Inc.   22,130    537,759 
Westamerica Bancorp   2,698    154,568 
         20,178,210 
Beverages — 0.5%          
Farmer Brothers Co.*   21,549    672,329 
MGP Ingredients, Inc.   7,582    636,281 
         1,308,610 
Biotechnology — 1.6%          
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.*   3,666    87,067 
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   2,019    129,357 
Audentes Therapeutics, Inc.*   6,946    234,011 
Blueprint Medicines Corp.*   7,854    679,842 
Cambrex Corp.*   1,154    59,950 
ChromaDex Corp.*   78,373    427,133 
Cytokinetics, Inc.*   4,423    34,278 
Foundation Medicine, Inc.*   6,585    544,909 
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   1,187    180,293 
Loxo Oncology, Inc.*   9,838    1,094,182 
Medicines Co., (The)*   4,827    147,803 
Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   8,455    144,158 
Myriad Genetics, Inc.*   2,083    67,531 
NeoGenomics, Inc.*   75,842    637,073 
Ovid Therapeutics, Inc.*   14,613    96,300 
         4,563,887 
Building Materials — 1.9%          
AAON, Inc.   2,382    87,538 
Apogee Enterprises, Inc.   2,856    123,208 
Armstrong Flooring, Inc.*   43,760    613,078 
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.*   19,238    1,160,051 
Aspen Aerogels, Inc.*   62,996    289,782 
Foundation Building Materials, Inc.*   2,906    39,783 
Gibraltar Industries, Inc.*   4,141    143,693 
Griffon Corp.   5,631    105,300 
M/I Homes, Inc.*   4,319    125,467 
NCI Building Systems, Inc.*   18,021    293,742 
New Relic, Inc.*   8,230    590,749 
Patrick Industries, Inc.*   6,882    422,899 
PGT Innovations, Inc.*   17,027    297,973 
Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.   2,069    114,457 
Summit Materials, Inc., Class A*   21,782    688,965 
Universal Forest Products, Inc.   8,103    266,913 
         5,363,598 
Chemicals — 1.3%          
A Schulman, Inc.   1,631    71,519 
Aceto Corp.   1,868    13,394 
AdvanSix, Inc.*   9,397    388,566 
Balchem Corp.   1,142    85,935 
Chemours Co., (The)   9,276    440,703 
Ferro Corp.*   13,519    289,171 
HB Fuller Co.   4,743    239,000 
Innophos Holdings, Inc.   2,039    84,741 
Innospec, Inc.   1,121    72,809 
KMG Chemicals, Inc.   7,574    454,213 
Koppers Holdings, Inc.*   2,012    81,285 
Kraton Corp.*   2,728    115,694 
Landec Corp.*   72,648    944,424 
Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.   6,815    138,822 
Stepan Co.   2,701    216,350 
         3,636,626 
Coal — 0.0%          
SunCoke Energy, Inc.*   4,934    52,695 
           
Commercial Services — 5.4%          
ABM Industries, Inc.   3,179    111,774 
AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.*   3,294    183,311 
ARC Document Solutions, Inc.*   128,170    273,002 
AstroNova, Inc.   18,890    254,070 
Barrett Business Services, Inc.   18,555    1,378,451 
BG Staffing, Inc.   46,570    766,076 
Brink's Co., (The)   4,054    297,969 
CAI International, Inc.*   23,610    476,922 
Capella Education Co.   1,954    151,826 
Cardtronics, Class A, PLC*   2,979    66,670 
Care.com, Inc.*   59,773    1,068,741 
Chegg, Inc.*   57,951    1,153,804 
CRA International, Inc.   12,970    648,370 
Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.*   5,678    73,530 
Everi Holdings, Inc.*   26,840    199,958 
Global Medical REIT, Inc.   68,760    446,940 
Green Dot Corp., Class A*   4,948    322,263 
Healthcare Services Group, Inc.   3,392    154,099 
HealthEquity, Inc.*   12,512    720,441 
HMS Holdings Corp.*   9,256    148,466 
Hostess Brands, Inc.*   135,570    1,659,377 
Insperity, Inc.   2,292    149,668 
Kelly Services, Inc., Class A   19,482    574,524 
Korn/Ferry International   4,210    176,441 
LSC Communications, Inc.   298    4,339 
MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.   2,439    493,654 
Matthews International Corp., Class A   1,608    82,410 
Medifast, Inc.   4,555    290,563 
Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.   1,316    66,984 
Navigant Consulting, Inc.*   3,071    61,051 
On Assignment, Inc.*   3,035    232,754 
Quanta Services, Inc.*   17,469    601,632 
Rent-A-Center, Inc.   9,822    73,861 
Resources Connection, Inc.   46,318    720,245 
RR Donnelley & Sons Co.   10,161    76,614 

 

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

 

5

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Commercial Services — (Continued)
SP Plus Corp.*   10,791   $388,476 
Strayer Education, Inc.   1,101    98,694 
Team, Inc.*   5,510    90,088 
Teladoc, Inc.*   7,915    317,391 
Viad Corp.   7,710    401,306 
         15,456,755 
Computers — 3.6%          
CACI International, Inc., Class A*   1,145    170,662 
Computer Services, Inc.   19,169    872,190 
DMC Global, Inc.   79,912    1,694,134 
Engility Holdings, Inc.*   2,262    61,775 
ExlService Holdings, Inc.*   1,497    85,359 
Icad, Inc.*   71,137    244,000 
Insight Enterprises, Inc.*   2,176    76,008 
Lumentum Holdings, Inc.*   7,377    449,997 
MAXIMUS, Inc.   1,853    124,114 
Mercury Systems, Inc.*   17,228    791,971 
Mitek Systems, Inc.*   52,004    397,831 
MTS Systems Corp.   1,077    52,719 
Nutanix, Inc., Class A*   15,917    580,175 
PAR Technology Corp.*   35,289    389,591 
Quantum Corp.*   152,383    557,722 
SendGrid, Inc.*   21,725    567,457 
Sykes Enterprises, Inc.*   20,699    601,513 
USA Technologies, Inc.*   27,572    224,712 
Varonis Systems, Inc.*   13,242    743,538 
VeriFone Systems, Inc.*   47,900    795,140 
WNS Holdings Ltd., ADR*   16,945    762,525 
         10,243,133 
Cosmetics/Personal Care — 0.0%
Inter Parfums, Inc.   2,289    97,054 
           
Distribution/Wholesale — 0.8%          
Anixter International, Inc.*   1,549    117,027 
Essendant, Inc.   10,397    82,552 
Fossil Group, Inc.*   7,293    97,580 
G-III Apparel Group Ltd.*   13,694    505,446 
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.   5,526    208,275 
Pool Corp.   2,106    290,691 
ScanSource, Inc.*   1,959    64,157 
SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.*   10,788    742,646 
Titan Machinery, Inc.*   16,928    337,544 
         2,445,918 
Diversified Financial Services — 2.3%
Alcentra Capital Corp.   24,100    180,027 
Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.*   10,225    457,569 
Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.*   4,158    71,975 
Encore Capital Group, Inc.*   4,540    194,312 
Enova International, Inc.*   41,598    915,156 
Evercore Partners, Inc., Class A   8,057    749,704 
Financial Engines, Inc.   3,587    120,164 
First Business Financial Services, Inc.   11,450    275,372 
Greenhill & Co., Inc.   3,731    75,926 
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A   3,063    212,572 
Investment Technology Group, Inc.   2,378    47,132 
LendingTree, Inc.*   832    289,952 
Moelis & Co., Class A   14,605    741,204 
Oaktree Specialty Lending Corp.   167,830    721,669 
PRA Group, Inc.*   3,304    126,543 
Silvercrest Asset Management Group, Inc., Class A   65,582    990,288 
WageWorks, Inc.*   2,280    119,586 
World Acceptance Corp.*   2,155    231,706 
         6,520,857 
Education Services — 0.1%          
Career Education Corp.*   19,976    264,282 
           
Electric — 0.1%          
ALLETE, Inc.   4,232    288,411 
Avista Corp.   1,395    66,723 
El Paso Electric Co.   1,366    66,388 
         421,522 
Electrical Components & Equipment — 0.7%
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.*   2,466    163,545 
Encore Wire Corp.   1,278    66,967 
EnerSys   3,171    220,987 
General Cable Corp.   4,266    126,060 
Insteel Industries, Inc.   3,649    103,048 
Littelfuse, Inc.   4,452    923,790 
ShotSpotter, Inc.*   17,539    323,068 
SPX Corp.*   4,521    141,191 
         2,068,656 
Electronics — 2.3%          
Brady Corp., Class A   2,928    109,507 
Coherent, Inc.*   1,014    212,088 
Conn's, Inc.*   5,809    189,954 
ESCO Technologies, Inc.   10,293    606,258 
FARO Technologies, Inc.*   12,156    721,459 
II-VI, Inc.*   21,020    809,270 
Itron, Inc.*   4,655    325,850 
Ituran Location and Control Ltd.   21,711    750,115 
Methode Electronics, Inc.   2,476    97,678 
Napco Security Technologies, Inc.*   51,080    515,908 
OSI Systems, Inc.*   8,106    511,813 
Plexus Corp.*   2,641    159,305 
Rogers Corp.*   6,397    878,436 
Sanmina Corp.*   6,648    183,152 

 

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

 

6

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Electronics — (Continued)
TTM Technologies, Inc.*   8,548   $138,136 
ZAGG, Inc.*   35,520    534,576 
         6,743,505 
Energy-Alternate Sources — 0.4%
Green Plains, Inc.   3,277    59,969 
Hydrogenics Corp.*   39,346    348,212 
REX American Resources Corp.*   1,256    101,384 
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.*   12,222    611,711 
         1,121,276 
Engineering & Construction — 2.2%
Aegion Corp.*   17,062    391,743 
Comfort Systems USA, Inc.   4,006    164,446 
Dycom Industries, Inc.*   7,655    836,232 
EMCOR Group, Inc.   4,741    361,786 
Exponent, Inc.   1,390    108,072 
Granite Construction, Inc.   11,235    652,754 
MasTec, Inc.*   14,179    722,420 
MYR Group, Inc.*   4,168    134,835 
NV5 Global, Inc.*   26,759    1,157,327 
Primoris Services Corp.   21,599    537,815 
Sterling Construction Co., Inc.*   55,296    667,976 
TopBuild Corp.*   10,164    707,821 
         6,443,227 
Entertainment — 1.6%          
Eldorado Resorts, Inc.*   18,674    636,783 
Gaia, Inc.*   19,739    253,646 
Golden Entertainment, Inc.*   12,930    360,617 
International Speedway Corp., Class A   22,161    997,245 
National CineMedia, Inc.   76,930    579,283 
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.*   3,069    92,592 
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.   10,376    669,771 
PlayAGS, Inc.*   18,423    381,540 
Red Rock Resorts, Inc., Class A   8,915    298,653 
Scientific Games Corp.*   6,167    274,123 
         4,544,253 
Environmental Control — 0.3%          
Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Class A*   12,154    308,955 
Tetra Tech, Inc.   3,198    156,542 
Xerium Technologies, Inc.*   59,876    348,478 
         813,975 
Food — 1.1%          
B&G Foods, Inc.   4,803    133,043 
Calavo Growers, Inc.   5,688    485,471 
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.*   1,158    49,331 
Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. (The)*   16,063    362,221 
Darling Ingredients, Inc.*   8,943    162,673 
Del Frisco's Restaurant Group, Inc.*   16,653    277,272 
DineEquity, Inc.   3,392    257,724 
Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A   32,020    1,031,044 
J&J Snack Foods Corp.   681    91,479 
John B Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.   383    22,114 
Sanderson Farms, Inc.   1,371    168,839 
Smart & Final Stores, Inc.*   8,652    62,294 
Snyder's-Lance, Inc.   3,587    178,920 
         3,282,425 
Forest Products & Paper — 0.1%
Neenah Paper, Inc.   743    56,951 
PH Glatfelter Co.   5,339    108,969 
Skyline Corp.*   9,309    199,120 
         365,040 
Gas — 0.3%          
New Jersey Resources Corp.   2,340    89,154 
Northwest Natural Gas Co.   2,390    124,638 
South Jersey Industries, Inc.   4,502    117,997 
Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.   1,612    106,199 
Spire, Inc.   5,337    361,849 
         799,837 
Hand / Machine Tools — 0.4%          
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.   1,615    63,227 
Hardinge, Inc.   54,650    1,002,827 
         1,066,054 
Healthcare-Products — 5.1%          
Abaxis, Inc.   9,986    665,767 
ABIOMED, Inc.*   1,897    508,737 
Alpha Pro Tech Ltd.*   44,141    161,115 
Aratana Therapeutics, Inc.*   35,099    130,568 
AxoGen, Inc.*   31,213    911,420 
Axon Enterprise, Inc.*   17,423    606,843 
BioLife Solutions, Inc.*   66,598    344,978 
Cantel Medical Corp.   1,814    210,986 
CRH Medical Corp.*   287,280    833,112 
Cutera, Inc.*   11,412    514,111 
Haemonetics Corp.*   3,260    231,134 
ICU Medical, Inc.*   578    133,662 
Inogen, Inc.*   6,320    763,582 
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.*   3,088    162,830 
Intersect ENT, Inc.*   13,114    483,251 
Invacare Corp.   5,623    96,716 
iRadimed Corp.*   31,317    407,121 
iRhythm Technologies, Inc.*   20,008    1,243,497 
Masimo Corp.*   3,409    298,390 
Meridian Bioscience, Inc.   2,943    41,055 
Merit Medical Systems, Inc.*   15,643    711,756 
MiMedx Group, Inc.*   5,571    39,498 
Natus Medical, Inc.*   2,393    74,542 
Novocure Ltd.*   33,613    690,747 
NuVasive, Inc.*   1,651    79,842 

 

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

 

7

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Healthcare-Products — (Continued)
Obalon Therapeutics, Inc.*   34,321   $137,971 
OraSure Technologies, Inc.*   32,734    564,989 
Orthofix International N.V.*   4,441    248,740 
Repligen Corp.*   22,917    785,824 
Sientra, Inc.*   16,708    159,561 
Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.*   30,385    983,259 
ViewRay, Inc.*   71,580    594,830 
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.   8,536    744,510 
         14,564,944 
Healthcare-Services — 1.0%          
Amedisys, Inc.*   2,217    131,269 
Chemed Corp.   621    161,230 
Community Health Systems, Inc.*   15,856    81,183 
eHealth, Inc.*   30,178    491,600 
Ensign Group, Inc., (The)   2,070    55,269 
Kindred Healthcare, Inc.   5,940    54,648 
LHC Group, Inc.*   2,720    175,114 
Magellan Health, Inc.*   2,346    236,711 
Natera, Inc.*   28,541    256,869 
OrthoPediatrics Corp.*   21,320    376,298 
Providence Service Corp., (The)*   2,212    140,595 
Psychemedics Corp.   22,388    475,297 
Select Medical Holdings Corp.*   2,823    51,096 
US Physical Therapy, Inc.   1,232    95,480 
         2,782,659 
Home Builders — 1.0%          
Cavco Industries, Inc.*   3,528    561,305 
Installed Building Products, Inc.*   4,640    277,240 
LGI Homes, Inc.*   8,285    468,848 
Meritage Homes Corp.*   3,035    128,684 
PICO Holdings, Inc.   49,348    604,513 
William Lyon Homes, Class A*   2,272    57,436 
Winnebago Industries, Inc.   15,436    672,238 
         2,770,264 
Home Furnishings — 0.9%          
American Woodmark Corp.*   1,043    133,921 
Aspen Group, Inc.*   38,250    284,198 
At Home Group, Inc.*   17,133    506,966 
Cactus, Inc., Class A*   1,753    43,141 
DXP Enterprises, Inc.*   1,117    33,220 
EnviroStar, Inc.   12,357    426,316 
Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.   4,541    107,849 
Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., Class A*   5,847    263,524 
Hooker Furniture Corp.   8,270    308,884 
iRobot Corp.*   968    65,776 
RH*   2,622    222,555 
Universal Electronics, Inc.*   2,892    143,154 
         2,539,504 
Household Products / Wares — 0.8%
Acme United Corp.   11,359    266,936 
Lifetime Brands, Inc.   37,840    527,868 
Roku, Inc.*   8,932    364,158 
SodaStream International Ltd.*   8,142    658,851 
Toro Co., (The)   5,348    339,972 
WD-40 Co.   995    124,077 
         2,281,862 
Insurance — 2.4%          
American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.   11,107    339,985 
American National Insurance Co.   3,950    461,755 
Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc.*   56,997    1,000,297 
Employers Holdings, Inc.   3,729    145,990 
Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A*   115,950    315,384 
HCI Group, Inc.   1,031    35,704 
Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc.   42,430    707,732 
Horace Mann Educators Corp.   2,570    105,755 
Infinity Property & Casualty Corp.   1,346    158,761 
James River Group Holdings Ltd.   1,817    59,434 
Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.   5,943    291,207 
Maiden Holdings Ltd.   6,856    41,136 
NMI Holdings, Inc., Class A*   38,298    760,215 
ProAssurance Corp.   2,565    122,607 
RLI Corp.   1,478    89,862 
Safety Insurance Group, Inc.   1,702    121,438 
Selective Insurance Group, Inc.   3,866    219,782 
White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.   2,358    1,902,552 
         6,879,596 
Internet — 3.6%          
8x8, Inc.*   4,788    87,381 
Blucora, Inc.*   3,569    83,158 
Boingo Wireless, Inc.*   99,274    2,627,783 
Cars.com, Inc.*   48,100    1,317,459 
ePlus, Inc.*   8,616    659,555 
Etsy, Inc.*   19,798    501,087 
ForeScout Technologies, Inc.*   5,877    175,017 
HealthStream, Inc.*   2,625    63,420 
magicJack VocalTec Ltd.*   122,040    1,025,136 
Mimecast Ltd.*   22,954    797,422 
New Media Investment Group, Inc.   4,294    74,072 
One Stop Systems, Inc.*   87,560    424,666 
PC-Tel, Inc.   44,392    311,188 
Q2 Holdings, Inc.*   6,681    304,320 
Rosetta Stone, Inc.*   40,520    554,719 
Stamps.com, Inc.*   1,004    191,814 
Trade Desk, Inc., (The), Class A*   10,147    570,870 
Zendesk, Inc.*   17,006    734,319 
         10,503,386 

 

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

 

8

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Investment Companies — 1.2%        
Acacia Research Corp.*   127,690   $440,530 
Cannae Holdings, Inc.*   104,185    1,914,920 
Capital Southwest Corp.   34,226    588,687 
PennantPark Floating Rate Capital Ltd.   48,447    604,619 
         3,548,756 
Iron / Steel — 0.1%          
AK Steel Holding Corp.*   14,144    72,983 
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., Class A   8,548    290,632 
         363,615 
Leisure Time — 1.2%          
Callaway Golf Co.   44,531    689,340 
Camping World Holdings, Inc., Class A   6,477    270,739 
Century Casinos, Inc.*   38,775    309,037 
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.*   51,954    478,496 
Malibu Boats, Inc., Class A*   22,730    728,497 
MCBC Holdings, Inc.*   21,170    518,877 
Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A*   8,752    323,649 
         3,318,635 
Lodging — 0.7%          
Belmond Ltd., Class A*   10,812    124,879 
Boyd Gaming Corp.   23,497    831,324 
Civeo Corp.*   97,393    345,745 
ILG, Inc.   8,186    248,527 
Marcus Corp., (The)   13,177    355,779 
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.*   3,416    144,258 
         2,050,512 
Machinery-Diversified — 3.2%          
Albany International Corp., Class A   1,126    71,670 
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.   1,045    73,568 
ASV Holdings, Inc.*   49,340    397,680 
Blackline, Inc.*   13,844    609,136 
Chart Industries, Inc.*   2,562    141,192 
Columbus McKinnon Corp.   24,028    852,994 
ExOne Co., (The)*   36,509    305,215 
Hurco Cos, Inc.   17,690    740,326 
Kadant, Inc.   9,121    870,143 
Manitex International, Inc.*   106,100    1,112,989 
NN, Inc.   35,450    847,255 
Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd.*   10,518    288,088 
SPX FLOW, Inc.*   10,543    514,077 
Tennant Co.   1,504    96,858 
Twin Disc, Inc.*   58,574    1,401,090 
Vuzix Corp.*   53,344    449,423 
Welbilt, Inc.*   23,241    460,404 
         9,232,108 
Media — 0.1%          
Gannett Co., Inc.   8,195    82,278 
Scholastic Corp.   1,251    45,549 
TiVo Corp.   7,248    108,720 
         236,547 
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing — 0.2%
AngioDynamics, Inc.*   1,976    32,189 
Argenx SE, ADR*   5,376    411,963 
         444,152 
Metal Fabricate/Hardware — 0.8%
CIRCOR International, Inc.   1,433    67,351 
Haynes International, Inc.   19,234    800,134 
Lawson Products, Inc.*   13,438    315,121 
Mueller Industries, Inc.   4,223    111,867 
Northwest Pipe Co.*   41,860    733,806 
TimkenSteel Corp.*   8,182    133,858 
         2,162,137 
Mining — 1.1%          
A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc.   22,692    249,839 
Astec Industries, Inc.   8,917    525,211 
Century Aluminum Co.*   18,637    355,035 
Compass Minerals International, Inc.   7,580    457,074 
Kaiser Aluminum Corp.   1,039    104,284 
Liberty Oilfield Services, Inc., Class A*   53,853    1,001,127 
Materion Corp.   1,920    96,768 
Noble Corp., PLC*   17,921    69,533 
United States Lime & Minerals, Inc.   4,143    295,023 
US Silica Holdings, Inc.   3,048    78,913 
         3,232,807 
Miscellaneous Manufacturing — 2.5%
Accuray, Inc.*   71,520    396,936 
Actuant Corp., Class A   1,678    38,091 
Boise Cascade Co.   3,023    121,827 
Core Molding Technologies, Inc.   16,333    297,261 
CryoPort, Inc.*   48,517    439,564 
EnPro Industries, Inc.   2,498    181,005 
Fabrinet*   3,054    92,078 
FreightCar America, Inc.   44,382    656,410 
Harsco Corp.*   14,378    291,154 
Hillenbrand, Inc.   2,960    129,944 
Iteris, Inc.*   34,188    190,427 
John Bean Technologies Corp.   7,232    800,944 
LCI Industries   1,629    178,050 
Milacron Holdings Corp.*   2,320    49,718 
Mobile Mini, Inc.   1,196    50,172 
Movado Group, Inc.   11,362    352,222 
Nautilus, Inc.*   2,634    31,213 
Nuvectra Corp.*   31,747    338,740 
Proto Labs, Inc.*   3,579    389,932 

 

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

 

9

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Miscellaneous Manufacturing — (Continued)
Pure Storage, Inc., Class A*   14,897   $322,818 
Raven Industries, Inc.   15,177    515,259 
Restoration Robotics, Inc.*   65,256    367,391 
Sleep Number Corp.*   23,313    802,900 
Standard Motor Products, Inc.   1,347    62,851 
Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.   968    41,672 
Vista Outdoor, Inc.*   4,357    75,071 
         7,213,650 
Office Furnishings — 0.0%          
Interface, Inc.   3,053    73,883 
           
Oil & Gas — 1.4%          
Bill Barrett Corp.*   13,256    60,050 
Callon Petroleum Co.*   44,370    468,991 
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.*   5,796    81,434 
Denbury Resources, Inc.*   47,546    104,126 
Evolution Petroleum Corp.   31,294    251,917 
Gran Tierra Energy, Inc.*   92,840    232,100 
Matador Resources Co.*   17,656    509,552 
Murphy USA, Inc.*   15,125    1,136,039 
PBF Energy, Inc., Class A   18,400    539,304 
PDC Energy, Inc.*   2,970    156,014 
QEP Resources, Inc.*   20,000    172,400 
SRC Energy, Inc.*   19,542    173,337 
Unit Corp.*   4,358    83,499 
         3,968,763 
Oil & Gas Services — 0.7%          
Bristow Group, Inc.   6,128    90,449 
Flotek Industries, Inc.*   13,384    79,635 
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.*   17,356    103,442 
Mammoth Energy Services, Inc.*   7,722    202,162 
Natural Gas Services Group, Inc.*   21,640    538,836 
Profire Energy, Inc.*   237,800    506,514 
Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure, Inc., Class A*   37,582    632,505 
         2,153,543 
Packaging & Containers — 0.0%
KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp.   4,714    164,471 
Multi-Color Corp.   610    38,644 
         203,115 
Pharmaceuticals — 3.8%          
Achaogen, Inc.*   14,257    148,701 
Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.*   17,106    341,094 
Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   12,787    312,642 
Adaptimmune Therapeutics PLC, ADR*   22,698    173,186 
Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.*   36,223    250,844 
Anika Therapeutics, Inc.*   1,077    56,058 
Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   4,370    169,425 
Array BioPharma, Inc.*   72,763    1,260,255 
Catalent, Inc.*   18,545    774,254 
Champions Oncology, Inc.*   84,017    293,219 
Chimerix, Inc.*   34,364    167,009 
Clementia Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   20,892    333,019 
Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.*   22,029    528,476 
CTI BioPharma Corp.*   29,749    119,591 
Depomed, Inc.*   10,628    73,014 
Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc.*   4,301    89,633 
Dova Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   18,272    552,911 
Edge Therapeutics, Inc.*   13,517    203,431 
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.*   3,096    153,871 
Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   4,093    321,792 
Foamix Pharmaceuticals Ltd.*   30,338    180,511 
Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.*   13,190    773,594 
Impax Laboratories, Inc.*   6,603    134,701 
Imprimis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   59,000    107,380 
Innoviva, Inc.*   9,226    143,095 
MyoKardia, Inc.*   8,974    522,287 
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.   19,746    222,143 
Nektar Therapeutics*   11,411    987,736 
Neogen Corp.*   2,310    134,604 
Optinose, Inc.*   12,104    214,362 
Phibro Animal Health Corp., Class A   2,922    112,351 
Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc.*   1,938    65,504 
Savara, Inc.*   13,647    151,755 
Strongbridge Biopharma, PLC*   21,365    155,965 
Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   89,319    161,667 
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.*   6,416    306,749 
Viking Therapeutics, Inc.*   28,149    176,213 
         10,873,042 
Real Estate — 0.6%          
Bluegreen Vacations Corp.   13,796    266,815 
Community Healthcare Trust, Inc.   1,573    37,028 
Great Ajax Corp.   25,830    335,273 
HFF, Inc., Class A   2,032    92,781 
Marcus & Millichap, Inc.*   12,454    389,810 
RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., Class A   1,360    75,208 
Redfin Corp.*   27,924    574,955 
Whitestone REIT   3,058    37,736 
         1,809,606 
REITS — 0.7%          
Acadia Realty Trust   4,655    112,092 
Agree Realty Corp.   1,641    77,291 
Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc.   5,342    69,873 
CareTrust REIT, Inc.   3,664    48,548 
Chatham Lodging Trust   1,795    32,651 
CoreSite Realty Corp.   1,355    127,167 
DiamondRock Hospitality Co.   8,155    83,833 
EastGroup Properties, Inc.   2,590    209,868 

 

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

 

10

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
REITS — (Continued)        
Getty Realty Corp.   5,173   $122,083 
Government Properties Income Trust   6,612    90,717 
Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.   7,137    189,487 
Hersha Hospitality Trust   4,607    77,398 
Kite Realty Group Trust   7,092    107,373 
Lexington Realty Trust   12,112    96,411 
Medical Properties Trust, Inc.   5,867    71,929 
PS Business Parks, Inc.   1,242    137,688 
Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.   3,666    62,909 
Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.   6,963    91,703 
Universal Health Realty Income Trust   3,063    169,568 
Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., Class A   3,640    63,773 
         2,042,362 
Retail — 4.6%          
Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A   5,117    105,564 
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.*   15,883    1,045,896 
Ascena Retail Group, Inc.*   24,230    55,002 
Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp.   79,967    491,797 
Biglari Holdings, Inc.*   2,200    922,262 
Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.*   13,943    245,676 
Buckle, Inc., (The)   4,527    95,293 
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.*   71,170    647,647 
Casey's General Stores, Inc.   1,888    212,041 
Cato Corp., (The), Class A   2,154    24,469 
Children's Place, Inc., (The)   1,027    146,142 
Chuy's Holdings, Inc.*   4,399    118,773 
Core-Mark Holding Co, Inc.   4,602    94,203 
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.   790    123,319 
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.*   4,078    39,761 
Express, Inc.*   20,245    146,169 
EZCORP, Inc., Class A*   6,969    90,597 
FirstCash, Inc.   2,930    215,941 
Five Below, Inc.*   3,696    247,078 
Freshpet, Inc.*   29,912    598,240 
Genesco, Inc.*   4,461    175,317 
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.   953    65,605 
Guess?, Inc.   6,372    100,614 
Hibbett Sports, Inc.*   25,632    660,024 
Ingevity Corp.*   2,186    163,753 
J Alexander's Holdings, Inc.*   43,816    433,778 
Liberty Expedia Holdings, Inc., Class A*   28,940    1,136,184 
Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.*   5,091    117,908 
MarineMax, Inc.*   4,583    95,785 
Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.*   10,373    615,638 
Papa John's International, Inc.   1,043    60,223 
PC Connection, Inc.   26,540    658,988 
PCM, Inc.*   68,800    488,480 
PetMed Express, Inc.   3,582    161,871 
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.*   1,719    92,224 
Regis Corp.*   8,392    135,027 
Shoe Carnival, Inc.   2,090    48,822 
Tailored Brands, Inc.   6,230    145,844 
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.   14,840    820,058 
Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.*   7,759    29,096 
Wingstop, Inc.   12,481    565,514 
Winmark Corp.   2,588    327,900 
World Fuel Services Corp.   17,960    410,386 
Zumiez, Inc.*   3,678    72,457 
         13,247,366 
Savings & Loans — 0.8%          
BofI Holding, Inc.*   3,461    128,715 
Brookline Bancorp, Inc.   9,875    156,519 
Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.   8,292    149,256 
FS Bancorp, Inc.   8,530    463,179 
Meta Financial Group, Inc.   5,514    592,204 
Sterling Bancorp   38,122    886,337 
         2,376,210 
Scientific Research and Development Services — 0.5%
AnaptysBio, Inc.*   3,238    397,497 
CytoSorbents Corp.*   51,679    405,680 
GlycoMimetics, Inc.*   13,473    310,014 
TTEC Holdings, Inc.   3,501    124,811 
WaVe Life Sciences Ltd.*   3,526    179,650 
         1,417,652 
Semiconductors — 3.6%          
Adesto Technologies Corp.*   29,682    191,449 
Amtech Systems, Inc.*   93,500    709,665 
AXT, Inc.*   86,290    645,018 
Cabot Microelectronics Corp.   1,581    161,104 
Cavium, Inc.*   567    50,486 
Cirrus Logic, Inc.*   3,525    156,193 
Cohu, Inc.   35,940    719,878 
FGL Holdings*   75,050    723,482 
Ichor Holdings Ltd.*   8,811    227,676 
Impinj, Inc.*   24,619    313,646 
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.*   6,419    149,563 
Microsemi Corp.*   4,990    323,851 
MKS Instruments, Inc.   1,371    152,661 
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.   1,952    228,501 
NVE Corp.   5,577    387,657 
Power Integrations, Inc.   10,093    678,250 

 

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

 

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Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Semiconductors — (Continued)
Rambus, Inc.*   3,550   $45,121 
Rudolph Technologies, Inc.*   23,820    632,421 
Semtech Corp.*   5,218    175,586 
Silicon Laboratories, Inc.*   5,820    544,170 
SMART Global Holdings, Inc.*   32,345    1,123,018 
Tower Semiconductor Ltd.*   15,972    463,507 
Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.*   31,880    614,009 
Veeco Instruments, Inc.*   3,748    68,026 
Xcerra Corp.*   87,390    873,900 
         10,358,838 
Software — 8.9%          
Altair Engineering, Inc., Class A*   56,333    1,482,684 
Alteryx, Inc., Class A*   27,536    941,456 
American Software, Inc., Class A   41,399    515,004 
Apptio, Inc., Class A*   55,849    1,614,036 
Asure Software, Inc.*   96,256    1,371,648 
Blackbaud, Inc.   2,160    221,443 
Bottomline Technologies de, Inc.*   13,554    514,781 
Box, Inc., Class A*   25,816    621,133 
Castlight Health, Inc., Class B*   80,483    285,715 
Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.   1,281    54,891 
Computer Programs & Systems, Inc.   33,541    999,522 
Control4 Corp.*   6,555    157,582 
CSG Systems International, Inc.   28,178    1,315,349 
Ebix, Inc.   2,006    168,404 
eGain Corp.*   57,533    445,881 
Everbridge, Inc.*   43,732    1,395,488 
Five9, Inc.*   16,104    488,918 
InnerWorkings, Inc.*   78,830    727,601 
Instructure, Inc.*   21,706    942,040 
j2 Global, Inc.   1,848    136,789 
LivePerson, Inc.*   18,884    272,874 
Manhattan Associates, Inc.*   1,938    81,590 
ManTech International Corp., Class A   12,660    713,644 
Medidata Solutions, Inc.*   2,714    178,201 
Mitel Networks Corp.*   202,470    1,656,205 
MiX Telematics Ltd., ADR   29,769    395,928 
MuleSoft, Inc., Class A*   21,394    660,647 
Omnicell, Inc.*   13,003    567,581 
PDF Solutions, Inc.*   2,232    24,864 
Progress Software Corp.   5,306    248,692 
QAD, Inc., Class A   21,362    961,290 
Quality Systems, Inc.*   3,902    48,970 
SharpSpring, Inc.*   41,925    208,786 
Shutterfly, Inc.*   5,610    430,455 
Simulations Plus, Inc.   31,897    495,998 
Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.*   6,351    59,318 
SYNNEX Corp.   1,652    204,270 
Tabula Rasa HealthCare, Inc.*   26,098    843,226 
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.*   3,989    446,249 
Talend S.A., ADR*   20,282    954,877 
Upland Software, Inc.*   12,720    303,499 
Virtusa Corp.*   28,880    1,378,154 
         25,535,683 
Telecommunications — 3.6%          
ADTRAN, Inc.   2,768    43,319 
AMC Networks, Inc., Class A*   11,720    616,120 
ATN International, Inc.   13,496    808,410 
Avaya Holdings Corp.*   38,490    807,905 
CalAmp Corp.*   14,070    329,238 
Comtech Telecommunications Corp.   52,150    1,152,515 
Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.   8,668    100,202 
Entercom Communications Corp., Class A   39,880    394,812 
Fusion Telecommunications International, Inc.*   48,196    140,250 
GTT Communications, Inc.*   18,671    963,424 
Iridium Communications, Inc.*   9,628    112,648 
LogMeIn, Inc.   1,382    159,690 
NETGEAR, Inc.*   2,616    145,842 
ORBCOMM, Inc.*   75,383    783,983 
Quantenna Communications, Inc.*   39,425    542,094 
QuinStreet, Inc.*   37,670    494,607 
RADCOM Ltd.*   29,780    586,666 
Silicom Ltd.   9,003    570,790 
Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.   21,703    608,552 
Viavi Solutions, Inc.*   23,640    227,417 
Vonage Holdings Corp.*   62,408    633,441 
         10,221,925 
Textiles — 0.6%          
UniFirst Corp.   11,746    1,824,154 
           
Transportation — 2.7%          
Air Transport Services Group, Inc.*   59,798    1,582,853 
ArcBest Corp.   4,606    152,459 
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.*   8,881    540,409 
Echo Global Logistics, Inc.*   4,834    127,859 
Forward Air Corp.   15,102    815,508 
GasLog Ltd.   6,852    113,058 
Heartland Express, Inc.   8,734    170,488 
Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc.   3,275    157,724 
Marten Transport Ltd.   32,646    706,786 
Modine Manufacturing Co.*   24,614    566,122 

 

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

 

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Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Transportation — (Continued)        
PAM Transportation Services, Inc.*   26,940   $929,699 
Radiant Logistics, Inc.*   68,987    255,252 
Saia, Inc.*   17,366    1,261,640 
Stoneridge, Inc.*   17,662    384,325 
         7,764,182 
Trucking & Leasing — 0.0%          
Greenbrier Cos, Inc., (The)   3,222    166,900 
           
Water — 0.0%          
American States Water Co.   1,758    93,385 
California Water Service Group   1,969    74,723 
         168,108 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $212,184,344)        276,675,968 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 4.2%
STIT-Treasury Portfolio, 1.29% (a)   12,149,669    12,149,669 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $12,149,669)        12,149,669 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.3%          
(Cost $224,334,013)        288,825,637 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS — (0.3)%        (1,004,086)
NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $287,821,551 

 

 

*Non-income producing security.

 

(a)Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.

 

ADRAmerican Depositary Receipt

 

PLCPublic Limited Company

 

REITReal Estate Investment Trust

 

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

 

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Statement of Assets and Liabilities

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS    
Investments, at value (cost $212,184,344)  $276,675,968 
Short-term investments, at value (cost $12,149,669)   12,149,669 
Receivables for:     
Investments sold   1,319,027 
Dividends   145,800 
Capital shares sold   120,000 
Total assets   290,410,464 
      
LIABILITIES     
Payables for:     
Investments purchased   2,320,631 
Investment sub-advisory fees   168,659 
Capital shares redeemed   80,000 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities   19,623 
Total liabilities   2,588,913 
Net assets  $287,821,551 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Par value  $21,016 
Paid-in capital   215,982,456 
Undistributed/(accumulated) net investment income/(loss)   (163,234)
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments   7,489,689 
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   64,491,624 
Net assets  $287,821,551 
      
CAPITAL SHARES:     
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   21,016,253 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $13.70 

 

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

 

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Statement of Operations

For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME    
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $3,105)  $1,335,685 
Total investment income   1,335,685 
      
EXPENSES     
Sub-advisory fees (Note 2)   1,061,893 
Administration and accounting services fees (Note 2)   57,840 
Legal fees   24,152 
Custodian fees (Note 2)   23,644 
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)   18,853 
Audit fees   16,633 
Directors fees   13,750 
Registration and filing fees   11,560 
Officers fees   8,952 
Printing and shareholder reporting fees   5,931 
Other expenses   18,761 
Total expenses   1,261,969 
Net investment income/(loss)   73,716 
      
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS     
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments   14,592,327 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   11,365,306 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   25,957,633 
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $26,031,349 

 

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

 

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ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS        
Net investment income/(loss)  $73,716   $(377,926)
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments and foreign currency transactions   14,592,327    15,511,406 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency translation   11,365,306    19,615,276 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   26,031,349    34,748,756 
           
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:          
Net realized capital gains   (10,628,260)    
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (10,628,260)    
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from shares sold   8,640,723    22,400,008 
Reinvestment of distributions   9,704,541     
Shares redeemed   (8,407,179)   (19,769,132)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions   9,938,085    2,630,876 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   25,341,174    37,379,632 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   262,480,377    225,100,745 
End of period  $287,821,551   $262,480,377 
Undistributed/(accumulated) net investment income/(loss), end of period  $(163,234)  $(236,950)
           
SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Shares sold   625,989    1,796,443 
Shares reinvested   714,620     
Shares redeemed   (607,841)   (1,617,798)
Net increase/(decrease) in shares   732,768    178,645 

 

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

 

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Financial Highlights

 

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

 

   For the
Six Months Ended February 28,
2018 (Unaudited)
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2017
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2016
   For the
Period
October 21,
2014(1)
to August 31,
2015
 
Per Share Operating Performance                
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.94   $11.20   $10.59   $10.00 
Net investment income/(loss)(2)   0.00    (0.02)   (0.03)   (0.04)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments   1.29    1.76    0.64    0.63 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1.29    1.74    0.61    0.59 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                    
Net realized capital gains   (0.53)       (3)     
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (0.53)            
Net asset value, end of period  $13.70   $12.94   $11.20   $10.59 
Total investment return(4)   9.89%(5)   15.54%   5.76%   5.90%(5)
                     
Ratios/Supplemental Data                    
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $287,822   $262,480   $225,101   $212,934 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.90%(6)   0.92%   1.15%   1.15%(6)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   0.05%(6)   (0.15)%   (0.26)%   (0.41)%(6)
Portfolio turnover rate   39%(5)   88%   101%   95%(5)

 

 

(1) Commencement of operations.

 

(2) Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

 

(3) Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

 

(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.

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 (UNAUDITED)

 

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

 

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 87.023 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and eighty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

 

The Fund’s investment objective seeks capital appreciation.

 

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services - Investment Companies”.

 

The end of the reporting period for the Fund is February 28, 2018, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended February 28, 2018 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

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 (“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 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. 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 (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 the fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

  ● Level 1 — Prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

  ● Level 2 — Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

  ● Level 3 — Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

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

 

18

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 (UNAUDITED)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of the end of the reporting period, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

   Total   LEVEL 1   LEVEL 2   LEVEL 3 
Common Stocks  $276,675,968   $276,675,968   $   $ 
Short-Term Investments   12,149,669    12,149,669         
Total Investments*  $288,825,637   $288,825,637   $   $ 

 

* 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 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”) requires 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.

 

During the current fiscal period, the Fund had no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3.

 

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 reporting 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 gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund’s investment income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) 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

 

19

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 (UNAUDITED)

 

proportion to their average net assets of RBB, or in such other manner as the Board 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 (including net short-term capital gains), if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders recorded on the 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 — 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 investment adviser to the Fund. 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 serve 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 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. The Fund compensates the Sub-Advisers for their services at an annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets, (the “Sub-Advisory Fee”), not to exceed 1.00%, payable on a monthly basis in arrears.

 

During the current fiscal period, collectively, sub-advisory fees accrued were $1,061,893, or the rate of 0.75%.

 

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.

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

USBFS serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

20

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 (UNAUDITED)

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (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.

 

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

 

For compensation amounts payable to USBFS, please refer to the Statement of Operations.

 

3. Directors and Officers Compensation

 

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. An employee of RBB serves as Treasurer and Secretary, and is compensated for services provided. Certain employees of USBFS serve as officers of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company. For Directors and Officers compensation amounts, please refer to the Statement of Operations.

 

4. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities

 

During the current fiscal period, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

PURCHASES SALES
$118,441,114 $103,572,356

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities during the current fiscal period.

 

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. The Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of the unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

As of August 31, 2017, the federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments held by the Fund were as follows:

 

FEDERAL
TAX COST
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
UNREALIZED
(DEPRECIATION)
Net Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
$206,693,037 $59,032,708 $(7,207,519) $51,825,189

 

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.

 

21

 

 

ADARA SMALLER COMPANIES FUND

 


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONCLUDED)

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 (UNAUDITED)

 

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2017, primarily attributable to disallowed expenses and current year write-off of net operating loss, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT
INCOME/(LOSS)
ACCUMULATED
NET REALIZED
GAIN/(LOSS)
PAID-IN
CAPITAL
$502,502 $(178,859) $(323,643)

 

As of August 31, 2017, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED
ORDINARY
INCOME
UNDISTRIBUTED
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS
CAPITAL LOSS
CARRYFORWARDS
NET UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION/
(DEPRECIATION)
QUALIFIED
LATE-YEAR
LOSSES
$— $4,820,068 $— $51,825,189 $(230,267)

 

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, 2017, were as follows:

 

ORDINARY
INCOME
LONG-TERM
GAINS
TOTAL
$— $— $—

 

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, 2017, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2017.

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, the Fund deferred to September 1, 2017, the following losses:

 

LATE-YEAR
ORDINARY
LOSS DEFERRAL
SHORT-TERM
CAPITAL
LOSS DEFERRAL
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL
LOSS DEFERRAL
$(230,267) $— $—

 

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. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, the Fund had utilized $2,109,700 of capital loss carryforwards. As of August 31, 2017, 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 significant events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

22

 

 

ADARA 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 twelve-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.

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

 

 

Investment Adviser
Altair Advisers, LLC
303 West Madison Street, Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60606

 

Administrator and Transfer Agent
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI 53201

 

Principal Underwriter
Quasar Distributors, LLC
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Floor 6
Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Custodian
U.S. Bank, N.A.
1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

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, Suite 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

ALT-SAR18

 

 

 


 

 

Bogle Investment
Management

 

Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

of THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

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

 

Performance Data
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended February 28, 2018(1)

 

Six
Months(2)

One
Year

Five
Year

Ten
Year

Since
Inception(3)

Institutional Class Shares

7.81%

12.70%

12.54%

9.92%

11.43%

Russell 2000® Index

8.30%

10.51%

12.19%

9.75%

8.54%

 

 

(1)

Bogle Investment Management, L.P. (the “Adviser” or “Bogle”) waived a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund’s (the “Fund”) 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.

 

(2)

Not annualized.

 

(3)

For the period October 1, 1999 (commencement of operations) through February 28, 2018.

 

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 total annual Fund operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2017, is 1.35% prior to fee waivers.

 

1

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Fund Expense Examples

February 28, 2018 (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. This example is 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 September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018, 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.

 

 

Beginning
Account Value
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018

Expenses Paid
During Period*

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,078.10

$6.44

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,018.60

6.26

 

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.25%, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (181) 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 of 7.81%.

 

2

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

   % of Net
Assets
   Value 
Common Stocks:        
Finance   28.0%  $29,824,382 
Health Technology   14.0    14,868,769 
Technology Services   12.1    12,925,083 
Electronic Technology   8.8    9,402,437 
Producer Manufacturing   6.2    6,598,723 
Non-Energy Minerals   4.7    4,966,957 
Consumer Services   4.5    4,817,486 
Commercial Services   4.4    4,665,991 
Consumer Non-Durables   3.8    4,045,457 
Process Industries   3.2    3,415,577 
Utilities   2.1    2,241,146 
Transportation   1.9    1,980,409 
Energy Minerals   1.4    1,530,886 
Distribution Services   1.0    1,066,160 
Industrial Services   1.0    1,016,904 
Consumer Durables   0.9    962,025 
Communications   0.4    466,628 
Health Services   0.2    196,090 
Short-Term Investments   1.8    1,963,094 
Liabilities In Excess Of Other Assets   (0.4)   (475,486)
Net Assets   100.0%  $106,478,718 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
3

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Common Stocks—98.6%        
Commercial Services—4.4%    
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.   21,985   $833,891 
Etsy, Inc.*   55,642    1,408,299 
Groupon, Inc.*   220,057    941,844 
Insperity, Inc.   7,288    475,906 
ManpowerGroup, Inc.   6,321    748,786 
Medpace Holdings, Inc.*   8,027    257,265 
         4,665,991 
Communications—0.4%          
TIM Participacoes SA, ADR   21,928    466,628 
           
Consumer Durables—0.9%          
GoPro, Inc., Class A*   178,815    962,025 
           
Consumer Non-Durables—3.8%          
Crocs, Inc.*   86,817    1,062,640 
Deckers Outdoor Corp.*   11,723    1,108,761 
Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A*   24,389    997,998 
Wolverine World Wide, Inc.   29,920    876,058 
         4,045,457 
Consumer Services—4.5%          
Care.com, Inc.*   46    822 
Everi Holdings, Inc.*   8,745    65,150 
Gravity Co., Ltd., SP ADR*   3,908    339,488 
International Game Technology PLC   26,062    690,643 
Liberty Expedia Holdings, Inc., Class A*   22,877    898,151 
Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc., Class A*   32,184    334,714 
Madison Square Garden Co., (The), Class A*   3,902    952,868 
Weight Watchers International, Inc.*   22,710    1,535,650 
         4,817,486 
Distribution Services—1.0%          
HD Supply Holdings, Inc.*   23,800    862,750 
Rush Enterprises, Inc., Class A*   4,785    203,410 
         1,066,160 
Electronic Technology—8.8%          
Aerovironment, Inc.*   18,536    921,610 
Axcelis Technologies, Inc.*   8,517    208,241 
Control4 Corp.*   121    2,909 
Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.*   10,823    194,056 
Entegris, Inc.   31,854    1,057,553 
Esterline Technologies Corp.*   13,206    975,923 
F5 Networks, Inc.*   5,000    742,600 
FLIR Systems, Inc.   15,841   777,793 
Fortinet, Inc.*   14,020    707,589 
Hexcel Corp.   11,692    786,638 
ManTech International Corp., Class A   15,631    881,119 
Pure Storage, Inc., Class A*   44,301    960,003 
SMART Global Holdings, Inc.*   13,686    475,178 
Trimble, Inc.*   18,751    711,225 
         9,402,437 
ENERGY MINERALS—1.4%          
SunCoke Energy, Inc.*   96,107    1,026,423 
W&T Offshore, Inc.*   129,682    504,463 
         1,530,886 
FINANCE—28.0%          
Associated Banc-Corp   35,823    884,828 
BankUnited, Inc.   21,934    882,185 
BGC Partners, Inc., Class A   70,866    936,849 
BOK Financial Corp.   7,998    755,411 
Brown & Brown, Inc.   13,927    733,117 
CAI International, Inc.*   1,214    24,523 
Commerce Bancshares Inc/MO   14,607    843,846 
East West Bancorp, Inc.   11,293    740,256 
Evercore, Inc., Class A   12,980    1,207,789 
Federated Investors, Inc., Class B   2,192    71,415 
First BanCorp Puerto Rico*   152,284    918,273 
First Horizon National Corp.   39,684    755,980 
First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., Class A   21,267    840,047 
GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc.   63,193    448,038 
Hamilton Lane, Inc., Class A   16,476    575,671 
Hancock Holding Co.   17,480    903,716 
Hilltop Holdings, Inc.   33,872    823,428 
Houlihan Lokey, Inc., Class A   20,997    974,681 
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc., Class A   24,307    1,686,906 
INTL FCStone, Inc.*   24,675    978,364 
Investment Technology Group, Inc.   55,958    1,109,088 
Jupai Holdings Ltd., ADR   33,339    636,108 
Legg Mason, Inc.   26,000    1,037,660 
LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.   26,444    1,699,556 
McGrath RentCorp   15,214    770,133 
MGIC Investment Corp.*   79,247    1,092,816 
OM Asset Management PLC   64,525    989,168 
PHH Corp.*   16,516    174,739 
Piper Jaffray Companies   13,015    1,086,753 
PJT Partners, Inc., Class A   17,638    843,273 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
4

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
FINANCE—(continued)        
Stifel Financial Corp.   14,980   $956,773 
Synovus Financial Corp.   16,863    831,346 
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.*   9,500    856,900 
UMB Financial Corp.   12,100    883,300 
United Community Banks, Inc.   28,193    871,446 
         29,824,382 
HEALTH SERVICES—0.2%          
China Cord Blood Corp.*   18,693    196,090 
           
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY—14.0%          
Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.*   20,818    144,165 
AnaptysBio, Inc.*   7,210    885,100 
Bruker Corp.   17,839    546,765 
Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   14,274    45,534 
China Biologic Products Holdings, Inc.*   7,977    644,861 
Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   29,611    647,889 
CytomX Therapeutics, Inc.*   4,398    130,665 
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.*   13,894    690,532 
Exelixis, Inc.*   48,080    1,240,464 
Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc.*   35,378    752,136 
Foundation Medicine, Inc.*   1,095    90,611 
Genomic Health, Inc.*   29,953    958,496 
Haemonetics Corp.*   13,611    965,020 
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.*   31,724    623,694 
Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.   8,715    729,097 
Lantheus Holdings, Inc.*   7,664    117,259 
Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   7,227    910,891 
Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.*   2,381    64,644 
Myriad Genetics, Inc.*   27,002    875,405 
NewLink Genetics Corp.*   22,374    160,645 
Ophthotech Corp.*   27,811    75,368 
Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   16,612    141,534 
PTC Therapeutics, Inc.*   10,423    268,392 
Retrophin, Inc.*   46,754    1,169,785 
Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc.*   30,790    737,420 
uniQure NV*   43,343    1,101,779 
Versartis, Inc.*   28,143    45,029 
XOMA Corp.*   3,934    105,589 
         14,868,769 
INDUSTRIAL SERVICES—1.0%          
Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Class A*   1,825    46,391 
Goldfield Corp., (The)*   341    1,603 
ION Geophysical Corp.*   822    23,098 
Tetra Tech, Inc.   19,322   945,812 
         1,016,904 
Non-Energy Minerals—4.7%          
Alcoa Corp.*   20,018    900,209 
Boise Cascade Co.   18,921    762,516 
Constellium NV, Class A*   43,767    507,697 
Gerdau SA, SP ADR   212,426    1,062,130 
Louisiana-Pacific Corp.   39,025    1,112,212 
United States Steel Corp.   14,300    622,193 
         4,966,957 
Process Industries—3.2%          
Braskem SA, SP ADR   4,139    117,879 
Cabot Microelectronics Corp.   5,089    518,569 
Cosan Ltd., Class A   31,117    349,133 
Daqo New Energy Corp., ADR*   14,785    726,535 
Fibria Celulose SA, SP ADR   40,659    764,389 
Ingevity Corp.*   12,536    939,072 
         3,415,577 
Producer Manufacturing—6.2%          
Alamo Group, Inc.   1,634    181,619 
Commercial Metals Co.   35,209    855,579 
Continental Building Products, Inc.*   2,842    77,302 
Crane Co.   2,000    184,620 
Delphi Technologies PLC   15,904    759,416 
Harsco Corp.*   52,764    1,068,471 
Herman Miller, Inc.   9,795    351,641 
ITT, Inc.   16,424    824,156 
Masonite International Corp.*   211    12,882 
Milacron Holdings Corp.*   6,601    141,459 
Modine Manufacturing Co.*   600    13,800 
Mueller Water Products, Inc., Class A   1,500    16,500 
NCI Building Systems, Inc.*   31,299    510,174 
SPX FLOW, Inc.*   20,024    976,370 
TriMas Corp.*   24,121    624,734 
         6,598,723 
Technology Services—12.1%          
AppFolio, Inc., Class A*   22,544    904,014 
Apptio, Inc., Class A*   37,259    1,076,785 
Bottomline Technologies de, Inc.*   5,678    215,650 
Box, Inc., Class A*   41,939    1,009,052 
FireEye, Inc.*   2,345    38,904 
MicroStrategy, Inc., Class A*   7,174    918,129 
Mimecast Ltd.*   3,060    106,304 
MINDBODY, Inc., Class A*   12,246    436,570 
New Relic, Inc.*   15,367    1,103,043 
Qualys, Inc.*   14,702    1,088,683 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
5

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Technology Services—(continued)
RingCentral, Inc., Class A*   12,790   $801,294 
Rubicon Project, Inc., (The)*   27,334    44,008 
Shutterfly, Inc.*   9,818    753,335 
TriNet Group, Inc.*   892    42,076 
Varonis Systems, Inc.*   23,072    1,295,493 
Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A*   12,932    901,360 
Web.com Group, Inc.*   36,472    656,496 
Workiva, Inc., Class A*   12,059    274,342 
YY, Inc., ADR*   9,739    1,259,545 
         12,925,083 
Transportation—1.9%          
ArcBest Corp.   22,425    742,268 
Hub Group, Inc., Class A*   20,501    894,869 
YRC Worldwide, Inc.*   39,366    343,272 
         1,980,409 
Utilities—2.1%          
Atlantica Yield PLC   27,807    545,851 
Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo, ADR   62,864    724,193 
Pampa Energia SA, SP ADR*   15,334    971,102 
         2,241,146 
Total Common Stocks          
(Cost $97,260,615)        104,991,110 
Short-Term Investments—1.8%          

Fidelity Investments Money Market Funds - Government Portfolio, 1.26%(a)

       1,963,094 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $1,963,094)        1,963,094 
Total Investments—100.4%          
(Cost $99,223,709)        106,954,204 
Liabilities In Excess Of Other Assets—(0.4)%        (475,486)
Net Assets—100.0%       $106,478,718 

 

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

(a)

Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.

 

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.
6

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Statement Of Assets And Liabilities

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Assets    
Investments, at value (cost $97,260,615)  $104,991,110 
Short-term investments, at value (cost $1,963,094)   1,963,094 
Receivables for:     
Investments sold   6,240,882 
Dividends   82,421 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   23,416 
Total assets   113,300,923 
      
Liabilities     
Payables for:     
Investments purchased   6,644,591 
Investment advisory fees   77,223 
Capital shares redeemed   33,404 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities   66,987 
Total liabilities   6,822,205 
Net assets  $106,478,718 
      
Net Assets Consist of:     
Par value  $3,423 
Paid-in capital   93,116,326 
Undistributed/(accumulated) net investment income/(loss)   (380,575)
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments   6,009,049 
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   7,730,495 
Net assets  $106,478,718 
      
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   3,422,846 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   31.11 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Statement Of Operations

For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Investment Income    
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $324)  $427,384 
Total investment income   427,384 
      
Expenses:     
Advisory fees (Note 2)   544,010 
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)   37,390 
Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)   28,863 
Audit fees   20,757 
Custodian fees (Note 2)   15,989 
Legal fees   14,927 
Registration and filing fees   12,297 
Directors fees   10,540 
Printing and shareholder reporting fees   9,978 
Officers fees   7,436 
Other expenses   6,488 
Total expenses before waivers   708,675 
Less: waivers (Note 2)   (28,663)
Net expenses after waivers   680,012 
Net investment income/(loss)   (252,628)
      
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) from Investments     
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments   8,515,945 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   45,184 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   8,561,129 
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $8,308,501 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
8

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended August 31, 2017
 
Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $(252,628)  $(695,143)
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments   8,515,945    17,835,877 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   45,184    2,929,982 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   8,308,501    20,070,716 
           
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders From:          
Net realized capital gains          
Institutional Class   (10,781,589)    
Investor Class        
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (10,781,589)    
           
Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Derived From Capital Share Transactions:          
Institutional Class          
Proceeds from shares sold   1,054,439    2,362,029 

Proceeds from exchange of Investor Class(1)

       73,374,316 
Reinvestment of distributions   10,427,403     
Distributions for shares redeemed   (8,807,857)   (36,837,782)
Total from Institutional Class   2,673,985    38,898,563 
Investor Class          
Proceeds from shares sold       1,577,029 
Reinvestment of distributions        
Distributions for shares redeemed       (10,305,292)

Distributions from exchange to Institutional Class(1)

       (73,374,316)
Total from Investor Class       (82,102,579)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions   2,673,985    (43,204,016)
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   200,897    (23,133,300)
           
Net Assets:          
Beginning of period   106,277,821    129,411,121 
End of period  $106,478,718   $106,277,821 
Undistributed/(accumulated) net investment income/(loss), end of period  $(380,575)  $(127,947)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Concluded)

 

   For the
Six Months Ended February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended August 31, 2017
 
Increase/(Decrease) in Shares Outstanding Derived From Share Transactions:        
Institutional Class        
Shares sold   32,912    78,894 

Shares exchanged from Investor Class (1)

       2,379,818 
Shares reinvested   344,480     
Shares redeemed   (271,929)   (1,259,190)
Total from Institutional Class   105,463    1,199,522 
Investor Class          
Shares sold       55,604 
Shares reinvested        
Shares redeemed       (357,393)

Shares exchanged into Institutional Class (1)

       (2,439,606)
Total from Investor Class       (2,741,395)
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding derived from share transactions   105,463    (1,541,873)

 

 

(1)

Effective on April 28, 2017, the outstanding Investor Class Shares of the Fund were converted into Institutional Class Shares of the Fund.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
10

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Financial Highlights

 

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

 

 

   For the
Six Months ended
February 28,
2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2017
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2016
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2015
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2014
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2013
 
Per Share Operating Performance                              
Net asset value, beginning of period  $32.04   $27.00   $30.00   $38.07   $29.49   $21.76 

Net investment income/(loss)(1)

   (0.07)   (0.18)   (0.13)   (0.18)   (0.23)   0.10 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments   2.48    5.22    1.21    (3.09)   8.87    7.63 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   2.41    5.04    1.08    (3.27)   8.64    7.73 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                              
Net investment income                   (0.06)    
Net realized capital gains   (3.34)       (4.08)   (4.80)        
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (3.34)       (4.08)   (4.80)   (0.06)    
Net asset value, end of period  $31.11   $32.04   $27.00   $30.00   $38.07   $29.49 

Total investment return(2)

   7.81%(5)   18.69%   4.37%   (8.99)%   29.34%   35.52%
                               
Ratios/Supplemental Data                              
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $106,479   $106,278   $57,180   $88,086   $117,923   $98,898 
Ratio of expenses to average net
assets with waivers and reimbursements
   1.25%(4)   1.27%   1.25%   1.25%   1.25%   1.25%

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements(3)

   1.30%(4)   1.37%   1.42%   1.35%   1.32%   1.39%
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   (0.46)%(4)   (0.61)%   (0.50)%   (0.53)%   (0.66)%   0.37%
Portfolio turnover rate   185.59%(5)   366.41%   380.45%   196.15%   175.06%   237.59%

 

 

(1)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

(2)

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.

(3)

During the current fiscal period, certain fees were waived and/or reimbursed. If such fee waivers and/or reimbursements had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated (See Note 2).

(4)

Annualized.

(5)

Not annualized.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Notes To Financial Statements

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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-nine active investment portfolios, including the Bogle Investment Management Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on October 1, 1999.

 

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 87.023 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and eighty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide long-term capital appreciation.

 

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services - Investment Companies”.

 

The end of the reporting period for the Fund is February 28, 2018, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended February 28, 2018 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

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 (“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 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. 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 (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 the fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

 

● Level 1 –

Prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

 

● Level 2 –

Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

 

● Level 3 –

Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

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

 

12

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of the end of the reporting period, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Common Stocks  $104,991,110   $104,991,110   $   $ 
Short-Term Investments   1,963,094    1,963,094         
Total Investments*  $106,954,204   $106,954,204   $   $ 

 

*

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 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”) requires 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.

 

During the current fiscal period, the Fund had no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3.

 

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 reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

 

Investment Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses — The Fund records security transactions based on trade date for financial reporting purposes. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method for both financial reporting and income tax purposes in determining realized gains and losses on investments. Interest income is accrued when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or capital gains are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund’s investment income, expenses (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 Board 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.

 

13

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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. 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 — 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. (“Bogle” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Fund compensates the Adviser for its services at an annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”), payable on a monthly basis in arrears, as shown in the accompanying table.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed the rate (“Expense Cap”) shown in the accompanying table. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and certain of these expenses could cause net total annual Fund operating expenses to exceed the Expense Cap: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2018. The Fund will not pay the Adviser at a later time for any amounts the Adviser may waive and/or any amounts that the Adviser has assumed. The contractual fee waiver does not provide for recoupment of fees that were waived and/or expenses that were reimbursed.

 

Advisory Fee

Expense Cap

1.00%

1.25%

 

During the current fiscal period, investment advisory fees accrued and waived were as follows:

 

Gross
Advisory Fees

Waivers

Net
Advisory Fees

$544,010

$(28,663)

$515,347

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

USBFS serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (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.

 

14

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

For compensation amounts payable to USBFS, please refer to the Statement of Operations.

 

3. Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

 

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. An employee of RBB serves as Treasurer and Secretary, and is compensated for services provided. Certain employees of USBFS serve as officers of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company. For Director’s and Officer’s compensation amounts, please refer to the Statement of Operations.

 

4. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities

 

During the current fiscal period, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

Purchases

Sales

$199,401,943

$207,551,969

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities during the current fiscal period.

 

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. The Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

As of August 31, 2017, the federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments held by the Fund were as follows:

 

Federal Tax
Cost

Unrealized
Appreciation

Unrealized
(Depreciation)

Net
Unrealized Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

$98,885,470

$10,689,388

$(3,382,048)

$7,307,340

 

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

 

 

Bogle Investment Management
Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Notes To Financial Statements (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2017, 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

$986,113

$(986,113)

$—

 

As of August 31, 2017, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Capital Loss Carryforward

Undistributed Ordinary Income

Undistributed Long-Term
Capital Gains

Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

Qualified
Late-Year Loss
Deferral

$—

$8,524,717

$—

$7,307,340

$—

 

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

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 was as follows:

 

Ordinary
Income

Long-Term
Gains

Total

$—

$—

$—

 

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, 2017, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2017.

 

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.

 

During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, the Fund utilized $3,655,064 of total capital loss carryforwards. As of August 31, 2017, the Fund had no tax basis capital loss carryforwards to offset future capital gains.

 

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 significant events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

16

 

 

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 twelve-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 (800) SEC-0330.

 

17

 

 

Investment Adviser
Bogle Investment Management, L.P.
2310 Washington Street
Suite 310
Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462

 

Administrator and Transfer Agent
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI 53201

 

Principal Underwriter
Quasar Distributors, LLC
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Floor 6
Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Custodian
U.S. Bank, N.A.
1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

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-SAR18

 

 

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

Table of Contents

General Market Commentary

1

Definitions

2

Average Annual Total Returns for the Period Ended February 28, 2018

3

Fund Expense Examples

5

Portfolio Holdings Summary Tables

7

Portfolio of Investments

10

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

54

Statements of Operations

57

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

60

Financial Highlights

66

Notes to Financial Statements

72

Other Information

84

 

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

GENERAL MARKET COMMENTARY

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

The bull market in stocks continued for the six-month period ended on February 28, 2018 as the S&P 500® Index (“S&P”) gained 10.84% on a total return basis over that time frame, finding support from a number of factors, both macro-economic and fundamental in nature.

 

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at an average rate of 2.3% over the period and the Federal Reserve Board’s preferred measure of core inflation remained subdued, averaging just 1.4% and well below their official target of 2%. The Institute of Supply Managers’ (ISM) surveys of business activity, in both manufacturing and services, remained firmly rooted in an expansion mode indicating that the strength of the economy was broad-based. From an international standpoint, the story was nearly identical to that of the United States.

 

Earnings growth over the period remained robust registering a gain of 10.6%, nearly identical to the return that the S&P generated, an indication that earnings growth, and not a price/earnings (P/E) multiple expansion was the primary driver of equity returns. Sales growth also accelerated to a 5.7%, the fastest pace since 2012. Once again, a similar story could be crafted for international markets.

 

While five out of six months during the period produced positive returns, the market did suffer its first official “correction” in two years, dropping by -10.2% from its peak on January 26th to the interim trough on February 8th.

 

The “trigger” for the correction was the Friday, February 2nd release of the employment report for January, which revealed that average hourly earnings had jumped by 2.9% on a year-over-year basis, the biggest increase since 2009. That prompted a sell-off in the bond market with the 10-year Treasury hitting 2.94%, (the highest yield since January 2014) pressuring stocks to drop by 2% and leading to a 28% increase in the VIX Volatility Index (“VIX”) by the end of the day.

 

Come Monday, February 5th, an estimated $750 billion to $1 trillion in strategies that had bet that volatility would continue to be low and/or contained had to cover their losing positions causing the VIX to spike by over 100%, triggering an additional 4% drop in stock prices that day and a 5.2% loss by the end of the week. During that week 54.5 billion shares of stock traded, the highest level in seven years with the bulk of the activity occurring during the last hour of trading, an indication that computer-based models were dictating the action.

 

From a sector standpoint, Financials assumed the pole position gaining 18.23%, benefitting from an average increase in Treasury yields of 79 basis points along the yield curve during the period. Historically, an increase in interest rates has been conducive to an expansion in profit margins for banks.

 

Technology finished a close second with a gain of 18.18% as the sector continued to post impressive top and bottom line results. Boston Partners performance was helped by being overweight both sectors domestically.

 

Pulling up the rear in performance were two “bond proxy” sectors, Utilities and REIT’s, which were negatively impacted by the increase in rates with an average return of -8.01%. Boston Partners remains underweight in both sectors.

 

In terms of style, growth continued to beat value during the period with the Russell 1000® Growth Index returning 13.9% to the 7.3% return generated by the Russell 1000® Value Index. Large capitalization stocks outperformed with the Russell 1000® Index beating the Russell Midcap® Index that beat the Russell 2000® Index (10.6% vs 10.4% vs 10.3%).

 

Momentum was the dominant factor during the period according to MSCI with a return of 17.8% while Minimum Volatility was a laggard at 3.9%.

 

International bourses generally lagged their U.S. counterparts over the period with the MSCI EAFE Index returning 4.34% in local currency terms while Emerging Markets gained 9.06%. Returns in dollar terms were better, with EAFE up 7.23% and Emerging Markets returning 10.7% as the dollar fell by over 2% during the six months.

 

Looking Ahead

 

While certainly painful to go through, the correction during February was far from atypical, as since 1980 the market has experienced an intra-year drawdown in every calendar year, averaging 14% per year over the period.

 

There were a couple of “silver linings” surrounding the sell-off as well, as the tenacity of the move was not confirmed by the credit markets as high-yield bond spreads to Treasury’s increased by only 26 basis points during the month. Historically, when markets are under true duress that widening would be 150 basis points or more.

 

The other notable positive aspect to the sell-off came on the valuation front, as the forward price/earnings multiple of the S&P dropped from 18.5X to 16.5X, the byproduct of falling prices and increasing earnings per share (“EPS”) estimates.

 

News on the earnings front has been very positive as S&P earnings for the fourth quarter are on track for a 14.8% gain, with 74% of the underlying companies beating their consensus targets. Estimates for EPS growth in 2018 have increased by 7.3% this year given the anticipated boost from the recent tax legislation package and are now projected to grow by 18.3% on a year-over-year basis.

 

All in all, we believe that little has changed in the last month from a macro-economic standpoint as the synchronized global recovery remains intact and both earnings and revenue growth rates and revisions remain robust. At this point, the correction in the market appears to be more mechanical than fundamental in nature.

 

What has changed is that global central bank policies (primarily the Federal Reserve) are in the midst of transitioning from “tail-wind” centric to “head-wind” centric as spare economic and employment capacity diminishes. It remains to be seen if and/or when the pace and magnitude of the changes will provoke longer lasting disruptive effects on economies and markets. To date, little damage has been inflicted.

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

1

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Past Performance is not a guarantee of future results.

 

Opinions expressed herein are as of February 28, 2018 and are subject to change at any time, are not guaranteed and should not be considered investment advice. This report is for the information of shareholders of the Funds. It may also be used as sales literature when preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

 

Basis points: One hundredth of one percent, used chiefly in expressing differences of interest rates.

 

Earnings per share: Is the portion of a company's profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock.

 

Minimum Volatility: A minimum volatility strategy involves buying stocks based on the estimate of their volatility and correlations with other stocks. Minimum volatility is categorized as a “defensive” factor, meaning it has tended to benefit during periods of economic contraction. This type of strategy is more concerned with volatility management than with maximizing gains. The key objective of a minimum volatility strategy is to capture regional and global exposure to stocks with potentially less risk.

 

Momentum: High Momentum companies are characterized in the literature as companies with high price performance in the recent history, up to 12-months. High Momentum companies tend to continue their high price performance over the near term, typically over a 6 - 12 month period.

 

MSCI EAFE Index is a stock market index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets outside of the U.S. & Canada. It is maintained by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MCSI), a provider of investment decision support tools; the EAFE acronym stands for Europe, Australasia and Far East.

 

MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Index is an index created by MSCI designed to measure equity market performance in global emerging markets.

 

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

 

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

 

Russell 1000® Index measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Russell 1000® Growth Index is an index of approximately 1,000 of the largest companies in the U.S. equity market. It represents the top companies by market capitalization. The Russell 1000 typically comprises approximately 90% of the total market capitalization of all listed U.S. stocks.

 

Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price/book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The Russell 1000® Value Index refers to a composite of large and mid-cap companies located in the United States that also exhibit a value probability.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market.

 

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.

 

Russell Midcap® Index is a market capitalization weighted index comprised of 800 publicly traded U.S. companies with market caps of between $2 and $10 billion. The average Russell Midcap Index member has a market cap of $8 billion to $10 billion, with a median value of $4 billion to $5 billion.

 

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

 

Purchasing Managers Indices (PMI) is an indicator of the economic health of the manufacturing sector. The PMI is based on five major indicators: new orders, inventory levels, production, supplier deliveries and the employment environment.

 

VIX Volatility Index: The CBOE Volatility Index, known by its ticker symbol VIX, is a popular measure of the stock market's expectation of volatility implied by S&P 500 index options, calculated and published by the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE). It is colloquially referred to as the fear index or the fear gauge.

 

2

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2018

(unaudited)

 

   

Average Annual

 

Six Month

1 Year

5 Year

10 Year

Since
Inception

Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II

         

Institutional Class

6.53%

5.01%

11.12%

10.26%

N/A

Investor Class

6.33%

4.71%

10.84%

9.98%

N/A

Russell 2000® Value Index

5.08%

2.96%

10.58%

8.64%

N/A

Russell 2000® Index(1)

8.29%

10.51%

12.19%

9.74%

N/A

 

(1)This is not a primary benchmark of the Fund. Results of the index performance are presented for general comparative purposes.

 

Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund

         

Institutional Class

3.57%

-2.17%

5.66%

11.76%

N/A

Investor Class

3.45%

-2.40%

5.40%

11.43%

N/A

S&P 500® Index

10.84%

17.10%

14.73%

9.73%

N/A

Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund

         

Institutional Class(1)

5.84%

8.10%

7.60%

N/A

8.68%

S&P 500® Index

10.84%

17.10%

14.73%

N/A

14.79%(3)

           

Investor Class(2)

5.69%

7.85%

7.33%

N/A

8.03%

S&P 500® Index

10.84%

17.10%

14.73%

N/A

14.44%(3)

 

(1)Inception date of the Fund was September 30, 2010.
(2)Inception date of the Fund was November 29, 2010.
(3)Index performance is from inception date of the Class only and is not the inception date of the index itself.

 

Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund

         

Institutional Class

10.31%

14.38%

14.95%

11.07%

N/A

Investor Class

10.20%

14.06%

14.69%

10.82%

N/A

Russell 3000® Value Index

7.10%

7.39%

11.93%

7.95%

N/A

Russell 3000® Index(1)

10.44%

16.22%

14.36%

9.78%

N/A

 

(1)This is not a primary benchmark of the Fund. Results of the index performance are presented for general comparative purposes.

 

WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

         

Institutional Class

4.10%

-1.29%

4.99%

5.99%

N/A

Russell 2000® Value Index

5.08%

2.96%

10.58%

8.64%

N/A

Boston Partners Global Equity Fund

         

Institutional Class(1)

9.05%

15.77%

11.45%

N/A

12.97%

MSCI World Index

9.09%

17.99%

11.31%

N/A

12.77%(2)

 

(1)Inception date of the Fund was December 30, 2011.
(2)Index performance is from inception date of the Class only and is not the inception date of the index itself.

 

Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund

         

Institutional Class(1)

4.14%

5.35%

N/A

N/A

4.23%

MSCI World Index

9.09%

17.99%

N/A

N/A

8.66%(3)

           

Investor Class(2)

4.09%

5.12%

N/A

N/A

4.67%

MSCI World Index

9.09%

17.99%

N/A

N/A

9.20%(3)

 

(1)Inception date of the Fund was December 31, 2013.
(2)Inception date of the Fund was April 11, 2014.
(3)Index performance is from inception date of the Class only and is not the inception date of the index itself.

 

Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

         

Institutional Class(1)

3.71%

19.60%

N/A

N/A

8.77%

MSCI World Index(2)

9.09%

17.99%

N/A

N/A

8.81%(3)

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

10.67%

30.94%

N/A

N/A

9.35%(3)

 

(1)Inception date of the Fund was March 1, 2015. The Fund commenced operations as a series of The RBB Fund, Inc. on December 15, 2015, when substantially all of the assets of Boston Partners Emerging Market Long/Short Equity (the "Prior Account") transferred to the Fund. The Fund is managed in all material respects in a manner equivalent to the management of the Prior Account. Accordingly, the performance information shown above for periods prior to December 15, 2015 is that of the Prior Account.
(2)This is not a benchmark of the Fund. Results of the index performance are presented for general comparative purposes.
(3)Index performance is from inception date of the Class only and is not the inception date of the index itself.

 

Not Annualized.

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

3

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIODS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2018 (concluded)

(unaudited)

 

   

Average Annual

 

Six Month

1 Year

5 Year

10 Year

Since
Inception

Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund

         

Institutional Class(1)(2)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

6.08%

MSCI World Index(2)(3)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

5.05%(4)

MSCI Emerging Markets Index(2)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

6.14%(4)

 

(1)Inception date of the Fund was October 17, 2017.
(2)Not annualized.
(3)This is not a primary benchmark of the Fund. Results of the index performance are presented for general comparative purposes.
(4)Index performance is from inception date of the Class only and is not the inception date of the index itself.

 

Not Annualized.

 

Performance quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results. 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. Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. waived a portion of its advisory fee and agreed to reimburse a portion of each Fund’s operating expenses, if necessary, to maintain certain expense ratios as set forth in the notes to the financial statements. Total returns shown include fee waivers, expense reimbursements and expense recoupment, if any; total returns would have been lower had there been no assumption of fees and expenses in excess of expense limitations. Each Fund’s annual operating expense ratios below are as stated in the current prospectuses. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by a 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 returns quoted. Visit www.boston-partners.com for returns updated daily. Call 1-888-261-4073 for returns current to the most recent month-end.

 

Investors should note that the Funds are actively managed mutual funds while the indices are unmanaged, do not incur expenses and are not available for investment.

 

Small company stocks are generally riskier than large company stocks due to greater volatility and less liquidity.

 

Value investing involves the risk that a fund’s investment in companies whose securities are believed to be undervalued, relative to their underlying profitability, will not appreciate in value as anticipated.

 

A long/short strategy uses short sales, which theoretically involve unlimited loss potential since the market price of securities sold short may continuously increase. Increased leverage may cause a fund’s net asset value to be disproportionately volatile. The strategy also may generate high portfolio turnover, which may result in higher costs and capital gains.

 

International investing is subject to special risks including, but not limited to, currency risk associated with securities denominated in other than the U.S. 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 following are the Funds’ gross annual operating expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses, for Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, dated February 22, 2018:

 

 

Institutional
Class

Investor
Class

Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II

1.19%

1.44%

Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund

2.81%(1)

3.06%(1)

Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund

2.24%(1)

2.49%(1)

Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund

0.89%

1.14%

WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

1.29%

N/A

Boston Partners Global Equity Fund

1.05%

1.30%

Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund

2.64%(1)

2.89%(1)

Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

2.98%(1)

N/A

Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund

1.34%

N/A

 

1

Includes interest and dividend expense on short sales.

 

4

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund(s), you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, 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(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 September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018, 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 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 table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, 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.

 

 

Beginning Account
Value
September 1,
2017

Ending
Account
Value
February 28,
2018*

Annualized
Expense
Ratio

Expenses
Paid During
Period**

Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II

       

Institutional

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,065.30

1.10%

$5.63

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,019.34

1.10%

5.51

         

Investor

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,063.30

1.35%

$6.91

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,018.10

1.35%

6.76

Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund

       

Institutional

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,035.70

3.12%(1)

$15.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,009.32

3.12%(1)

15.54

         

Investor

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,034.50

3.37%(1)

$17.00

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,008.08

3.37%(1)

16.78

Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund

       

Institutional

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,058.40

1.96%(1)

$10.00

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,015.08

1.96%(1)

9.79

         

Investor

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,056.90

2.21%(1)

$11.27

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,013.84

2.21%(1)

11.03

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

5

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES (concluded)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

 

Beginning
Account
Value
September 1,
2017

Ending
Account
Value
February 28,
2018*

Annualized
Expense
Ratio

Expenses
Paid During
Period**

Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund

       

Institutional

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,103.10

0.80%

$4.17

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,020.83

0.80%

4.01

         

Investor

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,102.00

1.05%

$5.47

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,019.59

1.05%

5.26

WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund

       

Institutional

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,041.00

1.10%

$5.57

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,019.34

1.10%

5.51

Boston Partners Global Equity Fund

       

Institutional

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,090.50

0.95%

$4.92

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,020.08

0.95%

4.76

Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund

       

Institutional

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,041.40

2.29%(1)

$11.59

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,013.44

2.29%(1)

11.43

         

Investor

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,040.90

2.54%(1)

$12.85

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,012.20

2.54%(1)

12.67

Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

       

Institutional

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,037.10

2.00%(1)

$10.10

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,014.88

2.00%(1)

9.99

Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund(2)

       

Institutional

       

Actual(3)

$1,000.00

$1,060.80

1.10%

$4.16

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)(3)

1,000.00

1,019.34

1.10%

5.51

 

*

The Fund’s ending account values on the first line in each table are based on the actual six-month total return of 6.53% and 6.33% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II; 3.57% and 3.45% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund; 5.84% and 5.69% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund; 10.31% and 10.20% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund; 4.10% for the Institutional Class of the WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund; 9.05% for the Institutional Class of the Boston Partners Global Equity Fund; 4.14% and 4.09% for the Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively, of the Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund; 3.71% for the Institutional Class of the Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund; and 6.08% for the Institutional Class of the Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund (for the period beginning October 17, 2017 (commencement of operations) to February 28, 2018).

**

Expenses are equal to each 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 (181) in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 365 to reflect the one-half year period.

(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 0.75% of average net assets for the six-month period ended February 28, 2018 for both the Institutional Class and Investor Class of the Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund, 0.62% of average net assets for the Institutional Class and Investor Class of the Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund, 0.65% of average net assets of the Institutional Class and Investor Class of the Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund and 0.00% of average net assets for the Institutional Class of the Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund.

(2)

Inception date of the Fund was October 17, 2017.

(3)

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the period beginning October 17, 2017 (commencement of operations) to February 28, 2018 of 1.10%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (134) in the most recent period then divided by 365 days to reflect the days in the period. For comparison purposes, the hypothetical expenses are as if the Fund had been in existence from September 1, 2017 and are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (181) in the most recent six-month period, then divided by 365 to reflect the period.

 

6

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLES

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

BOSTON PARTNERS
SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II

 

Security Type/
Sector Classification
  % of Net
Assets
   Value 
COMMON STOCK        
Finance   30.9%  $171,165,499 
Consumer Services   11.7    64,660,259 
Capital Goods   10.7    59,334,910 
Technology   10.6    58,552,342 
Basic Industries   8.3    45,868,998 
Energy   7.3    40,634,652 
Real Estate Investment Trusts   6.9    38,093,370 
Health Care   5.1    28,031,708 
Consumer Non-Durables   3.8    20,982,899 
Consumer Durables   2.3    12,455,510 
Communications   0.8    4,554,507 
Utilities   0.5    2,813,786 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS   22.3    123,234,154 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS   (21.2)   (117,146,690)
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $553,235,904 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

BOSTON PARTNERS
LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND

 

Security Type/
Sector Classification
  % of Net
Assets
   Value 
LONG POSITIONS:        
COMMON STOCK        
Finance   17.8%  $164,415,428 
Consumer Services   15.0    138,946,527 
Energy   14.7    135,669,432 
Technology   10.2    94,544,801 
Capital Goods   9.6    88,831,623 
Health Care   8.7    80,332,668 
Basic Industries   6.6    60,407,197 
Transportation   5.6    51,388,423 
Consumer Non-Durables   2.7    25,356,846 
Communications   1.8    16,833,354 
Real Estate Investment Trusts   1.7    15,896,479 
Consumer Durables   1.6    14,289,591 
Utilities   1.0    9,177,213 
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS   0.6    5,681,391 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS   13.6    125,726,781 
           
SHORT POSITIONS:          
COMMON STOCK          
Technology   (10.6)   (98,028,032)
Health Care   (9.2)   (85,530,390)
Consumer Services   (4.2)   (38,931,695)
Consumer Durables   (3.6)   (32,897,394)
Utilities   (2.2)   (20,008,263)
Capital Goods   (2.0)   (18,257,894)
Consumer Non-Durables   (1.6)   (15,107,227)
Communications   (1.2)   (11,291,372)
Finance   (1.2)   (11,196,086)

Real Estate Investment Trusts   (0.5)%   (4,371,854)
Basic Industries   (0.2)   (1,497,656)
Energy   (0.0)   (7)
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS   (3.9)   (35,755,771)
OPTIONS WRITTEN   (0.0)   (395,103)
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES   29.2    269,727,492 
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $923,956,502 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

BOSTON PARTNERS
LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

 

Security Type/
Sector Classification
  % of Net
Assets
   Value 
LONG POSITIONS:        
COMMON STOCK        
Technology   22.6%  $1,603,317,246 
Finance   19.7    1,399,498,644 
Capital Goods   11.2    791,961,794 
Consumer Services   9.8    696,490,102 
Health Care   9.2    655,758,741 
Energy   9.0    641,281,243 
Basic Industries   5.3    379,380,872 
Consumer Non-Durables   4.5    319,863,283 
Communications   2.6    184,446,180 
Consumer Durables   1.1    77,720,725 
Transportation   0.6    43,182,754 
WARRANTS   0.0    367,505 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS   3.5    247,895,596 
           
SHORT POSITIONS:          
COMMON STOCK          
Technology   (8.8)   (624,015,013)
Finance   (7.3)   (519,221,456)
Consumer Services   (6.7)   (475,314,275)
Energy   (3.7)   (260,914,416)
Consumer Non-Durables   (3.3)   (238,240,527)
Capital Goods   (2.3)   (160,498,564)
Basic Industries   (2.1)   (153,058,161)
Health Care   (1.8)   (127,859,098)
Real Estate Investment Trusts   (1.7)   (121,194,280)
Communications   (1.2)   (88,140,815)
Utilities   (1.2)   (85,845,272)
Transportation   (0.8)   (56,794,449)
Consumer Durables   (0.8)   (54,446,549)
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES   42.6    3,028,325,088 
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $7,103,946,898 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

7

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLES (continued)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

BOSTON PARTNERS
ALL-CAP VALUE FUND

 

Security Type/
Sector Classification
  % of Net
Assets
   Value 
COMMON STOCK        
Finance   30.1%  $629,917,433 
Technology   24.8    517,934,105 
Health Care   15.5    323,244,051 
Capital Goods   7.0    146,094,412 
Energy   6.5    136,818,592 
Consumer Services   5.9    122,270,275 
Consumer Non-Durables   2.7    55,900,611 
Basic Industries   1.1    23,270,157 
Consumer Durables   0.9    19,458,714 
Transportation   0.6    12,916,219 
Communications   0.4    9,315,348 
RIGHTS   0.0     
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS   12.9    268,996,905 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS   (8.4)   (174,750,673)
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $2,091,386,149 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

WPG PARTNERS
SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND

 

Security Type/
Sector Classification
  % of Net
Assets
   Value 
COMMON STOCK        
Finance   28.2%  $8,664,313 
Capital Goods   15.8    4,849,698 
Consumer Services   10.1    3,100,172 
Energy   10.1    3,096,317 
Technology   7.1    2,184,951 
Transportation   6.5    2,006,527 
Real Estate Investment Trusts   6.3    1,950,320 
Basic Industries   4.9    1,505,741 
Utilities   4.0    1,247,857 
Health Care   2.3    707,757 
Consumer Durables   1.8    558,837 
Consumer Non-Durables   0.9    272,772 
Communications   0.6    178,920 
WARRANTS   0.1    24,093 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS   23.5    7,228,154 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS   (22.2)   (6,825,054)
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $30,751,375 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

BOSTON PARTNERS
GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

 

Security Type/
Sector Classification
  % of Net
Assets
   Value 
COMMON STOCK        
Financials   24.4%  $160,718,222 
Information Technology   20.6    135,919,594 
Industrials   12.3    81,357,549 
Energy   8.5    55,852,810 
Materials   7.7    50,547,731 
Health Care   7.5    49,241,312 
Consumer Discretionary   6.9    45,715,738 
Consumer Staples   5.1    33,696,788 
Telecommunication Services   1.9    12,348,198 
Utilities   0.6    4,324,514 
PREFERRED STOCK   0.5    3,002,320 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS   8.8    58,178,724 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS   (4.8)   (31,716,484)
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $659,187,016 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

BOSTON PARTNERS
GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND

 

Security Type/
Sector Classification
  % of Net
Assets
   Value 
LONG POSITIONS:        
COMMON STOCK        
Financials   22.4%  $226,907,328 
Information Technology   21.0    212,018,900 
Industrials   12.6    127,667,842 
Energy   8.9    89,872,104 
Materials   8.0    80,912,343 
Health Care   7.9    79,890,186 
Consumer Discretionary   7.7    77,479,970 
Consumer Staples   5.1    52,058,420 
Telecommunication Services   1.9    19,600,503 
Utilities   0.7    6,866,247 
PREFERRED STOCK   0.4    4,787,798 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS   2.4    24,042,866 
           
SHORT POSITIONS:          
COMMON STOCK          
Information Technology   (8.5)   (86,433,084)
Consumer Discretionary   (8.2)   (82,766,689)
Industrials   (7.5)   (75,445,171)
Financials   (4.8)   (49,037,044)
Materials   (3.9)   (39,711,311)
Consumer Staples   (3.2)   (31,946,249)
Energy   (3.1)   (31,215,534)
Health Care   (2.2)   (22,045,849)
Utilities   (0.6)   (6,051,610)
Real Estate   (0.5)   (5,305,999)
OPTIONS WRITTEN   (0.0)   (364,375)
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES   43.5    439,872,146 
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $1,011,653,738 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS SUMMARY TABLES (concluded)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

BOSTON PARTNERS
EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND

 

Security Type/
Sector Classification
  % of Net
Assets
  Value 
LONG POSITIONS:        
COMMON STOCK        
Financials   13.0%  $9,933,939 
Information Technology   9.5    7,274,883 
Consumer Discretionary   8.2    6,280,436 
Consumer Staples   6.8    5,245,811 
Telecommunication Services   4.2    3,260,697 
Materials   4.0    3,095,516 
Energy   3.3    2,503,297 
Industrials   3.2    2,475,075 
Utilities   1.9    1,437,492 
Real Estate   1.5    1,131,003 
Health Care   1.3    983,979 
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS   0.6    450,519 
PREFERRED STOCK   5.1    3,899,048 
WARRANTS   0.0    4,006 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS   32.7    25,050,896 
           
SHORT POSITIONS:          
COMMON STOCK          
Health Care   (0.4)   (294,172)
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES   5.1    3,929,341 
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $76,661,766 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

BOSTON PARTNERS
EMERGING MARKETS FUND

 

Security Type/
Sector Classification
  % of Net
Assets
   Value 
COMMON STOCK        
Financials   12.8%  $1,228,321 
Consumer Discretionary   11.6    1,109,841 
Information Technology   9.8    939,529 
Consumer Staples   5.8    558,127 
Materials   4.0    382,689 
Telecommunication Services   3.4    327,215 
Energy   3.3    317,342 
Real Estate   2.2    208,930 
Industrials   2.1    205,124 
Communications   2.0    188,467 
Utilities   0.7    66,180 
Basic Industries   0.7    66,133 
Consumer Non-Durables   0.7    61,819 
Health Care   0.5    49,207 
Technology   0.4    35,679 
Consumer Services   0.3    27,135 
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS   3.0    289,878 
PREFERRED STOCK   0.7    69,030 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS   36.3    3,474,298 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS   (0.3)   (25,851)
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $9,579,093 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

9

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II

Portfolio of Investments
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS—98.9%        
Basic Industries—8.3%        
Cambrex Corp.(a)*   79,704   $4,140,623 
Ferro Corp.*   95,650    2,045,953 
Graphic Packaging Holding Co.   400,696    6,134,656 
Innophos Holdings, Inc.   72,762    3,023,989 
Orchids Paper Products Co.(a)   98,179    1,050,515 
Orion Engineered Carbons SA   132,486    3,649,989 
Owens-Illinois, Inc.*   195,848    4,222,483 
PolyOne Corp.   35,624    1,471,627 
PQ Group Holdings, Inc.*   230,480    3,088,432 
Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.   128,875    5,053,189 
SunCoke Energy, Inc.(a)*   503,164    5,373,792 
Valvoline, Inc.(a)   288,684    6,613,750 
         45,868,998 
Capital Goods—10.7%          
Aegion Corp.*   115,507    2,652,041 
Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.   33,971    346,504 
BMC Stock Holdings, Inc.(a)*   260,339    4,881,356 
Cabot Corp.   26,860    1,616,435 
Continental Building Products, Inc.*   73,106    1,988,483 
Engility Holdings, Inc.(a)*   82,750    2,259,903 
Ferroglobe PLC*   300,728    4,859,764 
Ferroglobe Representation & Warranty Insurance*(a)‡   276,005    0 
Foundation Building Materials, Inc.(a)*   107,770    1,475,371 
Granite Construction, Inc.   65,507    3,805,957 
Hillenbrand, Inc.   41,138    1,805,958 
LCI Industries(a)   50,501    5,519,759 
Minerals Technologies, Inc.   77,211    5,304,396 
Orion Group Holdings, Inc.*   250,954    1,575,991 
Trinseo SA   37,288    2,968,125 
Tutor Perini Corp.(a)*   144,287    3,484,531 
WESCO International, Inc.*   138,676    8,632,581 
World Fuel Services Corp.   269,486    6,157,755 
         59,334,910 
Communications—0.8%          
AMC Networks, Inc. Class A(a)*   86,637    4,554,507 
Consumer Durables—2.3%          
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.(a)   121,749    3,816,831 
La-Z-Boy, Inc.   100,684    3,090,999 
Standard Motor Products, Inc.(a)   35,345    1,649,198 
Strattec Security Corp.   17,514    603,357 
Tower International, Inc.   126,250    3,295,125 
         12,455,510 
Consumer Non-Durables—3.8%          
Energizer Holdings, Inc.(a)   53,472    2,913,154 
Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.(a)   85,780    4,004,210 
Skechers U.S.A., Inc. Class A*   136,330    5,578,624 
Steven Madden Ltd.   131,903    5,790,542 
Universal Corp.(a)   54,860    2,696,369 
         20,982,899 
Consumer Services—11.7%          
ABM Industries, Inc.(a)   81,621   2,869,794 
ACCO Brands Corp.   305,117    3,859,730 
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.   42,007    1,593,325 
CBIZ, Inc.*   115,323    2,081,580 
Civeo Corp.*   411,854    1,462,082 
Ennis, Inc.(a)   45,982    896,649 
Entercom Communications Corp. Class A(a)   265,130    2,624,787 
FTI Consulting, Inc.*   72,216    3,443,981 
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.(a)   22,108    1,521,915 
Huron Consulting Group, Inc.*   80,483    2,816,905 
ICF International, Inc.   59,914    3,415,098 
Lithia Motors, Inc. Class A(a)   98,621    10,245,736 
MAXIMUS, Inc.   42,006    2,813,562 
Navigant Consulting, Inc.*   127,535    2,535,396 
On Assignment, Inc.*   104,180    7,989,564 
PRA Group, Inc.(a)*   79,404    3,041,173 
Scholastic Corp.(a)   55,689    2,027,636 
Tetra Tech, Inc.   109,984    5,383,717 
TravelCenters of America LLC*   168,439    627,435 
Viad Corp.   31,511    1,640,148 
XO Group, Inc.*   91,855    1,770,046 
         64,660,259 
Energy—7.3%          
Cactus, Inc. Class A*   81,273    2,000,129 
Dril-Quip, Inc.(a)*   80,528    3,627,786 
Enerplus Corp.   454,823    5,025,794 
Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc.(a)*   240,267    2,902,425 
Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.(a)*   207,730    2,347,349 
Gulfport Energy Corp.*   153,035    1,484,440 
Jagged Peak Energy, Inc.(a)*   248,998    3,062,675 
Key Energy Services, Inc.*   111,126    1,490,200 
Kosmos Energy Ltd.(a)*   381,200    2,054,668 
Nine Energy Service, Inc.*   133,330    3,638,576 
ProPetro Holding Corp.(a)*   105,777    1,706,183 
RSP Permian, Inc.*   158,925    6,088,417 
Superior Energy Services, Inc.(a)*   251,754    2,152,497 
WildHorse Resource Development Corp.(a)*   179,830    3,053,513 
         40,634,652 
Finance—30.9%          
Air Lease Corp.   182,397    7,965,277 
AMERISAFE, Inc.(a)   39,765    2,226,840 
Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.   56,593    2,059,985 
Assured Guaranty Ltd.   160,237    5,540,995 
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.   34,385    1,696,556 
BankUnited, Inc.   140,571    5,653,766 
Cadence BanCorp   101,507    2,783,322 
CenterState Banks, Inc.   117,691    3,205,903 
Columbia Banking System, Inc.   23,712    990,687 
Essent Group Ltd.*   169,397    7,638,111 
FCB Financial Holdings, Inc., Class A*   72,525    3,890,966 

 

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

 

10

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Finance—(continued)        
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., Class C   48,910   $3,720,095 
First Citizens BancShares Inc., Class A   7,097    2,889,189 
First Merchants Corp.(a)   78,970    3,263,830 
First Midwest Bancorp Inc.(a)   97,051    2,350,575 
FirstCash, Inc.   82,894    6,109,288 
Flushing Financial Corp.   57,733    1,541,471 
Gladstone Capital Corp.(a)   33,047    285,526 
Global Indemnity Ltd. Class A*   30,786    1,139,082 
Greenhill & Co, Inc.   62,578    1,273,462 
Hanmi Financial Corp.   118,720    3,626,896 
Hanover Insurance Group Inc., (The)   33,938    3,662,250 
Heritage Financial Corp.(a)   74,267    2,209,443 
Hope Bancorp, Inc.   118,819    2,145,871 
Infinity Property & Casualty Corp.   19,947    2,352,749 
James River Group Holdings Ltd.   89,432    2,925,321 
Luther Burbank Corp.   193,201    2,471,041 
Maiden Holdings Ltd.   658,340    3,950,040 
Merchants Bancorp   85,346    1,749,593 
National General Holdings Corp.   203,964    4,687,093 
Navient Corp.(a)   598,825    7,760,772 
Navigators Group, Inc. (The)   38,342    2,066,634 
Nelnet, Inc., Class A(a)   136,459    7,551,641 
Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp.   68,563    2,261,208 
PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. Class A*   157,283    3,664,694 
Preferred Bank(a)   27,124    1,690,639 
Radian Group, Inc.   171,422    3,517,579 
RBB Bancorp   64,797    1,656,211 
Silvercrest Asset Management Group, Inc. Class A   172,910    2,610,941 
SLM Corp.*   1,007,312    10,989,774 
South State Corp.   13,186    1,143,226 
State Auto Financial Corp.   48,362    1,333,824 
Stewart Information Services Corp.   117,644    4,721,054 
Stifel Financial Corp.   116,406    7,434,851 
Validus Holdings Ltd.   59,152    4,001,041 
Walker & Dunlop, Inc.(a)   170,053    8,218,662 
Washington Federal, Inc.(a)   61,659    2,139,567 
White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.   2,972    2,397,958 
         171,165,499 
Health Care—5.1%          
Chemed Corp.   15,677    4,070,220 
Envision Healthcare Corp.*   132,480    5,100,480 
ICON PLC*   39,242    4,446,511 
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.(a)*   33,130    1,746,945 
LHC Group, Inc.(a)*   37,175    2,393,326 
LifePoint Health, Inc.(a)*   110,455    5,091,975 
Select Medical Holdings Corp.*   109,265    1,977,697 
Syneos Health, Inc.*   76,481    3,204,554 
         28,031,708 
Real Estate Investment Trusts—6.9%
Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp.   264,833    1,207,639 
Ares Commercial Real Estate Corp.   288,081    3,549,158 
Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc. Class A(a)   179,293    5,567,048 
Chatham Lodging Trust(a)   75,295    1,369,616 
CYS Investments, Inc.   783,342    4,950,721 
Front Yard Residential Corp.   55,713    584,429 
Gladstone Commercial Corp.(a)   38,880    657,461 
MFA Financial, Inc.(a)   619,957    4,414,094 
MTGE Investment Corp.   63,130    1,073,210 
Realogy Holdings Corp.(a)   222,844    5,693,664 
Starwood Property Trust, Inc.   172,066    3,484,337 
Two Harbors Investment Corp.(a)   377,263    5,541,993 
         38,093,370 
Technology—10.6%          
Bel Fuse, Inc., Class B   124,299    2,150,373 
Belden, Inc.(a)   87,854    6,389,621 
Brooks Automation, Inc.   261,081    6,973,474 
Ciena Corp.(a)*   248,401    5,755,451 
Convergys Corp.(a)   104,192    2,418,296 
EnerSys   69,658    4,854,466 
EVERTEC, Inc.   90,640    1,468,368 
Insight Enterprises, Inc.*   42,104    1,470,693 
NCR Corp.(a)*   120,133    3,964,389 
NETGEAR, Inc.*   56,148    3,130,251 
PC Connection, Inc.(a)   28,007    695,414 
SMART Global Holdings, Inc.*   102,659    3,564,320 
Sykes Enterprises, Inc.*   152,062    4,418,922 
SYNNEX Corp.(a)   39,467    4,880,095 
TTEC Holdings, Inc.(a)   152,609    5,440,511 
Versum Materials, Inc.   26,410    977,698 
         58,552,342 
Utilities—0.5%          
Portland General Electric Co.   34,030    1,352,012 
Pure Cycle Corp.(a)*   183,871    1,461,774 
         2,813,786 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $441,880,854)       $547,148,440 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

11

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND II

Portfolio of Investments (concluded)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS—22.3%
Fidelity Investments Money Market Funds - Government Portfolio, 1.26%   10,784,033   $10,784,033 
Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC, 1.65%   112,450,121    112,450,121 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $123,234,154)        123,234,154 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS—121.2%          
(Cost $565,115,008)        670,382,594 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(21.2)%        (117,146,690)
NET ASSETS—100.0%       $553,235,904 

 

 

PLC

Public Limited Company

*

Non-income producing.

(a)

All or a portion of the security is on loan. At February 28, 2018, the market value of securities on loan was $108,289,573.

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 February 28, 2018, these securities amounted to $0 or 0.0% of net assets.

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments carried at fair value as of February 28, 2018 is as follows (see Notes to Portfolio of Investments):

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Common Stocks  $547,148,440   $547,148,440   $   $ 
Short-Term Investments   123,234,154    123,234,154         
Total Assets  $670,382,594   $670,382,594   $   $ 

 

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

 

12

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
LONG POSITIONS—111.2%        
COMMON STOCKS—97.0%        
Basic Industries—6.6%          
Alcoa Corp.*   89,367   $4,018,834 
American Vanguard Corp.   143,463    2,797,529 
BHP Billiton Ltd. - SP ADR(a)   59,404    2,762,286 
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.   72,251    2,979,631 
Constellium NV, Class A*   221,026    2,563,902 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.(a)*   343,232    6,384,115 
Monsanto Co.(a)†   23,145    2,855,399 
Mosaic Co., (The)(a)   153,260    4,033,803 
Nexeo Solutions, Inc.(a)*   203,015    1,886,009 
Nucor Corp.   56,163    3,673,060 
Nutrien Ltd.   60,129    2,961,353 
POSCO - SP ADR†   67,985    5,591,087 
Rio Tinto PLC - SP ADR†   110,354    6,037,467 
RPM International, Inc.   66,168    3,293,181 
Tahoe Resources, Inc.   636,541    3,106,320 
Ternium SA - SP ADR   129,101    4,464,313 
UFP Technologies, Inc.*   35,111    998,908 
         60,407,197 
Capital Goods—9.6%          
Aegion Corp.(a)*   120,885    2,775,520 
Argan, Inc.   56,449    2,255,138 
BMC Stock Holdings, Inc.*   279,864    5,247,450 
Builders FirstSource, Inc.(a)*   208,726    4,003,365 
CECO Environmental Corp.   419,438    1,723,890 
Colfax Corp.*   92,774    2,949,285 
Columbus McKinnon Corp.†   95,387    3,386,238 
Daqo New Energy Corp. - ADR*†   49,538    2,434,297 
DMC Global, Inc.(a)   148,423    3,146,568 
Fairmount Santrol Holdings, Inc.(a)*   599,531    2,685,899 
Ferroglobe PLC*   181,975    2,940,716 
Ferroglobe Representation & Warranty Insurance*(a)‡   386,647    0 
Fluor Corp.†   108,421    6,169,155 
FreightCar America, Inc.   169,033    2,499,998 
General Electric Co.   378,357    5,338,617 
Graham Corp.   93,582    1,891,292 
Harsco Corp.*   92,519    1,873,510 
Hexcel Corp.(a)   46,892    3,154,894 
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.   76,203    4,652,955 
KBR, Inc.   216,471    3,277,371 
Manitex International, Inc.*   432,058    4,532,288 
NCI Building Systems, Inc.(a)*   225,623    3,677,655 
NOW, Inc.(a)*   141,802    1,345,701 
Quanta Services, Inc.*   58,362    2,009,987 
Safran SA - ADR(a)   171,358    4,719,885 
Tutor Perini Corp.(a)*†   191,210    4,617,722 
WESCO International, Inc.*   37,826    2,354,669 
World Fuel Services Corp.†   138,624    3,167,558 
         88,831,623 
Communications—1.8%          
Comcast Corp., Class A†   191,791    6,944,752 
KT Corp. - SP ADR*   211,361   2,806,874 
Liberty Global PLC, Series C*   145,536    4,370,446 
Liberty Latin America Ltd., Class C*   132,581    2,711,282 
         16,833,354 
Consumer Durables—1.6%          
Flexsteel Industries, Inc.   30,824    1,197,820 
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - SP ADR(a)   159,819    5,767,868 
La-Z-Boy, Inc.   133,389    4,095,042 
Leggett & Platt, Inc.(a)   74,295    3,228,861 
         14,289,591 
Consumer Non-Durables—2.7%          
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC   97,808    3,718,660 
Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.(a)   59,348    2,770,365 
Hostess Brands, Inc.(a)*   225,030    2,754,367 
Leucadia National Corp.†   185,615    4,452,904 
Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B   48,083    3,666,329 
Nomad Foods Ltd.*†   236,708    3,879,644 
PVH Corp.†   28,518    4,114,577 
         25,356,846 
Consumer Services—15.0%          
ACCO Brands Corp.   246,424    3,117,264 
Atento SA   368,345    3,517,695 
Barrett Business Services, Inc.†   42,716    3,173,372 
CarMax, Inc.(a)*   42,828    2,651,910 
Civeo Corp.*   960,682    3,410,421 
comScore, Inc.*   78,796    1,733,512 
Conduent, Inc.*   150,415    2,842,843 
Ctrip.com International Ltd. - ADR(a)*   33,071    1,520,605 
CVS Health Corp.†   76,507    5,181,819 
Dollar Tree, Inc.*   35,353    3,628,632 
Drive Shack, Inc.(a)*†   659,232    3,329,122 
DSW, Inc., Class A(a)   175,694    3,445,359 
eBay, Inc.*†   146,358    6,272,904 
Francesca's Holdings Corp.(a)*   337,813    1,760,006 
Gray Television, Inc.(a)*   186,298    2,570,912 
H&R Block, Inc.(a)   113,998    2,887,569 
Hackett Group Inc., (The)   206,339    3,720,292 
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.   149,636    3,950,390 
ICF International, Inc.   55,525    3,164,925 
IHS Markit Ltd.*   59,472    2,798,158 
International Game Technology PLC†   179,561    4,758,366 
JD.com, Inc. - ADR*   63,635    3,000,390 
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.   23,623    3,794,090 
KAR Auction Services, Inc.(a)   62,795    3,395,954 
Korn/Ferry International   93,154    3,904,084 
Kroger Co., (The)   208,772    5,661,897 
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. Class B   121,624    3,264,388 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

13

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Consumer Services—(continued)
Liquidity Services, Inc.*   202,259   $1,385,474 
ManpowerGroup, Inc.   19,344    2,291,490 
National CineMedia, Inc.(a)   159,301    1,199,537 
Nielsen Holdings PLC(a)   73,146    2,386,754 
Perficient, Inc.*   198,289    3,860,687 
Points International Ltd.*   78,923    822,378 
PRGX Global, Inc.*   161,819    1,213,642 
Signet Jewelers Ltd.(a)   39,230    1,972,484 
Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.(a)   319,316    2,005,304 
Stars Group Inc., (The)*   165,887    4,563,444 
Tailored Brands, Inc.†   142,675    3,340,022 
Tetra Tech, Inc.   69,081    3,381,515 
Time Warner, Inc.†   64,845    6,027,991 
Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., Class A†   129,833    4,780,451 
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.(a)   61,164    4,213,588 
Western Union Co. (The)(a)   153,627    3,044,887 
         138,946,527 
Energy—14.7%          
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.   89,935    5,129,892 
Andeavor†   45,913    4,114,723 
Archrock, Inc.(a)   295,166    2,804,077 
Baker Hughes a GE Co.(a)   193,299    5,103,094 
Basic Energy Services, Inc.*†   220,833    3,573,078 
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.†   138,927    4,370,643 
CNX Resources Corp.*   128,788    2,069,623 
Chevron Corp.†   105,880    11,850,090 
Cimarex Energy Co.   24,494    2,353,628 
Dawson Geophysical Co.(a)*   228,365    1,258,291 
Dril-Quip, Inc.(a)*   59,782    2,693,179 
Energen Corp.*   60,281    3,297,974 
Enerplus Corp.   336,234    3,715,386 
EOG Resources, Inc.   44,951    4,558,930 
EQT Corp.†   141,159    7,101,709 
Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc.(a)   67,102    553,591 
Gulfport Energy Corp.*   112,894    1,095,072 
Halliburton Co.†   152,671    7,086,988 
Key Energy Services, Inc.(a)*   187,823    2,518,706 
Kosmos Energy Ltd.(a)*†   146,353    788,843 
LUKOIL PJSC - SP ADR   33,853    2,247,839 
McDermott International, Inc.(a)*   375,263    2,739,420 
Mitcham Industries, Inc.*   381,308    1,342,204 
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.(a)   104,422    3,664,168 
Oceaneering International, Inc.(a)   233,576    4,293,127 
Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A*   124,827    3,155,627 
PBF Energy, Inc. Class A   91,664    2,686,672 
PetroChina Co., Ltd. - ADR   41,934    2,901,833 
Phillips 66†   102,013    9,218,915 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.   29,290    4,986,037 
SandRidge Energy, Inc.*   112,840    1,586,530 
Schlumberger Ltd.†   144,381    9,477,169 
Superior Energy Services, Inc.(a)*   322,994    2,761,599 
Valero Energy Corp.†   42,402    3,833,989 
Viper Energy Partners LP(a)†   209,407   4,736,786 
         135,669,432 
Finance—17.8%          
AerCap Holdings NV*†   72,991    3,621,083 
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.†   25,042    4,741,953 
AMERCO(a)   7,468    2,568,992 
American International Group, Inc.†   105,221    6,033,372 
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.(a)†   509,398    6,097,494 
Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.†   71,095    2,587,858 
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.†   41,628    2,053,926 
Bank of America Corp.†   505,184    16,216,406 
Bank of the Ozarks   74,019    3,692,808 
Bar Harbor Bankshares(a)   19,990    541,729 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*†   47,452    9,832,054 
BGC Partners, Inc., Class A   92,411    1,221,673 
Century Bancorp, Inc., Class A†   18,921    1,453,133 
Charles Schwab Corp., (The)†   84,792    4,495,672 
Citigroup, Inc.†   247,599    18,691,248 
Discover Financial Services†   72,424    5,709,184 
Discovery Communications, Inc.(a)*       0 
Fanhua, Inc. - SP ADR   164,132    5,482,009 
Federated National Holding Co.(a)   149,100    2,303,595 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.†   67,504    7,796,712 
Lazard Ltd., Class A†   87,916    4,744,827 
Loews Corp.   67,298    3,319,810 
Maiden Holdings Ltd.†   918,205    5,509,230 
MetLife, Inc.   208,178    9,615,742 
Morgan Stanley†   145,763    8,165,643 
Oaktree Capital Group LLC(a)   78,931    3,291,423 
PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. Class A*†   116,543    2,715,452 
State Street Corp.†   61,122    6,488,100 
Stifel Financial Corp.   49,669    3,172,359 
SVB Financial Group*†   20,898    5,203,184 
Synchrony Financial†   116,186    4,228,009 
White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.   3,496    2,820,748 
         164,415,428 
Health Care—8.7%          
Allergan PLC(a)   25,428    3,921,506 
Anthem, Inc.†   24,349    5,731,267 
Carriage Services, Inc.   114,753    3,123,577 
Cigna Corp.†   23,599    4,622,808 
Five Star Senior Living, Inc.*   598,297    867,531 
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA - ADR(a)†   74,722    3,946,816 
HCA Healthcare, Inc.†   53,675    5,327,244 
Johnson & Johnson   71,609    9,300,577 
Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)*   201,307    923,999 
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*†   37,043    6,397,326 
LHC Group, Inc.*†   55,959    3,602,640 

 

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

 

14

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Health Care—(continued)
Medtronic PLC†#   88,101   $7,038,389 
Mylan NV*†   87,770    3,538,886 
Novartis AG - SP ADR   79,868    6,656,998 
Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)*   116,987    1,532,530 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.(a)   48,428    4,990,505 
Stericycle, Inc.(a)*   35,207    2,206,423 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.†   29,199    6,603,646 
         80,332,668 
Real Estate Investment Trusts—1.7%
Colony NorthStar, Inc. Class A   444,219    3,456,024 
Marcus & Millichap, Inc.*   39,098    1,223,767 
MedEquities Realty Trust, Inc.   355,983    3,442,356 
New Residential Investment Corp.†   212,287    3,424,189 
Realogy Holdings Corp.(a)†   94,670    2,418,818 
Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.(a)   384,726    1,931,325 
         15,896,479 
Technology—10.2%          
51job, Inc. - ADR(a)*   49,449    3,237,426 
Avnet, Inc.   95,199    4,064,997 
Baidu, Inc. - SP ADR*   16,821    4,244,611 
Capgemini SE - ADR   186,228    4,668,736 
CDW Corp.   43,354    3,161,807 
Citrix Systems, Inc.*   44,659    4,108,628 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A†#   63,576    5,214,504 
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Class A†   63,743    4,114,611 
Electronics For Imaging, Inc.(a)*   71,895    1,969,204 
EVERTEC, Inc.(a)   250,933    4,065,115 
First Data Corp., Class A*   266,572    4,163,855 
Flex Ltd.*†   269,075    4,870,258 
Generac Holdings, Inc.*   67,062    2,982,918 
Hollysys Automation Technologies, Ltd.   120,202    3,174,535 
Infosys Ltd. - SP ADR(a)   186,873    3,300,177 
Insight Enterprises, Inc.*   104,758    3,659,197 
InterDigital Inc.   60,464    4,341,315 
International Business Machines Corp.   36,956    5,758,854 
Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc.(a)*   261,810    2,683,553 
NetEase, Inc. - ADR   6,409    1,880,080 
PayPal Holdings, Inc.*†   42,397    3,366,746 
Powell Industries, Inc.   67,726    1,803,543 
Quality Systems, Inc.*   168,686    2,117,009 
Sabre Corp.(a)   104,887    2,409,254 
VeriFone Systems, Inc.*   137,190    2,277,354 
VeriSign, Inc.(a)*   22,223    2,578,312 
Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A*   31,332    4,328,202 
         94,544,801 
Transportation—5.6%          
AP Moller - Maersk A/S - ADR   289,052    2,373,117 
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.(a)*   50,028    3,044,204 
Controladora Vuela Cia de Aviacion SAB de CV - ADR(a)*   179,919    1,604,878 
Dorian LPG Ltd.*   275,060    2,013,439 
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.   41,878    2,720,395 
Forward Air Corp.(a)   41,819    2,258,226 
Gener8 Maritime, Inc.(a)*   415,116    2,303,894 
Golar LNG Partners LP   108,162    1,999,915 
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte SAB de CV - ADR(a)   71,609    2,804,208 
Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc., Class A*   332,600    588,702 
Ryanair Holdings PLC - SP ADR*   31,295    3,794,832 
Safe Bulkers, Inc.(a)*   1,361,037    4,981,395 
Scorpio Bulkers, Inc.(a)   304,688    2,361,332 
Scorpio Tankers, Inc.   694,362    1,597,033 
SEACOR Marine Holdings, Inc.(a)*   136,271    2,305,705 
Teekay LNG Partners LP   192,444    3,560,214 
Teekay Offshore Partners LP   750,210    1,883,027 
United Parcel Service, Inc. Class B   59,001    6,160,294 
XPO Logistics, Inc.(a)*   30,820    3,033,613 
         51,388,423 
Utilities—1.0%          
Archrock Partners LP   146,951    1,942,692 
Cheniere Energy, Inc.*   75,350    3,957,382 
MPLX LP   94,907    3,277,139 
         9,177,213 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $719,134,961)        896,089,582 
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS—0.6%
Energy—0.6%          
Alerian MLP ETF(a)   562,514    5,681,391 
TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Cost $5,772,731)        5,681,391 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS—13.6%
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio, 1.29%   14,172,061    14,172,061 
Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC, 1.65%   111,554,720    111,554,720 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $125,726,781)        125,726,781 
TOTAL LONG POSITIONS—111.2%          
(Cost $850,634,473)        1,027,497,754 
SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(40.4%)
COMMON STOCKS—(36.5%)          
Basic Industries—(0.2%)          
Kennady Diamonds, Inc.*   (45,900)   (107,310)
Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corp.*   (171,865)   (61,373)

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

15

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Basic Industries—(continued)
Uranium Energy Corp.*   (1,022,287)  $(1,328,973)
         (1,497,656)
Capital Goods—(2.0%)          
AAON, Inc.   (78,744)   (2,893,842)
Applied Energetics, Inc.*   (238,070)   (14,332)
Axon Enterprise, Inc.*   (132,338)   (4,609,333)
DynaMotive Energy Systems Corp.*‡   (72,185)   (7)
EnviroStar, Inc.   (47,643)   (1,643,683)
John Bean Technologies Corp.   (28,464)   (3,152,388)
Tennant Co.   (55,777)   (3,592,039)
ZAGG, Inc.*   (156,297)   (2,352,270)
         (18,257,894)
Communications—(1.2%)          
CTC Communications Group, Inc.*‡   (98,900)   0 
Gogo, Inc.*   (261,676)   (2,376,018)
Netflix, Inc.*   (30,597)   (8,915,354)
         (11,291,372)
Consumer Durables—(3.6%)          
iRobot Corp.*   (38,172)   (2,593,787)
Kandi Technologies Group, Inc.*   (311,076)   (1,679,810)
Qsound Labs, Inc.*‡   (4,440)   (1)
Sharp Corp.*   (99,000)   (3,438,974)
Tesla Motors, Inc.*   (63,871)   (21,911,585)
Universal Electronics, Inc.*   (66,126)   (3,273,237)
         (32,897,394)
Consumer Non-Durables—(1.6%)
Amish Naturals, Inc.*‡   (25,959)   0 
elf Beauty, Inc.*   (198,573)   (3,661,686)
Freshpet, Inc.*   (120,194)   (2,403,880)
Funko, Inc., Class A*   (375,144)   (2,768,563)
National Beverage Corp.   (36,892)   (3,613,202)
Primo Water Corp.*   (218,382)   (2,659,893)
Valence Technology, Inc.*‡   (27,585)   (3)
         (15,107,227)
Consumer Services—(4.2%)          
Brink's Co. (The)   (31,264)   (2,297,904)
Carvana Co.*   (76,230)   (1,527,649)
Cimpress NV*   (47,657)   (7,756,177)
Corporate Resource Services, Inc.*   (218,896)   (394)
Finish Line Inc., (The), Class A   (305,207)   (3,241,298)
Freshii, Inc.*   (140,986)   (770,193)
HelloFresh SE*   (202,008)   (3,314,758)
Jamba, Inc.*   (111,749)   (963,277)
Overstock.com, Inc.*   (47,473)   (2,867,369)
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.*   (109,579)   (5,878,913)
Stitch Fix, Inc., Class A*   (54,373)   (1,125,521)
TransEnterix, Inc.*   (566,390)   (1,076,141)
Tuniu Corp. - SP ADR*   (309,373)   (2,385,266)
Wayfair, Inc. Class A*   (73,971)   (5,726,835)
         (38,931,695)
Energy—0.0%          
Beard Co.*   (9,710)   (7)
Finance—(1.2%)          
Farmers & Merchants Bancorp Inc.   (66,887)   (2,474,819)
RLI Corp.   (79,791)   (4,851,293)
Trupanion, Inc.*   (130,610)   (3,869,974)
         (11,196,086)
Health Care—(9.2%)          
Abaxis, Inc.   (99,391)   (6,626,398)
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.*   (102,208)   (2,427,440)
Analogic Corp.   (53,488)   (4,466,248)
AtriCure, Inc.*   (206,456)   (3,648,078)
AxoGen, Inc.*   (237,109)   (6,923,583)
BodyTel Scientific, Inc.*‡   (4,840)   (1)
CareView Communications, Inc.*   (207,465)   (7,054)
Corindus Vascular Robotics, Inc.*   (624,000)   (624,000)
Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.*   (446,329)   (5,779,961)
Endologix, Inc.*   (213,502)   (858,278)
Exact Sciences Corp.*   (79,417)   (3,542,792)
Heska Corp.*   (71,578)   (4,865,872)
Illumina, Inc.*   (12,351)   (2,816,275)
Invacare Corp.   (255,350)   (4,392,020)
K2M Group Holdings, Inc.*   (144,654)   (2,995,784)
Luminex Corp.   (138,029)   (2,706,749)
Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*   (224,967)   (3,835,687)
Neogen Corp.*   (47,489)   (2,767,184)
OraSure Technologies, Inc.*   (331,724)   (5,725,556)
Quidel Corp.*   (84,926)   (3,704,472)
STAAR Surgical Co.*   (432,339)   (6,787,722)
Surgery Partners, Inc.*   (253,239)   (4,013,838)
Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.*   (104,427)   (3,379,258)
ViewRay, Inc.*   (317,225)   (2,636,140)
         (85,530,390)
Real Estate Investment Trusts—(0.5%)
Redfin Corp.*   (212,329)   (4,371,854)
Technology—(10.6%)          
2U, Inc.*   (38,496)   (3,186,699)
8x8, Inc.*   (143,509)   (2,619,039)
Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.*   (71,427)   (2,581,015)
Alteryx, Inc., Class A*   (98,297)   (3,360,774)
ANTs software, Inc.*‡   (10,334)   (1)
Benefitfocus, Inc.*   (37,700)   (912,340)
Capstone Turbine Corp.*   (33,777)   (30,987)
Carbonite, Inc.*   (205,832)   (5,794,171)
Cavium, Inc.*   (34,283)   (3,052,558)
Consygen, Inc.*‡   (200)   0 
Eastman Kodak Co.*   (249,721)   (1,311,035)
Ener1, Inc.*‡   (102,820)   (10)
Enphase Energy, Inc.*   (992,738)   (3,295,890)
FireEye, Inc.*   (204,041)   (3,385,040)
Harmonic, Inc.*   (538,497)   (1,628,953)
HubSpot, Inc.*   (30,613)   (3,399,574)
Inseego Corp.*   (801,495)   (1,498,796)
Interliant, Inc.*‡   (600)   0 

 

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

 

16

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Technology—(continued)
Internap Corp.*   (169,436)  $(2,206,060)
Knowles Corp.*   (248,326)   (3,585,827)
LivePerson, Inc.*   (208,460)   (3,012,247)
Lumentum Holdings, Inc.*   (94,325)   (5,753,825)
Materialise NV - ADR*   (222,600)   (2,586,612)
Medidata Solutions, Inc.*   (52,884)   (3,472,363)
MINDBODY, Inc. Class A*   (149,625)   (5,334,131)
Nestor, Inc.*‡   (15,200)   (2)
New Relic, Inc.*   (54,392)   (3,904,258)
PDF Solutions, Inc.*   (180,304)   (2,008,587)
Proofpoint, Inc.*   (31,553)   (3,381,535)
PROS Holdings, Inc.*   (130,390)   (4,087,727)
Remark Holdings, Inc.*   (186,613)   (1,395,865)
Snap, Inc. Class A*   (226,843)   (3,928,921)
SunPower Corp.*   (302,711)   (2,146,221)
Tiger Telematics, Inc.*‡   (6,510)   0 
TrueCar, Inc.*   (254,294)   (2,820,121)
Twilio, Inc., Class A*   (89,844)   (3,069,071)
Uni-Pixel, Inc.*   (19,665)   (71)
Workiva, Inc.*   (196,798)   (4,477,155)
Worldgate Communications, Inc.*‡   (582,655)   (58)
XRiver Corp.*‡   (34,156)   0 
Zendesk, Inc.*   (111,174)   (4,800,493)
         (98,028,032)
Utilities—(2.2%)          
Cadiz, Inc.*   (124,171)   (1,719,768)
California Water Service Group   (90,306)   (3,427,113)
Chesapeake Utilities Corp.   (42,510)   (2,833,291)
El Paso Electric Co.   (65,507)   (3,183,640)
MGE Energy, Inc.   (44,622)   (2,342,655)
New Jersey Resources Corp.   (40,857)   (1,556,652)
ONE Gas, Inc.   (24,589)   (1,563,614)
PNM Resources, Inc.   (45,604)   (1,605,261)
WGL Holdings, Inc.   (21,334)   (1,776,269)
         (20,008,263)
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Proceeds $(306,601,908))        (337,117,870)
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS—(3.9%)
Finance—(3.9%)          
iPATH S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN*   (402,063)   (17,831,494)
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF   (78,871)   (9,365,931)
SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF   (294,912)   (8,558,346)
         (35,755,771)
TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Proceeds $(34,684,229))        (35,755,771)
TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(40.4%) (Proceeds $(341,286,137))        (372,873,641)

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
   Value 
OPTIONS WRITTEN††—0.0%
Call Options Written—(0.0%)
Sears Holdings Corp.            
Expiration: 01/18/2019, Exercise Price: 10.00   (3,315)   (802,230)  $(43,095)
TOTAL CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Premiums received $(933,466))             (43,095)
Put Options Written—(0.0%)
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A               
Expiration: 01/18/2019, Exercise Price: 45.00   (694)   (5,692,188)   (41,640)
Medtronic PLC               
Expiration: 01/18/2019, Exercise Price: 70.00   (695)   (5,552,355)   (208,848)
Wells Fargo & Co.               
Expiration: 01/18/2019, Exercise Price: 40.00   (1,692)   (9,882,972)   (101,520)
TOTAL PUT OPTIONS WRITTEN (Premiums received $(1,937,914))             (352,008)
TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Premiums received $(2,871,380))             (395,103)
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—29.2%             269,727,492 
NET ASSETS—100.0%            $923,956,502 

 

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

PLC

Public Limited Company

SP ADR

Sponsored American Depositary Receipt

*

Non-income producing.

(a)

All or a portion of the security is on loan. At February 28, 2018, the market value of securities on loan was $106,861,824.

Security position is either entirely or partially held in a segregated account as collateral for securities sold short.

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 February 28, 2018, short securities amounted to $(83) or 0.0% of net assets.

#

Security segregated as collateral for options written.

††

Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

17

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments (concluded)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments carried at fair value as of February 28, 2018 is as follows (see Notes to Portfolio of Investments):

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Common Stock                
Basic Industries  $60,407,197   $60,407,197   $   $ 
Capital Goods   88,831,623    88,831,623         
Communications   16,833,354    16,833,354         
Consumer Durables   14,289,591    14,289,591         
Consumer Non-Durables   25,356,846    25,356,846         
Consumer Services   138,946,527    138,946,527         
Energy   135,669,432    135,669,432         
Finance   164,415,428    164,415,428         
Health Care   80,332,668    80,332,668         
Real Estate Investment Trusts   15,896,479    15,896,479         
Technology   94,544,801    94,544,801         
Transportation   51,388,423    51,388,423         
Utilities   9,177,213    9,177,213         
Exchange Traded Funds   5,681,391    5,681,391         
Short-Term Investments   125,726,781    125,726,781         
Total Assets  $1,027,497,754   $1,027,497,754   $   $ 

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Securities Sold Short                    
Basic Industries  $(1,497,656)  $(1,497,656)  $   $ 
Capital Goods   (18,257,894)   (18,257,887)       (7)
Communications   (11,291,372)   (11,291,372)        
Consumer Durables   (32,897,394)   (29,458,419)   (3,438,974)   (1)
Consumer Non-Durables   (15,107,227)   (15,107,224)       (3)
Consumer Services   (38,931,695)   (38,931,301)   (394)    
Energy   (7)       (7)    
Finance   (11,196,086)   (11,196,086)        
Health Care   (85,530,390)   (85,530,389)       (1)
Real Estate Investment Trusts   (4,371,854)   (4,371,854)        
Technology   (98,028,032)   (98,027,961)       (71)
Utilities   (20,008,263)   (20,008,263)        
Exchange Traded Funds   (35,755,771)   (35,755,771)        
Options Written                    
Equity Contracts   (395,103)   (43,095)   (352,008)    
Total Liabilities  $(373,268,744)  $(369,477,278)  $(3,791,383)  $(83)

 

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

 

18

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

Portfolio of Investments
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
LONG POSITIONS—99.1%        
COMMON STOCKS—95.6%        
Basic Industries—5.3%        
Berry Global Group, Inc.*†   405,722   $22,071,277 
BHP Billiton PLC   834,605    16,943,414 
Celanese Corp., Series A   182,282    18,384,963 
DowDuPont, Inc.   281,866    19,815,180 
FMC Corp.   209,994    16,480,329 
Glencore PLC   7,732,711    40,663,923 
Graphic Packaging Holding Co.†   3,173,926    48,592,807 
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., Class A*   4,157,276    10,464,465 
Nutrien Ltd.   700,845    34,516,616 
Peabody Energy Corp.   512,682    20,871,284 
PQ Group Holdings, Inc.*   952,928    12,769,235 
RPC Group PLC   3,127,218    34,452,934 
Steel Dynamics, Inc.   427,001    19,748,796 
Stornoway Diamond Corp.*   26,913,645    12,584,310 
Valvoline, Inc.   657,508    15,063,508 
WestRock Co.†   546,804    35,957,831 
         379,380,872 
Capital Goods—11.2%          
ABB Ltd.   974,763    23,676,993 
AMETEK, Inc.   547,294    41,452,048 
Arconic, Inc.   780,173    19,028,420 
BAE Systems PLC   1,641,507    13,028,658 
Bunzl PLC   912,820    24,500,240 
Cemex SAB de CV - SP ADR*   3,843,495    25,174,892 
CRH PLC   725,838    23,835,629 
Cummins, Inc.   121,652    20,458,217 
General Dynamics Corp.†   266,196    59,215,300 
Honeywell International, Inc.†   250,708    37,884,486 
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.   131,412    34,431,258 
L3 Technologies, Inc.   119,959    24,897,490 
Lockheed Martin Corp.†   128,100    45,147,564 
Masco Corp.†   905,327    37,227,046 
Northrop Grumman Corp.†   116,380    40,737,655 
Owens Corning   177,307    14,415,059 
PACCAR, Inc.   275,176    19,699,850 
Parker-Hannifin Corp.   147,287    26,286,311 
Raytheon Co.†   317,693    69,101,404 
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. Class A   286,493    26,153,946 
Textron, Inc.†   1,019,030    60,988,946 
Trinseo SA   350,714    27,916,834 
Tutor Perini Corp.*   679,911    16,419,851 
United Technologies Corp.†   333,195    44,894,694 
Vinci SA   155,853    15,389,003 
         791,961,794 
Communications—2.6%          
Comcast Corp., Class A†   1,714,730    62,090,373 
Liberty Global PLC, Series C*†   1,690,280    50,759,109 
Liberty Latin America Ltd. Class C*†   517,925    10,591,566 
Verizon Communications, Inc.†   688,904    32,888,277 
Vodafone Group PLC   10,057,499   28,116,855 
         184,446,180 
Consumer Durables—1.1%          
BorgWarner, Inc.   730,268    35,841,554 
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV   866,539    18,361,961 
Lear Corp.   64,270    11,990,854 
PulteGroup, Inc.   410,629    11,526,356 
         77,720,725 
Consumer Non-Durables—4.5%          
Altria Group, Inc.†   628,352    39,554,758 
Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.   629,300    32,179,421 
Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Holdings, Inc.   150,200    5,686,179 
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC   1,007,455    38,303,439 
Heineken Holding NV   557,958    55,500,963 
Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.   1,127,700    29,102,185 
Nomad Foods Ltd.*†   3,324,933    54,495,652 
PepsiCo, Inc.   316,196    34,696,187 
Philip Morris International, Inc.   293,042    30,344,499 
         319,863,283 
Consumer Services—9.8%          
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. - SP ADR*   316,004    58,820,985 
CBS Corp., Class B†   721,539    38,219,921 
CVS Health Corp.†   579,505    39,249,874 
Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (The)   134,425    16,808,502 
eBay, Inc.*†   1,980,318    84,876,430 
Equiniti Group PLC   2,371,153    9,312,688 
Hays PLC   7,029,474    18,701,515 
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc., (The)   892,990    20,895,966 
Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV   818,591    18,379,075 
Liberty Interactive Corp., Class A*   1,680,628    48,519,730 
ManpowerGroup, Inc.   144,426    17,108,704 
Moody's Corp.   112,142    18,714,257 
Omnicom Group, Inc.†   251,657    19,183,813 
Robert Half International, Inc.†   594,734    33,941,469 
S&P Global, Inc.   171,111    32,819,090 
Six Flags Entertainment Corp.†   332,833    21,331,267 
Teleperformance   121,336    17,278,998 
Tesco PLC   12,500,791    36,170,856 
Time Warner, Inc.†   383,189    35,621,249 
TJX Cos., Inc., (The)   433,428    35,835,827 
Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., Class A†   1,075,112    39,585,624 
Western Union Co. (The)   1,771,658    35,114,262 
         696,490,102 
Energy—9.0%          
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.   787,296    44,907,364 
Andeavor†   314,458    28,181,726 
Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.   619,438    14,965,622 
Cactus, Inc., Class A*   1,036,119    25,498,889 
Chevron Corp.†   287,257    32,149,803 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

19

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Energy—(continued)        
Cimarex Energy Co.   272,476   $26,182,219 
ConocoPhillips   777,194    42,209,406 
Diamondback Energy, Inc.*   329,889    41,117,365 
Energen Corp.*†   325,543    17,810,458 
Enerplus Corp.   2,755,543    30,471,599 
EQT Corp.†   746,768    37,569,898 
Hurricane Energy Plc*   43,570,719    18,943,008 
Jagged Peak Energy, Inc.*   1,354,578    16,661,309 
Marathon Petroleum Corp.†   247,223    15,837,105 
Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A*†   1,804,437    45,616,167 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.   282,427    48,077,548 
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A   1,464,997    46,266,571 
RSP Permian, Inc.*   739,490    28,329,862 
Superior Energy Services, Inc.*   2,584,281    22,095,603 
Targa Resources Corp.   426,865    19,059,522 
Viper Energy Partners LP†   670,036    15,156,214 
Vista Oil & Gas SAB de CV*   1,204,819    12,047,775 
YPF SA - SP ADR   524,717    12,126,210 
         641,281,243 
Finance—19.7%          
Air Lease Corp.   232,766    10,164,891 
Alleghany Corp.*   52,837    32,027,148 
Allstate Corp., (The)†   368,585    34,005,652 
American Express Co.   151,957    14,817,327 
American International Group, Inc.   670,327    38,436,550 
Aon PLC†   213,573    29,968,563 
Aviva PLC   5,556,260    38,490,041 
Bank of America Corp.†   3,116,671    100,045,139 
BB&T Corp.†   305,939    16,627,785 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*†   221,797    45,956,338 
Capital One Financial Corp.†   154,171    15,097,966 
Charles Schwab Corp., (The)   496,962    26,348,925 
Chubb Ltd.†   291,167    41,322,421 
Citigroup, Inc.†   1,123,751    84,831,963 
Citizens Financial Group, Inc.†   785,261    34,151,001 
Discover Financial Services†   696,856    54,933,159 
DNB ASA   1,217,328    23,878,303 
East West Bancorp, Inc.   395,538    25,927,516 
Everest Re Group Ltd.   100,245    24,082,859 
Fifth Third Bancorp†   783,381    25,890,742 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (The)†   91,222    23,985,000 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.†   2,424,651    38,067,021 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.†   726,416    83,901,048 
KeyCorp   1,764,514    37,284,181 
Lloyds Banking Group PLC   22,576,859    21,331,475 
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.   387,410    32,162,778 
Morgan Stanley   361,341    20,242,323 
Navient Corp.†   1,594,292    20,662,024 
Raymond James Financial, Inc.   319,195    29,592,568 
Regions Financial Corp.   1,957,802    38,000,937 
SLM Corp.*   3,033,609    33,096,674 
Sompo Holdings, Inc.   633,800    24,240,251 
State Street Corp.†   238,694    25,337,368 
SunTrust Banks, Inc.†   401,198    28,019,668 
Swiss Re AG   244,895    24,916,751 
Synchrony Financial   1,125,193    40,945,773 
TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.†   465,947    26,791,953 
Travelers Cos., Inc., (The)†   194,609    27,050,651 
US Bancorp   168,071    9,136,340 
Wells Fargo & Co.†   1,039,117    60,694,824 
XL Group Ltd.   875,319    37,034,747 
         1,399,498,644 
Health Care—9.2%          
Anthem, Inc.†   175,912    41,406,167 
Cardinal Health, Inc.†   535,675    37,074,067 
Cigna Corp.†   169,280    33,160,259 
Express Scripts Holding Co.*   438,582    33,091,012 
Fresenius SE & Co KGaA   242,413    19,696,766 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.   207,666    16,349,544 
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC*   133,315    19,304,012 
Johnson & Johnson   871,644    113,209,123 
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*†   255,433    44,113,279 
McKesson Corp.   220,739    32,940,881 
Medtronic PLC   310,288    24,788,908 
Merck & Co., Inc.†   954,634    51,760,256 
Novartis AG - SP ADR   488,951    40,754,066 
Pfizer, Inc.†   1,021,899    37,105,153 
Roche Holding AG   65,884    15,217,886 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   151,733    34,315,935 
Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B   200,155    22,857,701 
Waters Corp.*   188,691    38,613,726 
         655,758,741 
Technology—22.6%          
Alliance Data Systems Corp.   146,467    35,292,688 
Alphabet, Inc., Class A*†   128,836    142,224,637 
Alphabet, Inc., Class C*   32,058    35,415,434 
Amdocs Ltd.†   610,979    40,196,308 
Apple, Inc.   200,100    35,641,812 
Arrow Electronics, Inc.*†   540,024    44,055,158 
Avnet, Inc.   631,041    26,945,451 
Baidu, Inc. - SP ADR*†   162,900    41,106,186 
Belden, Inc.   320,037    23,276,291 
Broadcom Ltd.†   243,201    59,939,318 
Capgemini SA   318,685    39,722,695 
CDW Corp.†   362,883    26,465,057 
Cisco Systems, Inc.†   1,250,192    55,983,598 
CommScope Holding Co., Inc.*   367,051    14,208,544 
Dell Technologies Inc., Class V*   74,816    5,558,081 
DXC Technology Co.†   833,221    85,438,481 
Eaton Corp. PLC   384,211    31,005,828 
EnerSys   182,935    12,748,740 
Flex Ltd.*†   3,521,629    63,741,485 
Harris Corp.†   559,858    87,421,827 
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.†   2,029,357    37,725,747 
HP, Inc.†   1,674,164    39,158,696 
Jabil, Inc.†   332,971    9,020,184 

 

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

 

20

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Technology—(continued)        
KLA-Tencor Corp.   292,222   $33,111,675 
Leidos Holdings, Inc.†   542,505    34,345,991 
Marvell Technology Group Ltd.†   2,336,340    54,880,627 
Micro Focus International PLC - SP ADR†   364,398    10,225,008 
Microsoft Corp.†   825,284    77,386,881 
NetApp, Inc.   1,212,584    73,421,961 
NetEase, Inc. - ADR†   118,885    34,874,915 
ON Semiconductor Corp.*†   1,799,454    43,042,940 
Oracle Corp.†   1,509,872    76,505,214 
Qorvo, Inc.*   126,477    10,207,959 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.   35,437    77,007,048 
TE Connectivity Ltd.†   606,051    62,477,798 
Versum Materials, Inc.   635,791    23,536,983 
         1,603,317,246 
Transportation—0.6%          
Delta Air Lines, Inc.†   367,056    19,784,319 
Southwest Airlines Co.   245,137    14,178,724 
United Continental Holdings, Inc.*   136,004    9,219,711 
         43,182,754 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $5,149,989,322)        6,792,901,584 
WARRANTS—0.0%          
Energy—0.0%          
Vista Oil & Gas SAB de CV*   1,204,819    367,505 
TOTAL WARRANTS (Cost $0)        367,505 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS—3.5%
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio, 1.29%   247,895,596    247,895,596 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $247,895,596)        247,895,596 
TOTAL LONG POSITIONS—99.1%          
(Cost $5,397,884,918)        7,041,164,685 
SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(41.7%)
COMMON STOCKS—(41.7%)          
Basic Industries—(2.1%)          
Air Liquide SA   (135,080)   (16,872,554)
Antofagasta PLC   (1,593,099)   (18,939,630)
AptarGroup, Inc.   (188,036)   (16,814,179)
Balchem Corp.   (241,772)   (18,193,343)
Cameco Corp.   (2,155,964)   (19,015,603)
Greif, Inc., Class A   (190,709)   (10,979,117)
NewMarket Corp.   (53,751)   (22,463,080)
Quaker Chemical Corp.   (105,731)   (15,069,839)
Sonoco Products Co.   (306,667)   (14,710,816)
         (153,058,161)
Capital Goods—(2.3%)          
Acuity Brands, Inc.   (125,410)   (17,880,958)
Airbus Group SE   (126,037)   (15,086,358)
HB Fuller Co.   (243,967)   (12,293,497)
James Hardie Industries PLC   (845,545)   (14,843,471)
John Bean Technologies Corp.   (129,409)   (14,332,047)
Middleby Corp., (The)*   (152,273)   (18,310,828)
MTU Aero Engines AG   (128,063)   (21,385,558)
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC   (2,127,235)   (24,468,471)
Sun Hydraulics Corp.   (222,217)   (11,537,507)
Wabtec Corp.   (127,365)   (10,359,869)
         (160,498,564)
Communications—(1.2%)          
Altice USA, Inc., Class A*   (665,563)   (12,113,247)
Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.   (515,751)   (22,099,930)
SES SA   (1,025,922)   (16,358,266)
Shaw Communications, Inc., Class B   (426,278)   (8,251,828)
Sprint Corp.*   (2,115,333)   (10,978,578)
Telefonica SA   (962,899)   (9,345,846)
Telefonica SA - SP ADR   (933,865)   (8,993,120)
         (88,140,815)
Consumer Durables—(0.8%)          
Harley-Davidson, Inc.   (327,423)   (14,858,456)
Tesla Motors, Inc.*   (77,751)   (26,673,258)
Thor Industries, Inc.   (100,115)   (12,914,835)
         (54,446,549)
Consumer Non-Durables—(3.3%)
B&G Foods, Inc.   (388,566)   (10,763,278)
Calbee, Inc.   (476,600)   (15,870,453)
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.*   (361,552)   (15,402,115)
China Resources Beer Holdings Co., Ltd.   (4,408,000)   (16,976,506)
Cie Financiere Richemont SA   (139,414)   (12,225,291)
Coty, Inc. Class A   (1,310,719)   (25,323,091)
Gildan Activewear, Inc.   (503,185)   (14,567,206)
Hain Celestial Group Inc., (The)*   (193,961)   (6,745,964)
Industria de Diseno Textil SA   (447,718)   (13,555,220)
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.   (80,263)   (11,337,149)
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Class A   (4,644,700)   (8,441,482)
Mattel, Inc.   (1,067,628)   (16,975,285)
McCormick & Co., Inc.   (152,230)   (16,255,119)
PRADA SpA   (2,949,800)   (12,201,025)
Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.   (1,076,400)   (14,540,605)
Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd. Class H   (1,456,000)   (7,958,091)
Under Armour, Inc., Class A*   (1,152,150)   (19,102,647)
         (238,240,527)
Consumer Services—(6.7%)          
Acxiom Corp.*   (523,252)   (14,321,407)
CarMax, Inc.*   (202,591)   (12,544,435)
Casey's General Stores, Inc.   (196,147)   (22,029,270)
Chegg, Inc.*   (1,328,278)   (26,446,015)
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*   (41,387)   (13,178,035)

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

21

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Consumer Services—(continued)
Cimpress NV*   (209,300)  $(34,063,575)
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.   (83,874)   (13,092,731)
Dentsu, Inc.   (269,300)   (12,368,185)
Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd.   (493,103)   (15,086,079)
Edenred   (418,145)   (14,671,021)
Eutelsat Communications SA   (460,052)   (10,747,723)
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.   (78,837)   (16,018,102)
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co.*   (1,542,685)   (10,490,258)
Just Eat PLC*   (1,628,166)   (19,564,240)
Kingfisher PLC   (3,069,077)   (15,105,464)
L Brands, Inc.   (270,312)   (13,334,491)
Multi-Color Corp.   (206,168)   (13,060,743)
Murphy USA, Inc.*   (223,421)   (16,781,151)
Next PLC   (200,992)   (13,404,213)
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.*   (335,328)   (19,080,163)
Papa John's International, Inc.   (289,024)   (16,688,246)
Pearson PLC   (2,719,835)   (27,390,503)
Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A*   (338,722)   (12,525,940)
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.   (783,256)   (25,369,662)
Rollins, Inc.   (277,590)   (13,954,449)
Wayfair, Inc. Class A*   (244,767)   (18,949,861)
Wendy's Co. (The)   (817,029)   (13,031,613)
Zalando SE*   (386,864)   (22,016,700)
         (475,314,275)
Energy—(3.7%)          
Antero Resources Corp.*   (962,581)   (18,106,149)
Apache Corp.   (429,827)   (14,678,592)
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.*   (531,351)   (7,465,482)
Core Laboratories NV   (109,837)   (11,308,817)
Ecopetrol SA - SP ADR   (931,971)   (16,318,812)
Helmerich & Payne, Inc.   (370,796)   (23,934,882)
Hess Corp.   (553,267)   (25,129,387)
Imperial Oil Ltd.   (864,568)   (23,413,137)
Murphy Oil Corp.   (959,426)   (24,321,449)
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.   (1,019,601)   (35,777,799)
Oasis Petroleum, Inc.*   (1,654,638)   (13,038,547)
PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.   (779,352)   (17,291,265)
Range Resources Corp.   (1,525,895)   (20,279,145)
RPC, Inc.   (501,576)   (9,850,953)
         (260,914,416)
Finance—(7.3%)          
Bank of East Asia Ltd., (The)   (2,977,606)   (13,107,569)
Bankinter SA   (1,497,065)   (16,453,989)
CaixaBank SA   (2,243,921)   (10,894,831)
Canadian Western Bank   (715,264)   (21,142,428)
Cincinnati Financial Corp.   (233,701)   (17,431,758)
Commonwealth Bank of Australia   (221,820)   (13,055,736)
Community Bank System, Inc.   (350,852)   (18,703,920)
Credit Suisse Group AG   (867,338)   (15,960,912)
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.   (135,972)   (14,139,728)
CVB Financial Corp.   (711,691)   (16,368,893)
Eaton Vance Corp.   (556,404)  (29,450,464)
Financial Engines, Inc.   (459,914)   (15,407,119)
First Financial Bankshares, Inc.   (763,107)   (35,102,922)
Glacier Bancorp, Inc.   (441,956)   (17,192,088)
Independent Bank Corp.   (173,527)   (12,042,774)
Investors Bancorp, Inc.   (835,047)   (11,273,135)
LendingClub Corp.*   (2,417,214)   (7,614,224)
M&T Bank Corp.   (57,791)   (10,971,043)
Markel Corp.*   (16,472)   (18,316,864)
Mobile Mini, Inc.   (622,340)   (26,107,163)
New York Community Bancorp, Inc.   (860,944)   (11,726,057)
People's United Financial, Inc.   (858,553)   (16,432,704)
Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.   (245,968)   (18,447,600)
RLI Corp.   (347,511)   (21,128,669)
Trustmark Corp.   (494,555)   (15,449,898)
UMB Financial Corp.   (191,426)   (13,974,098)
United Bankshares, Inc.   (374,899)   (13,308,915)
Valley National Bancorp   (1,054,824)   (13,153,655)
Verisk Analytics, Inc.*   (137,946)   (14,096,702)
Westamerica Bancorporation   (465,289)   (26,656,407)
WisdomTree Investments, Inc.   (1,468,178)   (14,109,191)
         (519,221,456)
Health Care—(1.8%)          
Alkermes PLC*   (310,701)   (17,734,813)
Coloplast A/S, Class B   (150,156)   (12,689,653)
Insulet Corp.*   (146,294)   (10,985,216)
Nevro Corp.*   (135,974)   (11,030,211)
Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.   (623,100)   (18,146,281)
Penumbra, Inc.*   (108,847)   (11,777,245)
Stericycle, Inc.*   (129,019)   (8,085,621)
Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd.   (182,000)   (16,514,404)
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.   (123,217)   (10,746,987)
Wright Medical Group NV*   (498,706)   (10,148,667)
         (127,859,098)
Real Estate Investment Trusts—(1.7%)
Equinix, Inc.   (69,228)   (27,144,299)
Extra Space Storage, Inc.   (298,031)   (25,347,536)
Iron Mountain, Inc.   (490,582)   (15,433,710)
Lamar Advertising Co. Class A   (228,130)   (15,163,801)
Public Storage   (87,318)   (16,978,112)
Washington Prime Group, Inc.   (3,225,469)   (21,126,822)
         (121,194,280)
Technology—(8.8%)          
2U, Inc.*   (359,836)   (29,787,224)
58.com, Inc. - ADR*   (166,473)   (12,547,070)
ACI Worldwide, Inc.*   (1,118,625)   (26,455,481)
Arista Networks, Inc.*   (54,530)   (14,708,922)
Blackbaud, Inc.   (235,492)   (24,142,640)
Cerner Corp.*   (181,290)   (11,631,566)
CoStar Group, Inc.*   (85,001)   (29,081,392)
Cree, Inc.*   (567,774)   (21,478,890)

 

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

 

22

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Technology—(continued)        
Dassault Systemes SA   (177,408)  $(22,887,800)
Ellie Mae, Inc.*   (213,525)   (18,933,262)
F5 Networks, Inc.*   (70,949)   (10,537,346)
Guidewire Software, Inc.*   (166,259)   (13,353,923)
HubSpot, Inc.*   (224,937)   (24,979,254)
Infineon Technologies AG   (659,102)   (17,837,186)
Knowles Corp.*   (1,329,493)   (19,197,879)
Manhattan Associates, Inc.*   (481,730)   (20,280,833)
Medidata Solutions, Inc.*   (270,823)   (17,782,238)
MINDBODY, Inc. Class A*   (576,199)   (20,541,494)
National Instruments Corp.   (503,434)   (25,453,623)
Oracle Corp.   (223,100)   (17,235,432)
Proofpoint, Inc.*   (194,981)   (20,896,114)
Snap, Inc. Class A*   (1,344,557)   (23,287,727)
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson Class B   (2,168,240)   (14,504,711)
Ultimate Software Group Inc., (The)*   (103,987)   (24,796,740)
United Microelectronics Corp. - SP ADR   (6,012,998)   (14,491,325)
Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A*   (275,262)   (19,185,761)
ViaSat, Inc.*   (200,601)   (13,999,944)
WageWorks, Inc.*   (343,629)   (18,023,341)
WEX, Inc.*   (99,631)   (14,899,816)
Wipro Ltd. - ADR   (2,340,861)   (12,898,144)
Workday, Inc., Class A*   (193,189)   (24,471,251)
Zendesk, Inc.*   (549,020)   (23,706,684)
         (624,015,013)
Transportation—(0.8%)          
Heartland Express, Inc.   (570,632)  (11,138,736)
JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.   (92,907)   (11,015,983)
Kuehne + Nagel International AG   (77,395)   (12,628,056)
Panalpina Welttransport Holding AG   (140,280)   (22,011,674)
         (56,794,449)
Utilities—(1.2%)          
El Paso Electric Co.   (262,029)   (12,734,610)
IDACORP, Inc.   (247,680)   (20,074,464)
Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd.   (864,078)   (12,868,244)
Tallgrass Energy Partners LP   (309,103)   (11,854,100)
TransCanada Corp.   (655,110)   (28,313,854)
         (85,845,272)
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Proceeds $(2,652,307,970))        (2,965,542,875)
TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(41.7%) (Proceeds $(2,652,307,970))        (2,965,542,875)
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—42.6%        3,028,325,088 
NET ASSETS—100.0%       $7,103,946,898 

 

 

ADR

— American Depositary Receipt

PLC

— Public Limited Company

SP ADR

— Sponsored American Depositary Receipt

*

— Non-income producing.

— Security position is either entirely or partially held in a segregated account as collateral for securities sold short.

 

Contracts For Difference held by the Fund at February 28, 2018, are as follows:

 

Reference
Company
Counterparty Expiration Date Financing Rate Payment Frequency  Number of Contracts Long/(Short)   Notional
Amount
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Long                    
China                    
Gree Electric Appliances Inc. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   1,163,440   $9,441,513   $(660,803)
Gree Electric Appliances Inc. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   2,372,531    19,253,490    (1,261,222)
Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd., Class A Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   1,816,000    33,839,204    (3,811,567)
Kweichow Moutai Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   278,600    31,714,688    (947,230)
Qingdao Haier Co. Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   6,791,544    20,881,332    (1,006,607)
Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd., Class A Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.63% Monthly   4,113,812    47,845,353    (3,968,894)
                 162,975,580    (11,656,323)
Total Long                162,975,580    (11,656,323)

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

23

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

Reference
Company
Counterparty Expiration Date Financing Rate Payment Frequency  Number of Contracts Long/(Short)   Notional
Amount
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Short                    
Brazil                    
Raia Drogasil SA Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (455,400)  $(10,928,815)  $556,013 
                        
Hong Kong                       
Semiconductor Manufacturing Goldman Sachs 12/31/2020 0.08% Monthly   (19,013,600)   (25,147,175)   (3,029,306)
                        
Taiwan                       
AU Optronics Corp. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (50,614,000)   (22,285,539)   926,995 
Innolux Corp. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (34,122,000)   (14,845,886)   394,368 
                 (37,131,425)   1,321,363 
Total Short                (73,207,415)   (1,151,930)
Net unrealized gain/(loss) on Contracts For Difference            $(12,808,253)

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments carried at fair value as of February 28, 2018 is as follows (see Notes to Portfolio of Investments):

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Common Stock                
Basic Industries  $379,380,872   $287,320,601   $92,060,271   $ 
Capital Goods   791,961,794    715,208,264    76,753,530     
Communications   184,446,180    156,329,325    28,116,855     
Consumer Durables   77,720,725    77,720,725         
Consumer Non-Durables   319,863,283    197,394,535    122,468,748     
Consumer Services   696,490,102    596,646,970    99,843,132     
Energy   641,281,243    595,014,672    46,266,571     
Finance   1,399,498,644    1,266,641,823    132,856,821     
Health Care   655,758,741    620,844,089    34,914,652     
Technology   1,603,317,246    1,486,587,503    116,729,743     
Transportation   43,182,754    43,182,754         
Warrants   367,505    367,505         
Short-Term Investments   247,895,596    247,895,596         
Contracts For Difference                    
Equity Contracts   1,877,376        1,877,376     
Total Assets  $7,043,042,061   $6,291,154,362   $751,887,699   $ 

 

 

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

 

24

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS LONG/SHORT RESEARCH FUND

Portfolio of Investments (concluded)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Securities Sold Short                
Basic Industries  $(153,058,161)  $(117,245,977)  $(35,812,184)  $ 
Capital Goods   (160,498,564)   (84,714,706)   (75,783,858)    
Communications   (88,140,815)   (62,436,703)   (25,704,112)    
Consumer Durables   (54,446,549)   (54,446,549)        
Consumer Non-Durables   (238,240,527)   (144,913,336)   (93,327,191)    
Consumer Services   (475,314,275)   (340,046,226)   (135,268,049)    
Energy   (260,914,416)   (260,914,416)        
Finance   (519,221,456)   (462,855,988)   (56,365,468)    
Health Care   (127,859,098)   (80,508,760)   (47,350,338)    
Real Estate Investment Trusts   (121,194,280)   (121,194,280)        
Technology   (624,015,013)   (551,549,884)   (72,465,129)    
Transportation   (56,794,449)   (22,154,719)   (34,639,730)    
Utilities   (85,845,272)   (85,845,272)        
Contracts For Difference                    
Equity Contracts   (14,685,629)       (14,685,629)    
Total Liabilities  $(2,980,228,504)  $(2,388,826,816)  $(591,401,688)  $ 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

25

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND

Portfolio of Investments
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS—95.5%        
Basic Industries—1.1%        
Crown Holdings, Inc.*   143,619   $7,157,971 
FMC Corp.   70,134    5,504,116 
Graphic Packaging Holding Co.(a)   692,885    10,608,070 
         23,270,157 
Capital Goods—7.0%          
AMETEK, Inc.   137,905    10,444,925 
Cemex SAB de CV - SP ADR*   1,069,390    7,004,505 
CRH PLC - SP ADR(a)   308,575    10,213,833 
Cummins, Inc.   83,319    14,011,756 
General Dynamics Corp.   77,281    17,191,158 
PACCAR, Inc.(a)   298,733    21,386,295 
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. Class A   105,618    9,641,867 
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.   63,071    10,040,272 
Textron, Inc.   137,471    8,227,639 
Trinseo SA   82,378    6,557,289 
United Technologies Corp.(a)   159,382    21,475,131 
WESCO International, Inc.*   159,032    9,899,742 
         146,094,412 
Communications—0.4%          
Comcast Corp., Class A   257,259    9,315,348 
Consumer Durables—0.9%          
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV(a)   280,490    5,943,583 
Lear Corp.   72,440    13,515,131 
         19,458,714 
Consumer Non-Durables—2.7%          
Activision Blizzard, Inc.   94,367    6,901,059 
Altria Group, Inc.   241,425    15,197,704 
Electronic Arts, Inc.*   55,522    6,868,071 
PepsiCo, Inc.   245,455    26,933,777 
         55,900,611 
Consumer Services—5.9%          
Best Buy Co, Inc.(a)   116,270    8,422,599 
CVS Health Corp.   202,332    13,703,946 
eBay, Inc.*   920,434    39,449,801 
Huron Consulting Group, Inc.*   111,219    3,892,665 
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc., (The)(a)   690,429    16,156,039 
Lowe's Cos., Inc.(a)   72,351    6,481,926 
ManpowerGroup, Inc.   107,564    12,742,032 
Nielsen Holdings PLC(a)   213,617    6,970,323 
Omnicom Group, Inc.(a)   91,788    6,996,999 
Robert Half International, Inc.(a)   101,181    5,774,400 
Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings, Inc.(a)*   346,298    1,679,545 
         122,270,275 
Energy—6.5%          
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.   120,623    6,880,336 
Andeavor   159,296    14,276,108 
Cimarex Energy Co.   96,203    9,244,146 
Diamondback Energy, Inc.(a)*   84,292    10,506,155 
Energen Corp.*   109,872    6,011,097 
EQT Corp.(a)   192,488    9,684,071 
Gulfport Energy Corp.*   278,433    2,700,800 
Marathon Oil Corp.   515,492    7,484,944 
Newfield Exploration Co.(a)*   188,785    4,404,354 
Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A(a)*   636,461    16,089,734 
Phillips 66   132,784    11,999,690 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.   109,106    18,573,114 
RSP Permian, Inc.(a)*   197,583    7,569,405 
Targa Resources Corp.   123,748    5,525,348 
WildHorse Resource Development Corp.(a)*   345,659    5,869,290 
         136,818,592 
Finance—30.1%          
Aflac, Inc.(a)   233,870    20,786,366 
Air Lease Corp.(a)   353,885    15,454,158 
Alleghany Corp.(a)*   27,794    16,847,333 
Allstate Corp., (The)   188,510    17,391,933 
American International Group, Inc.(a)   466,058    26,723,766 
Aon PLC   120,567    16,917,961 
Bank of America Corp.   1,521,559    48,842,044 
BB&T Corp.(a)   459,256    24,960,564 
Capital One Financial Corp.   183,780    17,997,575 
Charles Schwab Corp., (The)(a)   162,009    8,589,717 
Chubb Ltd.   202,277    28,707,152 
Citigroup, Inc.   567,516    42,841,783 
Discover Financial Services   157,052    12,380,409 
FCB Financial Holdings, Inc., Class A*   92,319    4,952,914 
Fifth Third Bancorp(a)   346,890    11,464,714 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (The)   69,222    18,200,540 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.   1,092,055    17,145,263 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.   567,902    65,592,681 
KeyCorp   1,058,158    22,358,879 
Loews Corp.   433,604    21,389,685 
MetLife, Inc.(a)   353,698    16,337,311 
Navient Corp.(a)   549,698    7,124,086 
Prudential Financial, Inc.   182,009    19,351,197 
Raymond James Financial, Inc.   134,989    12,514,830 
SLM Corp.(a)*   362,348    3,953,217 
State Street Corp.   155,893    16,548,042 
Synchrony Financial   161,170    5,864,976 
TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.   159,249    9,156,817 
Torchmark Corp.   102,600    8,758,962 
Travelers Cos., Inc., (The)(a)   114,372    15,897,708 
Wells Fargo & Co.   180,049    10,516,662 
White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.   21,302    17,187,519 
WR Berkley Corp.   142,420    9,738,680 
XL Group Ltd.   411,770    17,421,989 
         629,917,433 

 

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

 

26

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Health Care—15.5%        
Abbott Laboratories   353,821   $21,346,021 
Anthem, Inc.   107,808    25,375,847 
Cardinal Health, Inc.(a)   129,876    8,988,718 
Cigna Corp.   88,375    17,311,779 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.   324,107    25,516,944 
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC(a)*   70,661    10,231,713 
Johnson & Johnson(a)   241,378    31,350,175 
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*   115,170    19,889,859 
McKesson Corp.   164,781    24,590,269 
Medtronic PLC   373,235    29,817,744 
Merck & Co., Inc.   562,375    30,491,972 
Novartis AG - SP ADR   276,590    23,053,776 
Pfizer, Inc.   614,460    22,311,043 
Roche Holding AG - SP ADR   313,532    9,064,210 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   105,695    23,903,981 
         323,244,051 
Technology—24.8%          
Alliance Data Systems Corp.(a)   54,088    13,033,044 
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.(a)*   269,228    3,734,192 
Alphabet, Inc., Class A*   20,405    22,525,488 
Amdocs Ltd.   142,157    9,352,509 
Analog Devices, Inc.   115,737    10,433,691 
Arrow Electronics, Inc.*   183,481    14,968,380 
Belden, Inc.(a)   118,570    8,623,596 
Booking Holdings, Inc.*   8,895    18,092,786 
Cisco Systems, Inc.   1,044,437    46,769,889 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A   148,265    12,160,695 
DXC Technology Co.   352,620    36,157,655 
EnerSys   176,021    12,266,903 
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.   60,719    5,900,672 
Flex Ltd.*   810,626    14,672,331 
Fortive Corp.   152,612    11,720,602 
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.   921,881    17,137,768 
HP, Inc.   886,660    20,738,977 
IAC/InterActiveCorp*   46,900    6,983,879 
Jabil, Inc.(a)   439,249    11,899,255 
KLA-Tencor Corp.   98,628    11,175,539 
Leidos Holdings, Inc.   95,727    6,060,476 
Micro Focus International PLC - SP ADR(a)   195,456    5,484,495 
Microsoft Corp.   377,223    35,372,201 
Momo, Inc. - SP ADR*   241,850    7,993,143 
NetApp, Inc.   311,072    18,835,410 
NetEase, Inc. - ADR   44,843    13,154,694 
ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)*   701,446    16,778,588 
Oracle Corp.   671,730    34,036,559 
Qorvo, Inc.(a)*   269,236    21,730,038 
Symantec Corp.(a)   307,184    8,075,867 
TE Connectivity Ltd.   237,930    24,528,204 
Versum Materials, Inc.(a)   209,952    7,772,423 
YY, Inc. - ADR*   75,498    9,764,156 
         517,934,105 
Transportation—0.6%          
Delta Air Lines, Inc.(a)   239,633    12,916,219 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $1,478,407,474)        1,997,139,917 
RIGHTS—0.0%          
Technology—0.0%          
CVR Banctec Inc. - Escrow Shares*‡   14,327    0 
TOTAL RIGHTS (Cost $0)        0 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS—12.9%
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio, 1.29%   85,514,244    85,514,244 
Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC, 1.65%   183,482,661    183,482,661 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $268,996,905)        268,996,905 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS—108.4%          
(Cost $1,747,404,379)        2,266,136,822 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(8.4)%        (174,750,673)
NET ASSETS—100.0%       $2,091,386,149 

 

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

PLC

Public Limited Company

SP ADR

Sponsored American Depositary Receipt

*

Non-income producing.

(a)

All or a portion of the security is on loan. At February 28, 2018, the market value of securities on loan was $177,505,974.

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 February 28, 2018, these securities amounted to $0 or 0.0% of net assets.

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

27

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS ALL-CAP VALUE FUND

Portfolio of Investments (concluded)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments carried at fair value as of February 28, 2018 is as follows (see Notes to Portfolio of Investments):

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Common Stock                
Basic Industries  $23,270,157   $23,270,157   $   $ 
Capital Goods   146,094,412    146,094,412         
Communications   9,315,348    9,315,348         
Consumer Durables   19,458,714    19,458,714         
Consumer Non-Durables   55,900,611    55,900,611         
Consumer Services   122,270,275    122,270,275         
Energy   136,818,592    136,818,592         
Finance   629,917,433    629,917,433         
Health Care   323,244,051    323,244,051         
Technology   517,934,105    517,934,105         
Transportation   12,916,219    12,916,219         
Rights                
Short-Term Investments   268,996,905    268,996,905         
Total Assets  $2,266,136,822   $2,266,136,822   $   $ 

 

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

 

28

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

WPG PARTNERS SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND

Portfolio of Investments
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS—98.6%        
Basic Industries—4.9%        
Allegheny Technologies, Inc.(a)*   31,200   $808,392 
Green Plains, Inc.(a)   7,700    140,910 
Haynes International, Inc.   9,700    403,520 
Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.   3,900    152,919 
         1,505,741 
Capital Goods—15.8%          
BMC Stock Holdings, Inc.(a)*   8,000    150,000 
Carpenter Technology Corp.(a)   6,200    315,828 
Ferroglobe PLC(a)*   51,500    832,240 
Foundation Building Materials, Inc.*   6,300    86,247 
FreightCar America, Inc.   29,600    437,784 
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.*   92,300    419,965 
KBR, Inc.   45,500    688,870 
KeyW Holding Corp., (The)(a)*   47,800    358,978 
Landec Corp.(a)*   17,300    224,900 
Matrix Service Co.*   19,800    283,140 
Orion Group Holdings, Inc.*   47,800    300,184 
Smart Sand, Inc.(a)*   40,100    297,542 
Tutor Perini Corp.(a)*   18,800    454,020 
         4,849,698 
Communications—0.6%          
Ooma, Inc.*   16,800    178,920 
Consumer Durables—1.8%          
Century Communities, Inc.*   5,100    151,725 
Libbey, Inc.(a)   28,500    178,695 
TRI Pointe Group, Inc.*   14,900    228,417 
         558,837 
Consumer Non-Durables—0.9%          
Matthews International Corp., Class A   4,400    225,500 
Sequential Brands Group, Inc.*   23,875    47,272 
         272,772 
Consumer Services—10.1%          
ARC Document Solutions, Inc.*   22,200    47,286 
BJ's Restaurants, Inc.   7,300    317,550 
Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.*   10,500    134,925 
Chefs' Warehouse, Inc., (The)(a)*   8,300    187,165 
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.*   12,900    162,540 
Destination XL Group, Inc.*   9,400    23,030 
DSW, Inc., Class A   7,800    152,958 
Hibbett Sports, Inc.(a)*   8,900    229,175 
ICF International, Inc.   4,300    245,100 
MDC Partners, Inc., Class A*   77,300    606,805 
Smart & Final Stores, Inc.*   27,200    195,840 
SUPERVALU, Inc.(a)*   38,600    549,278 
Team, Inc.(a)*   15,200    248,520 
         3,100,172 
Energy—10.1%          
Bill Barrett Corp.*   93,200    422,196 
Cactus, Inc., Class A*   6,400    157,504 
Eclipse Resources Corp.(a)*   66,200    106,582 
Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc.(a)*   13,500    163,080 
Flotek Industries, Inc.(a)*   31,300    186,235 
Gulfport Energy Corp.*   77,200    748,840 
McDermott International, Inc.(a)*   58,500    427,050 
Pacific Ethanol, Inc.*   25,600    104,960 
ProPetro Holding Corp.(a)*   10,000    161,300 
Resolute Energy Corp.(a)*   6,300    204,750 
TETRA Technologies, Inc.*   114,000    413,820 
         3,096,317 
Finance—28.2%          
Ameris Bancorp   9,400    499,610 
Banner Corp.   8,000    442,240 
Central Pacific Financial Corp.   13,600    379,032 
CNO Financial Group, Inc.   20,000    450,800 
Essent Group Ltd.*   5,500    247,995 
First Foundation, Inc.*   23,800    434,588 
FirstCash, Inc.   2,900    213,730 
Fulton Financial Corp.   26,000    470,600 
Hanover Insurance Group Inc., (The)   1,900    205,029 
HomeStreet, Inc.*   17,800    510,860 
Investors Bancorp, Inc.   15,800    213,300 
Kearny Financial Corp.   16,500    214,500 
Kemper Corp.   7,300    411,720 
Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.(a)   29,700    485,595 
Meridian Bancorp, Inc.   21,400    429,070 
MGIC Investment Corp.*   26,600    366,814 
National Bank Holdings Corp., Class A(a)   12,300    400,857 
Northfield Bancorp, Inc.(a)   24,400    378,688 
Popular, Inc.   17,200    722,572 
State Bank Financial Corp.   13,500    390,690 
United Community Banks, Inc.   9,300    287,463 
United Financial Bancorp, Inc.   32,600    508,560 
         8,664,313 
Health Care—2.3%          
Accuray, Inc.*   86,500    480,075 
Trinity Biotech PLC - SP ADR*   41,700    227,682 
         707,757 
Real Estate Investment Trusts—6.3%          
Cedar Realty Trust, Inc.   57,600    228,672 
GEO Group Inc., (The)   11,000    234,300 
Getty Realty Corp.   14,600    344,560 
Gramercy Property Trust   19,166    414,944 
Ladder Capital Corp.   23,900    353,003 
MedEquities Realty Trust, Inc.   24,300    234,981 
Seritage Growth Properties, Class A(a)   3,700    139,860 
         1,950,320 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

29

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

WPG PARTNERS SMALL/MICRO CAP VALUE FUND

Portfolio of Investments (concluded)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Technology—7.1%        
Acacia Communications, Inc.(a)*   8,000   $309,600 
Aerohive Networks, Inc.*   35,800    150,002 
CommVault Systems, Inc.*   3,600    187,380 
Generac Holdings, Inc.*   4,600    204,608 
NeoPhotonics Corp.(a)*   39,900    242,193 
QAD, Inc., Class A   6,500    292,500 
Quantenna Communications, Inc.*   11,700    160,875 
Ribbon Communications, Inc.(a)*   25,300    163,944 
SuperCom Ltd.*   2,300    6,509 
VASCO Data Security International, Inc.*   18,600    224,130 
Veeco Instruments, Inc.(a)*   13,400    243,210 
         2,184,951 
Transportation—6.5%          
Ardmore Shipping Corp.*   71,400    539,070 
Celadon Group, Inc.   30,700    118,195 
Daseke, Inc.*   11,000    110,660 
DHT Holdings, Inc.   31,300    117,688 
Scorpio Tankers, Inc.   164,100    377,430 
Spirit Airlines, Inc.*   4,100    163,344 
StealthGas, Inc.*   56,400    237,444 
YRC Worldwide, Inc.(a)*   39,300    342,696 
         2,006,527 
Utilities—4.0%          
ALLETE, Inc.   2,800    190,820 
Covanta Holding Corp.(a)   24,900    372,255 
El Paso Electric Co.   3,100    150,660 
NorthWestern Corp.   3,500    178,780 
PNM Resources, Inc.   4,000    140,800 
Portland General Electric Co.   5,400    214,542 
         1,247,857 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $27,950,381)        30,324,182 
WARRANTS—0.1%          
Energy—0.1%          
TETRA Technologies, Inc. *(a)‡   20,950   24,093 
TOTAL WARRANTS (Cost $4,475)        24,093 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS—23.5%
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio, 1.29%   452,351    452,351 
Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC, 1.65%   6,775,803    6,775,803 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $7,228,154)        7,228,154 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS—122.2%          
(Cost $35,183,010)        37,576,429 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(22.2)%        (6,825,054)
NET ASSETS—100.0%       $30,751,375 

 

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

PLC

Public Limited Company

SP ADR

Sponsored American Depositary Receipt

*

Non-income producing.

(a)

All or a portion of the security is on loan. At February 28, 2018, the market value of securities on loan was $6,507,407.

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 February 28, 2018, these securities amounted to $24,093 or 0.1% of net assets.

 

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments carried at fair value as of February 28, 2018 is as follows (see Notes to Portfolio of Investments):

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Common Stocks  $30,324,182   $30,324,182   $   $ 
Warrants   24,093            24,093 
Short-Term Investments   7,228,154    7,228,154         
Total Assets  $37,576,429   $37,552,336   $   $24,093 

 

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

 

30

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
LONG POSITIONS—104.8%        
COMMON STOCKS—95.5%        
Argentina—0.6%        
YPF SA - SP ADR   163,465   $3,777,676 
Bermuda—2.0%          
Everest Re Group Ltd.   34,769    8,352,905 
Marvell Technology Group Ltd.(a)   204,376    4,800,792 
         13,153,697 
Canada—0.8%          
Nutrien Ltd.   106,419    5,241,136 
China—0.9%          
PICC Property & Casualty Co. Ltd., Class H   1,800,000    3,530,477 
Vipshop Holdings Ltd. - ADR*   148,705    2,585,980 
         6,116,457 
France—5.4%          
AXA SA   142,802    4,472,437 
Capgemini SA   45,903    5,721,609 
Renault SA   58,406    6,335,306 
Schneider Electric SE   70,208    6,084,860 
Teleperformance SA   21,332    3,037,809 
TOTAL SA   115,544    6,572,018 
Vinci SA   31,795    3,139,454 
         35,363,493 
Germany—3.0%          
Allianz SE   15,943    3,703,430 
E.ON SE   426,501    4,324,514 
Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA   50,565    4,108,554 
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG   11,385    2,545,808 
Siemens AG   39,861    5,223,433 
         19,905,739 
Hong Kong—2.1%          
CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.   350,000    4,374,382 
WH Group Ltd.   7,685,500    9,465,500 
         13,839,882 
Indonesia—0.4%          
Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT   9,671,900    2,659,183 
Ireland—1.1%          
CRH PLC   227,657    7,475,976 
Japan—10.3%          
Alps Electric Co., Ltd.   210,200    5,730,193 
Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.   64,200    3,282,884 
Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.   1,107,000    8,376,894 
Haseko Corp.   214,900    3,147,521 
KDDI Corp.   179,600    4,410,488 
Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd.   133,300    3,440,030 
Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings Co., Ltd.   67,600    2,843,628 
Mitsubishi Electric Corp.   189,500    3,196,391 
Nomura Holdings, Inc.   545,300    3,319,445 
Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd.   118,200    4,933,878 
SUMCO Corp.   239,500    6,335,746 
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.   210,400    3,318,888 
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.   50,900    2,199,982 
Suzuki Motor Corp.   56,500    3,223,093 
Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.   70,800    3,243,462 
Tokuyama Corp.   102,600    3,044,348 
Zenkoku Hosho Co., Ltd.   90,400    3,985,284 
         68,032,155 
Luxembourg—0.5%          
Ternium SA - SP ADR   92,389    3,194,812 
Mexico—0.6%          
Cemex SAB de CV - SP ADR*   595,430    3,900,066 
Netherlands—1.6%          
Koninklijke Ahold NV   104,262    2,340,900 
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A   250,416    7,908,473 
         10,249,373 
Russia—0.5%          
Sberbank of Russia PJSC - SP ADR(a)   164,572    3,334,229 
Singapore—1.8%          
Flex Ltd.*   653,857    11,834,812 
South Korea—1.7%          
KT Corp. - SP ADR*   106,884    1,419,419 
LG Uplus Corp.   113,427    1,314,827 
NAVER Corp.   4,095    3,032,637 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.   2,607    5,665,191 
         11,432,074 
Switzerland—3.6%          
ABB Ltd.   184,328    4,460,508 
Glencore PLC   905,394    4,761,186 
Roche Holding AG   32,552    7,518,861 
Swiss Re AG   68,380    6,957,298 
         23,697,853 
United Kingdom—6.8%          
Aviva PLC   1,016,312    7,040,328 
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC   122,718    4,665,738 
Direct Line Insurance Group PLC   1,025,747    5,394,604 
Lloyds Banking Group PLC   5,123,580    4,840,953 
Nomad Foods Ltd.*   166,213    2,724,231 
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC*   672,716    2,465,645 
RPC Group PLC   417,446    4,599,052 
Smiths Group PLC   183,350    4,003,618 
Vodafone Group PLC   1,861,297    5,203,463 
WPP PLC   203,836    3,903,510 
         44,841,142 
United States—51.8%          
Air Lease Corp.   96,838    4,228,916 
Allstate Corp. (The)   40,183    3,707,284 
Alphabet, Inc., Class C*   10,018    11,067,185 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

31

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
United States—(continued)        
American Express Co.(a)   60,539   $5,903,158 
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.   73,185    4,174,472 
Andeavor   29,580    2,650,960 
Anthem, Inc.   41,508    9,770,153 
Arconic, Inc.(a)   82,003    2,000,053 
Bank of America Corp.   429,871    13,798,859 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*   101,240    20,976,928 
Booking Holdings, Inc.*   1,437    2,922,916 
Chubb Ltd.   48,261    6,849,201 
Cigna Corp.   22,436    4,394,988 
Cisco Systems, Inc.   131,840    5,903,795 
Citigroup, Inc.   152,037    11,477,273 
Comcast Corp., Class A   158,744    5,748,120 
Diamondback Energy, Inc.(a)*   51,034    6,360,878 
DowDuPont, Inc.   56,352    3,961,546 
DXC Technology Co.   86,255    8,844,588 
East West Bancorp, Inc.   56,395    3,696,692 
Eaton Corp. PLC   117,198    9,457,879 
eBay, Inc.*   138,328    5,928,738 
EQT Corp.   83,425    4,197,112 
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., (The)   33,961    8,929,366 
Honeywell International, Inc.   22,225    3,358,420 
HP, Inc.   257,747    6,028,702 
Jagged Peak Energy, Inc.(a)*   142,308    1,750,388 
Johnson & Johnson   57,524    7,471,217 
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*   67,133    11,593,869 
Leidos Holdings, Inc.   118,178    7,481,849 
Loews Corp.   60,856    3,002,027 
Masco Corp.(a)   129,376    5,319,941 
Microsoft Corp.   189,525    17,771,759 
Morgan Stanley   95,436    5,346,325 
NetApp, Inc.   115,088    6,968,578 
Northrop Grumman Corp.   15,206    5,322,708 
Oracle Corp.   272,400    13,802,508 
Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A(a)*   219,119    5,539,328 
Peabody Energy Corp.   86,562    3,523,939 
Pfizer, Inc.   120,729    4,383,670 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.   33,679    5,733,176 
Raytheon Co.   25,294    5,501,698 
RSP Permian, Inc.*   95,651    3,664,390 
Steel Dynamics, Inc.   109,175    5,049,344 
SunTrust Banks, Inc.   79,185    5,530,280 
SYNNEX Corp.   23,818    2,945,096 
TE Connectivity Ltd.   58,743    6,055,816 
Time Warner, Inc.   52,352    4,866,642 
TJX Cos. Inc., (The)   59,228    4,896,971 
Trinseo SA   73,992    5,889,763 
Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Class A(a)   129,462    4,766,791 
United Technologies Corp.(a)   31,695    4,270,584 
Wells Fargo & Co.   59,157    3,455,360 
WestRock Co.   52,167   3,430,502 
         341,672,701 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $534,378,975)        629,722,456 
PREFERRED STOCKS—0.5%          
Germany—0.5%          
Volkswagen AG, 1.269%   15,433    3,002,320 
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $2,377,452)        3,002,320 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS—8.8%
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio, 1.29%   22,899,348    22,899,348 
Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC, 1.65%   35,279,376    35,279,376 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $58,178,724)        58,178,724 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS—104.8%          
(Cost $594,935,151)        690,903,500 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(4.8)%        (31,716,484)
NET ASSETS—100.0%       $659,187,016 

 

 

ADR

— American Depositary Receipt

PLC

— Public Limited Company

SP ADR

— Sponsored American Depositary Receipt

*

— Non-income producing.

(a)

— All or a portion of the security is on loan. At February 28, 2018, the market value of securities on loan was $34,041,777.

 

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

 

32

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

Portfolio of Investments (concluded)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments carried at fair value as of February 28, 2018 is as follows (see Notes to Portfolio of Investments):

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Common Stock                
Argentina  $3,777,676   $3,777,676   $   $ 
Bermuda   13,153,697    13,153,697         
Canada   5,241,136    5,241,136         
China   6,116,457    2,585,980    3,530,477     
France   35,363,493        35,363,493     
Germany   19,905,739        19,905,739     
Hong Kong   13,839,882        13,839,882     
Indonesia   2,659,183    2,659,183         
Ireland   7,475,976        7,475,976     
Japan   68,032,155        68,032,155     
Luxembourg   3,194,812    3,194,812         
Mexico   3,900,066    3,900,066         
Netherlands   10,249,373        10,249,373     
Russia   3,334,229    3,334,229         
Singapore   11,834,812    11,834,812         
South Korea   11,432,074    1,419,419    10,012,655     
Switzerland   23,697,853        23,697,853     
United Kingdom   44,841,142    7,389,969    37,451,173     
United States   341,672,701    341,672,701         
Preferred Stock                    
Germany   3,002,320        3,002,320     
Short-Term Investments   58,178,724    58,178,724         
Total Assets  $690,903,500   $458,342,404   $232,561,096   $ 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

33

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
LONG POSITIONS—99.0%        
COMMON STOCKS—96.2%        
Argentina—0.6%        
YPF SA - SP ADR   261,462   $6,042,387 
Bermuda—2.0%          
Everest Re Group Ltd.   55,204    13,262,209 
Marvell Technology Group Ltd.   311,892    7,326,343 
         20,588,552 
Canada—0.8%          
Nutrien Ltd.   164,706    8,111,771 
China—0.9%          
PICC Property & Casualty Co. Ltd., Class H   2,782,000    5,456,549 
Vipshop Holdings Ltd. - ADR*   236,024    4,104,457 
         9,561,006 
France—5.5%          
AXA SA   222,231    6,960,085 
Capgemini SA   72,892    9,085,670 
Renault SA   91,634    9,939,551 
Schneider Electric SE   107,950    9,355,923 
Teleperformance SA   33,869    4,823,156 
TOTAL SA   183,663    10,446,553 
Vinci SA   49,110    4,849,146 
         55,460,084 
Germany—3.2%          
Allianz SE   26,423    6,137,849 
E.ON SE   677,177    6,866,247 
Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA   80,275    6,522,579 
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG   18,623    4,164,302 
Siemens AG   62,126    8,141,065 
         31,832,042 
Hong Kong—2.1%          
CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.   544,500    6,805,288 
WH Group Ltd.   11,741,500    14,460,891 
         21,266,179 
India—0.5%          
Videocon D2H Ltd. - ADR*†   608,176    5,047,861 
Indonesia—0.3%          
Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT   12,517,400    3,441,523 
Ireland—1.2%          
CRH PLC   367,868    12,080,333 
Japan—10.0%          
Alps Electric Co., Ltd.   327,200    8,919,691 
Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.   99,200    5,072,618 
Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.   1,663,000    12,584,259 
Haseko Corp.   378,200    5,539,286 
KDDI Corp.   279,600    6,866,217 
Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd.   205,900    5,313,594 
Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings Co., Ltd.   107,500    4,522,042 
Mitsubishi Electric Corp.   294,900   4,974,225 
Nomura Holdings, Inc.   847,600    5,159,659 
Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd.   187,300    7,818,234 
SUMCO Corp.   371,200    9,819,745 
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.   327,400    5,164,468 
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.   81,100    3,505,276 
Suzuki Motor Corp.   91,400    5,213,995 
Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.   109,300    5,007,209 
Tokuyama Corp.   150,500    4,465,637 
Zenkoku Hosho Co., Ltd.   27,600    1,216,746 
         101,162,901 
Luxembourg—0.5%          
Ternium SA - SP ADR†   146,827    5,077,278 
Mexico—0.8%          
Alpek SAB de CV   1,086,363    1,410,206 
Cemex SAB de CV - SP ADR*   960,801    6,293,247 
         7,703,453 
Netherlands—1.2%          
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A   389,603    12,304,185 
Russia—0.5%          
Sberbank of Russia PJSC - SP ADR   255,869    5,183,906 
Singapore—1.8%          
Flex Ltd.*†   997,959    18,063,058 
South Korea—1.8%          
KT Corp. - SP ADR*   170,796    2,268,171 
LG Uplus Corp.   198,145    2,296,865 
NAVER Corp.   6,519    4,827,779 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.   4,200    9,126,890 
         18,519,705 
Switzerland—3.7%          
ABB Ltd.   284,317    6,880,118 
Glencore PLC   1,415,795    7,445,226 
Roche Holding AG   54,226    12,525,121 
Swiss Re AG   101,146    10,291,062 
         37,141,527 
United Kingdom—7.3%          
Aviva PLC   1,609,578    11,150,076 
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC†   190,146    7,229,351 
Direct Line Insurance Group PLC   1,597,957    8,403,969 
Lloyds Banking Group PLC   7,744,103    7,316,923 
Nomad Foods Ltd.*†   466,241    7,641,690 
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC*   1,038,783    3,807,357 
RPC Group PLC   650,371    7,165,215 
Smiths Group PLC   285,072    6,224,813 
Vodafone Group PLC   2,922,170    8,169,251 
WPP PLC   330,909    6,336,989 
         73,445,634 
United States—51.5%          
Air Lease Corp.†   158,205    6,908,812 

 

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

 

34

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
United States—(continued)        
Allstate Corp. (The)†   62,401   $5,757,116 
Alphabet, Inc., Class C*†   16,002    17,677,890 
American Express Co.   95,272    9,289,973 
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.   116,486    6,644,362 
Andeavor†   44,023    3,945,341 
Anthem, Inc.†   67,400    15,864,612 
Arconic, Inc.   127,797    3,116,969 
Bank of America Corp.†   660,961    21,216,848 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*†   67,659    14,018,945 
Boardwalk Pipeline Partners LP†   216,357    2,438,343 
Booking Holdings, Inc.*   2,256    4,588,794 
Chubb Ltd.#†   77,151    10,949,270 
Cigna Corp.†   33,874    6,635,578 
Cisco Systems, Inc.†   218,385    9,779,280 
Citigroup, Inc.†   241,533    18,233,326 
Comcast Corp., Class A†   254,783    9,225,692 
Diamondback Energy, Inc.*†   81,636    10,175,111 
DowDuPont, Inc.†   91,045    6,400,464 
DXC Technology Co.†   131,342    13,467,809 
East West Bancorp, Inc.   92,784    6,081,991 
Eaton Corp. PLC†   180,671    14,580,150 
eBay, Inc.*†   215,700    9,244,902 
EQT Corp.†   132,175    6,649,724 
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., (The)   52,460    13,793,308 
Honeywell International, Inc.   36,817    5,563,417 
HP, Inc.†   420,954    9,846,114 
Jagged Peak Energy, Inc.*   237,237    2,918,015 
Johnson & Johnson   89,438    11,616,207 
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*†   112,458    19,421,497 
Leidos Holdings, Inc.†   177,440    11,233,726 
Loews Corp.   96,393    4,755,067 
Masco Corp.   202,216    8,315,122 
Microsoft Corp.†   292,742    27,450,417 
Morgan Stanley   148,492    8,318,522 
NetApp, Inc.   175,946    10,653,530 
Northrop Grumman Corp.†   25,194    8,818,908 
Oracle Corp.†   420,753    21,319,555 
Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A*†   322,852    8,161,699 
Peabody Energy Corp.   134,582    5,478,833 
Pfizer, Inc.†   201,173    7,304,592 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.†   52,098    8,868,643 
Raytheon Co.   39,776    8,651,678 
RSP Permian, Inc.*   151,368    5,798,908 
Steel Dynamics, Inc.†   169,952    7,860,280 
SunTrust Banks, Inc.†   126,079    8,805,357 
SYNNEX Corp.   36,667    4,533,875 
TE Connectivity Ltd.   93,536    9,642,626 
Time Warner, Inc.   80,441    7,477,795 
TJX Cos. Inc., (The)   91,008    7,524,541 
Trinseo SA   117,348    9,340,901 
Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Class A   198,711    7,316,539 
United Technologies Corp.†   52,507    7,074,793 
Wells Fargo & Co.†   89,418   5,222,905 
WestRock Co.†   80,015    5,261,786 
         521,240,458 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $832,634,282)        973,273,843 
PREFERRED STOCKS—0.4%          
Germany—0.4%          
Volkswagen AG, 1.269%   24,611    4,787,798 
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $3,847,335)        4,787,798 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS—2.4%
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio, 1.29%   24,042,866    24,042,866 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $24,042,866)        24,042,866 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS—99.0%          
(Cost $860,524,483)        1,002,104,507 
SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(42.5%)          
COMMON STOCKS—(42.5%)          
Australia—(1.7%)          
Amcor Ltd.   (262,151)   (2,810,107)
Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd.   (136,330)   (4,170,904)
Healthscope Ltd.   (2,049,162)   (2,992,977)
National Australia Bank Ltd.   (132,419)   (3,078,100)
Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.   (141,820)   (1,915,783)
WiseTech Global Ltd.   (315,793)   (2,612,418)
         (17,580,289)
Belgium—(0.3%)          
Colruyt SA   (47,263)   (2,549,954)
Bermuda—(0.4%)          
Arch Capital Group Ltd.*   (46,121)   (4,069,717)
Canada—(1.3%)          
Cameco Corp.   (220,939)   (1,948,682)
Cineplex, Inc.   (39,964)   (1,026,818)
First Quantum Minerals Ltd.   (94,323)   (1,537,012)
PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.   (122,419)   (2,716,076)
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.   (86,247)   (2,793,541)
Shaw Communications, Inc., Class B   (187,981)   (3,638,909)
         (13,661,038)
Chile—(0.2%)          
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA - SP ADR   (42,787)   (2,135,071)
China—(0.2%)          
Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd., Class H*   (5,336,000)   (2,002,927)
Denmark—(0.2%)          
Chr Hansen Holding A/S   (24,308)   (2,019,055)

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

35

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Finland—(0.4%)        
Huhtamaki OYJ   (101,688)  $(4,297,424)
France—(1.7%)          
Aeroports de Paris   (11,410)   (2,307,159)
Dassault Systemes SE   (16,778)   (2,164,567)
Getlink SE   (314,426)   (4,044,133)
JCDecaux SA   (61,759)   (2,393,826)
Societe Generale SA   (74,517)   (4,234,041)
Vallourec SA*   (471,201)   (2,533,460)
         (17,677,186)
Germany—(1.1%)          
Infineon Technologies AG   (94,859)   (2,567,156)
Krones AG   (21,968)   (2,964,891)
MTU Aero Engines AG   (14,322)   (2,391,666)
Zalando SE*   (56,748)   (3,229,568)
         (11,153,281)
Hong Kong—(0.3%)          
Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd.   (1,312,000)   (2,595,198)
India—(0.3%)          
Wipro Ltd. - ADR   (477,599)   (2,631,570)
Ireland—(0.3%)          
James Hardie Industries PLC   (160,036)   (2,809,418)
Japan—(6.8%)          
Aozora Bank Ltd.   (97,500)   (3,978,496)
Asics Corp.   (258,700)   (4,088,793)
Calbee, Inc.   (85,000)   (2,830,442)
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.   (44,800)   (2,309,003)
Ito En Ltd.   (84,100)   (3,525,265)
JINS, Inc.   (91,200)   (4,407,616)
McDonald's Holdings Co. Japan Ltd.   (48,000)   (2,141,709)
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.   (17,300)   (2,409,607)
Nidec Corp.   (18,600)   (2,970,241)
Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd.   (92,600)   (3,355,996)
Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd.   (50,400)   (3,429,344)
Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd.   (12,600)   (2,114,471)
Oracle Corp.   (37,000)   (2,858,409)
Sanrio Co., Ltd.   (181,000)   (3,254,524)
Seiko Epson Corp.   (166,100)   (3,169,754)
Sharp Corp.*   (141,700)   (4,922,248)
Shimano, Inc.   (18,900)   (2,727,650)
Tokyo Electron Ltd.   (15,600)   (3,048,285)
Tsuruha Holdings, Inc.   (26,000)   (3,764,554)
Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd.   (128,900)   (2,508,470)
Yaskawa Electric Corp.   (99,300)   (4,567,461)
         (68,382,338)
Mexico—(0.3%)          
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Class A   (1,481,200)   (2,691,998)
Netherlands—(0.4%)          
Cimpress NV*   (26,073)   (4,243,381)
Singapore—(0.6%)          
SATS Ltd.   (827,600)   (3,236,859)
Singapore Press Holdings Ltd.   (1,542,200)   (3,013,015)
         (6,249,874)
South Africa—(0.3%)          
Mediclinic International PLC   (350,114)   (2,841,563)
Spain—(0.2%)          
Industria de Diseno Textil SA   (54,269)   (1,643,062)
Sweden—(1.1%)          
Securitas AB, Class B   (140,958)   (2,421,816)
Skanska AB, Class B   (218,077)   (4,336,923)
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B   (642,508)   (4,298,137)
         (11,056,876)
Switzerland—(0.4%)          
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG   (63)   (4,541,272)
Taiwan—(0.2%)          
United Microelectronics Corp. - SP ADR   (982,291)   (2,367,321)
United Kingdom—(3.1%)          
Aggreko PLC   (244,209)   (2,507,668)
Antofagasta PLC   (282,868)   (3,362,889)
Blue Prism Group PLC*   (48,398)   (1,063,414)
Hargreaves Lansdown PLC   (140,396)   (3,320,896)
Kingfisher PLC   (624,362)   (3,073,001)
Manchester United PLC, Class A   (51,698)   (1,018,451)
Ocado Group PLC*   (327,622)   (2,484,570)
Pearson PLC   (249,503)   (2,512,657)
Pennon Group PLC   (413,456)   (3,456,412)
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC   (316,108)   (3,636,025)
Travis Perkins PLC   (121,532)   (2,149,987)
Weir Group PLC, (The)   (93,807)   (2,617,504)
         (31,203,474)
United States—(20.7%)          
2U, Inc.*   (39,985)   (3,309,958)
AAON, Inc.   (56,968)   (2,093,574)
Acuity Brands, Inc.   (19,192)   (2,736,395)
Acxiom Corp.*   (134,630)   (3,684,823)
Antero Resources Corp.*   (242,111)   (4,554,108)
Apache Corp.   (83,280)   (2,844,012)
Balchem Corp.   (29,071)   (2,187,593)
Blackbaud, Inc.   (43,127)   (4,421,380)
CarMax, Inc.*   (29,074)   (1,800,262)
Caterpillar, Inc.   (19,847)   (3,068,942)
Centennial Resource Development Inc., Class A*   (73,547)   (1,403,277)
Cincinnati Financial Corp.   (26,942)   (2,009,604)
Cognex Corp.   (30,695)   (1,648,628)
Community Bank System, Inc.   (52,644)   (2,806,452)
Coty, Inc., Class A   (99,087)   (1,914,361)
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.   (18,605)   (2,904,240)
Cree, Inc.*   (75,555)   (2,858,246)

 

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

 

36

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
United States—(continued)        
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.   (29,722)  $(3,090,791)
Ellie Mae, Inc.*   (51,282)   (4,547,175)
Equinix, Inc.   (7,344)   (2,879,582)
Exact Sciences Corp.*   (62,152)   (2,772,601)
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.   (17,966)   (3,650,332)
First Financial Bankshares, Inc.   (115,819)   (5,327,674)
Flowserve Corp.   (47,406)   (2,007,644)
Harley-Davidson, Inc.   (86,143)   (3,909,169)
HB Fuller Co.   (40,384)   (2,034,950)
Heartland Express, Inc.   (148,304)   (2,894,894)
Helmerich & Payne, Inc.   (46,080)   (2,974,464)
Hess Corp.   (53,821)   (2,444,550)
iRobot Corp.*   (13,782)   (936,487)
John Bean Technologies Corp.   (18,340)   (2,031,155)
Manhattan Associates, Inc.*   (60,062)   (2,528,610)
Matador Resources Co.*   (115,014)   (3,319,304)
Mattel, Inc.   (190,336)   (3,026,342)
Medidata Solutions, Inc.*   (43,042)   (2,826,138)
Middleby Corp., (The)*   (33,245)   (3,997,711)
MINDBODY, Inc., Class A*   (64,378)   (2,295,076)
Multi-Color Corp.   (54,288)   (3,439,145)
National Instruments Corp.   (93,232)   (4,713,810)
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.   (71,233)   (2,499,566)
Netflix, Inc.*   (7,540)   (2,197,005)
NewMarket Corp.   (9,256)   (3,868,175)
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.*   (54,554)   (3,104,123)
NuVasive, Inc.*   (35,861)   (1,734,238)
Oasis Petroleum, Inc.*   (244,638)   (1,927,747)
Power Integrations, Inc.   (47,630)   (3,200,736)
Proofpoint, Inc.*   (26,416)   (2,831,003)
Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.   (57,946)   (4,345,950)
Public Storage   (12,479)   (2,426,417)
Quaker Chemical Corp.   (23,730)   (3,382,237)
Range Resources Corp.   (154,273)   (2,050,288)
RLI Corp.   (66,473)   (4,041,558)
Rollins, Inc.   (73,801)   (3,709,976)
Snap, Inc., Class A*   (135,968)   (2,354,966)
Sonoco Products Co.   (57,867)   (2,775,880)
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.*   (12,596)   (1,409,114)
Tesla, Inc.*   (22,082)   (7,575,451)
Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.   (68,108)   (2,274,807)
TransDigm Group, Inc.   (12,194)   (3,515,652)
Ultimate Software Group Inc. (The)*   (8,641)   (2,060,533)
UMB Financial Corp.   (41,057)   (2,997,161)
Varian Medical Systems, Inc.*   (35,703)   (4,260,796)
Veeva Systems, Inc. Class A*   (33,121)   (2,308,534)
Vulcan Materials Co.   (26,633)   (3,135,503)
Wabtec Corp.   (41,663)   (3,388,868)
WageWorks, Inc.*   (41,561)   (2,179,874)
Wayfair, Inc. Class A*   (37,597)   (2,910,760)
Wendy's Co. (The)   (159,314)   (2,541,058)
Westamerica Bancorporation   (36,416)   (2,086,273)
WEX, Inc.*   (24,236)   (3,624,494)
Workday, Inc., Class A*   (23,234)   (2,943,051)
         (209,555,253)
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Proceeds $(415,869,961))        (429,958,540)
TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(42.5%) (Proceeds $(415,869,961))        (429,958,540)

 

   Number of
Contracts
   Notional
Amount
     

OPTIONS WRITTEN††—0.0%

Call Options Written—(0.0%)
Chubb Ltd.            
Expiration:05/18/2018, Exercise Price:140.00   (583)   (8,273,936)   (364,375)
TOTAL CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Premiums received $(424,413))             (364,375)
TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Premiums received $(424,413))             (364,375)
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—43.5%             439,872,146 
NET ASSETS—100.0%            $1,011,653,738 

 

 

ADR

— American Depositary Receipt

PLC

— Public Limited Company

SP ADR

— Sponsored American 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.

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

37

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

Contracts For Difference held by the Fund at February 28, 2018, are as follows:

 

Reference
Company
Counterparty Expiration Date Financing Rate Payment Frequency  Number of Contracts Long/(Short)   Notional
Amount
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Short                    
South Korea                    
Amorepacific Corp. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (6,712)  $(1,742,110)  $(32,195)
Celltrion Inc. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (12,877)   (4,164,888)   (519,079)
Kakao Corp. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.42% Monthly   (18,212)   (2,140,304)   (58,009)
                 (8,047,302)   (609,282)
Taiwan                       
Cheng Shin Rubber Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (2,059,000)   (3,528,869)   (4,300)
Feng Tay Enterprise Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (536,000)   (2,526,516)   (77,494)
Largan Precision, Class C Goldman Sachs 9/18/2018 1.42% Monthly   (29,000)   (3,584,573)   322,156 
                 (9,639,958)   240,361 
Total Short                (17,687,260)   (368,921)
Net unrealized gain/(loss) on Contracts For Difference            $(368,921)

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments carried at fair value as of February 28, 2018 is as follows (see Notes to Portfolio of Investments):

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Common Stock                
Argentina  $6,042,387   $6,042,387   $   $ 
Bermuda   20,588,552    20,588,552         
Canada   8,111,771    8,111,771         
China   9,561,006    4,104,457    5,456,549     
France   55,460,084        55,460,084     
Germany   31,832,042        31,832,042     
Hong Kong   21,266,179        21,266,179     
India   5,047,861    5,047,861         
Indonesia   3,441,523    3,441,523         
Ireland   12,080,333        12,080,333     
Japan   101,162,901        101,162,901     
Luxembourg   5,077,278    5,077,278         
Mexico   7,703,453    7,703,453         
Netherlands   12,304,185        12,304,185     
Russia   5,183,906    5,183,906         
Singapore   18,063,058    18,063,058         
South Korea   18,519,705    2,268,171    16,251,534     
Switzerland   37,141,527        37,141,527     
United Kingdom   73,445,634    14,871,041    58,574,593     
United States   521,240,458    521,240,458         
Preferred Stock                    
Germany   4,787,798        4,787,798     
Short-Term Investments   24,042,866    24,042,866         
Contracts For Difference                    
Equity Contracts   322,156        322,156     
Total Assets  $1,002,426,663   $645,786,782   $356,639,881   $ 

 

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

 

38

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments (concluded)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Securities Sold Short                
Australia  $(17,580,289)  $(4,170,904)  $(13,409,385)  $ 
Belgium   (2,549,954)       (2,549,954)    
Bermuda   (4,069,717)   (4,069,717)        
Canada   (13,661,038)   (13,661,038)        
Chile   (2,135,071)   (2,135,071)        
China   (2,002,927)       (2,002,927)    
Denmark   (2,019,055)       (2,019,055)    
Finland   (4,297,424)       (4,297,424)    
France   (17,677,186)       (17,677,186)    
Germany   (11,153,281)       (11,153,281)    
Hong Kong   (2,595,198)   (2,595,198)        
India   (2,631,570)   (2,631,570)        
Ireland   (2,809,418)       (2,809,418)    
Japan   (68,382,338)       (68,382,338)    
Mexico   (2,691,998)   (2,691,998)        
Netherlands   (4,243,381)   (4,243,381)        
Singapore   (6,249,874)       (6,249,874)    
South Africa   (2,841,563)       (2,841,563)    
Spain   (1,643,062)       (1,643,062)    
Sweden   (11,056,876)       (11,056,876)    
Switzerland   (4,541,272)       (4,541,272)    
Taiwan   (2,367,321)   (2,367,321)        
United Kingdom   (31,203,474)   (4,231,852)   (26,971,622)    
United States   (209,555,253)   (209,555,253)        
Options Written                   
Equity Contracts   (364,375)       (364,375)    
Contracts For Difference                    
Equity Contracts   (691,077)       (691,077)    
Total Liabilities  $(431,013,992)  $(252,353,303)  $(178,660,689)  $ 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

39

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
LONG POSITIONS—95.3%        
COMMON STOCKS—56.9%        
Argentina—1.9%        
Banco Macro SA - ADR   1,539   $174,076 
Grupo Financiero Galicia SA - ADR   2,237    140,797 
Grupo Supervielle SA - SP ADR   7,268    223,200 
Pampa Energia SA - SP ADR*   7,662    485,235 
YPF SA - SP ADR†   19,486    450,321 
         1,473,629 
Australia—0.2%          
Syrah Resources Ltd.*   58,607    152,782 
Brazil—5.2%          
BK Brasil Operacao e Assessoria a Restaurantes SA*   36,018    183,146 
Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo   37,900    439,126 
Eneva SA*   25,600    107,229 
Minerva SA   305,200    850,676 
Movida Participacoes SA*   175,100    413,091 
Qualicorp SA   96,600    847,024 
Sul America SA   83,400    549,168 
Tupy SA   41,700    231,174 
Vale SA - SP ADR   26,381    362,211 
         3,982,845 
Canada—0.7%          
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., Class A*   66,498    167,385 
Lundin Mining Corp.   58,406    380,058 
         547,443 
Chile—0.5%          
Geopark Ltd.*   42,306    418,829 
China—8.8%          
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. - SP ADR*   14,870    2,767,902 
China Construction Bank Corp., Class H   528,000    541,365 
China Meidong Auto Holdings Ltd.   1,130,000    421,626 
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd.   455,000    387,906 
JD.com, Inc. - ADR*   4,369    205,998 
NetEase, Inc. - ADR   787    230,867 
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H   32,000    337,066 
Tencent Holdings Ltd.   8,500    465,022 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. - ADR   10,679    586,170 
Vipshop Holdings Ltd. - ADR*   28,051    487,807 
West China Cement Ltd.*   1,796,000    303,336 
         6,735,065 
Egypt—1.4%          
Eastern Tobacco   33,083    1,036,061 
Hong Kong—1.8%          
China Mobile Ltd. - SP ADR   26,062    1,211,622 
WH Group Ltd.   167,500    206,294 
         1,417,916 
Hungary—1.0%          
OTP Bank PLC   8,405    374,476 
Waberer's International Nyrt*   22,666    416,721 
         791,197 
India—3.3%          
Aurobindo Pharma Ltd.   14,628    136,955 
Bharti Airtel Ltd.   23,472    153,426 
Gujarat State Petronet Ltd.   128,488    405,903 
Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd.   10,621    202,448 
Infosys Ltd.   10,820    193,220 
Videocon D2H Ltd. - ADR*   142,681    1,184,252 
Westlife Development Ltd.*   13,138    65,569 
Yes Bank Ltd.   34,866    170,872 
         2,512,645 
Indonesia—0.8%          
Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT   2,191,900    602,639 
Luxembourg—0.8%          
Adecoagro SA*   71,209    640,169 
Mexico—3.4%          
Alpek SAB de CV   382,600    496,652 
Banco del Bajio SA*   108,700    237,286 
Bolsa Mexicana de Valores SAB de CV   123,300    228,866 
Cemex SAB de CV - SP ADR*   49,231    322,463 
CFE Capital S de RL de CV*   252,254    263,887 
Credito Real SAB de CV SOFOM ER   335,500    467,014 
Gentera SAB de CV   238,500    194,969 
Gruma SAB de CV   16,270    188,346 
Vista Oil & Gas SAB de CV*   17,632    176,314 
         2,575,797 
Netherlands—1.6%          
DP Eurasia NV*   82,723    242,576 
Heineken NV   7,581    787,218 
VEON Ltd.   71,919    207,846 
         1,237,640 
Philippines—1.0%          
Bloomberry Resorts Corp.*   1,129,000    312,166 
East West Banking Corp.   345,300    185,645 
Filinvest Land, Inc.   6,281,000    213,467 
Melco Resorts And Entertainment Philippines Corp.*   284,600    41,805 
         753,083 
Poland—0.5%          
AmRest Holdings SE*   3,311    414,008 
Russia—3.1%          
LUKOIL PJSC - SP ADR   8,105    538,172 
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC - SP ADR   22,916    274,075 
Sberbank of Russia PJSC - SP ADR   65,397    1,324,943 
Tatneft PJSC - SP ADR   3,232    204,263 
         2,341,453 

 

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

 

40

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
Singapore—0.8%        
BOC Aviation Ltd.   34,200   $190,787 
DBS Group Holdings Ltd.   19,300    414,772 
         605,559 
South Africa—2.8%          
Capitec Bank Holdings Ltd.   3,066    215,143 
Clover Industries Ltd.   268,176    370,870 
Naspers Ltd., Class N   4,178    1,134,126 
Telkom SA SOC Ltd.   91,790    399,785 
         2,119,924 
South Korea—4.4%          
DB Insurance Co. Ltd.*   3,448    220,375 
Hanwha Corp.   6,720    274,393 
Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.*   1,542    185,456 
Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co. Ltd.   6,150    234,166 
KB Financial Group, Inc.   1,930    113,882 
KT Corp. - SP ADR*†   41,209    547,256 
KT&G Corp.   4,488    413,614 
LG Corp.   3,551    283,011 
LG Uplus Corp.   40,260    466,687 
Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd.   16,830    354,497 
NCSoft Corp.   333    115,074 
SFA Engineering Corp.   5,232    180,572 
         3,388,983 
Switzerland—0.7%          
Glencore PLC   97,131    510,782 
Taiwan—2.5%          
Compeq Manufacturing Co. Ltd.   133,000    150,045 
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.   89,000    262,249 
Pegatron Corp.   286,000    719,046 
Primax Electronics Ltd.   140,000    353,666 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. - SP ADR   10,692    463,498 
         1,948,504 
Turkey—2.6%          
Akbank Turk AS   231,566    643,253 
Mavi Giyim Sanayi Ve Ticaret AS, Class B*   43,267    605,457 
Migros Ticaret AS*   41,443    261,426 
Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS   2,517    77,250 
Turkiye Sinai Kalkinma Bankasi AS   576,166    256,141 
Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi AS*   106,835    133,120 
         1,976,647 
United Arab Emirates—0.7%          
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC*   165,469    328,875 
Emaar Malls PJSC*   355,459    205,171 
         534,046 
United Kingdom—1.9%          
Atrium European Real Estate Ltd.   129,465    646,796 
Cairn Energy PLC*   97,147    247,945 
Ophir Energy PLC*   200,245    145,007 
Petra Diamonds Ltd.*   474,854    399,847 
         1,439,595 
United States—4.5%          
Air Lease Corp.   20,461    893,532 
Broadcom Ltd.   772    190,267 
Kosmos Energy Ltd.*   45,491    245,196 
Lam Research Corp.   996    191,092 
Liberty Latin America Ltd., Class C*†   40,786    834,074 
Micron Technology, Inc.*   6,400    312,384 
Philip Morris International, Inc.   4,743    491,138 
Versum Materials, Inc.   2,534    93,809 
Wynn Resorts Ltd.   1,274    213,395 
         3,464,887 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $41,802,783)        43,622,128 
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS—0.6%
Thailand—0.6%          
Jasmine Broadband Internet Infrastructure Fund   1,171,243    450,519 
TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Cost $406,828)        450,519 
PREFERRED STOCKS—5.1%          
Brazil—0.7%          
Cia Paranaense de Energia, 11.477%   35,100    275,231 
Itau Unibanco Holding SA, 5.660%   16,500    258,967 
         534,198 
Russia—0.4%          
Sberbank of Russia PJSC, 2.626%   71,700    286,050 
South Korea—4.0%          
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., 2.133%   1,676    3,078,800 
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $3,190,805)        3,899,048 
WARRANTS—0.0%          
Mexico—0.0%          
Vista Oil & Gas SAB de CV*   13,133    4,006 
TOTAL WARRANTS (Cost $0)        4,006 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

41

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS—32.7%
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio, 1.29%   25,050,896   $25,050,896 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $25,050,896)        25,050,896 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS—95.3%          
(Cost $70,451,312)        73,026,597 
SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(0.4%)
COMMON STOCKS—(0.4%)          
Hong Kong—(0.4%)          
Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd.   (157,000)  $(294,172)
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Proceeds $(294,797))        (294,172)
TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT—(0.4%) (Proceeds $(294,797))        (294,172)
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES—5.1%        3,929,341 
NET ASSETS—100.0%       $76,661,766 

 

 

ADR

— American Depositary Receipt

PLC

— Public Limited Company

NVDR

— Non-Voting Depository Receipt

SP ADR

— Sponsored American Depositary Receipt

*

— Non-income producing.

— Security position is either entirely or partially held in a segregated account as collateral for securities sold short.

 

Contracts For Difference held by the Fund at February 28, 2018, are as follows:

 

Reference
Company
Counterparty Expiration Date Financing Rate Payment Frequency  Number of Contracts Long/(Short)   Notional
Amount
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Long                    
China                    
Agricultural Bank of China Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   999,000   $548,902   $(1,508)
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. - SP ADR Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   4,494    836,513    (5,045)
Baidu Inc. - SP ADR Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   4,062    1,025,005    27,681 
China Lesso Group Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   986,000    646,562    (13,902)
China Meidong Auto Holdings Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   440,000    164,173    4,433 
China National, Class H Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   80,000    78,489    1,789 
China Petroleum, Class H Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   90,000    71,430    215 
China Telecom Corp. Ltd., Class H Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.70% Monthly   1,106,000    482,233    (8,365)
China Vanke Co., Class H Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   49,500    219,619    (8,494)
Gree Electric Appliances Inc. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   93,700    760,391    (53,219)
Guangzhou Automobile, Class H Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   214,000    470,575    (9,251)
Henan Shuang Inv. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   187,000    800,627    (12,575)
Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd., Class A Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63 Monthly   23,300    434,170    (48,904)
Kweichow Moutai Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   7,500    853,769    (25,500)
PICC Property & Casualty Co. Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   96,000    188,292    3,476 
Qingdao Haier Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   130,200    400,314    (19,297)

 

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

 

42

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

Reference
Company
Counterparty Expiration Date Financing Rate Payment Frequency  Number of Contracts Long/(Short)   Notional
Amount
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Long—(continued)                    
China—(continued)                    
Shanghai Haohai Biological Technology Co., Ltd., Class H Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.70% Monthly   52,100   $273,268   $(16,445)
Sichuan Swellfun, Class A Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   43,500    294,786    (19,806)
Sunny Optical Technology Group Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   14,000    228,984    (6,000)
Tencent Holdings Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.70% Monthly   58,000    3,173,094    (132,213)
Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd., Class A Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   66,100    768,771    (67,270)
                 12,719,967    (410,201)
Egypt                       
Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   87,922    383,762    4,145 
EFG-Hermes Holdings Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   153,273    191,808    1,318 
                 575,570    5,464 
Greece                       
Motor Oil SA Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 -0.37% Monthly   16,135    378,735    783 
                        
Hong Kong                       
Brilliance China Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   152,000    403,891    1,679 
CNOOC Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   100,000    142,714    (2,247)
Haier Electronics Group Co. Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   116,000    395,150    (6,703)
Joy City Property Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   1,930,000    317,949    (315)
K. Wah International Holdings Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   235,000    151,599    (1,609)
Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   196,000    183,691    1,540 
                 1,594,994    (7,656)
India                       
Videocon D2H Ltd. - ADR Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   15,586    129,364    1,665 
                        
Israel                       
Gazit Globe Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.10% Monthly   83,778    851,425    13,611 
Israel Discount Bank Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.10% Monthly   134,278    385,034    15,420 
Tamar Petroleum Ltd. NPV Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.10% Monthly   175,655    1,053,066    (7,734)
                 2,289,525    21,297 
Japan                       
Suzuki Motor Co. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 -0.04% Monthly   5,500    313,752    8,336 
                        
Luxembourg                       
Samsonite International SA Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.70% Monthly   92,100    401,310    5,137 
                        
Mexico                       
Grupo GicSA SA de CV Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   1,310,400    764,663    (18,960)

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

43

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

Reference
Company
Counterparty Expiration Date Financing Rate Payment Frequency  Number of Contracts Long/(Short)   Notional
Amount
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Long—(continued)                    
South Korea                    
Bnk Financial Group Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   67,180   $692,700   $25,796 
Eugene Technology Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   27,514    551,637    (15,359)
Hana Financial Group, Inc. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.17% Monthly   13,150    595,775    (18,132)
Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   1,613    339,610    8,124 
Kiwoom Securities Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   1,528    139,420    (6,373)
KT Corp. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   2,891    74,404    1,140 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   499    1,084,361    (8,432)
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   3,279    518,338    (26,510)
SK Hynix Inc. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   3,310    233,432    1,838 
                 4,229,677    (37,909)
Taiwan                       
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   270,000    2,241,971    (551)
                        
Turkey                       
Logo Yazilim Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   22,834    328,560    (1,511)
Yatas Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   87,380    671,181    118,633 
                 999,741    117,123 
United Kingdom                       
BGEO Group PLC Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.50% Monthly   15,482    721,106    (9,479)
Georgia Healthcare Group PLC Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.50% Monthly   21,822    99,140    (4,692)
Petra Diamonds Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.50% Monthly   426,742    359,335    (68,560)
TBC Bank Group PLC Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.50% Monthly   15,365    332,288    (28,953)
                 1,511,869    (111,683)
Total Long                28,151,138    (427,155)
                        
Short                       
Argentina                       
Mercadolibre Inc. Com. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (689)  $(267,311)  $(8,340)
                        
Brazil                       
B2W Cia Digital Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (47,500)   (345,252)   3,398 
Marcopolo SA Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (157,100)   (196,925)   (4,550)
Natura Cosmeticos SA Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (40,800)   (424,223)   9,609 
Raia Drogasil SA Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (9,200)   (220,784)   11,453 
                 (1,187,184)   19,910 
Chile                       
Sociedad Quimica Mineral Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (7,286)   (363,571)   38,927 
                        
China                       
China Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Class H Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (90,000)   (264,364)   1,319 
China Pacific Insurance Group, Ltd., Class H Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (51,400)   (250,042)   (5,361)
Cosco Shipping Development Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (1,515,000)   (306,343)   (2,453)

 

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

 

44

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

Reference
Company
Counterparty Expiration Date Financing Rate Payment Frequency  Number of Contracts Long/(Short)   Notional
Amount
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Short—(continued)                    
China—(continued)                    
Cosco Shipping Holdings Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.07% Monthly   (544,500)  $(283,664)  $(112)
Dongfang Electric Corp. Ltd., Class H Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (454,800)   (378,043)   (10,297)
Great Wall Motor Class H Macquarie 9/18/2018 0.14% Monthly   (322,000)   (376,681)   (17,503)
Huadian Power International Corp. Ltd., Class H Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (768,000)   (267,549)   (2,619)
Huaneng Power International Inc., Class H Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (314,000)   (192,253)   (4,457)
Maanshan Iron & Steel Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.07% Monthly   (828,000)   (442,134)   (982)
New China Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Class H Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (40,400)   (239,771)   1,335 
Parkson Retail Group Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (1,472,000)   (170,198)   40,446 
Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2020 0.07% Monthly   (129,000)   (170,614)   (14,565)
Shanhai Electric, Class H Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.07% Monthly   (1,044,000)   (391,877)   (3,715)
Tian Ge Interactive Holdings Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (435,000)   (389,613)   (22,575)
Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd., Class H Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (56,000)   (306,080)   2,721 
Yashili International Holdings Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (600,000)   (106,569)   (3,102)
                 (4,535,795)   (41,920)
Colombia                       
Ecopetrol SA - SP ADR Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (13,113)   (229,609)   (2,256)
                        
France                       
Edenred Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 -0.36% Monthly   (5,372)   (188,482)   (6,924)
                        
Hong Kong                       
Bank Of East Asia Ltd. (The) Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (93,109)   (409,870)   (13,660)
Cathay Pacific Airways Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.07% Monthly   (298,000)   (502,744)   (10,816)
China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Ltd. Morgan Stanley 9/15/2020 0.09% Monthly   (491,000)   (478,117)   10,653 
China Resources Beer Holdings Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (104,000)   (400,535)   (3,812)
China Taiping Insurance Holdings Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (85,800)   (327,498)   (4,039)
Fullshare Holdings Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.07% Monthly   (625,000)   (349,620)   (47,257)
HK Electric Investments & HK Electric Investments Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (525,000)   (492,403)   (5,378)
Hong Kong & China Gas Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (219,200)   (433,588)   (10,039)
Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd. Morgan Stanley 12/31/2021 0.09% Monthly   (4,200,000)   (53,131)   2,242 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

45

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

Reference
Company
Counterparty Expiration Date Financing Rate Payment Frequency  Number of Contracts Long/(Short)   Notional
Amount
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Short—(continued)                    
Hong Kong—
(continued)
                   
MTR Corp. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.07% Monthly   (64,056)  $(338,073)  $(402)
Towngas China Co., Ltd. Macquarie 12/31/2021 0.14% Monthly   (375,195)   (303,478)   7,198 
Vision Fame International Holdings Ltd. Macquarie 9/19/2018 0.14% Monthly   (138,000)   (6,965)   (627)
                 (4,096,022)   (75,936)
India                       
Wipro Ltd. - SP ADR Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (25,302)   (139,414)   771 
                        
Indonesia                       
H. M. Sampoerna Macquarie 9/18/2018 1.44% Monthly   (1,281,800)   (449,378)   5,253 
Jasa Marga Macquarie 9/18/2018 1.44% Monthly   (258,600)   (100,256)   4,663 
Jasa Marga Morgan Stanley 9/18/2018 1.42% Monthly   (218,900)   (84,864)   3,909 
Unilever Indonesia TBK PT Macquarie 9/19/2018 1.44% Monthly   (129,500)   (507,695)   10,072 
                 (1,142,193)   23,897 
Italy                       
Prada S.P.A. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.07% Monthly   (102,400)   (423,549)   (5,448)
                        
Malaysia                       
Digi.com. Bhd Morgan Stanley 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (414,300)   (511,925)   1,864 
Maxis Bhd Morgan Stanley 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (289,600)   (436,951)   12,318 
                 (948,876)   14,182 
Mexico                       
El Puerto de Liver Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (49,900)   (341,082)   9,105 
Fresnillo PLC Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.47% Monthly   (8,815)   (147,279)   18,060 
Grupo Televisa SAB - SP ADR Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (5,938)   (101,005)   13,209 
Kimberly-Clark MXC Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (183,600)   (333,683)   9,480 
Telesites SAB CV Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (357,300)   (284,124)   (6,011)
                 (1,207,173)   43,843 
Singapore                       
Sats Ltd. NPV Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.54% Monthly   (97,600)   (381,727)   1,507 
SembCorp. Marine Ltd. Morgan Stanley 12/31/2021 1.65% Monthly   (202,900)   (318,972)   84,877 
Singapore Airlines Ltd. NPV Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.54% Monthly   (55,400)   (461,616)   8,726 
Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.54% Monthly   (192,400)   (375,894)   10,531 
                 (1,538,209)   105,641 
South Africa                       
MTN Group Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 6.56% Monthly   (44,979)   (487,311)   (9,766)
Nampak Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 6.56% Monthly   (175,565)   (236,245)   13,944 
                 (723,556)   4,179 
South Korea                       
Amorepacific Group Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (3,578)   (415,142)   417 
Celltrion Health Goldman Sachs 9/19/2018 1.42% Monthly   (258)   (28,009)   2,112 
Celltrion Health Macquarie 9/18/2018 1.44% Monthly   (2,350)   (255,125)   19,235 
Celltrion Health Morgan Stanley 9/19/2018 1.42% Monthly   (1,544)   (167,623)   12,695 
Celltrion Inc. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (1,404)   (454,104)   (56,596)
CJ CGV Co., Ltd. Morgan Stanley 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (7,273)   (474,976)   23,662 
Hite Jinro Co. Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (15,447)   (313,818)   (11,395)

 

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

 

46

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

Reference
Company
Counterparty Expiration Date Financing Rate Payment Frequency  Number of Contracts Long/(Short)   Notional
Amount
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Short—(continued)                    
South Korea—(continued)                     
Kakao Corp. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.42% Monthly   (2,152)  $(252,907)  $(6,780)
LG Display Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (14,510)   (399,243)   8,527 
Paradise Co. Ltd. Morgan Stanley 12/31/2021 1.42% Monthly   (19,610)   (331,391)   57,620 
Posco Daewoo Corp. Macquarie 9/18/2018 1.44% Monthly   (21,770)   (405,011)   11,319 
Seah Besteel Corp. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.42% Monthly   (13,410)   (352,804)   (4,028)
Tongyang Life Insurance Co., Ltd. Morgan Stanley 12/31/2021 1.42% Monthly   (22,100)   (146,735)   8,946 
                 (3,996,888)   65,733 
Switzerland                       
Cie Financiere Richemont SA Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 6.56% Monthly   (16,120)   (142,650)   3,147 
                        
Taiwan                       
AU Optronics Corp. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (834,000)   (367,213)   15,275 
Cheng Shin Rubber Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (122,000)   (209,093)   (231)
Eclat Textile Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.42% Monthly   (29,500)   (309,320)   4,559 
Feng Tay Enterprise Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (108,000)   (509,074)   (15,621)
Ginko International Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (21,000)   (152,431)   (2,681)
Innolux Corp. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (759,000)   (330,228)   8,765 
Kinsus Interconne Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (160,000)   (274,603)   (5,836)
Largan Precision, Class C Macquarie 9/18/2018 1.44% Monthly   (2,000)   (247,212)   23,288 
United Microelectronics Corp. - SP ADR Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (196,063)   (472,512)   5,892 
                 (2,871,686)   33,410 
Thailand                       
Airports of Thailand PCL Morgan Stanley 9/15/2020 1.42% Monthly   (188,600)   (422,791)   (12,673)
Robinson Department Store Macquarie 9/19/2018 1.44% Monthly   (140,500)   (299,643)   21,475 
Thai Airways International PCL - NVDR Morgan Stanley 12/31/2021 1.42% Monthly   (707,500)   (340,339)   6,863 
                 (1,062,773)   15,665 
United Kingdom                       
Antofagasta PLC Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.47% Monthly   (15,446)   (183,630)   9,455 
Standard Chartered PLC Goldman Sachs 12/31/2020 0.47% Monthly   (32,917)   (364,954)   12,817 
Subsea 7 S.A Com. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.50% Monthly   (24,692)   (366,660)   (1,017)
                 (915,244)   21,255 
Total Short                (25,980,185)   249,735 
Net unrealized gain/(loss) on Contracts For Difference              $(177,420)

 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

47

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS LONG/SHORT FUND

Portfolio of Investments (concluded)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments carried at fair value as of February 28, 2018 is as follows (see Notes to Portfolio of Investments):

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Common Stock                
Argentina  $1,473,629   $1,473,629   $   $ 
Australia   152,782        152,782     
Brazil   3,982,845    3,982,845         
Canada   547,443    547,443         
Chile   418,829    418,829         
China   6,735,065    4,700,370    2,034,695     
Egypt   1,036,061        1,036,061     
Hong Kong   1,417,916    1,211,622    206,294     
Hungary   791,197    416,721    374,476     
India   2,512,645    1,184,252    1,328,393     
Indonesia   602,639    602,639         
Luxembourg   640,169    640,169         
Mexico   2,575,797    2,575,797         
Netherlands   1,237,640    450,422    787,218     
Philippines   753,083    753,083         
Poland   414,008    414,008         
Russia   2,341,453    2,341,453         
Singapore   605,559        605,559     
South Africa   2,119,924    370,870    1,749,054     
South Korea   3,388,983    960,870    2,428,113     
Switzerland   510,782        510,782     
Taiwan   1,948,504    463,498    1,485,006     
Turkey   1,976,647    256,141    1,720,506     
United Arab Emirates   534,046    534,046         
United Kingdom   1,439,595    791,803    647,792     
United States   3,464,887    3,464,887         
Exchange Traded Funds   450,519        450,519     
Preferred Stock                    
Brazil   534,198    534,198         
Russia   286,050        286,050     
South Korea   3,078,800        3,078,800     
Warrant   4,006    4,006         
Short-Term Investments   25,050,896    25,050,896         
Contracts For Difference                    
Equity Contracts   840,420        840,420     
Total Assets  $73,867,017   $54,144,497   $19,722,520   $ 

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Securities Sold Short                
Hong Kong  $(294,172)  $   $(294,172)  $ 
Contracts For Difference                    
Equity Contracts   (1,017,840)       (1,017,840)    
Total Liabilities  $(1,312,012)  $   $(1,312,012)  $ 

 

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

 

48

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS FUND

Portfolio of Investments
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS—60.3%        
Argentina—2.0%        
Banco Macro SA - ADR   199   $22,509 
Grupo Financiero Galicia SA - ADR   293    18,441 
Grupo Supervielle SA - SP ADR   948    29,113 
Pampa Energia SA - SP ADR*   1,045    66,180 
YPF SA - SP ADR   2,556    59,069 
         195,312 
Australia—0.2%          
Syrah Resources Ltd.*   7,774    20,266 
Brazil—2.1%          
BK Brasil Operacao e Assessoria a Restaurantes SA*   4,550    23,136 
Minerva SA   38,300    106,753 
Tupy SA   5,300    29,382 
Vale SA - SP ADR   3,343    45,899 
         205,170 
Canada—0.8%          
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., Class A*   8,821    22,204 
Lundin Mining Corp.   7,808    50,808 
         73,012 
Chile—0.5%          
Geopark Ltd.*   4,948    48,985 
China—17.1%          
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. - SP ADR*   2,470    459,766 
Baidu, Inc. - SP ADR*   518    130,712 
China Construction Bank Corp., Class H   68,000    69,721 
China Meidong Auto Holdings Ltd.   166,000    61,938 
China Telecom Corp. Ltd.   138,000    60,170 
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd.   59,000    50,300 
JD.com, Inc. - ADR*   553    26,074 
NetEase, Inc. - ADR   99    29,042 
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H   4,000    42,133 
Shanghai Haohai Biological Technology Co., Ltd., Class H   6,900    36,191 
Sunny Optical Technology Group Co., Ltd.   2,000    32,712 
Tencent Holdings Ltd.   8,600    470,493 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. - ADR   1,221    67,021 
Vipshop Holdings Ltd. - ADR*   3,776    65,664 
West China Cement Ltd.*   234,000    39,521 
         1,641,458 
Egypt—1.4%          
Eastern Tobacco   4,314    135,102 
Hong Kong—1.9%          
China Mobile Ltd. - SP ADR   3,280    152,487 
WH Group Ltd.   21,000    25,864 
         178,351 
Hungary—1.1%          
OTP Bank PLC   1,062    47,316 
Waberer's International Nyrt*   3,051    56,094 
         103,410 
India—1.8%          
Videocon d2h Ltd. - ADR*   20,644    171,345 
Indonesia—1.1%          
Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT   274,100    75,361 
Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT - ADR   1,824    25,144 
         100,505 
Luxembourg—0.9%          
Adecoagro SA*   9,312    83,715 
Mexico—4.5%          
Alpek SAB de CV   50,100    65,035 
Banco del Bajio SA*   13,700    29,906 
Bolsa Mexicana de Valores SAB de CV   15,500    28,771 
Cemex SAB de CV - SP ADR*   6,203    40,630 
CFE Capital S de RL de CV*   31,975    33,450 
Credito Real SAB de CV SOFOM ER   42,300    58,881 
Gentera SAB de CV   31,600    25,832 
Gruma SAB de CV   2,155    24,947 
Grupo GICSA SA de CV*   167,200    97,567 
Vista Oil & Gas SAB de CV*   2,311    23,109 
         428,128 
Netherlands—1.7%          
DP Eurasia NV*   10,825    31,743 
Heineken NV   959    99,583 
VEON Ltd.   9,682    27,981 
         159,307 
Philippines—1.0%          
Bloomberry Resorts Corp.*   142,300    39,346 
East West Banking Corp.   44,600    23,978 
Filinvest Land, Inc.   812,000    27,597 
Melco Resorts And Entertainment Philippines Corp.*   37,900    5,567 
         96,488 
Russia—3.2%          
LUKOIL PJSC - SP ADR   1,022    67,861 
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC - SP ADR   3,040    36,359 
Sberbank of Russia PJSC - SP ADR   8,727    176,809 
Tatneft PJSC - SP ADR   407    25,722 
         306,751 
Singapore—0.8%          
BOC Aviation Ltd.   4,400    24,546 
DBS Group Holdings Ltd.   2,600    55,876 
         80,422 
South Africa—2.9%          
Capitec Bank Holdings Ltd.   400    28,068 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

49

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
South Africa—(continued)        
Clover Industries Ltd.   35,575   $49,198 
Naspers Ltd.   541    146,856 
Telkom SA SOC Ltd.   11,530    50,218 
         274,340 
South Korea—3.4%          
DB Insurance Co. Ltd.*   452    28,889 
Hanwha Corp.   850    34,707 
Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.*   198    23,813 
Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.   810    30,841 
KB Financial Group, Inc.   240    14,162 
KT Corp. - SP ADR*   6,252    83,027 
LG Corp.   459    36,582 
Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd.   2,200    46,339 
SFA Engineering Corp.   697    24,056 
         322,416 
Switzerland—0.7%          
Glencore PLC   12,576    66,133 
Taiwan—1.2%          
Compeq Manufacturing Co., Ltd.   18,000    20,307 
Primax Electronics Ltd.   18,000    45,471 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. - SP ADR   1,239    53,711 
         119,489 
Turkey—1.4%          
Mavi Giyim Sanayi Ve Ticaret AS, Class B*   5,603    78,406 
Migros Ticaret AS*   5,226    32,966 
Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS   319    9,790 
Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi AS*   14,172    17,659 
         138,821 
United Kingdom—4.0%          
Atrium European Real Estate Ltd.   16,767    83,767 
BGEO Group PLC   1,902    88,590 
Cairn Energy PLC*   12,501    31,906 
Georgia Healthcare Group PLC*   2,865    13,016 
Ophir Energy PLC*   26,716    19,346 
Petra Diamonds Ltd.*   116,771    98,326 
TBC Bank Group PLC   2,068    44,723 
         379,674 
United States—4.6%          
Air Lease Corp.   2,645    115,507 
Broadcom Ltd.   97    23,907 
Kosmos Energy Ltd.*   5,854    31,553 
Lam Research Corp.   126    24,175 
Liberty Latin America Ltd. Class C*   5,156    105,440 
Micron Technology, Inc.*   857    41,830 
Philip Morris International, Inc.   597    61,819 
Versum Materials, Inc.   318    11,772 
Wynn Resorts Ltd.   162    27,135 
         443,138 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $5,700,403)        5,771,738 
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS—3.0%
Thailand—0.6%          
Jasmine Broadband Internet Infrastructure Fund   157,600    60,621 
United States—2.4%          
iShares MSCI India ETF   6,680    229,257 
TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Cost $294,858)        289,878 
PREFERRED STOCKS—0.7%          
Brazil—0.7%          
Cia Paranaense de Energia, 11.477%   4,600    36,070 
Itau Unibanco Holding SA, 5.660%   2,100    32,960 
         69,030 
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $61,474)        69,030 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS—36.3%
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio, 1.29%   3,474,298    3,474,298 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $3,474,298)        3,474,298 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS—100.3%          
(Cost $9,531,033)        9,604,944 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS—(0.3)%        (25,851)
NET ASSETS—100.0%       $9,579,093 

 

 

ADR

— American Depositary Receipt

PLC

— Public Limited Company

SP ADR

— Sponsored American Depositary Receipt

*

— Non-income producing.

 

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

 

50

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

Contracts for Difference held by the Fund at February 28, 2018, are as follows:

 

Reference
Company
Counterparty Expiration Date Financing Rate Payment Frequency  Number of Contracts Long/(Short)   Notional
Amount
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Long                    
Brazil                    
Cia de Saneamento Basico Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   4,900   $56,773   $1,848 
Eneva SA Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   3,600    15,079    (415)
Movida Participacoes SA Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   22,000    51,902    (1,781)
Qualicorp SA Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   12,300    107,851    (2,152)
Sul America SA Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   11,300    74,408    2,305 
                 306,013    (194)
China                       
Agricultural Bank Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   129,000    70,879    (194)
China Lesso Group Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   127,000    83,279    (1,791)
China Meidong Auto Holdings Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   44,000    16,417    443 
China National, Class H Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   10,000    9,811    224 
China Petroleum, Class H Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   10,000    7,937    24 
China Vanke Co., Class H Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   6,200    27,508    (1,064)
Gree Electric Appliances Inc. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   11,700    94,947    (6,646)
Guangzhou Automobile, Class H Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   28,000    61,571    (1,210)
Haier Electronics Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   14,000    47,691    (808)
Henan Shuang Inv. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   23,600    101,042    (1,586)
Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd., Class A Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   3,100    57,765    (6,507)
Kweichow Moutai Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   900    102,452    (3,060)
PICC Property & Casualty Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   12,000    23,537    435 
Qingdao Haier Co. Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   17,500    53,806    (2,593)
Sichuan Swellfun, Class A Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   5,700    38,627    (2,596)
Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd., Class A Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.63% Monthly   8,300    96,532    (8,448)
                 893,801    (35,377)
Egypt                       
Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   11,295    49,300    532 
EFG-Hermes Holdings Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   20,333    25,445    174 
                 74,745    707 
Greece                       
Motor Oil SA Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 -0.37% Monthly   2,089    49,035    102 
                        
Hong Kong                       
Brilliance China Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   20,000    53,144    222 
CNOOC Ltd. NPV Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   13,000    18,553    (292)
Joy City Property Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   242,000    39,867    (39)
K. Wah International Holdings Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   31,000    19,998    (213)
Kunlun Energy Corp. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.70% Monthly   26,000    24,367    204 
                 155,929    (118)

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

51

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS FUND

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

Reference
Company
Counterparty Expiration Date Financing Rate Payment Frequency  Number of Contracts Long/(Short)   Notional
Amount
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Long—(continued)                    
Israel                    
Gazit-Globe Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.10% Monthly   10,850   $110,267   $1,762 
Israel Discount Bank Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.10% Monthly   16,918    48,511    1,943 
Tamar Petroleum Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 0.10% Monthly   22,697    136,071    (999)
                 294,849    2,706 
Japan                       
Suzuki Motor Corp. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 -0.04% Monthly   700    39,932    1,061 
                        
Luxembourg                       
Samsonite International SA Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 0.70% Monthly   11,700    50,981    652 
                        
Poland                       
AmRest Holdings SE Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   445    55,643    (115)
                        
Russia                       
Sberbank of Russia PJSC Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   10,100    40,294    1,722 
                        
South Korea                       
Bnk Financial Group Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   8,700    89,707    3,171 
Eugene Technology Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   3,682    73,822    (2,172)
Hana Financial Group, Inc. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.20% Monthly   1,660    75,208    (2,394)
Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   213    44,846    955 
Kiwoom Securities Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   199    18,157    (917)
KT&G Corp. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   604    55,665    608 
LG Uplus Corp. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   5,420    62,828    (1,755)
NCSoft Corp. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   45    15,551    (767)
Samsung Electronics Co. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   219    402,301    (8,061)
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   65    141,249    (1,341)
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   412    65,128    (3,428)
SK Hynix Inc. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   430    30,325    202 
                 1,074,787    (15,899)
Taiwan                       
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   11,000    32,413    (816)
Pegatron Corp. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   37,000    93,024    (3,287)
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Goldman Sachs 12/31/2021 1.60% Monthly   36,000    298,929    (74)
                 424,366    (4,178)
Turkey                       
Akbank Turk AS Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   29,158    80,996    2,600 
Logo Yazilim Sanayi Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   3,074    44,232    (204)
Turkiye Sinai Kalkinma Bankasi AS Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   77,651    34,520    2,275 
Yatas Yatak ve Yorgan Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   11,317    86,928    15,365 
                 246,676    20,036 

 

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

 

52

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

BOSTON PARTNERS EMERGING MARKETS FUND

Portfolio of Investments (concluded)
February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

Reference
Company
Counterparty Expiration Date Financing Rate Payment Frequency  Number of Contracts Long/(Short)   Notional
Amount
   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Long—(continued)                    
United Arab Emirates                    
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   22,118   $43,960   $(438)
Emaar Malls PJSC Goldman Sachs 9/15/2020 1.60% Monthly   46,697    26,954    (2,299)
                 70,914    (2,736)
Total Long                3,777,965    (31,631)
Net unrealized gain/(loss) on Contracts For Difference              $(31,631)

 

A summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments carried at fair value as of February 28, 2018 is as follows (see Notes to Portfolio of Investments):

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Common Stock                
Argentina  $195,312   $195,312   $   $ 
Australia   20,266        20,266     
Brazil   205,170    205,170         
Canada   73,012    73,012         
Chile   48,985    48,985         
China   1,641,458    840,217    801,241     
Egypt   135,102        135,102     
Hong Kong   178,351    152,487    25,864     
Hungary   103,410    56,094    47,316     
India   171,345    171,345         
Indonesia   100,505    100,505         
Luxembourg   83,715    83,715         
Mexico   428,128    403,181    24,947     
Netherlands   159,307    59,724    99,583     
Philippines   96,488    96,488         
Russia   306,751    306,751         
Singapore   80,422        80,422     
South Africa   274,340    49,198    225,142     
South Korea   322,416    83,027    239,389     
Switzerland   66,133        66,133     
Taiwan   119,489    53,711    65,778     
Turkey   138,821        138,821     
United Kingdom   379,674    116,129    263,545     
United States   443,138    443,138         
Exchange Traded Funds   289,878    229,257    60,621     
Preferred Stock                    
Brazil   69,030    69,030         
Short-Term Investments   3,474,298    3,474,298         
Contracts For Difference                    
Equity Contracts   38,829        38,829     
Total Assets  $9,643,773   $7,310,774   $2,332,999   $ 

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Contracts For Difference                
Equity Contracts  $(70,460)  $   $(70,460)  $ 
Total Liabilities  $(70,460)  $   $(70,460)  $ 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

53

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

  

Boston
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund II

  

Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Equity Fund

  

Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Research Fund

 
ASSETS            
Investments in securities, at value † ^   $547,148,440   $901,770,973   $6,793,269,089 
Short-term investments, at value **    123,234,154    125,726,781    247,895,596 
Cash        481,130     
Foreign currency, at value #        1,063,348    4,613,177 
Receivables                
Investments sold    2,902,880    11,365,934    18,331,045 
Deposits with brokers for contracts for difference            7,510,000 
Deposits with brokers for securities sold short        380,096,270    3,040,713,865 
Capital shares sold    4,721,173    330,170    14,451,810 
Dividends and interest    267,518    579,074    11,500,162 
Due from Advisor             
Unrealized appreciation on contracts for difference ◊            1,877,376 
Prepaid expenses and other assets    32,030    44,614    181,031 
Total assets    678,306,195    1,421,458,294    10,140,343,151 
LIABILITIES               
Securities sold short, at fair value ‡        372,873,641    2,965,542,875 
Options written, at value + ◊        395,103     
Due to custodian            35,143,169 
Payables               
Securities lending collateral    112,450,121    111,554,720     
Investments purchased    5,296,811    10,298,657    6,076,392 
Capital shares redeemed    6,740,052    492,472    4,652,488 
Investment advisory fees    410,347    1,653,206    6,818,067 
Custodian fees    6,322    17,447    74,078 
Distribution and service fees    95,338    25,563     
Dividends on securities sold-short        74,720    2,669,736 
Administration and accounting fees    22,255    45,690    351,668 
Transfer agent fees    77    14,451    220,677 
Unrealized depreciation on contracts for difference ◊            14,685,629 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities    48,968    56,122    161,474 
Total liabilities    125,070,291    497,501,792    3,036,396,253 
Net Assets   $553,235,904   $923,956,502   $7,103,946,898 
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:               
Par value   $22,000   $43,211   $412,711 
Paid-in capital    427,245,575    758,945,143    5,743,327,523 
Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss)    (489,902)   (16,976,694)   (36,810,394)
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency    21,190,682    33,837,119    79,967,267 
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency translation    105,267,549    148,107,723    1,317,049,791 
Net Assets   $553,235,904   $923,956,502   $7,103,946,898 
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS               
Net assets   $420,022,113   $844,871,233   $6,953,043,587 
Shares outstanding    16,525,256    39,227,572    403,781,909 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $25.42   $21.54   $17.22 
INVESTOR CLASS               
Net assets   $133,213,791   $79,085,268   $150,903,311 
Shares outstanding    5,474,649    3,983,227    8,929,359 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $24.33   $19.85   $16.90 
† Investments in securities, at cost   $441,880,854   $724,907,692   $5,149,989,322 
^ Includes market value of securities on loan    108,289,573    106,861,824     
** Short-term investments, at cost    123,234,154    125,726,781    247,895,596 
# Foreign currency, at cost        1,060,415    4,799,995 
‡ Proceeds received, securities sold short        341,286,137    2,652,307,970 
+ Premiums received, options written        2,871,380     
◊ Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.               

 

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

 

54

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (continued)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

  

Boston
Partners
All-Cap
Value Fund

  

WPG Partners
Small/Micro Cap
Value Fund

  

Boston
Partners Global Equity Fund

 
ASSETS            
Investments in securities, at value † ^   $1,997,139,917   $30,348,275   $632,724,776 
Short-term investments, at value **    268,996,905    7,228,154    58,178,724 
Cash        632     
Foreign currency, at value #            308,589 
Receivables               
Investments sold    5,639,771    303,209    2,900,211 
Deposits with brokers for contracts for difference             
Deposits with brokers for securities sold short             
Capital shares sold    6,038,493        2,416,000 
Dividends and interest    2,878,101    26,458    1,305,025 
Due from Advisor             
Unrealized appreciation on contracts for difference ◊             
Prepaid expenses and other assets    90,355    9,888    31,833 
Total assets    2,280,783,542    37,916,616    697,865,158 
LIABILITIES               
Securities sold short, at fair value ‡             
Options written, at value + ◊             
Due to custodian            2,215 
Payables               
Securities lending collateral    183,482,661    6,775,803    35,279,376 
Investments purchased        323,019    2,922,202 
Capital shares redeemed    4,518,424         
Investment advisory fees    1,115,900    19,257    424,568 
Custodian fees    10,289    3,739    21,023 
Distribution and service fees    173,990         
Dividends on securities sold-short             
Administration and accounting fees    46,074    4,245    17,079 
Transfer agent fees    11,043    5,170    2,180 
Unrealized depreciation on contracts for difference ◊             
Other accrued expenses and liabilities    39,012    34,008    9,499 
Total liabilities    189,397,393    7,165,241    38,678,142 
Net Assets   $2,091,386,149   $30,751,375   $659,187,016 
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:               
Par value   $77,465   $1,958   $35,473 
Paid-in capital    1,538,429,122    28,965,841    545,027,362 
Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss)    1,717,533    55,837    (359,259)
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency    32,429,354    (665,680)   18,479,763 
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency translation    518,732,675    2,393,419    96,003,677 
Net Assets   $2,091,386,149   $30,751,375   $659,187,016 
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS               
Net assets   $1,587,479,270   $30,751,375   $659,187,016 
Shares outstanding    58,731,281    1,957,783    35,472,833 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $27.03   $15.71   $18.58 
INVESTOR CLASS               
Net assets   $503,906,879   $   $ 
Shares outstanding    18,733,894         
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $26.90   $   $ 
† Investments in securities, at cost   $1,478,407,474   $27,954,856   $536,756,427 
^ Includes market value of securities on loan    177,505,974    6,507,407    34,041,777 
** Short-term investments, at cost    268,996,905    7,228,154    58,178,724 
# Foreign currency, at cost            311,355 
‡ Proceeds received, securities sold short             
+ Premiums received, options written             
◊ Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.               

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

55

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (concluded)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

  

Boston
Partners Global Long/Short Fund

  

Boston
Partners
Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

  

Boston
Partners
Emerging
Markets Fund

 
ASSETS            
Investments in securities, at value † ^   $978,061,641   $47,975,701   $6,130,646 
Short-term investments, at value **    24,042,866    25,050,896    3,474,298 
Cash            2,863 
Foreign currency, at value #    453,524    349,145    42,504 
Receivables               
Investments sold    8,295,965    594,600    20,473 
Deposits with brokers for contracts for difference    740,000    4,069,844     
Deposits with brokers for securities sold short    443,460,188    80,337     
Capital shares sold    2,352,340    18,481     
Dividends and interest    2,405,538    107,794    5,042 
Due from Advisor            313 
Unrealized appreciation on contracts for difference ◊    322,156    840,420    38,829 
Prepaid expenses and other assets    57,952    26,628    566 
Total assets    1,460,192,170    79,113,846    9,715,534 
LIABILITIES               
Securities sold short, at fair value ‡    429,958,540    294,172     
Options written, at value + ◊    364,375         
Due to custodian        140     
Payables               
Securities lending collateral             
Investments purchased    12,752,624    1,007,126    51,025 
Capital shares redeemed    2,269,727         
Investment advisory fees    1,166,820    89,354     
Custodian fees    38,612    18,070    6,128 
Distribution and service fees    298         
Dividends on securities sold-short    751,495         
Administration and accounting fees    42,323    7,085    607 
Transfer agent fees    65,284    170    892 
Unrealized depreciation on contracts for difference ◊    691,077    1,017,840    70,460 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities    437,257    18,123    7,329 
Total liabilities    448,538,432    2,452,080    136,441 
Net Assets   $1,011,653,738   $76,661,766   $9,579,093 
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:               
Par value   $85,683   $6,476   $909 
Paid-in capital    899,158,312    72,028,613    9,308,482 
Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss)    (11,735,404)   (470,883)   (49,883)
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency    (3,009,076)   2,792,259    278,761 
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency translation    127,154,223    2,305,301    40,824 
Net Assets   $1,011,653,738   $76,661,766   $9,579,093 
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS               
Net assets   $978,393,459   $76,661,766   $9,579,093 
Shares outstanding    82,842,892    6,475,777    908,977 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $11.81   $11.84   $10.54 
INVESTOR CLASS               
Net assets   $33,260,279   $   $ 
Shares outstanding    2,840,431         
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   $11.71   $   $ 
† Investments in securities, at cost   $836,481,617   $45,400,416   $6,056,735 
^ Includes market value of securities on loan             
** Short-term investments, at cost    24,042,866    25,050,896    3,474,298 
# Foreign currency, at cost    460,062    347,606    42,634 
‡ Proceeds received, securities sold short    415,869,961    294,797     
+ Premiums received, options written    424,413         
◊ Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.               

 

 

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

 

56

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Boston
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund II
   Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Equity Fund
   Boston
Partners
Long/Short
Research Fund
 
Investment Income            
Dividends †  $5,838,448   $5,922,060   $42,869,199 
Interest   76,044    26,808    1,833,804 
Income from securities loaned (Note 8)   171,435    429,267     
Prime broker interest income           6,173,605 
Total investment income   6,085,927    6,378,135    50,876,608 
                
Expenses               
Advisory fees (Note 2)   2,804,738    10,811,224    42,553,609 
Distribution fees (Investor Class) (Note 2)   192,690    107,543    231,363 
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)   179,294    247,088    1,474,051 
Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)   75,096    134,826    946,429 
Printing and shareholder reporting fees   27,720    27,526    171,536 
Legal fees   19,595    33,648    99,911 
Audit and tax service fees   18,786    28,188    45,118 
Directors fees   13,602    25,469    178,826 
Custodian fees (Note 2)   10,918    26,552    156,393 
Officers fees   8,176    15,673    101,161 
Other expenses   38,373    46,857    15,976 
Dividend expense on securities sold-short       921,672    20,910,490 
Prime broker interest expense       2,713,655     
Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements   3,388,988    15,139,921    66,884,863 
Less: waivers and reimbursements   (111,087)        
Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements   3,277,901    15,139,921    66,884,863 
Net investment income/(loss)   2,808,026    (8,761,786)   (16,008,255)
                
Net realized gain/(loss) from:               
Investment securities   29,708,384    76,199,849    319,951,003 
Investments sold short       (33,382,678)   (241,422,607)
Foreign currency transactions   (200)   31,995    55,500,965 
Contracts for difference**           44,915,609 
Options written**            
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:               
Investment securities   1,185,151    5,452,402    336,394,027 
Investments sold short       (6,473,674)   (59,165,827)
Foreign currency translation   (37)   75,570    (45,269,581)
Options written**       669,876     
Contracts for difference**           (8,747,718)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   30,893,298    42,573,340    402,155,871 

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

  $33,701,324   $33,811,554   $386,147,616 
† Net of foreign withholding taxes of  $(9,305)  $(71,277)  $(571,460)

 

**

Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

57

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

 

For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Boston
Partners
All-Cap
Value Fund
   WPG Partners
Small/Micro Cap
Value Fund
   Boston
Partners Global Equity Fund
 
Investment Income            
Dividends †  $13,745,401   $184,385   $3,616,185 
Interest   392,343    2,957    96,796 
Income from securities loaned (Note 8)   176,659    51,400    24,095 
Prime broker interest income            
Total investment income   14,314,403    238,742    3,737,076 
                
Expenses               
Advisory fees (Note 2)   6,857,074    128,961    2,834,827 
Distribution fees (Investor Class) (Note 2)   588,437         
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)   426,206    5,576    59,893 
Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)   235,887    7,286    93,888 
Printing and shareholder reporting fees   60,361    719    5,803 
Legal fees   57,949    1,317    17,660 
Audit and tax service fees   19,895    22,205    23,175 
Directors fees   44,218        13,875 
Custodian fees (Note 2)   26,666    6,146    51,777 
Officers fees   28,953        8,075 
Other expenses   79,896    9,755    28,130 
Dividend expense on securities sold-short            
Prime broker interest expense            
Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements   8,425,542    181,965    3,137,103 
Less: waivers and reimbursements   (19,380)   (5,324)   (144,784)
Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements   8,406,162    176,641    2,992,319 
Net investment income/(loss)   5,908,241    62,101    744,757 
                
Net realized gain/(loss) from:               
Investment securities   53,396,571    762,067    27,845,976 
Investments sold short            
Foreign currency transactions       (4,961)   (103,359)
Contracts for difference**            
Options written**            
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:               
Investment securities   128,834,810    486,397    25,466,982 
Investments sold short            
Foreign currency translation   (189)       14,500 
Options written**            
Contracts for difference**            
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   182,231,192    1,243,503    53,224,099 

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

  $188,139,433   $1,305,604   $53,968,856 
† Net of foreign withholding taxes of  $(14,276)  $(800)  $(131,332)

 

**

Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

 

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

 

58

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (concluded)

 

For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

   Boston
Partners
Global Long/Short Fund
   Boston
Partners
Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund
   Boston
Partners
Emerging
Markets Fund
 
Investment Income            
Dividends †  $6,071,022   $188,839   $5,620 
Interest   128,664    108,348    12,042 
Income from securities loaned (Note 8)            
Prime broker interest income   1,471,253         
Total investment income   7,670,939    297,187    17,662 
                
Expenses               
Advisory fees (Note 2)   7,756,647    594,487    23,329 
Distribution fees (Investor Class) (Note 2)   44,797         
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)   287,138    7,989    2,442 
Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)   147,720    28,287    6,356 
Printing and shareholder reporting fees   28,519    2,669    564 
Legal fees   35,037    1,490    5,497 
Audit and tax service fees   31,861    33,070    6,961 
Directors fees   25,455    1,329     
Custodian fees (Note 2)   91,390    51,809    10,366 
Officers fees   15,674    795     
Other expenses   65,724    17,118    3,640 
Dividend expense on securities sold-short   3,380,124         
Prime broker interest expense       108     
Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements   11,910,086    739,151    59,155 
Less: waivers and reimbursements       (96,353)   (28,964)
Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements   11,910,086    642,798    30,191 
Net investment income/(loss)   (4,239,147)   (345,611)   (12,529)
                
Net realized gain/(loss) from:               
Investment securities   72,488,007    3,121,039    167,255 
Investments sold short   (50,169,261)        
Foreign currency transactions   (175,141)   (62,449)   (5,006)
Contracts for difference**   (1,719,069)   393,714    116,512 
Options written**            
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:               
Investment securities   18,711,085    (994,728)   73,911 
Investments sold short   7,486,154    625     
Foreign currency translation   (999)   (23,861)   (1,456)
Options written**   (145,423)        
Contracts for difference**   (21,913)   (145,188)   (31,631)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   46,453,440    2,289,152    319,585 

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

  $42,214,293   $1,943,541   $307,056 
† Net of foreign withholding taxes of  $(221,674)  $(24,447)  $(431)

 

**

Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

59

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   Boston Partners
Small Cap Value Fund II
   Boston Partners
Long/Short Equity Fund
 
   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:                
Net investment income/(loss)  $2,808,026   $2,215,474   $(8,761,786)  $(11,541,965)
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency   29,708,184    24,012,473    42,849,166    3,350,098 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency translation   1,185,114    20,433,718    (275,826)   42,340,418 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   33,701,324    46,661,665    33,811,554    34,148,551 
                     
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                    
Net investment income                    
Institutional Class   (3,131,857)   (2,781,092)        
Investor Class   (786,948)   (870,239)        
Net realized capital gains                    
Institutional Class   (15,168,411)   (4,527,424)   (6,788,431)    
Investor Class   (5,613,779)   (1,908,313)   (720,622)    
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (24,700,995)   (10,087,068)   (7,509,053)    
                     
Capital transactions:                    
Institutional Class                    
Proceeds from shares sold   77,922,859    143,360,524    59,948,111    251,115,617 
Reinvestment of distributions   18,092,538    7,224,434    5,867,217     
Shares redeemed   (43,600,772)   (93,047,367)   (103,596,565)   (154,556,632)
Redemption fees                
Investor Class                    
Proceeds from shares sold   18,938,445    55,351,017    2,584,554    28,174,624 
Reinvestment of distributions   6,316,311    2,742,456    716,185     
Shares redeemed   (55,378,557)   (35,771,687)   (14,789,591)   (41,269,077)
Redemption fees                
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital transactions   22,290,824    79,859,377    (49,270,089)   83,464,532 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   31,291,153    116,433,974    (22,967,588)   117,613,083 
                     
Net assets:                    
Beginning of period   521,944,751    405,510,777    946,924,090    829,311,007 
End of period  $553,235,904   $521,944,751   $923,956,502   $946,924,090 
Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss), end of period  $(489,902)  $620,877   $(16,976,694)  $(8,214,908)
                     
Share transactions:                    
Institutional Class                    
Shares sold   2,942,647    5,859,848    2,708,575    11,819,997 
Shares reinvested   703,990    286,570    270,753     
Shares redeemed   (1,649,874)   (3,750,327)   (4,722,514)   (7,287,722)
Net increase/(decrease)   1,996,763    2,396,091    (1,743,186)   4,532,275 
Investor Class                    
Shares sold   742,322    2,326,311    126,459    1,428,241 
Shares reinvested   256,656    113,325    35,827     
Shares redeemed   (2,183,782)   (1,512,331)   (729,695)   (2,116,120)
Net increase/(decrease)   (1,184,804)   927,305    (567,409)   (687,879)

 

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

 

60

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

 

   Boston Partners
Long/Short Research Fund
   Boston Partners
All-Cap Value Fund
 
   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:                
Net investment income/(loss)  $(16,008,255)  $(48,540,573)  $5,908,241   $12,034,291 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency   178,944,970    82,068,221    53,396,571    68,705,899 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency translation   223,210,901    395,642,097    128,834,621    127,436,220 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   386,147,616    429,169,745    188,139,433    208,176,410 
                     
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                    
Net investment income                    
Institutional Class           (10,210,846)   (11,995,129)
Investor Class           (2,182,624)   (3,222,915)
Net realized capital gains                   
Institutional Class           (52,523,501)   (28,594,882)
Investor Class           (16,724,996)   (9,675,303)
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders           (81,641,967)   (53,488,229)
                     
Capital transactions:                    
Institutional Class                    
Proceeds from shares sold   953,599,381    1,410,703,594    223,779,435    407,408,037 
Reinvestment of distributions           52,423,689    33,690,794 
Shares redeemed   (737,964,311)   (1,867,016,913)   (139,944,811)   (202,947,193)
Redemption fees                
Investor Class                    
Proceeds from shares sold   26,425,086    50,886,104    93,964,580    142,238,260 
Reinvestment of distributions           18,427,873    12,755,592 
Shares redeemed   (97,344,131)   (113,462,680)   (60,956,816)   (114,699,120)
Redemption fees                
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital transactions   144,716,025    (518,889,895)   187,693,950    278,446,370 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   530,863,641    (89,720,150)   294,191,416    433,134,551 
                     
Net assets:                    
Beginning of period   6,573,083,257    6,662,803,407    1,797,194,733    1,364,060,182 
End of period  $7,103,946,898   $6,573,083,257   $2,091,386,149   $1,797,194,733 
Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss), end of period  $(36,810,394)  $(20,802,139)  $1,717,533   $8,202,762 
                     
Share transactions:                    
Institutional Class                    
Shares sold   56,469,285    89,651,745    8,321,487    16,593,193 
Shares reinvested           2,009,340    1,413,797 
Shares redeemed   (43,695,765)   (119,188,304)   (5,193,805)   (8,365,867)
Net increase/(decrease)   12,773,520    (29,536,559)   5,137,022    9,641,123 
Investor Class                    
Shares sold   1,599,798    3,295,129    3,530,044    5,824,450 
Shares reinvested           709,583    537,530 
Shares redeemed   (5,896,537)   (7,364,065)   (2,297,806)   (4,701,396)
Net increase/(decrease)   (4,296,739)   (4,068,936)   1,941,821    1,660,584 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

61

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

 

   WPG Partners
Small/Micro Cap Value Fund
   Boston Partners
Global Equity Fund
 
   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:                
Net investment income/(loss)  $62,101   $102,865   $744,757   $3,974,180 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency   757,106    3,354,776    27,742,617    29,126,368 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency translation   486,397    (1,846,986)   25,481,482    26,459,740 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1,305,604    1,610,655    53,968,856    59,560,288 
                     
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                    
Net investment income                    
Institutional Class   (107,927)   (151,830)   (4,011,353)   (8,112,334)
Investor Class                
Net realized capital gains                    
Institutional Class   (2,015,406)       (8,902,218)    
Investor Class                
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (2,123,333)   (151,830)   (12,913,571)   (8,112,334)
                     
Capital transactions:                    
Institutional Class                    
Proceeds from shares sold   475,364    386,144    19,917,316    132,357,913 
Reinvestment of distributions   2,038,894    140,330    12,899,308    8,098,384 
Shares redeemed   (1,726,525)   (5,133,072)   (5,209,612)   (17,378,631)
Redemption fees                
Investor Class                    
Proceeds from shares sold                
Reinvestment of distributions                
Shares redeemed                
Redemption fees                
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital transactions   787,733    (4,606,598)   27,607,012    123,077,666 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   (29,996)   (3,147,773)   68,662,297    174,525,620 
                     
Net assets:                    
Beginning of period   30,781,371    33,929,144    590,524,719    415,999,099 
End of period  $30,751,375   $30,781,371   $659,187,016   $590,524,719 
Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss), end of period  $55,837   $101,663   $(359,259)  $2,907,337 
                     
Share transactions:                    
Institutional Class                    
Shares sold   28,119    23,570    1,093,840    7,816,097 
Shares reinvested   123,869    8,279    711,097    514,837 
Shares redeemed   (102,935)   (312,202)   (286,811)   (1,040,014)
Net increase/(decrease)   49,053    (280,353)   1,518,126    7,290,920 
Investor Class                    
Shares sold                
Shares reinvested                
Shares redeemed                
Net increase/(decrease)                
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding       (280,353)       7,290,920 

 

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

 

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BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)

 

   Boston Partners
Global Long/Short Fund
   Boston Partners
Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund
 
   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:                
Net investment income/(loss)  $(4,239,147)  $(8,659,447)  $(345,611)  $(156,422)
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency   20,424,536    17,879,108    3,452,304    2,821,322 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency translation   26,028,904    28,183,947    (1,163,152)   3,250,607 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   42,214,293    37,403,608    1,943,541    5,915,507 
                     
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                    
Net investment income                    
Institutional Class       (1,846,463)   (1,225,534)   (801,763)
Investor Class       (41,737)        
Net realized capital gains                   
Institutional Class           (2,134,264)   (96,418)
Investor Class                
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders       (1,888,200)   (3,359,798)   (898,181)
                     
Capital transactions:                    
Institutional Class                    
Proceeds from shares sold   167,594,955    509,043,085    26,620,271    41,751,644 
Reinvestment of distributions       1,628,987    3,358,724    898,183 
Shares redeemed   (238,214,488)   (390,372,329)   (8,729,940)   (1,776,494)
Redemption fees                
Investor Class                    
Proceeds from shares sold   8,733,812    13,182,670         
Reinvestment of distributions       41,560         
Shares redeemed   (10,938,404)   (11,692,134)        
Redemption fees                
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital transactions   (72,824,125)   121,831,839    21,249,055    40,873,333 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   (30,609,832)   157,347,247    19,832,798    45,890,659 
                     
Net assets:                    
Beginning of period   1,042,263,570    884,916,323    56,828,968    10,938,309 
End of period  $1,011,653,738   $1,042,263,570   $76,661,766   $56,828,968 
Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss), end of period  $(11,735,404)  $(7,496,257)  $(470,883)  $1,100,262 
                     
Share transactions:                    
Institutional Class                    
Shares sold   14,176,772    45,625,568    2,208,682    3,775,651 
Shares reinvested       147,420    294,625    90,179 
Shares redeemed   (20,270,528)   (35,115,302)   (716,081)   (158,221)
Net increase/(decrease)   (6,093,756)   10,657,686    1,787,226    3,707,609 
Investor Class                    
Shares sold   754,695    1,192,120         
Shares reinvested       3,782         
Shares redeemed   (938,127)   (1,057,685)        
Net increase/(decrease)   (183,432)   138,217         
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding       10,795,903        3,707,609 

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

63

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (concluded)

 

   Boston
Partners
Emerging Markets Fund
 
   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(unaudited)
 
Increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations:    
Net investment income/(loss)  $(12,529)
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency   278,761 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, securities sold short, options written, contracts for difference and foreign currency translation   40,824 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   307,056 
      
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:     
Net investment income     
Institutional Class   (37,354)
Investor Class    
Net realized capital gains     
Institutional Class    
Investor Class    
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (37,354)
      
Capital transactions:     
Institutional Class     
Proceeds from shares sold   9,272,037 
Reinvestment of distributions   37,354 
Shares redeemed    
Redemption fees    
Investor Class     
Proceeds from shares sold    
Reinvestment of distributions    
Shares redeemed    
Redemption fees    
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital transactions   9,309,391 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   9,579,093 
      
Net assets:     
Beginning of period    
End of period  $9,579,093 
Undistributed net investment income/(accumulated net investment loss), end of period  $(49,883)
      
Share transactions:     
Institutional Class     
Shares sold   905,226 
Shares reinvested   3,751 
Shares redeemed    
Net increase/(decrease)   908,977 
Investor Class     
Shares sold    
Shares reinvested    
Shares redeemed    
Net increase/(decrease)    

 

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

 

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Semi-Annual Report 2018

65

 

 

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                                
9/1/17 through 2/28/18†  $24.96   $0.14   $1.50   $1.64   $(0.20)  $(0.98)  $(1.18)  $ 
8/31/17   23.00    0.13    2.38    2.51    (0.21)   (0.34)   (0.55)    
8/31/16   21.89    0.18    2.00    2.18    (0.12)   (0.95)   (1.07)   3
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)    
Investor Class                                        
9/1/17 through 2/28/18†  $23.92   $0.10   $1.43   $1.53   $(0.14)  $(0.98)  $(1.12)   

$

 
8/31/17   22.06    0.07    2.29    2.36    (0.16)   (0.34)   (0.50)    
8/31/16   21.04    0.12    1.92    2.04    (0.07)   (0.95)   (1.02)   3
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)    
Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund
Institutional Class                                        
9/1/17 through 2/28/18†  $20.96   $(0.20)  $0.95   $0.75   $   $(0.17)  $(0.17)  $ 
8/31/17   20.09    (0.26)   1.13    0.87                 
8/31/16   19.04    (0.35)   3.04    2.69        (1.64)   (1.64)   3
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 
Investor Class                                        
9/1/17 through 2/28/18†  $19.36   $(0.21)  $0.87   $0.66   $   $(0.17)  $(0.17)  $ 
8/31/17   18.60    (0.29)   1.05    0.76                 
8/31/16   17.79    (0.37)   2.82    2.45        (1.64)   (1.64)   3
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 
Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund
Institutional Class                                        
9/1/17 through 2/28/18†  $16.27   $(0.04)  $0.99   $0.95   $   $   $   $ 
8/31/17   15.23    (0.12)   1.16    1.04                3
8/31/16   15.20    (0.06)6   0.67    0.61        (0.58)   (0.58)   3
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
Investor Class                                        
9/1/17 through 2/28/18†  $15.99   $(0.06)  $0.97   $0.91   $   $   $   $ 
8/31/17   15.00    (0.15)   1.14    0.99                 
8/31/16   15.01    (0.09)6   0.66    0.57        (0.58)   (0.58)   3
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

 

 

Unaudited.

*

Calculated based on average shares outstanding for the period.

^

Effective January 1, 2016, the Funds do not impose a redemption fee. Prior to January 1, 2016, there was a 1.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed that were 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 was a 2.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed that were held 365 days or less on the BP Long/Short Equity Fund. The WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund had a 2.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. The redemption fees were retained by the Funds for the benefit of the remaining shareholders and recorded as paid-in capital.

 

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

 

66

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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 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, Reimbursements and Recoupments
if any
   Ratio of Net Investment Income/(Loss) to Average Net Assets With Waivers and Reimbursements   Portfolio Turnover Rate 
Boston Partners Small Cap Value Fund II 
                              
$25.42    6.53%  $420,022    1.10%4   

N/A

    1.14%4   1.07%4   35%5
 24.96    10.92    362,674    1.10    

N/A

    1.18    0.53    24 
 23.00    10.67    279,049    1.10    

N/A

    1.22    0.86    29 
 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 
                                      
$24.33    6.33%  $133,214    1.35%4   

N/A

    1.39%4   0.82%4   35 %5
 23.92    10.68    159,271    1.35    

N/A

    1.43    0.28    24 
 22.06    10.38    126,461    1.35    

N/A

    1.47    0.61    29 
 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 
Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund
                                      
$21.54    3.57%  $844,871    3.12%4   2.37%4   3.12%4   (1.80)%4   32 %5
 20.96    4.33    858,821    2.80    2.39    2.80    (1.21)   63 
 20.09    15.36    731,894    3.57    2.46    3.57    (1.79)   72 
 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 
                                      
$19.85    3.45%  $79,085    3.37%4   2.62%4   3.37%4   (2.05)%4   32 %5
 19.36    4.09    88,103    3.05    2.64    3.05    (1.46)   63 
 18.60    15.07    97,417    3.82    2.71    3.82    (2.04)   72 
 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 
Boston Partners Long/Short Research Fund
                                      
$17.22    5.84%  $6,953,044    1.96%4   1.34%4   1.96%4   (0.47)%4   32%5
 16.27    6.83    6,361,628    2.23    1.37    2.23    (0.75)   54
 15.23    4.10    6,403,404    2.51    1.41    2.51    (0.38)6   53 
 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 
                                      
$16.90    5.69%  $150,903    2.21%4   1.59%4   2.21%4   (0.72)%4   32%5
 15.99    6.60    211,455    2.48    1.63    2.48    (1.00)   54 
 15.00    3.88    259,400    2.76    1.66    2.76    (0.63)6   53 
 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 

 

 

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

Annualized.

5

Not Annualized.

6

Includes a non-recurring dividend. Without this dividend, net investment loss per share would have been $(0.10) and $(0.13) for Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively. The ratio of net investment loss would have been (0.66)% and (0.91)% for Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively.

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

67

 

 

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 All-Cap Value Fund
Institutional Class                                
9/1/17 through 2/28/18  $25.57   $0.09   $2.50   $2.59   $(0.18)  $(0.95)  $(1.13)  $ 
8/31/17   23.12    0.20    3.17    3.37    (0.27)   (0.65)   (0.92)    
8/31/16   22.08    0.30    2.15    2.45    (0.30)   (1.11)   (1.41)    
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)    
Investor Class                                        
9/1/17 through 2/28/18  $25.42   $0.05   $2.50   $2.55   $(0.12)  $(0.95)  $(1.07)  $ 
8/31/17   23.00    0.14    3.15    3.29    (0.22)   (0.65)   (0.87)    
8/31/16   21.98    0.25    2.13    2.38    (0.25)   (1.11)   (1.36)    
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)    
WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund
Institutional Class                                        
9/1/17 through 2/28/18  $16.13   $0.03   $0.70   $0.73   $(0.06)  $(1.09)  $(1.15)  $ 
8/31/17   15.50    0.05    0.65    0.70    (0.07)       (0.07)    
8/31/16   15.40    0.07    0.46    0.53    (0.10)   (0.33)   (0.43)    
8/31/15   20.42    0.13    (2.84)   (2.71)   (0.13)   (2.18)   (2.31)   4
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)    
Boston Partners Global Equity Fund
Institutional Class                                        
9/1/17 through 2/28/18  $17.39   $0.02   $1.55   $1.57   $(0.12)  $(0.26)  $(0.38)  $ 
8/31/17   15.60    0.14    1.95    2.09    (0.30)       (0.30)    
8/31/16   14.66    0.357   0.66    1.01    (0.05)   (0.02)   (0.07)    
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)    

 


Unaudited.

*

Calculated based on average shares outstanding, unless otherwise noted.

^

Effective January 1, 2016, the Funds do not impose a redemption fee. Prior to January 1, 2016, there was a 1.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed that were 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 was a 2.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed that were held 365 days or less on the BP Long/Short Equity Fund. The WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund had a 2.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. The redemption fees were retained by the Funds for the benefit of the remaining shareholders and recorded as paid-in capital.

 

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

 

68

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

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 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, Reimbursements and Recoupments if any   Ratio of Net Investment Income/(Loss) to Average Net Assets With Waivers and Reimbursements   Portfolio Turnover Rate 
Boston Partners All-Cap Value Fund 
                             
$27.03    10.31%  $1,587,479    0.80%5  N/A   0.80%5   0.66%5   15%6
 25.57    14.88    1,370,288    0.80   N/A   0.88    0.83    27 
 23.12    11.68    1,016,106    0.77   N/A   0.96    1.41    303 
 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 
                                    
$26.90    10.20%  $503,907    1.05%5  N/A   1.05%5   0.41%5   15%6
 25.42    14.56    426,904    1.05   N/A   1.13    0.58    27 
 23.00    11.39    347,954    1.02   N/A   1.21    1.16    303 
 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 
WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund
                                    
$15.71    4.10%  $30,751    1.10%5  N/A   1.13%5   0.39%5   39%6
 16.13    4.50    30,781    1.10   N/A   1.29    0.30    78 
 15.50    3.74    33,929    1.10   N/A   1.55    0.47    62 
 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 
Boston Partners Global Equity Fund
                                    
$18.58    9.05%  $659,187    0.95%5  N/A   1.13%5   0.24%5   47%6
 17.39    13.59    590,525    0.95   N/A   1.04    0.84    83 
 15.60    6.90    415,999    0.95   N/A   1.10    2.387   80 
 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 

 


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

Portfolio turnover rate excludes securities delivered/received from processing redemptions/subscriptions in-kind.

4

Amount is less than $0.005.

5

Annualized.

6

Not Annualized.

7

Includes a non-recurring dividend. Without this dividend, net investment income per share would have been $0.18. The ratio of net investment income would have been 1.25%.

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

69

 

 

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 Global Long/Short Fund
Institutional Class                                
9/1/17 through 2/28/18†  $11.34   $(0.05)  $0.52   $0.47   $   $   $   $ 
8/31/17   10.90    (0.11)   0.57    0.46    (0.02)       (0.02)    
8/31/16   10.55    0.057   0.34    0.39        (0.04)   (0.04)   4
8/31/15   10.30    (0.13)   0.38    0.25                4
12/31/13** through 8/31/14   10.00    (0.14)   0.44    0.30                4
Investor Class                                        
9/1/17 through 2/28/18†  $11.25   $(0.06)  $0.52   $0.46   $   $   $   $ 
8/31/17   10.85    (0.13)   0.54    0.41    (0.01)       (0.01)    
8/31/16   10.51    0.027    0.36    0.38        (0.04)   (0.04)   4
8/31/15   10.29    (0.16)   0.38    0.22                4
4/11/14** through 8/31/14   9.86    (0.09)   0.52    0.43                4
Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund
Institutional Class                                        
9/1/17 through 2/28/18†  $12.12   $(0.06)  $0.49   $0.43   $(0.26)  $(0.45)  $(0.71)  $ 
8/31/17   11.15    (0.07)   1.96    1.89    (0.82)   (0.10)   (0.92)    
12/15/15** through 8/31/16   10.00    (0.09)   1.24    1.15                 
Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund
Institutional Class                                        
10/17/17** through 2/28/18†  $   $(0.02)  $10.62   $10.60   $(0.06)  $   $(0.06)  $ 

 


Unaudited.

*

Calculated based on average shares outstanding, unless otherwise noted.

**

Commencement of operations.

^

Effective January 1, 2016, the Funds do not impose a redemption fee. Prior to January 1, 2016, there was a 1.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed that were 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 was a 2.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed that were held 365 days or less on the BP Long/Short Equity Fund. The WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund had a 2.00% redemption fee on shares redeemed within 60 days of purchase. The redemption fees were retained by the Funds for the benefit of the remaining shareholders and recorded as paid-in capital.

 

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

 

70

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

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, 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, Reimbursements and Recoupments if any   Ratio of Net Investment Income/(Loss) to Average Net Assets With Waivers and Reimbursements   Portfolio Turnover
Rate
 
Boston Partners Global Long/Short Fund 
                              
$11.81    4.14%  $978,393    2.29%5   1.64%5   2.29%5   (0.81)%5   51%6
 11.34    4.26    1,008,234    2.63    1.70    2.63    (0.94)   109%
 10.90    3.74    853,621    2.99    1.74    2.99    0.477    137 
 10.55    2.43    317,600    3.09    1.96    3.05    (1.27)   132 
 10.30    3.00    37,403    3.885   2.005   4.895   (2.04)5   726 
                                      
$11.71    4.09%  $33,260    2.54%5   1.89%5   2.54%5   (1.06)%5   51%6
 11.25    3.92    34,030    2.88    1.95    2.88    (1.17)   109 
 10.85    3.66    31,294    3.24    1.99    3.24    0.227    137 
 10.51    2.14    59,919    3.34    2.21    3.30    (1.52)   132 
 10.29    4.36    2,841    4.125    2.255    4.445    (2.28)5   726 
Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund
                                      
$11.84    3.71%  $76,662    2.00%5   2.00%5   2.30%5   (1.08)%5   121%6
 12.12    18.71    56,829    2.13    2.06    2.99    (0.60)   184 
 11.15    11.50    10,938    3.875   2.105   7.825   (1.26)5   2293,6
Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund
                                      
$10.54    6.08%  $9,579    1.10%5   

N/A

    2.15%5   (0.46)%5   77%6

 


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

Portfolio turnover rate excludes securities delivered/received from processing redemptions/subscriptions in-kind.

4

Amount is less than $0.005.

5

Annualized.

6

Not Annualized.

7

Includes a non-recurring dividend. Without this dividend, net investment income (loss) per share would have been $(0.09) and $(0.12) for Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively. The ratio of net investment income (loss) would have been (0.88)% and (1.13)% for Institutional Class and Investor Class, respectively.

 

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

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

71

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

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-nine 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”), Boston Partners Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund (“BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund”), Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund (“BP Emerging Markets Fund”) (collectively the “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 the end of the reporting period, the Funds (other than the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund, and BP Emerging Markets Fund) each offer two classes of shares, Institutional Class and Investor Class. As of the end of the reporting period, Investor Class shares of the BP Global Equity Fund have not been issued. The WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund, and BP Emerging Markets Fund are single class funds, offering only the Institutional Class of shares.

 

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 87.023 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and eighty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

 

The investment objective of BP Small Cap Value Fund II and BP All-Cap Value Fund is to seek long-term growth of capital primarily through investment in equity securities. The investment objective of BP Global Equity Fund, BP Global/Long Short Fund, BP Emerging Markets Fund and BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund is to seek long-term capital growth. The investment objective of BP Long/Short Equity Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation while reducing exposure to general equity market risk. The investment objective of WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund is to seek appreciation by investing primarily in common stocks, securities convertible into common stocks and in special situations. The investment objective of BP Long/Short Research Fund is to seek long-term total return.

 

The Funds are investment companies and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 - “Financial Services - Investment Companies.”

 

The end of the reporting period for the Funds is February 28, 2018, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended February 28, 2018 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

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 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. 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 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 (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. 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

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

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).

 

Fair Value Measurements — The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the Funds’ investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

 

Level 1 — Prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

 

Level 2 — Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

 

Level 3 — Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

The inputs or methodologies 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 the end of the reporting period 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”) requires 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 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. During the current fiscal period, the Funds had no significant transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 that require disclosure.

 

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 reporting 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 when earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions

 

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73

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

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’ investment income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) 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 Board 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 the 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 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.

 

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 investments 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.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents — 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. Each Fund’s 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.

 

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.

 

Emerging Markets Risk — The BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Fund invest in emerging market instruments which are subject to certain credit and market risks. The securities and currency markets of emerging market countries are generally smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the securities and currency markets of the United States and other developed markets. Disclosure and regulatory standards in many respects are less stringent than in other developed markets. There also may be a lower level of monitoring and regulation of securities markets in emerging market countries and the activities of investors in such markets and enforcement of existing regulations may be extremely limited. Political and economic structures in many of these countries may be in their infancy and developing rapidly, and such countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristics of more developed countries.

 

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

 

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BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

the U.S., particularly emerging markets countries, may be subject to further risks due to the inexperience of local investment professionals and financial institutions, the possibility of permanent or temporary termination of trading and greater spreads between bid and asked prices of securities. In addition, non-U.S. stock exchanges and investment professionals are subject to less governmental regulation, and commissions may be higher than in the United States. Also, there may be delays in the settlement of non-U.S. stock exchange transactions.

 

Options Written The Funds 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 Funds also have 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 Funds 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. As of the end of the reporting period, all of the Funds' written options are exchange-traded options.

 

During the current fiscal period, the Funds’ average quarterly volume of derivatives was as follows:

 

Fund  Purchased Options
(Cost)
   Written Options
(Proceeds)
 
BP Long/Short Equity Fund  $   $2,871,380 
BP Global Long/Short Fund       1,069,770 

 

Short Sales — When the investment adviser believes that a security is overvalued, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund, the BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets 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 for borrowed securities. Such income or fee is calculated on a daily basis based upon the market value of each borrowed security and a variable rate that is dependent upon the availability of such security. The Funds record these prime broker charges on a net basis as interest income or interest expense. During the current fiscal period, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund, the BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund had net income/(charges) of $(2,694,569), $6,324,392, $1,476,646 and $508 respectively, on borrowed securities. Such amounts are included in prime broker interest income and prime broker interest expense on the Statements of Operations.

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

75

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

As of the end of the reporting period, the BP Long/Short Equity Fund, BP Long/Short Research Fund, BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund had securities sold short valued at $372,873,641, $2,965,542,875, $429,958,540 and $294,172, respectively, for which securities of $242,411,650, $2,181,688,841, $282,004,560 and $1,831,651 and cash deposits of $380,096,270, $3,048,223,865, $444,200,188 and $4,150,181, 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, the BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets 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, the BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund utilized cash borrowings from Goldman Sachs to meet required margin cash deposits as follows during the current fiscal period:

 

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

BP Long/Short Research Fund

Days
Unitized

Average Daily
Borrowings

Weighted Average Interest Rate

Days
Unitized

Average Daily
Borrowings

Weighted Average Interest Rate

97

EUR 417,365

0.02%

116

AUD 7,138,632

1.96%

52

JPY 13,957,875

0.42%

153

CAD 2,816,091

1.55%

170

USD 2,372,055

1.69%

145

CHF 1,978,410

0.32%

     

82

DKK 3,096,080

0.09%

     

90

EUR 2,390,922

0.02%

     

76

GBP 2,264,402

0.68%

     

93

HKD 24,153,064

0.78%

     

115

JPY 763,252,806

0.42%

     

19

MXN 132,625,589

8.01%

     

60

NOK 6,900,670

0.96%

     

75

SEK 7,577,525

0.05%

     

181

SGD 1.76

0.00%

     

74

USD 14,720,802

1.74%

 

BP Global Long/Short Fund

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

Days
Unitized

Average Daily
Borrowings

Weighted Average Interest Rate

Days
Unitized

Average Daily
Borrowings

Weighted Average Interest Rate

61

AUD 232,127

1.94%

54

DKK 38,897

0.06%

178

CAD 20,346

1.57%

53

EUR 10,420

0.02%

6

CHF 43,306

0.32%

38

GBP 28,672

0.79%

27

DKK 270,778

0.05%

95

HKD 791,447

0.75%

145

EUR 34,898

0.03%

71

ILS 130,553

0.57%

127

GBP 43,119

0.74%

38

JPY 58,117

0.43%

25

HKD 141,936

0.63%

85

NOK 140,354

0.94%

128

JPY 6,241,084

0.44%

83

SGD 19,317

0.93%

28

SEK 202,203

0.07%

70

USD 60,290

1.81%

48

SGD 56,081

1.43%

89

ZAR 44,875

7.19%

34

USD 2,593,297

1.78%

     

 

The BP Long/Short Equity Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund, the BP Global Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund incurred interest expense during the current fiscal period, in the amount of $19,086, $150,787, $5,393 and $616, respectively.

 

Contracts for Difference — The BP Global Long/Short Fund, the BP Long/Short Research Fund, the BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets 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

 

76

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BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

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.

 

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 Statements 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 Statements 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 Portfolio of Investments. In connection with CFDs, cash or securities may be segregated as collateral by the Funds’ custodian. As of the end of the reporting period, the BP Long/Short Research Fund, BP Global Long/Short Fund, BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund and the BP Emerging Markets Fund held CFDs.

 

During the current fiscal period, the average volume of CFDs was as follows:

 

Fund  Notional Amount
Long
   Notional Amount
Short
 
BP Long/Short Research Fund  $124,691,936   $75,918,867 
BP Global Long/Short Fund       13,314,132 
BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund   22,224,385    21,093,661 
BP Emerging Markets Fund   2,028,179    

N/A

 

 

The following is a summary of CFD’s 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) as of the end of the reporting period:

 

       Gross Amount NEt Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities       Gross Amount NEt Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities 
Fund  Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets   Financial Instruments   Cash Collateral Received  

Net
Amount
1

   Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities   Financial Instruments  

Cash Collateral Pledged2

  

Net
Amount
3

 
BP Long/Short Research Fund                            
Goldman Sachs   1,877,376    1,877,376            14,685,629    1,877,376    7,510,000    5,298,253 
Total  $1,877,376   $1,877,376   $   $   $14,685,629   $1,877,376   $7,510,000   $5,298,253 
                                         
BP Global Long/Short Fund                                        
Goldman Sachs   322,156    322,156            691,077    322,156    368,921     
Total  $322,156   $322,156   $   $   $691,077   $322,156   $368,921   $ 
                                         
BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund                                        
Goldman Sachs   512,268    512,268            987,037    512,268    474,769     
Macquarie   102,504    18,130        84,374    18,130    18,130         
Morgan Stanley   225,648    12,673        212,975    12,673    12,673         
Total  $840,420   $543,071   $   $297,349   $1,017,840   $543,071   $474,769   $ 

 

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BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

       Gross Amount NEt Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities       Gross Amount NEt Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities 
Fund  Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets   Financial Instruments   Cash Collateral Received  

Net
Amount
1

   Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities   Financial Instruments  

Cash Collateral Pledged2

  

Net
Amount
3

 
BP Emerging Markets Fund                         
Goldman Sachs   38,829    32,829        6,000    70,460    38,829        31,631 
Total  $38,829   $32,829   $   $6,000   $70,460   $38,829   $   $31,631 

 

1

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

2

Actual collateral pledged may be more than the amount shown.

3

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

 

2.

Investment Advisers and Other Services

 

Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. (“Boston Partners” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to each Fund. Each Fund compensates the Adviser for its services at an annual rate based on each Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”), payable on a monthly basis in arrears, as shown in the following table.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed the rates (“Expense Caps”) shown in the following table of each 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 total annual Fund operating expenses to exceed the Expense Caps as applicable: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses, interest and taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until February 28, 2019 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after these dates.

 

   

EXPENSE CAPS

 

ADVISORY FEE

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

INVESTOR
CLASS

BP Small Cap Value Fund II

1.00%

1.10%

1.35%

BP Long/Short Equity Fund

2.25%

2.50%

2.75%

BP Long/Short Research Fund

1.25%

1.50%

1.75%

BP All-Cap Value Fund

0.70%

0.80%

1.05%

WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund*

0.80%

1.10%

N/A

BP Global Equity Fund

0.90%

0.95%

1.20%

BP Global Long/Short Fund

1.50%

2.00%

2.25%

BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund

1.85%

2.00%

N/A

BP Emerging Markets Fund

0.85%

1.10%

N/A

 

 

*

0.80% of net asset up to $500 million, 0.75% of net assets in excess of $500 million.

 

During the current fiscal period, investment advisory fees accrued, waived and reimbursed were as follows:

 

FUND  GROSS
ADVISORY FEES
   WAIVERS   REIMBURSEMENTS   NET
ADVISORY FEES
 
BP Small Cap Value Fund II  $2,804,738   $111,087   $   $2,693,651 
BP Long/Short Equity Fund   10,811,224            10,811,224 
BP Long/Short Research Fund   42,553,609            42,553,609 
BP All-Cap Value Fund   6,857,074    19,380        6,837,694 
WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund   128,961    5,324        123,637 
BP Global Equity Fund   2,834,827    144,784        2,690,043 
BP Global Long/Short Fund   7,756,647            7,756,647 
BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund   594,487    96,353        498,134 
BP Emerging Markets Fund   23,329    28,964        (5,635)

 

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BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

The Adviser may recoup from each Fund (except BP Long/Short Equity Fund and BP All-Cap Value Fund) fees and expenses previously paid, waived, or absorbed for a period of three years after such fees or expenses were incurred, provided that the repayments do not cause the Funds’ operating expenses (excluding brokerage commissions, taxes, interest expense, acquired fund fees and expenses, and any extraordinary expenses) to exceed the Expense Caps of each class of each Fund that were in effect at the time the fees and expenses were paid, waived, or absorbed by the Adviser, as well as the Expense Caps that are currently in effect, if different.

 

As of the end of the reporting period, the Funds had amounts available for recoupment as follows:

 

   EXPIRATION     
FUND  AUGUST 31, 2019   AUGUST 31, 2020   AUGUST 31, 2021   Total 
BP Small Cap Value Fund II  $404,770   $374,241   $111,087   $890,098 
WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund   149,394    64,536    5,324    219,254 
BP Global Equity Fund   502,669    407,721    144,784    1,055,174 
BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund   192,417    220,693    96,353    509,463 
BP Emerging Markets Fund           28,964    28,964 

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) serves as administrator for the Funds. For providing administrative and accounting services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

USBFS serves as the Funds’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (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.

 

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

 

For compensation amounts payable to USBFS, please refer to the Statements of Operations.

 

The Board has approved a Distribution Agreement for the Funds and adopted separate Plans of Distribution for the Investor Class Shares of each BP Fund (the “Plans”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plans, Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Underwriter”) is entitled to receive from each Fund a distribution fee with respect to the Investor Class Shares, 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 Shares. 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 Shares, all as set forth in the Plans.

 

3.

Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

 

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. An employee of RBB serves as Treasurer and Secretary, and is compensated for services provided. Certain employees of USBFS serve as officers of the Company. They are not compensated by the Funds or the Company. For Director’s and Officer’s compensation amounts, please refer to the Statement of Operations.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

79

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

4.

Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities

 

During the current fiscal period, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments and derivative transactions) of the Funds were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases   Sales 
BP Small Cap Value Fund II  $201,291,498   $193,452,845 
BP Long/Short Equity Fund   301,293,418    423,354,528 
BP Long/Short Research Fund   2,089,210,713    2,157,220,337 
BP All-Cap Value Fund   355,869,493    284,416,974 
WPG Partners Small/Micro Cap Value Fund   12,535,606    13,220,526 
BP Global Equity Fund   297,636,785    289,749,318 
BP Global Long/Short Fund   514,411,710    642,757,876 
BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund   58,052,455    49,640,074 
BP Emerging Markets Fund   9,336,966    3,446,619 

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities during the current fiscal period.

 

5.

Capital Share Transactions

 

As of the end of the reporting period, each class of each Fund has 100,000,000 shares of $0.001 par value common stock authorized except for the Institutional Class Shares of the BP Long/Short Research Fund, BP Global Long/Short Fund and the WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund, which have 750,000,000 shares, 300,000,000 shares and 50,000,000 shares, respectively, of $0.001 par value common stock authorized.

 

6.

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 Boston Partners as applicable, based on policies and procedures established by the Board. Therefore, not all restricted securities are considered illiquid.

 

As of the end of the reporting period, the Funds did not hold any restricted securities that were illiquid.

 

7.

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. The Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

80

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

As of August 31, 2017, the federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments 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  $568,852,770   $134,028,395   $(33,631,178)  $100,397,217 
BP Long/Short Equity Fund   1,031,270,976    232,936,730    (87,648,806)   145,287,924 
BP Long/Short Research Fund   5,322,199,213    1,607,446,590    (582,774,353)   1,024,672,237 
BP All-Cap Value Fund   1,756,429,681    442,598,642    (54,997,560)   387,601,082 
WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund   38,578,224    5,469,157    (4,993,030)   476,127 
BP Global Equity Fund   571,591,084    81,014,243    (12,965,530)   68,048,713 
BP Global Long/Short Fund   931,995,723    153,224,368    (65,934,369)   87,289,999 
BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund   50,555,007    3,954,494    (519,630)   3,434,864 

 

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, 2017 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  Undistributed Net Investment Income/(Loss)   Accumulated Net Realized Gain/(Loss)   Paid-in
Capital
 
BP Small Cap Value Fund II  $(4,530)  $4,530   $ 
BP Long/Short Equity Fund   10,142,356    (296,556)   (9,845,800)
BP Long/Short Research Fund   32,459,816    (3,170,725)   (29,289,091)
BP All-Cap Value Fund   (1,141)   3,254    (2,113)
WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund   (1,203)   1,202    1 
BP Global Equity Fund   (101,100)   101,100     
BP Global Long/Short Fund   4,049,455    (1,044,036)   (3,005,419)
BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund   1,343,855    (1,343,855)    

 

As of August 31, 2017, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Fund  Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
   Undistributed
Long-Term
capital Gains
   Capital Loss
Carryforwards
   Qualified
Late-year Loss
Deferral
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
BP Small Cap Value Fund II  $4,383,505   $12,187,278   $   $   $100,397,217 
BP Long/Short Equity Fund       898,833        (7,801,209)   145,568,023 
BP Long/Short Research Fund           (70,902,877)   (24,793,075)   1,069,755,000 
BP All-Cap Value Fund   17,104,934    41,675,659            387,601,503 
WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund   1,307,283    817,895            476,127 
BP Global Equity Fund   3,352,237    1,647,118            68,069,541 
BP Global Long/Short Fund               (17,073,659)   87,269,109 
BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund   2,327,851    265,218            3,449,865 

 

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.

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

81

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 was as follows:

 

   2017 
Fund  Ordinary
Income
   Long-Term
Gains
   Total 
BP Small Cap Value Fund II  $3,651,331   $6,435,737   $10,087,068 
BP Long/Short Equity Fund            
BP Long/Short Research Fund            
BP All-Cap Value Fund   24,914,603    28,573,626    53,488,229 
WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund   151,830        151,830 
BP Global Equity Fund   8,112,334        8,112,334 
BP Global Long/Short Fund       1,888,200    1,888,200 
BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund   898,181        898,181 

 

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, 2017, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2017.

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, the following Funds deferred to September 1, 2017, the following qualified late year losses.

 

Fund  Late-Year
Ordinary Loss
Deferral
   Post-October
Capital Loss
Deferral
 
BP Small Cap Value Fund II  $   $ 
BP Long/Short Equity Fund   7,801,209     
BP Long/Short Research Fund   24,793,075     
BP All-Cap Value Fund        
WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund        
BP Global Equity Fund        
BP Global Long/Short Fund   7,239,470    9,834,189 
BP Emerging Markets Long/Short Fund        

 

Accumulated capital losses represent net capital loss carryforwards as of August 31, 2017 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, 2017, the BP Long/Short Research Fund had short-term post-enactment capital losses of $70,902,877. The capital losses can be carried forward for an unlimited period.

 

8.

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 Board, 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

 

82

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

BOSTON PARTNERS INVESTMENT FUNDS

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (concluded)

 

February 28, 2018 (unaudited)

 

be made only to borrowers deemed by Boston Partners to be of good standing and only when, in Boston Partners’ 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 current fiscal period, the Funds participated in securities lending. The market value of securities on loan and collateral as of the end of the reporting period and the income generated from the program during the current fiscal period 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  $108,289,573   $112,450,121   $171,435 
BP Long/Short Equity Fund   106,861,824    111,554,720    429,267 
BP All-Cap Value Fund   177,505,974    183,482,661    176,659 
WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund   6,507,407    6,775,803    51,400 
BP Global Equity Fund   34,041,777    35,279,376    24,095 

 

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 the end of the reporting period:

 

               Gross Amount Not 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 Instruments1

   Cash
Collateral Received
  

Net
Amount
2

 
BP Small Cap Value Fund II  $108,289,573       $108,289,573   $(108,289,573)        
BP Long/Short Equity Fund   106,861,824        106,861,824    (106,861,824)        
BP All-Cap Value Fund   177,505,974        177,505,974    (177,505,974)        
WPG Small/Micro Cap Value Fund   6,507,407        6,507,407    (6,507,407)        
BP Global Equity Fund   34,041,777        34,041,777    (34,041,777)        

 

1

Amount disclosed is limited to the amount of assets presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilites. 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.

 

9.

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 significant events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

Semi-Annual Report 2018

83

 

 

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 twelve-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 Agreement – Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund

 

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 approval of the investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Company (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund (for this section only, the “Fund”) at a meeting of the Board held on May 16-17, 2017 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Investment Advisory Agreement for an initial term ending August 16, 2018. In approving the Investment 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 approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and the Adviser with respect to the Fund, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting, the presentations made during the Meeting, and the discussions held during the Meeting. Among other things, the Directors considered (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the Adviser’s services to be provided to the Fund; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of the Adviser’s personnel providing those services; (iii) the Adviser’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) the Adviser’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) the Adviser’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) the Adviser’s advisory fee arrangements with the Company and other similarly managed clients; (vii) the Adviser’s compliance procedures; (viii) the Adviser’s financial information, insurance coverage and profitability analysis related to providing advisory services to the Fund; and (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund.

 

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided by the Adviser. The Directors concluded the Adviser had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund and that the Adviser’s services provided to other Funds of the Company had been acceptable.

 

The Board also considered the advisory fee rate to be paid by the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Directors noted that the Adviser had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through at least September 1, 2018 to limit total annual operating expenses to 1.10% for the Boston Partners Emerging Markets Fund – Institutional Class.

 

After reviewing the information regarding the Fund’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering the Adviser’s services, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees to be paid by the Fund were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreement should be approved for an initial period ending August 16, 2018.

 

84

Semi-Annual Report 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

of

THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)

 

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 Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Semi-Annual Report
Performance Data
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended FEBRUARY 28, 2018
  Six
Months*
One
Year
Since
Inception**
 
Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund 1.21% 1.55% -2.46%  
Barclay BTOP50 Index*** -0.91% -2.44% -2.74%  

 

* 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.

 

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 31, 2017, is 3.47% and the Fund’s net operating expense ratio is 1.27%. 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. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. Please see the Consolidated Financial Highlights for current figures.

 

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 be read carefully before investing.

 

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 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 adviser 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.

 

1

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Fund Expense Examples

February 28, 2018 (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. This example is 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 September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018, 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 this 5% hypothetical example 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. 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
September 1, 2017
Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018
Expenses Paid
During Period*
Actual $1,000.00 $1,012.10 $6.29
Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)
1,000.00 1,018.55 6.31

 

 

* Expenses are equal to an annualized six-month expense ratio for the period September 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 of 1.26%, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses (including interest expense, if any), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (181) in the recent fiscal half-year then divided by 365 days 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 1.21%.

 

2

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following table presents a consolidated summary of the portfolio holdings of the Fund at February 28, 2018:

 

   % of Net
Assets
   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:        
U.S. Treasury Obligations   86.2%  $7,967,424 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (including futures and forward foreign currency contracts)   13.8    1,277,005 
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $9,244,429 

 

 

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.

 

3

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Coupon*  Maturity
Date
  Par   Value 
Short-Term Investments — 86.2%              
U.S. Treasury Obligations — 86.2%              
United States Treasury Bill  1.069%  03/29/18  $1,390,000   $1,388,408 
United States Treasury Bill  1.274%  04/26/18   1,120,000    1,117,350 
United States Treasury Bill  1.400%  05/24/18   1,950,000    1,942,754 
United States Treasury Bill  1.476%  06/21/18   890,000    885,473 
United States Treasury Bill  1.581%  07/19/18   895,000    888,885 
United States Treasury Bill  1.795%  08/23/18   1,760,000    1,744,554 
               7,967,424 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS                
(Cost $7,971,010)              7,967,424 
                 
Total Investments — 86.2%                
(Cost $7,971,010)              7,967,424 
                 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 13.8%              1,277,005 
Net Assets — 100.0%             $9,244,429 

 

 

* 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.

 

4

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Futures contracts outstanding as of February 28, 2018 were as follows:

 

Long Contracts  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
  Notional
Amount
   Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) 
10-Year Mini Japanese Government Bond  Mar-18  11  $1,030,976   $711 
3-Month Euro Euribor  Mar-19  32   9,760,025    637 
90-DAY Bank Bill  Jun-18  11   8,543,689    (626)
Amsterdam Index  Mar-18  1   130,626    3,524 
Brent Crude  May-18  2   129,460    (4,103)
CAC40 10 Euro  Mar-18  1   64,892    2,268 
Cattle Feeder Futures  Mar-18  1   72,375    335 
DJIA Mini E-CBOT  Mar-18  1   125,190    (4,462)
Euro-BTP  Mar-18  2   244,001    (5,883)
Euro-Oat  Mar-18  1   122,000    (4,174)
FTSE 100 Index  Mar-18  1   99,481    (4,455)
FTSE/JSE TOP 40  Mar-18  1   43,512    (334)
Gasoline RBOB  Apr-18  1   80,833    (2,875)
Gold 100 Oz  Apr-18  2   263,580    (8,085)
Hang Seng Index  Mar-18  1   196,348    (3,268)
London Metals Exchange Aluminum  Mar-18  2   106,475    (881)
London Metals Exchange Aluminum  Jun-18  2   106,725    (3,226)
London Metals Exchange Copper  Mar-18  1   172,588    8,166 
London Metals Exchange Copper  Jun-18  1   173,575    (4,878)
London Metals Exchange Nickel  Mar-18  1   82,515    17,340 
London Metals Exchange Nickel  Jun-18  1   82,830    1,935 
London Metals Exchange Zinc  Mar-18  2   173,000    12,263 
London Metals Exchange Zinc  Jun-18  2   172,325    (1,931)
Low Sulphur Gasoil G Futures  Apr-18  2   115,750    (7,853)
MSCI Singapore Exchange ETS  Mar-18  5   151,217    (372)
MSCI Taiwan Index  Mar-18  2   79,620    (94)
Nasdaq 100 E-Mini  Mar-18  1   137,300    11,073 
Nikkie 225 (Osaka Securities Exchange)  Mar-18  1   103,590    (2,966)
Palladium  Jun-18  1   103,760    1,363 
Platinum  Apr-18  3   148,215    423 
Russell 2000 E-Mini  Mar-18  1   75,560    (2)
S&P 500 E-Mini  Mar-18  1   135,720    (4,045)
S&P Mid 400 E-Mini  Mar-18  1   186,450    (7,282)
S&P/TSX 60 Index  Mar-18  1   142,254    (8,621)
SPI 200 Index  Mar-18  1   116,524    (371)
Topix Index  Mar-18  1   165,706    (2,209)
WTI Crude  Apr-18  2   123,280    (2,865)
              $(25,823)

 

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

 

5

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Short Contracts  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
  Notional
Amount
   Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) 
90-Day Euro  Mar-19  38  $(9,500,000)  $35,318 
90-Day Sterling  Mar-19  28   (4,818,481)   2,736 
Australian 10-Year Bond  Mar-18  4   (310,680)   (1,166)
Australian 3-Year Bond  Mar-18  13   (1,009,709)   (3,154)
Canadian 10-Year Bond  Jun-18  3   (233,791)   (1,806)
Coffee  May-18  2   (91,500)   819 
Corn  May-18  3   (57,300)   (1,696)
Euro-Bobl  Mar-18  5   (610,002)   (2,568)
Euro-Bund  Mar-18  1   (122,000)   (1,697)
London Metals Exchange Aluminum  Mar-18  2   (106,475)   2,719 
London Metals Exchange Aluminum  Jun-18  1   (53,363)   1,209 
London Metals Exchange Copper  Mar-18  1   (172,588)   4,785 
London Metals Exchange Nickel  Mar-18  1   (82,515)   (1,968)
London Metals Exchange Zinc  Mar-18  2   (173,000)   1,644 
Long Gilt  Jun-18  2   (275,342)   (1,434)
Natural Gas  Apr-18  1   (26,700)   538 
Sugar No. 11 (World)  May-18  1   (14,986)   501 
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes  Jun-18  7   (683,945)   (1,215)
U.S. Treasury 2-Year Notes  Jun-18  31   (6,087,280)   (45)
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes  Jun-18  17   (1,628,461)   (956)
U.S. Treasury Long Bond (Chicago Board of Trade)  Jun-18  1   (120,317)   (970)
Wheat  May-18  2   (49,500)   (2,956)
              $28,638 
Total Futures Contracts             $2,815 

 

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

 

6

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Forward foreign currency contracts outstanding as of February 28, 2018 were as follows:

 

Currency Purchased  Currency Sold  Expiration
Date
  Counterparty  Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) 
AUD   1,000,000   USD   781,608   Mar 21 2018  UBS  $(4,891)
CAD   700,000   USD   558,785   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (13,045)
CHF   350,000   USD   376,627   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (5,297)
EUR   700,000   USD   838,960   Mar 21 2018  UBS   16,481 
GBP   400,000   USD   545,003   Mar 21 2018  UBS   6,236 
JPY   91,500,000   USD   837,170   Mar 22 2018  UBS   21,807 
NOK   4,500,000   USD   557,465   Mar 21 2018  UBS   12,768 
NZD   1,000,000   USD   719,713   Mar 21 2018  UBS   1,338 
SEK   3,600,000   USD   443,077   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (7,925)
USD   502,331   AUD   650,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (2,536)
USD   393,591   CAD   500,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   3,777 
USD   264,294   CHF   250,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (941)
USD   423,117   EUR   350,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (4,603)
USD   137,040   GBP   100,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (770)
USD   541,228   JPY   60,000,000   Mar 22 2018  UBS   (22,035)
USD   186,316   NOK   1,500,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (3,762)
USD   309,990   NZD   450,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (14,483)
USD   181,582   SEK   1,500,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   269 
Total Forward Foreign Currency Contracts          $(17,612)

 

AUD Australian Dollar   JPY Japanese Yen
CAD Canadian Dollar   NOK Norwegian Krone
CHF Swiss Franc   NZD New Zealand Dollar
EUR Euro   SEK Swedish Krona
GBP British Pound   USD United States Dollar

 

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

 

7

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS    
Investments, at value (cost $7,971,010)  $7,967,424 
Cash   783,946 
Deposits with brokers:     
Forward foreign currency contracts   310,000 
Futures contracts   243,014 
Receivables for:     
Due from adviser   4,003 
Unrealized apprecation on futures contracts   110,307 
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts   62,676 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   17,290 
Total assets   9,498,660 
LIABILITIES     
Payables for:     
Administration and accounting fees   5,359 
Transfer agent fees   838 
Custodian fees   563 
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts   107,492 
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts   80,288 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities   59,691 
Total liabilities   254,231 
Net assets  $9,244,429 
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Par value  $1,036 
Paid-in capital   9,142,198 
Accumulated net investment income/(loss)   (41,166)
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from futures contracts, foreign currency transactions and forward foreign currency contracts   160,484 
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, futures contracts, foreign currency translations and forward foreign currency contracts   (18,123)
Net assets  $9,244,429 
CAPITAL SHARES:     
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)  $1,036,065 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $8.92 

 

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

 

8

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations

For The Six Months Ended

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME    
Interest  $44,295 
Total investment income   44,295 
EXPENSES     
Advisory fees (Note 2)   48,330 
Audit and tax service fees   28,708 
Administration and accounting services fees (Note 2)   20,336 
Registration and filing fees   12,979 
Legal fees   8,785 
Officers fees   4,646 
Directors fees   4,635 
Printing and shareholder reporting fees   3,658 
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)   1,574 
Custodian fees (Note 2)   1,154 
Other expenses   4,432 
Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements   139,237 
Less: waivers and reimbursements (Note 2)   (81,478)
Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements   57,759 
Net investment income/(loss)   (13,464)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS     
Net realized gain/(loss) from:     
Investments   (150)
Futures contracts   373,006 
Foreign currency transactions   (100)
Forward foreign currency contracts   (101,813)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:     
Investments   (3,742)
Futures contracts   (107,972)
Foreign currency translations   275 
Forward foreign currency contracts   (34,354)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments   125,150 
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $111,686 

 

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

 

9

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended August 31, 2017
 
Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $(13,464)  $(72,695)
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, futures contracts, foreign currency transactions and forward foreign currency contracts   270,943    (215,793)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, future contracts, foreign currency translation and forward foreign currency contracts   (145,793)   35,318 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   111,686    (253,170)
           
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders From:          
Net realized capital gains   (204,171)    
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (204,171)    
           
Capital Share Transactions:          
Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions   204,171     
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions   204,171     
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   111,686    (253,170)
           
Net Assets:          
Beginning of period   9,132,743    9,385,913 
End of period  $9,244,429   $9,132,743 
Accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of period  $(41,166)  $(27,702)
           
Share Transactions:          
Shares reinvested   22,660     
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding    22,660     

 

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

 

10

 

 

Campbell Dynamic 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 respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the consolidated statements.

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31, 2017
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31, 2016
   For the
Period
Ended
August 31, 2015(1)
 
Per Share Operating Performance                
Net asset value, beginning of period  $9.01   $9.26   $9.71   $10.00 
Net investment income/(loss)(2)   (0.01)   (0.07)   (0.11)   (0.08)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments   0.12    (0.18)   (0.21)   (0.21)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   0.11    (0.25)   (0.32)   (0.29)
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                    
Net realized capital gains   (0.20)       (0.13)    
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (0.20)       (0.13)    
Net asset value, end of period  $8.92   $9.01   $9.26   $9.71 
Total investment return(3)   1.21%(6)   (2.70)%   (3.36)%   (2.90)%(6)
Ratios/Supplemental Data                    
Net assets, end of period (000’s)  $9,244   $9,133   $9,386   $9,715 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
   1.26%(4)(5)   1.27%(4)   1.25%   1.26%(4)(5)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements
   3.03%(5)   3.47%   4.04%   4.39%(5)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   (0.29)%(5)   (0.80)%   (1.13)%   (1.25)%(5)
Portfolio turnover rate   0.00%(6)   0.00%   0.00%   0.00%(6)

 

 

(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.
(4) Expense ratio includes interest expense. Excluding such interest expense, the ratio of expenses to average net assets would be 1.25%.
(5) Annualized.
(6) Not annualized.

 

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

 

11

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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-nine active investment portfolios, including the Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on December 31, 2014.

 

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 87.023 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and eighty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek capital appreciation.

 

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services - Investment Companies.”

 

The end of the reporting period for the Fund is February 28, 2018, and the period covered by these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is the six months ended February 28, 2018 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

Consolidation of Subsidiary — The Adviser’s Campbell Dynamic Trend Program will be achieved by the Fund investing up to 25% of its total assets in the Campbell Core Offshore Limited (the “Subsidiary”), a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary for the Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. 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 financial interest (greater than 50%). All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As of the end of the reporting period, the net assets of the Subsidiary were $282,288, which represented 3.05% 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 sales 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 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. 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). 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 (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 the fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

  Level 1 – Prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

  Level 2 – Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

12

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

  Level 3 – Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

The inputs or methodologies 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 the end of the reporting period, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Short-Term Investments  $7,967,424   $7,967,424   $   $ 
Commodity Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   54,040    54,040         
Equity Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   16,865    16,865         
Interest Rate Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   39,402    39,402         
Foreign Currency Contracts                    
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts   62,676        62,676     
Total Assets  $8,140,407   $8,077,731   $62,676   $ 

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Commodity Contracts                
Futures Contracts  $(43,317)  $(43,317)  $   $ 
Equity Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   (38,481)   (38,481)        
Interest Rate Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   (25,694)   (25,694)        
Foreign Currency Contracts                    
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts   (80,288)       (80,288)    
Total Liabilities  $(187,780)  $(107,492)  $(80,288)  $ 

 

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”) requires 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

 

13

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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.

 

During the current 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 current fiscal period, the Fund used long and short contracts on U.S. and foreign equity market indices, U.S. and foreign government bonds, foreign currencies, 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 current fiscal period.

 

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

 

Derivative Type  Consolidated Statement
of Assets and Liabilities
Location
  Commodity Contracts   Equity Contracts   Interest
Rate
Contracts
   Foreign Currency Contracts   Total 
Asset Derivatives
Futures Contracts (a)  Unrealized
appreciation on
futures contracts
  $54,040   $16,865   $39,402   $   $110,307 
Forward Contracts (a)  Unrealized
appreciation on
forward foreign currency contracts
               62,676    62,676 
Total Value - Assets     $54,040   $16,865   $39,402   $62,676   $172,983 
Liability Derivatives
Futures Contracts (a)  Unrealized
depreciation on
futures contracts
  $(43,317)  $(38,481)  $(25,694)  $   $(107,492)
Forward Contracts (a)  Unrealized
depreciation on
forward foreign currency contracts
               (80,288)   (80,288)
Total Value - Liabilities     $(43,317)  $(38,481)  $(25,694)  $(80,288)  $(187,780)

 

(a) This amount represents the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of forward and futures contracts as reported in the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments.

 

14

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following table lists the amounts of realized gains/(losses) included in net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations during the current fiscal period, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

Derivative Type  Consolidated Statement of Operations Location  Commodity
Contracts
   Equity
Contracts
   Interest
Rate
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Contracts
   Total 
Realized Gain/(Loss)
Futures Contracts  Net realized gain/
(loss) from futures contracts
  $15,577   $302,721   $54,708   $   $373,006 
Forward Contracts  Net realized gain/
(loss) from
forward foreign currency contracts
               (101,813)   (101,813)
Total Realized Gain/(Loss)  $15,577   $302,721   $54,708   $(101,813)  $271,193 

 

The following table lists the amounts of change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) included in net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations during the current fiscal period, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

Derivative Type  Consolidated Statement of Operations Location  Commodity
Contracts
   Equity
Contracts
   Interest
Rate
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Contracts
   Total 
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)
Futures Contracts  Net change in
unrealized
appreciation/ (depreciation) on
futures contracts
  $(49,109)  $(54,354)  $(4,509)  $   $(107,972)
Forward Contracts  Net change in
unrealized
appreciation/ (depreciation) on forward foreign currency contracts
               (34,354)   (34,354)
Total Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)  $(49,109)  $(54,354)  $(4,509)  $(34,354)  $(142,326)

 

During the current fiscal period, the Fund’s quarterly average volume of derivatives was as follows:

 

Long Futures
Notional
Amount
Short Futures
Notional
Amount
Forward Foreign Currency
Contracts — Payable
(Value at Trade Date)
Forward Foreign Currency
Contracts — Receivable
(Value at Trade Date)
$52,234,580 $(13,227,255) $(10,103,651) $10,065,396

 

15

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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 Offset in Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities           Gross Amount Not Offset in Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities     
Description  Gross Amount Presented in the
Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities
   Financial
Instruments
   Collateral
Received
   Net
Amount(1)
   Gross Amount Presented in the
Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities
   Financial
Instruments
   Collateral
Pledged(2)
   Net
Amount(3)
 
   Assets   Liabilities 
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts  $62,676   $(62,676)  $   $   $62,676   $(80,288)  $   $(17,612)

 

 

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

 

(2) Actual collateral pledged may be more than the amount shown.

 

(3) Net amount represents the net amount payable to 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 reporting 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 gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund’s investment income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) 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 are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family (in proportion to net assets). 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 Board 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 recorded on the 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.

 

16

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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 Islands 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 investments 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.

 

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.

 

17

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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 may use 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 (“forward 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. 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 — 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.

 

18

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

 

Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC (“Campbell” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Campbell & Company, L.P. The Fund compensates the Adviser for its services at an annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”), payable on a monthly basis in arrears, as shown in the following table.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed the rate (“Expense Cap”) shown in the following table 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 total annual Fund operating expenses to exceed the Expense Cap as applicable: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses, interest and taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2018.

 

Advisory Fee Expense Cap
1.05% 1.25%

 

During the current fiscal period, investment advisory fees accrued and waived were as follows:

 

Gross
Advisory Fees
Waivers Net
Advisory Fees
$48,330 $(81,478) $(33,148)

 

If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than the Expense cap, 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 on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed the Expense cap that was in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

As of the end of the reporting period, the Fund had amounts available for recoupment as follows:

 

Expiration
August 31,
2019
August 31,
2020
August 31,
2021
Total
$265,599 $199,666 $81,478 $546,743

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

USBFS serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (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.

 

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

 

For compensation amounts payable to USBFS, please refer to the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

19

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

3. Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

 

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. An employee of RBB serves as Treasurer and Secretary and is compensated for services provided. Certain employees of USBFS serve as officers of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company. For Director’s and Officer’s compensation amounts, please refer to the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

4. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities

 

During the current fiscal period, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments and derivative transactions) of the Fund were as follows:

 

Purchases Sales
$— $—

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities during the current fiscal period.

 

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. The Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

As of August 31, 2017, the federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments held by the Fund were as follows:

 

Federal Tax
Cost
Unrealized
Appreciation
Unrealized
(Depreciation)
Net
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
$8,213,142 $2,768 $(314,246) $(311,478)

 

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 consolidated 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.

 

20

 

 

Campbell Dynamic Trend Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2017, primarily attributable to disallowed expenses, short-term realized gains being offset with current net operating loss, investments in wholly-owned controlled foreign corporation and reclassifications for treatment of certain foreign currency transactions were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT
INCOME/(Loss)
ACCUMULATED
NET REALIZED
GAIN/(Loss)
PAID-IN
CAPITAL
$107,162 $329,907 $(437,069)

 

As of August 31, 2017, 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
Capital Loss
Carryforwards
Other
Temporary Differences
$159,559 $— $34,121 $— $— $—

 

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 fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, were as follows:

 

Ordinary
Income
Long-Term
Gains
Total
$ — $ — $ —

 

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 fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2017.

 

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, 2017, the Fund had no tax basis capital loss carryovers to offset future capital gains.

 

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 significant events requiring recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

 

21

 

 

Campbell Dynamic 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 twelve-month period ended June 30 are 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 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.

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

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[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

 

 

Investment Adviser
Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC
2850 Quarry Lake Drive
Baltimore, Maryland 21209

 

Administrator and Transfer Agent
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI 53201

 

Principal Underwriter
Quasar Distributors, LLC
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Floor 6
Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Custodian
U.S. Bank, N.A.
1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

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, Suite 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

CADT-SAR18

 

 

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

of

THE RBB FUND, INC.

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

February 28 2018
(Unaudited)

 

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 Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Performance Data

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended February 28, 2018
  Six
Months*
One
Year
Since
Inception**
 
Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund -8.08% -7.75% -5.36%  
Barclay BTOP50 Index*** -0.91% -2.44% -4.13%  

 

* Not annualized.

 

** Inception date of the Fund is December 21, 2015.

 

*** 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.

 

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 31, 2017, is 2.36% and the Fund’s net operating expense ratio is 1.28%. 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. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. Please see the Consolidated Financial Highlights for current figures.

 

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 be read carefully before investing.

 

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 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 adviser 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.

 

1

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Fund Expense Examples

February 28, 2018 (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. This example is 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 September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018, 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 this 5% hypothetical example 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. 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
September 1, 2017
Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018
Expenses Paid
During Period*
Actual $1,000.00 $ 919.20 $5.95
Hypothetical
(5% return before expenses)
1,000.00 1,018.60 6.26

 

 

* Expenses are equal to an annualized six-month expense ratio for the period September 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 of 1.25%, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses (including interest expense, if any), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (181) in the recent fiscal half-year then divided by 365 days 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 -8.08%.

 

2

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following table presents a consolidated summary of the portfolio holdings of the Fund at February 28, 2018:

 

   % of Net
Assets
   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:        
U.S. Treasury Obligations   81.3%  $10,834,954 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES (including futures and forward foreign currency contracts)   18.7    2,488,834 
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $13,323,788 

 

 

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.
3

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Coupon*  MATURITY
DATE
  Par   Value 
Short-Term Investments — 81.3%              
U.S. Treasury Obligations — 81.3%              
United States Treasury Bill  1.048%  03/29/18  $1,605,000   $1,603,162 
United States Treasury Bill  1.269%  04/26/18   825,000    823,047 
United States Treasury Bill  1.400%  05/24/18   3,825,000    3,810,787 
United States Treasury Bill  1.469%  06/21/18   1,525,000    1,517,243 
United States Treasury Bill  1.569%  07/19/18   1,525,000    1,514,581 
United States Treasury Bill  1.795%  08/23/18   1,580,000    1,566,134 
               10,834,954 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS                
(Cost $10,840,372)              10,834,954 
                 
Total Investments — 81.3%                
(Cost $10,840,372)              10,834,954 
                 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 18.7%              2,488,834 
Net Assets — 100.0%             $13,323,788 

 

 

* 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.
4

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Futures contracts outstanding as of February 28, 2018 were as follows:

 

Long Contracts  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
  Notional
Amount
   Value and
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)
 
3-Month Euro Euribor  Mar-19  76  $23,180,060   $146 
90-Day Euro  Mar-19  222   55,500,000    (138,606)
90-Day Sterling  Mar-19  90   15,487,974    (22,638)
Amsterdam Index  Mar-18  1   130,626    3,524 
Australian 10-Year Bond  Mar-18  1   77,670    581 
Australian 3-Year Bond  Mar-18  104   8,077,670    (12,159)
Bank Acceptance  Mar-18  21   4,091,334    (2,459)
Brent Crude  May-18  13   841,490    (15,842)
CAC40 10 Euro  Mar-18  1   64,892    2,268 
Canadian 10-Year Bond  Jun-18  1   77,930    590 
Cotton No.2  May-18  14   580,510    16,638 
Euro Stoxx 50  Mar-18  5   209,719    (6,692)
Euro-Bobl  Mar-18  94   11,468,030    (23,894)
Euro-Bund  Mar-18  3   366,001    4,913 
Euro-Schatz  Mar-18  124   15,128,039    8,513 
FTSE 100 Index  Mar-18  11   1,094,291    (23,239)
Gasoline RBOB  Apr-18  3   242,500    (8,197)
Hang Seng Index  Mar-18  1   196,348    (3,268)
IBEX 35 Index  Mar-18  13   1,559,740    17,291 
JPN 10-Year Bond (Osaka Securities Exchange)  Mar-18  3   2,811,753    3,501 
London Metals Exchange Aluminum  Mar-18  17   905,038    (19,823)
London Metals Exchange Copper  Mar-18  1   172,588    (5,240)
London Metals Exchange Nickel  Mar-18  2   165,030    3,504 
London Metals Exchange Nickel  Jun-18  1   82,830    (2,163)
London Metals Exchange Zinc  Mar-18  7   605,500    51,408 
London Metals Exchange Zinc  Jun-18  9   775,463    (12,584)
MSCI Taiwan Index  Mar-18  9   358,290    (422)
Natural Gas  Apr-18  1   26,700    (122)
OMX Stockholm 30 Index  Mar-18  14   265,605    6,147 
Soybean  May-18  27   1,424,925    18,423 
Soybean Meal  May-18  14   552,580    48,800 
SPI 200 Index  Mar-18  10   1,165,243    1,711 
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes  Jun-18  1   97,709    241 
U.S. Treasury 2-Year Notes  Jun-18  160   31,418,179    (9,042)
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes  Jun-18  1   95,792    22 
WTI Crude  Apr-18  21   1,294,440    (26,611)
              $(144,780)

 

Short Contracts  Expiration
Date
  Number of
Contracts
  Notional
Amount
   Value and
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)
 
Coffee  May-18  16  $(732,000)  $289 
Copper  May-18  8   (626,500)   16,856 
Corn  May-18  71   (1,356,100)   (32,041)
Gold 100 Oz  Apr-18  14   (1,845,060)   37,586 
Kansas City Hard Red Winter Wheat  May-18  14   (365,575)   (20,478)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
5

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Consolidated Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Short Contracts  Expiration Date  Number of Contracts  Notional
Amount
   Value and
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)
 
London Metals Exchange Aluminum  Mar-18  17  $(905,038)  $(46,904)
London Metals Exchange Aluminum  Jun-18  1   (53,363)   1,654 
London Metals Exchange Copper  Mar-18  1   (172,588)   (8,150)
London Metals Exchange Copper  Jun-18  1   (173,575)   5,279 
London Metals Exchange Nickel  Mar-18  2   (165,030)   (35,100)
London Metals Exchange Nickel  Jun-18  2   (165,660)   (3,486)
London Metals Exchange Zinc  Mar-18  7   (605,500)   4,309 
Nasdaq 100 E-Mini  Mar-18  6   (823,800)   (29,622)
S&P 500 E-Mini  Mar-18  3   (407,160)   3,359 
Silver  May-18  8   (656,300)   9,271 
Soybean Oil  May-18  17   (328,746)   6,827 
Sugar No. 11 (World)  May-18  44   (659,366)   8,368 
Wheat  May-18  26   (643,500)   (35,737)
              $(117,720)
Total Futures Contracts             $(262,500)

 

Forward foreign currency contracts outstanding as of February 28, 2018 were as follows:

 

Currency Purchased  Currency Sold  Expiration
Date
  Counterparty  Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) 
AUD   2,350,000   USD   1,790,948   Mar 21 2018  UBS  $34,338 
CAD   1,300,000   USD   1,035,863   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (22,345)
CHF   150,000   USD   161,080   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (1,938)
EUR   1,650,000   USD   2,002,339   Mar 21 2018  UBS   14,058 
JPY   472,500,000   USD   4,306,857   Mar 22 2018  UBS   128,838 
NOK   8,550,000   USD   1,090,721   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (7,278)
NZD   3,750,000   USD   2,665,848   Mar 21 2018  UBS   38,095 
SEK   8,700,000   USD   1,046,132   Mar 21 2018  UBS   5,485 
USD   1,807,316   AUD   2,300,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   20,866 
USD   1,345,316   CAD   1,700,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   19,946 
USD   1,226,253   CHF   1,150,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   6,168 
USD   4,733,175   EUR   3,900,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (32,854)
USD   67,156   GBP   50,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (1,749)
USD   7,968,875   JPY   880,500,000   Mar 22 2018  UBS   (297,009)
USD   1,284,007   NOK   10,500,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (46,537)
USD   1,044,828   NZD   1,450,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (697)
USD   1,449,317   SEK   12,000,000   Mar 21 2018  UBS   (1,189)
Total Forward Foreign Currency Contracts          $(143,802)

 

AUD Australian Dollar   JPY Japanese Yen
CAD Canadian Dollar   NOK Norwegian Krone
CHF Swiss Franc   NZD New Zealand Dollar
EUR Euro   SEK Swedish Krona
GBP British Pound   USD United States Dollar

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
6

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS    
Investments, at value (cost $10,840,372)  $10,834,954 
Cash   878,090 
Deposits with broker for:     
Forward foreign currency contracts   625,000 
Futures contracts   1,413,850 
Receivables for:     
Due from advisor   4,331 
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts   282,019 
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts   267,794 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   21,980 
Total assets   14,328,018 
LIABILITIES     
Payables for:     
Administration and accounting fees   7,305 
Transfer agent fees   1,178 
Custodian fees   547 
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts   544,519 
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts   411,596 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities   39,085 
Total liabilities   1,004,230 
Net assets  $13,323,788 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Par value  $1,714 
Paid-in capital   14,450,984 
Accumulated net investment income/(loss)   327,832 
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from futures contracts, foreign currency transactions and forward foreign currency contracts   (1,045,410)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, futures contracts, foreign currency translation and forward foreign currency contracts   (411,332)
Net assets  $13,323,788 
CAPITAL SHARES:     
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   1,713,897 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $7.77 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
7

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations

For The Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME    
Interest  $63,538 
Total investment income   63,538 
EXPENSES     
Advisory fees (Note 2)   74,890 
Audit and tax service fees   27,666 
Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)   26,183 
Legal fees   14,753 
Registration and filing fees   10,879 
Officers fees   9,711 
Directors fees   7,941 
Printing and shareholder reporting fees   4,299 
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)   2,784 
Custodian fees (Note 2)   1,290 
Other expenses   6,624 
Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements   187,020 
Less: waivers and reimbursements (Note 2)   (97,611)
Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements   89,409 
Net investment income/(loss)   (25,871)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS     
Net realized gain/(loss) from:     
Investments   (177)
Futures contracts   (729,424)
Foreign currency transactions   6,221 
Forward foreign currency contracts   (238,212)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:     
Investments   (5,742)
Futures contracts   (404,117)
Foreign currency translation   732 
Forward foreign currency contracts   220,751 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments   (1,149,968)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(1,175,839)

 

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

 

8

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $(25,871)  $(126,474)
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments, futures contracts, foreign currency transactions and forward foreign currency contracts   (961,592)   (704,471)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, futures contracts, foreign currency translation and forward foreign currency contracts   (188,376)   (517,389)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (1,175,839)   (1,348,334)
           
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:          
Net investment income   (10,850)   (68,163)
Net realized capital gains   (106,038)   (1,658,102)
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (116,888)   (1,726,265)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions   116,888    1,726,265 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions   116,888    1,726,265 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   (1,175,839)   (1,348,334)
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   14,499,627    15,847,961 
End of period  $13,323,788   $14,499,627 
Accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of period  $327,832   $364,553 
           
SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Shares reinvested   13,482    197,966 
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   13,482    197,966 

 

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

 

9

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry 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 respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the consolidated financial statements.

 

   For the
Six Months Ended February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
   For the
Period Ended
August 31, 2016(1)
 
Per Share Operating Performance            
Net asset value, beginning of period  $8.53   $10.55   $10.00 
Net investment income/(loss) (2)   (0.02)   (0.08)   (0.08)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from
investments
   (0.67)   (0.79)   0.63 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (0.69)   (0.87)   0.55 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:               
Net investment income   (0.01)   (0.05)    
Net realized capital gain   (0.06)   (1.10)    
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (0.07)   (1.15)    
Net asset value, end of period  $7.77   $8.53   $10.55 
Total investment return (3)   (8.08)%(6)   (8.60)%   5.50%(6)
Ratios/Supplemental Data               
Net assets, end of period (000's)  $13,324   $14,500   $15,848 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
with waivers and reimbursements
   1.25%(5)   1.28%(4)   1.25%(5)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets
without waivers and reimbursements
   2.62%(5)   2.36%   3.29%(5)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to
average net assets
   (0.36)%(5)   (0.85)%   (1.09)%(5)
Portfolio turnover rate   0.00%(6)   0.00%   0.00%(6)

 

 

(1) The Fund commenced investment operations on December 21, 2015.
(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) Expense ratio includes interest expense. Excluding such interest expense, the ratio of expenses to average net assets would be 1.25%.
(5) Annualized.
(6) Not annualized.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
10

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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-nine active investment portfolios, including the Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on December 21, 2015.

 

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 87.023 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and eighty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek positive absolute returns.

 

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services - Investment Companies.”

 

The end of the reporting period for the Fund is February 28, 2018, and the period covered by these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is the six months ended February 28, 2018 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

Consolidation of Subsidiary — The Adviser’s Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Program will be achieved by the Fund investing up to 25% of its total assets in the Campbell Core Carry Offshore Limited (the “Subsidiary”), a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary for the Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. 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 financial interest (greater than 50%). All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As of the end of the reporting period, the net assets of the Subsidiary were $941,754, which represented 7.07% 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 sales 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 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. 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). 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 (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 the fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

  ● Level 1 – Prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

  ● Level 2 – Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

  ● Level 3 – Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

11

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The inputs or methodologies 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 the end of the reporting period, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Short-Term Investments  $10,834,954   $10,834,954   $   $ 
Commodity Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   229,212    229,212         
Equity Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   34,300    34,300         
Interest Rate Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   18,507    18,507         
Foreign Currency Contracts                    
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts   267,794        267,794     
Total Assets  $11,384,767   $11,116,973   $267,794   $ 

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Commodity Contracts                
Futures Contracts  $(272,478)  $(272,478)  $   $ 
Equity Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   (63,243)   (63,243)        
Interest Rate Contracts                    
Futures Contracts   (208,798)   (208,798)        
Foreign Currency Contracts                    
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts   (411,596)       (411,596)    
Total Liabilities  $(956,115)  $(544,519)  $(411,596)  $ 

 

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”) requires 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

 

12

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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.

 

During the current 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 current fiscal period, the Fund used long and short contracts on U.S. and foreign equity market indices, U.S. and foreign government bonds, foreign currencies, 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 current fiscal period.

 

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

 

Derivative Type  Consolidated
Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
Location
  Commodity
Contracts
   Equity
Contracts
   Interest
Rate
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Contracts
   Total 
Asset Derivatives
Futures Contracts (a)  Unrealized
appreciation on
futures contracts
  $229,212   $34,300   $18,507   $   $282,019 
Forward Contracts (a)  Unrealized
appreciation on
forward foreign currency contracts
               267,794    267,794 
Total Value - Assets     $229,212   $34,300   $18,507   $267,794   $549,813 
Liability Derivatives
Futures Contracts (a)  Unrealized
depreciation on
futures contracts
  $(272,478)  $(63,243)  $(208,798)  $   $(544,519)
Forward Contracts (a)  Unrealized
depreciation on
forward foreign currency contracts
               (411,596)   (411,596)
Total Value - Liabilities     $(272,478)  $(63,243)  $(208,798)  $(411,596)  $(956,115)

 

(a) This amount represents the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of forward and futures contracts as reported in the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments.

 

13

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following table lists the amounts of realized gains/(losses) included in net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations during the current fiscal period, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

Derivative Type  Consolidated Statement of Operations Location  Commodity
Contracts
   Equity
Contracts
   Interest
Rate
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Contracts
   Total 
Realized Gain/(Loss)
Futures Contracts  Net realized gain/
(loss) from
futures contracts
  $249,423   $(38,549)  $(940,298)  $   $(729,424)
Forward Contracts  Net realized gain/
(loss) from
forward foreign currency contracts
               (238,212)   (238,212)
Total Realized Gain/(Loss)  $249,423   $(38,549)  $(940,298)  $(238,212)  $(967,636)

 

The following table lists the amounts of change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) included in net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations during the current fiscal period, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

Derivative Type  Consolidated Statement of Operations Location  Commodity
Contracts
   Equity
Contracts
   Interest
Rate
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Contracts
   Total 
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)
Futures Contracts  Net change in
unrealized
appreciation/ (depreciation) on futures contracts
  $(183,131)  $20,804   $(241,790)  $   $(404,117)
Forward Contracts  Net change in
unrealized
appreciation/ (depreciation) on forward foreign currency contracts
               220,751    220,751 
Total Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)  $(183,131)  $20,804   $(241,790)  $220,751   $(183,366)

 

During the current fiscal period, the Fund’s quarterly average volume of derivatives was as follows:

 

Long Futures
Notional
Amount
Short Futures
Notional
Amount
Forward Foreign Currency
Contracts— Payable
(Value at Trade Date)
Forward Foreign Currency
Contracts— Receivable
(Value at Trade Date)
$258,530,982 $(13,335,328) $(41,426,800) $41,310,407

 

14

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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 Offset in Consolidated
Statement of Assets
and Liabilities
           Gross Amount
Not Offset in Consolidated
Statement of Assets
and Liabilities
     
Description  Gross Amount Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities   Financial
Instruments
   Collateral
Received
   Net
Amount(1)
   Gross Amount Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities   Financial
Instruments
   Collateral
Pledged(2)
   Net
Amount(3)
 
   Assets   Liabilities 
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts  $267,794   $(267,794)  $   $   $267,794   $(411,596)  $    $(143,802)

 

 

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

 

(2) Actual collateral pledged may be more than the amount shown.

 

(3) Net amount represents the net amount payable to 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 reporting 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 gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund’s investment income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) 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 are charged directly to the class, fund or fund family (in proportion to net assets). 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 Board 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 recorded on the 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.

 

15

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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 Islands 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 investments 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.

 

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.

 

16

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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 may use 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 (“forward 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. 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 — 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.

 

17

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

 

Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC (“Campbell” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Campbell & Company, L.P. The Fund compensates the Adviser for its services at an annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”), payable on a monthly basis in arrears, as shown in the following table.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed the rate (“Expense Cap”) shown in the following table 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 total annual Fund operating expenses to exceed the Expense Cap as applicable: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses, interest and taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2018.

 

Advisory Fee Expense Cap
1.05% 1.25%

 

During the current fiscal period, investment advisory fees accrued and waived were as follows:

 

Gross
Advisory
Fees
Waivers Net
Advisory
Fees
$74,890 $(97,611) $(22,721)

 

If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than the Expense cap, 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 on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed the Expense cap that was in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

As of the end of the reporting period, the Fund had amounts available for recoupment as follows:

 

Expiration
August 31,
2019
August 31,
2020
August 31,
2021
Total
$166,493 $162,443 $97,611 $426,547

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

USBFS serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (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.

 

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

 

For compensation amounts payable to USBFS, please refer to the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

18

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

3. Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

 

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. An employee of RBB serves as Treasurer and Secretary, and is compensated for services provided. Certain employees of USBFS serve as officers of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company. For Director’s and Officer’s compensation amounts, please refer to the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

4. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities

 

During the current fiscal period, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments and derivative transactions) of the Fund were as follows:

 

Purchases Sales
$— $—

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities during the current fiscal period.

 

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. The Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

As of August 31, 2017, the federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments held by the Fund were as follows:

 

Federal Tax
Cost
Unrealized
Appreciation
Unrealized
(Depreciation)
Net
Unrealized
Appreciation/ (Depreciation)
$14,040,692 $— $(2,360,606) $(2,360,606)

 

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 consolidated 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.

 

19

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry Fund

 

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2017, primarily attributable to short-term realized gains being offset with current net operating loss, investments in 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
Net Investment
Income/(Loss)
Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)
Paid-In
Capital
$635,307 $914,171 $(1,549,478)

 

As of August 31, 2017, 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
Other
Temporary
Differences
$106,032 $— $57,785 $— $—

 

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 fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, were as follows:

 

Ordinary
Income
Long-Term
Gains
Total
$ 1,047,488 $ 678,777 $ 1,726,265

 

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 fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2017.

 

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, 2017, 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 significant events requiring recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

 

20

 

 

Campbell Multi-Asset Carry 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 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 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.

 

21

 

 

Investment Adviser
Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC
2850 Quarry Lake Drive
Baltimore, Maryland 21209

 

Administrator and Transfer Agent
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI 53201

 

Principal Underwriter
Quasar Distributors, LLC
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Floor 6
Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Custodian
U.S. Bank, N.A.
1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

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, Suite 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

CAMC-SAR18

 

 

FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND
FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

 

of

 

The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

SEMI-Annual Report

 

February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)

 

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

Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

February 28, 2018

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

The Free Market Funds (the “Funds”) have continued to gain assets and have surpassed $8.1 billion. We would like to extend a warm and grateful thank you to all investors who have embraced our Free Market Portfolio Strategies.

 

Over the past six months ended February 28, 2018, investors experienced broad based positive returns in the equity markets. International equity markets over the past six months have seen a steady increase, returning 6.59% as measured by the MSCI World ex USA Index. Emerging markets and international small cap stocks performed even better during the time-period, returning 10.58% and 10.59% respectively as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets and MSCI EAFE Small Cap Indices. U.S. stocks outpaced international stocks, over the same time-period, with large cap stocks returning 10.84% as represented by the S&P 500® Index. Small cap stocks in the U.S. were right on the heels of U.S. large cap stocks, returning 8.29% as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. In contrast to the broad equity markets, rising interest rates drove bond markets negative over the last six months, with the World Government Bond Index posting a loss of 0.32%.

 

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 aims to provide both the individual investor and the financial professional with the academic foundation upon which to help achieve investment goals.

 

In the landmark study done by Eugene Fama and Kenneth French and published in “The Cross-Section of Expected Stock Returns”1 it is documented that, over the long term, investors could have received a premium for investing in small cap stocks and value stocks. These returns seem to be compensation for risk. In fixed income, risk as measured by volatility can be well described by bond maturity and credit quality. Matson Money’s vehicles deliberately seek to target specific risk and return tradeoffs. The Funds are broadly diversified and designed to work together in your total investment plan.

 

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.

 

 

Kenneth E. Gatliff
Portfolio Manager
Matson Money, Inc.

 

1Fama, E.F. and K. R. French. 1992. “The Cross-section of Expected Stock Returns”. The Journal of Finance. 47: 427–465.

 

1

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The Russell 2000® Index consists of the smallest 2,000 companies in a group of 3,000 U.S. companies in the Russell 3000® Index, as ranked by market capitalization.

 

The S&P 500® Index is a broad based unmanaged index of 500 stocks, which is widely recognized as representative of the equity market in general.

 

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index captures large and mid cap representation across 24 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. With 842 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

 

The MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index is an equity index which captures small cap representation across Developed Markets countries around the world, excluding the US and Canada. With 2,288 constituents, the index covers approximately 14% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

 

The MSCI World ex USA Index captures large and mid cap representation across 22 of 23 Developed Markets (DM) countries--excluding the United States. With 1,018 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

 

The World Government Bond Index (WGBI) measures the performance of fixed-rate, local currency, investment grade sovereign bonds. The WGBI is a widely used benchmark that currently comprises sovereign debt from over 20 countries, denominated in a variety of currencies, and has more than 25 years of history available. The WGBI provides a broad benchmark for the global sovereign fixed income market. Sub-indices are available in any combination of currency, maturity, or rating.

 

One cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

 

Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Investing in micro-cap or small cap companies involve additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility than large companies. The Fund invests in foreign securities which involve greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods. These risks are greater in emerging markets. Investments in debt securities typically decrease in value when interest rates rise. This risk is usually greater for longer-term debt securities.

 

Shares of the Funds are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.

 

2

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

Performance Data

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

 

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended February 28, 2018

   

Average Annual

 

Six
Months*

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

Since
Inception**

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund

9.20%

9.51%

8.57%

12.35%

9.37%

Russell 2500® Index

8.71%

11.17%

8.29%

12.30%

8.94%

Composite Index***

7.90%

9.55%

9.03%

12.48%

7.97%

 

*Not 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 0.85% (included in the ratio is 0.29% 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 $18.52 per share on February 28, 2018.

 

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.

 

Free Market International Equity Fund

 

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended February 28, 2018

   

Average Annual

 

Six
Months*

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

Since
Inception**

Free Market International Equity Fund

7.38%

20.82%

8.16%

8.33%

4.16%

MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index

6.60%

18.87%

5.32%

6.58%

1.81%

Composite Index***

8.80%

24.01%

7.93%

7.63%

2.85%

 

*Not 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 1.01% (included in the ratio is 0.43% 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 $11.40 per share on February 28, 2018.

 

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.

 

3

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

Performance Data

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

 

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended February 28, 2018

   

Average Annual

 

Six
Months*

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

Since
Inception**

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

-1.25%

-0.13%

0.39%

0.28%

1.43%

Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index

-0.32%

0.65%

1.00%

1.16%

2.07%

Composite Index***

-1.11%

0.27%

0.70%

0.87%

2.12%

 

*Not annualized.
**The Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2007.
***The Composite Index is comprised of the Three-Month Treasury Bill Index, Bloomberg Barclays Intermediate Government/Credit 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 0.74% (included in the ratio is 0.18% 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 $10.14 per share on February 28, 2018.

 

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.

  

4

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

Fund Expense Example

February 28, 2018 (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 September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018, 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 ExampleS for Comparison Purposes

 

The second line of the accompanying tables provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each 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 each 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. 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
September 1,

2017

Ending

Account Value
February 28,

2018

Expenses Paid
During Period*

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,092.00

$2.85

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,022.07

2.76

 

 

Free Market International Equity Fund

 

Beginning

Account Value
September 1,

2017

Ending

Account Value
February 28,

2018

Expenses Paid
During Period*

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,073.80

$2.88

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,022.02

2.81

 

5

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

Fund Expense Example (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Free Market Fixed Income Fund

 

Beginning

Account Value
September 1,

2017

Ending

Account Value
February 28,

2018

Expenses Paid
During Period*

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 987.50

$2.71

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,022.07

2.76

 

*Expenses are equal to an annualized six-month expense ratio of 0.55%, 0.56% and 0.55% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, Free Market International Equity Fund and Free Market Fixed Income Fund, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (181) in the most recent fiscal half-year, 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

 

0.00%-0.13%

0.00%-0.11%

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 9.20% for the Free Market U.S. Equity Fund, 7.38% for the Free Market International Equity Fund and -1.25% for the Free Market Fixed Income Fund.

 

6

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS — 99.8%    
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF   61,290   $16,753,008 
U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio III (a)   34,053,787    919,111,723 
U.S. Large Company Portfolio (a)   21,225,543    447,646,705 
U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (b)   21,039,718    452,564,334 
U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (b)   12,917,774    453,155,501 
U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio (b)   20,591,108    755,487,758 
TOTAL DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS          
(Cost $2,215,066,266)        3,044,719,029 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.2%
STIT-Government & Agency Portfolio, 1.30%*   4,664,782    4,664,782 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $4,664,782)*        4,664,782 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%          
(Cost $2,219,731,008)        3,049,383,811 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.0%        1,305,751 
NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $3,050,689,562 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

 

   % of
Net Assets
   Value 
Domestic Equity Funds   99.8%  $3,044,719,029 
Short-Term Investments   0.2%   4,664,782 
Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities   0.0%   1,305,751 
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $3,050,689,562 

 

 

*Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.
(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.

 

7

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of Shares/Beneficial Interest   Value 
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS — 99.9%    
Asia Pacific Small Company Portfolio (a)   1,294,679   $31,137,024 
Canadian Small Company Series (b)   2,651,701    28,770,717 
Continental Small Company Portfolio (a)   1,171,156    34,268,028 
Continental Small Company Series (b)   430,577    42,592,363 
DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio (a)   41,512,170    946,477,477 
DFA International Value Portfolio III (c)   33,466,224    580,638,987 
DFA International Value Series (b)   4,790,381    123,016,980 
Emerging Markets Portfolio (a)   4,041,522    126,055,070 
Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio (a)   4,815,935    117,268,017 
Emerging Markets Value Portfolio (a)   3,639,877    117,786,427 
Japanese Small Company Portfolio (a)   1,828,638    54,584,844 
Large Cap International Portfolio (a)   4,904,882    116,883,350 
United Kingdom Small Company Portfolio (a)   186,330    5,576,844 
United Kingdom Small Company Series (b)   539,121    38,044,014 
TOTAL INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS          
(Cost $1,900,463,815)        2,363,100,142 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.1%
STIT-Government & Agency Portfolio, 1.30%*   3,470,030    3,470,030 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $3,470,030)        3,470,030 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%          
(Cost $1,903,933,845)        2,366,570,172 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.0%        870,704 
NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $2,367,440,876 

 

 Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

 

   % of
Net Assets
   Value 
International Equity Funds   99.9%  $2,363,100,142 
Short-Term Investments   0.1%   3,470,030 
Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities   0.0%   870,704 
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $2,367,440,876 

 

 

*Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.
(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.

 

8

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
FIXED INCOME FUNDS — 99.5%
DFA Five-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (a)   62,315,169   $672,380,671 
DFA Inflation-Protected Securities Portfolio (a)   11,734,733    134,949,429 
DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio (a)   13,413,541    161,767,300 
DFA One-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (a)   38,002,687    389,527,544 
DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (a)   10,297,283    107,503,630 
DFA Two-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (a)   40,867,761    403,364,796 
iShares 1-3 Year Credit Bond ETF   6,208,957    644,862,274 
iShares Intermediate Credit Bond ETF   1,503,852    161,333,242 
TOTAL FIXED INCOME FUNDS          
(Cost $2,719,412,433)        2,675,688,886 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.5%
STIT-Government & Agency Portfolio, 1.30%*   12,320,331    12,320,331 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $12,320,331)        12,320,331 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%          
(Cost $2,731,732,764)        2,688,009,217 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.0%        1,922,311 
NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $2,689,931,528 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

 

   % of
Net Assets
   Value 
Fixed Income Funds   99.5%  $2,675,688,886 
Short-Term Investments   0.5%   12,320,331 
Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities   0.0%   1,922,311 
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $2,689,931,528 

 

 

*Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.
(a)A portfolio of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc.

ETF Exchange-Traded Fund

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

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

 

9

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Free Market
U.S. Equity
Fund
   Free Market
International
Equity Fund
   Free Market
Fixed Income
Fund
 
ASSETS            
Investments in non-affiliated funds, at value *  $3,044,719,029   $2,363,100,142   $2,675,688,886 
Short-term investments, at value *   4,664,782    3,470,030    12,320,331 
Receivables               
Receivable for capital shares sold   4,095,085    3,164,336    4,378,658 
Dividends receivable   2,680    2,562    436,788 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   69,530    69,393    67,121 
Total assets   3,053,551,106    2,369,806,463    2,692,891,784 
LIABILITIES               
Payables               
Capital shares redeemed   1,547,157    1,318,985    1,751,252 
Advisory fees   1,161,033    904,453    1,017,259 
Administration and accounting fees   111,515    88,500    102,541 
Transfer agent fees   15,297    11,849    10,480 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities   26,542    41,800    78,724 
Total liabilities   2,861,544    2,365,587    2,960,256 
Net assets  $3,050,689,562   $2,367,440,876   $2,689,931,528 
                
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:               
Par value  $164,709   $207,613   $265,359 
Paid-in capital   2,107,588,538    1,889,381,004    2,733,463,530 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss)   (9,549,334)   (6,739,918)   (316,939)
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments   122,832,846    21,955,850    243,125 
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   829,652,803    462,636,327    (43,723,547)
Net assets  $3,050,689,562   $2,367,440,876   $2,689,931,528 
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 700,000,000 shares authorized)   164,708,916    207,613,085    265,358,668 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $18.52   $11.40   $10.14 
*Identified Cost:               
Investments in non-affiliated funds, at cost  $2,215,066,226   $1,900,463,815   $2,719,412,433 
Short-term investments, at cost   4,664,782    3,470,030    12,320,331 

 

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

 

10

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

Statements of Operations

For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Free Market
U.S. Equity
Fund
   Free Market
International
Equity Fund
   Free Market
Fixed Income
Fund
 
INVESTMENT INCOME            
Dividends from non-affiliated funds  $22,956,043   $38,924,599   $24,446,800 
Total investment income   22,956,043    38,924,599    24,446,800 
                
EXPENSES               
Advisory fees (Note 2)   7,297,224    5,679,444    6,379,318 
Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)   362,109    287,634    324,485 
Legal fees   96,248    76,518    95,974 
Directors fees   70,955    50,475    63,152 
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)   44,734    35,316    41,092 
Printing and shareholder reporting fees   42,676    42,620    47,263 
Custodian fees (Note 2)   37,387    28,896    34,726 
Officers fees   27,689    32,511    35,370 
Audit fees   23,519    23,434    22,062 
Registration expense   3,759    6,315    21,653 
Other expenses   56,586    218,573    56,705 
Total expenses   8,062,886    6,481,736    7,121,800 
Net investment income/(loss)   14,893,157    32,442,863    17,325,000 
                
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS               
Net realized gain/(loss) from:               
Non-affiliated funds   1,617,501    1,203,160     
Capital gain distributions from non-affiliated fund investments   128,381,141    32,041,601    590,307 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:               
Non-affiliated funds   107,962,042    97,430,642    (52,252,170)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   237,960,684    130,675,403    (51,661,863)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $252,853,841   $163,118,266   $(34,336,863)

 

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

 

11

 

 

FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $14,893,157   $18,308,432 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments   129,998,642    79,067,501 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   107,962,042    224,766,196 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   252,853,841    322,142,129 
           
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:          
Net investment income   (30,989,004)   (21,140,849)
Net realized capital gains   (80,730,468)   (96,166,053)
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (111,719,472)   (117,306,902)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from shares sold   285,666,115    558,348,603 
Reinvestment of distributions   111,642,406    117,302,124 
Shares redeemed   (212,748,457)   (458,532,319)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital shares   184,560,064    217,118,408 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   325,694,433    421,953,635 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   2,724,995,129    2,303,041,494 
End of period  $3,050,689,562   $2,724,995,129 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of period  $(9,549,334)  $6,546,513 
           
SHARES TRANSACTIONS:          
Shares sold   15,199,097    32,332,187 
Dividends and distributions reinvested   5,913,263    6,792,248 
Shares redeemed   (11,271,938)   (26,556,984)
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   9,840,422    12,567,451 

 

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

 

12

 

 

FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $32,442,863   $27,075,677 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments   33,244,761    24,654,989 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   97,430,642    342,963,709 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   163,118,266    394,694,375 
           
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:          
Net investment income   (52,597,992)   (34,715,335)
Net realized capital gains   (22,848,638)   (19,714,628)
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (75,446,630)   (54,429,963)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from shares sold   213,271,760    425,920,465 
Reinvestment of distributions   75,430,897    54,427,744 
Shares redeemed   (199,001,253)   (302,997,096)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital shares   89,701,404    177,351,113 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   177,373,040    517,615,525 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   2,190,067,836    1,672,452,311 
End of period  $2,367,440,876   $2,190,067,836 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of period  $(6,739,918)  $13,415,211 
           
SHARES TRANSACTIONS:          
Shares sold   18,614,962    42,918,842 
Dividends and distributions reinvested   6,687,136    5,909,636 
Shares redeemed   (17,296,841)   (30,251,372)
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   8,005,257    18,577,106 

 

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

 

13

 

 

FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $17,325,000   $21,480,464 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments   590,307    2,877,926 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   (52,252,170)   (11,573,635)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (34,336,863)   12,784,755 
           
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:          
Net investment income   (20,521,178)   (23,810,742)
Net realized capital gains   (2,540,339)    
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (23,061,517)   (23,810,742)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from shares sold   374,272,496    670,140,283 
Reinvestment of distributions   23,061,430    23,810,100 
Shares redeemed   (153,036,106)   (306,349,610)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital shares   244,297,820    387,600,773 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   186,899,440    376,574,786 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   2,503,032,088    2,126,457,302 
End of period  $2,689,931,528   $2,503,032,088 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of period  $(316,939)  $2,879,239 
           
SHARES TRANSACTIONS:          
Shares sold   36,455,081    65,004,040 
Dividends and distributions reinvested   2,257,642    2,313,401 
Shares redeemed   (14,921,403)   (29,673,279)
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   23,791,320    37,644,162 

  

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

 

14

 

 

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
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
 
Per Share Operating Performance                
Net asset value, beginning of period  $17.60   $16.18   $16.08   $17.37   $14.66   $11.70 

Net investment income/(loss)(1)

   0.09    0.13    0.18    0.13    0.09    0.12 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   1.54    2.12    1.18    (0.71)   3.18    3.07 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1.63    2.25    1.36    (0.58)   3.27    3.19 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                              
Net investment income   (0.20)   (0.15)   (0.15)   (0.11)   (0.10)   (0.15)
Net realized capital gains   (0.51)   (0.68)   (1.11)   (0.60)   (0.46)   (0.08)
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (0.71)   (0.83)   (1.26)   (0.71)   (0.56)   (0.23)
Net asset value, end of period  $18.52   $17.60   $16.18   $16.08   $17.37   $14.66 

Total investment return(2)

   9.20%(4)   13.97%   9.10%   (3.55)%   22.49%   27.61%
                               
Ratio/Supplemental Data                              
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $3,050,690   $2,724,995   $2,303,041   $1,971,430   $1,943,442   $1,355,653 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(3)

   0.55%(5)   0.56%   0.59%   0.60%   0.60%   0.62%

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

   1.01%(5)   0.72%   1.15%   0.74%   0.54%   0.91%
Portfolio turnover rate   1%(4)   5%   1%   6%   3%   6%

 

 

(1)

The selected per share data is 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.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

 

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

 

15

 

 

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
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
 
Per Share Operating Performance                
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.97   $9.24   $9.28   $10.92   $9.36   $8.04 

Net investment income/(loss)(1)

   0.16    0.12    0.23    0.17    0.19    0.18 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   0.65    1.91    0.05    (1.39)   1.71    1.36 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   0.81    2.03    0.28    (1.22)   1.90    1.54 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                              
Net investment income   (0.26)   (0.19)   (0.16)   (0.22)   (0.19)   (0.15)
Net realized capital gains   (0.11)   (0.11)   (0.16)   (0.20)   (0.15)   (0.07)
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (0.38)   (0.30)   (0.32)   (0.42)   (0.34)   (0.22)
Net asset value, end of period  $11.40   $10.97   $9.24   $9.28   $10.92   $9.36 

Total investment return(2)

   7.38%(4)   22.50%   3.13%   (11.25)%   20.49%   19.44%
                               
Ratio/Supplemental Data                              
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $2,367,441   $2,190,068   $1,672,452   $1,443,094   $1,414,618   $964,096 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(3)

   0.56%(5)   0.58%   0.63%   0.64%   0.62%   0.65%

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

   2.82%(5)   1.42%   2.60%   1.72%   1.84%   1.96%
Portfolio turnover rate   1%(4)   2%   1%   3%   2%   3%

 

 

(1)

The selected per share data is 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.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

 

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

 

16

 

 

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
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2015
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2014
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2013
 
Per Share Operating Performance                
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.36   $10.43   $10.25   $10.31   $10.24   $10.54 

Net investment income/(loss)(1)

   0.07    0.10    0.06    0.06    0.04    0.05 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   (0.20)   (0.06)   0.17    (0.02)   0.09    (0.21)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (0.13)   0.04    0.23    0.04    0.13    (0.16)
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                              
Net investment income   (0.08)   (0.11)   (0.03)   (0.07)   (0.04)   (0.08)
Net realized capital gains   (0.01)       (0.02)   (0.03)   (0.02)   (0.06)
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (0.09)   (0.11)   (0.05)   (0.10)   (0.06)   (0.14)
Net asset value, end of period  $10.14   $10.36   $10.43   $10.25   $10.31   $10.24 

Total investment return(2)

   (1.25)%(4)   0.39%   2.26%   0.37%   1.34%   (1.50)%
                               
Ratio/Supplemental Data                              
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $2,689,932   $2,503,032   $2,126,457   $2,004,504   $1,824,633   $1,316,799 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(3)

   0.55%(5)   0.56%   0.59%   0.60%   0.61%   0.62%

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

   1.34%(5)   0.94%   0.54%   0.55%   0.37%   0.52%
Portfolio turnover rate   0%(4)   0%   31%   2%   0%   0%

 

 

(1)

The selected per share data is 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.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

 

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

 

17

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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-nine 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 87.023 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and eighty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

 

Free Market U.S. Equity and Free Market International Equity’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. Free Market Fixed Income’s investment objective is to seek total return (consisting of current income and capital appreciation).

 

The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services - Investment Companies”.

 

The end of the reporting period for the Funds is February 28, 2018, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended February 28, 2018 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

PORTFOLIO VALUATION — Investments in the underlying funds are valued at each Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) 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 (the “Board”). Direct investments in fixed income securities 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.

 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the Funds’ investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

 

Level 1— Prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

 

Level 2— Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

 

Level 3— Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

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

  

18

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of the end of the reporting period, in valuing the Funds’ investments carried at fair value:

 

FREE MARKET U.S. EQUITY FUND

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Domestic Equity Funds  $3,044,719,029   $3,044,719,029   $   $ 
Short-Term Investment   4,664,782    4,664,782         
Total Investments*  $3,049,383,811   $3,049,383,811   $   $ 

 

*

Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

 

FREE MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
International Equity Funds  $2,363,100,142   $2,130,676,068   $232,424,074   $ 
Short-Term Investment   3,470,030    3,470,030         
Total Investments*  $2,366,570,172   $2,134,146,098   $232,424,074   $ 

 

*

Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

 

FREE MARKET FIXED INCOME FUND

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Fixed Income Funds  $2,675,688,886   $2,675,688,886   $   $ 
Short-Term Investment   12,320,331    12,320,331         
Total Investments*  $2,688,009,217   $2,688,009,217   $   $ 

 

*

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”) requires 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 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

 

19

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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.

 

During the current fiscal period, the Funds had no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3.

 

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 reporting 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 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 (other than class specific expenses) 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 Board 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. 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 recorded on the ex-dividend date for each Fund 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 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 — 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. Each Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Funds in the future, and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss for such claims is considered remote.

  

20

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

2.

Investment Adviser and Other Services

 

Matson Money, Inc. (“Matson Money” or the “Adviser”), serves as the investment adviser to each Fund. Each Fund compensates the Adviser for its services at an annual rate based on each Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”), payable on a monthly basis in arrears, as shown in the following table.

 

average daily net assets

advisory

fee

For the first $1 billion 0.50%
Over $1 billion to $5 billion 0.49
Over $5 billion 0.47

 

The Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses exceed the rates (“Expense Caps”) shown in the following table annually of each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser may not recoup waived advisory fees or reimbursed expenses. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time.

 

FUND

EXPENSE

CAPS

Free Market U.S. Equity Fund 1.13%
Free Market International Equity Fund 1.35
Free Market Fixed Income Fund 1.00

 

During the current fiscal period, investment advisory fees accrued were as follows:

 

FUND 

ADVISORY

FEES

 
Free Market U.S. Equity Fund  $7,297,224 
Free Market International Equity Fund   5,679,444 
Free Market Fixed Income Fund   6,379,318 

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) serves as administrator for the Funds. For providing administrative and accounting services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

USBFS serves as the Funds’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (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.

 

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

 

For compensation amounts payable to USBFS, please refer to the Statements of Operations.

 

3.

Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

 

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. An employee of RBB serves as Treasurer and Secretary and is compensated for services provided. Certain employees of USBFS serve as officers of the Company. They are not compensated by the Funds or the Company. For Director’s and Officer’s compensation amounts, please refer to the Statement of Operations.

  

21

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

4.

Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities

 

During the current fiscal period, 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  $232,949,321   $18,000,000 
Free Market International Equity Fund   110,422,706    30,977,508 
Free Market Fixed Income Fund   239,140,862     

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities during the current fiscal period.

 

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. The Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

As of August 31, 2017, the federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments held by each Fund were as follows:

 

   Federal
Tax Cost
   Unrealized
Appreciation
   Unrealized
(Depreciation)
   Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) 
Free Market U.S. Equity Fund  $2,007,489,201   $723,269,653   $(7,692,146)  $715,577,507 
Free Market International Equity Fund   1,830,178,921    406,009,930    (46,892,883)   359,117,047 
Free Market Fixed Income Fund   2,494,680,060    16,155,607    (7,971,649)   8,183,958 

 

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, 2017, primarily attributable to redesignation of dividends paid and reclassifications of short-term capital gain distributions, were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

   Undistributed
Net Investment
Income/(Loss)
  

Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)

   Paid-In
Capital
 
Free Market U.S. Equity Fund  $410,972   $(410,972)  $ 
Free Market International Equity Fund   370,444    (370,443)   (1)
Free Market Fixed Income Fund   369,579    (369,579)    

 

 

22

 

 

FREE MARKET FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

As of August 31, 2017, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

  

Undistributed
Ordinary

Income

   Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
Free Market U.S. Equity Fund  $6,546,513   $79,677,926   $715,577,507 
Free Market International Equity Fund   10,272,498    20,791,078    359,117,047 
Free Market Fixed Income Fund   2,879,239    2,537,822    8,183,958 

 

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 distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

   Ordinary
Income
   Long-Term
Gains
   Total 
Free Market U.S. Equity Fund  $21,140,849   $96,166,053   $117,306,902 
Free Market International Equity Fund   34,715,335    19,714,628    54,429,963 
Free Market Fixed Income Fund   23,810,742        23,810,742 

 

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, 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 the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, the Funds did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

 

6.

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 the following subsequent events:

 

Management of the Funds – Portfolio Managers

 

Effective April 20, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), Sean Babin will serve as a portfolio manager of the Funds. In addition, as of the Effective Date, Kenneth E. Gatliff will no longer serve as a portfolio manager for the Funds.

 

Investment Advisory Agreement

 

Effective as of March 1, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce the investment advisory fee payable by the Funds by implementing a new breakpoint.

 

Under the revised investment advisory agreement with the Company, the Adviser is entitled to an advisory fee at an annual rate based on each Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”), payable on a monthly basis in arrears, as shown in the following table.

 

AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS

ADVISORY

FEE

For the first $1 billion 0.50%
Over $1 billion to $3 billion 0.49
Over $3 billion to $5 billion 0.48
Over $5 billion 0.47

 

23

 

 

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.

  

24

 

 

 

 

 

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Investment Adviser

Matson Money, Inc.
5955 Deerfield Blvd.
Mason, OH 45040

 

Administrator and Transfer Agent

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC

P.O. Box 701

Milwaukee, WI 53201

 

Principal Underwriter

Quasar Distributors, LLC

777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Floor 6

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Custodian

U.S. Bank, N.A.

1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302

Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

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

 

FMFI-SAR18

 

 

 

MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO
MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO
MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

 

of

 

The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

SEMI-Annual Report

 

February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)

 

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

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

The Matson Money VI Funds (the “Funds”) have continued to gain assets since their launch in February 2014 and have surpassed the $66 million mark. We would like to extend a warm and grateful thank you to all investors who have embraced our Free Market Portfolio Strategies.

 

Over the past six months ended February 28, 2018, investors experienced broad based positive returns in the equity markets. International equity markets over the past six months have seen a steady increase, returning 6.59% as measured by the MSCI World ex USA Index. Emerging markets and international small cap stocks performed even better during the time-period, returning 10.58% and 10.59% respectively as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets and MSCI EAFE Small Cap Indices. U.S. stocks outpaced international stocks, over the same time-period, with large stocks returning 10.84% as represented by the S&P 500® Index. Small cap stocks in the U.S. were right on the heels of U.S. large cap stocks, returning 8.29% as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. In contrast to the broad equity markets, rising interest rates drove bond markets negative over the last six months, with the World Government Bond Index posting a loss of 0.32%.

 

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 aims to provide both the individual investor and the financial professional with the academic foundation upon which to help achieve investment goals.

 

In the landmark study done by Eugene Fama and Kenneth French and published in “The Cross-Section of Expected Stock Returns”1 it is documented that, over the long term, investors could have received a premium for investing in small cap stocks and value stocks. These returns seem to be compensation for risk. In fixed income, risk as measured by volatility can be well described by bond maturity and credit quality. Matson Money’s vehicles deliberately seek to target specific risk and return tradeoffs. The Funds are broadly diversified and designed to work together in your total investment plan.

 

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.

 

 

Kenneth E. Gatliff
Portfolio Manager
Matson Money, Inc.

 

1

Fama, E.F. and K. R. French. 1992. “The Cross-section of Expected Stock Returns”. The Journal of Finance. 47: 427–465.

 

1

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (CONCLUDED)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The Russell 2000® Index consists of the smallest 2,000 companies in a group of 3,000 U.S. companies in the Russell 3000® Index, as ranked by market capitalization.

 

The S&P 500® Index is a broad based unmanaged index of 500 stocks, which is widely recognized as representative of the equity market in general.

 

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index captures large and mid cap representation across 24 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. With 842 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

 

The MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index is an equity index which captures small cap representation across Developed Markets countries around the world, excluding the US and Canada. With 2,288 constituents, the index covers approximately 14% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

 

The MSCI World ex USA Index captures large and mid cap representation across 22 of 23 Developed Markets (DM) countries--excluding the United States. With 1,018 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country

 

The World Government Bond Index (WGBI) measures the performance of fixed-rate, local currency, investment grade sovereign bonds. The WGBI is a widely used benchmark that currently comprises sovereign debt from over 20 countries, denominated in a variety of currencies, and has more than 25 years of history available. The WGBI provides a broad benchmark for the global sovereign fixed income market. Sub-indices are available in any combination of currency, maturity, or rating.

 

One cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

 

Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Investing in micro-cap or small cap companies involve additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility than large companies. The Fund invests in foreign securities which involve greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods. These risks are greater in emerging markets. Investments in debt securities typically decrease in value when interest rates rise. This risk is usually greater for longer-term debt securities.

 

Shares of the Funds are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.

 

2

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Performance Data

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

 

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended February 28, 2018

   

Average Annual

 

Six
Months*

1 Year

Since
Inception

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

9.20%

9.35%

8.44%**

Russell 2500® Index

8.71%

11.17%

8.27%****

Composite Index***

7.90%

9.55%

9.19%****

 

*

Not annualized.

**

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.

****

Index information is not available as of the date of the inception of the Portfolio. The average annual returns for the Russell 2500® Index and the Composite Index are presented as of March 1, 2014. If the Portfolio had commenced operations on March 1, 2014, its average annual return since inception would have been 8.06%.

 

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 annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus is 1.08% (included in the ratio is 0.27% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses).

 

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 $30.25 per share on February 28, 2018.

 

Portfolio composition is subject to change.

 

The Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio’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 Portfolio will incur the expenses of the underlying funds in addition to the Portfolio’s expenses.

 

3

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Performance Data

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

 

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended February 28, 2018

   

Average Annual

 

Six
Months*

1 Year

Since
Inception

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

7.44%

20.73%

5.12%**

MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index

6.60%

18.87%

3.92%****

Composite Index***

8.80%

24.01%

5.97%****

 

*

Not annualized.

**

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 Company Index, and MSCI Emerging Markets Index, weighted 25%, 25%, 25% and 25%, respectively.

****

Index information is not available as of the date of the inception of the Portfolio. The average annual returns for the MSCI World (excluding U.S.) Index and the Composite Index are presented as of March 1, 2014. If the Portfolio had commenced operations on March 1, 2014, its average annual return since inception would have been 4.75%.

 

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 annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus is 1.32% (included in the ratio is 0.44% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses).

 

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 $27.79 per share on February 28, 2018.

 

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.

 

4

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Performance Data

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

 

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended February 28, 2018

   

Average Annual

 

Six
Months*

1 Year

Since
Inception

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

-1.39%

-0.40%

0.17%**

Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index

-0.32%

0.65%

1.18%****

Composite Index***

-1.11%

0.27%

1.03%****

 

*

Not annualized.

**

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 Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index, weighted 25%, 25%, 25% and 25%, respectively.

****

Index information is not available as of the date of the inception of the Portfolio. The average annual returns for the Citigroup World Govt. Bond 1-5 Year Currency Hedged U.S. Dollar Index and the Composite Index are presented as of March 1, 2014. If the Portfolio had commenced operations on March 1, 2014, its average annual return since inception would have been 0.11%.

 

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 annual operating expense ratio, as stated in the current prospectus is 0.95% (included in the ratio is 0.18% attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses).

 

The Portfolio’s aggregate total return since inception is based on a decrease in net asset value from $25.00 per share on February 18, 2014 (commencement of operations) to $24.52 per share on February 28, 2018.

 

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.

 

5

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Fund Expense ExampleS

February 28, 2018 (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 September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018, 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 EXAMPLES 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 the Portfolio’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in 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
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018

Expenses Paid
During Period*

Actual

$1,000.00

$ 1,092.00

$4.05

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,020.93

3.91

 

 

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

 

Beginning
Account Value
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018

Expenses Paid
During Period*

Actual

$1,000.00

$ 1,074.40

$4.37

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,020.58

4.26

 

6

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Fund Expense ExampleS (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

 

Beginning
Account Value
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018

Expenses Paid
During Period*

Actual

$1,000.00

$ 986.10

$3.79

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,020.98

3.86

 

*

Expenses are equal to an annualized six-month expense ratio of 0.78%, 0.85% and 0.77% 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 (181) in the most recent fiscal half-year, 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 Portfolios, as stated in the underlying funds’ 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 in each table are based on the actual six-month total return for each Portfolio of 9.20% for Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio, 7.44% for the Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio and -1.39% for the Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio.

 

7

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

 

Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS — 98.7%    
U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio III (b)   215,207   $5,808,433 
U.S. Large Company Portfolio (b)   143,654    3,029,655 
U.S. Micro Cap Portfolio (a)   155,049    3,335,104 
U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (a)   94,751    3,323,864 
U.S. Small Cap Value Portfolio (a)   60,453    2,218,013 
VA U.S. Large Value Portfolio (a)   32,945    884,250 
VA U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio (a)   173,693    3,329,686 
TOTAL DOMESTIC EQUITY FUNDS          
(Cost $19,742,856)        21,929,005 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 1.3%          
STIT-Government & Agency Portfolio, 1.30%*   287,214    287,214 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $287,214)        287,214 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%          
(Cost $20,030,070)        22,216,219 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS — 0.0%        (7,823)
NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $22,208,396 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table
   % of
Net Assets
   Value 
Domestic Equity Funds   98.7%  $21,929,005 
Short-Term Investments   1.3    287,214 
Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities   0.0    (7,823)
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $22,208,396 

 

 

*

Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.

(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.
8

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

 

Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS — 99.3%    
DFA International Small Cap Value Portfolio (a)   201,827   $4,601,646 
DFA International Value Portfolio III (b)   281,749    4,888,339 
Emerging Markets Portfolio (a)   27,661    862,757 
Emerging Markets Small Cap Portfolio (a)   33,067    805,184 
Emerging Markets Value Portfolio (a)   24,680    798,642 
Large Cap International Portfolio (a)   27,196    648,075 
VA International Small Portfolio (a)   198,143    2,789,859 
VA International Value Portfolio (a)   58,870    804,167 
TOTAL INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUNDS          
(Cost $13,787,383)        16,198,669 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.8%          
STIT-Government & Agency Portfolio, 1.30%*   133,216    133,216 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $133,216)        133,216 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.1%          
(Cost $13,920,599)        16,331,885 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS — (0.1)%        (14,148)
NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $16,317,737 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table
   % of
Net Assets
   Value 
International Equity Funds   99.3%  $16,198,669 
Short-Term Investments   0.8    133,216 
Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities   (0.1)   (14,148)
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $16,317,737 

 

 

*

Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.

(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.
9

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

 

Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
FIXED INCOME FUNDS — 98.5%    
DFA Five-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (a)   262,274   $2,829,935 
DFA Inflation Protected Securities Portfolio (a)   123,545    1,420,763 
DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio (a)   141,059    1,701,167 
DFA One-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (a)   316,632    3,245,474 
DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (a)   107,973    1,127,234 
DFA Two-Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (a)   429,266    4,236,851 
iShares 1-3 Year Credit
Bond ETF
   65,264    6,778,319 
iShares Intermediate Credit Bond ETF   15,792    1,694,166 
VA Global Bond Portfolio (a)   402,246    4,243,692 
VA Short-Term Fixed Income Portfolio (a)   55,643    565,333 
TOTAL FIXED INCOME FUNDS          
(Cost $28,368,615)        27,842,934 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 1.4%          
STIT-Government & Agency Portfolio, 1.30%*   409,369    409,369 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $409,369)        409,369 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.9%          
(Cost $28,777,984)        28,252,303 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES — 0.1%        9,040 
NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $28,261,343 

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table
   % of
Net Assets
   Value 
Fixed Income Funds   98.5%  $27,842,934 
Short-Term Investments   1.4    409,369 
Other Assets In Excess Of Liabilities   0.1    9,040 
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $28,261,343 

 

 

*Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.
(a)A portfolio of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc.
ETFExchange-Traded Fund

 

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

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   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 *  $21,929,005   $16,198,669   $27,842,934 
Short-term investments, at value *   287,214    133,216    409,369 
Receivables               
Receivable for capital shares sold   30,820    18,658    45,326 
Dividends receivable   290    135    3,953 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   241    192    285 
Total assets   22,247,570    16,350,870    28,301,867 
                
LIABILITIES               
Payables               
Advisory fees   8,587    6,325    10,787 
Transfer agent fees   3,854        173 
Administration and accounting fees   709    437    766 
Capital shares redeemed   449    401    59 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities   25,575    25,970    28,739 
Total liabilities   39,174    33,133    40,524 
Net assets  $22,208,396   $16,317,737    28,261,343 
                
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:               
Par Value  $734   $587   $1,153 
Paid-in capital   19,170,662    13,962,047    28,798,842 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss)   (134,870)   (43,511)   (859)
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments   985,721    (12,672)   (12,112)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   2,186,149    2,411,286    (525,681)
Net assets  $22,208,396   $16,317,737   $28,261,343 
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized)   734,249    587,127    1,152,524 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $30.25   $27.79   $24.52 
*Identified Cost:               
Investments in non-affiliated funds, at cost  $19,742,856   $13,787,383   $28,368,615 
Short-term investments, at cost   287,214    133,216    409,369 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
11

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Statements of Operations

For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   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  $186,564   $299,410   $281,307 
Total investment income   186,564    299,410    281,307 
                
EXPENSES:               
Advisory fees (Note 2)   54,259    39,391    66,639 
Audit fees   17,443    17,028    18,408 
Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)   3,864    3,170    4,455 
Printing and shareholder reporting fees   3,063    2,005    5,447 
Custodian fees (Note 2)   2,613    2,349    2,606 
Legal fees   802    581    1,103 
Officers fees   261    168    370 
Directors fees   253    342    734 
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)   152    299    422 
Other expenses   1,908    1,886    2,050 
Total expenses   84,618    67,219    102,234 
Net investment income/(loss)   101,946    232,191    179,073 
                
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/ (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS               
Net realized gain/(loss) from:               
Non-affiliated funds   199,102    67,105    362 
Capital gain distributions from non-affiliated fund investments   964,245    225,080    5,388 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:               
Non-affiliated funds   587,688    610,187    (567,222)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   1,751,035    902,372    (561,472)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $1,852,981   $1,134,563   $(382,399)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12

 

 

MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $101,946   $93,335 
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments   1,163,347    789,365 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   587,688    1,460,177 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1,852,981    2,342,877 
           
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:          
Net investment income   (231,177)   (135,895)
Net realized capital gains   (885,944)   (659,715)
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (1,117,121)   (795,610)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from shares sold   2,209,417    4,474,773 
Reinvestment of distributions   1,117,121    795,610 
Shares redeemed   (1,947,016)   (4,215,874)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital shares   1,379,522    1,054,509 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   2,115,382    2,601,776 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   20,093,014    17,491,238 
End of period  $22,208,396   $20,093,014 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of period  $(134,870)  $(5,639)
           
SHARES TRANSACTIONS:          
Shares sold   71,986    154,697 
Dividends and distributions reinvested   36,235    27,789 
Shares redeemed   (63,164)   (146,000)
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   45,057    36,486 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
13

 

 

MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $232,191   $167,928 
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments   292,185    (14,898)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   610,187    2,625,450 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1,134,563    2,778,480 
           
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:          
Net investment income   (308,131)   (247,347)
Net realized capital gains   (135,929)   (166,208)
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (444,060)   (413,555)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from shares sold   1,477,531    2,990,019 
Reinvestment of distributions   444,060    413,555 
Shares redeemed   (1,313,263)   (3,317,091)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital shares   608,328    86,483 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   1,298,831    2,451,408 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   15,018,906    12,567,498 
End of period  $16,317,737   $15,018,906 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of period  $(43,511)  $32,429 
           
SHARES TRANSACTIONS:          
Shares sold   53,540    122,875 
Dividends and distributions reinvested   16,148    18,446 
Shares redeemed   (47,238)   (134,269)
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   22,450    7,052 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14

 

 

MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $179,073   $168,173 
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments   5,750    31,054 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   (567,222)   (115,652)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (382,399)   83,575 
           
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:          
Net investment income   (240,545)   (107,491)
Net realized capital gains   (35,480)   (106,213)
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (276,025)   (213,704)
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from shares sold   3,716,473    6,706,632 
Reinvestment of distributions   276,025    213,703 
Shares redeemed   (1,089,492)   (2,700,382)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital shares   2,903,006    4,219,953 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   2,244,582    4,089,824 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   26,016,761    21,926,937 
End of period  $28,261,343   $26,016,761 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of period  $(859)  $60,613 
           
SHARES TRANSACTIONS:          
Shares sold   149,457    268,602 
Dividends and distributions reinvested   11,180    8,634 
Shares redeemed   (43,643)   (108,026)
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   116,994    169,210 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15

 

 

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
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
   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  $29.15   $26.80   $25.65   $26.79   $25.00 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

   0.14    0.14    0.19    0.03    (0.06)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   2.57    3.44    1.96    (1.07)   1.85 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   2.71    3.58    2.15    (1.04)   1.79 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                         
Net investment income   (0.33)   (0.21)   (0.15)   (0.10)    
Net realized capital gains   (1.28)   (1.02)   (0.85)        
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (1.61)   (1.23)   (1.00)   (0.10)    
Net asset value, end of period  $30.25   $29.15   $26.80   $25.65   $26.79 

Total investment return(3)

   9.20%(4)   13.42%   8.68%   (3.92)%   7.16%(4)
                          
Ratio/Supplemental Data                         
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $22,208   $20,093   $17,491   $13,598   $7,816 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers, if any(5)

   0.78%(6)   0.81%   0.93%   1.13%   1.13%(6)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers, if any(5)

   0.78%(6)   0.81%   0.93%   1.44%   4.07%(6)

Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets with waivers(5)

   0.94%(6)   0.49%   0.74%   0.12%   (0.47)%(6)
Portfolio turnover rate   8%(4)   21%   7%   14%   1%(4)

 

 

(1)

Commencement of operations.

(2)

The selected per share data is 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.
16

 

 

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
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
   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  $26.60   $22.54   $22.48   $25.82   $25.00 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

   0.41    0.29    0.44    0.22    0.07 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   1.56    4.51    0.10    (3.26)   0.75 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1.97    4.80    0.54    (3.04)   0.82 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                         
Net investment income   (0.54)   (0.44)   (0.24)   (0.30)    
Net realized capital gains   (0.24)   (0.30)   (0.24)   (3)    
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (0.78)   (0.74)   (0.48)   (0.30)    
Net asset value, end of period  $27.79   $26.60   $22.54   $22.48   $25.82 

Total investment return(4)

   7.44%(5)   21.90%   2.47%   (11.77)%   3.28%(5)
                          
Ratio/Supplemental Data                         
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $16,318   $15,019   $12,567   $9,641   $5,408 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers, if any(6)

   0.85%(7)   0.88%   1.02%   1.35%   1.35%(7)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers, if any(6)

   0.85%(7)   0.88%   1.02%   1.67%   5.07%(7)

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets with waivers(6)

   2.95%(7)   1.22%   2.03%   0.91%   0.49%(7)
Portfolio turnover rate   7%(5)   21%   5%   15%   2%(5)

 

 

(1)

Commencement of operations.

(2)

The selected per share data is 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.
17

 

 

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
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2016
   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  $25.12   $25.31   $24.93   $25.08   $25.00 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

   0.17    0.18    0.05    0.03    (0.05)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   (0.52)   (0.13)   0.36    (0.04)   0.13 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (0.35)   0.05    0.41    (0.01)   0.08 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                         
Net investment income   (0.22)   (0.12)       (0.14)    
Net realized capital gains   (0.03)   (0.12)   (0.03)        
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (0.25)   (0.24)   (0.03)   (0.14)    
Net asset value, end of period  $24.52   $25.12   $25.31   $24.93   $25.08 

Total investment return(3)

   (1.39)%(4)   0.19%   1.66%   (0.06)%   0.32%(4)
                          
Ratio/Supplemental Data                         
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $28,261   $26,017   $21,927   $18,098   $9,927 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers, if any(5)

   0.77%(6)   0.77%   0.85%   1.00%   1.00%(6)

Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers, if any(5)

   0.77%(6)   0.77%   0.85%   1.37%   3.40%(6)

Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets with waivers(5)

   1.34%(6)   0.70%   0.21%   0.10%   (0.40)%(6)
Portfolio turnover rate   2%(4)   11%   40%   11%   1%(4)

 

 

(1)

Commencement of operations.

(2)

The selected per share data is 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

Notes to Financial Statements

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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-nine 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 87.023 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and eighty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

 

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio and Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek total return (consisting of current income and capital appreciation).

 

The Portfolios are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services - Investment Companies”.

 

The end of the reporting period for the Portfolios is February 28, 2018, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended February 28, 2018 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

PORTFOLIO VALUATION — Investments in the underlying funds are valued at each Portfolio’s net asset value (“NAV”) 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 (the “Board”). Direct investments in fixed income securities 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.

 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the Portfolios’ investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

 

Level 1— Prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

 

Level 2— Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

 

Level 3— Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolios’ own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

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

 

19

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of the end of the reporting period, in valuing the Portfolios’ investments carried at fair value:

 

MATSON MONEY U.S. EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Domestic Equity Funds  $21,929,005   $21,929,005   $   $ 
Short-Term Investments   287,214    287,214         
Total Investments*  $22,216,219   $22,216,219   $   $ 

 

*

Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

 

MATSON MONEY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VI PORTFOLIO

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
International Equity Funds  $16,198,669   $16,198,669   $   $ 
Short-Term Investments   133,216    133,216         
Total Investments*  $16,331,885   $16,331,885   $   $ 

 

*

Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

 

MATSON MONEY FIXED INCOME VI PORTFOLIO

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Fixed Income Funds  $27,842,934   $27,842,934   $   $ 
Short-Term Investments   409,369    409,369         
Total Investments*  $28,252,303   $28,252,303   $   $ 

 

*

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”) requires 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 the Portfolios 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

 

20

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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.

 

During the current fiscal period, the Portfolios had no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3.

 

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 reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

 

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS, INVESTMENT INCOME AND EXPENSES — The Portfolios 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 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 (other than class specific expenses) 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 Board 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 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 recorded on the ex-dividend date for each Portfolio. 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 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 — 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. Each Portfolio’s 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.

 

21

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

2.

Investment Adviser and Other Services

 

Matson Money, Inc. (“Matson Money” or the “Adviser”), serves as the investment adviser to each Portfolio. Each Portfolio compensates the Adviser for its services at an annual rate based on each Portfolio’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”), payable on a monthly basis in arrears, as shown in the following table.

 

AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS

ADVISORY FEE

For the first $1 billion

0.50%

Over $1 billion to $5 billion

0.49

Over $5 billion

0.47

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Portfolio operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed the rates (“Expense Caps”) shown in the following table of each Portfolio’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 certain of these expenses could cause total annual Portfolio operating expenses to exceed the Expense Caps: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. The Adviser may not recoup waived management fees or reimbursed expenses. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2018.

 

PORTFOLIO

EXPENSE CAPS

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

1.13%

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

1.35

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

1.00

 

During the current fiscal period, investment advisory fees accrued were as follows:

 

PORTFOLIO

ADVISORY FEES

Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio

$ 54,259

Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio

39,391

Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio

66,639

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) serves as administrator for the Portfolios. For providing administrative and accounting services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

USBFS serves as the Portfolios’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (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.

 

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

 

For compensation amounts payable to USBFS, please refer to the Statements of Operations.

 

22

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

3.

Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

 

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. An employee of RBB serves as Treasurer and Secretary and is compensated for services provided. Certain employees of USBFS serve as officers of the Company. They are not compensated by the Portfolios or the Company. For Director’s and Officer’s compensation amounts, please refer to the Statement of Operations.

 

4.

Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities

 

During the current fiscal period, 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  $2,955,270   $1,648,995 
Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio   1,867,121    1,117,122 
Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio   3,177,883    403,585 

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities during the current fiscal period.

 

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. The Portfolios are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

As of August 31, 2017, the federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments held by each Portfolio were as follows:

 

   FEDERAL TAX
COST
   UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
   UNREALIZED
(DEPRECIATION)
   NET
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION/
(DEPRECIATION)
 
Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio  $18,608,969   $1,648,864   $(119,237)  $1,529,627 
Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio   13,532,401    1,838,858    (312,390)   1,526,468 
Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio   26,032,617    98,218    (73,452)   24,766 

 

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.

 

23

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2017, 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  $15,909   $(15,909)  $ 
Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio   15,921    (15,921)    
Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio   4,494    (4,494)    

 

As of August 31, 2017, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   Undistributed
Ordinary Income
   Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
   Net
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
   Qualified
Late-Year
Losses
 
Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio  $   $777,151   $1,529,627   $(5,639)
Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio   32,429    105,703    1,526,468     
Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio   60,613    34,393    24,766     

 

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 distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

   Ordinary
Income
   Long-Term
Gains
   Total 
Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio  $135,895   $659,715   $795,610 
Matson Money International Equity VI Portfolio   247,347    166,208    413,555 
Matson Money Fixed Income VI Portfolio   107,491    106,213    213,704 

 

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, or (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 fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2017.

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, the Portfolios deferred to September 1, 2017, the following qualified late-year losses:

 

   Late-Year
Ordinary
Loss Deferral
   Short-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral
   Long-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral
 
Matson Money U.S. Equity VI Portfolio  $(5,639)  $   $ 

 

24

 

 

MATSON MONEY VI PORTFOLIOS

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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. 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 the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, the Portfolios did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

 

6.

Subsequent Events

 

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 was the following subsequent event:

 

Effective April 20, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), Sean Babin will serve as a portfolio manager of the Portfolios. In addition, as of the Effective Date, Kenneth E. Gatliff will no longer serve as a portfolio manager for the Portfolios.

 

25

 

 

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 twelve-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.

 

26

 

 

Investment Adviser

Matson Money, Inc.

5955 Deerfield Blvd.

Mason, OH 45040

 

Administrator and Transfer Agent

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC

P.O. Box 701

Milwaukee, WI 53201

 

Principal Underwriter

Quasar Distributors, LLC

777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Floor 6

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Custodian

U.S. Bank, N.A.

1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302

Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

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

 

MMFI-SAR18

 

 

 

 

Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund (FOOLX)

The portfolio’s “active share” – an industry measure between 0% and 100% that shows how different the portfolio looks from its benchmark – was 93%. The major reason for scoring so highly is philosophical. We seek to own the world’s highest-quality businesses that offer compelling return opportunities, period. We don’t pay much mind to any holding’s presence or weighting in the benchmark, and we don’t mind being different – it works for us.

 

The Fund doesn’t currently own any securities in the Energy, Basic Materials, or Utilities sectors. We don’t see many high quality businesses in this sector right now, and we prefer to fish in more fertile waters.

 

As a global fund, we are afforded the luxury of looking in almost any country to find opportunities. The smallest country represented in the portfolio is Georgia, with 3.7 million citizens. That’s fewer people than live in Los Angeles, but in a land mass 57 times larger. Georgia is a very mountainous country and has several peaks that rise above 16,000 feet.

 

 

Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (TMFGX)

The two top-performing stocks in the portfolio during the six-month period were GrubHub and XPO Logistics. GrubHub delivers food, and XPO delivers large items (like washing machines). Technology and one-click ordering have made it easier than ever to order anything your stomach or heart desire and get it quickly. We are invested alongside this trend.

 

While six months is a very small sample size, it is still remarkable to see how the Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund performed relative to its benchmark, the Russell 2500 Growth index. During weeks when the benchmark declined, our fund fell only 65% as much. During weeks when the benchmark advanced, our fund improved by 114% as much. Folks in the industry call this “downside and upside capture.” We call it good investing and a dose of luck.

 

Our three largest holdings, IPG Photonics, Thor Industries, and XPO Logistics, each represent 5% or more of net assets. If you’ve read our prospectus, you’ll know we can’t buy any more of these companies because of our 5% purchase ceiling. They can grow larger (XPO represents more than 7%), but we cannot add to them. We’re happy to have this problem. Each of these holdings has grown into a substantial holding because of fabulous business performance, not because we made a huge bet.

 

 

Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund (TMFEX)

The Emerging Markets Fund owns stakes in 30 businesses with operations as varied as rubber-glove making to dental plans in countries as varied as Peru and Kenya.

 

The largest industry group represented in the portfolio is Transportation Infrastructure. If you’re passing through a Mexican airport, take extra pride when you purchase a $5 bottle of water, because a portion of that sale will find its way back into your wallet. We also own a pair of port operators who facilitate global trade.

 

Emerging markets in general underperformed domestic stocks over the relevant six-month period. China continues to be a white-hot market, and even though it’s the largest component of most emerging market indexes, it could not drive emerging market indexes to outperform. Our fund has five investments in Chinese companies. The newest is Yum China, which we believe is in a great position to capitalize on the convenience of delivery given its large footprint, digital initiatives, and broad name recognition.

 

 
This report has been prepared for shareholders of Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund, Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund and Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current prospectus, which contains more complete information about the Funds. Investors are reminded to read the prospectus carefully before investing. Returns quoted represent past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Current returns may be lower or higher and can be found at foolfunds.com. Share prices will fluctuate and there may be a gain or loss when shares are redeemed. Fund shares are distributed by Foreside Funds Distributors LLC, Berwyn, Pennsylvania.

 

Table of Contents  

Letter to Shareholders

1

Portfolio Characteristics

4

Fund Expense Examples

12

Schedules of Investments

14

Financial Statements

24

Notes to Financial Statements

34

Notice to Shareholders

47

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Letter to Shareholders

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

In Search of the Investing Gold Medal

 

“You train four years for this one game, but the time that it takes and the amount of work and sacrifice it takes, not just the 23 players on this roster but those who worked hard to get on this team and did not make it. This is what we worked for, the chance to win a gold medal.”

 

- Monique Lamoureux-Morando, U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey

 

Dear Fellow Shareholder,

 

The 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang wrapped up a few weeks ago, and I am still in awe of the athletic prowess demonstrated by the 2,900 athletes who competed. Across the 102 events these athletes demonstrated incredible skill. But focusing too much on the skill sells these athletes short. What is truly remarkable is their ability to perform at such a high level, under pressure, and sometimes in the elements.

 

Many Olympians get one shot in their entire life to perform for just a few seconds for a shot at a medal. The lucky ones get additional chances four or eight years later. This makes the cost of failure, psychologically, extremely high. Not to mention, the cost of failure physically can be serious (think downhill skiing or skeleton).

 

The pressure doesn’t end there. The PyeongChang Olympics grabbed headlines for its bad weather, too. It was the coldest games since the 1994 Lillehammer, Norway games. It was so cold and windy that numerous events had to be rescheduled several times! Eventually, some events had to take place in blizzard-like conditions. Still, thanks to endless training, muscle memory, and focus the athletes were able to perform.

 

Blizzard-like conditions for stocks

 

Calendar year 2017 was a remarkably balmy year for stocks. The largest peak-to-trough fall was less than 3% for the S&P 500 Index. Global stocks, as measured by the FTSE Global All Cap Index, did not experience a down month the entire year. Astoundingly, 9 of the 10 lowest volatility readings on record (as measured by the VIX) occurred in 2017. In July, the VIX broke through its 23-year low, and in November, it closed at its lowest level ever. The market weather in 2017 was as calm as it gets.

 

And then came February 2018. Early in the month, global markets dropped between 2% and 5% on several days. The VIX more than tripled. Intraday market swings were breathtaking. Stock-price volatility continued throughout the month and finished with a 4.4% decline. This was a storm, to be sure, but far from a storm of epic proportions. Clearly, the preceding year of sunshine had lulled investors into a false sense of security, and at the earliest hint of a break in the calm investors sprinted to the exits. More than $14 billion was withdrawn from equity mutual funds in the first week of February alone.

 

Just as Olympic athletes have no control over the weather on their day to compete, your fund managers have no control over the weather in the market. Yet, both the gold medal and your investment dollars hang in the balance anyway. The cost of failure is high. We must perform.

 

The Olympic Athletes of MFAM

 

Our strategy for dealing with market volatility is to (1) know what we own and why we own it, (2) know what we want to own, and (3) keep our long-term mindset.

 

I know of no way to predict market volatility. It is simply a random variable inherent to investing. However, labeling something as random does not minimize its potential emotional impact. Watching asset prices swing wildly can be unnerving. What we do know, is that asset values do not change nearly as dramatically as asset prices. Knowing the businesses and competitive dynamics underlying the stocks we own helps us keep our focus on value instead of price. Clearly articulating a thesis for why we want to underwrite an investment helps keep us focused on the fundamental business drivers, which are almost never tied to market prices. In short, maintaining a business focus instead of a stock focus dilutes the emotional impact that can come with vacillating prices.

 

Keeping a list of what we believe to be the highest-quality businesses in the world is another key way we deal with volatility. We spend each day trying to identify the types of businesses we’d like to own, and we vet them rigorously. Rather than scramble to conduct research during turbulent times, we simply turn to our wish list and see which opportunities are best. Of course we weigh

 

1

 

 

these wish-list companies against the opportunities in the ones we already own and act accordingly. True to form, your managers were net buyers during the February sell-off. We made purchases in four companies (three were new) and sold only one. Having this process in place allows for volatility to be an opportunity rather than a threat.

 

Finally, we deal with volatility by having a long-term mindset firmly embedded in our philosophy and culture. In fact, our core investing belief is that “independent research, conducted with a long-term mindset, can outperform.” As illustrated by the table below, history demonstrates that, while stock returns can and do vary wildly over annual (or shorter) periods, they have consistently been positive and healthy as the time frame lengthens. When your horizon, and behavior, extends beyond five years, your probability of earning positive returns skyrockets. Maintaining a long-term mindset further forces us to search for the type of businesses – high-quality ones – that are most likely to stand the test of time and generate those rewards.

 

S&P 500® Total Returns: 1926-2015

Time Frame

Positive

Negative

Daily

54%

46%

Quarterly

68%

32%

One Year

74%

26%

Five Years

86%

14%

10 Years

94%

6%

20 Years

100%

0%

Source: Ben Carlson, Playing the Probabilities. A Wealth of Common Sense.

 

Pride in our performance

 

I have no idea if you, dear investor, think our team has earned a gold, silver, or bronze medal. (If so, I’d like to think you’ll play our anthem, “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child, in celebration.) Regardless, I am proud of the training our team puts in each day, our behavior in volatile times, and our commitment to managing portfolios of the highest-quality businesses on earth. Thank you for your continued trust.

 

Onward,

 

 

Bryan Hinmon
Chief Investment Officer, Motley Fool Asset Management

 

 

2

 

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results. There can be no guarantee that any strategy (risk management or otherwise) will be successful. All investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal. Securities in a Fund may not match those in an index and performance of the Fund will be differ. You cannot invest directly into an index.

 

The Letter to Shareholders seeks to describe some of the Adviser’s current opinions and views of the financial markets. Although the Adviser believes it has a reasonable basis for any opinions or views expressed, actual results may differ, sometimes significantly so, from those expected or expressed. The securities held by the Funds that are discussed in the Letter to Shareholders were held during the period covered by the semi-annual report. They do not comprise the entire investment portfolio of the Funds, may be sold at any time, and may no longer be held by the Funds. The opinions of the Adviser with respect to those securities may change at any time.

 

New to investing? Reading your first mutual fund semi-annual report?

 

Welcome! Here are some important things you need to know. Mutual fund investing offers many potential benefits. But there also are risks. Financial gain is not guaranteed when it comes to investing in equity securities. It’s possible to lose money, including your principal — especially during the short term.

 

We focus on the stocks of high quality businesses. Even the best businesses in the world fall in price — and sometimes a lot. Over the longer term, stock prices usually reflect business values, but the relationship is much more tenuous in the short term.

 

We also construct focused portfolios. This means we’re likely to own far fewer securities than are in the “market” or our benchmark. This could result in higher volatility or performance that is worse from the market and benchmark. To be fair, it could also result in lower volatility and performance that is better.

 

Our funds may invest in foreign companies and in companies with small market capitalization. There are certain risks associated with these types of investments. The risks are described on pages 4, 7 and 10 of this report. Additional risk information is provided in section 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

3

 

 

Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund
Portfolio Characteristics
(Unaudited)

 

The Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund operated as a series of The Motley Fool Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”) prior to December 21, 2016, at which time the Predecessor Fund was reorganized into the Fund. The performance shown for periods prior to December 21, 2016 represents the performance of the Predecessor Fund.

 

At February 28, 2018, the Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund Investor Shares had an unaudited net asset value of $24.65 per share attributed to 15,580,007 shares outstanding and the Institutional Shares had an unaudited net asset value of $24.69 per share attributed to 3,008,476 shares outstanding. This compares with an unaudited net asset value as of June 16, 2009 for the Investor Shares of $10.00 per share attributed to 100,000 shares outstanding and as of June 17, 2014 for the Institutional Shares of $20.36 per share attributed to 1 share outstanding. From the Investor Shares launch on June 16, 2009 to February 28, 2018, the Investor Shares had an average annual total return of 13.93% versus a return of 11.97% over the same period for its benchmark, FTSE Global All Cap Net Tax Index. From the Institutional Shares launch on June 17, 2014 to February 28, 2018, the Institutional Shares returned 10.73% versus a return of 7.83% over the same period for the FTSE Global All Cap Net Tax Index.

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended February 28, 2018

 

Six
months

One
Year

Five
Year

Since
Inception

Inception
Date

Investor Shares*

16.38%

33.88%

12.79%

13.93%

6/16/2009

Institutional Shares*

16.45%

34.03%

N/A

10.73%

6/17/2014

FTSE Global All Cap Net Tax Index**

8.79%

18.62%

10.53%

(1)

Fund Expense Ratios(2): Investor Shares: Gross 1.15% and Net 1.15%; Institutional Shares: Gross 1.17% and Net 0.95%

 

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 www.FoolFunds.com. 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.

 

Not annualized.

(1)

The index returned 11. 97% from the inception date of the Investor Shares and 7.83% from the inception date of the Institutional Shares.

(2)

The expense ratios of the Fund are set forth according to the 12/31/2017 Prospectus for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report. See the Financial Highlights for more current expense ratios.

*

These returns reflect expense waivers by the Fund’s investment adviser. Without these waivers, returns would have been lower.

**

The FTSE Global All Cap Net Tax Index is a market-capitalization weighted index representing the performance of large, mid and small cap companies in Developed and Emerging markets. The index is comprised of approximately 7,600 securities from 47 countries and captures 98% of the world’s investable market capitalization. Fair value prices and foreign exchange as of 4 pm ET are used in the calculation of this index, and returns are adjusted for withholding taxes applicable to dividends received by a U.S. Regulated Investment Company domiciled in the United States. The index is unmanaged and not available for direct investments. Its performance does not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes.

 

The investment objective of the Global Opportunities Fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation, and it pursues this objective by investing primarily in common stocks of companies located anywhere in the world. The Fund employs a growth at a reasonable price investment strategy and seeks long-term growth by identifying and acquiring securities of companies that are, in the view of Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), high quality. To identify these high-quality businesses, the Adviser engages in research to evaluate each company under consideration using four criteria: management, culture, and incentives; the economics of the business; competitive advantage; and the durability of its competitive advantage period. The Adviser’s approach prizes a long-term mindset and a balance of qualitative and quantitative factors.

 

The Fund will invest in areas of the market, that, in the view of the Adviser, offer the greatest potential for long-term capital appreciation, and it does not attempt to match the allocations of its benchmark. As such, significant deviation from the benchmark is expected from time to time, especially over shorter time frames.

 

The allocations to various sectors, countries, or any other macro-economic designation, are the byproduct of rigorous bottom-up analysis rather than an intentional top-down opinion of asset classes. While market conditions are constantly changing, exposure to equity market risk is needed to consistently achieve equity-like returns.

 

4

 

 

Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund
Portfolio Characteristics (Continued)
(Unaudited)

 

The following tables show the top eleven holdings, sector allocations, and top eleven countries in which the Fund was invested in as of February 28, 2018. Portfolio holdings are subject to change without notice.

 

Top Eleven Holdings

% of Net
Assets

Amazon.com, Inc.

5.61%

NMC Health PLC

4.47

XPO Logistics, Inc.

4.00

IPG Photonics Corp.

3.86

Mastercard, Inc. Class A

3.66

Medtronic PLC

3.58

MercadoLibre, Inc.

3.08

Align Technology, Inc.

3.04

Douzone Bizon Co., Ltd.

2.96

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

2.81

BGEO Group PLC

2.67

 

39.74%

 

The Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund uses the Global Industry Classification StandardSM (“GICS SM”) as the basis for the classification of securities on the Schedule of Investments (“SOI”).We believe that this makes the SOI classifications more standard with the rest of the industry.

 

Sector Allocation

% of Net
Assets

Information Technology

32.87%

Consumer Discretionary

17.68

Health Care

15.98

Industrials

10.64

Financials

10.19

Real Estate

4.00

Consumer Staples

3.92

Telecommunication Services

1.73

 

97.01%

 

5

 

 

Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund
Portfolio Characteristics (Concluded)
(Unaudited)

 

Top Eleven Countries

% of Net
Assets

United States *

57.35%

United Arab Emirates

5.31

China

4.82

Ireland

3.58

Argentina

3.08

South Korea

2.96

Georgia

2.67

Japan

2.61

Indonesia

2.54

India

2.12

Panama

2.09

 

89.13%

 

*

As of the date of the report, the Fund had a holding of 2.39% in the First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class X.

 

6

 

 

Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund
Portfolio Characteristics
(Unaudited)

 

The Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund operated as a series of The Motley Fool Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”) prior to December 21, 2016, at which time the Predecessor Fund was reorganized into the Fund. The performance shown for periods prior to December 21, 2016 represents performance of the Predecessor Fund.

 

At February 28, 2018, the Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund Investor Shares had an unaudited net asset value of $25.22 per share attributed to 10,571,162 shares outstanding and the Institutional Shares had an unaudited net asset value of $25.36 per share attributed to 1,072,118 shares outstanding. This compares with an unaudited net asset value as of November 1, 2010 for the Investor Shares of $10.00 per share attributed to 102,000 shares outstanding and as of June 17, 2014 for the Institutional Shares of $17.94 per share attributed to 1 share outstanding. From the Investor Shares launch on November 1, 2010 to February 28, 2018, the Investor Shares had an average annual total return of 14.64% versus a return of 14.35% over the same period for its benchmark, the Russell 2500 Growth Index. From the Institutional Shares launch on June 17, 2014 to February 28, 2018, the Institutional Shares returned 11.59% versus a return of 10.51% over the same period for the Russell 2500 Growth Index.

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended February 28, 2018

 

Six
Months

One
Year

Five
Year

Since
Inception

Inception
Date

Investor Shares*

20.82%

29.20%

14.51%

14.64%

11/1/2010

Institutional Shares*

20.90%

29.38%

N/A

11.59%

6/17/2014

Russell 2500 Growth Index**

12.52%

19.82%

14.15%

(1)

Fund Expense Ratios(2): Investor Shares: Gross 1.16% and Net 1.15%; Institutional Shares: Gross 1.47% and Net 0.95%

 

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 www.FoolFunds.com. 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.

 

Not annualized.

(1)

The index returned 14.35% from the inception date of the Investor Shares and 10.51% from the inception date of the Institutional Shares.

(2)

The expense ratios of the Fund are set forth according to the 12/31/2017 Prospectus for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report. See the Financial Highlights for more current expense ratios.

*

These returns reflect expense waivers by the Fund’s investment adviser. Without these waivers, returns would have been lower.

**

The Russell 2500 Growth Index is an unmanaged, free float-adjusted, market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of the small and mid-cap growth segment of the U.S. stock market. The Russell 2500 Growth Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index. It includes approximately 2,500 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership. The Fund may invest in companies that are not included within the Russell 2500 Growth Index and its investment portfolio is not weighted in terms of issuers the same as the Russell 2500 Growth Index. For this reason, the Fund’s investment performance should not be expected to track, and may exceed or trail, the Russell 2500 Growth Index. The index is unmanaged and not available for direct investment. Its performance does not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes.

 

The investment objective of the Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation, and it pursues this objective by investing primarily in common stocks of companies organized in the United States. The Fund employs a growth at a reasonable price investment strategy and seeks long-term growth by identifying and acquiring securities of companies that are, in the view of Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), high quality. To identify these high-quality businesses, the Adviser engages in research to evaluate each company under consideration using four criteria: management, culture, and incentives; the economics of the business; competitive advantage; and the durability of its competitive advantage period. The Adviser’s approach prizes a long-term mindset and a balance of qualitative and quantitative factors.

 

The Fund will invest in areas of the market, that, in the view of the Adviser, offer the greatest potential for long-term capital appreciation, and it does not attempt to match the allocations of its benchmark. As such, significant deviation from the benchmark is expected from time to time, especially over shorter time frames.

 

7

 

 

Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund
Portfolio Characteristics (concluded)
(Unaudited)

 

The allocations to various sectors, or any other macro-economic designation, are the byproduct of rigorous bottom-up analysis rather than an intentional top-down opinion of asset classes. While market conditions are constantly changing, exposure to equity market risk is needed to consistently achieve equity-like returns. The Adviser views its time as best spent focused on evaluating businesses and seeking to minimize company-specific risk in order to pursue its objective of long-term capital appreciation.

 

Although the Small-Mid Cap Fund may invest in companies with any market capitalization, the Adviser expects that investments in the securities of companies having smaller- and mid-market capitalizations will be important components of the Fund’s investment program. Investments in securities of these companies may involve greater risk than do investments in larger, more established companies. Small- and mid-cap stocks tend to be more volatile and less liquid than their large-cap counterparts.

 

The following tables show the top eleven holdings, and sector allocations in which the Fund was invested in as of February 28, 2018. Portfolio holdings are subject to change without notice.

 

Top Eleven Holdings*

% of Net
Assets

XPO Logistics, Inc.

7.20%

Thor Industries, Inc.

5.05

IPG Photonics Corp.

4.98

LCI Industries

4.12

Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.

3.96

Align Technology, Inc.

3.66

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

3.48

Cooper Companies, Inc. (The)

3.25

ResMed, Inc.

3.21

Markel Corp.

2.99

SBA Communications Corp.

2.94

 

44.84%

 

*

As of the date of the report, the Fund had a holding of 4.21% in the First American Treasury Obligations Fund Class X.

 

The Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund uses the Global Industry Classification StandardSM (“GICS SM”) as the basis for the classification of securities on the Schedule of Investments (“SOI”).We believe that this makes the SOI classifications more standard with the rest of the industry.

 

Sector Allocation

% of Net
Assets

Consumer Discretionary

21.02%

Industrials

18.24

Health Care

15.92

Information Technology

15.21

Financials

11.90

Real Estate

8.42

Consumer Staples

2.88

Materials

2.17

 

95.76%

 

8

 

 

Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund
Portfolio Characteristics
(Unaudited)

 

The Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund operated as a series of The Motley Fool Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”) prior to December 21, 2016, at which time the Predecessor Fund was reorganized into the Fund. The performance shown for periods prior to December 21, 2016 represents the performance of the Predecessor Fund

 

At February 28, 2018, the Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund Investor Shares had an unaudited net asset value of $15.40 per share attributed to 2,502,804 shares outstanding. This compares with an unaudited net asset value as of November 1, 2011 for the Investor Shares of $10.00 per share attributed to 106,350 shares outstanding. From the Investor Shares launch on November 1, 2011 to February 28, 2018, the Investor Shares had an average annual total return of 8.16% versus a return of 5.97% over the same period for its benchmark, the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Net Tax Index.

 

Average Annual Total Returns for periods ended February 28, 2018

 

Six
Months

One
Year

Five
Year

SINCE
Inception

Inception
Date

Investor Shares*

8.15%

31.26%

7.52%

8.16%

11/1/2011

FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Net Tax Index**

8.87%

25.14%

5.02%

5.97%(1)

Fund Expense Ratios(2): Investor Shares: Gross 2.00% and Net 1.15%

 

 

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 www.FoolFunds.com. 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.

 

Not annualized.

(1)

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

(2)

The expense ratios of the Fund are set forth according to the 12/31/2017 Prospectus for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights table in this report. See the Financial Highlights for more current expense ratios.

*

These returns reflect expense waivers by the Fund’s investment adviser. Without these waivers, returns would have been lower.

**

The FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Net Tax Index is a market-capitalization weighted index representing the performance of large, mid and small cap companies in Emerging markets. The index is comprised of approximately 3,350 securities from 22 countries, and is part of the FTSE China A Inclusion Indexes which contain FTSE China A All Cap Index securities adjusted for the aggregate approved QFII and RQFII quotas available to international investors. Fair value prices and foreign exchange as of 4 pm EST are used in the calculation of this index, and returns are adjusted for withholding taxes applicable to dividends received by a U.S. Regulated Investment Company domiciled in the United States.

 

The investment objective of the Emerging Markets Fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation, and it pursues this objective by investing primarily in common stocks of companies organized in emerging market foreign countries. In prior years, the Fund’s strategy included investments in both developed and emerging markets countries. Along with a name change effective February 28, 2017, the Fund has been focused on emerging economies.

 

The Fund employs a growth at a reasonable price investment strategy and seeks long-term growth by identifying and acquiring securities of companies that are, in the view of Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”), high quality. To identify these high-quality businesses, the Adviser engages in research to evaluate each company under consideration using four criteria: management, culture, and incentives; the economics of the business; competitive advantage; and the durability of its competitive advantage period. The Adviser’s approach prizes a long-term mindset and a balance of qualitative and quantitative factors. While emerging markets have always been included in the Fund, the new focus following the name change mentioned above resulted in several new companies entering the portfolio.

 

The Fund will invest in areas of the market, that, in the view of the Adviser, offer the greatest potential for long-term capital appreciation, and it does not attempt to match the allocations of its benchmark. As such, significant deviation from the benchmark is expected from time to time, especially over shorter time frames.

 

9

 

 

Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund
Portfolio Characteristics (Continued)
(Unaudited)

 

The allocations to various sectors, countries, or any other macro-economic designation, are the byproduct of rigorous bottom-up analysis rather than an intentional top-down opinion of asset classes. While market conditions are constantly changing, exposure to equity market risk is needed to consistently achieve equity-like returns. The Adviser views its time as best spent focused on evaluating businesses and seeking to minimize company-specific risk in order to pursue its objective of long-term capital appreciation.

 

Because the Emerging Markets Fund is free to invest in companies of any size around the world, investments in companies with smaller market capitalizations will be an important component of the Fund’s investment program. Small-cap stocks tend to be more volatile and less liquid than their large-cap counterparts. In addition to company risk, fluctuations in currency exchange rates can cause losses when investing in foreign securities, with emerging markets presenting additional risks of illiquidity, political instability, and lax regulation. Please refer to the prospectus for a more detailed discussion of the Fund’s strategies and risks.

 

While investing in a particular sector is not a principal investment strategy of the Emerging Markets Fund, the portfolio may be significantly invested in a sector as a result of the portfolio management decisions made pursuant to its principal investment strategy.

 

The following tables show the top eleven holdings, sector allocations, and top eleven countries in which the Fund was invested in as of February 28, 2018. Portfolio holdings are subject to change without notice.

 

Top Eleven Holdings*

% of Net
Assets

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

6.47%

NMC Health PLC

6.11

MercadoLibre, Inc.

5.54

Top Glove Corp Bhd

5.14

Douzone Bizon Co., Ltd.

5.03

Yum China Holdings, Inc.

4.05

Ctrip.com International Ltd. ADR

3.97

Odontoprev SA

3.69

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. SP ADR

3.66

BGEO Group PLC

3.62

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

3.53

 

50.81%

 

*

As of the date of the report, the Fund had a holding of 5.71% in the First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class X.

 

The Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund uses the Global Industry Classification StandardSM (“GICS SM”) as the basis for the classification of securities on the Schedule of Investments (“SOI”).We believe that this makes the SOI classifications more standard with the rest of the industry.

 

10

 

 

Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund
Portfolio Characteristics (Concluded)
(Unaudited)

 

Sector Allocation

% of Net
Assets

Information Technology

23.00%

Financials

16.47

Health Care

16.00

Industrials

14.94

Consumer Discretionary

13.03

Consumer Staples

5.53

Telecommunication Services

4.18

Real Estate

0.97

 

94.12%

 

Top Eleven Countries*

% of Net
Assets

China

16.80%

United Arab Emirates

8.77

Mexico

8.69

Indonesia

6.66

Argentina

5.54

Brazil

5.34

Malaysia

5.14

South Korea

5.03

Turkey

4.80

Georgia

4.69

Taiwan

3.66

 

84.88%

 

*

As of the date of the report, the Fund had a holding of 5.71% in the First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class X.

 

11

 

 

Motley Fool Funds
Fund Expense Examples
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Funds, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, and (2) ongoing costs, including advisory fees and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you to 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 September 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018, and held for the entire period.

 

Actual Expenses

 

The first section of the accompanying tables provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred 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 section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.

 

Hypothetical ExampleS for Comparison Purposes

 

The second section of the accompanying tables provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each 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. Thus, you should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate the actual ending account balance or your expenses for the period. Rather, these figures are provided to enable you to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund as compared to the costs of investing in other funds. To do so, compare these 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the second section 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.

 

Do you know how many times a fund, or the market, has returned a smooth 5% over a long period of time? Never. But we have to pick some example. In reality, the market’s returns are always far bumpier, with the market returning 20% one year, followed by a loss of 10% the next year, followed by a 3% gain, etc. These variations affect actual expenses as well. Happily, over almost all time periods of 20 years or longer, according to the research of University of Pennsylvania’s Jeremy Siegel and others, the domestic market’s returns have been at least 5% per year on average.

 

Beginning
Account Value
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28,
2018

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
(1)

Expenses
Paid During
Period
(2)

Global Opportunities Fund - Investor Shares

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,163.80

1.07%

$5.74

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,019.49

1.07

5.63

Global Opportunities Fund - Institutional Shares

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,164.50

0.95%

$5.10

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,020.08

0.95

4.76

 

12

 

 

Motley Fool Funds
Fund Expense Examples (Concluded)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Beginning
Account Value
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28,
2018

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
(1)

Expenses
Paid During
Period
(2)

Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund - Investor Shares

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,208.20

1.15%

$6.30

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,019.09

1.15

5.76

Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund - Institutional Shares

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,209.00

0.95%

$5.20

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,020.08

0.95

4.76

Emerging Markets Fund - Investor Shares

       

Actual

$1,000.00

$1,081.50

1.15%

$5.94

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,019.09

1.15

5.76

 

(1)

These ratios reflect expenses waived by the Funds investment adviser. Without these waivers, the Funds expenses would have been higher and the ending account values would have been lower.

 

(2)

Expenses are equal to the Funds’ annualized expense ratio for the period September 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (181) in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 365 to reflect the one-half year period.

 

13

 

 

Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund
Schedule of Investments
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Common Stocks — 96.18%        
Air Freight & Logistics — 4.00%        
XPO Logistics, Inc. (United States)*   186,000   $18,307,980 
Auto Components — 2.30%          
Gentex Corp. (United States)   200,000    4,542,000 
LCI Industries (United States)   55,000    6,011,500 
         10,553,500 
Banks — 6.88%          
Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior SA (Panama)   343,129    9,556,142 
BGEO Group PLC (Georgia)   263,132    12,255,913 
HDFC Bank Ltd. ADR (India)   100,000    9,718,000 
         31,530,055 
Biotechnology — 1.61%          
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (United States)*   140,000    7,394,800 
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.39%          
KAR Auction Services, Inc. (United States)   117,708    6,365,649 
Communications Equipment — 1.44%          
Infinera Corp. (United States)*   661,100    6,577,945 
Consumer Finance — 1.28%          
Gentera SAB de CV (Mexico)   7,200,000    5,885,845 
Diversified Financial Services — 2.03%          
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class A (United States)*   30    9,307,500 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 3.86%          
IPG Photonics Corp. (United States)*   72,000    17,686,080 
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts — 4.01%          
American Tower Corp. (United States)   64,000    8,917,120 
SBA Communications Corp. (United States)*   60,000    9,436,200 
         18,353,320 
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.67%          
Costco Wholesale Corp. (United States)   40,000    7,636,000 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14

 

 

Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund
Schedule of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Common Stocks (continued)        
Food Products — 2.25%        
Nestle SA (Switzerland)   68,694   $5,457,811 
Nippon Indosari Corpindo Tbk PT (Indonesia)   54,234,800    4,852,079 
         10,309,890 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 8.73%          
Align Technology, Inc. (United States)*   53,000    13,913,560 
Medtronic PLC (Ireland)   205,272    16,399,180 
ResMed, Inc. (United States)   102,000    9,717,540 
         40,030,280 
Health Care Providers & Services — 4.47%          
NMC Health PLC (United Arab Emirates)   435,482    20,495,822 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 3.40%          
Starbucks Corp. (United States)   195,000    11,134,500 
Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (United States)   80,500    4,448,430 
         15,582,930 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 9.19%          
Amazon.com, Inc. (United States)*   17,000    25,711,650 
Ctrip.com International Ltd. ADR (China)*   200,752    9,230,577 
zooplus AG (Germany)*   33,000    7,171,697 
         42,113,924 
Internet Software & Services — 10.21%          
Alphabet, Inc., Class C (United States)*   9,024    9,969,084 
Facebook, Inc. (United States)*   55,000    9,807,600 
MercadoLibre, Inc. (Argentina)   36,437    14,136,463 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China)   235,000    12,856,502 
         46,769,649 
IT Services — 5.40%          
Mastercard, Inc. (United States)   95,500    16,785,080 
PayPal Holdings, Inc. (United States)*   100,000    7,941,000 
         24,726,080 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 1.16%          
Horizon Discovery Group PLC (United Kingdom)*   2,135,499    5,335,581 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

15

 

 

Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund
Schedule of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Common Stocks (continued)        
Machinery — 0.88%        
FANUC Corp. (Japan)   16,000   $4,043,078 
Media — 1.31%          
Multiplus SA (Brazil)   278,600    2,954,263 
System1 Group PLC (United Kingdom)   700,000    3,025,806 
         5,980,069 
Multiline Retail — 1.48%          
Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk PT (Indonesia)   12,301,000    6,799,840 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 2.03%          
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. SP ADR (Taiwan)   215,000    9,320,250 
Software — 8.19%          
Douzone Bizon Co., Ltd. (South Korea)   265,680    13,563,672 
Paycom Software, Inc. (United States)*   88,000    8,704,960 
Splunk, Inc. (United States)*   97,500    9,087,000 
Ultimate Software Group, Inc. (The) (United States)*   26,000    6,199,960 
         37,555,592 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 1.75%          
Apple, Inc. (United States)   45,000    8,015,400 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.80%          
Watsco, Inc. (United States)   50,000    8,268,500 
Transportation Infrastructure — 1.73%          
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (Philippines)   3,750,000    7,920,507 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.73%          
SoftBank Group Corp. (Japan)   96,000    7,910,100 
Total Common Stocks (Cost $259,746,225)        440,776,166 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16

 

 

Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund
Schedule of Investments (concluded)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Participatory Notes — 0.84%        
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.84%        
Aramex PJSC (United Arab Emirates) (a)   3,134,000   $3,859,677 
Total Participatory Notes (Cost $2,790,802)        3,859,677 
           
Short-Term Investments — 2.39%          
First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class X (United States) 1.27% (b)   10,939,991    10,939,991 
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $10,939,991)        10,939,991 
           
Total Investments (Cost $273,477,018) — 99.41%        455,575,834 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.59%        2,728,222 
NET ASSETS — 100.00%          
(Applicable to 18,588,483 shares outstanding)       $458,304,056 

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

PLC — Public Limited Company

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

SP ADR — Sponsored ADR

 

(a)

Security exempt form registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. Total market value of Rule 144A securities is $3,859,677 and represents 0.84% of net assets as of February 28, 2018.

(b)

Seven-day yeild as of February 28, 2018.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

17

 

 

Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Common Stocks — 95.75%        
Air Freight & Logistics — 8.67%        
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (United States)   46,000   $4,294,560 
XPO Logistics, Inc. (United States)*   215,000    21,162,450 
         25,457,010 
Auto Components — 7.28%          
Dorman Products, Inc. (United States)*   35,938    2,479,722 
Gentex Corp. (United States)   300,000    6,813,000 
LCI Industries (United States)   110,670    12,096,231 
         21,388,953 
Automobiles — 5.05%          
Thor Industries, Inc. (United States)   115,000    14,835,000 
Banks — 4.47%          
Access National Corp. (United States)   124,832    3,489,054 
Carter Bank & Trust (United States)*   170,000    2,864,500 
Huntington Bancshares, Inc. (United States)   100,000    1,570,000 
Lakeland Financial Corp. (United States)   60,000    2,718,600 
SVB Financial Group (United States)*   10,000    2,489,800 
         13,131,954 
Biotechnology — 2.23%          
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (United States)*   124,100    6,554,962 
Building Products — 2.22%          
American Woodmark Corp. (United States)*   50,736    6,514,502 
Capital Markets — 4.44%          
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. (United States)   36,959    7,577,704 
Oaktree Capital Group LLC (United States)   131,072    5,465,702 
         13,043,406 
Chemicals — 0.86%          
Eastman Chemical Co. (United States)   25,000    2,527,000 
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.56%          
KAR Auction Services, Inc. (United States)   85,000    4,596,800 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 4.98%          
IPG Photonics Corp. (United States)*   59,500    14,615,580 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18

 

 

Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Common Stocks (continued)        
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts — 4.46%        
SBA Communications Corp. (United States)*   55,000   $8,649,850 
STAG Industrial, Inc. (United States)   195,000    4,440,150 
         13,090,000 
Food Products — 1.09%          
McCormick & Co, Inc. (United States)   30,000    3,203,400 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 13.69%          
Align Technology, Inc. (United States)*   41,000    10,763,320 
Cooper Cos, Inc. (The) (United States)   41,400    9,543,528 
NuVasive, Inc. (United States)*   51,449    2,488,074 
ResMed, Inc. (United States)   99,000    9,431,730 
Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (United States)*   67,000    7,995,780 
         40,222,432 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 3.58%          
Papa John's International, Inc. (United States)   5,000    288,700 
Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (United States)   184,929    10,219,177 
         10,507,877 
Household Durables — 0.24%          
TRI Pointe Group, Inc. (United States)*   46,000    705,180 
Household Products — 1.79%          
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (United States)   106,600    5,243,654 
Insurance — 2.99%          
Markel Corp. (United States)*   7,900    8,784,800 
Internet Software & Services — 2.71%          
GrubHub, Inc. (United States)*   80,000    7,952,800 
IT Services — 0.85%          
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (United States)   25,000    2,509,500 
Leisure Products — 2.23%          
Hasbro, Inc. (United States)   68,615    6,557,536 
Machinery — 1.48%          
Proto Labs, Inc. (United States)*   40,000    4,358,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

19

 

 

Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund
Schedule of Investments (concluded)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Common Stocks (continued)        
Paper & Forest Products — 1.31%        
KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp. (United States)   110,400   $3,851,856 
Real Estate Management & Development — 3.96%          
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc. (United States)   72,500    11,644,225 
Road & Rail — 1.18%          
Genesee & Wyoming, Inc. (United States)*   50,000    3,476,500 
Software — 6.67%          
Paycom Software, Inc. (United States)*   75,000    7,419,000 
Splunk, Inc. (United States)*   77,000    7,176,400 
Ultimate Software Group, Inc. (The) (United States)*   21,000    5,007,660 
         19,603,060 
Specialty Retail — 2.64%          
AutoZone, Inc. (United States)*   7,300    4,852,456 
Tractor Supply Co. (United States)   44,800    2,908,864 
         7,761,320 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 3.12%          
Fastenal Co. (United States)   76,750    4,199,760 
Watsco, Inc. (United States)   30,000    4,961,100 
         9,160,860 
Total Common Stocks (Cost $158,076,756)        281,298,167 
           
Short-Term Investments — 4.21%          
First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class X (United States), 1.27% (a)   12,373,646    12,373,646 
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $12,373,646)        12,373,646 
           
Total Investments (Cost $170,450,402) — 99.96%        293,671,813 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.04%        101,383 
NET ASSETS — 100.00%          
(Applicable to 11,643,280 shares outstanding)       $293,773,196 

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

(a)

Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20

 

 

Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund
Schedule of Investments
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Common Stocks — 94.12%        
Banks — 13.61%        
Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior SA (Panama)   45,000   $1,253,250 
BGEO Group PLC (Georgia)   30,000    1,397,312 
Credicorp Ltd. (Peru)   6,000    1,298,700 
HDFC Bank Ltd. ADR (India)   13,350    1,297,353 
         5,246,615 
Beverages — 1.88%          
Coca-Cola Icecek AS (Turkey)   75,000    725,540 
Consumer Finance — 2.86%          
Gentera SAB de CV (Mexico)   1,350,000    1,103,596 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.13%          
Telkom SA SOC Ltd. (South Africa)   100,000    435,543 
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.32%          
CP ALL PCL NVDR (Thailand)   190,000    508,442 
Food Products — 2.33%          
Nippon Indosari Corpindo Tbk PT (Indonesia)   10,022,700    896,674 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 5.15%          
Top Glove Corp. Bhd (Malaysia)   800,000    1,983,150 
Health Care Providers & Services — 10.85%          
Georgia Healthcare Group PLC (Georgia)*(a)   90,000    408,882 
NMC Health PLC (United Arab Emirates)   50,000    2,353,234 
Odontoprev SA (Brazil)   300,000    1,421,048 
         4,183,164 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.05%          
Yum China Holdings, Inc. (China)   36,000    1,559,520 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 3.97%          
Ctrip.com International Ltd. ADR (China)*   33,300    1,531,134 
Internet Software & Services — 14.31%          
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. SP ADR (China)*   2,400    446,736 
Baidu, Inc. SP ADR (China)*   1,750    441,595 
MercadoLibre, Inc. (Argentina)   5,500    2,133,835 
Tencent Holdings Ltd. (China)   45,600    2,494,709 
         5,516,875 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

21

 

 

Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund
Schedule of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Common Stocks (continued)        
Media — 1.65%        
Multiplus SA (Brazil)   60,000   $636,238 
Multiline Retail — 3.36%          
Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk PT (Indonesia)   2,342,000    1,294,628 
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.97%          
Lippo Karawaci Tbk PT (Indonesia)   10,000,000    374,586 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 3.66%          
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. SP ADR (Taiwan)   32,500    1,408,875 
Software — 5.03%          
Douzone Bizon Co. Ltd. (South Korea)   38,000    1,940,001 
Transportation Infrastructure — 14.94%          
DP World Ltd. (United Arab Emirates)   42,000    1,026,900 
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV ADR (Mexico)   11,500    1,110,325 
Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV ADR (Mexico)   6,400    1,134,592 
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (Philippines)   645,000    1,362,327 
TAV Havalimanlari Holding AS (Turkey)   185,000    1,124,224 
         5,758,368 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 3.05%          
Safaricom Ltd. (Kenya)   4,000,000    1,175,127 
Total Common Stocks (Cost $25,024,870)        36,278,076 

  

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22

 

 

Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund
Schedule of Investments (concluded)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Short-Term Investments — 5.71%        
First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class X (United States), 1.27% (b)   2,200,999   $2,200,999 
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $2,200,999)        2,200,999 
           
Total Investments (Cost $27,225,869) — 99.83%        38,479,075 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.17%        64,116 
NET ASSETS — 100.00%          
(Applicable to 2,502,804 shares outstanding)       $38,543,191 

 

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

NVDR — Non-Voting Depository Receipt

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

(a)

Security exempt form registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. Total market value of Rule 144A securities is $408,882 and represents 1.06% of net assets as of February 28, 2018.

(b)

Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

23

 

 

Motley Fool Funds
StatementS of Assets and Liabilities
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund   Motley Fool Small-Mid
Cap Growth Fund
   Motley Fool Emerging Markets
Fund
 
ASSETS            
Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $262,537,027, $158,076,756 and $25,024,870, respectively)  $444,635,843   $281,298,167   $36,278,076 
Short-term investments, at value (cost $10,939,991, $12,373,646 and $2,200,999, respectively)   10,939,991    12,373,646    2,200,999 
Foreign currency, at value (cost $2,484,531, $0 and $43,476, respectively)   2,537,228        44,274 
Receivables for:               
Dividends and tax reclaims   391,325    103,404    38,665 
Shares of beneficial interest sold   398,525    488,071    39,865 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   38,221    36,996    24,474 
Total assets   458,941,133    294,300,284    38,626,353 
                
LIABILITIES               
Payables for:               
Advisory fees   291,250    206,565    16,475 
Shares of beneficial interest redeemed   211,040    191,554    14,566 
Investments purchased       49,627     
Custodian fees   35,597    5,782    11,693 
Accounting and administration fees   33,042    16,381    12,549 
Transfer agent fees   27,453    26,432    13,867 
Audit fees   10,413    10,413    10,413 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities   28,282    20,334    3,599 
Total liabilities   637,077    527,088    83,162 
Net assets  $458,304,056   $293,773,196   $38,543,191 
                
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:               
Par value  $18,588   $11,643   $2,503 
Paid-in-capital   268,535,543    167,632,626    27,897,889 
Undistributed/(accumulated) net investment income/(loss)   (802,076)   (838,811)   (27,637)
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments and foreign currency transactions   8,400,488    3,746,327    (583,568)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, foreign currencies, and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   182,151,513    123,221,411    11,254,004 
Net assets  $458,304,056   $293,773,196   $38,543,191 
                
NET ASSET VALUE:               
Investor Shares:               
Net assets applicable to capital shares outstanding  $384,010,764   $266,579,252   $38,543,191 
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   15,580,007    10,571,162    2,502,804 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $24.65   $25.22   $15.40 
                
Institutional Shares:               
Net assets applicable to capital shares outstanding  $74,293,292   $27,193,944    

N/A

 
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   3,008,476    1,072,118    

N/A

 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $24.69   $25.36    

N/A

 

 

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

 

24

 

 

Motley Fool Funds
Statements of Operations
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund   Motley Fool Small-Mid
Cap Growth Fund
   Motley Fool Emerging Markets
Fund
 
INVESTMENT INCOME            
Dividends  $1,459,618   $1,176,029   $219,509 
Less foreign taxes withheld   (32,846)       (14,793)
Total investment income   1,426,772    1,176,029    204,716 
EXPENSES               
Advisory fees   1,787,949    1,103,941    149,240 
Transfer agent fees - Investor Shares   110,518    75,457    47,174 
Transfer agent fees - Institutional Shares   30,475    22,359     
Shareholder account-related services - Investor Shares   96,309    70,636    11,836 
Shareholder account-related services - Institutional Shares   1,344    1,391     
Accounting fees - Investor Shares   68,447    45,312    8,574 
Accounting fees - Institutional Shares   16,907    4,499     
Custodian fees   41,768    9,190    13,398 
Shareholder reporting fees - Investor Shares   24,516    17,839    3,855 
Shareholder reporting fees - Institutional Shares   534    470     
Professional fees   21,896    17,892    11,630 
Blue sky fees - Investor Shares   11,639    7,463    9,078 
Blue sky fees - Institutional Shares   2,109    948     
Administration fees   9,686    5,276    1,783 
Directors fees   8,087    6,257    190 
Officers fees   1,908    1,250    190 
Other expenses   11,966    6,555    2,779 
Total expenses   2,246,058    1,396,735    259,727 
Management fees waived/reimbursed net of amount recaptured - Investor Shares       97,136     
Management fees waived/reimbursed net of amount recaptured - Institutional Shares   (27,114)   (23,642)   (57,625)
Net expenses after waivers/reimbursements   2,218,944    1,470,229    202,102 
Net investment income/(loss)   (792,172)   (294,200)   2,614 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS               
Net realized gain/(loss) from:               
Investments   11,195,736    5,997,434    962,394 
Foreign currency transactions   (9,725)       (48)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:               
Investments   54,389,235    42,165,709    1,912,846 
Foreign currency translation   55,713        1,560 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)   65,630,959    48,163,143    2,876,752 
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $64,838,787   $47,868,943   $2,879,366 

 

 

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

 

25

 

 

Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six-Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
  

For the
Fiscal
Period Ended
August 31,
2017
(1)

   For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2016
 
OPERATIONS            
Net investment income/(loss)  $(792,172)  $657,803   $747,966 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments and foreign currency transactions   11,186,011    47,847,421    9,546,196 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, foreign currency translation, and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   54,444,948    24,608,203    (10,795,721)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   64,838,787    73,113,427    (501,559)
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:               
Dividends from net investment income               
Investor Shares   (740,296)   (604,493)   (34,910)
Institutional Shares   (84,137)   (186,098)   (13,802)
Distributions from net realized capital gains               
Investor Shares   (42,375,430)   (8,485,045)   (166,111)
Institutional Shares   (7,912,273)   (1,167,344)   (3,300)
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (51,112,136)   (10,442,980)   (218,123)
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:               
Investor Shares               
Proceeds from shares sold (943,146, 1,001,231 and 1,642,369 shares, respectively)   23,117,482    22,119,265    32,544,953 
Reinvestment of dividends (1,874,618, 449,511 and 9,795 shares, respectively)   42,328,884    8,937,049    197,667 
Shares redeemed (1,262,461, 4,767,676 and 3,682,983 shares, respectively)   (30,862,386)   (100,374,196)   (72,564,161)

Redemption fees(2)

   7,887    33,388    38,069 
Total from Investor Shares   34,591,867    (69,284,494)   (39,783,472)
Institutional Shares               
Proceeds from shares sold (221,927, 2,235,895 and 44,003 shares, respectively)   5,574,938    46,460,601    876,179 
Reinvestment of dividends (349,692, 66,891 and 837 shares, respectively)   7,910,044    1,333,174    16,889 
Shares redeemed (79,199, 141,726 and 69,455 shares, respectively)   (1,943,408)   (3,097,677)   (1,365,672)

Redemption fees(2)

   262    519    20 
Total from Institutional Shares   11,541,836    44,696,617    (472,584)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions   46,133,703    (24,587,877)   (40,256,056)
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   59,860,354    38,082,570    (40,975,738)
NET ASSETS:               
Beginning of period   398,443,702    360,361,132    401,336,870 

End of period (3)

  $458,304,056   $398,443,702   $360,361,132 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss)  $(802,076)  $814,529   $(760,546)

 

(1)

The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31 during the period.

(2)

Effective December 31, 2017, the Fund eliminated the redemption fee.

(3)

Including undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss).

 

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

 

26

 

 

Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six-Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
  

For the
Fiscal
Period Ended
August 31,
2017
(1)

   For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2016
 
OPERATIONS            
Net investment income/(loss)  $(294,200)  $(537,448)  $(653,431)
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments and foreign currency transactions   5,997,434    15,186,364    (2,484,075)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, foreign currency translation, and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   42,165,709    26,696,119    (1,992,860)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   47,868,943    41,345,035    (5,130,366)
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:               
Dividends from net investment income               
Investor Shares           (349,750)
Institutional Shares           (20,359)
Distributions from net realized capital gains               
Investor Shares   (12,858,211)        
Institutional Shares   (1,293,568)        
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (14,151,779)       (370,109)
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:               
Investor Shares               
Proceeds from shares sold (1,326,705, 894,155 and 1,202,801 shares, respectively)   33,120,811    18,375,235    21,811,467 
Reinvestment of dividends (520,849, 0 and 18,293 shares, respectively)   12,578,509        343,728 
Shares redeemed (824,868, 2,559,950 and 2,748,791 shares, respectively)   (20,234,368)   (52,151,022)   (50,140,829)

Redemption fees(2)

   4,200    22,135    24,628 
Total from Investor Shares   25,469,152    (33,753,652)   (27,961,006)
Institutional Shares               
Proceeds from shares sold (134,895, 818,234 and 77,879 shares, respectively)   3,416,901    16,606,797    1,388,492 
Reinvestment of dividends (53,255, 0 and 1,083 shares, respectively)   1,293,568        20,358 
Shares redeemed (35,988, 198,206 and 152,821 shares, respectively)   (892,627)   (4,083,956)   (2,787,636)

Redemption fees(2)

       3,350    175 
Total from Institutional Shares   3,817,842    12,526,191    (1,378,611)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions   29,286,994    (21,227,461)   (29,339,617)
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   63,004,158    20,117,574    (34,840,092)
NET ASSETS:               
Beginning of period   230,769,038    210,651,464    245,491,556 

End of period (3)

  $293,773,196   $230,769,038   $210,651,464 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss)  $(838,811)  $(544,611)  $(639,202)

 

(1)

The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31 during the period.

(2)

Effective December 31, 2017, the Fund eliminated the redemption fee.

(3)

Including undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss).

 

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

 

27

 

 

Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund
Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six-Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
  

For the
Fiscal
Period Ended
August 31,
2017
(1)

   For the
Year Ended
October 31, 2016
 
OPERATIONS            
Net investment income/(loss)  $2,614   $310,507   $200,032 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments and foreign currency transactions   962,346    (1,181,087)   638,236 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, foreign currency translation, and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies   1,914,406    6,836,590    2,234,424 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   2,879,366    5,966,010    3,072,692 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:               
Dividends from net investment income               
Investor Shares   (314,358)   (150,543)   (300,972)
Institutional Shares       (27,959)   (18,444)
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (314,358)   (178,502)   (319,416)
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:               
Investor Shares               
Proceeds from shares sold (263,145, 508,484 and 228,294 shares, respectively)   3,868,642    6,665,378    2,517,000 
Reinvestment of dividends (22,184, 13,160 and 27,787 shares, respectively)   313,688    150,020    300,095 
Shares redeemed (181,585, 534,316 and 709,020 shares, respectively)   (2,661,124)   (6,442,570)   (7,766,303)

Redemption fees(2)

   1,146    1,728    3,403 
Total from Investor Shares   1,522,352    374,556    (4,945,805)
Institutional Shares               

Proceeds from shares sold (0, 132,224 and 13,740 shares, respectively)(3)

       1,528,574    147,950 

Reinvestment of dividends (0, 2,448 and 1,705 shares, respectively)(3)

       27,959    18,444 

Shares redeemed (0, 309,403 and 387 shares, respectively)(3)

       (4,132,249)   (4,349)

Redemption fees(2)

       61     
Total from Institutional Shares       (2,575,655)   162,045 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions   1,522,352    (2,201,099)   (4,783,760)
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   4,087,360    3,586,409    (2,030,484)
NET ASSETS:               
Beginning of period   34,455,831    30,869,422    32,899,906 

End of period (3)

  $38,543,191   $34,455,831   $30,869,422 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss)  $(27,637)  $284,107   $178,488 

 

(1)

The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31 during the period.

(2)

Effective December 31, 2017, the Fund eliminated the redemption fee.

(3)

Effective on May 2, 2017, the Institutional Shares closed to all new and existing shareholders. Any Institutional Shares that were not exchanged for Investor Shares, or redeemed, by June 30, 2017, were liquidated and the proceeds returned to the shareholder.

(4)

Including undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss).

 

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

 

28

 

 

Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund
Financial Highlights

 

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

 

   Six Months Ended February 28, 2018   Fiscal Period Ended August 31,   Years Ended October 31, 
Investor Shares  (Unaudited)  

2017(1)(2)

   2016   2015   2014   2013   2012 
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE                            
Net asset value, beginning of period  $24.09   $20.36   $20.32   $21.00   $19.24   $15.48   $14.15 

Net investment income/(loss)(3)

   (0.05)   0.03    0.04    0.05    0.11    0.07    0.14 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from invetsments   3.71    4.30    0.01    (0.29)   1.87    3.79    1.29 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   3.66    4.33    0.05    (0.24)   1.98    3.86    1.43 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.05)   (0.04)   *   (0.11)   (0.04)   (0.11)   (0.10)
Net realized capital gains   (3.05)   (0.56)   (0.01)   (0.33)   (0.18)        
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (3.10)   (0.60)   (0.01)   (0.44)   (0.22)   (0.11)   (0.10)
Redemption and small-balance account fees   *   *   *   *   *   0.01     
Net asset value, end of period  $24.65   $24.09   $20.36   $20.32   $21.00   $19.24    15.48 

Total investment return(4)

   16.38%(5)   21.91%(5)   0.25%   (1.13)%   10.43%   25.14%   10.21 
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA                                   
Net assets, end of period (thousands)  $384,011   $337,821   $353,118   $393,611   $413,624   $354,081   $227,881 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.07%(6)   1.15%(6)   1.14%   1.15%   1.26%   1.36%   1.47%
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (before waivers and reimbursement of expenses and/or recapture of previously waived fees)   1.07%(6)   1.15%(6)   1.14%   1.13%   1.23%   1.37%   1.54%
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   (0.40)%(6)   0.18%(6)   0.20%   0.23%   0.55%   0.44%   0.93%
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets (before waivers and reimbursement of expenses and/or recapture of previously waived fees)   (0.40)%(5)   0.18%(6)   0.20%   0.25%   0.59%   0.43%   0.86%
Portfolio turnover rate   4%(5)   38%(5)   26%   21%   24%   22%   37%

 

*

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(1)

The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31 during the period.

(2)

Effective as of December 21, 2016, the Fund acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund, a series of The Motley Fool Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The financial highlights for the periods prior to that date reflect the performances of the Predecessor Fund.

(3)

Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method.

(4)

Total investment return reflects the rate an investor would have earned on an investment in the Fund during the period. During the year ended October 31, 2013, 0.06% of the Fund’s total investment return was attributable to redemption and small-balance account fees received. Excluding this item, the total return would have been 25.08%. For the six months ended February 28, 2018, the fiscal period ended August 31, 2017 and the years ended October 31, 2016, October 31, 2015, October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2012, redemption and small-balance account fees received had no effect on the Fund’s Investor Shares total investment return.

(5)

Not annualized.

(6)

Annualized.

 

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

 

29

 

 

Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund
Financial Highlights

 

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

 

   Six Months Ended February 28, 2018   Fiscal Period Ended August 31,   Years Ended
October 31,
   Period
Ended
October 31,
 
Institutional Shares  (Unaudited)  

2017(1)(2)

   2016   2015  

2014(3)

 
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE                    
Net asset value, beginning of period  $24.09   $20.40   $20.35   $21.01   $20.36 

Net investment income/(loss)(4)

   (0.03)   0.09    0.08    0.10    0.03 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments   3.71    4.25    0.02    (0.31)   0.62 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   3.68    4.34    0.10    (0.21)   0.65 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                         
Net investment income   (0.03)   (0.09)   (0.04)   (0.12)    
Net realized capital gains   (3.05)   (0.56)   (0.01)   (0.33)    
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (3.08)   (0.65)   (0.05)   (0.45)    
Redemption and small-balance account fees   *   *   *   *   *
Net asset value, end of period  $24.69   $24.09   $20.40   $20.35   $21.01 

Total investment return(5)

   16.45%(6)   21.97%(6)   (0.47)%   (0.97)%   3.19%(6)
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA                         
Net assets, end of period (thousands)  $74,293   $60,623   $7,243   $7,726   $4,038 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.95%(7)   0.95%(7)   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%(7)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (before waivers and reimbursement of expenses and/or recapture of previously waived fees)   1.03%(7)   1.17%(7)   2.12%   2.14%   3.78%(7)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   (0.27)%(7)   0.48%(7)   0.39%   0.46%   0.39%(7)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets (before waivers and reimbursement of expenses and/or recapture of previously waived fees)   (0.35)%(7)   0.26%(7)   (0.78)%   0.73%   (2.43)%(7)
Portfolio turnover rate   4%(6)   38%(6)   26%   21%   24%(6)

 

*

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(1)

The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31 during the period.

(2)

Effective as of December 21, 2016, the Fund acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund, a series of The Motley Fool Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The financial highlights for the periods prior to that date reflect the performances of the Predecessor Fund.

(3)

Commenced operations on June 17, 2014. Because of commencement of operations and related preliminary transaction costs, these ratios are not necessarily indicative of future ratios.

(4)

Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method.

(5)

Total investment return reflects the rate an investor would have earned on an investment in the Fund during the period. Redemption and small-balance account fees received had no effect on the Fund’s Institutional Shares total investment return.

(6)

Not annualized.

(7)

Annualized.

 

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

 

30

 

 

Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund
Financial Highlights

 

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

 

   Six Months Ended February 28, 2018   Fiscal Period Ended August 31,   Years Ended October 31, 
Investor Shares  (Unaudited)  

2017(1)(2)

   2016   2015   2014   2013   2012 
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE                            
Net asset value, beginning of period  $22.04   $18.29   $18.72   $18.59   $17.25   $12.58   $11.04 

Net investment income/ (loss)(3)

   (0.03)   (0.05)   (0.05)   0.03    0.07    *   (0.06)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments   4.56    3.80    (0.35)   0.14    1.51    4.69    1.60 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   4.53    3.75    (0.40)   0.17    1.58    4.69    1.54 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                                   
Net investment income           (0.03)   (0.04)   (0.03)   (0.03)   *
Net realized capital gains   (1.35)               (0.22)        
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (1.35)       (0.03)   (0.04)   (0.25)   (0.03)   *
Redemption and small-balance account fees   *   *   *   *   0.01    0.01    *
Net asset value, end of period  $25.22   $22.04   $18.29   $18.72   $18.59   $17.25   $12.58 

Total investment return(4)

   20.82%(5)   20.50%(5)   (2.15)%   0.91%   9.35%   37.44%   13.96%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA                                   
Net assets, end of period (thousands)  $266,579   $210,404   $205,149   $238,482   $231,600   $162,336   $67,337 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.15%(6)   1.15%(6)   1.15%   1.15%   1.27%   1.38%   1.37%
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (before waivers and reimbursement of expenses and/or recapture of previously waived fees)   1.07%(6)   1.16%(6)   1.17%   1.16%   1.30%   1.54%   1.74%
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   (0.25)%(6)   (0.30)%(6)   (0.29)%   0.17%   0.38%   0.03%   (0.51)%
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets (before waivers and reimbursement of expenses and/or recapture of previously waived fees)   (0.16)%(6)   (0.31)%(6)   (0.31)%   0.17%   0.36%   (0.13)%   (0.88)%
Portfolio turnover rate   6%(5)   24%(5)   21%   30%   18%   24%   30%

 

*

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(1)

The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31 during the period.

(2)

Effective as of December 21, 2016, the Fund acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund, a series of The Motley Fool Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The financial highlights for the periods prior to that date reflect the performances of the Predecessor Fund.

(3)

Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method.

(4)

Total investment return reflects the rate an investor would have earned on an investment in the Fund during the period. For the years ended October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, 0.06% and 0.08%, respectively, of the Fund’s Investor Shares total investment return was attributable to redemption and small-balance account fees received. Excluding this item, the total investment return would have been 9.29% and 37.36%, respectively. For the six months ended February 28, 2018, the fiscal period ended August 31, 2017 and years ended October 31, 2016, October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2012, redemption and small-balance account fees received had no effect on the Fund’s Investor Shares total investment return.

(5)

Not annualized.

(6)

Annualized.

 

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

 

31

 

 

Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund
Financial Highlights

 

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

 

   Six Months Ended February 28, 2018   Fiscal Period Ended August 31,   Years Ended October 31,   Period
Ended
October 31,
 
Institutional Shares  (Unaudited)  

2017(1)(2)

   2016   2015  

2014(3)

 
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE                    
Net asset value, beginning of period  $22.14   $18.34   $18.75   $18.61   $17.94 

Net investment income/(loss)(4)

   *   (0.03)   (0.02)   0.07    0.02 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments   4.56    3.83    (0.33)   0.13    0.65 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   4.56    3.80    (0.35)   0.20    0.67 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                         
Net investment income           (0.06)   (0.06)    
Net realized capital gains   (1.34)                
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (1.34)       (0.06)   (0.06)    
Redemption and small-balance account fees       *   *   *   *
Net asset value, end of period  $25.36   $22.14   $18.34   $18.75   $18.61 

Total investment return(5)

   20.90%(6)   20.72%(6)   (1.89)%   1.04%   3.73%(6)
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA                         
Net assets, end of period (thousands)  $27,194   $20,365   $5,502   $7,010   $2,798 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.95%(7)   0.95%(7)   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%(7)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (before waivers and reimbursement of expenses and/or recapture of previously waived fees)   1.15%(7)   1.47%(7)   2.40%   2.45%   4.93%(7)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   (0.40)%(7)   (0.15)%(7)   (0.08)%   0.35%   0.27%(7)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets (before waivers and reimbursement of expenses and/or recapture of previously waived fees)   (0.24)%(7)   (0.67)%(7)   (1.53)%   (1.15)%   (3.71)%(7)
Portfolio turnover rate   6%(6)   24%(6)   21%   30%   18%(6)

 

*

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(1)

The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31 during the period.

(2)

Effective as of December 21, 2016, the Fund acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund, a series of The Motley Fool Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The financial highlights for the periods prior to that date reflect the performances of the Predecessor Fund.

(3)

Commenced operations on June 17, 2014. Because of commencement of operations and related preliminary transaction costs, these ratios are not necessarily indicative of future ratios.

(4)

Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method.

(5)

Total investment return reflects the rate an investor would have earned on an investment in the Fund during the period. Redemption and small-balance account fees received had no effect on the Fund’s Institutional Shares total investment return.

(6)

Not annualized.

(7)

Annualized.

 

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

 

32

 

 

Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund

Financial Highlights

 

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

 

   Six Months Ended February 28, 2018   Fiscal Period Ended August 31,   Years Ended October 31, 
Investor Shares  (Unaudited)  

2017(1)(2)

   2016   2015   2014   2013   2012 
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE                            
Net asset value, beginning of period  $14.36   $11.93   $10.88   $12.61   $12.66   $10.94   $10.00 

Net investment income/ (loss)(3)

   *   0.12    0.07    0.09    0.16    0.13    0.18 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments   1.17    2.38    1.09    (1.63)   (0.12)   1.73    0.77 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1.17    2.50    1.16    (1.54)   0.04    1.86    0.95 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                                   
Net investment income   (0.13)   (0.07)   (0.11)   (0.19)   (0.08)   (0.15)   (0.01)
Net realized capital gains                   (0.02)        
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (0.13)   (0.07)   (0.11)   (0.19)   (0.10)   (0.15)   (0.01)
Redemption and small-balance account fees   *   *   *   *   0.01    0.01    *
Net asset value, end of period  $15.40   $14.36   $11.93   $10.88   $12.61   $12.66   $10.94 

Total investment return(4)

   8.15%(5)   21.06%(5)   (10.76)%   (12.33)%   0.47%   17.32%   9.52%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA                                   
Net assets, end of period (thousands)  $38,543   $34,456   $28,776   $31,160   $47,566   $40,119   $19,272 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   1.15%(6)   1.15%(6)   1.15%   1.13%   1.24%   1.35%   1.35%
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (before waivers and reimbursement of expenses and/or recapture of previously waived fees)   1.48%(6)   2.00%(6)   2.09%   1.84%   1.88%   2.60%   4.13%
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets   0.01%(6)   1.17%(6)   0.64%   0.80%   1.29%   1.15%   1.75%
Ratio of net investment income/ (loss) to average net assets (before waivers and reimbursement of expenses and/or recapture of previously waived fees)   (0.31)%(6)   0.32%(6)   (0.30)%   0.09%   0.66%   (0.10)%   (1.03)%
Portfolio turnover rate   5%(5)   21%(5)   54%   20%   25%   26%   17%

 

*

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(1)

The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31 during the period.

(2)

Effective as of December 21, 2016, the Fund acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund, a series of The Motley Fool Funds Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The financial highlights for the periods prior to that date reflect the performances of the Predecessor Fund.

(3)

Per share data calculated using average shares outstanding method.

(4)

Total investment return reflects the rate an investor would have earned on an investment in the Fund during the period. During the years ended October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, 0.08% and 0.09%, respectively of the Fund’s Investor Shares total investment return was attributable to redemption and small-balance account fees received as reference in Note 3. Excluding this item, total investment return would have been 0.39% and 17.23%, respectively For the six months ended February 28, 2018, the fiscal period ended August 31, 2017, years ended October 31, 2016, October 31, 2015 and October 31, 2012, redemption and small-balance account fees received had no effect on the Fund’s Investor Shares total investment return.

(5)

Not annualized.

(6)

Annualized.

 

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

 

33

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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-nine active investment portfolios, including the Motley Fool Global Opportunities Fund (“Global Opportunities Fund”) (formerly known as Motley Fool Independence Fund), Motley Fool Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund (“Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund”) (formerly known as Motley Fool Great America Fund) and Motley Fool Emerging Markets Fund (“Emerging Markets Fund”) (formerly known as Motley Fool Epic Voyage Fund) (each a “Fund” and together the “Funds”), which became series of RBB at the close of business on December 21, 2016. As of February 28, 2018, Global Opportunities Fund and Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund each offer two classes of shares, Investor and Institutional. Emerging Markets Fund offered one class of shares, Investor.

 

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 87.023 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and eighty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

 

Prior to December 21, 2016, the Funds were diversified series (the “Predecessor Funds”) of The Motley Fool Funds Trust (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company (or mutual fund) organized on November 7, 2008, as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware. Each of the Predecessor Funds was reorganized into a corresponding Fund on December 21, 2016 (the “Reorganization”). As a result of the Reorganization, the performance and accounting history of each Predecessor Fund was assumed by its corresponding Fund. Performance and accounting information prior to December 21, 2016 included herein is that of the relevant Predecessor Fund.

 

The investment objective of each Fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation. The Global Opportunities Fund pursues its objective by investing primarily in common stocks of United States companies and of companies that are organized under the laws of other countries around the world. The Small-Mid Cap Fund pursues its objective by investing primarily in common stocks of companies that are organized in the United States and that are engaged in a broad range of industries. The Emerging Markets Fund pursues its objective by investing primarily in common stocks of companies organized in emerging market foreign countries.

 

Each Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services - Investment Companies”.

 

The end of the reporting period for the Funds is February 28, 2018, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended February 28, 2018 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

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 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. 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. If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’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. 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

 

34

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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).

 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS — The inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the Funds’ investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

 

Level 1 – Prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

 

Level 2 – Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

 

Level 3 – Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

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

 

You’d think that it would be easy to determine what a share of the Fund is worth just add up the value of everything it holds, and then divide by the number of shares. It’s not that simple, though. Some foreign markets have different operating hours (when it’s daytime in Chicago, for example, it is night in Shanghai). That means that when we calculate a Fund’s value at the end of the day, the market quotations for some of the securities held by the Fund could be several hours old, and intervening events may have affected what the stocks are worth. In addition, characteristics of the relevant markets and stocks might, in some cases, cast doubt on a particular valuation. For these reasons, we may rely on a pricing service to determine the value of particular securities. It is possible that when a Fund buys or sells the securities, the price on the real market will be different from the value used for the fair-value pricing.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of the end of the reporting period, in valuing the Funds’ investments carried at fair value:

 

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND

 

   TOTAL   LEVEL 1   LEVEL 2   LEVEL 3 
U.S. Common Stocks  $251,887,053   $251,887,053   $   $ 
Foreign Common Stocks                    
Banks   31,530,055    19,274,142    12,255,913     
Beverages                
Consumer Finance   5,885,845    5,885,845         
Diversified Telecommunication Services                
Food & Staples Retailing                
Food Products   10,309,890    4,852,079    5,457,811     
Health Care Equipment & Supplies   16,399,180    16,399,180         
Health Care Providers & Services   20,495,822        20,495,822     
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure                

 

35

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Global opportunities fund (Continued)

 

   TOTAL   LEVEL 1   LEVEL 2   LEVEL 3 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail  $16,402,274   $9,230,577   $7,171,697   $ 
Internet Software & Services   26,992,965    14,136,463    12,856,502     
Life Sciences Tools & Services   5,335,581        5,335,581     
Machinery   4,043,078        4,043,078     
Media   5,980,069    2,954,263    3,025,806     
Multiline Retail   6,799,840    6,799,840         
Real Estate Management & Development                
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment   9,320,250    9,320,250         
Software   13,563,672        13,563,672     
Transportation Infrastructure   7,920,507    7,920,507         
Wireless Telecommunication Services   7,910,100        7,910,100     
Warrants   3,859,677        3,859,677     
Short-Term Investments   10,939,991    10,939,991         
Total Investments*  $455,575,849   $359,600,190   $95,975,659   $ 

 

SMALL-MID CAP GROWTH FUND

 

   TOTAL   LEVEL 1   LEVEL 2   LEVEL 3 
U.S. Common Stocks  $281,298,167   $281,298,167   $   $ 
Short-Term Investments   12,373,646    12,373,646         
Total Investments*  $293,671,813   $293,671,813   $   $ 

 

EMERGING MARKETS FUND

 

   TOTAL   LEVEL 1   LEVEL 2   LEVEL 3 
Foreign Common Stocks                
Banks  $5,246,615   $3,849,303   $1,397,312   $ 
Beverages   725,540        725,540     
Consumer Finance   1,103,596    1,103,596         
Diversified Telecommunication Services   435,543        435,543     
Food & Staples Retailing   508,442    508,442         
Food Products   896,674    896,674         
Health Care Equipment & Supplies   1,983,150    1,983,150         
Health Care Providers & Services   4,183,164    1,829,930    2,353,234     
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure   1,559,520    1,559,520         
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail   1,531,134    1,531,134         

 

36

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

EMERGING MARKETS FUND (Continued)

 

   TOTAL   LEVEL 1   LEVEL 2   LEVEL 3 
Internet Software & Services  $5,516,875   $3,022,166   $2,494,709   $ 
Media   636,238    636,238         
Multiline Retail   1,294,628    1,294,628         
Real Estate Management & Development   374,586    374,586         
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment   1,408,875    1,408,875         
Software   1,940,001        1,940,001     
Transportation Infrastructure   5,758,368    4,634,144    1,124,224     
Wireless Telecommunication Services   1,175,127        1,175,127     
Short-Term Investments   2,200,999    2,200,999         
Total Investments*  $38,479,075   $26,833,385   $11,645,690   $ 

 

*

Please refer to the Schedule 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 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”) requires 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 each 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.

 

The Global Opportunities Fund and the Emerging Markets Fund had significant transfers between Level 1 to Level 2 of $7,920,507 and $3,951,590 respectively, and between Level 2 to Level 1 of $8,361,387 and $3,007,982 respectively, during the current fiscal period due to fair value pricing.

 

The Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the current fiscal period.

 

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 reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

 

37

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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 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 expenses) 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 Board 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 — Each Fund pays dividends from its net investment income and distributes any net capital gains that it realizes. Dividends and capital gains distributions are generally paid once a year and as required to comply with federal excise tax requirements. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with tax regulations and recorded on ex dividend date. All dividends and other distributions will be reinvested in Fund shares unless a shareholder chooses either to (1) receive dividends in cash, while reinvesting capital gains distributions in additional Fund shares; or (2) receive all distributions in cash. Additionally, each Fund reports details of distribution-related transactions on quarterly account statements. You may not receive a separate confirmation statement for these transactions.

 

When a Fund pays a dividend or other distribution, its net asset value (NAV) per share will decline by the per-share amount of the distribution. Investors are no poorer for this “distribution drop,” however. As this section explains, investors may elect to reinvest their dividend and distribution payments. Doing so would allow them to acquire additional shares at the post-distribution NAV per share. They may also choose to receive a check in the amount of their portion of the dividend or distribution.

 

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 — 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. Each Fund’s 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 The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars as follows: (1) the values of investment securities and other assets and liabilities stated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period; and (2) purchases, sales and income are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Transaction gains or losses resulting from changes in exchange rates during the reporting period or upon settlement from foreign currency transactions are reported in the Statements of Operations for the current period. The Funds do not isolate the portion of gains and losses on investments.

 

2. Investment Policies and Practices

 

The sections below describe some of the different types of investments that may be made by the Funds and the investment practices in which the Funds may engage.

 

38

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

When we say that the Funds may invest in other types of securities and in other asset classes, the “may” is well worth emphasizing, as the Funds’ primary focus is the common stocks of companies that the Adviser believes are both high-quality and available at a reasonable price.

 

FOREIGN SECURITIES The Global Opportunities Fund and Emerging Markets Fund invest, and the Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund may invest, in equity and fixed-income securities of foreign companies, including companies located in both developed and emerging-market countries. Investment in foreign securities may include the purchase of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and other depositary receipts (European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”)) that represent indirect interests in securities of foreign issuers. A significant portion of a Fund’s exposure to foreign investments may be composed of such investments. Investments in foreign securities are affected by risk factors generally not associated with investments in the securities of U.S. companies in the U.S. With respect to such securities, there may be more limited information publicly available concerning the issuer than would be the case with respect to domestic securities, foreign issuers may use different accounting standards, and foreign trading markets may not be as liquid as are U.S. markets. Foreign securities also involve such risks as currency risks, possible imposition of withholding or confiscatory taxes, possible currency transfer restrictions, expropriation or other adverse political or economic developments, and the difficulty of enforcing obligations in other countries. These risks may be greater in emerging-market countries and in less-developed countries.

 

If a Fund holds a foreign stock, and the stock is traded on a foreign exchange, with its price denominated in that foreign currency, the value of the stock will change, for the Fund, whenever the relative value of the U.S. dollar and that foreign currency change. To take an imaginary example, if the Fund holds shares in Ruritania Telecom, traded on the Ruritanian Stock Exchange, those shares will be worth more to the Fund if the value of the Ruritanian ploof increases against the U.S. dollar, and vice versa, all other things being equal.

 

The purchase of securities denominated in foreign currencies will subject the value of the Funds’ investments in those securities to fluctuations caused by changes in foreign exchange rates. To hedge against the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates, the Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (“forward contracts”). These contracts represent agreements to exchange an amount of currency at an agreed-upon future date and rate. The Funds will generally use forward contracts only to “lock in” the price in U.S. dollars of a foreign security that a Fund plans to purchase or to sell. In certain limited cases, it may use such contracts to hedge against an anticipated substantial decline in the price of a foreign currency against the U.S. dollar that would adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of foreign securities held by the Fund. Forward contracts will not be used in all cases and, in any event, cannot completely protect the Funds against all changes in the values of foreign securities resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The Funds will not enter into a forward contract if, as a result, forward contracts would represent more than 20% of a Fund’s total assets. For hedging purposes, the Funds may also use options on foreign currencies, which expose the Funds to certain risks.

 

Some foreign securities are traded in the U.S. in the form of ADRs. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities of foreign issuers. EDRs and GDRs are receipts typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies, evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by either a foreign or U.S. issuer. Generally, depositary receipts in registered form are designed for use in the U.S. and depositary receipts in bearer form are designed for use in securities markets outside the U.S. Depositary receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. Depositary receipts generally involve the same risks as other investments in foreign securities. However, holders of ADRs and other depositary receipts may not have all the legal rights of shareholders and may experience difficulty in receiving shareholder communications.

 

TYPES OF FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES A Fund may invest in bonds and other types of debt obligations of U.S. and foreign issuers. Fixed income securities purchased by a Fund may include, among others, bonds, notes, and debentures issued by corporations; debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities (“U.S. Government Securities”); municipal securities; mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities; and debt securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, their agencies, instrumentalities, or political subdivisions, or by government-owned,

 

39

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

-controlled, or -sponsored entities, including central banks. These investments also include money market instruments and other types of obligations. Investors should recognize that, although securities ratings issued by Standard & Poor’s® Ratings Services (“S&P”), a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and Moody’s Investors Services©, Inc. (“Moody’s”), provide a generally useful guide as to credit risks, they do not offer any criteria to evaluate interest rate risk. Changes in interest rate levels generally cause fluctuations in the prices of fixed-income securities and will, therefore, cause fluctuations in the NAV per share of a Fund. Subsequent to the purchase of a fixed-income security by a Fund, the ratings or credit quality of such security may deteriorate. Any such subsequent adverse changes in the rating or quality of a security held by a Fund would not require a Fund to sell the security.

 

PARTICIPATORY NOTES A participatory note, as used by a Fund, is an instrument used by investors to obtain exposure to an equity investment, including common stocks and warrants, in a local market where direct ownership is not permitted (or is impractical.) In countries where direct ownership by a foreign investor, such as a Fund, is not allowed by local law, such as Saudi Arabia, an investor may gain exposure to the market through a participatory note, which derives its value from a group of underlying equity securities. A participatory note is intended (disregarding the effect of any fees and expenses) to reflect the performance of the underlying equity securities on a one-to-one basis so that investors will not normally gain more in absolute terms than they would have made had they invested in the underlying securities directly, and will not normally lose more than they would have lost had they invested in the underlying securities directly.

 

In addition to providing access to otherwise closed markets, participatory notes can also provide a less expensive option to direct investment (where ownership by foreign investors is permitted) by reducing registration and transaction costs in acquiring and selling local registered shares. The Funds’ investment manager also believes that participatory notes can offer greater liquidity in markets that restrict the ability of the Funds to dispose of an investment by either restricting transactions by size or requiring registration and/or regulatory approvals.

 

The purchase of participatory notes involves risks that are in addition to the risks normally associated with a direct investment in the underlying securities. The Fund is subject to the risk that the issuer of the participatory note (i.e., the issuing bank or broker-dealer), which is the only responsible party under the note, is unable or refuses to perform under the terms of the participatory note, also known as counterparty risk.

 

While the holder of a participatory note is entitled to receive from the bank or broker-dealer any dividends or other distributions paid on the underlying securities, the holder is not entitled to the same rights as an owner of the underlying securities, such as voting rights.

 

Participatory notes may not be traded on exchanges, are privately issued, and may be illiquid. To the extent a participatory note is determined to be illiquid, it would be subject to the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. There can be no assurance that the trading price or value of participatory notes will equal the value of the underlying value of the equity securities they seek to replicate.

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS Real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) are pooled investment vehicles that manage a portfolio of real estate or real estate-related loans to earn profits for their shareholders. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs, or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of the borrower on any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, may not be diversified geographically or by property type, and are subject to heavy cash-flow dependency, default by borrowers, and self-liquidation. REITs must also meet certain requirements under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to avoid entity level tax and be eligible to pass through certain tax attributes of their income to shareholders. REITs are consequently subject to the risk of failing to meet these requirements for favorable tax treatment and of failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. REITs are also subject to the risks of changes in the Code, affecting their tax status.

 

REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks. When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed-rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed-rate obligations can be expected to decline. In contrast, as interest rates on adjustable-rate mortgage loans are reset

 

40

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

periodically, yields on a REIT’s investments in such loans will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates, causing the value of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed-rate obligations.

 

The management of a REIT may be subject to conflicts of interest with respect to the operation of the business of the REIT and may be involved in real estate activities competitive with the REIT. REITs may own properties through joint ventures or in other circumstances in which a REIT may not have control over its investments. REITs may use significant amounts of leverage.

 

REITs often do not provide complete tax information until after the end of the calendar year. Consequently, because of the delay, it may be necessary for a Fund, if invested in REITs, to request permission to extend the deadline for issuance of Forms 1099-DIV beyond January 31. Alternatively, amended Forms 1099-DIV may be sent. During the current fiscal period, the Global Opportunities Fund, Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund and Emerging Markets Fund invested in REITs.

 

TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS During periods of adverse market or economic conditions, a Fund may temporarily invest all or a substantial portion of its assets in high-quality, fixed-income securities, money market instruments, and shares of money market mutual funds, or it may hold cash. At such times, a Fund would not be pursuing its stated investment objective with its usual investment strategies. A Fund may also hold these investments for liquidity purposes. Fixed-income securities will be deemed to be of high quality if they are rated “A” or better by S&P or Moody’s or, if unrated, are determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser. Money market instruments are high-quality, short-term fixed income obligations (which generally have remaining maturities of one year or less), and may include U.S. Government Securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and banker’s acceptances issued by domestic branches of United States banks that are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and repurchase agreements for US. Government Securities. In lieu of purchasing money market instruments, a Fund may purchase shares of money market mutual funds that invest primarily in U.S. Government Securities and repurchase agreements involving those securities, subject to certain limitations imposed by the 1940 Act. A Fund, as an investor in a money market fund, will indirectly bear the fees and expenses of the money market fund. These indirect fees and expenses will be in addition to the fees and expenses of the Funds. Repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with direct investments in debt securities.

 

SECURITIES LENDING Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities pursuant to a securities lending agreement with the Bank of New York Mellon. The Funds may lend its securities to brokers, dealers, and financial institutions in an amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of the value of the Funds total assets. These loans will be secured by collateral (consisting of cash, U.S. Government Securities, or irrevocable letters of credit) maintained in an amount equal to at least 100% of the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The Funds may, subject to certain notice requirements, at any time call the loan and obtain the return of the securities loaned. The Funds will be entitled to payments equal to the interest and dividends on the loaned securities and may receive a premium for lending the securities. The Funds did not lend any portfolio securities during the current fiscal period.

 

3. investment adviser and other services

 

Each Fund pays all of its expenses other than those expressly assumed by Motley Fool Asset Management (the “Adviser”). Expenses of each Fund are deducted from the Funds’ total income before dividends are paid. Subject to the supervision of the Board, the Adviser manages the overall investment operations of the Funds in accordance with the Funds’ investment objective and policies and formulates a continuing investment strategy for the Funds pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Company on behalf of the Funds. The Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Motley Fool Holdings Inc. (“TMF Holdings”), a multimedia financial-services holding company that also owns The Motley Fool, LLC, which publishes investment information and analysis across a wide range of media, including investment newsletter services, websites, and books. TMF Holdings is controlled by David Gardner and Tom Gardner, along with other private shareholders. Each Fund compensates the Adviser for its services at an annual rate based on each Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”), payable on a monthly basis in arrears, as shown in the following table.

 

 

41

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to pay, waive or absorb a portion of the operating expenses of each Fund’s share classes to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses of the Investor and Institutional Shares of each Fund (as applicable) (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed the rates (“Expense Caps”) shown in the following table of each 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 the Expense Caps as applicable: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2018.

 

   

EXPENSE CAPS

FUND

ADVISORY
FEE

INVESTOR
CLASS

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

Global Opportunities Fund

0.85%

1.15%

0.95%

Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund

0.85%

1.15%

0.95%

Emerging Markets Fund

0.85%

1.15%

N/A

 

During the current fiscal period, investment advisory fees accrued and waived were as follows:

 

FUND

GROSS
ADVISORY FEES

RECOUPMENT/ WAIVERS

NET
ADVISORY FEES

Global Opportunities Fund

$ 1,787,949

$ (27,114)

$ 1,760,835

Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund

1,103,941

73,494

1,177,435

Emerging Markets Fund

149,240

(57,625)

91,615

 

The Adviser may recover from the Investor and Institutional Shares of each Fund fees and expenses previously paid, waived, or absorbed for a period of three years after such fees or expenses were incurred, provided that the repayments do not cause the Funds’ operating expenses (excluding brokerage commissions, taxes, interest expense, acquired fund fees and expenses, and any extraordinary expenses) to exceed the expense limits of the Investor and Institutional Class, respectively, of each Fund that were in effect at the time the fees and expenses were paid, waived, or absorbed by the Adviser, as well as the expense limits that are currently in effect, if different. Previously waived fees subject to future recovery by the Adviser are as follows:

 

 

EXPIRATION

 

FUND

OCTOBER 31,
2018

OCTOBER 31,
2019

AUGUST 31,
2020

AUGUST 31,
2021

TOTAL

Global Opportunities Fund - Investor Class

$ —

$ —

$ —

$ —

$ —

Global Opportunities Fund - Institutional Class

56,078

85,311

83,548

27,114

252,051

Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund - Investor Class

2,543

24,999

27,542

Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund - Institutional Class

59,879

88,812

73,109

23,642

245,442

Emerging Markets Fund - Investor Class

165,052

271,449

202,227

57,625

696,353

 

42

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) served as administrator for the Funds through December 3, 2017. Effective December 4, 2017, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) serves as administrator for the Funds. For providing administrative and accounting services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

In addition, BNY Mellon served as the Funds’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent through December 3, 2017. Effective December 4, 2017, USBFS serves as the Funds’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

The Bank of New York Mellon provided certain custodial services to the Funds through December 3, 2017. Effective December 4, 2017, U.S. Bank, N.A. (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 served as the principal underwriter and distributor of the Funds’ shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with RBB.

 

For compensation amounts payable to USBFS, please refer to the Statements of Operations.

 

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS COMPENSATION The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. An employee of RBB serves as Treasurer and Secretary, and is compensated for services provided. Certain employees of USBFS serve as officers of the Company. They are not compensated by the Funds or the Company. For Director’s and Officer’s compensation amounts, please refer to the Statement of Operations.

 

SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT-RELATED SERVICES — The Company’s Board has authorized it to pay fees to financial intermediaries, including securities dealers, that provide shareholder account-related services to their customers who own shares of the Company’s Funds, or to reimburse the Adviser for such expenses it paid on the Company’s behalf. These financial intermediaries generally have omnibus accounts with the Company’s Transfer Agent and provide shareholder services or sub-transfer agent services to the shareholders who are their customers. The fees paid by the Funds for these services will not exceed the fees they would have incurred if customers of the financial intermediaries maintained their accounts directly with the Company.

 

During the current fiscal period, the amounts paid by the Funds for third-party shareholder account-related services were as follows:

 

FUND

SHAREHOLDER
SERVICE FEES

Global Opportunities Fund

$ 97,653

Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund

72,027

Emerging Markets Fund

11,836

 

REDEMPTION FEE — Prior to January 1, 2018, the Funds imposed a redemption fee of 2.00% on redemptions/exchanges of Fund shares held less than 90 days. The redemption fee is calculated as a percentage of the net asset value of the total redemption proceeds and is retained by the Funds and accounted for as additional paid-in capital. Certain exceptions to the imposition of the redemption fee exist. Effective January 1, 2018, the Funds have eliminated their redemption fees. Please see the Funds’ prospectus for more information.

 

SMALL-BALANCE ACCOUNT FEE The Funds charge a small-balance account fee of $24 annually if the value of an account is less than $10,000. The fee is assessed by redeeming shares from that account. Certain exceptions to the imposition of the small-balance account fee exist. Please see the Funds’ prospectus for more information.

 

43

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATESAdvisers to investment companies, including Motley Fool Funds, are permitted under 17a-7 of the 1940 Act to purchase or sell securities directly between affiliated clients. When affecting these “cross” transactions, Rule 17a-7 imposes restrictions on how the trades are processed and reported. The specified conditions within Rule 17a-7 are outlined in procedures established by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. The procedures have been designed to provide assurance that any purchase or sale of securities by the Fund from or to another Fund complies with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act.

 

During the current fiscal period, the Funds did not engage in any security transactions with affiliates.

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES

 

During the current fiscal period, aggregate purchases and sales and maturities of investment securities of the Funds were as follows:

 

FUND

PURCHASES

SALES

Global Opportunities Fund

$ 17,540,575

$ 26,218,766

Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund

30,699,846

16,016,184

Emerging Markets Fund

2,149,941

1,705,445

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government Securities during the current fiscal period.

 

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. The Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

As of August 31, 2017, the federal tax cost, 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)

Global Opportunities Fund

$ 271,267,819

$ 135,624,277

(8,072,562)

$ 127,551,715

Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund

150,147,265

81,712,472

(808,085)

80,904,387

Emerging Markets Fund

26,548,449

9,360,456

(20,096)

9,340,360

 

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.

 

44

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2017, primarily attributable to net operating loss adjustments, foreign currency transactions, and investments in partnerships and PFICs, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

FUND

UNDISTRIBUTED
NET INVESTMENT
INCOME/(LOSS)

ACCUMULATED
NET REALIZED
GAIN/(LOSS)

PAID-IN
CAPITAL

Global Opportunities Fund

$ 186,772

$ (187,040)

$ 268

Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund

632,039

(203,088)

(428,951)

Emerging Markets Fund

(26,386)

26,386

 

As of August 31, 201 7, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

FUND

UNDISTRIBUTED
ORDINARY
INCOME

UNDISTRIBUTED
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAINS

CAPITAL
LOSS
CARRYOVER

OTHER

UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION/
(DEPRECIATION)

Global Opportunities Fund

$ 2,302,285

$ 46,172,290

$ —

$ —

$ 127,548,699

Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund

12,051,987

(544,611)

80,904,387

Emerging Markets Fund

284,107

(1,545,914)

9,339,598

 

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 fiscal period ended August 31, 2017 and fiscal year ended October 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

FUND

TAX YEAR
END

ORDINARY
INCOME

LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAIN

TOTAL

Global Opportunities Fund

2017

$ 799,221

$ 9,643,760

$ 10,442,981

Global Opportunities Fund

2016

48,712

169,411

218,123

Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund

2017

Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund

2016

370,109

370,109

Emerging Markets Fund

2017

178,502

178,502

Emerging Markets Fund

2016

319,416

319,416

 

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 fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2017.

 

45

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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, 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, 2017, the Emerging Markets Fund had unexpiring short-term losses of $479,367 and long-term losses of $1,066,547. Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund deferred qualified late-year losses of $544,611 which will be treated as arising on the first business day of the following fiscal year.

 

6. 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 was the following subsequent event:

 

Change in Investment Policy

 

Effective March 1, 2018, the Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund modified its 80% policy to read as follows: “Under normal conditions, the Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities issued by United States companies having smaller and mid-market capitalizations”.

 

46

 

 

MOTLEY FOOL FUNDS

Notice to Shareholders (Unaudited)

 

Information on 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 during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 863-8803; and (ii) on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Quarterly Schedule of Investments

 

The Company files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Shareholders can obtain the Form N-Q (i) without charge, upon request, by calling(888) 863-8803; (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov; and (iii) on the Funds website at http://www.FoolFunds.com. The Form N-Q may be reviewed or copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

 

47

 

 

Investment Adviser

Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC
2000 Duke Street
Suite 275
Alexandria, VA 22314

 

Administrator and Transfer Agent

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

Custodian

U.S. Bank, N.A.
1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

Distributor

Foreside Funds Distributors LLC
899 Cassatt Road
400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110
Berwyn, PA 19312

 

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
One Logan Square, Suite 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF (TMFC)

Nearly 79% of the assets of the ETF are invested in just three sectors (technology, consumer discretionary, and healthcare). The S&P 500®, by contrast, has 52% allotted to those same sectors. Interestingly, these sectors have grown in prominence (primarily technology) over time. Back in 2013, they represented 44% of the S&P 500®.

 

In February, one company in the ETF changed its name. Priceline.com, the well-known online travel agency business, changed its name to Booking Holdings. Booking.com is the company’s primary non-U.S. website and is responsible for generating the bulk of sales and profits. This may come as a surprise to some, but Booking.com has long been the crown jewel in the business. If you are looking to book accommodations and activities for any upcoming fun, give Booking.com a shot and see what you’ve been missing out on.

 

The three largest holdings all begin with the letter A (Apple, Alphabet, and Amazon.com). As far as we know, the index our ETF aims to track (the Motley Fool 100 Index) shows no preference to the front of the alphabet. There are lots of V and W companies in the portfolio, but nothing in the land of X, Y, or Z.

 

  

Table of Contents  

Letter to Shareholders

3

Portfolio Characteristics

5

Fund Expense Example

7

Schedule of Investments

8

Financial Statements

14

Notes to Financial Statements

18

Notice to Shareholders

24

Board Approval of Advisory Agreement

25

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Letter to Shareholders
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

President
Denise H. Coursey

 

Dear Fellow Fool 100 ETF Shareholders,

 

Welcome, and from everyone at Motley Fool Asset Management, we sincerely thank you for being in the very first wave of investors in our very first exchange-traded fund (ETF). We are delighted and humbled by the excitement and support from you, our investors, and from our many partners for the Motley Fool 100 ETF.

 

The launch of a new product is always exhilarating, intense, and more than a little nerve-wracking. And with the Motley Fool 100 ETF, we were not only introducing a new product, we were stepping out of our known and comfortable world of mutual funds into the unknown (to us): exchange-traded funds. That meant learning a whole new set of rules, creating new partnerships, building a new website, and filing lots of very long documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission¹. I definitely had a few sleepless nights leading up to our opening day.

 

All of that was well worth it, though, because it allowed us to deliver exactly the product so many of you have been asking for – what we believe to be an easy, less expensive way to invest in The Motley Fool’s top investment ideas.

 

ETFs seem ubiquitous now, but I was surprised how many times over the past few months I was asked to explain how they work and their history. The first exchange-traded fund was introduced in 1993, and now, 25 years later, ETFs are a more than $3 trillion market. It’s not difficult to understand why these investment vehicles have taken off. They’re generally less expensive, tax-efficient², offer low or no minimum investment requirement, and if you have a brokerage account, you can buy any ETF on the market for the same trading cost as buying any stock. Easy, cheap, tax-efficient³. And with the right investment strategy, a very Foolish solution.

 

We believe the Motley Fool 100 Index is just that investment strategy – the 100 largest stocks in the Motley Fool universe, weighted by market cap and vetted by the Fool’s analysts. It aims to be a simple, less expensive way to build the core of any portfolio.

  

We’re delighted so many of you agreed and have been early adopters in investing with us. (By the way, I was right there with you, investing on the first day.) More than that, we hope you will continue to embrace the Foolish long-term, buy-and-hold investing philosophy. We’re only a month into this adventure, and we want to have you with us for many years to come.

 

Foolish best,

 

 

Denise Coursey

 

¹

The SEC does not endorse, indemnify, approve, nor disapprove of any security.

²

Any tax or legal information provided is merely a summary of our understanding and interpretation of some of the current income tax regulations and it is not exhaustive. Investors must consult their tax advisor or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation. Neither the Fund nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice.

³

Mutual funds, ETFs, hedge funds, equities, bonds, and other asset classes have different risk profiles, which should be considered when investing. All investments contain risk and may lose value.

 

 

3

 

 

Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

 

Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price, not net asset value (“NAV”), and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

 

The Motley Fool 100 Index is a new market-cap weighted index that measures the performance of The Motley Fool’s 100 largest active buy recommendations or highest-rated stocks in Fool IQ, the company’s analyst opinion database. Every company included in the Index is incorporated and listed in the U.S. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. The Fund is non-diversified, which means its NAV, market price and total returns may fluctuate or fall more than a diversified fund. Gains or losses on a single stock may have a greater impact on the Fund. The Fund is not actively managed and the Adviser does not attempt to take defensive positions in any market conditions, including adverse markets. The Index is comprised of the 100 largest U.S. companies that are either active recommendations of The Motley Fool LLC’s newsletter or are among the 150 highest rated U.S. companies in The Motley Fool LLC’s analyst opinion database, and are weighted based on their market value relative to the total market value of other companies in the Index. Changes in The Motley Fool LLC’s recommendations or rankings methodologies may have an adverse effect on the Fund. Factors that affect a security’s value can change over time, and these changes may not be reflected in the Index methodology. The Fund is recently organized, with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors have a limited track record on which to base their investment decision. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to, or maintain, an economically viable size.

 

The Motley Fool 100 ETF is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.

 

 

4

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Portfolio Characteristics
(Unaudited)

 

At February 28, 2018, the Fund had an unaudited net asset value of $19.49 per share attributed to 4,625,000 shares outstanding. This compares with an unaudited net asset value as of January 29, 2018 of $20.00 per share attributed to 100,000 shares outstanding. From the Fund launch on January 29, 2018 to February 28, 2018, the Fund had an average annual total return of -2.55% versus a return of -2.62% over the same period for its benchmark, the Motley Fool 100 Index.

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2018

 

Since
Inception

Inception
Date

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF

-2.55%

1/29/18

Motley Fool 100 Index*

-2.62%(1)

 

S&P 500® Total Return Index**

-4.68%(1)

 

Fund Expense Ratio(2)

0.50%

 

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher. 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.

 

(1)

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Fund only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

(2)

The expense ratios of the Fund are set forth according to the 1/22/2018 Prospectus for the Fund and may differ from the expense ratio disclosed in the Financial Highlights table in this report. See the Financial Highlights for most current expense ratio.

*

The Motley Fool 100 Index was established by The Motley Fool in 2017 and is a proprietary, rules-based index designed to track the performance of the 100 largest, most liquid U.S. companies that have been recommended by The Motley Fool’s analysts and newsletters. The Index is calculated and administered by Solactive AG (the “Index Calculation Agent”), which is not affiliated with the Fund, the Adviser or The Motley Fool. Additional information regarding the Index, including its value, is available on the websites of the Fund at www.fool100etf.com and the Index Calculation Agent, at www.solactive.com.

**

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 S&P 500® Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index of 500 US stocks chosen for market size, liquidity and industry grouping, among other factors. The S&P 500® Index is designed to be a leading indicator of U.S. equities and is meant to refl ect the risk/return characteristics of the large cap universe. The S&P 500® Index was fi rst introduced on the 1st of January, 1923, though expanded to 500 stocks on March 4, 1957.

 

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the total return performance of the Motley Fool 100 Index.

  

 

5

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Portfolio Characteristics (Continued)
(Unaudited)

 

The following tables show the top eleven holdings and sector allocations, in which the Fund was invested in as of February 28, 2018. Portfolio holdings are subject to change without notice.

 

Top Eleven Holdings

% of Net
Assets

Apple, Inc.

8.95%

Alphabet, Inc., Class C

7.41

Amazon.com, Inc.

6.93

Microsoft Corp.

6.86

Facebook, Inc., Class A

4.96

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

4.81

Johnson & Johnson

3.33

Visa, Inc., Class A

2.60

Intel Corp.

2.18

Cisco Systems, Inc.

2.09

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

2.07

 

52.19%

 

The Fund uses the Global Industry Classification StandardSM (“GICSSM”) as the basis for the classification of securities on the Schedule of Investments (“SOI”). We believe that this makes the SOI classifications more standard with the rest of the industry.

 

Sector Allocation

% of Net
Assets

Information Technology

48.11%

Consumer Discretionary

19.46

Health Care

11.39

Financials

8.25

Industrials

4.45

Telecommunication Services

2.32

Consumer Staples

1.79

Real Estate

1.45

Energy

1.18

Materials

0.89

Utilities

0.45

 

99.74%

 

 

6

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
fund expense example
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of Fund shares, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees. This example is 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 ETFs.

 

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018, and held for the entire period. The actual values and expenses are based on the 30 day period from inception January 29, 2018 through February 28, 2018.

 

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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying table is meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. 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.

 

Do you know how many times a fund, or the market, has returned a smooth 5% over a long period of time? Never. But we have to pick some example. In reality, the market’s returns are always far bumpier, with the market returning 20% one year, followed by a loss of 10% the next year, followed by a 3% gain,etc. These variations affect actual expenses as well. Happily, over almost all time periods of 20 years or longer, according to the research of University of Pennsylvania’s Jeremy Siegel and others, the domestic market’s returns have been at least 5% per year on average.

 

Beginning
Account Value
September 1,
2017

Ending
Account Value
february 28,
2018

Annualized
Expense
Ratio

Expenses
Paid During
Period*

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 974.50

0.50%

$0.41

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,022.32

0.50

2.51

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (181) in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 365 to reflect the one-half year period. The actual dollar amounts shown as expenses paid during the period for the Fund are multiplied by 30 days, which is based on the date of inception (January 29, 2018). The Fund’s ending account value on the first line in the table is based on the actual since inception total return for the Fund as of February 28, 2018 of -2.55%.

 

 

7

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Schedule of Investments
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of Shares   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Common Stocks — 99.74%        
Aerospace & Defense — 0.28%        
Textron, Inc. (United States)   2,182   $130,592 
TransDigm Group, Inc. (United States)   438    126,280 
         256,872 
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.60%          
FedEx Corp. (United States)   2,188    539,145 
Airlines — 0.54%          
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (United States)   6,023    324,640 
United Continental Holdings, Inc. (United States)*   2,364    160,255 
         484,895 
Automobiles — 0.99%          
Ford Motor Co. (United States)   34,666    367,806 
Tesla, Inc. (United States)*   1,541    528,656 
         896,462 
Beverages — 0.34%          
Monster Beverage Corp. (United States)*   4,779    302,845 
Biotechnology — 2.77%          
Biogen, Inc. (United States)*   1,821    526,251 
BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc. (United States)*   1,480    120,132 
Celgene Corp. (United States)*   6,860    597,643 
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (United States)   11,522    907,127 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (United States)*   2,068    343,350 
         2,494,503 
Capital Markets — 1.92%          
Charles Schwab Corp. (The) (United States)   11,399    604,375 
CME Group, Inc. (United States)   2,965    492,664 
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (United States)   4,950    361,746 
Moody's Corp. (United States)   1,629    271,848 
         1,730,633 
Chemicals — 0.70%          
Ecolab, Inc. (United States)   2,462    321,168 
Sherwin-Williams Co. (The) (United States)   776    311,626 
         632,794 

 

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

 

8

 

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Schedule of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of Shares   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Common Stocks (continued)        
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.38%        
Cintas Corp. (United States)   908   $154,959 
Republic Services, Inc. (United States)   2,739    184,006 
         338,965 
Communications Equipment — 2.27%          
Arista Networks, Inc. (United States)*   603    162,653 
Cisco Systems, Inc. (United States)   42,070    1,883,895 
         2,046,548 
Consumer Finance — 1.06%          
American Express Co. (United States)   7,344    716,114 
Synchrony Financial (United States)   6,475    235,625 
         951,739 
Diversified Financial Services — 4.81%          
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B (United States)*   20,909    4,332,345 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.85%          
Verizon Communications, Inc. (United States)   34,990    1,670,423 
Electrical Equipment — 0.42%          
Emerson Electric Co. (United States)   5,304    376,902 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.24%          
Corning, Inc. (United States)   7,391    214,930 
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts — 1.45%          
American Tower Corp. (United States)   3,602    501,866 
Crown Castle International Corp. (United States)   3,380    372,003 
Equinix, Inc. (United States)   660    258,786 
Welltower, Inc. (United States)   3,342    175,455 
         1,308,110 
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.45%          
Costco Wholesale Corp. (United States)   3,833    731,720 
CVS Health Corp. (United States)   8,468    573,537 
         1,305,257 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.50%          
Align Technology, Inc. (United States)*   713    187,177 
Baxter International, Inc. (United States)   4,643    314,749 
Becton Dickinson and Co. (United States)   1,994    442,708 

 

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

 

 

9

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Schedule of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of Shares   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Common Stocks (continued)        
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)        
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (United States)*   955   $407,259 
         1,351,893 
Health Care Providers & Services — 3.09%          
Express Scripts Holding Co. (United States)*   4,625    348,956 
HCA Healthcare, Inc. (United States)   3,036    301,323 
McKesson Corp. (United States)   1,803    269,062 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. (United States)   8,241    1,863,785 
         2,783,126 
Health Care Technology — 0.20%          
Cerner Corp. (United States)*   2,863    183,690 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.24%          
Marriott International, Inc. (United States)   3,014    425,607 
Starbucks Corp. (United States)   12,167    694,736 
         1,120,343 
Industrial Conglomerates — 1.60%          
3M Co. (United States)   5,105    1,202,278 
Roper Technologies, Inc. (United States)   864    237,678 
         1,439,956 
Insurance — 0.47%          
Aflac, Inc. (United States)   3,302    293,482 
Markel Corp. (United States)*   114    126,768 
         420,250 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 9.20%          
Amazon.com, Inc. (United States)*   4,132    6,249,443 
Booking Holdings, Inc. (United States)*   420    854,297 
Expedia, Inc. (United States)   1,295    136,195 
Netflix, Inc. (United States)*   3,605    1,050,425 
         8,290,360 
Internet Software & Services — 13.62%          
Alphabet, Inc., Class C (United States)*   6,044    6,676,988 
Altaba, Inc. (United States)*   7,359    550,821 
eBay, Inc. (United States)*   8,903    381,583 
Facebook, Inc., Class A (United States)*   25,082    4,472,622 
Twitter, Inc. (United States)*   6,290    200,399 
         12,282,413 

 

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

 

10

 

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Schedule of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of Shares   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Common Stocks (continued)        
IT Services — 6.56%        
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (United States)   3,774   $435,218 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. (United States)   5,021    411,822 
Global Payments, Inc. (United States)   1,353    153,417 
Mastercard, Inc. (United States)   9,028    1,586,761 
PayPal Holdings, Inc. (United States)*   10,366    823,164 
Square, Inc. (United States)*   3,515    161,866 
Visa, Inc. (United States)   19,060    2,343,236 
         5,915,484 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.50%          
Illumina, Inc. (United States)*   1,212    276,360 
IQVIA Holdings, Inc. (United States)*   1,785    175,519 
         451,879 
Machinery — 0.48%          
Cummins, Inc. (United States)   1,354    227,702 
PACCAR, Inc. (United States)   2,925    209,401 
         437,103 
Media — 3.89%          
Comcast Corp. (United States)   38,931    1,409,692 
Omnicom Group, Inc. (United States)   1,949    148,572 
Time Warner, Inc. (United States)   6,415    596,338 
Walt Disney Co. (The) (United States)   13,072    1,348,508 
         3,503,110 
Metals & Mining — 0.19%          
Nucor Corp. (United States)   2,590    169,386 
Multi-Utilities — 0.45%          
Dominion Energy, Inc. (United States)   5,510    408,126 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.18%          
Enterprise Products Partners LP (United States)   18,343    466,279 
Kinder Morgan, Inc. (United States)   18,685    302,697 
Magellan Midstream Partners LP (United States)   1,850    115,551 
ONEOK, Inc. (United States)   3,145    177,158 
         1,061,685 
Pharmaceuticals — 3.33%          
Johnson & Johnson (United States)   23,129    3,003,995 

 

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

 

 

11

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Schedule of Investments (continued)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of Shares   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Common Stocks (continued)        
Professional Services — 0.16%        
Verisk Analytics, Inc. (United States)*   1,375   $140,511 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 3.77%          
Intel Corp. (United States)   39,805    1,961,988 
NVIDIA Corp. (United States)   5,220    1,263,240 
Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (United States)   1,560    170,430 
         3,395,658 
Software — 12.69%          
Activision Blizzard, Inc. (United States)   6,617    483,901 
Adobe Systems, Inc. (United States)*   4,170    872,072 
Electronic Arts, Inc. (United States)*   2,649    327,681 
Intuit, Inc. (United States)   2,188    365,090 
Microsoft Corp. (United States)   65,963    6,185,350 
Oracle Corp. (United States)   35,559    1,801,775 
Salesforce.com, Inc. (United States)*   6,211    722,029 
VMware, Inc. (United States)*   3,485    459,149 
Workday, Inc. (United States)*   1,775    224,839 
         11,441,886 
Specialty Retail — 3.07%          
Home Depot, Inc. (The) (United States)   9,576    1,745,418 
Lowe's Cos, Inc. (United States)   6,585    589,950 
TJX Cos, Inc. (The) (United States)   5,278    436,385 
         2,771,753 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 8.95%          
Apple, Inc. (United States)   45,304    8,069,549 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.06%          
NIKE, Inc., Class B (United States)   14,252    955,312 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.47%          
T-Mobile US, Inc. (United States)*   6,988    423,543 
Total Common Stocks (Cost $88,898,771)        89,904,379 
           

 

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

 

12

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Schedule of Investments (concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of Shares   Value
(Note 2)
 
         
Short-Term Investments — 0.18%        
First American Treasury Obligations Fund, Class X (United States), 1.27% (a)   162,038   $162,038 
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $162,038)        162,038 
           
Total Investments (Cost $89,060,809) — 99.92%        90,066,417 
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.08%        71,575 
NET ASSETS — 100.00%          
(Applicable to 4,625,000 shares outstanding)       $90,137,992 

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

(a)

Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018

 

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

 

 

13

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS    
Investments, at value (cost $88,898,771)  $89,904,379 
Short-term investments, at value (cost $162,038)   162,038 
Receivables for:     
Capital shares sold   974,465 
Dividends   75,693 
Total assets   91,116,575 
      
LIABILITIES     
Payables for:     
Investments purchased   955,290 
Advisory fees   23,293 
Total liabilities   978,583 
Net assets  $90,137,992 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Par value  $4,625 
Paid-in capital   89,049,015 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss)   78,744 
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments    
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   1,005,608 
Net assets  $90,137,992 
      
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   4,625,000 
Net asset value, price per share  $19.49 

 

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

 

14

 

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Statement of Operations
for the period ended February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME    
Dividends  $102,037 
Total investment income   102,037 
      
EXPENSES     
Advisory fees (Note 3)   23,293 
Total expenses   23,293 
Net investment income/(loss)   78,744 
      
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS     
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments    
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   1,005,608 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   1,005,608 
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $1,084,352 

 

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

 

 

15

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Period Ended
February 28, 2018*
(Unaudited)
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:    
Net investment income/(loss)  $78,744 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments    
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   1,005,608 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1,084,352 
      
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:     
Proceeds from shares sold   89,053,640 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions   89,053,640 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   90,137,992 
      
NET ASSETS:     
Beginning of period    
End of period  $90,137,992 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of year  $78,744 
      
SHARES TRANSACTIONS:     
Shares sold   4,625,000 
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   4,625,000 

 

*

Inception date of the Fund was January 29, 2018.

 

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

 

16

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Financial Highlights

 

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

 

  

For the
Period
Ended February 28, 2018(1)

 
   (Unaudited) 
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE     
Net asset value, beginning of period  $20.00 

Net investment income/(loss) (2)

   0.03 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investments   (0.54)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (0.51)
Net asset value, end of period  $19.49 

Total investment return (3)

   (2.55%)(4)
RATIO/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA     
Net assets, end of period (000's omitted)  $90,138 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets   0.50%(5)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   1.69%(5)
Portfolio turnover rate   0%(4)

 

(1)

Inception date of the Fund was January 29, 2018.

(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 these financial statements.

 

 

17

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Notes to Financial Statements

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 (UNAUDITED)

 

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-nine active investment portfolios, including the Motley Fool 100 Index ETF (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on January 29, 2018.

 

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 87.023 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and eighty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

 

The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the total return performance of the Motley Fool 100 Index (the “Index”). The Index was developed by The Motley Fool, LLC (“The Motley Fool”), an affiliate of the Adviser, and was established in 2017. It is a proprietary, rules-based index designed to track the performance of the 100 largest, most liquid U.S. companies that have been recommended by The Motley Fool’s analysts and newsletters.

 

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services - Investment Companies”.

 

The end of the reporting period for the Fund is February 28, 2018, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the period January 29, 2018 through February 28, 2018 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

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 (“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 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. 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. If market quotations are unavailable or deemed unreliable, securities will be valued in accordance with procedures adopted by the Company’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. 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.

 

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

 

 

Level 1 – Prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

 

Level 2 – Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

 

Level 3 – Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

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

 

18

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 (UNAUDITED)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of the end of the reporting period, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

   TOTAL   LEVEL 1   LEVEL 2   LEVEL 3 
Common Stocks  $89,904,379   $89,904,379   $   $ 
Short-Term Investments   162,038    162,038         
Total Investments*  $90,066,417   $90,066,417   $   $ 

 

*

Please refer to the Schedule 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”) requires 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.

 

During the current fiscal period, the Fund had no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3.

 

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 reporting 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 and fees, including investment advisory fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for the purpose of determining the NAV of the Fund.

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS — The Fund pays dividends from its net investment income and distributes any net capital gains that it realizes. Dividends and capital gains distributions are generally paid once a year and as required to comply with federal excise tax requirements. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with tax regulations and recorded on ex dividend date. Additionally, each Fund reports details of distribution-related transactions on quarterly account statements. You may not receive a separate confirmation statement for these transactions.

 

 

19

  

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 (UNAUDITED)

 

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 — 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 Policies and Practices

 

The sections below describe some of the different types of investments that may be made by the Fund and the investment practices in which the Fund may engage.

 

When we say that the Fund may invest in other types of securities and in other asset classes, the “may” is well worth emphasizing, as the Fund’s primary focus is to track the makeup and returns of the Motley Fool 100 Index.

 

TYPES OF FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES — The Fund may invest in bonds and other types of debt obligations of U.S. and foreign issuers. Fixed income securities purchased by the Fund may include, among others, bonds, notes, and debentures issued by corporations; debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities (“U.S. Government Securities”); municipal securities; mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities; and debt securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, their agencies, instrumentalities, or political subdivisions, or by government-owned, -controlled, or -sponsored entities, including central banks. These investments also include money market instruments and other types of obligations. Investors should recognize that, although securities ratings issued by Standard & Poor’s® Ratings Services (“S&P”), a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and Moody’s Investors Services©, Inc. (“Moody’s”), provide a generally useful guide as to credit risks, they do not offer any criteria to evaluate interest rate risk. Changes in interest rate levels generally cause fluctuations in the prices of fixed-income securities and will, therefore, cause fluctuations in the NAV per share of the Fund. Subsequent to the purchase of a fixed-income security by the Fund, the ratings or credit quality of such security may deteriorate. Any such subsequent adverse changes in the rating or quality of a security held by the Fund would not require the Fund to sell the security.

 

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS — Real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) are pooled investment vehicles that manage a portfolio of real estate or real estate-related loans to earn profits for their shareholders. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs, or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of the borrower on any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, may not be diversified geographically or by property type, and are subject to heavy cash-flow dependency, default by borrowers, and self-liquidation. REITs must also meet certain requirements under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to avoid entity level tax and be eligible to pass through certain tax attributes of their income to shareholders. REITs are consequently subject to the risk of failing to meet these requirements for favorable tax treatment and of failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. REITs are also subject to the risks of changes in the Code, affecting their tax status.

 

REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risks. When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed-rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed-rate obligations can be expected to decline. In contrast, as interest rates on adjustable-rate mortgage loans are reset periodically, yields on a REIT’s investments in such loans will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates, causing the value of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed-rate obligations.

 

20

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 (UNAUDITED)

 

The management of a REIT may be subject to conflicts of interest with respect to the operation of the business of the REIT and may be involved in real estate activities competitive with the REIT. REITs may own properties through joint ventures or in other circumstances in which a REIT may not have control over its investments. REITs may use significant amounts of leverage.

 

REITs often do not provide complete tax information until after the end of the calendar year. Consequently, because of the delay, it may be necessary for the Fund, if invested in REITs, to request permission to extend the deadline for issuance of Forms 1099-DIV beyond January 31. Alternatively, amended Forms 1099-DIV may be sent.

 

TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS — During periods of adverse market or economic conditions, the Fund may temporarily invest all or a substantial portion of its assets in high-quality, fixed-income securities, money market instruments, and shares of money market mutual funds, or it may hold cash. At such times, the Fund would not be pursuing its stated investment objective with its usual investment strategies. The Fund may also hold these investments for liquidity purposes. Fixed-income securities will be deemed to be of high quality if they are rated “A” or better by S&P or Moody’s or, if unrated, are determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser. Money market instruments are high-quality, short-term fixed income obligations (which generally have remaining maturities of one year or less), and may include U.S. Government Securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and banker’s acceptances issued by domestic branches of United States banks that are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and repurchase agreements for U.S. Government Securities. In lieu of purchasing money market instruments, the Fund may purchase shares of money market mutual funds that invest primarily in U.S. Government Securities and repurchase agreements involving those securities, subject to certain limitations imposed by the 1940 Act. The Fund, as an investor in a money market fund, will indirectly bear the fees and expenses of the money market fund. These indirect fees and expenses will be in addition to the fees and expenses of the Fund. Repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with direct investments in debt securities.

 

3. investment adviser and other services

 

The Fund pays all of its expenses other than those expressly assumed by Motley Fool Asset Management (the “Adviser”). Expenses of the Fund are deducted from the Fund’s total income before dividends are paid. Subject to the supervision of the Board, the Adviser manages the overall investment operations of the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies and formulates a continuing investment strategy for the Fund pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Company on behalf of the Fund. The Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Motley Fool Holdings Inc. (“TMF Holdings”), a multimedia financial-services holding company that also owns The Motley Fool, which publishes investment information and analysis across a wide range of media, including investment newsletter services, websites, and books. TMF Holdings is controlled by David Gardner and Tom Gardner, along with other private shareholders. The Fund compensates the Adviser a unitary management fee for its services at an annual rate of 0.50% based on the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”), payable on a monthly basis in arrears. From the Advisory Fee, the Adviser pays most of the expenses of the Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services. However, the Adviser is not responsible for interest expenses, brokerage commissions and other trading expenses, fees and expenses of the independent directors and their independent legal counsel, taxes and other extraordinary costs such as litigation and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of business.

 

During the current fiscal period, investment advisory fees accrued were as follows:

 

GROSS
ADVISORY FEES

$ 23,293

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

USBFS serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

 

21

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 (UNAUDITED)

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (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.

 

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

 

Under the Fund’s unitary fee, the Adviser compensates USBFS for its services provided.

 

DIRECTOR’S AND OFFICER’S COMPENSATION — The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. An employee of RBB serves as Treasurer and Secretary, and is compensated for services provided. Certain employees of USBFS serve as officers of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company.

 

4. PURCHASES AND SALES OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES

 

During the current fiscal period, aggregate purchases and sales and maturities of investment securities (excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

PURCHASES SALES
$1,754,129 $—

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government Securities during the current fiscal period.

 

During the current fiscal period, aggregate purchases and sales and maturities of in-kind transactions of the Fund were as follows:

 

PURCHASES

SALES

$ 87,145,535

$ —

 

5. Federal Income tax information

 

The Fund follows 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. 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. The amount and character of tax basis distributions and composition of net assets, including undistributed/(accumulated) net investment income/(loss), are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax basis balances have not been determined for the period ended February 28, 2018. Since the Fund does not have a full fiscal year, the tax cost of investments is the same as noted on the Schedule of Investments.

 

6. SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

Shares of the Fund are listed and trade on the Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the “Exchange”). Market prices for the shares may be different from their NAV. The Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis at NAV only in blocks of 25,000 shares, called “Creation Units.” Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in a specified universe. Once created, shares generally trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund. Creation Units may only be purchased or redeemed by certain financial institutions (“Authorized Participants”). An Authorized Participant is either (i) a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or (ii) a Depository Trust Company participant and, in each case, must have executed a Participant Agreement with the Distributor. Most

 

22

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)

FEBRUARY 28, 2018 (UNAUDITED)

 

retail investors do not qualify as Authorized Participants nor have the resources to buy and sell whole Creation Units. Therefore, they are unable to purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund. Rather, most retail investors may purchase shares in the secondary market with the assistance of a broker and are subject to customary brokerage commissions or fees.

 

The Fund currently offers one class of shares, which has no front-end sales load, no deferred sales charge, and no redemption fee. A fixed transaction fee is imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the purchase or sale of Creation Units. The standard fixed transaction fee for the Fund is $250, payable to the custodian. In addition, a variable fee may be charged on all cash transactions or substitutes for Creation Units of up to a maximum of 2% as a percentage of the value of the Creation Units subject to the transaction. Variable fees are imposed to compensate the Fund for the transaction costs associated with the cash transactions. Variable fees received by the Fund, if any, are displayed in the capital shares transactions section of the Statement of Changes in Net Assets. The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, with $0.001 par value per share. Shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges.

 

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 significant events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

23

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Notice to Shareholders
(Unaudited)

  

Information on 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 during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 863-8803; and (ii) on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Quarterly Schedule of Investments

 

The Company files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year (quarters ended November 30 and May 31) on Form N-Q. Shareholders can obtain the Form N-Q (i) without charge, upon request, by calling (888) 863-8803; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Form N-Q may be reviewed or copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

 

24

 

 

 

 

Motley Fool 100 Index ETF
Board Approval of Advisory Agreement
(Unaudited) 

 

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 approval of the investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Company (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund at a meeting of the Board held on December 7, 2017 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Investment Advisory Agreement for an initial term ending August 16, 2019. In approving the Investment 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 approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and the 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 to be provided to the Fund by the Adviser; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of the personnel providing those services; (iii) the Adviser’s investment philosophy and process; (iv) the Adviser’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) the Adviser’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) the Adviser’s advisory fee arrangements and other similarly managed clients, as applicable; (vii) the Adviser’s compliance procedures; (viii) the Adviser’s financial information and insurance coverage; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; and (x) a report prepared by Broadridge/Lipper comparing the Fund’s proposed management fees and total expense ratio to those of its Lipper Group. The Directors noted that the Fund had not yet commenced operations, and consequently there was no performance information to review with respect to the Fund.

 

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided by the Adviser. The Directors concluded that the Adviser had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund.

 

The Board also considered the advisory fee rate payable by the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees to be paid by the Fund and the Fund’s total operating expense ratio were compared to similar information for index exchange-traded funds advised by other, unaffiliated investment advisory firms. The Directors noted that the Fund’s actual advisor fees ranked in the first quintile of its Lipper Expense Group. The Directors also considered that the total expenses of the Fund ranked in the fourth quintile of its Lipper Expense Universe.

 

After reviewing the information regarding the Adviser’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering the services to be provided by the Adviser, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees to be paid by the Fund to the Adviser were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreement should be approved for an initial period ending August 31, 2019.

 

 

25

 

 

 

Investment Adviser

Motley Fool Asset Management, LLC
2000 Duke Street
Suite 275
Alexandria, VA 22314

 

Administrator and Transfer Agent

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI 53201

 

Custodian

U.S. Bank, N.A.
1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

Principal Underwriter

Quasar Distributors, LLC
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Floor 6
Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
One Logan Square, Suite 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

26

 

 

 

 

Stay informed about your investment!

Shareholders like you are very important to us, and we’re committed to communicating with you about important matters. The best way to stay “in the know” is to sign up for our free email newsletter. You’ll get quarterly performance updates, insights about the stock market and investing, and more.

 

Simply send an email to help@foolfunds.com today to sign up!

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

ORINDA FUNDS

 

Semi-Annual Report

February 28, 2018

(Unaudited)

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

of

the RBB Fund, Inc.

Class I Shares – OIOIX

Class A Shares – OIOAX

Class D Shares – OIODX

   


 

 

Table of Contents

 

Performance Data

1

Fund Expense Examples

4

Allocation of Portfolio Assets

5

Schedule of Investments

6

Schedule of Securities Sold Short

11

Schedule of Options Written

12

Financial Statements

13

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

13

Statement of Operations

15

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

16

Statement of Cash Flows

18

Financial Highlights

20

Notes to the Financial Statements

23

Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement

35

Notice to Shareholders

36

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Performance Data

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods ended February 28, 2018

 
   

Six
Months†

One
Year

Three
Years

Since
Inception††

 

 

Class I Shares (No Load)

-3.47%

-0.95%

2.14%

3.41%

 

 

Bloomberg Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

-2.18%

0.51%

1.14%

2.33%

 

 

Not annualized.

 

†† Inception date of Class I Shares of the Fund was June 28, 2013.

 

Until December 31, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to waive its fees to the extent necessary to maintain annualized expense ratios for the Class I Shares of average daily net assets of 1.40% (excluding certain items discussed below). 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 the 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. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will continue such waiver for the Fund after December 31, 2018. The Fund’s expense ratio for the Class I Shares, as stated in the current prospectus, is 1.84%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-877-903-1313.

 

The Bloomberg Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged, market capitalization-weighted index, comprised predominately of U.S. traded investment grade bonds with maturities of one year or more. The index includes Treasury securities, Government agency bonds, mortgage-backed bonds, and corporate bonds. The index is representative of intermediate duration US investment grade debt securities. It is not possible to invest directily in an index.

 

1

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Performance Data (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods ended February 28, 2018

 
   

Six
Months†

One
Year

Three
Years

Since
Inception††

 

 

Class A Shares (No Load)

-3.63%

-1.24%

1.83%

3.10%

 

 

Class A Shares (Load)

-8.46%

-6.17%

0.10%

1.97%

 
 

Bloomberg Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

-2.18%

0.51%

1.14%

2.33%

 

 

Not annualized.

 

†† Inception date of Class A Shares of the Fund was June 28, 2013.

 

Until December 31, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to waive its fees to the extent necessary to maintain annualized expense ratios for the Class A Shares of average daily net assets of 1.70% (excluding certain items discussed below). 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 the 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. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will continue such waiver for the Fund after December 31, 2018. The Fund’s expense ratio for the Class A Shares, as stated in the current prospectus, is 2.14%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-877-903-1313.

 

The Bloomberg Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged, market capitalization-weighted index, comprised predominately of U.S. traded investment grade bonds with maturities of one year or more. The index includes Treasury securities, Government agency bonds, mortgage-backed bonds, and corporate bonds. The index is representative of intermediate duration US investment grade debt securities. It is not possible to invest directily in an index.

 

2

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Performance Data (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods ended February 28, 2018

 
   

Six
Months†

One
Year

Three
Years

Since
Inception††

 

 

Class D Shares (No Load)

-3.96%

-1.92%

1.19%

2.57%

 

 

Bloomberg Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

-2.18%

0.51%

1.14%

2.33%

 

 

Not annualized.

 

††Inception date of Class D Shares of the Fund was September 27, 2013.

 

Until December 31, 2018, the Adviser has agreed to waive its fees to the extent necessary to maintain annualized expense ratios for the Class D Shares of average daily net assets of 2.40% (excluding certain items discussed below). 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 the 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. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will continue such waiver for the Fund after December 31, 2018. The Fund’s expense ratio for the Class D Shares, as stated in the current prospectus, is 2.81%.

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 1-877-903-1313.

 

The Bloomberg Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged, market capitalization-weighted index, comprised predominately of U.S. traded investment grade bonds with maturities of one year or more. The index includes Treasury securities, Government agency bonds, mortgage-backed bonds, and corporate bonds. The index is representative of intermediate duration US investment grade debt securities.It is not possible to invest directily in an index.

 

3

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Fund Expense ExampleS

February 28, 2018 (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.

 

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period from September 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018.

 

ACTUAL EXPENSES

 

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

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or exchange 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
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018

Expenses Paid
During Period
*

Actual

     

Class I Shares

$ 1,000.00

$ 965.30

$ 7.99

Class A Shares

1,000.00

963.70

9.20

Class D Shares

1,000.00

947.26

10.89

 

     

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

     

Class I Shares

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,016.66

$ 8.20

Class A Shares

1,000.00

1,015.42

9.44

Class D Shares

1,000.00

1,007.95

11.23

 

*Expenses are equal to the Class I Shares, Class A Shares, and Class D Shares annualized six-month expense ratios for the period September 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 of 1.64%, 1.89%, and 2.65%, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (181) 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 tables is based on the actual six-month total investment return for the Fund of -3.47%, -3.63% and -3.96% for Class I Shares, Class A Shares and Class D Shares, respectively.

 

4

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Allocation Of Portfolio AssetS

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Percentages represent market value as a percentage of net assets.

 

5

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Schedule Of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

COMMON STOCKS - 2.7%  Number of
Shares
   Value 
Financials - 0.1%        
Sutherland Asset Management Corp.   20,000   $276,000 
           
Real Estate - 1.5%          
Landmark Infrastructure Partners LP   177,265    2,969,189 

Summit Industrial Income REIT (c)

   50,000    309,772 
         3,278,961 
Utilities - 1.1%          

Pattern Energy Group, Inc. (d)

   138,241    2,567,135 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $6,130,267)

        6,122,096 
           
REITS - 79.6%          
Financials - 18.9%          

AGNC Investment Corp. - Series C, 7.00% (3 Month LIBOR USD +5.11%) (b)(d)

   65,651    1,653,749 

Annaly Capital Management, Inc. - Series F, 6.95% (3 Month LIBOR USD +4.99%) (b)(d)

   161,174    3,984,221 

Annaly Capital Management, Inc. - Series G, 6.50% (3 Month LIBOR USD +4.17%) (b)(d)

   68,644    1,618,625 

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (d)

   442,071    3,784,128 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. - Series B, 7.88%   98,120    2,448,094 

Chimera Investment Corp. Series A, 8.00% (d)

   73,276    1,839,228 

Chimera Investment Corp. Series B, 8.00% (3 Month LIBOR USD +5.79%) (b)(d)

   233,200    5,932,608 
Great Ajax Corp., 7.25%   24,350    602,059 

Invesco Mortgage Capital, Inc. - Series C, 7.50% (3 Month LIBOR USD +5.29%) (b)(d)

   144,200    3,574,718 

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust - Series A, 8.13% (3 Month LIBOR USD +5.83%) (b)(d)

   88,379    2,215,661 

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust - Series B, 8.00% (3 Month LIBOR USD +5.99%) (b)(d)

   173,395    4,288,058 
Resource Capital Corp., 8.25%   159,581    4,026,229 
Sutherland Asset Management Corp., 7.00%   49,941    1,248,525 

Two Harbors Investment Corp. - Series A, 8.13% (3 Month LIBOR USD +5.66%) (b)(d)

   84,000    2,171,400 

Two Harbors Investment Corp. - Series B, 7.63% (3 Month LIBOR USD +5.35%) (b)(d)

   30,000    742,500 

Two Harbors Investment Corp. - Series C, 7.25% (3 Month LIBOR USD +5.01%) (b)(d)

   130,240    3,128,365 
         43,258,168 
Real Estate - 60.7%          

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. - Series D, 8.45% (d)

   99,644    2,518,004 

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. - Series F, 7.38% (d)

   178,856    4,169,133 
Ashford Hospitality Trust - Series H, Inc., 7.50%   180,000    4,213,800 

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. - Series I, 7.50% (d)

   235,200    5,562,480 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. (d)

   385,205    2,900,594 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. - Series C, 7.63% (d)

   161,553    3,939,308 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. Series D, 7.13% (d)

   77,899    1,789,340 

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. - Series D, 7.38% (d)

   360,518    6,687,609 

City Office REIT, Inc. (d)

   468,356    4,702,294 
City Office REIT, Inc. - Series A, 6.63%   57,384    1,397,300 

Colony NorthStar, Inc (d)

   91,304    710,345 
Colony NorthStar, Inc. - Series B, 8.25%   59,544    1,489,195 

Colony NorthStar, Inc. - Series D, 8.50% (d)

   93,152    2,361,403 

Colony NorthStar, Inc. - Series E, 8.75% (d)

   433,587    11,212,560 

 

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

 

6

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Schedule Of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

REITS - 79.6% (Continued)  Number of
Shares
   Value 
Real Estate - 60.7% (Continued)        
Colony NorthStar, Inc. - Series G, 7.50%   77,695   $1,911,297 

Colony NorthStar, Inc. - Series H, 7.13% (d)

   381,909    9,100,892 

Colony NorthStar, Inc. - Series I, 7.15% (d)

   247,000    5,903,300 

Colony NorthStar, Inc. - Series J, 7.13% (d)

   231,921    5,503,485 
Farmland Partners, Inc. - Series B, 6.00%   16,422    415,805 

Global Medical REIT, Inc. - Series A, 7.50% (d)

   101,381    2,480,793 

Global Net Lease, Inc. (d)

   412,415    6,450,171 

Global Net Lease, Inc. - Series A, 7.25% (d)

   108,352    2,717,468 
Gramercy Property Trust   37,334    808,281 

Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (d)

   635,131    5,411,316 

iStar, Inc. - Series D, 8.00% (d)

   183,636    4,574,373 

iStar, Inc. - Series I, 7.50% (d)

   197,585    4,890,229 

Jernigan Capital, Inc. - Series B, 7.00% (a)(d)

   198,500    4,694,525 
Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp.   45,609    643,999 
RAIT Financial Trust, 7.13%   61,501    1,345,027 
RAIT Financial Trust - Series A, 7.75%   62,008    427,235 
RAIT Financial Trust - Series B, 8.38%   15,132    102,292 
RAIT Financial Trust - Series C, 8.88%   9,900    67,914 

RAIT Financial Trust, 7.63% (d)

   122,875    2,291,619 

RLJ Lodging Trust - Series A, 1.95% (d)

   452,273    11,754,575 
Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.   204,068    3,444,668 

Seritage Growth Properties - Series A, 7.00% (d)

   73,500    1,714,020 

UMH Properties, Inc. Series D, 6.38% (d)

   94,900    2,268,110 
UMH Properties, Inc. - Series C, 6.75%   72,500    1,814,675 

Uniti Group, Inc. (d)

   189,803    2,913,476 

Washington Prime Group, Inc. - Series H, 7.50% (d)

   72,970    1,660,068 

WPT Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust (c)

   12,300    157,951 
         139,120,929 

TOTAL REITS (Cost $183,901,147)

        182,379,097 
           
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS - 6.0%          
Real Estate - 6.0%          
CorEnergy Infrastructure Trust, Inc. - Series A, 7.38%   214,650    5,392,008 

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. - Series B, 9.00% (d)

   195,653    2,979,795 

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. - Series D, 8.75% (d)

   312,553    5,329,029 
         13,700,832 

TOTAL CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $16,908,870)

        13,700,832 

 

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

 

7

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Schedule Of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

PREFERRED STOCKS - 34.8%  Number of
Shares
   Value 
Consumer Discretionary - 0.2%        
TravelCenters of America LLC - Senior Unsecured, 8.00%   16,602   $412,892 
TravelCenters of America LLC - Senior Unsecured, 8.25%   445    11,036 
         423,928 
           
Energy - 5.2%          

GasLog Partners LP - Series A, 8.63% (3 Month LIBOR USD +6.31%) (b)(c)(d)

   45,000    1,190,250 

GasLog Partners LP - Series B, 8.20% (3 Month LIBOR USD +5.84%) (b)(c)(d)

   48,500    1,228,505 

NGL Energy Partners LP - Series B, 9.00% (3 Month LIBOR USD +7.21%) (b)

   75,000    1,781,250 

NuStar Energy LP - Series A, 8.50% (3 Month LIBOR USD +6.77%) (b)(d)

   60,000    1,455,000 

NuStar Energy LP - Series B, 7.63% (3 Month LIBOR USD +5.64%) (b)(d)

   25,000    565,750 

NuStar Energy LP - Series C, 9.00% (3 Month LIBOR USD +6.88%) (b)(d)

   50,000    1,226,500 

Teekay LNG Partners LP - Series B, 8.50% (3 Month LIBOR USD +6.24%) (b)(c)(d)

   110,000    2,581,700 

Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd. - Series D, 8.75% (c)

   19,150    476,835 

Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd. - Series E, 9.25% (3 Month LIBOR USD +6.88%) (b)(c)

   52,600    1,319,734 
         11,825,524 
           
Financials - 17.8%          
AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. - Series A, 8.25%   12,200    307,928 
AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. - Series B, 8.00%   40,819    1,014,352 

AGNC Investment Corp. - Series B, 7.75% (d)

   123,583    3,210,686 
Annaly Capital Management, Inc. - Series C, 7.63%   19,897    503,593 

Annaly Capital Management, Inc. - Series D, 7.50% (d)

   34,984    878,098 

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. - Series C, 8.00% (d)

   363,417    9,221,706 
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc., 7.38%   60,000    1,531,200 
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. - Series A, 8.25%   46,261    1,172,254 
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. - Series B, 7.75%   20,323    509,294 

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. - Series C, 8.50% (d)

   81,007    2,090,386 
Capstead Mortgage Corp. - Series E, 7.50%   53,622    1,347,521 
Compass Diversified Holdings - Series A, 7.25%   37,400    890,494 

Cowen, Inc., 7.35% (d)

   88,350    2,224,653 

CYS Investments, Inc. - Series B, 7.50% (d)

   91,317    2,198,913 

Invesco Mortgage Capital, Inc. - Series A, 7.75% (d)

   81,453    2,036,325 

Invesco Mortgage Capital, Inc. - Series B, 7.75% (3 Month LIBOR USD +5.18%) (b)(d)

   165,097    4,242,993 

MFA Financial, Inc. - Series B, 7.50% (d)

   62,681    1,598,366 
National General Holdings Corp., 7.63%   36,801    901,257 

Resource Capital Corp., 8.63% (3 Month LIBOR USD +5.93%) (b)(d)

   190,912    4,877,802 
         40,757,821 
Industrials - 0.6%          

Seaspan Corp. - Series H, 7.88% (c)(d)

   64,044    1,512,079 
           
Real Estate - 10.9%          

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. - Series G, 7.38% (d)

   239,578    5,551,022 

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT, Inc. - Series A, 8.25% (d)

   201,020    5,136,061 

Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. - Series B, 7.25% (d)

   4,973    121,142 

Hersha Hospitality Trust - Series D, 6.50% (d)

   166,694    3,858,966 
iStar, Inc. - Series G, 7.65%   60,046    1,499,949 

Landmark Infrastructure Partners LP - Series B, 7.90% (d)

   76,800    1,864,704 

 

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

 

8

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Schedule Of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

PREFERRED STOCKS - 34.8% (Continued)  Number of
Shares
   Value 
Real Estate - 10.9% (Continued)        

STAG Industrial, Inc. - Series C, 6.88% (d)

   45,405   $1,151,925 

Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. - Series D, 6.45% (d)

   31,693    787,254 

UMH Properties, Inc. - Series B, 8.00% (d)

   33,751    883,601 

VEREIT, Inc. - Series F, 6.70% (d)

   161,260    4,046,014 
         24,900,638 
Telecommunication Services - 0.1%          
Qwest Corp., 6.75%   12,643    284,341 

TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $76,472,226)

        79,704,331 
           
CONVERTIBLE BONDS - 1.5%   

Principal
Amount

      
Financials - 1.5%          
Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corp.          

6.750%, 10/01/2022 (d)

  $3,500,000    3,451,000 

TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS (Cost $3,500,000)

        3,451,000 
           
CORPORATE BONDS - 0.4%          
Financials - 0.4%          
Uniti Group LP / Uniti Fiber Holdings Inc / CSL Capital LLC          
7.125%, 12/15/2024   1,000,000    901,250 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS (Cost $969,513)

        901,250 
           
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS - 0.9%          

Direxion Daily 20+ Year Treasury Bear 3x Shares (a)

   100,231    2,126,902 

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Cost $1,859,203)

        2,126,902 
           
PURCHASED OPTIONS - 0.2%   

Contracts

      
Put Options - 0.2%          
Vanguard Real Estate ETF          
Expiration: March 2018, Exercise Price: $75.00   3,300    478,500 

TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS (Cost $451,680)

        478,500 

 

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

 

9

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Schedule Of Investments (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 3.9%  Number of
Shares
   Value 

STIT-Treasury Obligations Portfolio, 1.32% (e)

   8,956,071   $8,956,071 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS(Cost $8,956,071)

        8,956,071 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $299,148,977) - 130.0%

        297,820,079 
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets - (30.0)%        (68,802,081)
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.0%       $229,017,998 

 

 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

(a)Non-income producing.

(b)Variable rate security. The rate shown represents the rate at February 28, 2018.

(c)U.S. traded security of a foreign issuer or corporation.

(d)All or a portion of the security has been segregated for open short positions.

(e)Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.

 

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

 

10

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Schedule Of Securities Sold Short

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

COMMON STOCKS - (0.2%)  Number of
Shares
   Value 
Consumer Discretionary - 0.1%        

TravelCenters Of America LLC (a)

   (77,000)  $(286,825)
Telecommunication Services - 0.1%          
Windstream Holdings, Inc.   (97,400)   (153,892)

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Proceeds $485,120)

        (440,717)
           
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS - (13.3%)          

iPATH S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (a)(b)

   (21,242)   (942,083)
iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF   (80,000)   (3,259,200)
iShares US Preferred Stock ETF   (196,724)   (7,383,052)
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund   (196,250)   (9,628,025)
Vanguard Real Estate ETF   (125,113)   (9,177,038)

TOTAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (Proceeds $32,226,798)

        (30,389,398)
           
REITS - (3.4%)          
Real Estate - 3.4%          
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.   (86,000)   (398,180)
National Retail Properties, Inc.   (81,752)   (3,044,444)
Seritage Growth Properties   (82,607)   (3,122,545)
Washington Prime Group, Inc.   (33,175)   (217,296)
Welltower, Inc.   (20,000)   (1,050,000)
         (7,832,465)

TOTAL REITS (Proceeds $8,130,343)

        (7,832,465)
           

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT (Proceeds $40,842,261) - (16.9%)

       $(38,662,580)

 

 

(a)Non-income producing.

 

(b)U.S. traded security of a foreign issuer or corporation.

 

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

 

11

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Schedule Of Options Written

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

PUT OPTIONS  Counter-
party
  Contracts   Notional
Cost
   Value 
VANGUARD REAL ESTATE ETF               
Expiration: March 2018, Exercise Price: $72.00  N/A   (1,900)  $(13,936,500)  $(95,000)
TOTAL PUT OPTIONS                (95,000)
                   

TOTAL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Premiums received $98,766)

               $(95,000)

 

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

 

12

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Statement Of Assets And Liabilities

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS    
Investments in securities, at value (cost $290,192,906)  $288,864,008 
Short-term investments, at value (cost $8,956,071)   8,956,071 
Cash   5,782 
Receivables for:     
Investments sold   7,406,775 
Deposit at brokers   46,567,314 
Capital shares sold   289,302 
Dividends and interest   1,000,669 
Return of capital   31,878 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   284,112 
Total assets   353,405,911 
      
LIABILITIES     
Securities sold short, at fair value (proceeds $40,842,261)   38,662,580 
Options written, at value (premiums received $98,766)   95,000 
Payables for:     
Loans payable   79,005,957 
Investments purchased   5,623,480 
Distribution and service fees   410,220 
Capital shares redeemed   372,367 
Advisory fees   180,669 
Administration and accounting fees   23,440 
Custodian fees   9,690 
Transfer agent fees   680 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities   3,830 
Total liabilities   124,387,913 
Net assets  $229,017,998 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Par Value  $10,501 
Paid-in capital   257,550,434 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss)   (501,539)
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments   (28,895,947)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:     
Investments   (1,328,898)
Securities sold short   2,179,681 
Written options   3,766 
Net assets  $229,017,998 

 

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

 

13

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Statement Of Assets And Liabilities (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

CLASS I SHARES    
Net assets  $167,432,835 
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   7,664,787 
Net asset value and redemption price per share  $21.84 
      
CLASS A SHARES     
Net assets  $40,864,618 
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   1,877,990 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $21.76 
Maximum offering price per share (net asset value divided by 95.00%)  $22.91 
      
CLASS D SHARES     
Net assets  $20,720,545 
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   958,487 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $21.62 

 

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

 

14

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Statement Of Operations

For the Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME    
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $6,379)  $13,322,683 
Interest income   389,425 
Total investment income   13,712,108 
      
EXPENSES     
Advisory fees (Note 2)   1,612,879 
Interest expense   435,123 
Dividend expense on securities sold-short   213,341 
Distribution fees - Class A Shares   130,022 
Distribution fees - Class D Shares   108,969 
Service fees - Class I Shares   98,382 
Service fees - Class A Shares   78,013 
Service fees - Class D Shares   10,897 
Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)   70,053 
Registration and filing fees   37,386 
Printing and shareholder reporting fees   33,980 
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)   26,567 
Custodian fees (Note 2)   15,069 
Audit and tax service fees   12,061 
Other expenses   2,671 
Total expenses   2,885,413 
Net investment income/(loss)  $10,826,695 
      
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS     
Net realized gain/(loss) from:     
Investments  $(8,454,493)
Foreign currency   33 
Securities sold short   882,782 
Written options   200,384 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on:     
Investments   (17,856,354)
Securities sold short   2,153,479 
Written options   (13,696)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   (23,087,865)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $(12,261,170)

 

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

 

15

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Statements Of Changes In Net Assets

 

   Six Months Ended
February 28,
2018
(Unaudited)
  

Six Months Ended
August 31,
2017
1

   Year Ended
February 28,
2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:            
Net investment income/(loss)  $10,826,695   $8,222,962   $11,718,936 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments   (7,371,294)   22,483    1,682,886 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   (15,716,571)   (276,109)   28,284,505 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (12,261,170)   7,969,336    41,686,327 
                
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:               
Net investment income               
Class I Shares   (6,926,718)   (4,918,367)   (7,030,088)
Class A Shares   (3,727,097)   (2,691,376)   (3,854,794)
Class D Shares   (646,185)   (570,380)   (896,541)
Return of Capital               
Class I Shares       (1,724,314)   (3,874,004)
Class A Shares       (979,164)   (2,243,473)
Class D Shares       (216,399)   (601,099)
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (11,300,000)   (11,100,000)   (18,499,999)
                
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:               
Class I Shares               
Proceeds from shares sold   43,500,869    25,888,542    73,403,073 
Reinvestment of distributions   6,088,123    5,748,698    9,427,050 
Shares redeemed   (61,068,530)   (16,854,591)   (36,841,939)
Total from Class I Shares   (11,479,538)   14,782,649    45,988,184 
                
Class A Shares               
Proceeds from shares sold   24,394,928    28,088,135    66,186,938 
Reinvestment of distributions   3,564,721    3,469,660    5,759,197 
Shares redeemed   (92,056,731)   (19,230,071)   (45,028,436)
Total from Class A Shares   (64,097,082)   12,327,724    26,917,699 
                
Class D Shares               
Proceeds from shares sold   1,079,610    1,194,705    3,202,125 
Reinvestment of distributions   510,692    632,721    1,214,008 
Shares redeemed   (1,618,599)   (3,215,608)   (4,095,955)
Total from Class D Shares   (28,297)   (1,388,182)   320,178 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions   (75,604,917)   25,722,191    73,226,061 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   (99,166,087)   22,591,527    96,412,389 
                
NET ASSETS:               
Beginning of period   328,184,085    305,592,558    209,180,169 
End of period  $229,017,998   $328,184,085   $305,592,558 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of period  $(501,539)  $(28,234)  $ 

 

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

 

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

 

16

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Statements Of Changes In Net Assets (Continued)

 

   Six Months Ended
February 28,
2018
(Unaudited)
  

Six Months
Ended
August 31,
2017
1

   Year Ended
February 28,
2017
 
SHARES TRANSACTIONS:            
Class I Shares            
Shares sold   1,900,636    1,103,910    3,146,019 
Dividends and distributions reinvested   265,133    246,931    412,892 
Shares redeemed   (2,756,029)   (720,196)   (1,617,828)
Net increase/(decrease)   (590,260)   (630,645)   1,941,083 
                
Class A Shares               
Shares sold   1,066,091    1,203,199    2,870,331 
Dividends and distributions reinvested   155,742    149,547    252,826 
Shares redeemed   (4,167,614)   (823,696)   (1,943,378)
Net increase/(decrease)   (2,945,781)   529,050    1,179,779 
                
Class D Shares               
Shares sold   47,576    51,429    137,483 
Dividends and distributions reinvested   22,425    27,400    53,651 
Shares redeemed   (72,250)   (138,260)   (178,258)
Net increase/(decrease)   (2,249)   (59,431)   12,876 
                
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   (3,538,290)   1,100,264    3,133,738 

 

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

 

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

 

17

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Statement Of Cash Flows

 

   Six Months Ended
February 28,
2018
(Unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations  $(12,261,170)
Adjustments to reconcile net increase/(decrease) in net assets from operations to net cash used in operating activities:     
Purchases of investments   (196,258,778)
Purchases to cover securities sold short   (428,199,277)
Written options closed or exercised   (10,607)
Proceeds from sales of long-term investments   240,147,545 
Proceeds from securities sold short   433,192,432 
Premiums received on written options   342,662 
Purchases of short-term investments, net   11,043,871 
Return of capital distributions received from underlying investments   1,308,128 
Amortization and accretion of premium and discount   (49,604)
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments   8,454,493 
Net realized gain/(loss) on short transactions   (882,782)
Net realized gain/(loss) on written options   (200,384)
Net realized gain/(loss) on foreign currency translation   (33)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   17,856,354 
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on short transactions   (2,153,479)
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on written options   13,696 
Increases/(decreases) in operating assets:     
Increases/(decreases) in dividends and interest receivable   538,271 
Increases/(decreases) in deposits at broker for short sales   (4,962,742)
Increases/(decreases) in receivable for investment securities sold   (5,403,413)
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets   (235,612)
Increases/(decreases) in operating liabilities:     
Increases/(decreases) in payable for investment securities purchased   975,857 
Increases/(decreases) in payable to adviser   (97,314)
Increases/(decreases) in payable for distribution and service fees   119,149 
Increases/(decreases) in other accrued expenses   (19,368)
Net cash used in operating activities   63,257,895 
      
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:     
Proceeds from shares sold   69,443,441 
Payment on shares redeemed   (155,017,788)
Cash distributions paid to shareholders   (1,136,464)
Increase in loan payable   23,458,698 
Net cash provided by financing activities   (63,252,113)
Net change in cash   5,782 
      
CASH:     
Beginning balance    
Ending balance  $5,782 

 

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

 

18

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Statement Of Cash Flows (Continued)

 

   Six Months Ended
February 28,
2018
(Unaudited)
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:    
Cash paid for interest   695,913 
Non-cash financing activities - distributions reinvested   10,163,536 
Non-cash financing activities - decrease in receivable for Fund shares sold   468,034 
Non-cash financing activities - increase in payable for Fund shares redeemed   (273,928)

 

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

 

19

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Financial Highlights

 

For a capital share outstanding throughout the period

   CLASS I SHARES 
   Six Months Ended February 28,
2018 (Unaudited)
  

Six Months Ended
August 31,
2017
2, 3

   Year Ended
February 28,
2017
   Year Ended
February 29,
2016
   Year Ended
February 28,
2015
  

June 28,
2013
through Fe
bruary 28, 2014 4

 
Net Asset Value – Beginning of Period  $23.42   $23.66   $21.36   $25.29   $25.60   $25.00 
Income from Investment Operations:                              

Net investment income/(loss)1

   0.78    0.63    1.10    0.99    1.15    0.59 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   (1.57)   (0.02)   2.90    (3.36)   0.12    0.50 
Total from investment operations   (0.79)   0.61    4.00    (2.37)   1.27    1.09 
Less Distributions:                              
Dividends from net investment income   (0.79)   (0.63)   (1.10)   (1.02)   (1.39)   (0.45)
Distributions from net realized gains                   (0.01)   (0.04)
Return of Capital       (0.22)   (0.60)   (0.54)   (0.18)    
Total distributions   (0.79)   (0.85)   (1.70)   (1.56)   (1.58)   (0.49)
Net Asset Value – End of Period  $21.84   $23.42   $23.66   $21.36   $25.29   $25.60 
Total Return   (3.47)%5   2.62%5   19.29%   (9.81)%   5.08%   4.44%5
                               
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (thousands)  $167,433   $193,361   $180,360   $121,400   $151,017   $72,370 
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets:                              
Before Recoupments/Reimbursements   1.64%6   1.82%6   2.01%   1.85%   1.64%   1.96%6
After Recoupments/Reimbursements   1.64%6   1.82%6   2.01%   1.84%   1.70%   1.62%6
Ratio of interest expense and dividends on short positions to average net assets   0.41%6   0.55%6   0.68%   0.49%   0.27%   0.02%6
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets:                              
Before Recoupments/Reimbursements   6.90%6   5.33%6   4.68%   4.21%   4.71%   6.75%6
After Recoupments/Reimbursements   6.90%6   5.33%6   4.68%   4.22%   4.65%   7.09%6
Portfolio turnover rate   58%5   46%5   121%   127%   185%   119%5

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

2Effective as of the close of business on April 28, 2017, the Fund acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Orinda Income Opportunities Fund, a series of Advisors Series Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The financial highlights for the periods prior to that date reflect the performance of the Predecessor Fund.

3The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31.

4Commencement of operations for Class I shares was June 28, 2013.

5Not Annualized.

6Annualized.

 

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

 

20

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

For a capital share outstanding throughout the period

   CLASS A SHARES 
   Six Months Ended February 28,
2018 (Unaudited)
  

Six Months Ended
August 31,
2017
2, 3

   Year Ended
February 28,
2017
   Year Ended
February 29,
2016
   Year Ended
February 28,
2015
  

June 28,
2013
through Fe
bruary 28, 2014 4

 
Net Asset Value – Beginning of Period  $23.33   $23.58   $21.31   $25.25   $25.57   $25.00 
Income from Investment Operations:                              

Net investment income/(loss)1

   0.74    0.59    1.03    0.93    0.97    0.65 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   (1.56)   (0.02)   2.88    (3.37)   0.22    0.39 
Total from investment operations   (0.82)   0.57    3.91    (2.44)   1.19    1.04 
Less Distributions:                              
Dividends from net investment income   (0.75)   (0.60)   (1.04)   (0.96)   (1.32)   (0.43)
Distributions from net realized gains                   (0.01)   (0.04)
Return of Capital       (0.22)   (0.60)   (0.54)   (0.18)    
Total distributions   (0.75)   (0.82)   (1.64)   (1.50)   (1.51)   (0.47)
Net Asset Value – End of Period  $21.76   $23.33   $23.58   $21.31   $25.25   $25.57 
Total Return   (3.63)%5   2.49%5   18.90%   (10.09)%   4.79%   4.22%5
                               
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (thousands)  $40,865   $112,549   $101,270   $66,375   $74,834   $14,421 
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets:                              
Before Recoupments/Reimbursements   1.89%6   2.12%6   2.29%   2.15%   1.96%   2.55%6
After Recoupments/Reimbursements   1.89%6   2.12%6   2.29%   2.15%   2.00%   1.92%6
Ratio of interest expense and dividends on short positions to average net assets   0.38%6   0.55%6   0.66%   0.48%   0.28%   0.02%6
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets:                              
Before Recoupments/Reimbursements   6.53%6   5.03%6   4.34%   3.97%   4.53%   5.45%6
After Recoupments/Reimbursements   6.53%6   5.03%6   4.34%   3.97%   4.49%   6.08%6
Portfolio turnover rate   58%5   46%5   121%   127%   185%   119%5

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

2Effective as of the close of business on April 28, 2017, the Fund acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Orinda Income Opportunities Fund, a series of Advisors Series Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The financial highlights for the periods prior to that date reflect the performance of the Predecessor Fund.

3The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31.

4Commencement of operations for Class A shares was June 28, 2013.

5Not Annualized.

6Annualized.

 

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

 

21

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Financial Highlights (Continued)

 

For a capital share outstanding throughout the period

   CLASS D SHARES 
   Six Months Ended February 28,
2018 (Unaudited)
  

Six Months Ended
August 31,
2017
2, 3

   Year Ended
February 28,
2017
   Year Ended
February 29,
2016
   Year Ended
February 28,
2015
  

September 27, 2013
through February 28,
2014
4

 
Net Asset Value – Beginning of Period  $23.18   $23.49   $21.25   $25.17   $25.51   $25.01 
Income from Investment Operations:                              

Net investment income/(loss)1

   0.66    0.51    0.87    0.82    0.92    0.53 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   (1.55)   (0.02)   2.88    (3.37)   0.07    0.44 
Total from investment operations   (0.89)   0.49    3.75    (2.55)   0.99    0.97 
Less Distributions:                              
Dividends from net investment income   (0.67)   (0.58)   (0.90)   (0.83)   (1.14)   (0.43)
Distributions from net realized gains                   (0.01)   (0.04)
Return of Capital       (0.22)   (0.61)   (0.54)   (0.18)    
Total distributions   (0.67)   (0.80)   (1.51)   (1.37)   (1.33)   (0.47)
Net Asset Value – End of Period  $21.62   $23.18   $23.49   $21.25   $25.17   $25.51 
Total Return   (3.96)%5   2.13%5   18.10%   (10.56)%   3.97%   3.95%5
                               
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (thousands)  $20,721   $22,274   $23,963   $21,405   $23,336   $12,450 
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets:                              
Before Recoupments/Reimbursements   2.65%6   2.79%6   2.98%   2.81%   2.70%   2.77%6
After Recoupments/Reimbursements   2.65%6   2.79%6   2.98%   2.67%   2.76%   2.67%6
Ratio of interest expense and dividends on short positions to average net assets   0.43%6   0.55%6   0.67%   0.49%   0.27%   0.02%6
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets:                              
Before Recoupments/Reimbursements   5.91%6   4.36%6   3.76%   3.32%   3.75%   7.62%6
After Recoupments/Reimbursements   5.91%6   4.36%6   3.76%   3.46%   3.69%   7.72%6
Portfolio turnover rate   58%5   46%5   121%   127%   185%   119%5

 

1Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

2Effective as of the close of business on April 28, 2017, the Fund acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Orinda Income Opportunities Fund, a series of Advisors Series Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”). The financial highlights for the periods prior to that date reflect the performance of the Predecessor Fund.

3The Fund changed its fiscal year end to August 31.

4Commencement of operations for Class D shares was September 27, 2013.

5Not Annualized.

6Annualized.

 

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

 

22

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Notes To Financial Statements

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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-nine active investment portfolios, including the Orinda Income Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”), which became a series of RBB as of the close of business on April 28, 2017. The Fund is authorized to offer three classes of shares, Class I Shares, Class A Shares and Class D Shares. Class A Shares are sold subject to a front-end maximum sales charge of 5.00%. Front-end sales charges may be reduced or waived under certain circumstances. Class I Shares, Class A Shares and Class D Shares commenced investment operations on June 28, 2013, June 28, 2013 and September 27, 2013, respectively.

 

Prior to April 28, 2017, the Fund was a non-diversified series (the “Predecessor Fund”) of Advisors Series Trust (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company (or mutual fund) organized on October 3, 1996, as a statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Predecessor Fund was reorganized into the Fund on April 28, 2017 (the “Reorganization”). 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 April 28, 2017 included herein is that of the Predecessor Fund.

 

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 87.023 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and eighty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize current income with potential for modest growth of capital.

 

The Fund is an investment company and follows the accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services-Investment Companies.”

 

The end of the reporting period for the Fund is February 28, 2018, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended February 28, 2018 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

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 (“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 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. 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 (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. 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 Fund may use fair value pricing more frequently for securities traded primarily in non-U.S. markets because, among other things, most foreign

 

23

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

markets close well before the Fund values its securities, generally as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, government actions or pronouncements, aftermarket trading, or news events may have occurred in the interim. To account for this, the Fund may value foreign securities using fair value prices based on third-party vendor modeling tools (international fair value pricing).

 

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

 

 

Level 1 — Prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

 

Level 2 — Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

 

Level 3 — Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

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

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Assets                
Common Stocks                
Financials  $276,000   $276,000   $   $ 
Real Estate   3,278,961    3,278,961         
Utilities   2,567,135    2,567,135         
Total Common Stocks   6,122,096    6,122,096         
REITs                    
Financials   43,258,168    42,656,109    602,059     
Real Estate   139,120,929    136,602,925    2,518,004     
Total REITs   182,379,097    179,259,034    3,120,063     
Convertible Preferred Stocks                    
Real Estate   13,700,832    13,700,832         
Total Convertible Preferred Stocks   13,700,832    13,700,832         
Preferred Stocks                    
Consumer Discretionary   423,928    423,928         
Energy   11,825,524    11,825,524         
Financials   40,757,821    37,495,181    3,262,640     
Industrials   1,512,079    1,512,079         
Real Estate   24,900,638    24,900,638         
Telecommunication Services   284,341    284,341         
Total Preferred Stocks   79,704,331    76,441,691    3,262,640     
Convertible Bonds   3,451,000        3,451,000     
Corporate Bonds   901,250        901,250     
Exchange Traded Funds   2,126,902    2,126,902         
Purchased Options                    
Put Options   478,500    478,500         
Total Purchased Options   478,500    478,500         
Short-Term Investments   8,956,071    8,956,071         
Total Investments in Securities  $297,820,079   $287,085,126   $10,734,953   $ 
Total Assets  $297,820,079   $287,085,126   $10,734,953   $ 

 

24

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Liabilities                
Securities Sold Short  $38,662,580   $38,662,580   $   $ 
Written Options   95,000    95,000         
Total Liabilities  $38,757,580   $38,757,580   $   $ 

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of the end of the reporting period, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

*

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

 

Foreign securities that utilize international fair pricing are categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy.

 

Transfers between levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period. The Fund transferred $3,572,516 from level 2 to level 1 at February 28, 2018 because these securities were now being priced at the official market close. The Fund transferred $3,690,258 from level 1 to level 2 at February 28, 2018 because the securities were priced at the mean of the last bid and ask prices prior to the market close.

 

DISCLOSURES ABOUT DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES — The Fund may use derivatives for different purposes, such as a substitute for taking a position in the underlying asset and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate or currency risk. The various derivative instruments that the Fund may use are options, futures, swaps, and forward foreign currency contracts, among others. The Fund may also use derivatives for leverage, in which case their use would involve leveraging risk. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and management risk. A Fund investing in a derivative instrument could lose more than the principal amount invested.

 

The Fund has adopted the disclosure provisions of FASB Accounting Standard Codification 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). ASC 815 requires enhanced disclosures about the Fund’s use of, and accounting for, derivative instruments and the effect of derivative instruments on the Fund’s results of operations and financial position. Tabular disclosure regarding derivative

 

25

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

fair value and gain/loss by contract type (e.g., interest rate contracts, foreign exchange contracts, credit contracts, etc.) is required and derivatives accounted for as hedging instruments under ASC 815 must be disclosed separately from those that do not qualify for hedge accounting. Even though the Fund may use derivatives in an attempt to achieve an economic hedge, the Fund’s derivatives are not accounted for as hedging instruments under ASC 815 because investment companies account for their derivatives at fair value and record any changes in fair value in current period earnings.

 

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 current fiscal period.

 

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

 

Derivative Type  Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
Location
   

Equity
Contracts

 
Asset Derivatives
Written Options  N/A  $ 
Total Value- Assets     $ 

 

Derivative Type  Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
Location
  Equity
Contracts
 
Liability Derivatives
Written Options  Options written, at value  $95,000 
Total Value- Liabilities     $95,000 

 

The following table lists the amounts of realized gains/(losses) included in net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations during the current fiscal period, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

Derivative Type  Statement
of Operations
Location
  Equity
Contracts
 
Realized Gain/(Loss)
Purchased Options  Net realized gain/(loss) from investments  $(456,320)
Written Options  Net realized gain/(loss) from written options  $200,384 
Total Realized Gain/(Loss)     $(255,936)

 

26

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following table lists the amounts of change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) included in net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations during the current fiscal period, grouped by contract type and risk exposure.

 

Derivative Type  Statement
of Operations
Location
  Equity
Contracts
 
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)
Purchased Options  Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments  $26,820 
Written Options  Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on written options   (13,696)
Total Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation)     $13,124 

 

Average Balance Information

 

During the current fiscal period, the Fund’s quarterly average volume of derivatives was as follows:

 

Purchased
Options
(Cost)

Written
Options
(Proceeds)

$ 150,560

$ (46,176)

 

OPTIONS The Fund may utilize options for hedging purposes as well as direct investment. Some options strategies, including buying puts, tend to hedge the Fund’s investments against price fluctuations. Other strategies, such as writing puts and calls and buying calls, tend to increase market exposure. Options contracts may be combined with each other in order to adjust the risk and return characteristics of each Fund’s overall strategy in a manner deemed appropriate to the Adviser and consistent with each Fund’s investment objective and policies. When a call or put option is written, an amount equal to the premium received is recorded as a liability. The liability is marked-to-market daily to reflect the current fair value of the written option. When a written option expires, a gain is realized in the amount of the premium originally received. If a closing purchase contract is entered into, a gain or loss is realized in the amount of the original premium less the cost of the closing transaction. If a written call option is exercised, a gain or loss is realized from the sale of the underlying security, and the proceeds from such sale are increased by the premium originally received. If a written put option is exercised, the amount of the premium originally received reduces the cost of the security which is purchased upon the exercise of the option.

 

With options, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the options are covered or secured, which means that the Fund will own the underlying security or, to the extent it does not hold such a portfolio, will maintain a segregated account with the Fund’s custodian consisting of high quality liquid debt obligations equal to the market value of the option, marked to market daily.

 

Options purchased are recorded as investments and marked-to-market daily to reflect the current fair value of the option contract. If an option purchased expires, a loss is realized in the amount of the cost of the option contract. If a closing transaction is entered into, a gain or loss is realized to the extent that the proceeds from the sale are greater or less than the cost of the option. If a purchase put option is exercised, a gain or loss is realized from the sale of the underlying security by adjusting the proceeds from such sale by the amount of the premium originally paid. If a purchased call option is exercised, the cost of the security purchased upon exercise is increased by the premium originally paid.

 

FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS — The Fund is subject to equity price risk, interest rate risk, and foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The Fund uses futures contracts and options on such futures contracts to gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in the value of equities, interest rates or foreign currencies. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date. Upon entering into such contracts, the Fund is required to deposit with the broker, either in cash or securities, an

 

27

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

initial margin deposit in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract, and are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. Upon entering into such contracts, the Fund bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and may realize a loss. With futures, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund since futures are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees the futures against default. The use of futures contracts, and options on futures contracts, involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts and options thereon, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets.

 

LEVERAGE AND SHORT SALES — The Fund may use leverage in connection with its investment activities and may effect short sales of securities. Leverage can increase the investment returns of the Fund if the securities purchased increase in value in an amount exceeding the cost of the borrowing. However, if the securities decrease in value, the Fund will suffer a greater loss than would have resulted without the use of leverage. A short sale is the sale by the Fund of a security which it does not own in anticipation of purchasing the same security in the future at a lower price to close the short position. A short sale will be successful if the price of the shorted security decreases. However, if the underlying security goes up in price during the period in which the short position is outstanding, the Fund will realize a loss. The risk on a short sale is unlimited because the Fund must buy the shorted security at the higher price to complete the transaction. Therefore, short sales may be subject to greater risks than investments in long positions. With a long position, the maximum sustainable loss is limited to the amount paid for the security plus the transaction costs, whereas there is no maximum attainable price of the shorted security. The Fund would also incur increased transaction costs associated with selling securities short. In addition, if the Fund sells securities short, it must maintain a segregated account with its custodian containing cash or high-grade securities equal to (i) the greater of the current market value of the securities sold short or the market value of such securities at the time they were sold short, less (ii) any collateral deposited with the Fund’s broker (not including the proceeds from the short sales). The Fund may be required to add to the segregated account as the market price of a shorted security increases. As a result of maintaining and adding to its segregated account, the Fund may maintain higher levels of cash or liquid assets (for example, U.S. Treasury bills, repurchase agreements, high quality commercial paper and long equity positions) for collateral needs thus reducing its overall managed assets available for trading purposes. The Fund is obligated to pay the counterparty any dividends or interest due on securities sold short. Such dividends and interest are recorded as an expense to the Fund.

 

MUTUAL FUND AND ETF TRADING RISK — The Fund may invest in other mutual funds that are either open-end or closed-end investment companies as well as ETFs. ETFs are investment companies that are bought and sold on a national securities exchange. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs do not necessarily trade at the net asset values of their underlying securities, which means an ETF could potentially trade above or below the value of the underlying portfolios. Additionally, because ETFs trade like stocks on exchanges, they are subject to trading and commission costs unlike mutual funds. Also, both mutual funds and ETFs have management fees that are part of their costs, and the Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of the costs.

 

REITS — The Fund has made certain investments in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which pay dividends to their shareholders based upon available funds from operations. It is quite common for these dividends to exceed the REITs’ taxable earnings and profits resulting in the excess portion being designated as a return of capital. The Fund intends to include the gross dividends from such REITs in its annual distributions to shareholders and, accordingly, a portion of the Fund’s distributions may also be designated as a return of capital.

 

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 at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be significant.

 

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

 

28

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

investment income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) 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 Board 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 — The Fund distributes substantially all of its net investment income, if any, quarterly, and net realized capital gains, if any, 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.

 

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 investments 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.

 

MARKET RISK The value of the Fund’s shares will fluctuate as a result of the movement of the overall stock market or the value of the individual securities held by the Fund, and you could lose money.

 

MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP RISK Investments in securities (units) of MLPs involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry, the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry. Additionally, holders of the units of MLPs have more limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. There are also certain tax risks associated with an investment in units of MLPs.

 

FOREIGN AND EMERGING MARKET SECURITIES RISK — Foreign investments may carry risks associated with investing outside the United States, such as currency fluctuation, economic or financial instability, lack of timely or reliable financial information or unfavorable political or legal developments. Those risks are increased for investments in emerging markets.

 

CURRENCY RISK Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of what the Fund owns and the Fund’s share price. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, an investment in that country loses value because that currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars. Devaluation of a currency by a country’s government or banking authority also will have a significant impact on the value of any investments denominated in that currency. Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets.

 

SMALL AND MEDIUM COMPANIES RISK — Investing in securities of small and medium capitalization companies may involve greater volatility than investing in larger and more established companies because small and medium capitalization companies can be subject to more abrupt or erratic share price changes than larger, more established companies.

 

DERIVATIVES RISK — The Fund’s use of derivatives (which may include options, futures and swaps, among others) may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives involve the risk of improper valuation, the risk of ambiguous documentation, and the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security.

 

29

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Derivatives are also subject to market risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, counterparty risk and liquidity risk. Derivatives may be more sensitive to changes in economic or market conditions than other types of investments and could result in losses that significantly exceed the Fund’s original investment.

 

OPTIONS RISK — Purchasing and writing put and call options are highly specialized activities and entail greater than ordinary investment risks. The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on an option if changes in its value do not correspond as anticipated to changes in the value of the underlying securities.

 

INTEREST RATE RISK Interest rate risk is the risk that fixed income securities will decline in value because of changes in interest rates. It is likely there will be less governmental action in the near future to maintain low interest rates. The negative impact on fixed income securities from the resulting rate increases for that and other reasons could be swift and significant.

 

FIXED INCOME SECURITIES RISK — Fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. There is also the risk that an issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. Fixed income securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. Limited trading opportunities for certain fixed income securities may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.

 

REAL ESTATE AND REIT CONCENTRATION RISK — The Fund is vulnerable to the risks of the real estate industry, such as the risk that a decline in rental income may occur because of extended vacancies, the failure to collect rents, increased competition from other properties, or poor management. The value and performance of REITs depends on how well the underlying properties owned by the REIT are managed. In addition, the value of an individual REIT’s securities can decline if the REIT fails to continue qualifying for special tax treatment.

 

CONVERTIBLE BOND RISK — Convertible bonds are hybrid securities that have characteristics of both bonds and common stocks and are therefore subject to both debt security risks and equity risk. Convertible bonds are subject to equity risk especially when their conversion value is greater than the interest and principal value of the bond. The prices of equity securities may rise or fall because of economic or political changes and may decline over short or extended periods of time.

 

PREFERRED STOCK RISK Preferred stocks may be more volatile than fixed income securities and are more correlated with the issuer’s underlying common stock than fixed income securities. Additionally, the dividend on a preferred stock may be changed or omitted by the issuer.

 

INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING RISK — The Fund may purchase securities of companies that are offered pursuant to an IPO. The risk exists that the market value of IPO shares will fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading, the small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. The purchase of IPO shares may involve high transaction costs. IPO shares are subject to market risk and liquidity risk. When the Fund’s asset base is small, a significant portion of the Fund’s performance could be attributable to investments in IPOs, because such investments would have a magnified impact on the Fund. As the Fund’s assets grow, the effect of the Fund’s investments in IPOs on the Fund’s performance probably will decline, which could reduce the Fund’s performance.

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RISK A high portfolio turnover rate (100% or more) increases the Fund’s transaction costs (including brokerage commissions and dealer costs), which would adversely impact the Fund’s performance. Higher portfolio turnover may result in the realization of more short-term capital gains than if the Fund had lower portfolio turnover.

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

 

REDEMPTION FEES — The Fund does not charge redemption fees to shareholders.

 

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.

 

30

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

2. INVESTMENT ADVISer AND OTHER services

 

Orinda Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser furnishes all investment advice, office space, and facilities, and provides most of the personnel needed by the Fund. The Fund compensates the Adviser for its services at an annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”), payable on a monthly basis in arrears, as shown in the following table.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that the total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed the rate (“Expense Cap”) shown in the following table of the average daily net assets for each class of shares. 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 the Expense Cap as applicable: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, dividends on securities sold short, extraordinary expenses, interest and taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2018.

 

Advisory
Fee

 

Expense Caps

 

Class I

Class A

Class D

1.00%

 

1.40%

1.70%

2.40%

 

During the current fiscal period, investment advisory fees accrued were as follows:

 

Advisory Fees

$ 1,612,879

 

If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses (not including acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes) for a year are less than the relevant share class’s Expense Cap, 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 on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed the relevant share class’s Expense cap that was in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement. As of February 28, 2018, the Adviser had no fees left to recoup. During the period ended August 31, 2017 and February 28, 2017, the Adviser reimbursed the Fund for shareholder servicing fees in the amount of $8,402 and $35,183, respectively that was a result of the Fund not fully utilizing the fees that had been earned in fiscal year 2017. This amount will not be subject to recoup in the future.

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

USBFS serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (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.

 

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

 

For compensation amounts payable to USBFS, please refer to the Statement of Operations.

 

The Board has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “Plan”). The Plan permits the Fund to pay for distribution and related expenses at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Class A shares and up to 1.00% for the Fund’s Class D shares. The expenses covered by the Plan may include the cost in connection with the promotion and distribution of shares and the provision of personal services to shareholders, including, but not necessarily limited to, advertising, compensation

 

31

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

to underwriters, dealers and selling personnel, the printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current Fund shareholders, and the printing and mailing of sales literature. Payments made pursuant to the Plan will represent compensation for distribution and service activities, not reimbursements for specific expenses incurred.

 

3. SHAREHOLDER SERVICING FEE

 

The Fund has entered into a shareholder servicing agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Adviser, under which the Adviser will provide, or arrange for others to provide, certain specified shareholder services. As compensation for the provision of shareholder services, the Fund may pay servicing fees at an annual rate of 0.15% of the average daily net assets of the Class A shares and 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Class D and Class I shares. Payments to the Adviser under the Agreement may reimburse the Adviser for payments it makes to selected brokers, dealers and administrators which have entered into service agreements with the Adviser for services provided to shareholders of the Fund. The services provided by such intermediaries are primarily designed to assist shareholders of the Fund and include the furnishing of office space and equipment, telephone facilities, personnel, and assistance to the Fund in servicing such shareholders. Services provided by such intermediaries also include the provision of support services to the Fund and include establishing and maintaining shareholders’ accounts and record processing, purchase and redemption transactions, answering routine client inquiries regarding the Fund, and providing such other personal services to shareholders as the Fund may reasonably request. During the current fiscal period, the Fund incurred shareholder servicing fees as follows:

 

 

Shareholder
servicing fees

Class I

$ 98,382

Class A

78,013

Class D

10,897

 

4. Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

 

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. An employee of RBB serves as Treasurer and Secretary, and is compensated for services provided. Certain employees of USBFS serve as officers of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company. For Director’s and Officer’s compensation amounts, please refer to the Statement of Operations.

 

5. purchases and sales of investment securities

 

During the current fiscal period, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities, (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

Purchases

Sales

$ 196,258,778

$ 240,147,545

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities, during the current fiscal period.

 

6. LEVERAGE & LINE OF CREDIT

 

The Fund may purchase securities with borrowed money, including bank overdrafts (a form of leverage). The Fund may borrow amounts up to one-third of the value of its assets after giving effect to such borrowing. Leverage exaggerates the effect on the net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. These borrowings will be subject to interest costs, which may or may not be recovered by appreciation of the securities purchased. In certain cases, interest costs may exceed the return received on the securities purchased.

 

32

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The Fund may also utilize the line of credit for short term financing, if necessary, subject to certain restrictions, in connection with shareholder redemptions. The Fund maintains a separate line of credit with BNP Paribas (acting through its New York Branch). The Fund is charged interest of 1.20% above the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) for borrowings under this agreement. The Fund can borrow up to a maximum of 50% of the market value of assets pledged as collateral. However, depending on the liquidity of the collateral, issuer concentration, debt ratings of fixed income investments, and the share price of equity holdings, the amount eligible to be borrowed can also be less than 50% of the market value of the assets pledged as collateral.

 

The Fund has pledged a portion of its investment securities as the collateral for their line of credit. As of the end of the reporting period, the value of the investment securities pledged as collateral was $216,325,405. The Fund had an outstanding average daily balance and a weighted average interest rate of $33.10 million and 2.60%, respectively. The maximum amount outstanding for the Fund during the reporting period was $78,859,520.

 

7. 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. The Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

As of August 31, 2017, the federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments held by the Fund were as follows:

 

Federal
tax cost

Unrealized
appreciation

Unrealized
Depreciation

Net
unrealized
Appreciation
(depreciation)

$ 330,792,223

$ 24,206,158

$ (11,331,645)

$ 12,874,513

 

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, 2017, were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

Undistributed
Net Investment
Income/(Loss)

accumulated
net realized
gain/(loss)

paid-in
capital

$ (71,073)

$ (69,320)

$ 140,393

 

As of August 31, 2017, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

undistributed
ordinary
income

undistributed
long-term
capital gains

net UNrealized
appreciation/
(depreciation)

capital loss
carryforwards

qualified
late-year
losses

$ —

$ —

$ 12,874,513

$ (17,856,280)

$ —

 

33

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Notes To Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the six months ended August 31, 2017 and year ended February 28, 2017 were as follows:

 

    ordinary
income
   Long-term
capital gains
   return
of capital
 

Six Months Ended August 31, 2017

   $8,180,121   $   $2,919,879 

Year Ended February 28, 2017

    11,781,423        6,718,576 

 

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

 

For the fiscal period ended August 31, 2017, 69.10% of dividends paid from net investment income qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders of the Fund. For shareholders of the Fund, 72.62% of the dividend income distributed for the period ended August 31, 2017 is designated as qualified dividend income under the Jobs and Growth Relief Act of 2003.

 

8. 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 significant events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

34

 

 

ORINDA INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND

APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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 approval of the investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Company (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund at a meeting of the Board held on November 17, 2016 (the “Meeting”). At the Meeting, the Board, including all of the Independent Directors, approved the Investment Advisory Agreement for an initial term ending August 16, 2018. In approving the Investment 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 approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and the Adviser with respect to each Fund, the Directors took into account all the materials provided prior to and during the Meeting, 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 to be provided to the Fund by the Adviser; (ii) descriptions of the experience and qualifications of the Adviser’s personnel providing those services; (iii) the Adviser’s investment philosophies and processes; (iv) the Adviser’s assets under management and client descriptions; (v) the Adviser’s soft dollar commission and trade allocation policies, including information on the types of research and services obtained in connection with soft dollar commissions; (vi) the Adviser ’s proposed advisory fee arrangements with the Fund and other similarly managed clients; (vii) the Adviser’s compliance procedures; (viii) the Adviser’s financial information and insurance coverage; (ix) the extent to which economies of scale are relevant to the Fund; and (x) performance information provided by the Adviser regarding the Fund.

 

As part of their review, the Directors considered the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided by the Adviser. The Directors concluded that the Adviser had substantial resources to provide services to the Fund.

 

The Directors also considered the investment performance of the Fund. The Directors considered the Fund’s investment performance in light of its investment objectives and investment strategies. The Directors concluded that the investment performance of the Fund as compared to its benchmark and Lipper peer group was acceptable.

 

The Board also considered the advisory fee rates payable by the Fund under the proposed Investment Advisory Agreement. In this regard, information on the fees to be paid by the Fund and the Fund’s expected 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 Adviser had contractually agreed to waive management fees and reimburse expenses through at least December 31, 2018 to limit total annual operating expenses to agreed upon levels for the Fund.

 

After reviewing the information regarding the Adviser’s costs, profitability and economies of scale, and after considering the services to be provided by the Adviser, the Directors concluded that the investment advisory fees to be paid by the Fund to the Adviser were fair and reasonable and that the Investment Advisory Agreement should be approved for an initial term ending August 16, 2018.

 

35

 

 

Orinda Income Opportunities Fund

Notice To Shareholders

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

How to Obtain a Copy of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Policies

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-855-467-4632 or on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

How to Obtain a Copy of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Records for the 12-Month Period Ended June 30, 2017

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-855-467-4632. Furthermore, you can obtain the Fund’s proxy voting records on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Quarterly Filings on Form N-Q

 

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-Q is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-202-551-8090. Information included in the Fund’s Form N-Q is also available, upon request, by calling 1-855-467-4632.

 

Householding

 

In an effort to decrease costs, the Fund intends to reduce the number of duplicate prospectuses and annual and semi-annual reports you receive by sending only one copy of each to those addresses shared by two or more accounts and to shareholders the Transfer Agent reasonably believes are from the same family or household. Once implemented, if you would like to discontinue householding for your accounts, please call toll-free at 1-855-467-4632 to request individual copies of these documents. Once the Transfer Agent receives notice to stop householding, the Transfer Agent will begin sending individual copies thirty days after receiving your request. This policy does not apply to account statements.

 

36

 

 

(This Page Intentionally Left Blank.)

 

 


 

Investment Adviser

Orinda Asset Management LLC

4 Orinda Way, Suite 150-A

Orinda, CA 94563

 

Distributor

Quasar Distributors, LLC

777 East Wisconsin Avenue, 6th Floor

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Administrator and Transfer Agent

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC

P.O. Box 701

Milwaukee, WI 53201

 

Custodian

U.S. Bank National Association

Custody Operations

1555 North River Center Drive, Suite 302

Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Tait, Weller & Baker LLP

1818 Market Street, Suite 2400

Philadelphia, PA 19103

 

Legal Counsel

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

One Logan Square, Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

OR-SAR18

 

This report is intended for shareholders of the Fund and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

 

Past performance results shown in this report should not be considered a representation of future performance. Share price and returns will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Statements and other information herein are dated and are subject to change.

 


 

 

 

Schneider
Small Cap
Value Fund

 

of The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

SEMI-Annual
Report

 

February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

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.

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Semi-Annual Investment Report
Performance Data
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Total Returns for the Periods Ended February 28, 2018

 

Average Annual

 

Six
Months

1 Year

5 Years

10 Years

Since
Inception*

Schneider Small Cap Value Fund

6.05%

-0.26%

6.80%

5.37%

12.79%

Russell 2000® Value Index

5.09%

2.96%

10.59%

8.64%

9.64%**

 

Not annualized.

*

The Fund commenced operations on September 2, 1998.

**

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Fund only and is not the inception date of the benchmark itself.

 

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, the Fund’s investment adviser, has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2018, 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 1.58% and 1.16%, respectively. Shares of the Fund not purchased through reinvested dividends or capital gains and held less than 30 days are subject to a 1.00% 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.

 

1

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Fund Expense Examples

February 28, 2018 (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. This example is 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 September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018, 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 this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the accompanying table is 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
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018

Expenses Paid
During Period*

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,060.50

$5.88

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,019.09

5.76

 

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio for the period September 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 of 1.15%, which includes waived fees or reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (181) 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 return for the Fund as of February 28, 2018 of 6.05%.

 

2

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

   % of
Net Assets
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS:        
Oil & Gas   25.8%  $10,739,938 
Insurance   11.4    4,742,720 
Banks   9.1    3,772,429 
Telecommunications   9.0    3,764,929 
Commercial Services   5.8    2,407,004 
Real Estate Investment Trust   4.8    2,005,258 
Machinery-Diversified   4.7    1,958,125 
Auto Parts & Equipment   4.6    1,905,366 
Pharmaceuticals   4.2    1,749,515 
Oil & Gas Services   3.8    1,585,743 
Transportation   3.7    1,571,548 
Retail   2.7    1,120,540 
Semiconductors   2.1    887,263 
Real Estate   1.9    782,008 
Chemicals   1.5    618,662 
Home Builders   0.5    198,819 
Building Materials   0.5    191,800 
Savings & Loans   0.3    126,936 
Warrants   0.0    30,130 
Securities Lending Collateral   32.6    13,550,165 
Short-Term Investments   3.8    1,571,033 
Liabilities In Excess Of Other Assets   (32.8)   (13,667,860)
NET ASSETS   100.0%  $41,612,071 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
3

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS — 96.4%        
Auto Parts & Equipment — 4.6%        
Adient PLC(a)   30,702   $1,905,366 
Banks — 9.1%          
Dundee Corp., Class A*   3,133    5,705 
HomeStreet, Inc.*   74,750    2,145,325 
KeyCorp   53,216    1,124,459 
OFG Bancorp   46,227    496,940 
         3,772,429 
Building Materials — 0.5%          
Builders FirstSource, Inc.*   10,000    191,800 
Chemicals — 1.5%          
Venator Materials PLC*   32,323    618,662 
Commercial Services — 5.8%          
Herc Holdings, Inc.*   33,277    2,169,993 
Hudson Global, Inc.*   120,924    237,011 
         2,407,004 
Home Builders — 0.5%          
Taylor Morrison Home Corp., Class A*   8,860    198,819 
Insurance — 11.4%          
American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.   67,622    2,069,909 
Assured Guaranty Ltd.   59,698    2,064,357 
Enstar Group Ltd.*   3,073    608,454 
         4,742,720 
Machinery-Diversified — 4.7%          
Intevac, Inc.*   323,657    1,958,125 
Oil & Gas — 25.8%          
Chesapeake Energy Corp.*(a)   1,165,288    3,286,112 
Halcon Resources Corp.*   1    7 
MRC Global, Inc.*   33,019    545,804 
NOW, Inc.*(a)   84,787    804,629 
Oasis Petroleum, Inc.*   29,525    232,657 
QEP Resources, Inc.*   401,536    3,461,240 
Range Resources Corp.(a)   9,882    131,332 
Whiting Petroleum Corp.*   83,725    2,278,157 
         10,739,938 
Oil & Gas Services — 3.8%          
Weatherford International PLC*(a)   571,794    1,503,818 
Willbros Group, Inc.*   86,400    81,925 
         1,585,743 
Pharmaceuticals — 4.2%          
Mallinckrodt PLC*(a)   104,887    1,749,515 
Real Estate — 1.9%          
Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.   35,562    782,008 
Real Estate Investment Trust — 4.8%          
Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust(a)   47,991    1,694,629 
Forest City Realty Trust, Inc., Class A   13,969    297,121 
NorthStar Realty Europe Corp.   1,314    13,508 
         2,005,258 
Retail — 2.7%          
Tuesday Morning Corp.*(a)   355,727    1,120,540 
Savings & Loans — 0.3%          
Flagstar Bancorp, Inc.*   3,600    126,936 
Semiconductors — 2.1%          
Veeco Instruments, Inc.*(a)   48,885    887,263 
Telecommunications — 9.0%          
Aviat Networks, Inc.*   181,742    3,047,808 
UTStarcom Holdings Corp.*   130,149    717,121 
         3,764,929 
Transportation — 3.7%          
Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, Inc.(a)   185,118    425,771 
Ardmore Shipping Corp.*   110,810    836,616 
Scorpio Tankers, Inc.   134,418    309,161 
         1,571,548 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $41,769,683)        40,128,603 
           
WARRANTS — 0.0%          
Oil & Gas — 0.0%          
C&J Energy Services, Inc. *   4,153    30,130 
TOTAL WARRANTS          
(Cost $—)        30,130 
           
SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL — 32.6%          
Mount Vernon Liquid Assets Portfolio, LLC, 1.65%   13,550,165    13,550,165 
TOTAL SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL          
(Cost $13,550,165)        13,550,165 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
4

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number of
Shares
   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 3.8%    
STIT-Treasury Obligations Portfolio, 1.31%(b)   1,571,033   $1,571,033 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $1,571,033)        1,571,033 
           
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 132.8%          
(Cost $56,891,104)        55,279,931 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS — (32.8)%        (13,667,860)
NET ASSETS — 100.0%       $41,612,071 

 

 

*

Non-income producing security.

(a)

All or a portion of the security is on loan. At February 28, 2018, the market value of securities on loan was $12,303,269.

(b)

Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.

PLC

Public Limited Company

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
5

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

ASSETS    
Investments, at value^ (cost $55,319,848)  $53,708,898 
Short-term investments, at value (cost $1,571,033)   1,571,033 
Receivables for:     
Investments sold   35,753 
Dividends   14,151 
Prepaid expenses   21,232 
Total assets   55,351,067 
      
LIABILITIES     
Payables for:     
Securities lending collateral   13,550,165 
Investments purchased   135,813 
Advisory fees   19,263 
Administration and accounting fees   8,493 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities   25,262 
Total liabilities   13,738,996 
Net Assets  $41,612,071 
      
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:     
Par value  $3,025 
Paid-in capital   42,778,967 
Undistributed/(accumulated) net investment income/(loss)   (24,603)
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments   465,632 
Net unrealized appriciation/(depreciation) on investments   (1,610,950)
Net Assets  $41,612,071 
      
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   3,024,971 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share   13.76 
^Includes market value of securities on loan  $12,303,269 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Statement of Operations

For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME    
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $5,997)  $344,413 
Securities lending income   75,785 
Total Investment Income   420,198 
      
EXPENSES     
Advisory fees (Note 2)   222,934 
Administration and accounting services fees (Note 2)   21,358 
Audit fees   20,940 
Legal fees   13,378 
Registration and filing fees   13,359 
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)   12,326 
Directors' fees   9,854 
Officers' fees   7,231 
Printing and shareholder reporting fees   5,582 
Custodian fees (Note 2)   4,393 
Other expenses   5,681 
Total expenses   337,036 
Less: waivers   (80,662)
Net expenses after waivers   256,374 
Net investment income (loss)   163,824 
      
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS     
Net realized gain/(loss) from:     
Investments   2,470,846 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:     
Investments   (8,258)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   2,462,588 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $2,626,412 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $163,824   $(164,197)
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments   2,470,846    11,057,111 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   (8,258)   (2,927,020)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   2,626,412    7,965,894 
           
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:          
Net investment income   (188,427)    
Net realized capital gains   (8,787,559)    
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (8,975,986)    
           
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Proceeds from shares sold   386,559    6,471,850 
Reinvestment of distributions   7,194,872     
Redemption fees*   5,959    86,813 
Shares redeemed   (1,296,608)   (9,728,036)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital shares   6,290,782    (3,169,373)
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   (58,792)   4,796,521 
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   41,670,863    36,874,342 
End of period  $41,612,071   $41,670,863 
Undistributed/(accumulated) net investment income/(loss), end of period  $(24,603)  $ 
           
SHARES TRANSACTIONS:          
Shares sold   25,778    401,314 
Dividends and distributions reinvested   497,227     
Shares redeemed   (82,517)   (598,006)
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   440,488    (196,692)

 

 

*

Prior to December 31, 2017, there was a 1.75% redemption fee on shares redeemed which have been held less than one year. Effective December 31, 2017, the Fund has changed its redemption fees to 1.00% on redemptions of Fund shares held less than 30 days. 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.
8

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE 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
Six Months Ended February 28, 2018
   For the Years Ended August 31, 
   (Unaudited)

   2017   2016

   2015   2014

   2013 
Per Share Operating Performance                        
Net asset value, beginning of period  $16.12   $13.26   $11.00   $20.16   $21.07   $16.09 

Net investment income/(loss)(1)

   0.06    (0.06)   0.03    (0.01)   (0.09)   0.08 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   1.08    2.89    2.29    (4.53)   2.63    4.90 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1.14    2.83    2.32    (4.54)   2.54    4.98 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                              
Net investment income   (0.07)       (0.03)            
Net realized gains   (3.43)       (0.03)   (4.58)   (3.45)    
Tax return of capital               (0.04)        
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (3.50)       (0.06)   (4.62)   (3.45)    
Redemption fees   (2)   0.03    (2)   (2)   (2)   (2)
Net asset value, end of period  $13.76   $16.12   $13.26   $11.00   $20.16   $21.07 

Total investment return(3)

   6.05%(5)   21.57%   21.15%   (25.88)%   12.59%   30.95%
                               
Ratio/Supplemental Data                              
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $41,612   $41,671   $36,874   $30,387   $61,240   $70,556 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(4)

   1.15%(6)   1.15%   1.15%   1.15%   1.15%   1.15%
Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and expense reimbursements   1.51%(6)   1.57%   2.13%   1.82%   1.52%   1.50%

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

   0.73%(6)   (0.37)%   0.23%   (0.05)%   (0.44)%   0.38%
Portfolio turnover rate   45.04%(5)   137.61%   113.69%   88.80%   72.33%   63.87%

 

 

(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.

(5)

Not annualized.

(6)

Annualized.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
9

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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-nine active investment portfolios, including the Schneider Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”), which commenced investment operations on September 2, 1998. As of the date hereof, the Fund offers one class of shares.

 

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 87.023 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and eighty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

 

The Fund’s investment objective seeks long-term capital growth.

 

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services - Investment Companies”.

 

The end of the reporting period for the Fund is February 28, 2018, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended February 28, 2018 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

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 (“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 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. 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 (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 the fair value of the Fund’s investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

 

Level 1— Prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

 

Level 2— Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

 

Level 3— Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

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

 

10

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of the end of the reporting period, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value:

 

   TOTAL   LEVEL 1   LEVEL 2   LEVEL 3 
Common Stocks  $40,128,603   $40,128,603   $   $ 
Warrants   30,130    30,130         
Securities Lending Collateral   13,550,165    13,550,165         
Short-Term Investments   1,571,033    1,571,033         
Total*  $55,279,931   $55,279,931   $   $ 

 

*

Please refer to the Portfolio of Investments for further details.

 

At the end of each period, 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 an active 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”) requires 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.

 

During the current fiscal period, the Fund had no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3.

 

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 reporting 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 gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The Fund estimates the components of distributions received that may be considered return of capital distributions or capital gain distributions. The Fund’s investment income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) 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

 

11

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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 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 recorded on the 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 — Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

 

REDEMPTION FEES — Prior to December 31, 2017, the Fund imposed a redemption fee of 1.75% on redemptions of Fund shares held less than one year. Effective December 31, 2017, the Fund has changed its redemption fees to 1.00% on redemptions of Fund shares held less than 30 days. The fees are reflected on the Statement 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.

 

2.

Investment Adviser and Other Services

 

Schneider Capital Management Company (“SCM” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Fund compensates the Adviser for its services at an annual rate based on the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”), payable on a monthly basis in arrears, as shown in the following table.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed the rate (“Expense Cap”) shown in the following table 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 the Expense Cap as applicable: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest and taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2018. The Fund will not pay the Adviser at a later time for any amounts it may waive or any amounts that the Adviser has assumed.

 

Advisory Fee

Expense Cap
Institutional Class

1.00%

1.15%

 

12

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

During the current fiscal period, investment advisory fees accrued and waived were as follows:

 

Gross Advisory
Fees

Waivers

Net Advisory
Fees

$222,934

$(80,662)

$142,272

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) serves as administrator for the Fund. For providing administrative and accounting services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

USBFS serves as the Fund’s transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (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.

 

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

 

For compensation amounts payable to USBFS, please refer to the Statement of Operations.

 

3.

Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

 

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. An employee of RBB serves as Treasurer and Secretary and is compensated for services provided. Certain employees of USBFS serve as officers of the Company. They are not compensated by the Fund or the Company. For Director’s and Officer’s compensation amounts, please refer to the Statement of Operations.

 

4.

Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities

 

During the current fiscal period, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Fund were as follows:

 

Purchases

Sales

$18,553,832

$19,067,600

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities during the current fiscal period.

 

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. The Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

13

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

As of August 31, 2017, the federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments held by the Fund were as follows:

 

Federal Tax
Cost

Unrealized
Appreciation

Unrealized
(Depreciation)

Net
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

$57,538,038

$4,390,483

$(7,845,264)

$(3,454,781)

 

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, 2017, primarily attributable to short-term capital gains being netted against net operating loss, were reclassified among the following accounts:

 

Undistributed Net
Investment
Income/(loss)

Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)

Paid-In
Capital

$194,064

$(194,064)

$—

 

As of August 31, 2017, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income/(loss)

Undistributed
Long-Term
capital Gains/(loss)

Net
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

Qualified
Late-Year
Losses

$7,467,600

$1,166,834

$(3,454,781)

$—

 

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

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

Ordinary
Income

Long-Term
Gains

Return of
Capital

Total

$

$

$

$

 

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, 2017, any amount of losses elected within the tax return will not be recognized for federal income tax purposes until September 1, 2017.

 

14

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, the Fund deferred to September 1, 2017, the following losses:

 

Late-Year
Ordinary
Loss Deferral

Short-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral

Long-Term
Capital
Loss Deferral

$—

$—

$—

 

Accumulated capital losses represent net capital loss carryforwards as of August 31, 2017 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 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. During the year ended August 31, 2017, the Fund utilized $56,873 of capital loss carryfowards. As of August 31, 2017, the Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

 

6.

Securities Lending

 

The Fund may make secured loans of its 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 Fund is determined. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The Fund will pay administrative and custodial fees in connection with the loan of securities. Collateral is invested in short-term investments and the Fund will bear the risk of loss of the invested collateral. Securities lending will expose the Fund 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 the end of the reporting period and the income generated from the program during the current fiscal period with respect to such secured loans were as follows:

 

Market Value of
Securities Loaned

Market Value
of Collateral

Income Received
from Securities
Lending

$12,303,269

$13,550,165

$75,785

 

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under a Master Securities Lending Agreement (“MSLA”) which permits the Fund, under certain circumstances including an event of default (such as bankruptcy or insolvency), to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts to be received and create one single net payment due to or from the Fund. The following table is a summary of the Fund’s open securities lending transactions which are subject to a MSLA as of the end of the reporting period:

 

     

Gross Amount Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Gross Amounts 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
1

Cash
Collateral
Received

Net
Amount
2

$12,303,269

$—

$12,303,269

($12,303,269)

$—

$—

 

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.

 

15

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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 significant events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

16

 

 

SCHNEIDER SMALL CAP VALUE 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) 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.

 

17

 

 

Investment Adviser

Schneider Capital Management
460 E. Swedesford Road
Suite 1080
Wayne, PA 19087

 

Administrator and Transfer Agent

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC

P.O. Box 701

Milwaukee, WI 53201

 

Principal Underwriter

Quasar Distributors, LLC

777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Floor 6

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Custodian

U.S. Bank, N.A.

1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302

Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

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

 

SCH-SAR18

 

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS
U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS
SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS
GLOBAL LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

of

 

The RBB Fund, Inc.

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)

 

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.

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report
February 28, 2018 (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 every day. 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 also seeking to provide 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 has the potential to 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 August 31, 2017, U.S. equities have experienced quite the ride. Volatility spiked in February and the market experienced a correction followed by a sharp recovery from the lows. For the six-month period from September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018, the total return for the U.S Low Volatility Equity Fund was 10.51% vs. 10.84% for the S&P 500® Index. The Fund has faced numerous headwinds such as growth securities winning, concentration outperforming, strong isolated momentum, and most importantly, historic low volatility prior to February’s volatility spike. Nevertheless, the Fund has largely kept pace, only underperforming by -0.31% while capturing 97.13% of the return of the S&P 500® Index. On a risk-adjusted basis the Fund outperformed by 2.63%, as the beta1 for the Fund, as of February 28, 2018, was 0.75. The Fund continues to have a lower beta than the Index with positioning designed to seek downside protection in the event of continued market declines.

 

For the six months ending February 28, 2018, the Small Cap Low Volatility Fund has faced numerous headwinds such as the dollar weakening, growth securities winning, concentration outperforming, strong isolated momentum, and most importantly, historic low volatility. The Fund has returned 2.71% vs 8.30% for the Russell 2000 Index®. On a risk-adjusted basis the Fund underperformed by -2.10%, as the beta1 for the Fund, as of February 28, 2018, was 0.58. The Fund continues to have a lower beta than the Index with positioning designed to seek downside protection.

 

In 2017 Summit Global Investments officially began management of the Global Low Volatility Fund. From September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018 the Fund has faced numerous headwinds such as the dollar weakening, growth securities winning, concentration outperforming, strong isolated momentum, and most importantly, historic low volatility. Despite such markets the Fund has returned 6.03% vs 9.29% for the MSCI ACWI Index. On a risk-adjusted basis the Fund outperformed by 0.16%, as the beta1 for the Fund, as of February 28, 2018, was 0.63. The Fund continues to have a lower beta than the Index with positioning designed to seek downside protection.

 

Economic Update

 

The economy has continued to grow modestly through the fourth quarter of 2017 and into the first quarter of 2018. During the first quarter, equity markets were generally weak and volatile. Growth stocks, as a style, significantly outperformed value stocks across all market caps.

 

The U.S. economy is expected to continue to grow during 2018 according to the Federal Reserve Leading Index. We do not see significant signs of a recession in the near term.

 

Both U.S. and non-U.S. valuations are near their 10-year peaks. Although equity market valuations are clearly stretched, we’re still finding attractively valued companies in which to invest.

 

 

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

 

 Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Our expectations:

 

 

Increased volatility will likely remain elevated throughout 2018.

 

 

U.S. economic growth are likely to remain modest as the probability of a recession remains low

 

 

Globally central bank balance sheets in aggregate should start to decline as debt matures creating a headwind for global growth

 

 

Valuations will likely remain elevated as measured by nearly every valuation metric

 

 

Unemployment rate should remain at generational lows

 

 

U.S. technology behemoth companies are likely to come under increasing regulatory scrutiny

 

Volatility Matters

 

Stock market volatility, measured by the CBOE Volatility Index: VIX®, hit historical lows in 2017. In fact, the index had fallen below 10, hitting twenty-seven year lows. In the last shareholder letter, we asked, “Why is volatility so low when uncertainty of Washington politics, infrastructure spending, tax reform, and healthcare changes remains so high?”

 

 

In periods of extreme low volatility, it becomes increasingly difficult for low volatility strategies to outpace and differentiate themselves from the market. However, over history, a Minsky moment — that is, market turmoil following an extended period of speculation and/or unsustainable growth — sometimes occurs when complacency sets in, as stability is often the prelude to instability, as we experienced in February. Usually, low volatility investment strategies perform well during periods of high or rising market volatility.

 

2

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 


Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (Continued)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Interest Rates

 

In December, the Federal Reserve bank increased the Fed Funds rate by 0.25% to an upper-bound target of 1.50%. This is the fifth such increase since December 2015. Based upon the futures market, the implied probability of another 0.25% hike in the Fed Funds rate in March & June is 61%. Expectations exist for more than two rate hikes remaining in 2018. The recent tax cuts should boost economic growth enough for the Fed to have confidence to keep raising interest rates.

 

Note: In the following graphs, the shaded periods represent recessions.

 

 

Historically, an inverted yield curve, measured by the difference between the 10-Year Treasury yield and the 2-Year Treasury yield, has been an excellent indicator of oncoming recessions. During the two months of 2018, the yield curve continued to flatten, with the spread down to 0.47%. However, it’s still a quite a long way from falling below zero, or inverting.

 

Sentiment

 

Sentiment increased globally as economic growth picked up in both developed and emerging markets. In the U.S., the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index increased from a quarter ago and remains near its highest level in 17 years.

 

 

3

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (ConTINUED)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Consumers are clearly feeling good with the unemployment rate, household net worth hitting new highs, and the lowest household debt service ratio in the past 30 years. Finally, the Conference Board of Ten Leading Economic Indicators rose from a year ago, confirming that the economy continues to grow modestly.

 

 

Valuations Remain Elevated

 

During the past six months, most global valuation signals remained elevated. Robust earnings growth is expected across global equity markets. Strong earnings often support higher valuation multiples; however, risk of a market selloff has clearly increased.

 

 

4

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (CONTINUED)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Both U.S. and non-U.S. valuations are at or near their 10-year peaks. The spread between them has been rising with the U.S. approximately 30-40% more expensive than international markets. Although, notably, the U.S. stock market seems to always trade at a premium to international stocks.

 

 

Lastly, while the markets are somewhat expensive, there usually exists attractively valued individual companies in which to invest. Summit Global Investments seeks attractively valued low volatility companies as part of our investment discipline.

 

SGI’s Multi-Factor, Multi-Faceted Investment Approach

 

At Summit Global Investments we are strong believers that low volatility, or managed risk, investing has the potential to ultimately result in more accumulated wealth and a smoother ride for the investor. In addition to our low volatility focus, we utilize multi-factor models and additional risk overlays as part of our investment processes.

 

Research has shown that a blended or multi-factor approach explains stock returns with greater consistency then single factor models which tend to go in and out of favor. Utilizing a multi-factor approach may help limit the drastic return extremes of single factor exposure (such as many passive “smart beta” approaches).

 

Important factor tilts that have been present are: value (cheaper companies), quality (profitable, less levered companies), momentum (companies with strong near term returns), lower capitalization (than the index), and dividend yield. We utilize a proprietary alpha model that analyzes companies across multiple dimensions. Our portfolio managers and research team continuously test the predictive power of our alpha model in addition to exploring the market for additional anomalies that we may be able to exploit. Ultimately, we fine tune these customized factors to complement our low volatility approach. These market anomalies have been well researched both internally here at SGI as well as in academia.

 

We recognize the inherent bias in many low volatility strategies to be highly concentrated in the most defensive sectors. We strive to produce a well-diversified portfolio, including sector allocations, to limit that structural bias within low volatility investing. In addition, we deploy both a multi-dimensional systematic and discretionary oversight to our sector allocations. This allows us to limit, or cap, our exposure to less attractive sectors from a risk adjusted basis.

 

5

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (ConTINUED)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Finally, a distinct advantage of Summit Global Investments is our ability to fundamentally analyze all companies in our portfolios. Many purely quantitative strategies end up investing in companies with higher than desired downside risk given their lack of fundamental analysis. Given our desire to manage risk, we find it imperative to identify and eliminate companies with higher potential for downside loss. We seek to eliminate companies with changing business models, management turnover, in major litigation or under investigations, and other critical issues.

 

We feel strongly that having multiple risk management processes should allow us to hedge and grow client portfolios.

 

Firm Update

 

We’re enthusiastic about several developments here at SGI. The firm has surpassed $700 million in assets with a strong pipeline of new business opportunities across all strategies. Three new senior investment professionals recently joined the investment team and we plan to make additional strategic personnel hires to be proactive and stay ahead of our business growth.

 

Conclusion

 

We continue to reiterate that large market events are being driven more and more by world events than ever before. Company 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.

 

The team at SGI has identified some themes that require close monitoring through the end of 2018. Those themes include:

 

 

Continuation of modest U.S. economic growth

 

 

The Federal Reserve will likely raise the fed funds rate at least two more times in 2018

 

 

No dramatic increase in U.S. long term interest rates because of modest U.S. economic growth and very low international interest rates

 

 

Globally, monetary policies in major economies could be less accommodative

 

 

Store closures for brick and mortar retailers should accelerate as eCommerce continues to gain market share

 

 

Narrowing of the valuation difference between U.S. and non-U.S. equities

 

 

Political battles in Washington will continue, however clarity regarding health care and trade policies could benefit the market

 

 

Due to outsized future expectations, the FAANG stocks will ultimately disappoint

 

 

Volatility will likely continue to be elevated

 

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 Funds' approach should be 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, the potential for more consistent and reliable returns with smaller drawdowns, and adds increased diversification when combined with other investment strategies. Our approach takes into account each underlying company’s stock volatility, expected

 

6

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (CONTINUED)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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. The Funds seek 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 as we seek to provide acceptable long-term, risk-adjusted returns.

 

We continue to adhere to our disciplined, managed-risk, multi-factor investment process. Over a full market cycle, this approach aims to limit downside risks and strives for participation in market rallies. After eight plus years of an equity bull market, we believe it is time for investors to be proactively prudent. We’re grateful for the opportunity to help steward the Funds.

 

Sincerely,
Summit Global Investments, LLC

 

Mutual fund investing involves risk. Loss of principle is possible. A portfolio comprised of low volatility stocks may not produce investment exposure that has lower variability to changes in such stocks’ price levels. Investing in low volatility stocks may limit the Fund’s gains in rising markets.

 

Diversification does not assure a profit, nor does it protect against a loss in a declining market. Growth stocks typically are more volatile than value stocks; however, value stocks have a lower expected growth rate in earnings and sales.

 

Earnings Growth is not a measure of the Fund’s future performance.

 

S&P 500: S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of 500 common stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation to represent U.S. equity performance.

 

Russell 2000: The Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index of 2,000 small company stocks of U.S. domiciled companies.

 

MSCI ACWI: The MSCI ACWI Index captures large and mid-cap representation across 23 Developed Markets (DM) and 24 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. With 2,495 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the global investable equity opportunity set.

 

VIX: The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) is a popular measure of the stock market’s expectation of volatility implied by S&P 500 Index options, calculated and published by the Chicago Board Options Exchange.

 

Federal Reserve Leading Index: The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia publishes the leading index monthly and it includes economic variables that tend to move before changes in the overall economy. These indicators give a sense of the future state of the economy.

 

Consumer Sentiment Index: The University of Michigan collects data on consumer attitudes and expectations regarding personal finances, business conditions, and market conditions. This data is summarized in the Consumer Sentiment Index and published monthly.

 

Conference Board Leading Index: The Conference Board is a non-profit research organization that uses ten component indicators that tend to move before changes in the overall economy. These indicators summarized and published monthly give a sense of the future state of the economy.

 

It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

7

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

Semi-Annual Investment Adviser’s Report (ConCLUDED)
February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Upside Capture Ratio: The upside capture ration is a statistical measure used to evaluate how well an investment manager performed relative to an index during periods when that index has risen.

 

EV to EBITDA: Enterprise value to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization is a popular valuation multiple used to measure the value of a company. It is often used in conjunction with other valuation multiples to determine the fair market value of a company or group of companies.

 

Smart Beta: Smart beta defines a set of investment strategies along various factor dimensions that emphasize alternative index construction methodologies using transparent rules versus traditional market capitalization-based indices.

 

Alpha: Alpha is a measure of the active return on an investment compared to a suitable market index.

 

FAANG is an acronym for the five most popular and best performing tech stocks in the market, namely Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Alphabet’s Google.

 

Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in this report for a complete list of fund holdings.

 

8

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND - CLASS I SHARES

 

Performance Data

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended February 28, 2018

 
 

Six
Months

One
Year

Three
Year

Five
Year

Since
Inception*

 

Class I Shares

10.51%

13.91%

9.48%

12.48%

12.45%

 

S&P 500® Index**

10.84%

17.10%

11.14%

14.73%

14.52%

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

*

Class I Shares of the Fund commenced operations on February 29, 2012.

 

**

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Class I Shares 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’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2017, are 1.14% and 0.98%, 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 Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2018 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 0.98% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares. 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 0.98%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. The contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2018 without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than 0.98% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to 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 on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

The Fund’s investments will generally consist of securities, which may include common stocks, 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 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.

 

9

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND - CLASS A SHARES

 

Performance Data (continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended February 28, 2018

 
 

Six
Months

One
Year

Since
Inception*

 

Class A Shares (without sales charge)

10.40%

13.65%

10.65%

 

Class A Shares (with sales charge)

4.63%

7.68%

8.14%

 

S&P 500® Index**

10.84%

17.10%

14.24%

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

*

Class A Shares of the Fund commenced operations on October 29, 2015.

 

**

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

 

Class A Shares of the Fund have a 5.25% maximum sales charge.

 

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’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2017, are 1.39% and 1.23%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Class A Shares. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2018 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 1.23% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares. In determining the Adviser’s obligation to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse certain expenses, the following expenses are not taken into account and could cause net total annual Fund operating expenses to exceed 1.23%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. The contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2018 without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than 1.23% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A 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 on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

The Fund’s investments will generally consist of securities, which may include common stocks, 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 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.

 

10

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND - CLASS C SHARES

 

Performance Data (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended February 28, 2018

 
 

Six
Months

One
Year

Since
Inception*

 

Class C Shares

10.01%

12.91%

11.10%

 

S&P 500® Index**

10.84%

17.10%

16.42%

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

*

Class C Shares of the Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2015.

 

**

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Class C Shares 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’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2017, are 2.14% and 1.98%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Class C Shares. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2018 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 1.98% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares. 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 1.98%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. The contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2018 without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than 1.98% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C 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 on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

The Fund’s investments will generally consist of securities, which may include common stocks, 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 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.

 

11

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND - CLASS I SHARES

 

Performance Data (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended February 28, 2018

 
 

Six
Months

One
Year

Since
Inception*

 

Class I Shares

2.71%

6.22%

13.65%

 

Russell 2000® Index**

8.30%

10.51%

18.90%

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

*

Class I Shares of the Fund commenced operations on March 31, 2016.

 

**

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Class I Shares 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’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2017, are 2.40% and 1.42%, 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 Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2018 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 1.23% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares. 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 1.23%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2018 without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than 1.23% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to 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 on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

The Fund’s investments will generally consist of securities, which may include common stocks, 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 (“Russell 2000®”). The Russell 2000® is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of 2,000 common stocks which are generally representative of the U.S. Small Companies. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

 

The Fund invests in equity securities and in stocks of small companies which are subject to market, economic and business risks that may cause their price to rise or fall over time. Stocks of small companies may be more volatile, less liquid or not as readily marketable as those of larger companies. Small companies may also have limited product lines, markets or financial resources and may be dependent on relatively small or inexperienced management groups. Although the Fund seeks lower volatility, there is no guarantee the Fund will perform as expected.

 

12

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND - CLASS A SHARES

 

Performance Data (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended February 28, 2018

 
 

Six
Months

One
Year

Since
Inception*

 

Class A Shares (without sales charge)

2.55%

5.98%

13.44%

 

Class A Shares (with sales charge)

-2.86%

0.45%

10.31%

 

Russell 2000® Index**

8.30%

10.51%

18.90%

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

*

Class A Shares of the Fund commenced operations on March 31, 2016.

 

**

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

 

Class A Shares of the Fund have a 5.25% maximum sales charge.

 

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’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2017, are 2.65% and 1.67%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Class A Shares. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2018 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 1.48% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares. 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 1.48%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2018 without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than 1.48% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A 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 on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

The Fund’s investments will generally consist of securities, which may include common stocks, 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 (“Russell 2000®”). The Russell 2000® is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of 2,000 common stocks which are generally representative of the U.S. Small Companies. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

 

The Fund invests in equity securities and in stocks of small companies which are subject to market, economic and business risks that may cause their price to rise or fall over time. Stocks of small companies may be more volatile, less liquid or not as readily marketable as those of larger companies. Small companies may also have limited product lines, markets or financial resources and may be dependent on relatively small or inexperienced management groups. Although the Fund seeks lower volatility, there is no guarantee the Fund will perform as expected.

 

13

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND - CLASS C SHARES

 

Performance Data (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended February 28, 2018

 
 

Six
Months

One
Year

Since
Inception*

 

Class C Shares

2.16%

5.08%

12.54%

 

Russell 2000® Index**

8.30%

10.51%

18.90%

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

*

Class C Shares of the Fund commenced operations on March 31, 2016.

 

**

Benchmark performance is from inception date of the Class C Shares 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’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2017, are 3.40% and 2.42%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Class C Shares. These ratios may differ from the actual expenses incurred by the Fund for the period covered by this report. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses through December 31, 2018 to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed 2.23% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares. 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 2.23%: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary items, interest or taxes. This contractual limitation may not be terminated before December 31, 2018 without the approval of the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than 2.23% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C 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 on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

The Fund’s investments will generally consist of securities, which may include common stocks, 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 (“Russell 2000®”). The Russell 2000® is a widely recognized, unmanaged index of 2,000 common stocks which are generally representative of the U.S. Small Companies. It is impossible to invest directly in an index.

 

The Fund invests in equity securities and in stocks of small companies which are subject to market, economic and business risks that may cause their price to rise or fall over time. Stocks of small companies may be more volatile, less liquid or not as readily marketable as those of larger companies. Small companies may also have limited product lines, markets or financial resources and may be dependent on relatively small or inexperienced management groups. Although the Fund seeks lower volatility, there is no guarantee the Fund will perform as expected.

 

14

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

GLOBAL LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

Performance Data (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the periods ended February 28, 2018*

 
 

Six
Months†

One
Year

Three
Year

Five
Year

Since
Inception

 

Class I Shares**

6.03%

14.71%

3.66%

12.28%

17.90%

 

MSCI ACWI Index***

9.29%

19.41%

8.93%

10.66%

14.09%

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

*

Returns for periods prior to January 3, 2017 were generated under the Management of the Fund’s former investment adviser.

 

**

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 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. Effective January 3, 2017, the Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund changed its name to the Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund (the “Fund”). 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 1-855-744-8500.

 

The Fund’s total annual gross and net operating expenses, as stated in the current prospectus dated December 31, 2017, are 1.32% 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 Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse certain expenses of the Fund through December 31, 2018 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, 2018, unless the Board of Directors of The RBB Fund, Inc. approves its earlier termination. If at any time the Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than 0.84% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to 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 on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed expense limitations that were in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

International investing is subject to special risks including, but not limited to, currency risk associated with securities denominated in other than the U.S. 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.

 

The MSCI ACWI Index (the “Index”) captures large and mid cap representation across 23 Developed Markets (DM) and 24 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. With more than 2,400 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the global investable equity opportunity set. It is not possible to invest directly with an index.

 

15

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

Fund Expense Examples

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Fund(s), you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments (if applicable); 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(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 September 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018 and held for the entire period.

 

Actual Expenses

 

The first line of the accompanying tables provide 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 provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each 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 each 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 sales charges (loads), redemption fees or exchange 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.

 

 

Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund

 

Beginning
Account Value
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018

Expenses Paid
During Period*

Class I Shares

     

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,105.10

$ 5.12

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,019.93

4.91

Class A Shares

     

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,104.00

$ 6.42

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,018.70

6.16

Class C Shares

     

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,100.10

$ 10.31

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,014.98

9.89

 

16

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

 

Fund Expense Examples (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

 

Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund

 

Beginning
Account Value
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018

Expenses Paid
During Period**

Class I Shares

     

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,027.10

$ 6.18

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,018.70

6.16

Class A Shares

     

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,025.50

$ 7.43

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,017.46

7.40

Class C Shares

     

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,021.60

$ 11.18

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,013.74

11.13

 

 

Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund

 

Beginning
Account Value
September 1, 2017

Ending
Account Value
February 28, 2018

Expenses Paid
During Period***

Class I Shares

     

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,060.30

$ 4.29

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

1,000.00

1,020.63

4.21

 

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 0.98%, 1.23% and 1.98% for Class I Shares, Class A Shares and Class C Shares of the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund, respectively, which includes waived fees and reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (181) 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 tables is based on the actual six-month total investment return for the Fund of 10.51%, 10.40% and 10.01% for Class I Shares, Class A Shares and Class C Shares, respectively.

 

**

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 1.23%, 1.48% and 2.23% for Class I Shares, Class A Shares and Class C Shares of the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund, respectively, which includes waived fees and reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (181) 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 2.71%, 2.55 % and 2.16% for Class I Shares, Class A Shares and Class C Shares, respectively.

 

***

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio of 0.84% for Class I Shares of the Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund, which includes waived fees and reimbursed expenses, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days (181) 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 6.03% for Class I Shares.

 

17

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

   % of Net
Assets
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS:        
IT Services   8.7%  $9,166,297 
Specialty Retail   8.2    8,609,615 
Software   7.8    8,161,009 
Insurance   7.6    7,944,296 
Food & Staples Retailing   7.4    7,733,537 
Health Care Providers & Services   5.4    5,729,186 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels   4.5    4,751,380 
Biotechnology   4.4    4,668,651 
Capital Markets   4.4    4,645,360 
Communications Equipment   3.5    3,722,710 
Beverages   3.3    3,476,832 
Pharmaceuticals   3.0    3,106,924 
Professional Services   2.7    2,853,500 
Diversified Telecommunication Services   2.5    2,597,254 
Commercial Services & Supplies   2.4    2,556,048 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals   2.2    2,357,128 
Household Products   2.0    2,057,088 
Internet Software & Services   1.6    1,687,624 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies   1.5    1,593,531 
Food Products   1.4    1,434,596 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods   1.4    1,424,287 
Electric Utilities   1.3    1,325,845 
Machinery   1.2    1,241,916 
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)   0.9    938,268 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment   0.8    824,408 
Diversified Financial Services   0.7    766,640 
Banks   0.7    731,403 
Airlines   0.5    543,696 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers   0.5    504,368 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components   0.4    428,773 
Distributors   0.3    307,944 
Personal Products   0.3    290,724 
Aerospace & Defense   0.3    281,952 
Consumer Finance   0.3    263,277 
Media   0.2    257,900 
Chemicals   0.2    236,124 
Building Products   0.2    224,665 
Real Estate Management & Development   0.2    215,050 
Air Freight & Logistics   0.2    214,728 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure   0.2    211,270 
Multi-Utilities   0.2    202,875 
Multiline Retail   0.2    198,639 
Automobiles   0.1    186,736 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS   0.8    889,307 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES   3.4    3,621,774 
NET ASSETS   100%  $105,185,135 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

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

18

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS - 95.8%        
Aerospace & Defense — 0.3%        
Lockheed Martin Corp.   800   $281,952 
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.2%          
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.   2,300    214,728 
Airlines — 0.5%          
Southwest Airlines Co.   9,400    543,696 
Automobiles — 0.1%          
Ford Motor Co.   17,600    186,736 
Banks — 0.7%          
BB&T Corp.   4,500    244,575 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.   2,400    277,200 
Regions Financial Corp.   10,800    209,628 
         731,403 
Beverages — 3.3%          
Coca-Cola Co., (The)   4,400    190,168 
Monster Beverage Corp.*   3,900    247,143 
PepsiCo, Inc.   27,700    3,039,521 
         3,476,832 
Biotechnology — 4.4%          
AbbVie, Inc.   18,600    2,154,438 
Biogen, Inc.*   8,700    2,514,213 
         4,668,651 
Building Products — 0.2%          
AO Smith Corp., Class A   3,500    224,665 
Capital Markets — 4.4%          
Northern Trust Corp.   10,000    1,058,700 
S&P Global, Inc.   18,700    3,586,660 
         4,645,360 
Chemicals — 0.2%          
PPG Industries, Inc.   2,100    236,124 
Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.4%          
Cintas Corp.   1,600    273,056 
Republic Services, Inc.   30,000    2,015,400 
Waste Management, Inc.   3,100    267,592 
         2,556,048 
Communications Equipment — 3.5%          
Cisco Systems, Inc.   76,500    3,425,670 
F5 Networks, Inc.*   2,000    297,040 
         3,722,710 
Consumer Finance — 0.3%          
American Express Co.   2,700    263,277 
Distributors — 0.3%          
LKQ Corp.*   7,800    307,944 
Diversified Financial Services — 0.7%          
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class A*   3,700    766,640 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.5%
AT&T, Inc.   65,500   2,377,650 
Verizon Communications, Inc.   4,600    219,604 
         2,597,254 
Electric Utilities — 1.3%          
Alliant Energy Corp.   5,300    204,845 
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.   2,700    207,792 
Xcel Energy, Inc.   21,100    913,208 
         1,325,845 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.4%
Corning, Inc.   7,300    212,284 
TE Connectivity Ltd., (Switzerland)   2,100    216,489 
         428,773 
Food & Staples Retailing — 7.4%
Costco Wholesale Corp.   4,500    859,050 
Kroger Co., (The)   10,300    279,336 
Sysco Corp.   49,300    2,940,745 
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.   40,600    3,654,406 
         7,733,537 
Food Products — 1.4%          
Hershey Co., (The)   14,600    1,434,596 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.5%
Baxter International, Inc.   19,500    1,321,905 
Medtronic PLC, (Ireland)   3,400    271,626 
         1,593,531 
Health Care Providers & Services — 5.4%          
Aetna, Inc.   13,200    2,337,192 
Anthem, Inc.   900    211,842 
Humana, Inc.   800    217,456 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   13,100    2,962,696 
         5,729,186 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.2%          
Starbucks Corp.   3,700    211,270 
Household Products — 2.0%          
Clorox Co., (The)   1,500    193,620 
Colgate-Palmolive Co.   9,600    662,112 
Procter & Gamble Co., (The)   15,300    1,201,356 
         2,057,088 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.5%
AES Corp.   46,400    504,368 
Insurance — 7.6%          
Allstate Corp., (The)   2,600    239,876 
American International Group, Inc.   17,300    991,982 
Marsh & McLennan Cos, Inc.   25,600    2,125,312 
Principal Financial Group, Inc.   3,200    199,456 
Progressive Corp., (The)   66,400    3,823,312 
Prudential Financial, Inc.   3,000    318,960 

 

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

19

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Insurance — 7.6% (Continued)
XL Group Ltd.   5,800   $245,398 
         7,944,296 
Internet Software & Services — 1.6%          
Facebook, Inc., Class A*   5,300    945,096 
VeriSign, Inc.*   6,400    742,528 
         1,687,624 
IT Services — 8.7%          
Accenture PLC, Class A, (Ireland)   18,000    2,898,180 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.   40,900    3,354,618 
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.   3,100    301,258 
Fiserv, Inc.*   9,500    1,362,205 
Global Payments, Inc.   2,000    226,780 
Paychex, Inc.   12,200    794,586 
Total System Services, Inc.   2,600    228,670 
         9,166,297 
Machinery — 1.2%          
Snap-on, Inc.   7,800    1,241,916 
Media — 0.2%          
Walt Disney Co., (The)   2,500    257,900 
Multiline Retail — 0.2%          
Dollar General Corp.   2,100    198,639 
Multi-Utilities — 0.2%          
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.   7,500    202,875 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 4.5%
EOG Resources, Inc.   4,500    456,390 
Occidental Petroleum Corp.   6,900    452,640 
Phillips 66   10,000    903,700 
Valero Energy Corp.   32,500    2,938,650 
         4,751,380 
Personal Products — 0.3%          
Estee Lauder Cos, Inc., Class A, (The)   2,100    290,724 
Pharmaceuticals — 3.0%          
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   3,300    218,460 
Eli Lilly & Co.   6,300    485,226 
Johnson & Johnson   16,200    2,104,056 
Zoetis, Inc.   3,700    299,182 
         3,106,924 
Professional Services — 2.7%          
Robert Half International, Inc.   50,000    2,853,500 
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.9%
American Tower Corp.   4,000    557,320 
Regency Centers Corp.   3,200    185,952 
UDR, Inc.   5,800    194,996 
         938,268 
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.2%
CBRE Group, Inc., Class A*   4,600   215,050 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.8%
Broadcom Ltd., (Singapore)   800    197,168 
Lam Research Corp.   1,000    191,860 
Skyworks Solutions, Inc.   2,200    240,350 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   1,800    195,030 
         824,408 
Software — 7.8%          
Activision Blizzard, Inc.   2,900    212,077 
Adobe Systems, Inc.*   1,500    313,695 
Citrix Systems, Inc.*   26,800    2,465,600 
Intuit, Inc.   23,000    3,837,780 
Microsoft Corp.   11,600    1,087,732 
Salesforce.com, Inc.*   2,100    244,125 
         8,161,009 
Specialty Retail — 8.2%          
Best Buy Co., Inc.   17,900    1,296,676 
Home Depot, Inc., (The)   16,600    3,025,682 
Lowe's Cos, Inc.   2,900    259,811 
Ross Stores, Inc.   3,400    265,506 
TJX Cos, Inc., (The)   45,500    3,761,940 
         8,609,615 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 2.2%
Apple, Inc.   11,500    2,048,380 
HP, Inc.   13,200    308,748 
         2,357,128 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.4%
VF Corp.   19,100    1,424,287 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $81,077,535)        100,674,054 
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 0.8%

Fidelity Investments Money Market Funds - Government Portfolio, 1.26% (a)

   889,307    889,307 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $889,307)        889,307 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 96.6%          
(Cost $81,966,842)        101,563,361 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES - 3.4%        3,621,774 
NET ASSETS - 100.0%       $105,185,135 

 

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

(a)

Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018

 

PLC Public Limited Company.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
20

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

   % of Net
Assets
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS:        
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure   6.4%  $1,407,847 
Chemicals   5.8    1,267,668 
Banks   5.8    1,261,453 
Commercial Services & Supplies   5.5    1,212,121 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components   4.7    1,037,683 
Real Estate Investment Trusts   4.4    960,448 
Auto Components   4.0    863,705 
Machinery   3.7    800,267 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies   3.5    760,001 
Capital Markets   3.3    729,721 
Electric Utilities   3.2    698,899 
IT Services   2.9    624,069 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment   2.8    605,619 
Health Care Providers & Services   2.3    493,210 
Professional Services   2.2    482,156 
Specialty Retail   2.1    459,308 
Electrical Equipment   2.0    432,678 
Pharmaceuticals   1.8    403,545 
Household Durables   1.8    401,705 
Water Utilities   1.7    374,250 
Food Products   1.7    364,608 
Multi-Utilities   1.6    350,156 
Trading Companies & Distributors   1.1    246,400 
Media   1.1    244,150 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail   1.1    244,026 
Leisure Products   1.1    235,271 
Diversified Consumer Services   1.1    234,092 
Real Estate Management & Development   1.1    232,360 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods   1.0    228,280 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance   1.0    218,161 
Containers & Packaging   1.0    213,375 
Communications Equipment   1.0    210,755 
Air Freight & Logistics   1.0    210,600 
Insurance   1.0    208,535 
Construction & Engineering   0.9    205,250 
Diversified Financial Services   0.9    203,740 
Paper & Forest Products   0.9    191,625 
Internet Software & Services   0.9    190,272 
Investment Companies   0.9    187,436 
Gas Utilities   0.7    179,955 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS   3.7    818,493 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES   5.3    1,154,667 
NET ASSETS   100%  $21,848,560 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
21

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS - 91.0%        
Air Freight & Logistics — 1.0%        
Forward Air Corp.   3,900   $210,600 
Auto Components — 4.0%          
Cooper-Standard Holdings, Inc.*   1,800    219,312 
Dorman Products, Inc.*   3,100    213,900 
Fox Factory Holding Corp.*   5,500    206,525 
Standard Motor Products, Inc.   4,800    223,968 
         863,705 
Banks — 5.8%          
Bryn Mawr Bank Corp.   4,800    209,040 
Community Trust Bancorp, Inc.   4,500    195,750 
First Busey Corp.   7,100    210,515 
Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.   4,300    208,120 
Preferred Bank   3,600    224,388 
QCR Holdings, Inc.   4,900    213,640 
         1,261,453 
Capital Markets — 3.3%          
Fidus Investment Corp.   12,900    166,152 
New Mountain Finance Corp.   15,100    191,015 
Solar Capital Ltd.   10,000    203,000 
WhiteHorse Finance, Inc.   15,400    169,554 
         729,721 
Chemicals — 5.8%          
AdvanSix, Inc.*   4,800    198,480 
Cabot Corp.   3,600    216,648 
Innospec, Inc.   3,100    201,345 
KMG Chemicals, Inc.   4,052    242,998 
Quaker Chemical Corp.   1,400    199,542 
Sensient Technologies Corp.   2,900    208,655 
         1,267,668 
Commercial Services & Supplies — 5.5%
ABM Industries, Inc.   5,300    186,348 
Matthews International Corp., Class A   4,100    210,125 
MSA Safety, Inc.   2,600    209,638 
SP Plus Corp.*   5,300    190,800 
UniFirst Corp.   1,400    217,420 
Viad Corp.   3,800    197,790 
         1,212,121 
Communications Equipment — 1.0%
Ituran Location and Control Ltd., (Israel)   6,100    210,755 
Construction & Engineering — 0.9%
Comfort Systems USA, Inc.   5,000    205,250 
Containers & Packaging — 1.0%
Silgan Holdings, Inc.   7,500    213,375 
Diversified Consumer Services — 1.1%
Carriage Services, Inc.   8,600    234,092 
Diversified Financial Services — 0.9%

Compass Diversified Holdings

   12,200   203,740 
Electric Utilities — 3.2%          
El Paso Electric Co.   3,700    179,820 
Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.   5,800    191,168 
PNM Resources, Inc.   4,700    165,440 
Spark Energy, Inc., Class A   17,470    162,471 
         698,899 
Electrical Equipment — 2.0%          
EnerSys   3,200    223,008 
Regal Beloit Corp.   2,900    209,670 
         432,678 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 4.7%
Celestica, Inc., (Canada)*   19,500    212,160 
ePlus, Inc.*   2,710    207,451 
Orbotech Ltd., (Israel)*   3,900    214,344 
PC Connection, Inc.   8,000    198,640 
Plexus Corp.*   3,400    205,088 
         1,037,683 
Food Products — 1.7%          
B&G Foods, Inc.   5,900    163,430 
Lancaster Colony Corp.   1,700    201,178 
         364,608 
Gas Utilities — 0.7%          
Chesapeake Utilities Corp.   2,700    179,955 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 3.5%
Globus Medical, Inc., Class A*   5,900    281,076 
ICU Medical, Inc.*   1,100    254,375 
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.   6,460    224,550 
         760,001 
Health Care Providers & Services — 2.3%
Addus HomeCare Corp.*   6,800    233,580 
Chemed Corp.   1,000    259,630 
         493,210 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 6.4%
Choice Hotels International, Inc.   3,000    237,450 
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.   1,500    234,150 
Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc.*   4,400    196,988 
Denny's Corp.*   16,500    248,160 
Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc.   10,100    247,955 
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.   4,400    243,144 
         1,407,847 
Household Durables — 1.8%          
Helen of Troy Ltd., (Bermuda)*   2,500    225,125 
Tupperware Brands Corp.   3,600    176,580 
         401,705 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
22

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Insurance — 1.0%        
Argo Group International Holdings Ltd., (Bermuda)   3,580   $208,535 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 1.1%
PetMed Express, Inc.   5,400    244,026 
Internet Software & Services — 0.9%
CommerceHub, Inc., Class A*   9,600    190,272 
Investment Companies — 0.9%          
TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.   10,390    187,436 
IT Services — 2.9%          
Sykes Enterprises, Inc.*   6,921    201,124 
TTEC Holdings, Inc.   5,300    188,945 
WNS Holdings Ltd., (India) ADR*   5,200    234,000 
         624,069 
Leisure Products — 1.1%          
MCBC Holdings, Inc.*   9,599    235,271 
Machinery — 3.7%          
Alamo Group, Inc.   1,893    210,407 
Global Brass & Copper Holdings, Inc.   6,500    183,950 
Hillenbrand, Inc.   4,900    215,110 
Kadant, Inc.   2,000    190,800 
         800,267 
Media — 1.1%          
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A   3,800    244,150 
Multi-Utilities — 1.6%          
NorthWestern Corp.   3,400    173,672 
Unitil Corp.   4,198    176,484 
         350,156 
Paper & Forest Products — 0.9%          
Neenah Paper, Inc.   2,500    191,625 
Pharmaceuticals — 1.8%          
Phibro Animal Health Corp., Class A   6,100    234,545 
Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc.*   5,000    169,000 
         403,545 
Professional Services — 2.2%          
Korn/Ferry International   5,100    213,741 
On Assignment, Inc.*   3,500    268,415 
         482,156 
Real Estate Investment Trusts — 4.4%          
Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc.   11,700    213,642 
LTC Properties, Inc.   4,600    169,970 
Potlatch Corp.   4,200    214,830 
Urban Edge Properties   8,900    192,062 
Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., Class A   9,700    169,944 
         960,448 
Real Estate Management & Development — 1.1%
RMR Group Inc., Class A, (The)   3,700   232,360 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 2.8%
Cabot Microelectronics Corp.   2,100    213,990 
Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd., (Israel)*   7,700    210,903 
NVE Corp.   2,600    180,726 
         605,619 
Specialty Retail — 2.1%          
Aaron's, Inc.   5,800    268,018 
Haverty Furniture Cos, Inc.   9,400    191,290 
         459,308 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.0%          
Steven Madden Ltd.   5,200    228,280 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 1.0%          
First Defiance Financial Corp.   4,100    218,161 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.1%
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.   3,500    246,400 
Water Utilities — 1.7%          
California Water Service Group   5,100    193,545 
Connecticut Water Service, Inc.   3,500    180,705 
         374,250 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $18,850,870)        19,875,400 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 3.7%          

Fidelity Investments Money Market Funds - Government Portfolio, 1.26% (a)

   818,493    818,493 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $818,493)        818,493 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 94.7%          
(Cost $19,669,363)        20,693,893 
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES - 5.3%        1,154,667 
NET ASSETS - 100.0%       $21,848,560 

 

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

(a)

Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.

 

Master Limited Partnership.

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
23

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

GLOBAL LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

Portfolio Holdings Summary Table

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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

 

   % of Net
Assets
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS:        
Pharmaceuticals   9.8%  $2,076,489 
Software   8.3    1,756,196 
Aerospace & Defense   6.2    1,307,838 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies   6.1    1,295,694 
Internet Software & Services   6.0    1,277,378 
Diversified Telecommunication Services   5.8    1,227,899 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure   5.8    1,226,915 
Household Products   5.7    1,211,963 
IT Services   4.1    879,525 
Road & Rail   4.0    856,663 
Personal Products   3.9    822,491 
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)   3.9    821,334 
Banks   3.9    820,682 
Specialty Retail   2.1    454,740 
Chemicals   2.1    448,175 
Capital Markets   2.1    447,600 
Diversified Financial Services   2.0    435,120 
Air Freight & Logistics   2.0    429,456 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels   2.0    419,234 
Machinery   2.0    418,522 
Media   1.9    412,640 
Beverages   1.9    406,268 
Electric Utilities   1.9    404,576 
Food Products   1.9    402,866 
Insurance   1.9    400,214 
Food & Staples Retailing   1.7    374,442 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS   1.1    243,357 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS   (0.1)   (16,392)
NET ASSETS   100%  $21,261,885 

 

 

Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
24

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

GLOBAL LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS - 99.0%        
Aerospace & Defense — 6.2%        
General Dynamics Corp.   1,950   $433,778 
Raytheon Co.   2,030    441,545 
United Technologies Corp.   3,210    432,515 
         1,307,838 
Air Freight & Logistics — 2.0%          
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.   4,600    429,456 
Banks — 3.9%          
Bank of Montreal, (Canada)   5,400    410,454 
Royal Bank of Canada, (Canada)   5,200    410,228 
         820,682 
Beverages — 1.9%          
Coca-Cola Co., (The)   9,400    406,268 
Capital Markets — 2.1%          
T Rowe Price Group, Inc.   4,000    447,600 
Chemicals — 2.1%          
Nutrien Ltd., (Canada)   9,100    448,175 
Diversified Financial Services — 2.0%          
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B*   2,100    435,120 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 5.8%
BCE, Inc., (Canada)   9,180    400,523 
Telekomunikasi Indonesia Persero Tbk PT, (Indonesia) SP ADR   14,200    412,226 
TELUS Corp., (Canada)   11,500    415,150 
         1,227,899 
Electric Utilities — 1.9%          
Duke Energy Corp.   5,370    404,576 
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.7%          
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.   4,160    374,442 
Food Products — 1.9%          
Hershey Co., (The)   4,100    402,866 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 6.1%          
ResMed, Inc.   4,540    432,526 
Smith & Nephew PLC, (United Kingdom) SP ADR   11,900    422,093 
Stryker Corp.   2,720    441,075 
         1,295,694 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 5.8%          
Carnival PLC, (United Kingdom) ADR   6,100    406,870 
McDonald's Corp.   2,520    397,505 
Starbucks Corp.   7,400    422,540 
         1,226,915 
Household Products — 5.7%          
Clorox Co., (The)   3,200   413,056 
Colgate-Palmolive Co.   5,800    400,026 
Procter & Gamble Co., (The)   5,080    398,881 
         1,211,963 
Insurance — 1.9%          
Chubb Ltd.   2,820    400,214 
Internet Software & Services — 6.0%          
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., SP ADR*   2,300    428,122 
Facebook, Inc., Class A*   2,300    410,136 
Tencent Holdings Ltd., ADR   8,000    439,120 
         1,277,378 
IT Services — 4.1%          
Mastercard, Inc., Class A   2,500    439,400 
Visa, Inc., Class A   3,580    440,125 
         879,525 
Machinery — 2.0%          
FANUC Corp., (Japan) ADR   16,500    418,522 
Media — 1.9%          
Walt Disney Co., (The)   4,000    412,640 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.0%
TransCanada Corp., (Canada)   9,700    419,234 
Personal Products — 3.9%          
Estee Lauder Cos, Inc., Class A, (The)   3,070    425,011 
Unilever, (Netherlands)   7,600    397,480 
         822,491 
Pharmaceuticals — 9.8%          
Bayer AG, (Germany) SP ADR   13,900    406,436 
Eli Lilly & Co.   5,470    421,299 
Novo Nordisk, (Denmark) SP ADR   8,300    427,284 
Roche Holding AG, (Switzerland) SP ADR   14,200    410,522 
Sanofi, (France) ADR   10,470    410,948 
         2,076,489 
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 3.9%
Crown Castle International Corp.   3,900    429,234 
Equinix, Inc.   1,000    392,100 
         821,334 
Road & Rail — 4.0%          
Canadian National Railway Co., (Canada)   5,500    425,535 
Union Pacific Corp.   3,310    431,128 
         856,663 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
25

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

GLOBAL LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

Portfolio of Investments (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Software — 8.3%        
Adobe Systems, Inc.*   2,210   $462,178 
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., (Israel)*   4,190    435,299 
Microsoft Corp.   4,700    440,719 
SAP SE, (Germany) SP ADR   4,000    418,000 
         1,756,196 
Specialty Retail — 2.1%          
TJX Cos, Inc., (The)   5,500    454,740 
           
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS          
(Cost $19,000,810)        21,034,920 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.1%          

Fidelity Investments Money Market Funds - Government Portfolio, 1.26% (a)

   243,357    243,357 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS          
(Cost $243,357)        243,357 
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100.1%          
(Cost $19,244,167)        21,278,277 
LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS - (0.1)%        (16,392)
NET ASSETS - 100.0%       $21,261,885 

 

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

(a)

Seven-day yield as of February 28, 2018.

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt

 

PLC Public Limited Company

 

SP ADR Sponsored ADR

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
26

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Summit Global
Investments
U.S. Low
Volatility
Equity Fund
   Summit Global
Investments
Small Cap
Low Volatility
Fund
   Summit Global
Investments
Global
Low Volatility
Fund
 
ASSETS            
Investments, at value (cost $81,077,535, $18,850,870 and $19,000,810, respectively)  $100,674,054   $19,875,400   $21,034,920 
Short-term investments, at value (cost $889,307, $818,493 and $243,357, respectively)   889,307    818,493    243,357 
Receivables for:               
Capital shares sold   3,624,064    1,152,954    1,250 
Dividends   128,210    10,940    38,178 
Prepaid and other expenses   51,931    36,809    10,345 
Total assets  $105,367,566   $21,894,596   $21,328,050 
                
LIABILITIES               
Payables for:               
Advisory fees  $42,684   $7,960   $5,094 
Capital shares redeemed   32,670    10,183    27,586 
Other accrued expenses and liabilities   107,077    27,893    33,485 
Total liabilities   182,431    46,036    66,165 
Net assets  $105,185,135   $21,848,560   $21,261,885 
                
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:               
Par value  $6,620   $1,883   $737 
Paid-in capital   81,127,533    20,886,386    21,368,964 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss)   193,728    (14,685)   89,920 
Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) from investments   4,260,735    (49,554)   (2,231,846)
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   19,596,519    1,024,530    2,034,110 
Net assets  $105,185,135   $21,848,560   $21,261,885 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
27

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Summit Global
Investments
U.S. Low
Volatility
Equity Fund
   Summit Global
Investments
Small Cap
Low Volatility
Fund
   Summit Global
Investments
Global
Low Volatility
Fund
 
CLASS I SHARES:               
Net assets applicable to Class I Shares  $94,576,169   $18,536,556   $21,261,885 
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   5,952,183    1,597,099    736,946 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $15.89   $11.61   $28.85 
                
CLASS A SHARES:               
Net assets applicable to Class A Shares  $9,138,320   $3,138,615   $ 
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   573,778    270,393     
Net asset value and redemption price per share  $15.93   $11.61   $ 
Maximum offering price per share (100/94.75 of $15.93 and $11.61, respectively)  $16.81   $12.10   $ 
                
CLASS C SHARES:               
Net assets applicable to Class C Shares  $1,470,646   $173,389   $ 
Shares outstanding ($0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)   94,099    15,111     
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $15.63   $11.47   $ 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
28

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

Statements of Operations

For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

   Summit Global
Investments
U.S. Low
Volatility
Equity Fund
   Summit Global
Investments
Small Cap
Low Volatility
Fund
   Summit Global
Investments
Global
Low Volatility
Fund
 
INVESTMENT INCOME            
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $126, $642 and $7,904, respectively)  $1,008,918   $166,724   $179,250 
Total investment income   1,008,918    166,724    179,250 
                
EXPENSES               
Advisory fees (Note 2)   376,806    93,684    77,582 
Transfer agent fees (Note 2)   51,226    8,305    6,707 
Administration and accounting fees (Note 2)   44,788    9,334    10,185 
Registration and filing fees   27,539    22,193    13,796 
Legal fees   22,662    3,931    8,225 
Directors fees   22,520    2,534    4,931 
Officers fees   18,451    2,155    3,655 
Audit and tax service fees   17,559    15,326    9,368 
Distribution fees - Class A Shares   17,404    4,027     
Printing and shareholder reporting fees   11,522    1,624    10,206 
Distribution fees - Class C Shares   5,143    768     
Custodian fees (Note 2)   1,787    3,284    1,656 
Other expenses   12,921    3,343    6,373 
Total expenses before waivers and reimbursements   630,328    170,508    152,684 
Less: waivers and reimbursements (Note 2)   (78,538)   (44,160)   (63,354)
Net expenses after waivers and reimbursements   551,790    126,348    89,330 
Net investment income/(loss)   457,128    40,376    89,920 
                
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENTS               
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments   9,499,014    477,407    829,609 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   598,615    (259,628)   412,929 
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   10,097,629    217,779    1,242,538 

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $10,554,757   $258,155   $1,332,458 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
29

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $457,128   $1,455,100 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments   9,499,014    1,060,318 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   598,615    5,777,761 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   10,554,757    8,293,179 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:          
Net investment income          
Class I Shares   (1,036,799)   (1,016,757)
Class A Shares   (51,814)   (180,710)
Class C Shares   (5,498)   (5,671)
Total net investment income   (1,094,111)   (1,203,138)
Net realized capital gains          
Class I Shares   (5,396,669)   (1,371,748)
Class A Shares   (521,669)   (292,535)
Class C Shares   (85,402)   (11,450)
Total net realized capital gains   (6,003,740)   (1,675,733)
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (7,097,851)   (2,878,871)
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Class I Shares          
Proceeds from shares sold   8,949,323    20,225,596 
Reinvestment of distributions   6,276,150    2,279,346 
Shares redeemed   (15,442,536)   (40,980,435)
Redemption fees*   770    6,643 
Total from Class I Shares   (216,299)   (18,468,850)
Class A Shares          
Proceeds from shares sold   1,816,073    6,325,586 
Reinvestment of distributions   571,954    466,338 
Shares redeemed   (16,046,974)   (4,908,192)
Redemption fees*   3,400    520 
Total from Class A Shares   (13,655,547)   1,884,252 
Class C Shares          
Proceeds from shares sold   237,264    1,031,081 
Reinvestment of distributions   90,899    17,121 
Shares redeemed   (125,386)   (251,350)
Redemption fees*   154    8 
Total from Class C Shares   202,931    796,860 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital shares transactions   (13,668,909)   (15,787,738)
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   (10,212,003)   (10,373,430)
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   115,397,138    125,770,568 
End of period  $105,185,135   $115,397,138 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment income/(loss), end of period  $193,728   $830,711 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
30

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Concluded)

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
SHARE TRANSACTIONS:        
Class I Shares        
Shares sold   563,046    1,369,045 
Shares reinvested   400,265    155,799 
Shares redeemed   (970,744)   (2,786,555)
Total Class I Shares   (7,433)   (1,261,711)
Class A Shares          
Shares sold   114,716    428,066 
Shares reinvested   36,384    31,897 
Shares redeemed   (1,018,484)   (333,270)
Total Class A Shares   (867,384)   126,693 
Class C Shares          
Shares sold   15,261    70,954 
Shares reinvested   5,883    1,185 
Shares redeemed   (7,922)   (16,932)
Total Class C Shares   13,222    55,207 
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   (861,595)   (1,079,811)

 

 

*

Prior to December 31, 2017, there was a 1.50% redemption fee to the value of shares redeemed or exchanged within 60 days of purchase. The redemption fees were retained by the Fund for the benefit of the remaining shareholders and recorded as paid-in capital. Effective December 31, 2017, the Fund eliminated its redemption fee.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
31

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $40,376   $37,507 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments   477,407    1,255,269 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   (259,628)   570,119 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   258,155    1,862,895 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:          
Net investment income          
Class I Shares   (65,165)   (44,499)
Class A Shares   (4,708)   (6,975)
Class C Shares        
Total net investment income   (69,873)   (51,474)
Net realized capital gains          
Class I Shares   (1,486,849)   (2,053)
Class A Shares   (273,868)   (471)
Class C Shares   (19,328)   (10)
Total net realized capital gains   (1,780,045)   (2,534)
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders   (1,849,918)   (54,008)
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:          
Class I Shares          
Proceeds from shares sold   8,873,888    3,687,970 
Reinvestment of distributions   1,175,459    46,552 
Shares redeemed   (3,043,704)   (2,395,742)
Redemption fees*   27    54 
Total from Class I Shares.   7,005,670    1,338,834 
Class A Shares          
Proceeds from shares sold   511,170    1,213,017 
Reinvestment of distributions   278,576    7,444 
Shares redeemed   (596,262)   (412,426)
Redemption fees*   75    81 
Total from Class A Shares.   193,559    808,116 
Class C Shares          
Proceeds from shares sold   58,669    203,995 
Reinvestment of distributions   19,328    10 
Shares redeemed   (56,298)   (70,906)
Redemption fees*   1     
Total from Class C Shares   21,700    133,099 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions   7,220,929    2,280,049 
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets   5,629,166    4,088,936 
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period   16,219,394    12,130,458 
End of period  $21,848,560   $16,219,394 
Undistributed net investment income/(loss), end of period  $(14,685)  $14,812 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
32

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Concluded)

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
SHARE TRANSACTIONS:        
Class I Shares        
Shares sold   700,246    306,838 
Shares reinvested   96,507    3,825 
Shares redeemed   (242,441)   (199,853)
Total from Class I Shares   554,312    110,810 
Class A Shares          
Shares sold   40,937    101,225 
Shares reinvested   22,853    611 
Shares redeemed   (46,450)   (34,308)
Total from Class I Shares   17,340    67,528 
Class C Shares          
Shares sold   4,578    17,060 
Shares reinvested   1,601    1 
Shares redeemed   (4,742)   (5,775)
Total from Class C Shares   1,437    11,286 
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   573,089    189,624 

 

 

*

Prior to December 31, 2017, there was a 1.50% redemption fee to the value of shares redeemed or exchanged within 60 days of purchase. The redemption fees were retained by the Fund for the benefit of the remaining shareholders and recorded as paid-in capital. Effective December 31, 2017, the Fund eliminated its redemption fee.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
33

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

GLOBAL LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   For the
Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year Ended
August 31, 2017
 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSET FROM OPERATIONS:        
Net investment income/(loss)  $89,920   $92,781 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investments   829,609    5,612,229 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments   412,929    (5,601,962)
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1,332,458    103,048 
           
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:          
Class I Shares          
Net realized capital gains        
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions to shareholders        
           
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS DERIVED FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
Class I Shares          
Proceeds from shares sold   619,037    25,430,511 
Reinvestment of distributions        
Shares redeemed   (3,454,543)   (67,148,680)
Redemption fees*   5    2,495 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets from capital shares transactions   (2,835,501)   (41,715,674)
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets  $(1,503,043)  $(41,612,626)
           
NET ASSETS:          
Beginning of period  $22,764,928   $64,377,554 
End of period  $21,261,885   $22,764,928 
Undistributed/accumulated net investment gain/(loss), end of period  $89,920   $ 
           
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN SHARES OUTSTANDING DERIVED FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
Class I Shares          
Shares sold   20,975    965,782 
Shares reinvested        
Shares redeemed   (120,958)   (2,711,424)
Net increase/(decrease) in shares outstanding   (99,983)   (1,745,642)

 

 

*

Prior to December 31, 2017, there was a 2.00% redemption fee to the value of shares redeemed or exchanged within 60 days of purchase. The redemption fees were retained by the Fund for the benefit of the remaining shareholders and recorded as paid-in capital. Effective December 31, 2017, the Fund eliminated its redemption fee.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
34

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Financial Highlights

 

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 respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

   Class I Shares 
   For the
Six Months
Ended
February 28,
2018 (Unaudited)
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2017
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2016
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2015
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2014
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2013
 
Per Share Operating Performance                        
Net asset value, beginning of period  $15.43   $14.69   $13.78   $13.72   $11.85   $10.18 

Net investment income/(loss)(1)

   0.09    0.22    0.21    0.21    0.16    0.15 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments(2)

   1.51    0.90    1.66    0.44    2.01    1.64 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1.60    1.12    1.87    0.65    2.17    1.79 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                              
Net investment income   (0.18)   (0.16)   (0.21)   (0.16)   (0.08)   (0.05)
Net realized capital gains   (0.96)   (0.22)   (0.75)   (0.43)   (0.22)   (0.07)
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (1.14)   (0.38)   (0.96)   (0.59)   (0.30)   (0.12)
Net asset value, end of period  $15.89   $15.43   $14.69   $13.78   $13.72   $11.85 

Total investment return(3)

   10.51%(4)   7.73%   13.99%   4.82%   18.57%   17.78%
                               
Ratios/Supplemental Data                              
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $94,576   $91,977   $106,110   $72,850   $60,266   $25,638 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements   0.98%(5)   0.98%   0.98%   0.98%   0.98%   0.98%
Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements   1.13%(5)   1.14%   1.14%   1.20%   1.35%   2.74%
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   0.90%(5)   1.32%   1.49%   1.47%   1.25%   1.34%

Portfolio turnover rate(5)

   63%(4)(6)   31%   41%   42%   110%   81%

 

 

(1)

The selected per share data is calculated based on average shares outstanding method for the period.

(2)

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.

(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.

(6)

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated for the Fund, as a whole, for the entire period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
35

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

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

 

   Class A Shares 
   For the
Six Months
Ended
February 28,
2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2017
  

For the
Period
October 29,
2015
(1) to
August 31,
2016

 
Per Share Operating Performance            
Net asset value, beginning of period  $15.40   $14.67   $14.69 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

   0.05    0.16    0.14 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments(3)

   1.54    0.92    0.79 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1.59    1.08    0.93 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:               
Net investment income   (0.10)   (0.13)   (0.20)
Net realized capital gains   (0.96)   (0.22)   (0.75)
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (1.06)   (0.35)   (0.95)
Net asset value, end of period  $15.93   $15.40   $14.67 

Total investment return(4)

   10.40%(5)   7.48%   6.74%(5)
                
Ratios/Supplemental Data               
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $9,138   $22,195   $19,288 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements   1.23%(6)   1.23%   1.23%(6)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements   1.35%(6)   1.39%   1.38%(6)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   0.62%(6)   1.07%   1.15%(6)

Portfolio turnover rate(7)

   63%(5)   31%   41%(5)

 

 

(1)

Commencement of operations.

(2)

The selected per share data is calculated based on the 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. Total investment return does not reflect Sales Charge.

(5)

Not annualized.

(6)

Annualized.

(7)

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated for the Fund, as a whole, for the entire period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
36

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

U.S. LOW VOLATILITY EQUITY FUND

 

Financial Highlights

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for Class C 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 C Shares 
   For the
Six Months
Ended
February 28,
2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2017
  

For the
Period
December 31,
2015
(1) to
August 31,
2016

 
Per Share Operating Performance            
Net asset value, beginning of period  $15.15   $14.51   $13.57 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

   (0.01)   0.04    0.03 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments(3)

   1.51    0.93    0.91 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1.50    0.97    0.94 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:               
Net investment income   (0.06)   (0.11)    
Net realized capital gains   (0.96)   (0.22)    
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (1.02)   (0.33)    
Net asset value, end of period  $15.63   $15.15   $14.51 

Total investment return(4)

   10.01%(5)   6.74%   6.93%(5)
                
Ratios/Supplemental Data               
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $1,471   $1,226   $373 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements   1.98%(6)   1.98%   1.99%(6)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements   2.13%(6)   2.15%   2.16%(6)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   (0.10)%(6)   0.30%   0.32%(6)

Portfolio turnover rate(7)

   63%(5)   31%   41%(5)

 

 

(1)

Commencement of operations.

(2)

The selected per share data is calculated based on the 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.

(7)

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated for the Fund, as a whole, for the entire period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
37

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

Financial Highlights

 

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 respective periods. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

   Class I Shares 
   For the
Six Months
Ended
February 28,
2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2017
  

For the
Period
March 31, 2016
(1)
to August 31,
2016

 
Per Share Operating Performance            
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.39   $10.83   $10.00 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

   0.03    0.04    0.02 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments(3)

   0.36    1.57    0.81 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   0.39    1.61    0.83 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:               
Net investment income   (0.05)   (0.05)    
Net realized capital gains   (1.12)   (7)    
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (1.17)   (0.05)    
Net asset value, end of period  $11.61   $12.39   $10.83 

Total investment return(4)

   2.71%(5)   14.86%   8.30%(5)
                
Ratios/Supplemental Data               
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $18,537   $12,919   $10,095 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements   1.23%(6)   1.23%   1.23%(6)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements   1.68%(6)   2.21%   4.43%(6)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   0.46%(6)   0.31%   0.53%(6)

Portfolio turnover rate(8)

   36%(5)   95%   0.01%(5)

 

 

(1)

Commencement of operations.

(2)

The selected per share data is calculated based on the 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.

(7)

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(8)

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated for the Fund, as a whole, for the entire period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
38

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

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

 

   Class A Shares 
   For the
Six Months
Ended
February 28,
2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2017
  

For the
Period
March 31, 2016
(1)
to August 31,
2016

 
Per Share Operating Performance            
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.38   $10.83   $10.00 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

   0.01    0.01    0.01 

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments(3)

   0.36    1.57    0.82 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   0.37    1.58    0.83 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:               
Net investment income   (0.02)   (0.03)    
Net realized capital gains   (1.12)   (7)    
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders   (1.14)   (0.03)    
Net asset value, end of period  $11.61   $12.38   $10.83 

Total investment return(4)

   2.55%(5)   14.63%   8.30%(5)
                
Ratios/Supplemental Data               
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $3,139   $3,132   $2,010 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements   1.48%(6)   1.48%   1.48%(6)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements   1.93%(6)   2.44%   4.68%(6)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   0.23%(6)   0.06%   0.28%(6)

Portfolio turnover rate(8)

   36%(5)   95%   0.01%(5)

 

 

(1)

Commencement of operations.

(2)

The selected per share data is calculated based on the 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.

(7)

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(8)

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated for the Fund, as a whole, for the entire period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
39

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

SMALL CAP LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

Financial Highlights

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for Class C 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 C Shares 
   For the
Six Months
Ended
February 28,
2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2017
  

For the
Period
March 31, 2016
(1)
to August 31,
2016

 
Per Share Operating Performance            
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.27   $10.80   $10.00 

Net investment income/(loss)(2)

   (0.03)   (0.08)   (0.02)

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments(3)

   0.35    1.55    0.82 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   0.32    1.47    0.80 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:               
Net realized capital gains   (1.12)   (7)    
Net asset value, end of period  $11.47   $12.27   $10.80 

Total investment return(4)

   2.16%(5)   13.63%   8.00%(5)
                
Ratios/Supplemental Data               
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $173   $168   $26 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements   2.23%(6)   2.23%   2.23%(6)
Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements   2.67%(6)   2.89%   5.43%(6)
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   (0.53)%(6)   (0.67)%   (0.47)%(6)

Portfolio turnover rate(8)

   36%(5)   95%   0.01%(5)

 

 

(1)

Commencement of operations.

(2)

The selected per share data is calculated based on the 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.

(7)

Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(8)

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated for the Fund, as a whole, for the entire period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
40

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS

 

GLOBAL LOW VOLATILITY FUND

 

Financial Highlights

 

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

 

 

   Class I Shares 
   For the
Six Months
Ended
February 28,
2018
(Unaudited)
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2017
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2016
   For the
Year
Ended
August 31,
2015
  

For the
Eleven Months Ended
August 31,
2014
(1)(2)

   For the
Year
Ended
Sept. 30,
2013
   For the
Year
Ended
Sept. 30,
2012
 
Per Share Operating Performance                            
Net asset value, beginning of period  $27.20   $24.93   $28.29   $27.64   $27.45   $22.45   $18.83 

Net investment income/(loss)(3)

   0.12    0.06    (0.19)   (0.21)   (0.20)   (0.14)   (0.16)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments   1.53    2.21    (1.25)   3.04    2.96    5.14    4.21 
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1.65    2.27    (1.44)   2.83    2.76    5.00    4.05 
Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:                                   
Net investment income                            
Net realized capital gains           (1.93)   (2.18)   (2.57)       (0.50)
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders           (1.93)   (2.18)   (2.57)       (0.50)

Redemption fees added to paid-in capital(3)

       (4)   0.01    (4)           0.07 
Net asset value, end of period  $28.85   $27.20   $24.93   $28.29   $27.64   $27.45   $22.45 

Total investment return(5)

   6.03%(6)   9.15%   (5.44)%   11.49%   10.62%(6)(8)   22.27%   22.31%
                                    
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                   
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)  $21,252   $22,765   $64,378   $71,523   $59,924   $55,737   $59,007 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets with waivers and reimbursements   0.84%(7)   0.84%   0.84%   0.84%   0.84%(8)(7)   0.86%   0.95%
Ratio of expenses to average net assets without waivers and reimbursements   1.38%(7)   1.32%   1.13%   1.20%   1.13%(8)(7)   1.13%   1.25%
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets   0.81%(7)   0.26%   (0.76)%   (0.77)%   (0.80)%(8)(7)   (0.63)%   (0.75)%

Portfolio turnover rate(9)

   41%(6)   247%   375%   297%   277%(6)   345%   324%

 

 

(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 represents 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.

(6)

Not annualized.

(7)

Annualized.

(8)

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.

(9)

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated for the Fund, as a whole, for the entire period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
41

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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-nine active investment portfolios, including the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund, Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund and Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”). The Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund and Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund commenced investment operations on February 29, 2012 and March 31, 2016, respectively. 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. Effective January 3, 2017, the Fund changed its name from the Scotia Dynamic U.S. Growth Fund to the Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund and Summit Global Investments, LLC (“Summit” or the “Adviser”) took over management of the Fund from its predecessor investment manager.

 

As of the end of the reporting period, the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund offers three classes of shares: Class I Shares, Class A Shares and Class C Shares; the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund offers three classes of shares: Class I Shares, Class A Shares (formerly Retail Shares) and Class C Shares and the Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund offers three classes of shares: Class I Shares, Class A Shares (formerly Class II Shares) and Class C Shares (formerly Institutional Shares). As of the end of the reporting period, Class A Shares and Class C Shares of the Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund were not yet operational.

 

RBB has authorized capital of one hundred billion shares of common stock of which 87.023 billion shares are currently classified into one hundred and eighty-one classes of common stock. Each class represents an interest in an active or inactive RBB investment portfolio.

 

The investment objective of the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund is to outperform the S&P 500® Index over a market cycle while reducing overall volatility. The investment objective of the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund is to outperform the Russell 2000® Index over a market cycle while reducing overall volatility. The investment objective of the Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation.

 

The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services - Investment Companies.”

 

The end of the reporting period for the Funds is February 28, 2018, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six months ended February 28, 2018 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

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 (“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 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. Investments in other open-end investment

 

42

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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 (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 the fair value of the Funds’ investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy below:

 

 

● Level 1 —

Prices are determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

 

● Level 2 —

Prices are determined using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

 

● Level 3 —

Prices are determined using significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

The inputs or methodologies 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 the end of the reporting period, in valuing the Funds’ investments carried at fair value:

 

   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Summit Global Investments U.S Low Volatility Equity Fund         
Common Stocks  $100,674,054   $100,674,054   $   $ 
Short-Term Investments   889,307    889,307         
Total Investments*  $101,563,361   $101,563,361   $   $ 
                     
Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund               
Common Stocks  $19,875,400   $19,875,400   $   $ 
Short-Term Investments   818,493    818,493         
Total Investments*  $20,693,893   $20,693,893   $   $ 
                     
Summit Global Investments global Low Volatility Fund                
Common Stocks  $21,034,920   $21,034,920   $   $ 
Short-Term Investments   243,357    243,357         
Total Investments*  $21,278,277   $21,278,277   $   $ 

 

 

*

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.

 

43

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

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”) requires 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 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.

 

During the current fiscal period, the Funds had no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3.

 

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 reporting 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 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’ investment income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) 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 Board 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 the 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 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 — Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

 

44

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

REDEMPTION/EXCHANGE FEES — Prior to December 31, 2017, the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund, Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund and Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund imposed a redemption/exchange fee of 1.50%, 1.50% and 2.00%, respectively, on redemptions/exchanges of Fund shares held less than 60 days. The fees are reflected on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets. Effective December 31, 2017, the Funds have eliminated their redemption/exchange fees.

 

Other — In the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. Each Fund’s 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.

 

2. Investment Adviser and Other Services

 

Summit Global Investments, LLC (“Summit” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to each Fund. Each Fund compensates the Adviser for its services at an annual rate based on each Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Advisory Fee”), payable on a monthly basis in arrears, as shown in the following table.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent that total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding certain items discussed below) exceed the rates (“Expense Caps”) shown in the following table of each 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 total annual Fund operating expenses to exceed the Expense Caps as applicable: acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses, interest and taxes. This contractual limitation is in effect until December 31, 2018 and may not be terminated without the approval of the Board. The Adviser may discontinue these arrangements at any time after December 31, 2018.

 

 

ADVISORY FEE

EXPENSE CAPS

FUND

 

CLASS I

CLASS A

CLASS C

Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund

0.70%

0.98%

1.23%

1.98%

Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund

0.95

1.23

1.48

2.23

Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund

0.70

0.84

1.09

1.84

 

During the current fiscal period, investment advisory fees accrued, waived and reimbursed were as follows:

 

FUND  Gross
Advisory Fees
   Waivers   Reimbursements   Net
Advisory Fees
 
Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund  $376,806   $(78,538)  $   $298,268 
Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund   93,684    (44,160)       49,524 
Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund   77,582    (63,354)       14,228 

 

If at any time a Fund’s total annual Fund operating expenses for a year are less than the relevant share class’s Expense cap, 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 on which such waiver or reimbursement was made, provided such reimbursement does not cause the Fund to exceed the relevant share class’s Expense cap that was in effect at the time of the waiver or reimbursement.

 

45

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

As of the end of the reporting period, the Funds had amounts available for recoupment as follows:

 

   expiration 
FUND  August 31,
2019
   August 31,
2020
   August 31,
2021
 
Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund  $151,284   $180,221   $78,538 
Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund   108,075    140,932    44,160 
Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund       98,278    63,354 

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (“USBFS”) serves as administrator for the Funds. For providing administrative and accounting services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

USBFS serves as the Funds’ transfer and dividend disbursing agent. For providing transfer agent services, USBFS is entitled to receive a monthly fee, subject to certain minimum and out of pocket expenses.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. (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.

 

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

 

For compensation amounts payable to USBFS, please refer to the Statements of Operations.

 

The Board has adopted a Plan of Distribution (the “Plan”) for the Class A Shares and Class C Shares of the Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, the distributor is entitled to receive from the Fund a distribution fee with respect to the Shares, which is accrued daily and paid monthly, of up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets of the Class A Shares and and up to 1.00% of the Class C Shares. The actual amount of such compensation under the Plan is agreed upon by the Board and by the Distributor. Because these fees are paid out of a Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. Amounts paid to the Distributor under the Plan may be used by the Distributor to cover expenses that are related to (i) the sale of the 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 Shares, all as set forth in each Fund’s 12b-1 Plan.

 

3. SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN

 

The Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund had adopted a Shareholder Services Plan for the Class I Shares. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund could pay service fees to firms that provide shareholder services, such as responding to shareholder inquiries and assisting shareholders with their accounts, not exceeding ten basis points (0.10%) of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class I Shares. Effective December 31, 2017, the Fund has eliminated its Shareholder Services Plan.

 

4. Director’s and Officer’s Compensation

 

The Directors of the Company receive an annual retainer and meeting fees for meetings attended. Employees of Vigilant Compliance, LLC serve as President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Vigilant Compliance, LLC is compensated for the services provided to the Company. An employee of RBB serves as

 

46

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Continued)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

Treasurer and Secretary and is compensated for services provided. Certain employees of USBFS serve as officers of the Company. They are not compensated by the Funds or the Company. For Director’s and Officer’s compensation amounts, please refer to the Statement of Operations.

 

5. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities

 

During the current fiscal period, aggregate purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) of the Funds were as follows:

 

FUND  Purchases   Sales 
Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund  $67,164,122   $88,971,908 
Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund   10,703,162    6,915,063 
Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund   8,843,040    11,650,698 

 

There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities during the current fiscal period.

 

6. 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. The Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

 

As of August 31, 2017, the federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments held by each Fund were as follows:

 

FUND  Federal Tax
Cost
   Unrealized
Appreciation
   Unrealized
(Depreciation)
   Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) 
Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund  $96,376,606   $20,397,306   $(1,421,203)  $18,976,103 
Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund   14,950,452    1,607,423    (334,043)   1,273,380 
Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund   21,137,132    2,016,354    (395,173)   1,621,181 

 

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.

 

47

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements (conTINUED))

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

The following permanent differences as of August 31, 2017, primarily attributable to the reclassification of short-term gains in the Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund non-taxable distribution from Corporate stock in the Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund and short-term capital gains netted against net operating loss in the Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund, were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

FUND  Undistributed
Net Investments
Income/(LOSS)
   Accumulated
Net Realized
Gain/(Loss)
   Paid-In
Capital
 
Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund  $(66,974)  $66,973   $1 
Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund   (349)   349     
Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund   231,224    (461)   (230,763)

 

As of August 31, 2017, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

FUND  Undistributed
Ordinary Income
   Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
   Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund  $829,871   $788,102   $18,976,103 
Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund   892,587    386,087    1,273,380 
Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund   (3,061,455)   1,621,181     

 

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 fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

FUND  Ordinary
Income
   Long-Term
Gains
   Total 
Summit Global Investments U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund  $1,244,977   $1,633,894   $2,878,871 
Summit Global Investments Small Cap Low Volatility Fund   53,019    989    54,008 
Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund            

 

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

 

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Funds are 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 the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, the Funds did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

 

48

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

 

Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)

February 28, 2018 (Unaudited)

 

7. Subsequent Events

 

On March 19th, 2018, subsequent to the end of the reporting period, the Adviser's contractual expense waiver and/or reimbursement arrangement with the Funds was extended through March 31, 2019.

 

49

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS 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 (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.

 

50

 

 

SUMMIT GLOBAL INVESTMENTS FUNDS

 

Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

 

Investment Adviser and Other Services

 

BBD, LLP (“BBD”) was replaced as the independent registered public accounting firm for Summit Global Investments Global Low Volatility Fund (the “Fund”) of The RBB Fund, Inc. (“RBB”) effective upon the completion of services related to the audit for the Fund’s 2017 fiscal year. During the Fund’s two most recent fiscal years ended August 31, 2016 and 2017, BBD’s reports on the Fund’s financial statements contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. During the Fund’s two most recent fiscal years ended August 31, 2016 and 2017 and the interim period commencing August 31, 2017 and ending September 19, 2017, there were no disagreements with BBD on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of BBD, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its report on the financial statements for such years. During the Fund’s two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent interim period ended September 19, 2017, there were no events of the kind described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

On September 19, 2017, RBB, by actions of its Audit Committee and Board of Directors, including a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are not "interested persons" of the Fund (as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), selected Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Fund’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2018. During the Fund’s two most recent fiscal years ended August 31, 2016 and 2017 and the subsequent interim period ended September 19, 2017, neither the Fund nor anyone on its behalf has consulted EY on items which (i) concerned the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Fund’s financial statements, or (ii) concerned the subject of a disagreement (as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or reportable events (as described in paragraph (a)(1)(v) of said Item 304).

 

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Investment Adviser

Summit Global Investments, LLC
620 South Main Street
Bountiful, UT 84010

 

Administrator and Transfer Agent

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI 53201

 

Principal Underwriter

Quasar Distributors, LLC
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Floor 6
Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

Custodian

U.S. Bank, N.A.
1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212

 

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, Suite 2000
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996

 

SGI-SAR18

 

 

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)Schedule of Investments 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 to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

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

 

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

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

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which 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 have reviewed the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the Registrant and by the Registrant’s service provider.

 

(b)There were no changes in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) that occurred during the 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. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

 

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

Item 13. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1) Not applicable.

 

(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.

 

(3) Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

 

(4) There was a change in the registrant’s independent public accountant for the period covered by this report. Filed herewith.

 

(b)Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Furnished herewith.

 

 

 

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 4/27/2018  

 

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 4/27/2018  
     
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ James Shaw  
  James Shaw, Treasurer  
  (principal financial officer)  
     
Date 4/27/2018  

 

*Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.