N-CSRS 1 d242132dncsrs.htm TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC. TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number          811-07458            

                         Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc.                        

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

One Station Place, 5th Floor

                                 Stamford, CT 06902                        

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Patricia A. Rogers

Tweedy, Browne Company LLC

One Station Place, 5th Floor

                                     Stamford, CT 06902                                    

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 203-703-0600

Date of fiscal year end:  March 31

Date of reporting period:  September 30, 2016

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

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


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


 

LOGO

 

TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund (TBGVX)

Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged (TBCUX)

Tweedy, Browne Value Fund (TWEBX)

Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund (TBHDX)

 

September 30, 2016


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

     II-1

Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc.

    

Expense Information

     II-2

Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund

    

Portfolio of Investments

     II-3

Sector Diversification

     II-5

Portfolio Composition

     II-5

Schedule of Forward Exchange Contracts

     II-5

Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged

    

Portfolio of Investments

     II-7

Sector Diversification

     II-8

Portfolio Composition

     II-8

Tweedy, Browne Value Fund

    

Portfolio of Investments

     II-9

Sector Diversification

     II-10

Portfolio Composition

     II-10

Schedule of Forward Exchange Contracts

     II-10

Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund

    

Portfolio of Investments

     II-11

Sector Diversification

     II-12

Portfolio Composition

     II-12

Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc.

    

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     II-13

Statements of Operations

     II-14

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     II-15

Financial Highlights

     II-17

Notes to Financial Statements

     II-19

Other Information

     II-27

Investment in the Fund by Managing Directors and Employees
of the Investment Adviser

     II-27


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund

Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged

Tweedy, Browne Value Fund

Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

September 30, 2016

 

 

 

II-1


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Expense Information (Unaudited)

 

A shareholder of the Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, Value Fund or Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund (collectively, the “Funds”) incurs two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. The Example below is intended to help a shareholder understand the ongoing costs (in U.S. dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period of April 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016.

Actual Expenses. The first part of the table presented below, under the heading “Actual Expenses,” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. The information in this line may be used with the amount a shareholder invested to estimate the expenses that were paid by the shareholder over the period. Simply divide the shareholder’s 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 paid during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes. The second part of the table presented below, under the heading “Hypothetical Expenses,” 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 each Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses paid by the shareholder of the Funds for the period. This information may be used to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds to other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table below are meant to highlight a shareholder’s ongoing costs only and do not reflect redemption fees. Redemptions from the Global Value Fund, the Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged and the Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund, including exchange redemptions, made less than 15 days after purchase are subject to a redemption fee equal to 2% of the redemption proceeds, which will be retained by the Funds. There are no other transactional expenses associated with the purchase and sale of shares charged by any of the Funds, such as commissions, sales loads and/or redemption fees on shares held longer than 14 days. Other mutual funds may have such transactional charges. Therefore, the second part of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help a shareholder determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if redemption fees were included, a shareholder’s costs (if the shareholder redeemed during the applicable redemption period) would have been higher.

 

 

    

Actual Expenses

       

Hypothetical Expenses

(5% Return before Expenses)

     Beginning
Account
Value
4/1/16
     Ending
Account
Value
9/30/16
       Expenses
Paid During
Period*
4/1/16 –
9/30/16
        Beginning
Account
Value
4/1/16
     Ending
Account
Value
9/30/16
     Expenses
Paid During
Period*
4/1/16 –
9/30/16
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio

Global Value Fund

  $1,000.00        $1,062.00         $7.13        $1,000.00      $1,018.15      $6.98      1.38%

Global Value Fund II –
Currency Unhedged

  $1,000.00        $1,039.60         $7.16        $1,000.00      $1,018.05      $7.08      1.40%

Value Fund

  $1,000.00        $1,070.70         $7.16        $1,000.00      $1,018.15      $6.98      1.38%

Worldwide High Dividend
Yield Value Fund

  $1,000.00        $1,051.20         $7.10        $1,000.00      $1,018.15      $6.98      1.38%

 

  *

Expenses are equal to each Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period, divided by 365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 

 

 

 

II-2


Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund

 

Portfolio of Investments

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Shares

        Value
(Note 2)
 
 

COMMON STOCKS—82.3%

 
 

Canada—1.1%

 
  90,300     

E-L Financial Corp., Ltd.

    $48,095,872   
  558,700     

Logan International, Inc.(a)

    646,166   
  1,500,000     

National Bank of Canada

    53,094,921   
   

 

 

 
      101,836,959   
   

 

 

 
 

Chile—1.2%

 
  15,195,200     

Antofagasta PLC

    103,430,475   
   

 

 

 
 

Czech Republic—0.0%(b)

 
  2,800     

Philip Morris CR a.s.

    1,443,947   
   

 

 

 
 

France—11.2%

 
  760,360     

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin

    84,133,154   
  7,719,256     

CNP Assurances

    129,732,844   
  4,304,900     

Safran SA

    309,621,505   
  5,998,250     

SCOR SE

    186,518,450   
  712,949     

Teleperformance SA

    76,058,897   
  4,782,031     

Total SA

    226,623,042   
   

 

 

 
      1,012,687,892   
   

 

 

 
 

Germany—7.4%

 
  3,792,735     

Axel Springer SE

    194,274,096   
  1,936,000     

Henkel AG & Company, KGaA

    225,399,622   
  652,000     

Krones AG

    63,453,205   
  42,354     

KSB AG

    17,944,190   
  228,337     

Linde AG

    38,824,270   
  699,000     

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

    130,398,723   
   

 

 

 
      670,294,106   
   

 

 

 
 

Hong Kong—1.0%

 
  26,265,000     

Emperor Entertainment Hotel Ltd.

    6,772,865   
  5,678,136     

Great Eagle Holdings Ltd.

    25,440,497   
  6,111,500     

Hang Lung Group Ltd.

    23,245,283   
  18,836,000     

Hengdeli Holdings Ltd. (a)

    2,088,585   
  15,525,711     

Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels Ltd./The

    15,413,711   
  434,500     

Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.

    14,208,150   
  8,737,000     

Luen Thai Holdings Ltd.

    1,802,384   
  59,000     

Miramar Hotel & Investment

    120,039   
  11,264,000     

Oriental Watch Holdings

    1,757,288   
  2,561,000     

Tai Cheung Holdings Ltd.

    2,053,832   
   

 

 

 
      92,902,634   
   

 

 

 
 

Italy—0.5%

 
  144,268     

Buzzi Unicem SpA

    2,958,836   
  4,795,392     

SOL SpA(c)

    41,495,683   
   

 

 

 
      44,454,519   
   

 

 

 
 

Japan—1.6%

 
  2,126,260     

Ebara Corporation

    62,424,046   
  1,368,700     

Honda Motor Company Ltd.

    39,027,514   
  73,800     

Lintec Corporation

    1,464,121   
  69,100     

Mandom Corporation

    3,149,129   
  1,443,500     

NGK Spark Plug Company Ltd.

    25,188,017   
  164,400     

Nippon Kanzai Company Ltd.

    2,430,324   
  400,000     

Shinko Shoji Company Ltd.

    4,250,235   

Shares

        Value
(Note 2)
 
 

Japan (continued)

 
  136,600     

T. Hasegawa Company Ltd.

    $2,511,719   
 

Undisclosed Security(e)

    255,101   
   

 

 

 
      140,700,206   
   

 

 

 
 

Mexico—0.4%

 
  520,112     

Coca-Cola Femsa SA de CV, Sponsored ADR(d)

    39,008,400   
   

 

 

 
 

Netherlands—7.2%

 
  2,136,174     

Akzo Nobel NV

    144,733,807   
  3,160,000     

Heineken Holding NV

    253,484,671   
  7,534,860     

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    187,727,958   
  500,000     

Telegraaf Media Groep NV, CVA

    1,949,789   
  1,378,910     

Unilever NV, CVA

    63,650,463   
   

 

 

 
      651,546,688   
   

 

 

 
 

Norway—0.6%

 
  24,550     

Ekornes ASA

    314,850   
  900,000     

Schibsted ASA

    26,429,188   
  900,000     

Schibsted ASA, Class B

    24,109,455   
   

 

 

 
      50,853,493   
   

 

 

 
 

Singapore—3.1%

 
  12,787,454     

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    144,338,935   
  10,089,656     

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    139,343,738   
   

 

 

 
      283,682,673   
   

 

 

 
 

South Korea—3.9%

 
  150,900     

Daegu Department Store Company Ltd.

    1,808,580   
  210,000     

Hyundai Mobis Company Ltd.

    52,435,647   
  1,461,400     

Hyundai Motor Company

    179,797,249   
  2,674,400     

Kia Motors Corporation

    102,352,531   
  132,553     

Samchully Company Ltd.

    12,095,679   
 

Undisclosed Security(e)

    100,754   
   

 

 

 
      348,590,440   
   

 

 

 
 

Spain—1.0%

 
  7,400,000     

Mediaset España Comunicacion SA

    87,734,874   
   

 

 

 
 

Sweden—0.0%(b)

 
  63,360     

Cloetta AB, B Shares

    229,999   
   

 

 

 
 

Switzerland—13.5%

 
  2,272,160     

ABB Ltd.

    51,120,084   
  388,000     

Cie Financiere Richemont AG

    23,694,656   
  218,165     

Coltene Holding AG(c)

    15,753,610   
  53,000     

Daetwyler Holding AG, Bearer

    7,654,219   
  2,781,120     

Nestle SA, Registered

    219,614,954   
  80     

Neue Zuercher Zeitung(a)

    513,720   
  3,275,000     

Novartis AG, Registered

    258,108,108   
  68,640     

Phoenix Mecano AG(c)

    35,686,569   
  1,084,000     

Roche Holding AG

    269,490,406   
  248,117     

Siegfried Holding AG(c)

    54,286,792   
  432,618     

Tamedia AG

    71,403,837   
  807,415     

Zurich Insurance Group AG

    208,225,449   
   

 

 

 
      1,215,552,404   
   

 

 

 
 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-3


Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund

 

Portfolio of Investments

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Shares

        Value
(Note 2)
 
 

Taiwan—0.0%(b)

 
  739,000     

Lumax International Corp., Ltd

    $1,132,825   
  365,000     

Thinking Electronic Industrial Company Ltd.(a)

    746,407   
   

 

 

 
    1,879,232   
   

 

 

 
 

Thailand—0.7%

 
  14,267,700     

Bangkok Bank Public Company Ltd., NVDR

    66,912,013   
   

 

 

 
 

United Kingdom—17.6%

 
  12,880,300     

BAE Systems PLC

    87,673,446   
  1,325,000     

British American Tobacco PLC

    84,854,252   
  5,424,025     

Daily Mail & General Trust PLC, Class A

    52,456,245   
  7,854,302     

Diageo PLC

    225,532,392   
  44,106,839     

G4S PLC

    130,518,016   
  12,062,317     

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    257,441,828   
  2,400,000     

Hays PLC

    4,046,660   
  700,000     

Headlam Group PLC

    4,491,959   
  22,104,833     

HSBC Holdings PLC

    166,169,580   
  1,111,325     

Imperial Brands PLC

    57,362,109   
  370,900     

Pearson PLC

    3,627,961   
  3,346,355     

Provident Financial PLC

    131,842,440   
  486,757     

Shire PLC

    31,602,342   
  6,803     

Shire PLC, ADR

    1,318,830   
  25,976,349     

Standard Chartered PLC(a)

    212,009,821   
  4,891,800     

TT Electronics PLC

    8,912,148   
  2,725,044     

Unilever PLC

    129,363,660   
   

 

 

 
    1,589,223,689   
   

 

 

 
 

United States—10.3%

 
  594,254     

AGCO Corp

    29,308,607   
  76,000     

Alphabet Inc., Class A(a)

    61,108,560   
  76,208     

Alphabet Inc., Class C(a)

    59,235,716   
  75,700     

American National Insurance Company

    9,232,372   
  412,200     

Avnet, Inc.

    16,924,932   
  1,315,780     

Bank of New York Mellon Corporation/The

    52,473,306   
  1,055,212     

Baxter International, Inc.

    50,228,091   
  436     

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class A(a)

    94,271,920   
  301     

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class B(a)

    43,486   
  5,214,000     

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    165,388,080   
  587,000     

ConocoPhillips

    25,516,890   
  1,258,435     

Devon Energy Corporation

    55,509,568   
  1,852,170     

Halliburton Company

    83,125,390   
  115,635     

International Business Machines Corp

    18,368,620   
  865,835     

Johnson & Johnson

    102,281,089   
  33,225     

NOW Inc. (a)

    712,012   
  882,900     

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    85,835,538   
  293,500     

Phillips 66

    23,641,425   
   

 

 

 
    933,205,602   
   

 

 

 
  TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $5,466,257,569)
    7,436,170,245   
   

 

 

 

Shares

        Value
(Note 2)
 
 

PREFERRED STOCKS—0.6%

 
 

Chile—0.4%

 
  10,000,000     

Embotelladora Andina SA

    $34,982,016   
   

 

 

 
 

Croatia—0.1%

 
  166,388     

Adris Grupa d.d.

    10,885,034   
   

 

 

 
 

Germany—0.1%

 
  279,000     

Villeroy & Boch AG

    4,450,693   
   

 

 

 
  TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
(Cost $36,208,137)
    50,317,743   
   

 

 

 
 

REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY—8.4%

  

  759,450,230     

Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management – Institutional Shares
(Cost $759,450,230)

    759,450,230   
   

 

 

 

Face Value

           
 

U.S. TREASURY BILLS—8.0%

 
  $125,000,000     

0.387%(f) due 10/27/16(d)

    124,965,649   
  300,000,000     

0.421%(f) due 01/19/17

    299,762,700   
  300,000,000     

0.453%(f) due 02/16/17

    299,614,500   
   

 

 

 
  TOTAL U.S. TREASURY BILLS
(Cost $724,073,366)
    724,342,849   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS
(Cost $6,985,989,302)

    99.3     8,970,281,067   

UNREALIZED APPRECIATION
ON FORWARD CONTRACTS (Net)

    0.6        51,438,977   

OTHER ASSETS
AND LIABILITIES (Net)

    0.1        15,148,707   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0     $9,036,868,751   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)     Non-income producing security.
(b)     Amount represents less than 0.1% of net assets.
(c)     “Affiliated company” as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940. See Note 4.
(d)     This security has been segregated to cover certain open forward contracts. At September 30, 2016, liquid assets totaling $163,974,049 have been segregated to cover such open forward contracts.
(e)     Represents an issuer, a generally smaller capitalization issuer, where disclosure may be disadvantageous to the Fund’s accumulation or disposition program.
(f)     Rate represents annualized yield at date of purchase.
Abbreviations:
ADR          American Depositary Receipt
CVA          Certificaaten van aandelen (Share Certificates)
NVDR          Non Voting Depository Receipt
 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-4


Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund

 

 

Sector Diversification

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Sector Diversification

   Percentage of
Net Assets
 

COMMON STOCKS:

  

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     10.8

Insurance

     8.9   

Banks

     8.7   

Capital Goods

     7.1   

Energy

     6.7   

Beverage

     5.7   

Automobiles & Components

     5.4   

Media

     5.1   

Food

     4.6   

Materials

     3.7   

Tobacco

     2.5   

Household & Personal Products

     2.5   

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     2.4   

Commercial Services & Supplies

     2.4   

Diversified Financials

     2.0   

Internet Software & Services

     1.3   

Health Care Equipment & Services

     0.7   

Real Estate

     0.6   

Consumer Durables & Apparel

     0.3   

Consumer Services

     0.3   

Software & Services

     0.2   

Electronic Equipment & Instruments

     0.2   

Utilities

     0.1   

Retailing

     0.1   
  

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

     82.3   

Preferred Stocks

     0.6   

Registered Investment Company

     8.4   

U.S. Treasury Bills

     8.0   

Unrealized Appreciation on Forward Contracts (Net)

     0.6   

Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)

     0.1   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

     100.0
  

 

 

 

Portfolio Composition

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

LOGO

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Forward Exchange Contracts

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Contracts

        Counter-
party
    Contract
Value Date
    Contract Value on
Origination Date
     Value 09/30/16
(Note 2)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS TO SELL(a)

           
  26,500,000     

Canadian Dollar

    NTC        12/8/16        $(19,845,728      $(20,173,911      $(328,183
  26,500,000     

Canadian Dollar

    SSB        12/13/16        (19,625,472      (20,174,604      (549,132
  45,000,000     

Canadian Dollar

    NTC        8/17/17        (34,559,398      (34,324,973      234,425   
  8,000,000     

Canadian Dollar

    NTC        8/28/17        (6,196,027      (6,102,763      93,264   
  22,000,000     

Canadian Dollar

    NTC        9/21/17        (16,714,912      (16,785,873      (70,961
      12,000,000,000     

Chilean Peso

    SSB        12/1/16        (16,271,186      (18,116,855      (1,845,669
  7,000,000,000     

Chilean Peso

    SSB        4/17/17        (9,903,792      (10,449,148      (545,356
  70,000,000     

European Union Euro

    SSB        10/12/16        (79,495,150      (78,711,025      784,125   
  65,000,000     

European Union Euro

    SSB        10/21/16        (74,719,775      (73,120,318      1,599,457   
  150,000,000     

European Union Euro

    SSB        11/3/16        (167,593,500      (168,842,864      (1,249,364
  90,000,000     

European Union Euro

    SSB        11/8/16        (100,222,200      (101,328,530      (1,106,330
  100,000,000     

European Union Euro

    NTC        11/10/16        (109,625,000      (112,597,397      (2,972,397
  75,000,000     

European Union Euro

    NTC        11/14/16        (81,406,875      (84,463,264      (3,056,389
  75,000,000     

European Union Euro

    SSB        11/18/16        (81,411,375      (84,478,486      (3,067,111
  135,000,000     

European Union Euro

    NTC        12/13/16        (148,157,100      (152,250,026      (4,092,926
  70,000,000     

European Union Euro

    NTC        1/9/17        (77,372,750      (79,052,990      (1,680,240
  75,000,000     

European Union Euro

    JPM        2/17/17        (85,479,000      (84,848,284      630,716   
  100,000,000     

European Union Euro

    JPM        3/6/17        (111,821,000      (113,217,658      (1,396,658
  100,000,000     

European Union Euro

    NTC        3/8/17        (110,165,000      (113,227,857      (3,062,857
  100,000,000     

European Union Euro

    SSB        3/21/17        (112,640,000      (113,294,192      (654,192

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-5


Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund

 

Schedule of Forward Exchange Contracts

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Contracts

        Counter-
party
    Contract
Value Date
    Contract Value on
Origination Date
     Value 09/30/16
(Note 2)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS TO SELL(a) (continued)

           
  55,000,000     

European Union Euro

    SSB        4/17/17        $(63,547,825      $(62,389,695      $1,158,130   
  115,000,000     

European Union Euro

    BNY        4/24/17        (131,189,125      (130,494,099      695,026   
  90,000,000     

European Union Euro

    NTC        4/27/17        (103,212,000      (102,140,219      1,071,781   
  75,000,000     

European Union Euro

    BNY        5/2/17        (85,972,500      (85,136,860      835,640   
  45,000,000     

European Union Euro

    JPM        8/17/17        (51,106,500      (51,340,412      (233,912
  60,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    NTC        11/3/16        (91,863,900      (77,995,819      13,868,081   
  30,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    JPM        11/10/16        (46,095,000      (39,002,405      7,092,595   
  40,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    BNY        11/16/16        (57,894,200      (52,008,346      5,885,854   
  50,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    SSB        11/16/16        (72,320,150      (65,010,432      7,309,718   
  40,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    BNY        12/23/16        (59,600,400      (52,055,500      7,544,900   
  50,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    JPM        2/16/17        (72,441,000      (65,147,117      7,293,883   
  50,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    NTC        2/16/17        (72,392,000      (65,147,117      7,244,883   
  35,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    NTC        3/6/17        (48,944,000      (45,619,744      3,324,256   
  45,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    JPM        3/8/17        (62,824,050      (58,656,352      4,167,698   
  45,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    SSB        3/27/17        (65,414,250      (58,679,120      6,735,130   
  20,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    SSB        4/17/17        (28,307,700      (26,091,476      2,216,224   
  50,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    NTC        4/24/17        (70,918,000      (65,238,716      5,679,284   
  85,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    BNY        4/27/17        (122,455,250      (110,913,124      11,542,126   
  60,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    BNY        5/22/17        (86,994,000      (78,334,626      8,659,374   
  60,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    NTC        7/5/17        (79,398,000      (78,410,436      987,564   
  65,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    SSB        8/9/17        (87,267,700      (85,010,082      2,257,618   
  65,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    BNY        8/17/17        (85,189,000      (85,025,054      163,946   
  45,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    JPM        9/21/17        (59,836,500      (58,908,891      927,609   
  2,000,000,000     

Japanese Yen

    SSB        6/7/17        (16,641,704      (19,984,508      (3,342,804
  1,200,000,000     

Japanese Yen

    JPM        8/21/17        (10,733,904      (12,035,215      (1,301,311
  3,500,000,000     

Japanese Yen

    JPM        9/6/17        (31,780,219      (35,130,531      (3,350,312
  3,000,000,000     

Japanese Yen

    BNY        9/19/17        (27,090,482      (30,131,287      (3,040,805
  420,000,000     

Mexican Peso

    NTC        11/18/16        (24,280,965      (21,579,828      2,701,137   
  250,000,000     

Mexican Peso

    BNY        3/8/17        (13,395,847      (12,689,607      706,240   
  100,000,000     

Norwegian Krone

    BNY        11/18/16        (11,582,117      (12,513,731      (931,614
  310,000,000     

Norwegian Krone

    JPM        1/9/17        (35,263,338      (38,800,047      (3,536,709
  40,000,000     

Singapore Dollar

    SSB        12/23/16        (27,881,365      (29,351,732      (1,470,367
  80,000,000     

Singapore Dollar

    JPM        4/27/17        (59,180,352      (58,714,014      466,338   
  27,000,000     

Singapore Dollar

    JPM        5/22/17        (19,555,298      (19,814,947      (259,649
  40,000,000     

Singapore Dollar

    SSB        5/31/17        (28,781,120      (29,354,926      (573,806
  60,000,000     

Singapore Dollar

    JPM        6/8/17        (43,296,291      (44,031,654      (735,363
  45,000,000     

Singapore Dollar

    BNY        7/13/17        (33,190,736      (33,021,330      169,406   
  33,000,000     

Singapore Dollar

    SSB        8/17/17        (24,571,305      (24,213,875      357,430   
  40,000,000     

Singapore Dollar

    SSB        9/21/17        (29,289,846      (29,348,010      (58,164
  34,000,000,000     

South Korean Won

    JPM        10/21/16        (30,120,482      (30,866,457      (745,975
  40,000,000,000     

South Korean Won

    JPM        5/2/17        (34,650,035      (36,319,964      (1,669,929
  35,000,000,000     

South Korean Won

    JPM        5/31/17        (29,355,028      (31,785,914      (2,430,886
  35,000,000,000     

South Korean Won

    SSB        6/8/17        (29,209,264      (31,787,555      (2,578,291
  25,000,000,000     

South Korean Won

    SSB        8/23/17        (22,711,787      (22,716,535      (4,748
  40,000,000,000     

South Korean Won

    SSB        8/28/17        (35,571,365      (36,347,629      (776,264
  75,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    BNY        11/3/16        (77,542,623      (77,522,986      19,637   
  100,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    JPM        11/8/16        (103,298,315      (103,393,370      (95,055
  100,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    BNY        11/10/16        (102,422,287      (103,405,131      (982,844
  70,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    SSB        11/14/16        (71,050,842      (72,400,062      (1,349,220
  70,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    JPM        11/18/16        (71,028,493      (72,416,540      (1,388,047
  40,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    JPM        12/8/16        (40,867,202      (41,433,395      (566,193
  50,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    BNY        12/13/16        (50,958,011      (51,810,700      (852,689
  44,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    BNY        3/6/17        (45,421,699      (45,835,615      (413,916
  100,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    NTC        3/8/17        (102,495,772      (104,184,634      (1,688,862
  45,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    NTC        3/21/17        (46,454,011      (46,920,509      (466,498
  45,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    SSB        4/27/17        (47,329,063      (47,026,431      302,632   
  40,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    NTC        6/8/17        (41,298,849      (41,908,319      (609,470
  60,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    BNY        8/17/17        (62,794,349      (63,131,934      (337,585
  650,000,000     

Thailand Baht

    JPM        5/16/17        (18,197,088      (18,725,416      (528,328
  850,000,000     

Thailand Baht

    BNY        6/5/17        (23,617,672      (24,483,960      (866,288
  500,000,000     

Thailand Baht

    JPM        6/13/17        (14,048,890      (14,401,595      (352,705
  400,000,000     

Thailand Baht

    BNY        8/28/17        (11,444,921      (11,515,697      (70,776
       

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

        $(4,716,811,227      $(4,665,372,250      $51,438,977   
       

 

 

 

 

(a) Primary risk exposure being hedged against is currency risk.

 

Counterparty Abbreviations:
BNY          The Bank of New York Mellon
JPM          JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
NTC          Northern Trust Company
SSB          State Street Bank and Trust Company

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-6


Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged

 

Portfolio of Investments

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Shares

        Value
(Note 2)
 
 

COMMON STOCKS—86.7%

 
 

Canada—0.7%

 
  3,500     

E-L Financial Corp., Ltd.

    $1,864,181   
  192,000     

Logan International, Inc.(a)

    222,058   
   

 

 

 
      2,086,239   
   

 

 

 
 

France—13.0%

 
  194,310     

CNP Assurances

    3,265,650   
  167,400     

Safran SA

    12,039,917   
  414,885     

SCOR SE

    12,901,047   
  29,680     

Teleperformance SA

    3,166,325   
  218,433     

Total SA

    10,351,658   
   

 

 

 
      41,724,597   
   

 

 

 
 

Germany—8.5%

 
  177,000     

Axel Springer SE

    9,066,416   
  50,800     

Henkel AG & Company, KGaA

    5,914,412   
  26,726     

Krones AG

    2,600,997   
  29,038     

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

    5,417,050   
  36,984     

Siemens AG

    4,330,815   
   

 

 

 
      27,329,690   
   

 

 

 
 

Hong Kong—1.5%

 
  4,870,000     

Emperor Entertainment Hotel Ltd.

    1,255,810   
  316,349     

Great Eagle Holdings Ltd.

    1,417,380   
  20,587     

Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd.

    673,195   
  625,000     

Luen Thai Holdings Ltd.

    128,933   
  109,796     

Miramar Hotel & Investment

    223,387   
  4,448,000     

Oriental Watch Holdings

    693,929   
  655,000     

Tai Cheung Holdings Ltd.

    525,287   
   

 

 

 
      4,917,921   
   

 

 

 
 

Italy—0.9%

 
  113,408     

Buzzi Unicem SpA

    2,325,919   
  66,455     

SOL SpA

    575,051   
   

 

 

 
      2,900,970   
   

 

 

 
 

Japan—1.9%

 
  110,200     

Ebara Corporation

    3,235,319   
  61,700     

Lintec Corporation

    1,224,069   
  83,600     

NGK Spark Plug Company Ltd.

    1,458,759   
   

 

 

 
      5,918,147   
   

 

 

 
 

Netherlands—6.5%

 
  54,850     

Akzo Nobel NV

    3,716,293   
  29,000     

Heineken Holding NV

    2,326,283   
  29,400     

Heineken NV

    2,587,335   
  181,407     

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    4,519,681   
  161,712     

Unilever NV, CVA

    7,464,623   
   

 

 

 
      20,614,215   
   

 

 

 
 

Singapore—4.6%

 
  657,814     

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    7,425,098   
  950,893     

Metro Holdings Ltd.

    641,624   
  488,671     

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    6,748,814   
   

 

 

 
      14,815,536   
   

 

 

 

Shares

        Value
(Note 2)
 
   
 

South Korea—5.3%

 
  10,245     

Hyundai Mobis Company Ltd.

    $2,558,111   
  56,125     

Hyundai Motor Company

    6,905,105   
  164,700     

Kia Motors Corporation

    6,303,269   
  13,800     

Samchully Company Ltd.

    1,259,273   
   

 

 

 
      17,025,758   
   

 

 

 
 

Spain—0.7%

 
  200,000     

Mediaset España Comunicacion SA

    2,371,213   
   

 

 

 
 

Switzerland—16.4%

 
  157,355     

ABB Ltd.

    3,540,244   
  17,047     

Coltene Holding AG

    1,230,957   
  142,100     

Nestle SA, Registered

    11,221,121   
  161,339     

Novartis AG, Registered

    12,715,391   
  5,015     

Phoenix Mecano AG

    2,607,345   
  56,300     

Roche Holding AG

    13,996,596   
  665     

Tamedia AG

    109,759   
  26,799     

Zurich Insurance Group AG

    6,911,234   
   

 

 

 
      52,332,647   
   

 

 

 
 

Thailand—1.8%

 
  1,220,100     

Bangkok Bank Public Company Ltd., NVDR

    5,721,970   
   

 

 

 
 

United Kingdom—14.0%

 
  547,600     

BAE Systems PLC

    3,727,396   
  238,503     

Daily Mail & General Trust PLC, Class A

    2,306,584   
  344,873     

Diageo PLC

    9,902,857   
  2,536,382     

G4S PLC

    7,505,492   
  5,113     

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    109,125   
  821,432     

HSBC Holdings PLC

    6,174,988   
  116,639     

Imperial Brands PLC

    6,020,434   
  167,000     

Pearson PLC

    1,633,512   
  5,082     

Shire PLC

    329,945   
  831,653     

Standard Chartered PLC(a)

    6,787,659   
  144,469     

TT Electronics PLC

    263,201   
   

 

 

 
      44,761,193   
   

 

 

 
 

United States—10.9%

 
  53,840     

AGCO Corp

    2,655,392   
  89,387     

Avnet, Inc.

    3,670,230   
  212,500     

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    6,740,500   
  29,399     

ConocoPhillips

    1,277,975   
  70,900     

Halliburton Company

    3,181,992   
  106,257     

Johnson & Johnson

    12,552,139   
  36,100     

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

    3,673,897   
  14,700     

Phillips 66

    1,184,085   
   

 

 

 
      34,936,210   
   

 

 

 
  TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $244,100,778)
    277,456,306   
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-7


Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged

 

 

Portfolio of Investments

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Shares

        Value
(Note 2)
 
 

PREFERRED STOCKS—1.1%

 
 

Chile—1.0%

 
  940,000     

Embotelladora Andina SA

    $3,288,309   
   

 

 

 
 

Germany—0.1%

 
  648     

KSB AG

    269,442   
   

 

 

 
 

TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS

(Cost $3,051,153)

    3,557,751   
   

 

 

 

 

Shares

        Value
(Note 2)
 
 

REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY—12.3%

  

  39,195,231     

Dreyfus Government Prime Cash Management – Institutional Shares
(Cost $39,195,231)

    $39,195,231   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS
(Cost $286,347,162)

    100.1     320,209,288   

OTHER ASSETS
AND LIABILITIES (Net)

    (0.1     (316,724
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0     $319,892,564   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)     Non-income producing security.
Abbreviations:
CVA          Certificaaten van aandelen (Share Certificates)
NVDR          Non Voting Depository Receipt
 

 

 

 

Sector Diversification

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Sector Diversification

   Percentage  of
Net Assets
 

COMMON STOCKS:

  

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     12.4

Banks

     10.3   

Capital Goods

     10.3   

Insurance

     9.5   

Energy

     6.5   

Food

     5.8   

Automobiles & Components

     5.4   

Media

     4.8   

Beverage

     4.6   

Commercial Services & Supplies

     3.3   

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     3.0   

Materials

     2.5   

Tobacco

     1.9   

Household & Personal Products

     1.9   

Software & Services

     1.1   

Electronic Equipment & Instruments

     1.1   

Real Estate

     0.6   

Consumer Services

     0.5   

Retailing

     0.4   

Utilities

     0.4   

Health Care Equipment & Services

     0.4   

Consumer Durables & Apparel

     0.0 (a) 
  

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

     86.7   

Preferred Stocks

     1.1   

Registered Investment Company

     12.3   

Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)

     (0.1
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

     100.0
  

 

 

 

 

(a) Amount represents less than 0.1% of net assets

Portfolio Composition

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

LOGO

 

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-8


Tweedy, Browne Value Fund

 

Portfolio of Investments

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Shares

        Value
(Note 2)
 
 

COMMON STOCKS—87.8%

 
 

Chile—1.1%

 
  846,500     

Antofagasta PLC

    $5,761,944   
   

 

 

 
 

France—4.9%

 
  360,300     

CNP Assurances

    6,055,343   
  411,111     

Total SA

    19,482,773   
   

 

 

 
      25,538,116   
   

 

 

 
 

Germany—4.6%

 
  164,718     

Axel Springer SE

    8,437,299   
  84,400     

Henkel AG & Company, KGaA

    9,826,306   
  29,300     

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

    5,465,926   
   

 

 

 
      23,729,531   
   

 

 

 
 

Japan—0.5%

 
  87,000     

Honda Motor Company Ltd.

    2,480,744   
   

 

 

 
 

Netherlands—9.3%

 
  297,000     

Heineken Holding NV

    23,824,350   
  650,619     

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    16,209,907   
  183,946     

Unilever NV, ADR

    8,479,911   
   

 

 

 
      48,514,168   
   

 

 

 
 

Singapore—1.5%

 
  550,917     

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    7,608,472   
   

 

 

 
 

South Korea—2.8%

 
  86,700     

Hyundai Motor Company

    10,666,773   
  102,120     

Kia Motors Corporation

    3,908,256   
   

 

 

 
      14,575,029   
   

 

 

 
 

Switzerland—13.2%

 
  238,000     

Nestle SA, Registered, Sponsored ADR

    18,806,760   
  254,363     

Novartis AG, Registered

    20,046,764   
  79,800     

Roche Holding AG

    19,838,869   
  38,415     

Zurich Insurance Group AG

    9,906,901   
   

 

 

 
      68,599,294   
   

 

 

 
 

United Kingdom—8.6%

 
  143,583     

Diageo PLC, Sponsored ADR

    16,661,371   
  1,214,061     

HSBC Holdings PLC

    9,126,515   
  78,645     

Shire PLC

    5,105,969   
  1,099     

Shire PLC, ADR

    213,052   
  500,000     

Standard Chartered PLC(a)

    4,080,824   
  205,000     

Unilever PLC, Sponsored ADR

    9,717,000   
   

 

 

 
      44,904,731   
   

 

 

 
 

United States—41.3%

 
  94,535     

3M Company

    16,659,904   
  6,150     

Alphabet Inc., Class A(a)

    4,944,969   
  6,166     

Alphabet Inc., Class C(a)

    4,792,770   
  393,000     

Bank of New York Mellon Corporation/The

    15,672,840   

Shares

        Value
(Note 2)
 
   
 

United States (continued)

 
  170,490     

Baxter International, Inc.

    $8,115,324   
  80     

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class A(a)

    17,297,600   
  30,626     

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class B(a)

    4,424,538   
  527,475     

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    16,731,507   
  230,068     

Comcast Corporation, Class A

    15,262,711   
  161,695     

ConocoPhillips

    7,028,882   
  286,520     

Devon Energy Corporation

    12,638,397   
  129,850     

Emerson Electric Company

    7,078,124   
  230,014     

Halliburton Company

    10,323,028   
  137,800     

Johnson & Johnson

    16,278,314   
  101,925     

MasterCard, Inc., Class A

    10,372,907   
  488,706     

MRC Global, Inc.(a)

    8,029,440   
  36,818     

National Western Life Insurance Company, Class A

    7,561,313   
  51,335     

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    4,990,789   
  55,857     

UniFirst Corporation

    7,365,304   
  437,085     

Wells Fargo & Company

    19,354,124   
   

 

 

 
      214,922,785   
   

 

 

 
  TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $267,680,299)
    456,634,814   
   

 

 

 
 

REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY—9.4%

  

  48,872,378     

Dreyfus Government Prime Cash Management – Institutional Shares
(Cost $48,872,378)

    48,872,378   
   

 

 

 

Face Value

           
 

U.S. TREASURY BILL—2.7%

 
  $14,000,000     

0.423%(b) due 12/08/16(c)
(Cost $13,989,026)

    13,995,324   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS
(Cost $330,541,703)

    99.9     519,502,516   

UNREALIZED DEPRECIATION
ON FORWARD CONTRACTS (Net)

    (0.0     (202,810

OTHER ASSETS
AND LIABILITIES (Net)

    0.1        531,431   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0     $519,831,137   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)     Non-income producing security.
(b)     Rate represents annualized yield at date of purchase.
(c)     This security has been segregated to cover certain open forward contracts. At September 30, 2016, liquid assets totaling $13,995,324 have been segregated to cover such open forward contracts.
Abbreviations:
ADR          American Depositary Receipt
 

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-9


Tweedy, Browne Value Fund

 

 

Sector Diversification

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Sector Diversification

   Percentage  of
Net Assets
 

COMMON STOCKS:

  

Energy

     12.6

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     11.8   

Insurance

     9.7   

Beverage

     7.8   

Banks

     7.7   

Food

     7.1   

Capital Goods

     6.1   

Media

     4.6   

Software & Services

     3.9   

Automobiles & Components

     3.3   

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     3.2   

Diversified Financials

     3.0   

Household & Personal Products

     1.9   

Health Care Equipment & Services

     1.6   

Commercial Services & Supplies

     1.4   

Materials

     1.1   

Tobacco

     1.0   
  

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

     87.8   

Registered Investment Company

     9.4   

U.S. Treasury Bill

     2.7   

Unrealized Depreciation on Forward Contracts (Net)

     (0.0 )(a) 

Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)

     0.1   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

     100.0
  

 

 

 

 

(a) Amount represents less than 0.1% of net assets

Portfolio Composition

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

LOGO

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Forward Exchange Contracts

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Contracts

        Counter-
party
    Contract
Value Date
    Contract Value on
Origination Date
     Value  09/30/16
(Note 2)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

 

FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS TO SELL (a)

           
  7,000,000     

European Union Euro

    SSB        11/18/16        $(7,598,395      $(7,884,659      $(286,264
  7,000,000     

European Union Euro

    NTC        12/13/16        (7,682,220      (7,894,446      (212,226
  3,000,000     

European Union Euro

    BNY        12/23/16        (3,284,100      (3,385,156      (101,056
  5,000,000     

European Union Euro

    JPM        3/6/17        (5,591,050      (5,660,883      (69,833
  23,000,000     

European Union Euro

    NTC        3/8/17        (25,337,950      (26,042,407      (704,457
  14,000,000     

European Union Euro

    BNY        4/24/17        (15,970,850      (15,886,238      84,612   
  2,500,000     

European Union Euro

    JPM        7/5/17        (2,794,800      (2,846,461      (51,661
  3,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    SSB        12/13/16        (4,528,806      (3,903,015      625,791   
  2,700,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    BNY        12/23/16        (4,023,027      (3,513,746      509,281   
  4,500,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    JPM        2/16/17        (6,519,690      (5,863,241      656,449   
  6,000,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    NTC        5/22/17        (8,694,300      (7,833,463      860,837   
  1,500,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    NTC        7/5/17        (1,984,950      (1,960,261      24,689   
  3,200,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    BNY        8/17/17        (4,193,920      (4,185,849      8,071   
  1,500,000     

Great Britain Pound Sterling

    NTC        10/3/17        (1,960,800      (1,964,172      (3,372
  130,000,000     

Japanese Yen

    JPM        8/21/17        (1,162,840      (1,303,815      (140,975
  1,250,000     

Singapore Dollar

    JPM        11/3/16        (887,450      (917,021      (29,571
  9,000,000     

Singapore Dollar

    SSB        12/23/16        (6,273,307      (6,604,140      (330,833
      7,500,000,000     

South Korean Won

    SSB        12/13/16        (6,353,778      (6,806,913      (453,135
  3,000,000,000     

South Korean Won

    JPM        5/2/17        (2,598,753      (2,723,997      (125,244
  10,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    BNY        11/3/16        (10,339,016      (10,336,398      2,618   
  8,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    JPM        11/18/16        (8,117,542      (8,276,176      (158,634
  13,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    BNY        12/13/16        (13,249,083      (13,470,782      (221,699
  3,500,000     

Swiss Franc

    NTC        3/8/17        (3,587,352      (3,646,462      (59,110
  2,500,000     

Swiss Franc

    JPM        7/5/17        (2,610,857      (2,623,589      (12,732
  3,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    BNY        8/17/17        (3,139,717      (3,156,597      (16,880
  5,000,000     

Swiss Franc

    NTC        10/3/17        (5,278,716      (5,276,192      2,524   
       

 

 

 
  TOTAL              $(163,763,269      $(163,966,079      $(202,810
       

 

 

 

 

(a) Primary risk exposure being hedged against is currency risk.

 

Counterparty Abbreviations:
BNY          The Bank of New York Mellon
JPM          JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
NTC          Northern Trust Company.
SSB          State Street Bank and Trust Company

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-10


Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund

 

Portfolio of Investments

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Shares

        Value
(Note 2)
 
 

COMMON STOCKS—92.0%

 
 

France—14.2%

 
  73,530     

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin

    $8,136,029   
  458,685     

CNP Assurances

    7,708,840   
  75,070     

Safran SA

    5,399,263   
  326,000     

SCOR SE

    10,137,126   
  295,000     

Total SA

    13,980,210   
   

 

 

 
      45,361,468   
   

 

 

 
 

Germany—10.9%

 
  245,600     

Axel Springer SE

    12,580,293   
  28,700     

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG

    5,353,996   
  145,500     

Siemens AG

    17,038,007   
   

 

 

 
      34,972,296   
   

 

 

 
 

Netherlands—4.6%

 
  593,252     

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    14,780,631   
   

 

 

 
 

Singapore—8.0%

 
  965,669     

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    10,900,028   
  1,059,928     

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    14,638,193   
   

 

 

 
      25,538,221   
   

 

 

 
 

Switzerland—20.2%

 
  378,000     

ABB Ltd.

    8,504,415   
  217,900     

Nestle SA, Registered

    17,206,772   
  163,740     

Novartis AG, Registered

    12,904,617   
  52,150     

Roche Holding AG

    12,964,875   
  51,000     

Zurich Insurance Group AG

    13,152,465   
   

 

 

 
      64,733,144   
   

 

 

 
 

Thailand—0.6%

 
  386,200     

Bangkok Bank Public Company Ltd., NVDR

    1,811,183   
   

 

 

 

Shares

        Value
(Note 2)
 
 

United Kingdom—17.3%

 
  310,855     

BAE Systems PLC

    $2,115,924   
  525,899     

Diageo PLC

    15,100,929   
  4,475,668     

G4S PLC

    13,244,098   
  585,381     

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    12,493,583   
  1,638,536     

HSBC Holdings PLC

    12,317,440   
   

 

 

 
      55,271,974   
   

 

 

 
 

United States—16.2%

 
  468,350     

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    14,856,062   
  79,640     

ConocoPhillips

    3,461,951   
  59,800     

Johnson & Johnson

    7,064,174   
  306,000     

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    15,905,880   
  241,400     

Wells Fargo & Company

    10,689,192   
   

 

 

 
      51,977,259   
   

 

 

 
  TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $250,094,624)
    294,446,176   
   

 

 

 
 

REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY—7.7%

  

  24,711,400     

Dreyfus Government Prime Cash Management – Institutional Shares
(Cost $24,711,400)

    24,711,400   
   

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS
(Cost $274,806,024)

    99.7     319,157,576   

OTHER ASSETS
AND LIABILITIES (Net)

    0.3        988,030   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    100.0     $320,145,606   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Abbreviations:
NVDR          Non Voting Depository Receipt
 

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-11


Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund

 

 

Sector Diversification

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

Sector Diversification

   Percentage  of
Net Assets
 

COMMON STOCKS:

  

Banks

     15.7

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences

     14.2   

Insurance

     11.4   

Capital Goods

     10.3   

Energy

     10.1   

Food

     5.4   

Telecommunication Services

     5.0   

Beverage

     4.7   

Technology Hardware & Equipment

     4.7   

Commercial Services & Supplies

     4.1   

Media

     3.9   

Automobiles & Components

     2.5   
  

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

     92.0   

Registered Investment Company

     7.7   

Other Assets and Liabilities (Net)

     0.3   
  

 

 

 

Net Assets

     100.0
  

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Portfolio Composition

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

LOGO

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-12


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

     Global Value
Fund
     Global Value
Fund II –
Currency
Unhedged
     Value Fund      Worldwide  High
Dividend Yield
Value Fund
 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at cost(a)

     $6,985,989,302         $286,347,162         $330,541,703         $274,806,024   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (Note 2)

     $8,823,058,413         $320,209,288         $519,502,516         $319,157,576   

Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (Note 4)

     147,222,654                           

Foreign currency(b)

     145         167                 204   

Dividends and interest receivable

     14,931,059         501,924         627,037         779,722   

Receivable for investment securities sold

     44,495         2,289                 3,360   

Recoverable foreign withholding taxes

     16,243,864         701,528         958,482         1,040,251   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     8,383,756         1,894,894         168,411         22,307   

Unrealized appreciation of forward exchange contracts (Note 2)

     114,726,127                 2,774,872           

Prepaid expense

     234,185         9,078         13,822         8,940   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

     $9,124,844,698         $323,319,168         $524,045,140         $321,012,360   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

           

Unrealized depreciation of forward exchange contracts (Note 2)

     $63,287,150       $         $2,977,682       $   

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

     14,724,276         3,067,634         765,138         533,395   

Investment advisory fee payable (Note 3)

     5,828,982         206,422         333,778         207,424   

Shareholder servicing and administration fees payable (Note 3)

     453,771         19,426         27,590         20,436   

Accrued foreign capital gains taxes

     1,659,128         45,127                 24,361   

Accrued expenses and other payables

     2,022,640         87,995         109,815         81,138   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     87,975,947         3,426,604         4,214,003         866,754   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     $9,036,868,751         $319,892,564         $519,831,137         $320,145,606   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS consist of

           

Undistributed net investment income

     $97,914,354         $4,248,765         $4,889,245         $3,489,561   

Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on securities, forward exchange contracts and foreign currencies

     (29,844,296      (16,593,894      13,744,860         5,442,585   

Net unrealized appreciation of securities, forward exchange contracts, foreign currencies and net other assets

     2,035,661,039         33,861,407         188,766,696         44,351,649   

Paid-in capital

     6,933,137,654         298,376,286         312,430,336         266,861,811   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Net Assets

     $9,036,868,751         $319,892,564         $519,831,137         $320,145,606   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

CAPITAL STOCK (common stock outstanding)

     356,205,149         23,884,336         24,887,568         35,264,302   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE offering and redemption price per share

     $25.37         $13.39         $20.89         $9.08   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Includes investments in affiliated issuers for Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, Value Fund and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund of $71,225,516, $0, $0 and $0, respectively (Note 4).

(b) 

Foreign currency held at cost for the Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund was $145, $167 and $206, respectively.

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-13


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Statements of Operations

For the Six Months Ended September 30, 2016 (Unaudited)

 

       Global Value
Fund
     Global Value
Fund II –
Currency
Unhedged
     Value Fund      Worldwide  High
Dividend Yield
Value Fund
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends(a)

       $157,773,754         $6,415,231         $7,276,730         $8,138,690   

Less foreign withholding taxes

       (14,688,833      (544,279      (712,252      (526,170

Interest

       2,249,935         35,273         80,950         33,402   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investment Income

       145,334,856         5,906,225         6,645,428         7,645,922   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

             

Investment advisory fee (Note 3)

       56,011,851         2,045,124         3,246,887         2,045,430   

Custodian fees (Note 3)

       1,778,108         91,819         56,574         57,890   

Transfer agent fees (Note 3)

       1,737,881         39,379         114,021         52,419   

Fund administration and accounting fees (Note 3)

       919,967         34,912         54,621         34,918   

Shareholder servicing and administration fees (Note 3)

       520,339         19,660         30,537         19,238   

Directors’ fees and expenses (Note 3)

       316,002         10,885         18,378         11,179   

Legal and audit fees

       302,527         13,361         25,714         11,888   

Other

       311,081         37,929         49,564         31,053   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Expenses

       61,897,756         2,293,069         3,596,296         2,264,015   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME

       83,437,100         3,613,156         3,049,132         5,381,907   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS

  

Net realized gain on:

             

Securities

       66,246,028         3,714,515         15,921,439         10,319,374   

Forward exchange contracts

       33,898,207                 1,285,013           

Foreign currencies and net other assets

       215,425         5,393         18,606         56,613   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gain on investments during the period

       100,359,660         3,719,908         17,225,058         10,375,987   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

             

Securities(b)

       246,514,395         5,338,904         12,264,905         406,798   

Forward exchange contracts

       102,817,358                 2,732,501           

Foreign currencies and net other assets

       (609,166      (26,921      (22,943      (37,303
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

       348,722,587         5,311,983         14,974,463         369,495   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS

       449,082,247         9,031,891         32,199,521         10,745,482   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

       $532,519,347         $12,645,047         $35,248,653         $16,127,389   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Dividend income on securities from affiliated issuers for Global Value Fund was $2,648,044 (Note 4).

(b) 

Net of decrease in accrued foreign capital gain taxes of $792,752, $48,259, $0 and $28,449, respectively.

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-14


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     Global Value Fund      Global Value Fund II –
Currency Unhedged
 
     Six Months
Ended
9/30/2016
(Unaudited)
     Year Ended
3/31/2016
     Six Months
Ended
9/30/2016
(Unaudited)
     Year Ended
3/31/2016
 

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES:

           

Net investment income

     $83,437,100         $76,762,396         $3,613,156         $4,502,407   

Net realized gain (loss) on securities, forward exchange contracts and currency transactions

     100,359,660         273,944,383         3,719,908         (13,233,297

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of securities, forward exchange contracts, foreign currencies and net other assets

     348,722,587         (1,027,301,906      5,311,983         (22,279,810
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     532,519,347         (676,595,127      12,645,047         (31,010,700
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS:

           

Dividends to shareholders from net investment income

             (73,955,849              (5,007,006

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain on investments

             (349,448,443                
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

             (423,404,292              (5,007,006
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions (Note 5)

     (214,227,317      214,457,430         (34,479,877      (69,359,807
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Redemption fees

     97,675         165,526         188         1,267   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     318,389,705         (885,376,463      (21,834,642      (105,376,246

NET ASSETS

           

Beginning of period

     8,718,479,046         9,603,855,509         341,727,206         447,103,452   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of period

     $9,036,868,751         $8,718,479,046         $319,892,564         $341,727,206   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income at end of period

     $97,914,354         $14,477,254         $4,248,765         $635,609   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-15


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     Value Fund      Worldwide High Dividend
Yield Value Fund
 
     Six Months
Ended
9/30/2016
(Unaudited)
     Year Ended
3/31/2016
     Six Months
Ended
9/30/2016
(Unaudited)
     Year Ended
3/31/2016
 

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES:

           

Net investment income

     $3,049,132         $5,110,918         $5,381,907         $9,536,628   

Net realized gain on securities, forward exchange contracts and currency transactions

     17,225,058         18,276,115         10,375,987         13,395,071   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of securities, forward exchange contracts, foreign currencies and net other asset

     14,974,463         (70,525,275      369,495         (64,243,318
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     35,248,653         (47,138,242      16,127,389         (41,311,619
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS:

           

Dividends to shareholders from net investment income

             (5,466,225      (4,102,312      (10,951,776

Distributions to shareholders from net realized gain on investments

             (16,577,477              (33,147,113
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

             (22,043,702      (4,102,312      (44,098,889
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets from Fund share transactions (Note 5)

     (21,569,706      (43,823,781      (26,502,751      (148,510,928
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Redemption fees

                     1,951         2,471   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     13,678,947         (113,005,725      (14,475,723      (233,918,965

NET ASSETS

           

Beginning of period

     506,152,190         619,157,915         334,621,329         568,540,294   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of period

     $519,831,137         $506,152,190         $320,145,606         $334,621,329   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income at end of period

     $4,889,245         $1,840,113         $3,489,561         $2,209,966   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-16


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Financial Highlights

 

Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund

For a Fund share outstanding throughout each period/year.

 

   

Six Months

Ended

9/30/16

(Unaudited)

   

Year

Ended
3/31/16

   

Year
Ended
3/31/15

   

Year
Ended
3/31/14

   

Year

Ended
3/31/13

   

Year

Ended
3/31/12

 

Net asset value, beginning of period/year

    $23.89        $26.97        $26.98        $25.11        $23.79        $24.16   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

           

Net investment income

    0.24        0.22        0.24        0.32        0.35        0.42   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    1.24        (2.09     0.74        2.73        3.61        0.19   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.48        (1.87     0.98        3.05        3.96        0.61   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions:

           

Dividends from net investment income

   

  
    (0.21     (0.33     (0.32     (0.35     (0.42

Distributions from net realized gains

   

  
    (1.00     (0.66     (0.86     (2.29     (0.56
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (1.21     (0.99     (1.18     (2.64     (0.98
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption fees(a)

    0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period/year

    $25.37        $23.89        $26.97        $26.98        $25.11        $23.79   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return(b)

    6.20     (7.08 )%      3.69 %(c)      12.25 %(c)      17.48     2.92
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

           

Net assets, end of period/year (in 000s)

    $9,036,869        $8,718,479        $9,603,856        $7,977,755        $5,925,629        $4,759,273   

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets

    1.38 %(d)      1.37 %      1.36     1.37     1.38     1.38

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.86 %(d)      0.83 %      0.94     1.30     1.45     1.80

Portfolio turnover rate

    3     1     8     4     16     9

 

(a) 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

(b) 

Total return represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated.

(c) 

The net asset value (NAV) disclosed in the March 31, 2014 annual report reflects adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, differs from the NAV reported on March 31, 2014. The total return reported is based on the unadjusted NAV which was the official NAV for executing transactions on March 31, 2014.

(d) 

Annualized.

 

 

Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged

For a Fund share outstanding throughout each period/year.

 

   

Six Months

Ended

9/30/16

(Unaudited)

   

Year

Ended
3/31/16

   

Year
Ended
3/31/15

   

Year
Ended
3/31/14

   

Year
Ended
3/31/13

   

Year
Ended
3/31/12

 

Net asset value, beginning of period/year

    $12.88        $14.02        $14.90        $13.18        $11.69        $11.52   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

           

Net investment income

    0.15        0.17        0.15        0.15        0.23        0.10   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    0.36        (1.12     (0.84     1.72        1.49        0.20   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.51        (0.95     (0.69     1.87        1.72        0.30   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions:

           

Dividends from net investment income

           (0.19     (0.19     (0.15     (0.22     (0.08

Distributions from net realized gains

                                (0.01     (0.05
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (0.19     (0.19     (0.15     (0.23     (0.13
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption fees(a)

    0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period/year

    $13.39        $12.88        $14.02        $14.90        $13.18        $11.69   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return(b)

    3.96     (6.79 )%      (4.72 )%(c)      14.27 %(c)      14.77     2.68
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

           

Net assets, end of period/year (in 000s)

    $319,893        $341,727        $447,103        $443,382        $282,375        $275,337   

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets

    1.40 %(d)      1.38     1.37     1.37     1.37     1.37

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excluding recoupments and/or waivers of expenses

    1.40 %(d)      1.38 %      1.36     1.37     1.39     1.40

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    2.21 %(d)      1.12 %      1.00     1.23     1.74     1.07

Portfolio turnover rate

    1     14     9     4     28     5

 

(a) 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

(b) 

Total return represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated.

(c) 

The net asset value (NAV) disclosed in the March 31, 2014 annual report reflects adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, differs from the NAV reported on March 31, 2014. The total return reported is based on the unadjusted NAV which was the official NAV for executing transactions on March 31, 2014.

(d) 

Annualized.

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-17


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Financial Highlights

 

Tweedy, Browne Value Fund

For a Fund share outstanding throughout each period/year.

 

   

Six Months

Ended

9/30/16

(Unaudited)

   

Year

Ended
3/31/16

   

Year
Ended
3/31/15

   

Year
Ended
3/31/14

   

Year
Ended
3/31/13

   

Year
Ended
3/31/12

 

Net asset value, beginning of period/year

    $19.51        $22.14        $23.21        $21.68        $19.35        $19.46   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

           

Net investment income

    0.13        0.20        0.24        0.27        0.20        0.27   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    1.25        (1.97     0.47        2.81        3.05        0.31   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.38        (1.77     0.71        3.08        3.25        0.58   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions:

           

Dividends from net investment income

           (0.21     (0.26     (0.21     (0.20     (0.25

Distributions from net realized gains

           (0.65     (1.52     (1.34     (0.72     (0.44
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (0.86     (1.78     (1.55     (0.92     (0.69
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period/year

    $20.89        $19.51        $22.14        $23.21        $21.68        $19.35   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return(a)

    7.07     (8.09 )%      3.08     14.38     17.24     3.26
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

           

Net assets, end of period/year (in 000s)

    $519,831        $506,152        $619,158        $638,000        $600,335        $480,060   

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets

    1.38 %(b)      1.37     1.36     1.37     1.39     1.40

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    1.17 %(b)      0.91     0.98     1.17     1.04     1.42

Portfolio turnover rate

    2     7     6     7     8     10

 

(a) 

Total return represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated.

(b) 

Annualized.

 

 

Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund

For a Fund share outstanding throughout each period/year.

 

   

Six Months

Ended

9/30/16

(Unaudited)

   

Year

Ended
3/31/16

   

Year
Ended
3/31/15

   

Year
Ended
3/31/14

   

Year
Ended
3/31/13

   

Year
Ended
3/31/12

 

Net asset value, beginning of period/year

    $8.75        $10.84        $12.01        $10.67        $9.75          $9.52   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

           

Net investment income

    0.15        0.21 (c)      0.25        0.23        0.19        0.20   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    0.29        (1.15     (0.50     1.33        0.89        0.21   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.44        (0.94     (0.25     1.56        1.08        0.41   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions:

           

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.11     (0.26     (0.25     (0.20     (0.16     (0.18

Distributions from net realized gains

           (0.89     (0.67     (0.02              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.11     (1.15     (0.92     (0.22     (0.16     (0.18
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redemption fees(a)

    0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period/year

    $9.08        $8.75        $10.84        $12.01        $10.67        $9.75   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return(b)

    5.12     (9.03 )%      (2.23 )%      14.81     11.32     4.35
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

           

Net assets, end of period/year (in 000s)

    $320,146        $334,621        $568,540        $754,786        $666,851        $537,309   

Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets

    1.38 %(d)      1.37     1.35     1.36     1.37     1.37

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets

    3.29 %(d)      2.11     1.96     2.07     1.88     2.11

Portfolio turnover rate

    3     5     7     10     12     6

 

(a) 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

(b) 

Total return represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated.

(c) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(d) 

Annualized.

 

 

  SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

 

II-18


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. Organization

Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc. (the “Company”) is an open-end management investment company registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Company was organized as a Maryland corporation on January 28, 1993. Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund (“Global Value Fund”), Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged (“Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged”), Tweedy, Browne Value Fund (“Value Fund”), and Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund (“Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund”) (each a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”) are each diversified series of the Company.

The Funds commenced operations as follows:

 

Fund   Commencement of
Operations
 

Global Value Fund

    06/15/93   

Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged

    10/26/09   

Value Fund

    12/08/93   

Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund

    09/05/07   

Global Value Fund and Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged seek long-term capital growth by investing primarily in foreign equity securities that Tweedy, Browne Company LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) believes are undervalued. Value Fund seeks long-term capital growth by investing primarily in U.S. and foreign equity securities that the Investment Adviser believes are undervalued. Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund seeks long-term capital growth by investing primarily in U.S. and foreign equity securities that the Investment Adviser believes to have above-average dividend yields and valuations that are reasonable.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The Funds are investment companies and, accordingly, follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 – Investment Companies, which is part of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements.

Portfolio Valuation. Portfolio securities and other assets listed on a U.S. national securities exchange, comparable

foreign securities exchange or through any system providing for contemporaneous publication of actual prices (and not subject to restrictions against sale by the Fund on such exchange or system) are valued at the last quoted sale price at or prior to the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if applicable, the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). Portfolio securities and other assets that are readily marketable but for which there are no reported sales on the valuation date, whether because they are not traded in a system providing for same day publication of sales or because there were no sales reported on such date, are generally valued at the mean between the last asked price and the last bid price prior to the close of regular trading. Forward exchange contracts are valued at the forward rate. Securities and other assets for which current market quotations are not readily available, and those securities which are generally not readily marketable due to significant legal or contractual restrictions, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Investment Adviser under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. Securities and other assets for which the most recent market quotations may not be reliable (including because the last sale price does not reflect current market value at the time of valuing the Fund’s assets due to developments since such last price) may be valued at fair value if the Investment Adviser concludes that fair valuation will likely result in a more accurate net asset valuation. The Funds’ use of fair value pricing may cause the net asset value of a Fund’s shares to differ from the net asset value that would be calculated using market quotations. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments, and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. Debt securities purchased with a remaining maturity of more than 60 days are valued through pricing obtained by pricing services approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Debt securities purchased with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, or by reference to other factors (i.e., pricing services or dealer quotations) by the Investment Adviser.

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

 

   

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

   

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, credit risk, etc.)

 

   

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

 

 

 

 

II-19


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. Transfers in and out of the levels are recognized utilizing values at the end of the period. The

following is a summary of the inputs used to value each Fund’s assets carried at fair value as of September 30, 2016. See each Fund’s respective Portfolio of Investments for details on portfolio holdings.

 

 

     Global Value Fund  
    

Total

Value at

September 30, 2016

   

Level 1

Quoted

Price

   

Level 2

Other

Significant

Observable

Inputs

   

Level 3

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

 

Investments in Securities:

       

Common Stocks

       

Switzerland

  $ 1,215,552,404      $ 1,215,038,684      $ 513,720      $   

All Other Countries

    6,220,617,841        6,220,617,841                 

Preferred Stocks

       

Chile

    34,982,016               34,982,016          

All Other Countries

    15,335,727        15,335,727                 

Registered Investment Company

    759,450,230        759,450,230                 

U.S. Treasury Bills

    724,342,849               724,342,849          
 

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

    8,970,281,067        8,210,442,482        759,838,585          

Other Financial Instruments:

       

Asset

       

Unrealized appreciation of forward exchange contracts

    114,726,127               114,726,127          

Liability

       

Unrealized depreciation of forward exchange contracts

    (63,287,150            (63,287,150       
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 9,021,720,044      $ 8,210,442,482      $ 811,277,562      $   
 

 

 

 
       
     Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged  
    

Total

Value at

September 30, 2016

   

Level 1

Quoted

Price

   

Level 2

Other

Significant

Observable

Inputs

   

Level 3

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

 

Investments in Securities:

       

Common Stocks

  $ 277,456,306      $ 277,456,306      $      $   

Preferred Stocks

       

Chile

    3,288,309               3,288,309          

All Other Countries

    269,442        269,442                 

Registered Investment Company

    39,195,231        39,195,231                 
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 320,209,288      $ 316,920,979      $ 3,288,309      $   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

II-20


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

     Value Fund  
     Total
Value at
September 30, 2016
    Level 1
Quoted
Price
    Level 2
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
    Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Investments in Securities:

       

Common Stocks

  $ 456,634,814      $ 456,634,814      $      $     —   

Registered Investment Company

    48,872,378        48,872,378                 

U.S. Treasury Bill

    13,995,324               13,995,324          
 

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

    519,502,516        505,507,192        13,995,324          

Other Financial Instruments:

       

Asset

       

Unrealized appreciation of forward exchange contracts

    2,774,872               2,774,872          

Liability

       

Unrealized depreciation of forward exchange contracts

    (2,977,682            (2,977,682       
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 519,299,706      $ 505,507,192      $ 13,792,514      $   
 

 

 

 
       
     Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund  
     Total
Value at
September 30, 2016
    Level 1
Quoted
Price
    Level 2
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
    Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Investments in Securities

  $ 319,157,576      $ 319,157,576      $      $   
 

 

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2016, securities with end of period values of $34,982,016 and $3,288,309, held by Global Value Fund and Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, respectively, were transferred from Level 1 into Level 2 due to no trading volume on that day. As of September 30, 2016, securities with end of period values of $48,742,038 and $2,086,239, held by Global Value Fund and Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged were transferred from Level 2 into Level 1 due to active trading volume.

Foreign Currency. The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, investments and other assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period, and purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated on the respective dates of such transactions. Unrealized gains and losses from investments in securities that result from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, have been included in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation of securities. All other unrealized gains and losses that result from changes in foreign currency exchange rates have been included in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currencies and net other assets. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on investments, securities transactions, foreign currency transactions and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of a Fund and the amount actually received. The portion of foreign currency gains and losses related to fluctuation in the exchange rates

between the initial purchase trade date and subsequent sale trade date is included in realized gains and losses on investment securities sold.

Forward Exchange Contracts. Global Value Fund and Value Fund are subject to foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing their investment objectives and may enter into forward exchange contracts for hedging purposes in order to reduce their exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange on their portfolio holdings. Forward exchange contracts are valued at the forward rate and are marked-to-market daily. The change in market value is recorded by each Fund as an unrealized gain or loss on the Fund’s Statement of Operations. When the contract is closed, each Fund records a realized gain or loss on the Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time that it was opened and the value of the contract at the time that it was closed. The difference between the value of open contracts at September 30, 2016 and the value of the contracts at the time they were opened is included on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities under unrealized appreciation/depreciation of forward exchange contracts.

The use of forward exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the Global Value Fund’s and Value Fund’s investment securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. Although forward exchange contracts limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the

 

 

 

 

II-21


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

value of the hedged currency increase. In addition, the Global Value and Value Funds could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts.

Securities Transactions and Investment Income. Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. In the case of certain foreign securities, dividend income is recorded as soon after the ex-date as the Funds become aware of such dividend. Interest income and expenses are recorded on an accrual basis.

Foreign Taxes. The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes on dividend and interest income, gains on investments or currency purchase/repatriation, a portion of which may be recoverable. The Funds’ custodian applies for refunds on behalf of each Fund where available. The Funds will accrue such taxes and recoveries as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules and regulations that exist in the markets in which they invest.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders. Dividends from net investment income, if any, will be declared and paid annually for Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, and Value Fund and semi-annually for Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund. Distributions from realized capital gains after utilization of capital loss carryforwards, if any, will be declared and paid annually for each of the Funds. Additional distributions of net investment income and capital gains from the Funds may be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors in order to avoid the application of a 4% non-deductible federal excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gains. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities held by the Funds, timing differences and differing characterization of distributions made by the Funds.

Federal Income Taxes.    Each Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and by distributing substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

The Funds are not aware of any events that are reasonably possible to occur in the next twelve months that would result in the amounts of any unrecognized tax benefits significantly increasing or decreasing for the Funds. However, the Funds’ conclusions may be subject to future review based on changes

in accounting standards or tax laws and regulations or the interpretation thereof. In addition, utilization of any capital loss carryforwards could be subject to limitations imposed by the Code related to share ownership changes. Each of the Funds’ tax positions for the tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service, state departments of revenue and by foreign tax authorities.

Expenses. Expenses directly attributable to each Fund as a diversified series of the Company are charged to such Fund. Other expenses of the Company are allocated to each series based on the average net assets of each series or other equitable allocation method.

3. Investment Advisory Fee, Other Related Party Transactions and Administration Fee

The Company, on behalf of each Fund, has entered into separate investment advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser (each, an “Advisory Agreement”). Under each Advisory Agreement, the Company pays the Investment Adviser a fee at the annual rate of 1.25% of the value of each Fund’s average daily net assets. The fee is payable monthly, provided that each Fund will make such interim payments as may be requested by the Investment Adviser not to exceed 75% of the amount of the fee then accrued on the books of the Fund and unpaid. For the six months ended September 30, 2016, the Investment Adviser earned $56,011,851, $2,045,124, $3,246,887 and $2,045,430 in fees from Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, Value Fund and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund, respectively.

The Company pays the Investment Adviser for certain shareholder servicing and administration services provided to the Funds at an annual amount of $475,000, which is allocated pro-rata based on the relative average net assets of the Funds.

No officer, director or employee of the Investment Adviser, the Funds’ administrator, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”) or any parent or subsidiary of those corporations receives any compensation from the Company for serving as a director or officer of the Company. The Company pays each Independent Director $115,000 annually, in quarterly increments of $28,750, plus out-of-pocket expenses for their services as directors. The Lead Independent Director receives an additional annual fee of $20,000. These fees are allocated pro-rata based on the relative average net assets of the Funds.

The Company, on behalf of the Funds, has entered into an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with BNY Mellon, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. Under the Administration Agreement, the Company pays BNY Mellon an administration fee and a fund accounting fee

 

 

 

 

II-22


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

computed daily and payable monthly at the following annual rates of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Funds, allocated according to each Fund’s net assets:

 

     Up to
$1 Billion
    Between
$1 Billion
and
$5  Billion
    Between
$5 Billion
and
$10  Billion
    Exceeding
$10 Billion
 
Administration Fees     0.0300     0.0180     0.0100     0.0090
Accounting Fees     0.0075     0.0060     0.0050     0.0040
                                 

Bank of New York Mellon Asset Servicing, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, serves as the Funds’ custodian pursuant to a custody agreement (the “Custody Agreement”). BNY Mellon also serves as the Funds’ transfer agent.

 

AMG Distributors, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, serves as the distributor to the Funds. The Investment Adviser pays all distribution-related expenses. No distribution fees are paid by the Funds.

At September 30, 2016, one shareholder owned 11.9% of Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged’s outstanding shares; two shareholders owned 11.0% of Value Fund’s outstanding shares; and four shareholders owned 30.2% of Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund’s outstanding shares. Investment activities of these shareholders could have an impact on each respective Fund.

 

 

4. Securities Transactions

The 1940 Act defines “affiliated companies” to include securities in which a fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares of an issuer. The following chart lists the issuers owned by Global Value Fund that may be deemed “affiliated companies,” as well as transactions that occurred in the securities of such issuers during the six months ended September 30, 2016:

 

Shares Held
at 3/31/16
    Name of Issuer   Value at
3/31/16
    Purchase
Cost
    Sales
Proceeds
    Value at
9/30/16
    Shares Held
at 9/30/16
    Dividend
Income 4/1/16
to 9/30/16
    Net Realized Gain
(Loss) 4/1/16 to
9/30/16
 
  218,165     

Coltene Holding AG

  $   14,807,837      $     —      $     —      $   15,753,610        218,165      $ 501,188      $     —   
  68,640     

Phoenix Mecano AG

    30,730,852                      35,686,569        68,640        1,037,956          
  248,117     

Siegfried Holding AG

    45,936,557                      54,286,792        248,117        463,650          
  4,795,392     

SOL SpA

    42,733,055                      41,495,683        4,795,392        645,250          
    $ 134,208,301      $     —      $     —      $ 147,222,654        $ 2,648,044      $     —   
                                                                 

None of the other Funds owned 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares of any issuer.

 

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six-months ended September 30, 2016, are as follows:

 

     Global Value
Fund
    Global Value
Fund II  –
Currency
Unhedged
    Value Fund     Worldwide
High
Dividend
Yield
Value  Fund
 

Purchases

    $334,593,492        $1,703,462        $7,557,452        $7,422,289   

Sales

    $214,619,243        $32,694,773        $29,938,175        $43,960,193   
                                 

5. Capital Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 2.0 billion shares of $0.0001 par value capital stock, of which 600,000,000, 600,000,000, 400,000,000 and 400,000,000 shares have been designated as shares of Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, Value Fund and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund, respectively. Redemptions from the Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund, including exchange redemptions, made less than

15 days after purchase are subject to a redemption fee equal to 2% of the redemption proceeds, which is retained by each Fund.

Redemptions, including exchanges, made prior to September 1, 2015 were subject to the same redemption fee if held less than 60 days.

During the period August 12, 2014 through January 31, 2016, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged was closed to most new investors. Effective February 1, 2016 the Fund reopened to all new investors.

Changes in shares outstanding for the six months ended September 30, 2016 were as follows:

 

     Global Value Fund
     Shares   Amount
Sold       29,778,632         $732,723,706  
Reinvested                

Redeemed

      (38,460,341 )       (946,951,023 )

Net Decrease

      (8,681,709 )       $(214,227,317 )
                     
 

 

 

 

II-23


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

     Global Value Fund II –  Currency Unhedged
     Shares   Amount
Sold       1,292,775         $16,970,400  
Reinvested                

Redeemed

      (3,936,592 )       (51,450,277 )

Net Decrease

      (2,643,817 )       $(34,479,877 )
                     
       
     Value Fund
     Shares   Amount
Sold       377,901         $7,634,890  
Reinvested                

Redeemed

      (1,433,277 )       (29,204,596 )

Net Decrease

      (1,055,376 )       $(21,569,706 )
                     
       
     Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund
     Shares   Amount
Sold       623,264         $5,550,064  
Reinvested       460,326         4,009,436  

Redeemed

      (4,043,514 )       (36,062,251 )

Net Decrease

      (2,959,924 )       $(26,502,751 )
                     

Changes in shares outstanding for the year ended March 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

     Global Value Fund
     Shares   Amount
Sold       80,768,091         $2,036,815,258  
Reinvested       15,155,324         373,438,482  

Redeemed

      (87,099,963 )       (2,195,796,310 )

Net Increase

      8,823,452         $214,457,430  
                     
       
     Global Value Fund II –  Currency Unhedged
     Shares   Amount
Sold       6,152,235         $83,500,293  
Reinvested       317,347         4,162,030  

Redeemed

      (11,831,490 )       (157,022,130 )

Net Decrease

      (5,361,908 )       $(69,359,807 )
                     
       
     Value Fund
     Shares   Amount
Sold       1,768,581         $37,830,480  
Reinvested       1,047,160         20,975,772  

Redeemed

      (4,839,534 )       (102,630,033 )

Net Decrease

      (2,023,793 )       $(43,823,781 )
                     
       
     Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value  Fund
     Shares   Amount
Sold       3,025,682         $28,511,397  
Reinvested       4,710,041         43,216,470  

Redeemed

      (21,945,194 )       (220,238,795 )

Net Decrease

      (14,209,471 )       $(148,510,928 )
                     

6. Income Tax Information

As of March 31, 2016, Global Value Fund had a short-term and a long-term capital loss carryforward of $55,535,799

and $121,926,348, respectively, and Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged had a short-term and a long-term capital loss carryforward of $9,018,031 and $11,097,182, respectively, which under current federal income tax rules may be available to reduce future net realized gains on investments in any future period to the extent permitted by the Code. Utilization of these capital loss carryforwards could be subject to limitations imposed by the Code related to share ownership changes.

Net capital and foreign currency losses incurred after October 31 and certain ordinary losses incurred after December 31 may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following fiscal year. For the year ended March 31, 2016, the Funds deferred to April 1, 2016 late year capital and ordinary losses of:

 

Fund    Late Year
Capital Losses
     Late Year
Ordinary Losses
 

Global Value Fund

   $         $    —   

Global Value Fund II –
Currency Unhedged

               

Value Fund

     5,980,635           

Worldwide High Dividend
Yield Value Fund

     4,888,576           
                   

As of September 30, 2016, the aggregate cost of securities in each Fund’s portfolio for federal tax purposes was as follows:

 

Global Value Fund

    $6,985,989,302   

Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged

    $286,347,162   

Value Fund

    $330,541,703   

Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund

    $274,806,024   
         

The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation/depreciation and net unrealized appreciation as computed on a federal income tax basis at September 30, 2016 for each Fund is as follows:

 

     Gross
Appreciation
    Gross
Depreciation
    Net
Appreciation
 

Global Value Fund

    $2,757,765,682        $(773,473,917     $1,984,291,765   

Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged

    70,474,333        (36,612,207     33,862,126   

Value Fund

    215,219,371        (26,258,558     188,960,813   

Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund

    70,607,328        (26,255,776     44,351,552   
                         

7. Foreign Securities

Investing in securities of foreign companies and foreign governments involves economic and political risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies and the U.S. Government. These considerations include changes in exchange rates and exchange rate controls (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a given country), costs incurred in conversions between currencies, non-negotiable brokerage commissions,

 

 

 

 

II-24


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

less publicly available information, not generally being subject to uniform standards, practices and requirements with respect to accounting, auditing and financial reporting, lower trading volume, delayed settlements and greater market volatility, the difficulty of enforcing obligations in other countries, less securities regulation, different tax provisions (including withholding on dividends paid to a Fund), war, seizure, political and social instability and diplomatic developments.

8. Derivative Instruments

During the six months ended September 30, 2016, Global Value Fund and Value Fund had derivative exposure to forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund had no exposure to derivatives. For open contracts at September 30, 2016, see the Portfolio of Investments.

The following summarizes the volume of the Global Value and Value Funds’ forward foreign currency exchange contract activity during the six-months ended September 30, 2016:

 

          Global Value Fund     Value Fund  
Average Notional Amount     $(4,510,444,144)        $(157,747,932)   
Notional Amount at September 30, 2016     $(4,716,811,227)        $(163,763,269)   

The following table presents the value of derivatives held as of September 30, 2016, by their primary underlying risk exposure and respective location on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities:

 


Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
Derivative   Assets Location   Global Value Fund     Value Fund  
Forward
exchange contracts
  Unrealized
appreciation of
forward exchange
contracts
    $114,726,127        $2,774,872   
Derivative   Liabilities Location   Global Value Fund     Value Fund  
Forward
exchange contracts
  Unrealized
depreciation of
forward exchange
contracts
    $63,287,150        $2,977,682   
                     

The following table presents the effect of derivatives on the Statements of Operations for the six-months ended September 30, 2016, by primary risk exposure:

 

Statement of Operations  
Derivative        Global Value Fund     Value Fund  
Forward
exchange contracts
  Net realized gain (loss)
on forward exchange
contracts
    $33,898,207        $1,285,013   
Derivative        Global Value Fund     Value Fund  
Forward
exchange contracts
  Net change in
unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of forward
exchange contracts
    $102,817,358        $2,732,501   
                     

 

For financial reporting purposes, the Funds do not offset assets and liabilities across derivative types that are subject to master netting arrangements on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The following table presents derivative assets net of amounts available for offset under a master netting agreement for forward currency contracts as of September 30, 2016:

 

Counterparty   Derivative
Assets – Gross(a)
    Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    Derivative
Assets – Net(b)
 
Global Value Fund  

BNY

    $36,222,149        $7,496,517        $28,725,632   

JPM

    20,578,839        18,591,032        1,987,807   

NTC

    35,204,675        18,028,783        17,175,892   

SSB

    22,720,464        19,170,818        3,549,646   

Total

    $114,726,127        $63,287,150        $51,438,977   
                         
Value Fund  

BNY

    $604,582        $339,635        $264,947   

JPM

    656,449        588,650        67,799   

NTC

    888,050        888,050          

SSB

    625,791        625,791          

Total

    $2,774,872        $2,442,126        $332,746   
                         

The following table presents derivative liabilities net of amounts available for offset under a master netting agreement for forward currency contracts as of September 30, 2016:

 

Counterparty   Derivative
Liabilities – Gross(a)
    Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    Derivative
Liabilities – Net(c)
 
Global Value Fund  

BNY

    $7,496,517        $7,496,517        $    —   

JPM

    18,591,032        18,591,032          

NTC

    18,028,783        18,028,783          

SSB

    19,170,818        19,170,818          

Total

    $63,287,150        $63,287,150        $    —   
                         
 

 

 

 

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TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Counterparty   Derivative
Liabilities – Gross(a)
    Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    Derivative
Liabilities – Net(c)
 
Value Fund  

BNY

    $339,635        $339,635        $    —   

JPM

    588,650        588,650          

NTC

    979,165        888,050        91,115   

SSB

    1,070,232        625,791        444,441   

Total

    $2,977,682        $2,442,126        $535,556   
                         

 

(a)

As presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

Counterparty Abbreviations:

BNY          The Bank of New York Mellon
JPM          JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
NTC          Northern Trust Company
SSB          State Street Bank and Trust Company

9. Indemnifications

Under the Company’s organizational documents, its directors and officers are indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of the performance of their duties to the Funds. Additionally, in the course of business, the Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, the Investment Adviser believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.

10. Litigation

Certain holders of notes issued by Tribune Company initiated litigation against Value Fund and thousands of other public shareholders, seeking to recover payments made to Tribune Company shareholders in connection with the 2007

leveraged buyout of Tribune Company. A litigation trust arising out of the Tribune Company bankruptcy proceeding also initiated claims against a substantially similar group of public shareholders, including Value Fund. The claims were pursued in a consolidated multidistrict litigation format. On September 23, 2013, the claims asserted by the noteholders were dismissed by the U.S. District Court. The District Court’s decision was appealed by both plaintiffs and defendants to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. On November 5, 2014, after briefing was completed, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments. On March 29, 2016 the Second Circuit issued its revised opinion affirming the District Court’s dismissal of the noteholder actions. On April 12, 2016, the plaintiff noteholders filed a petition for rehearing with the Second Circuit and on July 22, 2016, the Second Circuit issued an order denying plaintiffs’ petition for rehearing. On September 9, 2016, the noteholders filed a petition for writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court. Responses to the petition for writ of certiorari are due by November 14, 2016. The claims by the litigation trust are still pending in pre-trial proceedings before the District Court. Value Fund tendered its shares in a tender offer from Tribune Company and received proceeds of approximately $3.4 million. The plaintiffs’ claims allege that the shareholder payments were made in violation of various laws prohibiting constructive and/or actual fraudulent transfers. The complaints allege no misconduct by Value Fund or any member of the putative defendant class. A scheduling order was entered by the District Court on April 25, 2014 related to a motion to dismiss the entire case contemplated by certain primary defendants. Briefing in connection with this potentially case dispositive motion was completed on July 3, 2014. The timetable for a decision is unknown. The outcome of the proceedings cannot be predicted at this time and no contingency has been recorded on the books of Value Fund.

 

 

 

 

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TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Other Information (Unaudited)

 

1. Investment in the Fund by Managing Directors and Employees of the Investment Adviser

As of September 30, 2016, the current and retired managing directors and their families, as well as employees of the Investment Adviser, have approximately $118.5 million, $5.1 million, $68.6 million and $6.5 million of their own money invested in Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, Value Fund and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund, respectively.

2. Portfolio Information

The Company files each Fund’s complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Company’s Form N-Q is available (1) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov; (2) for review and copying at the SEC’s Public Reference Room (“PRR”) in Washington, DC; or (3) by calling the Fund at 800-432-4789. Information regarding the operation of the PRR may be obtained by calling 202-551-8090.

3. Proxy Voting Information

The policies and procedures that the Company uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Funds are included in the Company’s Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge and upon request by calling the Funds at 800-432-4789 or by visiting the Funds’ website at www.tweedy.com. Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available, without charge, at http://www.sec.gov.

4. Advisory Agreement

Approval of the Renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement for Each Fund

On May 17, 2016, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc. (the “Company”), including a majority of the Independent Directors, approved the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreements (the “Advisory Agreements”) between Tweedy, Browne Company LLC (“Tweedy, Browne”) and the Company on behalf of the Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund (the “Global Value Fund”), the Tweedy, Browne Value Fund (the “Value Fund”), the Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund (the “Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund”) and the Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged (the “Global Value Fund II”) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) for an additional one-year term. In considering whether to approve the continuation of the Advisory Agreements, the Board reviewed materials provided for its evaluation, and the Independent Directors were advised by independent legal counsel with respect to these and other relevant matters. The information, material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Boards approval are described below.

  A.

Information Received

In considering whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreements, the Board reviewed materials provided in advance of the meeting, which included a Memorandum from independent legal counsel regarding duties and standards of review in connection with the consideration of continuation of the Advisory Agreements; a narrative discussion prepared by Tweedy, Browne describing factors relevant to the 2016 contract renewal process; comparative information regarding the performance, fees and expense ratios of the Funds; information for several of Tweedy, Browne’s managed account performance composites; sample reports demonstrating Tweedy, Browne’s extensive research process; fact sheets and performance histories for each of the Funds since inception; fee schedules; a report on fees paid to intermediaries; memoranda and related information from Tweedy, Browne concerning Tweedy, Browne’s brokerage allocation practices and best execution and brokerage commission policies; a description of key personnel of Tweedy, Browne; a profitability analysis of Tweedy, Browne; a Statement of Financial Condition for Tweedy, Browne; the Form ADV of Tweedy, Browne; and copies of the Advisory Agreements. The Board considered these materials provided by Tweedy, Browne for its evaluation, and the Independent Directors were advised by Dechert LLP, their independent legal counsel, at the meeting and during periodic executive sessions throughout the year at which no representatives of management were present with respect to these and other relevant matters.

 

  B.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

Among the factors considered by the Board as part of its review, the Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Tweedy, Browne to the Funds. In considering Tweedy, Browne’s management of the Funds’ portfolios, the Board reviewed the narrative discussion provided by Tweedy, Browne that described Tweedy, Browne’s research process and investment approach.

The Board considered a variety of services provided by Tweedy, Browne to the Funds, including: the experience, reputation, and skills of Tweedy, Browne management and staff; the extensive shareholder communications provided by Tweedy, Browne, which effectively explain the rationale for Tweedy, Browne’s investment decisions and value-oriented philosophy and lead to better-informed decisions by Fund investors; “behind the scenes” services, such as those provided by Tweedy, Browne’s order desk, which seeks best execution for transactions effected on behalf of the Funds; monitoring of the Funds’ service providers and the performance in certain instances of shadowing functions; implementing and monitoring, as appropriate, business continuity planning matters related to the Funds and their service providers; monitoring of information with respect to corporate reorganizations involving portfolio companies; preparing the Funds’ semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders and

 

 

 

 

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Other Information (Unaudited)

 

the accompanying adviser’s letters; monitoring of aspects of transfer agency services on a daily basis; assisting brokers, consultants, financial advisors, intermediaries and third party administrators with questions or problems of an operational nature; developing and enforcing procedures to monitor trading activity in the Funds; monitoring the collection of redemption fees for the Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II and High Dividend Yield Value Fund; monitoring 13D-like filing requirements in 29 foreign jurisdictions; arranging for proxy voting of portfolio securities; qualifying the Funds as approved purchasers in certain foreign jurisdictions; where necessary, hiring an accounting firm to assist with certain fund accounting reviews and implementation of related processes and procedures; and actively monitoring and assessing valuation issues for the Funds. The Board noted the substantial personal investment of the members of the Investment Committee in the Funds, which may encourage an alignment of management’s interests with the interests of shareholders. The Board also noted actions that have been or will be taken in the future by Tweedy, Browne to comply with various regulatory requirements, including the hiring of law firms in response to changes in SEC rules and regulations.

In addition, the Board noted that Tweedy, Browne provides a variety of administrative services not otherwise provided by the Funds’ third party service providers, including: preparing Board reports; overseeing the preparation and submission of regulatory filings; overseeing and assisting in the annual audit of the Funds’ financial statements; maintaining the Funds’ website; assisting with the preparation and filing of the Funds’ tax returns; monitoring the registration of shares of the Funds under applicable federal and state securities laws; assisting in the resolution of accounting and legal issues; establishing and monitoring the Funds’ operating budgets; approving, auditing and processing the payment of the Funds’ bills; assisting the Funds in, and otherwise arranging for, the payment of distributions and dividends; communicating with the Funds’ shareholders with market commentary; participating in ongoing training and monitoring of BNY Mellon’s shareholder services representatives; and generally assisting each Fund in the conduct of its business.

The Board discussed with management various issues relating to Tweedy, Browne’s ability to continue to provide high quality advisory and administrative services to the Funds, including staffing, long-term planning and contingency planning at Tweedy, Browne. In particular, the Board noted that the senior members of Tweedy, Browne’s investment team (Will Browne, Tom Shrager, Bob Wyckoff and John Spears) have worked together at Tweedy, Browne for between 25 and 42 years, and that Tweedy, Browne generally maintained a consistent management approach that was facilitated by the very low personnel turnover at the firm. The Board discussed the fact that the Funds’ management team

was nominated and considered for the Morningstar “International Manager of the Year” award in 2008 and was named Morningstar’s “International Manager of the Year” in 2011 and The Street’s “Best Funds 2012” award winner in the category of International Core Stock for its management of the Global Value Fund. The Board also discussed with management the hiring and professional development of junior staff in all areas of Tweedy, Browne’s advisory business, including investment analysis and advice, trading, client relations, accounting and administrative support, and operations.

In considering Tweedy, Browne’s services in managing the Funds’ portfolios and overseeing all aspects of the Funds’ business, the Board concluded that Tweedy, Browne was providing essential services to the Funds, and that it was likely to be in a position to continue doing so in the long term.

 

  C.

Investment Performance

The Board considered the Funds’ performance, both in absolute terms and in terms relative to the various benchmarks against which the Funds were compared. The Board took into consideration the performance achieved in light of each Fund’s investment objective, strategies, and risks as disclosed to investors in the Company’s registration statement. In considering the Global Value Fund’s performance, the Board considered the Adviser’s analysis that the Fund had exhibited excellent absolute and relative performance since its inception, noting that the Fund’s annualized rate of return of 9.18% (net of all fees and expenses) from inception through March 31, 2016 had significantly exceeded the returns of relevant indices in U.S. dollars (both hedged and unhedged). The Board noted the Global Value Fund’s policy to have its perceived non-U.S. currency exposure hedged to the extent practicable back to the U.S. dollar, and thus considered the Fund’s total returns against the returns of the MSCI EAFE (Hedged to U.S. $) Index, noting that the Fund outperformed that Index as of March 31, 2016 for the 1-year, 10-year, 15-year, 20-year and since inception periods. The Board also noted that the Global Value Fund had outperformed its benchmark index in twelve out of the last sixteen calendar years.

The Board considered Tweedy, Browne’s analysis that, over the long term, the Global Value Fund had enjoyed favorable performance when compared to other funds in its peer group. The Board examined the Global Value Fund’s rankings versus all Foreign Large Value Funds, noting that the Fund has outperformed the Morningstar Foreign Large Value Funds average over the past 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year, 15-year, and 20-year periods. In addition, the Board noted that the Fund consistently ranks near the top in terms of low risk in Morningstar’s Risk Ratings. It was noted that for the past 3-year, 5-year and 10-year periods the Global Value Fund has been categorized as “low risk” by Morningstar’s Risk

 

 

 

 

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TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Other Information (Unaudited)

 

Ratings, which means it is in the top 10% of funds within its category with respect to lowest measured risk.

The Board also discussed the Fund’s improved Morningstar ranking, from a 2 star rating to a 5 star rating in the past eight years. The Board noted that the Global Value Fund had closed to new investors in May 2005 and reopened in January 2008, when Tweedy, Browne believed that the economic landscape produced new investment opportunities and would offer attractive discounts from intrinsic value estimates.

The Board examined the Value Fund’s performance, noting that the Fund had enjoyed good relative performance in many measurement periods in comparison to its relevant benchmark indices. In particular, the Board noted that as of March 31, 2016, the Value Fund’s total returns outperformed a combined index of the S&P 500 Index and MSCI World Index (Hedged to U.S. $) over the past 10-year, 15-year, 20-year and since inception periods, although the Board noted that the Fund had underperformed over the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year periods.

The Board noted the Adviser’s analysis that the Value Fund has exhibited good relative performance and has held up well in down market environments. It was noted that the Value Fund is categorized as a World Stock Fund within the Morningstar universe. The Board took note of the fact that the Fund outperformed the Morningstar average of all World Stock Funds by 17.54% in calendar year 2008. In 2009, the Value Fund returned 27.6%, while the World Stock Fund average category return was 35.27%, for a net outperformance of the Value Fund over the two-year period of 9.87%. From February 28, 2009 through March 31, 2016 the Fund returned 124.19% versus the 154.81% return of the MSCI World Index (Hedged to US $).

The Board also noted that the Value Fund has been characterized as “low risk” for the last 3-year, 5-year and 10-year periods by Morningstar’s Risk Ratings, which means it is in the top 10% of funds within Morningstar’s World Stock category in terms of low risk. The Board further noted that the Fund was re-opened to new investors in May 2007 following a change in the Fund’s investment strategy to permit holding more non-U.S. stocks, which afforded Tweedy, Browne greater flexibility in managing the Value Fund.

It was noted that the Value Fund was a finalist in the Global Equity category for Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) Mutual Fund Excellence Awards in 2010, which recognizes funds that have achieved the highest overall ranking on the most consistent basis during the previous year. Among the factors considered by S&P were: consistently strong performance; high quality holdings as measured by S&P STARS (Stock Appreciation Ranking System); S&P Credit Ratings; S&P Quality Ranks; and favorable cost factors.

Lastly, the Board noted that the Fund’s ability to hold up so well on a relative basis in 2008 qualified Tweedy, Browne for the “Manager of the Year” nomination by Morningstar.

The Board examined the performance of the High Dividend Yield Value Fund, noting that the Fund commenced operations on September 5, 2007. The Board noted that since the High Dividend Yield Value Fund’s inception date, the Fund has gained 22.67% versus a gain of 26.92% for the MSCI World Index (in U.S. $). The Board then considered the long term performance history of Tweedy, Browne’s Global High Dividend Strategy, which has been implemented by Tweedy, Browne since 1979 and on which the High Dividend Yield Value Fund’s investment strategy is based. Since its inception in 1979 through March 31, 2016, the Global High Dividend Strategy has compounded at an annualized rate of return of 11.92% (net of actual and hypothetical fees) which had outpaced the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index (in U.S. $), on an annualized basis, by 0.38% and 2.53%, respectively. It was noted that Tweedy, Browne’s Global High Dividend Strategy has performed well in down market years.

The Board examined the performance of the Global Value Fund II, noting that the Fund commenced operations on October 26, 2009. The Board noted that the Global Value Fund II has performed well since its inception through March 31, 2016, gaining 38.87% compared to 25.48% for the MSCI EAFE Index (in U.S. $) for the period. The Board then considered the performance of the Global Value Fund, which is managed using the same philosophy and approach as the Global Value Fund II, and Tweedy, Browne’s unhedged international separate accounts, which provide substantive information about the ability and quality of Tweedy, Browne’s management team and justification for the management of another international fund without a currency hedge. It was noted that while short term performance of the Global Value Fund II may vary considerably from that of the Global Value Fund due to currency fluctuations, the long term performance of the Funds is expected to be similar. The Board considered that Tweedy, Browne’s International Equity Composite (in U.S. $), which has returns that are similar to those of the Global Value Fund, has outperformed the MSCI EAFE Index (in U.S. $) for the last 1-year, 5-year, 10-year, 15-year and since inception periods ended March 31, 2016.

In addition, it was noted that the long term performance of the Global Value Fund II should correlate to the performance of Tweedy, Browne’s unhedged international separate accounts. The Board considered that a composite of Tweedy, Browne’s unhedged international separate accounts has exhibited both good absolute and relative performance since inception in July 1995. The composite’s annualized rate of return of 8.69% (after assumed fees and expenses) through March 31, 2016 significantly exceeded relevant indices on both a U.S. dollar hedged and non-hedged basis. In contrast, the MSCI EAFE Index returned 4.51% in U.S. dollars and

 

 

 

 

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TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Other Information (Unaudited)

 

5.98% hedged to the U.S. dollar for the period (before any allowance for fees and expenses). It was noted that the unhedged international separate accounts participated strongly during positive market periods and that the composite’s relative results are significantly better for the down markets that occurred in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2011, and 2014. 2015 was the first year that the unhedged composite (and Global Value Fund II) underperformed during a down market.

 

  D.

Advisory Fees and Total Expenses

The Board reviewed the advisory fees and total expenses of the Funds. In so doing, the Board reviewed several sets of information, including comparative fee and expense data for comparable funds and the costs associated with Tweedy, Browne’s management of non-fund accounts. It was noted that the Adviser has approximately 408 separate client relationships, including partnerships and offshore funds. The Board considered that the Adviser generally charges a standard fee rate of 1.50% for most fully-invested domestic, international and global separate account portfolios and 1.25% for fully-invested separate accounts in the global high dividend strategy, subject to (i) breakpoints in each of the domestic and global high dividend strategies and (ii) a 10% discount for eleemosynary accounts invested in any strategy. The Board noted in this regard that there is no charge on cash reserves. The Board also considered that the Adviser charges a standard fee rate of 1.25% for offshore funds. With respect to five notable account exceptions to the standard fee rates for which the Adviser charges a lower fee, the Board noted that four of these accounts are distinguishable from the Funds by the difference in the level of services required to manage and administer the accounts, and that these efficiencies are not available in the management of the Funds. In addition to these efficiencies, the Board further noted that the fifth account employs an investment strategy that is distinguishable and significantly less demanding than that employed in the management of other separately managed accounts and the Funds.

The Board considered the narrative discussion provided by Tweedy, Browne that examined the Funds’ portfolio turnover rates and brokerage commission data. The Board considered that the average World Stock Fund in the Morningstar database had a 57% annual portfolio turnover rate. The Board noted that the Global Value Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 1% (resulting in 1 basis point of commission drag) and the Value Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 7% (resulting in less than 1 basis point of commission drag) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. The Board also noted that the High Dividend Yield Value Fund’s average annual portfolio turnover rate was 5% (resulting in 2 basis points of commission drag) and the Global Value Fund II’s average annual portfolio turnover rate was 14% (resulting in 2 basis points of commission drag) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.

Turning its attention to comparative fund fee information, the Board noted at the outset that although the Funds pay higher investment advisory fees than certain other peer funds, the Funds’ overall expense ratios were competitive with peer funds and represented a good deal for investors in light of the Funds’ performance and investor services. In considering the comparative fee data provided by Tweedy, Browne, the Board noted that the Global Value Fund’s expense ratio has declined 21.7% from its expense ratio at inception of 1.75%. In particular, the Board also noted that the Global Value Fund’s total expense ratio of 1.37%, as of March 31, 2016, was 11 basis points higher than the average net expense ratio of the Morningstar Foreign Stock Funds category average, 1 basis point higher than last year, the same as in 2014 and 1 basis point lower than the 2013 fiscal year.

The Board considered the comparative fee data regarding the Global Value Fund II and noted that the Fund’s gross expense ratio of 1.38% before waivers is 12 basis points higher than the average net expense ratio of the Morningstar Foreign Stock Funds category average and 6 basis points higher than the average net expense ratio of a sampling of the Fund’s direct competitors based on data from Morningstar. The Board noted that since inception, Tweedy, Browne waived advisory fees of $311,402 to keep the Fund’s overall expense ratio in line with the expense ratio of the Global Value Fund. The waiver was terminated on December 31, 2014.

The Board considered the comparative fee data regarding the Value Fund and noted that the Value Fund’s expense ratio of 1.37%, as of March 31, 2016 was 9 basis points higher than the average expense ratio of the Morningstar World Stock Fund category average and 1 basis point higher than the average net expense ratio for a sampling of its perceived direct competitors based on data from Strategic Insight’s SIM database. The Board further noted that the total expense ratio for the Value Fund had declined 21.7% from its inception expense ratio of 1.75%.

The Board considered comparative fee data regarding the High Dividend Yield Value Fund and noted that the net total expense ratio of the Fund as of March 31, 2016 was 1.37%. The Board then noted that the 1.37% expense ratio for the High Dividend Yield Value Fund was 9 basis points higher than the average expense ratio of the Morningstar World Stock Funds category and 20 basis points higher than the average net expense ratio of a sampling of the Fund’s perceived direct competitors based on data from Morningstar.

 

  E.

Adviser Costs, Level of Profits and Economies of Scale

The Board reviewed information regarding Tweedy, Browne’s costs of providing services to the Funds, as well as the resulting level of profits to Tweedy, Browne. In so doing, the Board reviewed materials relating to Tweedy, Browne’s financial condition and reviewed the wide variety of services and intensive research performed for the Funds. The Board

 

 

 

 

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TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

 

Other Information (Unaudited)

 

also noted that Tweedy, Browne has a dedicated mutual fund department composed of six full time employees, many of whom also devote some of their time to legal and compliance matters for the Adviser. The Board further noted that most of the Adviser’s other employees work on Fund-related issues or projects on a regular basis. Pursuant to a Service Agreement approved annually by the Board, the Funds reimburse the Adviser for certain legal compliance, shareholder servicing and fund accounting services performed by three of these full time employees who are not officers or directors of the Company. The Board noted that the amount to be reimbursed, in 2016 approximately $475,000, is approved annually by the Board.

The Board considered materials regarding the profitability of Tweedy, Browne’s relationship with the Funds as a whole, and with each of the Funds separately. The Board examined the net profitability of Tweedy, Browne and its profit margins for each Fund for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. The Board noted that the amount of total assets under management by Tweedy, Browne as of March 31, 2016 was approximately $17.7 billion, of which approximately $9.9 billion represented the assets of the Funds.

The Board considered Tweedy, Browne’s research process and, in particular, Tweedy, Browne’s research with regard to non-U.S. securities. The Board considered Tweedy, Browne’s investment discipline for the Global Value Fund, Value Fund and Global Value Fund II with respect to smaller and medium market capitalization issues, and noted that the cost of research per dollar of assets under management for those Funds is likely higher than it would be for an investment adviser that invests in concentrated positions and/or only in larger market capitalization companies.

The Board considered whether economies of scale exist that may be shared with the Funds’ investors, given the Funds’ asset levels and expense structures. The Board recognized that economies of scale may be shared with the Funds in a number of ways, including, for example, through lower initial advisory fees or the imposition of advisory fee breakpoints. While the Board acknowledged that no fee breakpoints currently exist for the Funds, the Board considered Tweedy, Browne’s view that its investment discipline and extensive research process for broadly diversified groups of companies in approximately 29 different countries and in a variety of languages is likely not conducive to economies of scale that would be potentially realizable in the management of other large pools of capital invested exclusively in large market capitalization stocks. With respect to the High Dividend Yield Value Fund, which generally has a higher proportion of large market

capitalization holdings in its portfolio (because smaller capitalization companies usually do not pay above-average dividends), the Board noted that Tweedy, Browne must still perform extensive research regarding companies that pay above-average dividends and that satisfy a different level of undervaluation than Tweedy, Browne requires for the other Funds. The Board considered that such research would therefore not be less intensive or less expensive than the research performed for the other three Funds. While the Board recognized that no changes to advisory fees, or breakpoints, were being proposed at this time, the Board noted that it would continue to evaluate whether the Funds’ asset levels and expense structures appropriately reflected economies of scale that could be shared with Fund investors.

After discussion, the Independent Directors concluded that Tweedy, Browne’s profitability from its relationship with the Funds is reasonable, fair and consistent with the anticipated results of an arm’s-length negotiation.

 

  F.

Ancillary Benefits

Finally, the Board considered a variety of other benefits received by Tweedy, Browne as a result of its relationship with the Funds, including any benefits derived by Tweedy, Browne from soft dollar arrangements with broker-dealers. In particular, the Board considered materials concerning Tweedy, Browne’s brokerage allocation policies. The Board also reviewed Tweedy, Browne’s policies and procedures prohibiting the use of brokerage commissions to finance the distribution of fund shares.

 

  G.

Conclusion

After taking into consideration a number of matters relating to Tweedy, Browne’s relationship with the Funds, the Independent Directors concluded that Tweedy, Browne was providing essential services and high quality personnel to the Funds, and that it is likely that Tweedy, Browne will continue to be in a position to do so for the long-term; the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Tweedy, Browne have benefited and likely will continue to benefit the Funds and their shareholders; they were satisfied with each Fund’s performance, and Tweedy, Browne’s performance record in managing the Funds warranted the continuation of the Advisory Agreements; and Tweedy, Browne’s profitability from its client relationships, including its relationship with each of the Funds, is reasonable. Accordingly, the Independent Directors unanimously recommended that the Board approve the continuation of the Advisory Agreements at the present contractual rates.

 

 

 

 

 

II-31


TWEEDY, BROWNE FUND INC.

One Station Place, Stamford, CT 06902

800-432-4789

www.tweedy.com

 

TB-SA-0916


Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)

Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b)

Not applicable.

 

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

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.


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

Not applicable.

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

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a)

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

  (b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)

  

Not applicable.

(a)(2)

  

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.

(a)(3)

  

Not applicable.

(b)

  

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.


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)                         Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc.                                                          

 

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

  /s/ Thomas H. Shrager                                                                  

  
 

       Thomas H. Shrager, President

  
 

       (principal executive officer)

  

 

Date    11/16/2016                                                                                                                      

 

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/ Thomas H. Shrager                                                                  

  
 

       Thomas H. Shrager, President

  
 

       (principal executive officer)

  

 

Date    11/16/2016                                                                                                                      

 

 

By (Signature and Title)*

 

  /s/ Roger R. de Bree                                                                       

  
 

       Roger R. de Bree, Treasurer

  
 

       (principal financial officer)

  

 

Date    11/16/2016                                                                                                                      

 

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.