AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON February 27, 2014
REGISTRATION NOS. 333 -122901
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.
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POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT
NO. 475
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[X]
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AND/OR
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
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AMENDMEN
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NO. 487
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[X]
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INVESTMENT MANAGERS SERIES TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
803 West Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (414) 299-2295
Constance Dye Shannon
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
803 West Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
COPIES TO:
Michael Glazer
Bingham McCutchen LLP
355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 4400
Los Angeles, CA 90071-3106
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
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immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485; or
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[X]
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on
March 1, 2014,
pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485; or
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485;
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on _________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485; or
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485; or
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on _________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485; or
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on _________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of Rule 485.
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If appropriate, check the following box:
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This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
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ADVISORY RESEARCH FUNDS
Advisory Research All Cap Value Fund (ADVGX)
Advisory Research Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund (ADVMX)
Advisory Research Global Value Fund (ADVWX)
Advisory Research International All Cap Value Fund (ADVEX)
Advisory Research International Small Cap Value Fund – Investor Class (ADVIX)
Advisory Research International Small Cap Value Fund – Class I (ADVLX)
Advisory Research Small Company Opportunities Fund (ADVSX)
Advisory Research Strategic Income Fund (ADVNX)
PROSPECTUS
March 1, 2014
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Advisory Research Funds
Each a series of Investment Managers Series Trust (the “Trust”)
Each of the funds described in this Prospectus will be referred to
as a “Fund” and collectively as the “Funds”
Table of Contents
SUMMARY SECTION – All Cap Value Fund
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1
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SUMMARY SECTION – Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
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6
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SUMMARY SECTION – Global Value Fund
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11
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SUMMARY SECTION – International All Cap Value Fund
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17
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SUMMARY SECTION – International Small Cap Value Fund
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23
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SUMMARY SECTION – Small Company Opportunities Fund
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29
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SUMMARY SECTION – Strategic Income Fund
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34
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MORE ABOUT THE FUNDS’ INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
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40
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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
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53
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YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE FUND
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58
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SERVICE FEES – OTHER PAYMENTS TO THIRD PARTIES
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66
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DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
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66
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FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
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67
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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68
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This Prospectus sets forth basic information about the Funds that you should know before investing. It should be read and retained for future reference.
The date of this Prospectus is March 1, 2014
SUMMARY SECTION – All Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Advisory Research All Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek long term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
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Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases
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None
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Maximum deferred sales charge (load)
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None
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Redemption fee if redeemed within 90 days of purchase(as a percentage of amount redeemed)
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2.00%
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Wire fee
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$20
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Overnight check delivery fee
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$15
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Retirement account fees (annual maintenance fee)
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$15
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management fees
1
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0.75%
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Distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees
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None
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Other expenses
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0.43%
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Acquired fund fees and expenses
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0.01%
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Total annual fund operating expenses
1
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1.19%
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Fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed
2
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(0.18%)
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Total annual fund operating expenses after waiving fees and/or reimbursing expenses
1, 2
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1.01%
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1
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The fees and expenses information in the table have been restated to reflect current fees and expenses.
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2
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The Fund’s advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses as determined in accordance with Form N-1A, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) do not exceed 1.00% the of average daily net assets of the Fund. This agreement is in effect until February 28, 2015, and it may be terminated before that date only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The Fund’s advisor is permitted to seek reimbursement from the Fund, subject to certain limitations, of fees waived or payments made to the Fund for a period of three years from the date of the waiver or payment.
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Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
One Year
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Three Years
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Five Years
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Ten Years
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$103
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$360
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$637
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$1,427
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Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 40% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest in equity securities of companies of any size including small and mid-capitalization companies. The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stock, preferred stocks and convertible securities. While the Fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. issuers, it may invest in securities of foreign issuers, including those in emerging markets, in keeping with the Fund’s investment objective. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in one or more market sectors such as the finance sector.
The Fund’s advisor uses a bottom-up approach that seeks to identify companies with attractive valuations relative to net asset value. The strategy invests in stocks that the advisor believes are profitable, undervalued on a price to book basis, and exhibit low levels of leverage.
The Fund will invest in a portfolio of securities typically spread across many economic sectors.
The Fund also may invest in American, European, and Global Depository Receipts (“ADRs”, “EDRs”, and “GDRs”, respectively). ADRs are receipts that represent interests in foreign securities held on deposit by U.S. banks. EDRs and GDRs have the same qualities as ADRs, except that they may be traded in several international trading markets.
Principal Risks of Investing
Risk is inherent in all investing. A summary description of certain principal risks of investing in the Fund is set forth below. Before you decide whether to invest in the Fund, carefully consider these risk factors associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause investors to lose money. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Market Risk.
The market price of a security or instrument may decline, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions throughout the world, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The market value of a security or instrument also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.
Equity Risk.
The value of the equity securities held by the Fund may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests.
Foreign Investment Risk.
The prices of foreign securities may be more volatile than the prices of securities of U.S. issuers because of economic and social conditions abroad, political developments, and changes in the regulatory environments of foreign countries. In addition, changes in exchange rates and interest rates may adversely affect the values of the Fund’s foreign investments. Foreign companies are generally subject to different legal and accounting standards than U.S. companies, and foreign financial intermediaries may be subject to less supervision and regulation than U.S. financial firms. Foreign securities include ADRs, EDRs and GDRs. Unsponsored depositary receipts involve additional risks because U.S. reporting requirements do not apply and the issuing bank will recover shareholder distribution costs from changes in share prices and payment of dividends.
Emerging Market Risk.
Many of the risks with respect to foreign investments are more pronounced for investments in issuers in developing or emerging market countries. Emerging market countries tend to have less government exchange controls, more volatile interest and currency exchange rates, less market regulation, and less developed economic, political and legal systems than those of more developed countries. In addition, emerging market countries may experience high levels of inflation and may have less liquid securities markets and less efficient trading and settlement systems.
Currency Risk.
The values of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increase or decrease as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. Dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls, and speculation.
Management and Strategy Risk.
The value of your investment depends on the judgment of the Fund’s advisor about the quality, relative yield, value or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, which may prove to be incorrect. Investment strategies employed by the Fund’s advisor in selecting investments for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other investments.
Sector Risk.
From time to time, the Fund may invest a significant amount of its total assets in certain sectors of the economy. Each of those sectors may be subject to specific risks. These risks include governmental regulation of the sector and governmental monetary and fiscal policies, which may impact interest rates and currencies and affect corporate funding and international trade. Certain sectors may be more vulnerable than others to these factors. In addition, market sentiment and expectations toward a particular sector could affect a company’s market valuation and access to equity funding.
For example, as of October 31, 2013, the Fund invested a significant amount of its total assets in the Finance sector. Performance of companies in the Finance sector may be adversely impacted by many factors, including, among others: government regulations of, or related to, the sector; governmental monetary and fiscal policies; economic, business or political conditions; credit rating downgrades; changes in interest rates; price competition; and decreased liquidity in credit markets. This sector has experienced significant losses and a high degree of volatility in the recent past, and the impact of more stringent capital requirements and of recent or future regulation on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted.
Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Company Risk.
The securities of small-capitalization and mid-capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements and may have lower trading volumes or more erratic trading than securities of larger, more established companies or market averages in general. In addition, such companies typically are more likely to be adversely affected than large capitalization companies by changes in earning results, business prospects, investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions.
Preferred Stock Risk.
Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of other stocks such as common stock, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the company. The market value of preferred stock is subject to company-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities and is also sensitive to changes in the company’s creditworthiness, the ability of the company to make payments on the preferred stock, and changes in interest rates, typically declining in value if interest rates rise.
Convertible Securities Risk.
Convertible securities are subject to market and interest rate risk and credit risk. When the market price of the equity security underlying a convertible security decreases the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its yield and other fixed income characteristics, and is more susceptible to credit and interest rate risks. When the market price of such equity security rises, the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its equity conversion features and be more exposed to market risk. Convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalized companies with stock prices that may be more volatile than those of other companies.
Value-Oriented Investment Strategies Risk.
Value stocks are those that are believed to be undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors. Value investing is subject to the risk that the market will not recognize a security’s inherent value for a long time or at all, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced or overvalued. In addition, during some periods (which may be extensive) value stocks generally may be out of favor in the markets.
Therefore the Fund is most suitable for long-term investors who are willing to hold their shares for extended periods of time through market fluctuations and the accompanying changes in share prices.
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the average annual total returns of the Fund compare with the average annual total returns of a broad-based market index. Updated performance information is available at the Fund’s website,
www.advisoryresearch.com
. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Calendar-Year Total Return (before taxes)
For each calendar year at NAV
During the period of time shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 12.17% (quarter ended 3/31/2013), and the lowest return for a calendar quarter was -14.33% (quarter ended 9/30/2011).
Average Annual Total Returns
for periods ended December 31, 2013
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One Year
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Since
Inception
(11/16/09)
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Return Before Taxes
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33.17%
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14.93%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions*
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31.48%
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14.29%
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares*
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20.11%
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11.81%
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Russell 3000 Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
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32.69%
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15.68%
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*
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After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
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Investment Advisor
Advisory Research, Inc. (“ARI” or the “Advisor”)
Portfolio Managers
James M. Langer and Matthew K. Swaim have served as the portfolio managers of the Fund since its inception. Bruce M. Zessar has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since December 2010.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
To purchase shares of the Fund, you must invest at least the minimum amount.
Minimum Investments
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To Open
Your Account
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To Add to
Your Account
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Direct Regular Accounts
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$2,500
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$500
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Direct Retirement Accounts
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$2,500
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$500
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Automatic Investment Plan
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$2,500
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$100
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Gift Account For Minors
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$2,500
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$500
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Fund shares are redeemable on any business day the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open for business by written request or by telephone.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable, and will ordinarily be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Shareholders investing through such tax-deferred accounts may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those accounts.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services.
These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your sales person to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information
.
SUMMARY SECTION – Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Advisory Research Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek long term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|
|
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Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases
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None
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Maximum deferred sales charge (load)
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None
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Redemption fee if redeemed within 90 days of purchase (as a percentage of amount redeemed)
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2.00%
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Wire fee
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$20
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Overnight check delivery fee
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$15
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Retirement account fees (annual maintenance fee)
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$15
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|
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
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Management fees
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1.00%
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Distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees
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None
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Other expenses
1
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0.61%
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Total annual fund operating expenses
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1.61%
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Fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed
2
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(0.26%)
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Total annual fund operating expenses after waiving fees and/or reimbursing expenses
2
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1.35%
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1
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Other expenses have been estimated for the current fiscal year. Actual expenses may differ from estimates.
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2
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The Fund’s advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses as determined in accordance with Form N-1A, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) do not exceed 1.35% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. This agreement is in effect until February 28, 2015, and it may be terminated before that date only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The Fund’s advisor is permitted to seek reimbursement from the Fund, subject to certain limitations, of fees waived or payments made to the Fund for a period of three years from the date of the waiver or payment.
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Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
One Year
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Three Years
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$137
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$483
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Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund is newly-created and, as a result, does not yet have a portfolio turnover rate.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including amounts borrowed for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies that are either listed, domiciled, or conduct a meaningful amount of business in emerging markets. The Fund’s advisor defines emerging market companies as those companies that derive at least 50% of revenues or net profits from, or have at least 50% of assets or production capacities in, emerging market countries. The advisor also includes in the definition of emerging market companies those that have been organized under the laws of, have their principal offices or headquarters in, or the securities of which are principally traded in emerging market countries. Emerging market countries are those countries that are considered to be developing by the World Bank or the International Finance Corporation, or are included in any of Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) emerging market indices. Emerging market countries are typically located in Asia, Africa, Caribbean and Central America, South America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The Fund invests in companies of all market capitalizations. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in one or more market sectors such as the finance sector.
The Fund’s advisor uses a bottom-up approach that seeks to identify companies with attractive valuations relative to net asset value. The strategy invests in stocks that the advisor believes are profitable, undervalued on a range of valuation metrics, including price to book, price to earnings and price to cash flow, and exhibit low levels of leverage.
The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities. The Fund generally will invest in a portfolio of 40 to 80 securities of companies located in different countries and regions. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in the securities of companies in one or a few countries or regions.
The Fund also may invest in American, European, and Global Depository Receipts (“ADRs”, “EDRs”, and “GDRs”, respectively), and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). ADRs are receipts that represent interests in foreign securities held on deposit by U.S. banks. EDRs and GDRs have the same qualities as ADRs, except that they may be traded in several international trading markets. ETFs are investment companies that invest in portfolios of securities designed to track particular market segments or indices and whose shares are bought and sold on securities exchanges.
Principal Risks of Investing
Risk is inherent in all investing. A summary description of certain principal risks of investing in the Fund is set forth below. Before you decide whether to invest in the Fund, carefully consider these risk factors associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause investors to lose money. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Market Risk.
The market price of a security or instrument may decline, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions throughout the world, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The market value of a security or instrument also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.
Equity Risk.
The value of the equity securities held by the Fund may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests.
Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Company Risk.
The securities of small-capitalization and mid-capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements and may have lower trading volumes or more erratic trading than securities of larger, more established companies or market averages in general. In addition, such companies typically are more likely to be adversely affected than large capitalization companies by changes in earning results, business prospects, investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions.
Foreign Investment Risk.
The prices of foreign securities may be more volatile than the prices of securities of U.S. issuers because of economic and social conditions abroad, political developments, and changes in the regulatory environments of foreign countries. In addition, changes in exchange rates and interest rates may adversely affect the values of the Fund’s foreign investments. Foreign companies are generally subject to different legal and accounting standards than U.S. companies, and foreign financial intermediaries may be subject to less supervision and regulation than U.S. financial firms. Foreign securities include ADRs, EDRs and GDRs. Unsponsored depositary receipts involve additional risks because U.S. reporting requirements do not apply and the issuing bank will recover shareholder distribution costs from changes in share prices and payment of dividends.
Emerging Market Risk.
Many of the risks with respect to foreign investments are more pronounced for investments in issuers in developing or emerging market countries. Emerging market countries tend to have less government exchange controls, more volatile interest and currency exchange rates, less market regulation, and less developed economic, political and legal systems than those of more developed countries. In addition, emerging market countries may experience high levels of inflation and may have less liquid securities markets and less efficient trading and settlement systems.
Currency Risk.
The values of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increase or decrease as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. Dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls, and speculation.
Management and Strategy Risk.
The value of your investment depends on the judgment of the Fund’s advisor about the quality, relative yield, value or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, which may prove to be incorrect. Investment strategies employed by the Fund’s advisor in selecting investments for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other investments.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Fund is classified as “non-diversified,” which means the Fund may invest a larger percentage of its assets in the securities of a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. Investment in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes the Fund to greater market risk and potential losses than if its assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers.
Sector Risk.
From time to time, the Fund may invest a significant amount of its total assets in certain sectors of the economy. Each of those sectors may be subject to specific risks. These risks include governmental regulation of the sector and governmental monetary and fiscal policies, which may impact interest rates and currencies and affect corporate funding and international trade. Certain sectors may be more vulnerable than others to these factors. In addition, market sentiment and expectations toward a particular sector could affect a company’s market valuation and access to equity funding.
For example, as of October 31, 2013, the Fund invested a significant amount of its total assets in the Finance sector. Performance of companies in the Finance sector may be adversely impacted by many factors, including, among others: government regulations of, or related to, the sector; governmental monetary and fiscal policies; economic, business or political conditions; credit rating downgrades; changes in interest rates; price competition; and decreased liquidity in credit markets. This sector has experienced significant losses and a high degree of volatility in the recent past, and the impact of more stringent capital requirements and of recent or future regulation on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted.
Preferred Stock Risk.
Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of other stocks such as common stock, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the company. The market value of preferred stock is subject to company-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities and is also sensitive to changes in the company’s creditworthiness, the ability of the company to make payments on the preferred stock, and changes in interest rates, typically declining in value if interest rates rise.
Convertible Securities Risk.
Convertible securities are subject to market and interest rate risk and credit risk. When the market price of the equity security underlying a convertible security decreases the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its yield and other fixed income characteristics, and is more susceptible to credit and interest rate risks. When the market price of such equity security rises, the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its equity conversion features and be more exposed to market risk. Convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalized companies with stock prices that may be more volatile than those of other companies.
Value-Oriented Investment Strategies Risk.
Value stocks are those that are believed to be undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors. Value investing is subject to the risk that the market will not recognize a security’s inherent value for a long time or at all, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced or overvalued. In addition, during some periods (which may be extensive) value stocks generally may be out of favor in the markets.
Therefore the Fund is most suitable for long-term investors who are willing to hold their shares for extended periods of time through market fluctuations and the accompanying changes in share prices.
ETF Risk.
Investing in an ETF will provide the Fund with exposure to the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based and will expose the Fund to risks similar to those of investing directly in those securities. Shares of
ETFs typically trade on securities exchanges and may at times trade at a premium or discount to their net asset values. In addition, an ETF may not replicate exactly the performance of the benchmark index it seeks to track for a number of reasons, including transaction costs incurred by the ETF, the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or the number of securities held. Investing in ETFs, which are investment companies, may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. The Fund will pay brokerage commissions in connection with the purchase and sale of shares of ETFs.
Performance
The Fund is new and does not have a full calendar year performance record to compare against other mutual funds or broad measures of securities market performance such as indices. Performance information will be available after the Fund has been in operation for one calendar year.
Investment Advisor
Advisory Research, Inc. (“ARI” or the “Advisor”)
Portfolio Managers
Jonathan P. Brodsky, Drew Edwards and Marco P. Priani have served as the portfolio managers of the Fund since commencement of the Fund’s operations.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
To purchase shares of the Fund, you must invest at least the minimum amount.
Minimum Investments
|
To Open
Your Account
|
To Add to
Your Account
|
Direct Regular Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Direct Retirement Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Automatic Investment Plan
|
$2,500
|
$100
|
Gift Account For Minors
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Fund shares are redeemable on any business day the NYSE is open for business by written request or by telephone.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable, and will ordinarily be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Shareholders investing through such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those accounts.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services.
These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your sales person to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information
.
SUMMARY SECTION – Global Value Fund
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Advisory Research Global Value Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek long term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|
|
|
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases
|
None
|
Maximum deferred sales charge (load)
|
None
|
Redemption fee if redeemed within 90 days of purchase (as a percentage of amount redeemed)
|
2.00%
|
Wire fee
|
$20
|
Overnight check delivery fee
|
$15
|
Retirement account fees (annual maintenance fee)
|
$15
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
Management fees
1
|
0.80%
|
Distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees
|
None
|
Other expenses
|
1.05%
|
Acquired fund fees and expenses
|
0.01%
|
Total annual fund operating expenses
1
|
1.86%
|
Fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed
2
|
(0.75)%
|
Total annual fund operating expenses after waiving fees and/or reimbursing expenses
1, 2
|
1.11%
|
1
|
The fees and expenses information in the table have been restated to reflect current fees and expenses.
|
2
|
The Fund’s advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses as determined in accordance with Form N-1A, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) do not exceed 1.10% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. This agreement is in effect until February 28, 2015, and it may be terminated before that date only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The Fund’s advisor is permitted to seek reimbursement from the Fund, subject to certain limitations, of fees waived or payments made to the Fund for a period of three years from the date of the waiver or payment.
|
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
One Year
|
Three Years
|
Five Years
|
Ten Years
|
$113
|
$512
|
$936
|
$2,118
|
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 93% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund will invest primarily in equity securities of companies located throughout the world, including the United States. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 40% of its assets in companies organized, headquartered or doing a substantial amount of business outside the United States. The Fund considers a company that has at least 50% of its assets or derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the United States as doing a substantial amount of business outside the United States. The Fund will allocate its assets among various regions and countries (but in no less than three different countries). The Fund will invest primarily in equity securities of companies located in developed countries and may invest up to 15% of its assets in emerging markets. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in one or more market sectors such as the finance sector.
The Fund’s advisor uses a bottom-up approach that seeks to identify companies with attractive valuations relative to net asset value. The strategy invests in stocks that the advisor believes are profitable, undervalued on a price to book basis, and exhibit low levels of leverage.
The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities. The Fund may invest in any size company, including small and mid-capitalization companies. The Fund generally will invest in a portfolio of 90 to 125 securities companies located in different countries and regions. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in the securities of companies in one or a few countries or regions.
The Fund also may invest in American, European, and Global Depository Receipts (“ADRs”, “EDRs”, and “GDRs”, respectively), and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). ADRs are receipts that represent interests in foreign securities held on deposit by U.S. banks. EDRs and GDRs have the same qualities as ADRs, except that they may be traded in several international trading markets. ETFs are investment companies that invest in portfolios of securities designed to track particular market segments or indices and whose shares are bought and sold on securities exchanges.
Principal Risks of Investing
Risk is inherent in all investing. A summary description of certain principal risks of investing in the Fund is set forth below. Before you decide whether to invest in the Fund, carefully consider these risk factors associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause investors to lose money. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Market Risk.
The market price of a security or instrument may decline, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions throughout the world, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The market value of a security or instrument also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.
Equity Risk.
The value of the equity securities held by the Fund may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests.
Foreign Investment Risk.
The prices of foreign securities may be more volatile than the prices of securities of U.S. issuers because of economic and social conditions abroad, political developments, and changes in the regulatory environments of foreign countries. In addition, changes in exchange rates and interest rates may adversely affect the values of the Fund’s foreign investments. Foreign companies are generally subject to different legal and accounting standards than U.S. companies, and foreign financial intermediaries may be subject to less supervision and regulation than U.S. financial firms. Foreign securities include ADRs, EDRs and GDRs. Unsponsored depositary receipts involve additional risks because U.S. reporting requirements do not apply and the issuing bank will recover shareholder distribution costs from changes in share prices and payment of dividends.
Emerging Market Risk.
Many of the risks with respect to foreign investments are more pronounced for investments in issuers in developing or emerging market countries. Emerging market countries tend to have less government exchange controls, more volatile interest and currency exchange rates, less market regulation, and less developed economic, political and legal systems than those of more developed countries. In addition, emerging market countries may experience high levels of inflation and may have less liquid securities markets and less efficient trading and settlement systems.
Currency Risk.
The values of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increase or decrease as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. Dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls, and speculation.
Management and Strategy Risk.
The value of your investment depends on the judgment of the Fund’s advisor about the quality, relative yield, value or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, which may prove to be incorrect. Investment strategies employed by the Fund’s advisor in selecting investments for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other investments.
Sector Risk.
From time to time, the Fund may invest a significant amount of its total assets in certain sectors of the economy. Each of those sectors may be subject to specific risks. These risks include governmental regulation of the sector and governmental monetary and fiscal policies, which may impact interest rates and currencies and affect corporate funding and international trade. Certain sectors may be more vulnerable than others to these factors. In addition, market sentiment and expectations toward a particular sector could affect a company’s market valuation and access to equity funding.
For example, as of October 31, 2013, the Fund invested a significant amount of its total assets in the Finance sector. Performance of companies in the Finance sector may be adversely impacted by many factors, including, among others: government regulations of, or related to, the sector; governmental monetary and fiscal policies; economic, business or political conditions; credit rating downgrades; changes in interest rates; price competition; and decreased liquidity in credit markets. This sector has experienced significant losses and a high degree of volatility in the recent past, and the impact of more stringent capital requirements and of recent or future regulation on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted.
Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Company Risk.
The securities of small-capitalization and mid-capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements and may have lower trading volumes or more erratic trading than securities of larger, more established companies or market averages in general. In addition, such companies typically are more likely to be adversely affected than large capitalization companies by changes in earning results, business prospects, investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions.
Preferred Stock Risk.
Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of other stocks such as common stock, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the company. The market value of preferred stock is subject to company-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities and is also sensitive to changes in the company’s creditworthiness, the ability of the company to make payments on the preferred stock, and changes in interest rates, typically declining in value if interest rates rise.
Convertible Securities Risk.
Convertible securities are subject to market and interest rate risk and credit risk. When the market price of the equity security underlying a convertible security decreases the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its yield and other fixed income characteristics, and is more susceptible to credit and interest rate risks. When the market price of such equity security rises, the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its equity conversion features and be more exposed to market risk. Convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalized companies with stock prices that may be more volatile than those of other companies.
Value-Oriented Investment Strategies Risk.
Value stocks are those that are believed to be undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors. Value investing is subject to the risk that the market will not recognize a security’s inherent value for a long time or at all, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced or overvalued. In addition, during some periods (which may be extensive) value stocks generally may be out of favor in the markets.
Therefore the Fund is most suitable for long-term investors who are willing to hold their shares for extended periods of time through market fluctuations and the accompanying changes in share prices.
ETF Risk.
Investing in an ETF will provide the Fund with exposure to the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based and will expose the Fund to risks similar to those of investing directly in those securities. Shares of
ETFs typically trade on securities exchanges and may at times trade at a premium or discount to their net asset values. In addition, an ETF may not replicate exactly the performance of the benchmark index it seeks to track for a number of reasons, including transaction costs incurred by the ETF, the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or the number of securities held. Investing in ETFs, which are investment companies, may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. The Fund will pay brokerage commissions in connection with the purchase and sale of shares of ETFs.
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the average annual total returns of the Fund compare with the average annual total returns of a broad-based market index. Updated performance information is available at the Fund’s website,
www.advisoryresearch.com
. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
The Fund commenced investment operations on July 30, 2010, after the conversion of a limited partnership account, which commenced on January 1, 2009 (the "Predecessor Account"), into shares of the Fund. Information in the bar chart and the performance table below prior to July 30, 2010, are for the Predecessor Account. The Fund’s objectives, policies, guidelines and restrictions are, in all material respects, equivalent to those of the Predecessor Account. The returns for the Predecessor Account reflect its performance prior to the conversion into the Fund and have been adjusted to reflect the estimated gross annual operating expenses of the Fund as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus dated July 13, 2010, as amended July 22, 2010. The Predecessor Account was not registered under the 1940 Act and therefore was not subject to certain restrictions imposed by the Act on registered investment companies and by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on regulated investment companies. If the Predecessor Account had been registered under the Act, the Predecessor Account's performance may have been adversely affected.
Calendar-Year Total Return (before taxes)
For each calendar year at NAV
During the period of time shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 27.37% (quarter ended 6/30/2009) and the lowest return for a calendar quarter was -19.75% (quarter ended 9/30/2011).
Average Annual Total Returns
for periods ended December 31, 2013
|
One Year
|
Five Year
|
Since
Inception
(1/1/09)
|
Return Before Taxes
|
26.90%
|
16.70%
|
16.70%
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions*
|
23.70%
|
15.96%
|
12.33%
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares*
|
17.19%
|
13.50%
|
10.47%
|
MSCI World Value Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
|
26.62%
|
13.77%
|
13.77%
|
MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index
|
22.78%
|
12.44%
|
12.44%
|
*
|
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
|
Investment Advisor
Advisory Research, Inc. (“ARI” or the “Advisor”)
Portfolio Managers
James M. Langer, Jonathan P. Brodsky, Marco P. Priani, Drew Edwards and Matthew K. Swaim have served as the portfolio managers of the Fund since its inception. Bruce M. Zessar has served as a portfolio manager of the Fund since November 2013.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
To purchase shares of the Fund, you must invest at least the minimum amount.
Minimum Investments
|
To Open
Your Account
|
To Add to
Your Account
|
Direct Regular Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Direct Retirement Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Automatic Investment Plan
|
$2,500
|
$100
|
Gift Account For Minors
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Fund shares are redeemable on any business day the NYSE is open for business by written request or by telephone.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable, and will ordinarily be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Shareholders investing through such tax-deferred accounts may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those accounts.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services.
These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your sales person to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information
.
SUMMARY SECTION – International All Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Advisory Research International All Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek long term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|
|
|
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases
|
None
|
Maximum deferred sales charge (load)
|
None
|
Redemption fee if redeemed within 90 days of purchase (as a percentage of amount redeemed)
|
2.00%
|
Wire fee
|
$20
|
Overnight check delivery fee
|
$15
|
Retirement account fees (annual maintenance fee)
|
$15
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
Management fees
1
|
0.80%
|
Distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees
|
None
|
Other expenses
|
11.27%
|
Acquired fund fees and expenses
|
0.01%
|
Total annual fund operating expenses
1
|
12.08%
|
Fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed
2
|
(10.97%)
|
Total annual fund operating expenses after waiving fees and/or reimbursing expenses
1, 2
|
1.11%
|
1
|
The fees and expenses information in the table have been restated to reflect current fees and expenses.
|
2
|
The Fund’s advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses as determined in accordance with Form N-1A, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) do not exceed 1.10% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. This agreement is in effect until February 28, 2015, and it may be terminated before that date only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The Fund’s advisor is permitted to seek reimbursement from the Fund, subject to certain limitations, of fees waived or payments made to the Fund for a period of three years from the date of the waiver or payment.
|
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
One Year
|
Three Years
|
Five Years
|
Ten Years
|
$113
|
$2,449
|
$4,465
|
$8,382
|
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 65% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including amounts borrowed for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies organized, headquartered or doing a substantial amount of business outside of the United States. The Fund considers a company that has at least 50% of its assets or derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the United States as doing a substantial amount of business outside the United States. The Fund invests in companies of all market capitalizations. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in one or more market sectors such as the finance sector.
The Fund’s advisor uses a bottom-up approach that seeks to identify companies with attractive valuations relative to net asset value. The strategy invests in stocks that the advisor believes are profitable, undervalued on a range of valuation metrics, including price to book, price to earnings and price to cash flow, and exhibit low levels of leverage.
The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities. The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of foreign (non-U.S.) companies located in developed countries but may also invest in emerging markets. The Fund generally will invest in a portfolio of 40 to 80 securities of companies located in different countries and regions. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in the securities of companies in one or a few countries or regions.
The Fund also may invest in American, European, and Global Depository Receipts (“ADRs”, “EDRs”, and “GDRs”, respectively), and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). ADRs are receipts that represent interests in foreign securities held on deposit by U.S. banks. EDRs and GDRs have the same qualities as ADRs, except that they may be traded in several international trading markets. ETFs are investment companies that invest in portfolios of securities designed to track particular market segments or indices and whose shares are bought and sold on securities exchanges.
Principal Risks of Investing
Risk is inherent in all investing. A summary description of certain principal risks of investing in the Fund is set forth below. Before you decide whether to invest in the Fund, carefully consider these risk factors associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause investors to lose money. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Market Risk.
The market price of a security or instrument may decline, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions throughout the world, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The market value of a security or instrument also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.
Equity Risk.
The value of the equity securities held by the Fund may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests.
Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Company Risk.
The securities of small-capitalization and mid-capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements and may have lower trading volumes or more erratic trading than securities of larger, more established companies or market averages in general. In addition, such companies typically are more likely to be adversely affected than large capitalization companies by changes in earning results, business prospects, investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions.
Foreign Investment Risk.
The prices of foreign securities may be more volatile than the prices of securities of U.S. issuers because of economic and social conditions abroad, political developments, and changes in the regulatory environments of foreign countries. In addition, changes in exchange rates and interest rates may adversely affect the values of the Fund’s foreign investments. Foreign companies are generally subject to different legal and accounting standards than U.S. companies, and foreign financial intermediaries may be subject to less supervision and regulation than U.S. financial firms. Foreign securities include ADRs, EDRs and GDRs. Unsponsored depositary receipts involve additional risks because U.S. reporting requirements do not apply and the issuing bank will recover shareholder distribution costs from changes in share prices and payment of dividends.
Emerging Market Risk.
Many of the risks with respect to foreign investments are more pronounced for investments in issuers in developing or emerging market countries. Emerging market countries tend to have less government exchange controls, more volatile interest and currency exchange rates, less market regulation, and less developed economic, political and legal systems than those of more developed countries. In addition, emerging market countries may experience high levels of inflation and may have less liquid securities markets and less efficient trading and settlement systems.
Currency Risk.
The values of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increase or decrease as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. Dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls, and speculation.
Geographic (Japan) Risk.
As of October 31, 2013, the Fund invested a significant amount of its total assets in Japanese securities.
The growth of Japan’s economy has historically lagged that of its Asian neighbors and other major developed economies. The Japanese economy is heavily dependent on international trade and has been adversely affected by trade tariffs, other protectionist measures, competition from emerging economies and the economic conditions of its trading partners. China has become an important trading partner with Japan, yet the countries’ political relationship has become strained. Should political tension increase, it could adversely affect the economy, especially the export sector, and destabilize the region as a whole. Japan also remains heavily dependent on oil imports, and higher commodity prices could therefore have a negative impact on the economy.
Management and Strategy Risk.
The value of your investment depends on the judgment of the Fund’s advisor about the quality, relative yield, value or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, which may prove to be incorrect. Investment strategies employed by the Fund’s advisor in selecting investments for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other investments.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Fund is classified as “non-diversified,” which means the Fund may invest a larger percentage of its assets in the securities of a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. Investment in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes the Fund to greater market risk and potential losses than if its assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers.
Sector Risk.
From time to time, the Fund may invest a significant amount of its total assets in certain sectors of the economy. Each of those sectors may be subject to specific risks. These risks include governmental regulation of the sector and governmental monetary and fiscal policies, which may impact interest rates and currencies and affect corporate funding and international trade. Certain sectors may be more vulnerable than others to these factors. In addition, market sentiment and expectations toward a particular sector could affect a company’s market valuation and access to equity funding.
For example, as of October 31, 2013, the Fund invested a significant amount of its total assets in the Finance sector. Performance of companies in the Finance sector may be adversely impacted by many factors, including, among others: government regulations of, or related to, the sector; governmental monetary and fiscal policies; economic, business or political conditions; credit rating downgrades; changes in interest rates; price competition; and decreased liquidity in credit markets. This sector has experienced significant losses and a high degree of volatility in the recent past, and the impact of more stringent capital requirements and of recent or future regulation on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted.
Preferred Stock Risk.
Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of other stocks such as common stock, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the company. The market value of preferred stock is subject to company-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities and is also sensitive to changes in the company’s creditworthiness, the ability of the company to make payments on the preferred stock, and changes in interest rates, typically declining in value if interest rates rise.
Convertible Securities Risk.
Convertible securities are subject to market and interest rate risk and credit risk. When the market price of the equity security underlying a convertible security decreases the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its yield and other fixed income characteristics, and is more susceptible to credit and interest rate risks. When the market price of such equity security rises, the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its equity conversion features and be more exposed to market risk. Convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalized companies with stock prices that may be more volatile than those of other companies.
Value-Oriented Investment Strategies Risk.
Value stocks are those that are believed to be undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors. Value investing is subject to the risk that the market will not recognize a security’s inherent value for a long time or at all, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced or overvalued. In addition, during some periods (which may be extensive) value stocks generally may be out of favor in the markets.
Therefore the Fund is most suitable for long-term investors who are willing to hold their shares for extended periods of time through market fluctuations and the accompanying changes in share prices.
ETF Risk.
Investing in an ETF will provide the Fund with exposure to the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based and will expose the Fund to risks similar to those of investing directly in those securities. Shares of ETFs typically trade on securities exchanges and may at times trade at a premium or discount to their net asset values. In addition, an ETF may not replicate exactly the performance of the benchmark index it seeks to track for a number of reasons, including transaction costs incurred by the ETF, the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or the number of securities held. Investing in ETFs, which are investment companies, may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. The Fund will pay brokerage commissions in connection with the purchase and sale of shares of ETFs.
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the average annual total returns of the Fund compare with the average annual total returns of a broad-based market index. Updated performance information is available at the Fund’s website,
www.advisoryresearch.com
. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Calendar-Year Total Return (before taxes)
For each calendar year at NAV
During the period of time shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 11.41% (quarter ended 9/30/2013, and the lowest return for a calendar quarter was -4.73% (quarter ended 06/30/2012).
Average Annual Total Returns
for periods ended December 31, 2013
|
One Year
|
Since
Inception
(03/31/10)
|
Return Before Taxes
|
21.29%
|
4.62%
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions*
|
19.88%
|
3.97%
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares*
|
12.92%
|
3.55%
|
MSCI EAFE Value Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
|
22.95%
|
5.07%
|
*
|
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
|
Investment Advisor
Advisory Research, Inc. (“ARI” or the “Advisor”)
Portfolio Managers
Jonathan P. Brodsky, Drew Edwards and Marco P. Priani have served as the portfolio managers of the Fund since its inception.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
To purchase shares of the Fund, you must invest at least the minimum amount.
Minimum Investments
|
To Open
Your Account
|
To Add to
Your Account
|
Direct Regular Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Direct Retirement Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Automatic Investment Plan
|
$2,500
|
$100
|
Gift Account For Minors
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Fund shares are redeemable on any business day the NYSE is open for business by written request or by telephone.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable, and will ordinarily be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Shareholders investing through such tax-deferred accounts may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those accounts.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services.
These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your sales person to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information
.
SUMMARY SECTION – International Small Cap Value Fund
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Advisory Research International Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek long term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
|
Investor Class
Shares
|
Class I
Shares
|
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases
|
None
|
None
|
Maximum deferred sales charge (load)
|
None
|
None
|
Redemption fee if redeemed within 90 days of purchase (as a percentage of amount redeemed)
|
2.00%
|
2.00%
|
Wire fee
|
$20
|
$20
|
Overnight check delivery fee
|
$15
|
$15
|
Retirement account fees (annual maintenance fee)
|
$15
|
$15
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management fees
1
|
0.90%
|
0.90%
|
Distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees
|
None
|
None
|
Other expenses (includes a shareholder service fee of up to 0.15% for Investor Class)
|
0.42%
|
0.27%
|
Acquired fund fees and expenses
|
0.01%
|
0.01%
|
Total annual fund operating expenses
1
|
1.33%
|
1.18%
|
Fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed
2
|
(0.02%)
|
(0.02%)
|
Total annual fund operating expenses after waiving fees and/or reimbursing expenses
1, 2
|
1.31%
|
1.16%
|
1
|
The fees and expenses information in the table have been restated to reflect current fees and expenses.
|
2
|
The Fund’s advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses as determined in accordance with Form N-1A, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) do not exceed 1.30% and 1.15% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class shares and Class I shares, respectively. This agreement is in effect until February 28, 2015, and it may be terminated before that date only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The Fund’s advisor is permitted to seek reimbursement from the Fund, subject to certain limitations, of fees waived or payments made to the Fund for a period of three years from the date of the waiver or payment.
|
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
One Year
|
Three Years
|
Five Years
|
Ten Years
|
Investor Class shares
|
$133
|
$419
|
$727
|
$1,600
|
Class I shares
|
$118
|
$373
|
$647
|
$1,430
|
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 40% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including amounts borrowed for investment purposes) in equity securities of small capitalization companies and will invest at least 75% of its net assets in securities of companies located outside of the United States. The Fund considers small capitalization companies to be companies with market capitalizations within the range of those companies included in the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index at the time of purchase. Because small capitalization companies are defined by reference to an index, the range of market capitalization of companies in which the Fund invests may vary with market conditions. As of December 31, 2013, the market capitalizations of companies included in the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index were between $12.5 million and $8.4 billion. Investments in companies that move above or below the capitalization range of the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index may continue to be held by the Fund in the Fund advisor’s sole discretion. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in one or more market sectors such as the finance sector.
The Fund’s advisor uses a bottom-up approach that seeks to identify companies with attractive valuations relative to net asset value. The strategy invests in stocks that it believes are profitable, undervalued on a price to book basis, and exhibit low levels of leverage.
The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities. The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of foreign (non-U.S.) companies located in developed countries but may also invest in emerging markets. The Fund generally will invest in a portfolio of 60 to 80 securities of companies located in different countries and regions. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in the securities of companies in one or a few countries or regions.
The Fund also may invest in American, European, and Global Depository Receipts (“ADRs”, “EDRs”, and “GDRs”, respectively), and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). ADRs are receipts that represent interests in foreign securities held on deposit by U.S. banks. EDRs and GDRs have the same qualities as ADRs, except that they may be traded in several international trading markets. ETFs are investment companies that invest in portfolios of securities designed to track particular market segments or indices and whose shares are bought and sold on securities exchanges.
Principal Risks of Investing
Risk is inherent in all investing. A summary description of certain principal risks of investing in the Fund is set forth below. Before you decide whether to invest in the Fund, carefully consider these risk factors associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause investors to lose money. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Market Risk.
The market price of a security or instrument may decline, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions throughout the world, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The market value of a security or instrument also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.
Equity Risk.
The value of the equity securities held by the Fund may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests.
Small-Cap Company Risk.
The securities of small-capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements and may have lower trading volumes or more erratic trading than securities of larger, more established companies or market averages in general. In addition, such companies typically are more likely to be adversely affected than large capitalization companies by changes in earning results, business prospects, investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions.
Foreign Investment Risk.
The prices of foreign securities may be more volatile than the prices of securities of U.S. issuers because of economic and social conditions abroad, political developments, and changes in the regulatory environments of foreign countries. In addition, changes in exchange rates and interest rates may adversely affect the values of the Fund’s foreign investments. Foreign companies are generally subject to different legal and accounting standards than U.S. companies, and foreign financial intermediaries may be subject to less supervision and regulation than U.S. financial firms. Foreign securities include ADRs, EDRs and GDRs. Unsponsored depositary receipts involve additional risks because U.S. reporting requirements do not apply and the issuing bank will recover shareholder distribution costs from changes in share prices and payment of dividends.
Emerging Market Risk.
Many of the risks with respect to foreign investments are more pronounced for investments in issuers in developing or emerging market countries. Emerging market countries tend to have less government exchange controls, more volatile interest and currency exchange rates, less market regulation, and less developed economic, political and legal systems than those of more developed countries. In addition, emerging market countries may experience high levels of inflation and may have less liquid securities markets and less efficient trading and settlement systems.
Currency Risk.
The values of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increase or decrease as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. Dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls, and speculation.
Geographic (Japan) Risk.
As of October 31, 2013, the Fund invested a significant amount of its total assets in Japanese securities.
The growth of Japan’s economy has historically lagged that of its Asian neighbors and other major developed economies. The Japanese economy is heavily dependent on international trade and has been adversely affected by trade tariffs, other protectionist measures, competition from emerging economies and the economic conditions of its trading partners. China has become an important trading partner with Japan, yet the countries’ political relationship has become strained. Should political tension increase, it could adversely affect the economy, especially the export sector, and destabilize the region as a whole. Japan also remains heavily dependent on oil imports, and higher commodity prices could therefore have a negative impact on the economy.
Management and Strategy Risk.
The value of your investment depends on the judgment of the Fund’s advisor about the quality, relative yield, value or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, which may prove to be incorrect. Investment strategies employed by the Fund’s advisor in selecting investments for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other investments.
Sector Risk.
From time to time, the Fund may invest a significant amount of its total assets in certain sectors of the economy. Each of those sectors may be subject to specific risks. These risks include governmental regulation of the sector and governmental monetary and fiscal policies, which may impact interest rates and currencies and affect corporate funding and international trade. Certain sectors may be more vulnerable than others to these factors. In addition, market sentiment and expectations toward a particular sector could affect a company’s market valuation and access to equity funding.
For example, as of October 31, 2013, the Fund invested a significant amount of its total assets in the Finance sector. Performance of companies in the Finance sector may be adversely impacted by many factors, including, among others: government regulations of, or related to, the sector; governmental monetary and fiscal policies; economic, business or political conditions; credit rating downgrades; changes in interest rates; price competition; and decreased liquidity in credit markets. This sector has experienced significant losses and a high degree of volatility in the recent past, and the impact of more stringent capital requirements and of recent or future regulation on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted.
Preferred Stock Risk.
Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of other stocks such as common stock, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the company. The market value of preferred stock is subject to company-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities and is also sensitive to changes in the company’s creditworthiness, the ability of the company to make payments on the preferred stock, and changes in interest rates, typically declining in value if interest rates rise.
Convertible Securities Risk.
Convertible securities are subject to market and interest rate risk and credit risk. When the market price of the equity security underlying a convertible security decreases the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its yield and other fixed income characteristics, and is more susceptible to credit and interest rate risks. When the market price of such equity security rises, the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its equity conversion features and be more exposed to market risk. Convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalized companies with stock prices that may be more volatile than those of other companies.
Value-Oriented Investment Strategies Risk.
Value stocks are those that are believed to be undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors. Value investing is subject to the risk that the market will not recognize a security’s inherent value for a long time or at all, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced or overvalued. In addition, during some periods (which may be extensive) value stocks generally may be out of favor in the markets.
Therefore the Fund is most suitable for long-term investors who are willing to hold their shares for extended periods of time through market fluctuations and the accompanying changes in share prices.
ETF Risk.
Investing in an ETF will provide the Fund with exposure to the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based and will expose the Fund to risks similar to those of investing directly in those securities. Shares of
ETFs typically trade on securities exchanges and may at times trade at a premium or discount to their net asset values. In addition, an ETF may not replicate exactly the performance of the benchmark index it seeks to track for a number of reasons, including transaction costs incurred by the ETF, the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or the number of securities held. Investing in ETFs, which are investment companies, may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. The Fund will pay brokerage commissions in connection with the purchase and sale of shares of ETFs.
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year for Investor Class shares and by showing how the average annual total returns of Investor Class shares of the Fund compare with the average annual total returns of a broad-based market index. Performance for classes other than those shown may vary from the performance shown to the extent the expenses for those classes differ. Updated performance information is available at the Fund’s website,
www.advisoryresearch.com
.
The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Calendar Year Total Return (before taxes) for Investor Class shares
For each calendar year at NAV
During the period of time shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 11.74% (quarter ended 3/31/2012), and the lowest return for a calendar quarter was -17.21% (quarter ended 9/30/2011).
Average Annual Total Returns
for periods ended December 31, 2013
|
One Year
|
Since
Inception
(3/31/10)
|
Investor Class Return Before Taxes
|
23.06%
|
10.89%
|
Investor Class Return After Taxes on Distributions*
|
20.84%
|
9.85%
|
Investor Class Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares*
|
14.03%
|
8.50%
|
MSCI EAFE Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
|
22.78%
|
8.36%
|
MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
|
29.30%
|
11.79%
|
*
|
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
|
Investment Advisor
Advisory Research, Inc. (“ARI” or the “Advisor”)
Portfolio Managers
Jonathan P. Brodsky, Drew Edwards and Marco P. Priani have served as the portfolio managers of the Fund since its inception.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
To purchase shares of the Fund, you must invest at least the minimum amount.
|
Investor Class
|
Class I
|
Minimum Investments
|
To Open
Your Account
|
To Add to
Your Account
|
To Open
Your Account
|
To Add to
Your Account
|
Direct Regular Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
$500,000
|
$500
|
Direct Retirement Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
$500,000
|
$500
|
Automatic Investment Plan
|
$2,500
|
$100
|
$500
|
$100
|
Gift Account For Minors
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
$500,00
|
$500
|
Fund shares are redeemable on any business day the NYSE is open for business by written request or by telephone.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable, and will ordinarily be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Shareholders investing through such tax-deferred accounts may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those accounts.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services.
These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your sales person to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information
.
SUMMARY SECTION – Small Company Opportunities Fund
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Advisory Research Small Company Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek long term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases
|
None
|
Maximum deferred sales charge (load)
|
None
|
Redemption fee if redeemed within 90 days of purchase (as a percentage of amount redeemed)
|
2.00%
|
Wire fee
|
$20
|
Overnight check delivery fee
|
$15
|
Retirement account fees (annual maintenance)
|
$15
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
Management fees
|
0.80%
|
Distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees
|
None
|
Other expenses
1
|
0.38%
|
Total annual fund operating expenses
|
1.18%
|
Fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed
2
|
(0.08%)
|
Total annual fund operating expenses after waiving fees and/or reimbursing expenses
2
|
1.10%
|
1
|
Other expenses have been estimated for the current year. Actual expenses may differ from estimates.
|
2
|
The Fund’s advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses as determined in accordance with Form N-1A, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) do not exceed 1.10% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. This agreement is in effect until February 28, 2015, and it may be terminated before that date only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The Fund’s advisor is permitted to seek reimbursement from the Fund, subject to certain limitations, of fees waived or payments made to the Fund for a period of three years from the date of the waiver or payment.
|
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
One Year
|
Three Years
|
$112
|
$367
|
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund is newly-created and, as a result, does not yet have a portfolio turnover rate.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including amounts borrowed for investment purposes) in equity securities of small and micro cap companies. The Fund considers small and micro cap companies to be companies with market capitalizations within the ranges of those companies included in the Russell 2000 Index and the Russell Microcap
®
Index at the time of purchase. Because small and micro cap companies are defined by reference to indices, the range of market capitalization of companies in which the Fund invests may vary with market conditions. As of December 31, 2013, the market capitalizations of companies included in the Russell 2000 Index and Russell Microcap
®
Index ranged from $14 million to $5.3 billion and $9 million to $1.4 billion, respectively. Investments in companies that move above or below the capitalization ranges of the Russell 2000 Index or the Russell Microcap
®
Index may continue to be held by the Fund in the Fund advisor’s sole discretion. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in one or more market sectors such as the finance sector.
The Fund’s advisor uses a bottom-up approach that seeks to identify companies with attractive valuations relative to net asset value. The strategy invests in stocks that the advisor believes are profitable, undervalued on a price to book basis, and exhibit low levels of leverage. The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities. The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. issuers and foreign (non-U.S.) companies located in developed countries but may also invest in emerging markets. The Fund generally will invest in a portfolio of 50 to 100 securities typically spread across many economic sectors.
The Fund also may invest in American, European, and Global Depository Receipts (“ADRs”, “EDRs”, and “GDRs”, respectively), and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). ADRs are receipts that represent interests in foreign securities held on deposit by U.S. banks. EDRs and GDRs have the same qualities as ADRs, except that they may be traded in several international trading markets. ETFs are investment companies that invest in portfolios of securities designed to track particular market segments or indices and whose shares are bought and sold on securities exchanges.
Principal Risks of Investing
Risk is inherent in all investing. A summary description of certain principal risks of investing in the Fund is set forth below. Before you decide whether to invest in the Fund, carefully consider these risk factors associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause investors to lose money. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Market Risk.
The market price of a security or instrument may decline, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions throughout the world, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The market value of a security or instrument also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.
Equity Risk.
The value of the equity securities held by the Fund may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests.
Small-Cap and Micro-Cap Company Risk.
The securities of small-capitalization and micro-capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements and may have lower trading volumes or more erratic trading than securities of larger, more established companies or market averages in general. In addition, such companies typically are more likely to be adversely affected than large capitalization companies by changes in earning results, business prospects, investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions.
Foreign Investment Risk.
The prices of foreign securities may be more volatile than the prices of securities of U.S. issuers because of economic and social conditions abroad, political developments, and changes in the regulatory environments of foreign countries. In addition, changes in exchange rates and interest rates may adversely affect the values of the Fund’s foreign investments. Foreign companies are generally subject to different legal and accounting standards than U.S. companies, and foreign financial intermediaries may be subject to less supervision and regulation than U.S. financial firms. Foreign securities include ADRs, EDRs and GDRs. Unsponsored depositary receipts involve additional risks because U.S. reporting requirements do not apply and the issuing bank will recover shareholder distribution costs from changes in share prices and payment of dividends.
Emerging Market Risk.
Many of the risks with respect to foreign investments are more pronounced for investments in issuers in developing or emerging market countries. Emerging market countries tend to have less government exchange controls, more volatile interest and currency exchange rates, less market regulation, and less developed economic, political and legal systems than those of more developed countries. In addition, emerging market countries may experience high levels of inflation and may have less liquid securities markets and less efficient trading and settlement systems.
Currency Risk.
The values of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increase or decrease as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. Dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls, and speculation.
Management and Strategy Risk.
The value of your investment depends on the judgment of the Fund’s advisor about the quality, relative yield, value or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, which may prove to be incorrect. Investment strategies employed by the Fund’s advisor in selecting investments for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other investments.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Fund is classified as “non-diversified,” which means the Fund may invest a larger percentage of its assets in the securities of a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. Investment in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes the Fund to greater market risk and potential losses than if its assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers.
Sector Risk.
From time to time, the Fund may invest a significant amount of its total assets in certain sectors of the economy. Each of those sectors may be subject to specific risks. These risks include governmental regulation of the sector and governmental monetary and fiscal policies, which may impact interest rates and currencies and affect corporate funding and international trade. Certain sectors may be more vulnerable than others to these factors. In addition, market sentiment and expectations toward a particular sector could affect a company’s market valuation and access to equity funding.
For example, as of October 31, 2013, the Fund invested a significant amount of its total assets in the Finance sector. Performance of companies in the Finance sector may be adversely impacted by many factors, including, among others: government regulations of, or related to, the sector; governmental monetary and fiscal policies; economic, business or political conditions; credit rating downgrades; changes in interest rates; price competition; and decreased liquidity in credit markets. This sector has experienced significant losses and a high degree of volatility in the recent past, and the impact of more stringent capital requirements and of recent or future regulation on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted.
Preferred Stock Risk.
Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of other stocks such as common stock, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the company. The market value of preferred stock is subject to company-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities and is also sensitive to changes in the company’s creditworthiness, the ability of the company to make payments on the preferred stock, and changes in interest rates, typically declining in value if interest rates rise.
Convertible Securities Risk.
Convertible securities are subject to market and interest rate risk and credit risk. When the market price of the equity security underlying a convertible security decreases the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its yield and other fixed income characteristics, and is more susceptible to credit and interest rate risks. When the market price of such equity security rises, the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its equity conversion features and be more exposed to market risk. Convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalized companies with stock prices that may be more volatile than those of other companies.
Value-Oriented Investment Strategies Risk.
Value stocks are those that are believed to be undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors. Value investing is subject to the risk that the market will not recognize a security’s inherent value for a long time or at all, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced or overvalued. In addition, during some periods (which may be extensive) value stocks generally may be out of favor in the markets.
Therefore the Fund is most suitable for long-term investors who are willing to hold their shares for extended periods of time through market fluctuations and the accompanying changes in share prices.
ETF Risk.
Investing in an ETF will provide the Fund with exposure to the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based and will expose the Fund to risks similar to those of investing directly in those securities. Shares of
ETFs typically trade on securities exchanges and may at times trade at a premium or discount to their net asset values. In addition, an ETF may not replicate exactly the performance of the benchmark index it seeks to track for a number of reasons, including transaction costs incurred by the ETF, the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or the number of securities held. Investing in ETFs, which are investment companies, may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. The Fund will pay brokerage commissions in connection with the purchase and sale of shares of ETFs.
Performance
The Fund is new and it does not have a full calendar year performance record to compare against other mutual funds or broad measures of securities market performance such as indices. Performance information will be available after the Fund has been in operation for one calendar year.
Investment Advisor
Advisory Research, Inc. (“ARI” or the “Advisor”)
Portfolio Managers
James M. Langer, Matthew K. Swaim, Shreekkanth (Shree) Viswanathan and Paul Galat have served as the portfolio managers of the Fund since commencement of the Fund’s operations.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
To purchase shares of the Fund, you must invest at least the minimum amount.
Minimum Investments
|
To Open
Your Account
|
To Add to
Your Account
|
Direct Regular Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Direct Retirement Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Automatic Investment Plan
|
$2,500
|
$100
|
Gift Account For Minors
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Fund shares are redeemable on any business day the NYSE is open for business by written request or by telephone.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable, and will ordinarily be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Shareholders investing through such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those accounts.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services.
These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your sales person to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information
.
SUMMARY SECTION – Strategic Income Fund
Investment Objectives
The investment objectives of the Advisory Research Strategic Income Fund’s (the “Fund”) are to seek high current income and to seek long term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
|
|
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases
|
None
|
Maximum deferred sales charge (load)
|
None
|
Redemption fee if redeemed within 90 days of purchase (as a percentage of amount redeemed)
|
2.00%
|
Wire fee
|
$20
|
Overnight check delivery fee
|
$15
|
Retirement account fees (annual maintenance fee)
|
$15
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
Management fees
|
0.70%
|
Distribution (Rule 12b-1) fees
|
None
|
Other expenses
1
|
0.30%
|
Acquired fund fees and expenses
|
0.03%
|
Total annual fund operating expenses
1
|
1.03%
|
Fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed
2
|
(0.10%)
|
Total annual fund operating expenses after waiving fees and/or reimbursing expenses
1,2
|
0.93%
|
1
|
The total annual fund operating expenses and total annual fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursements do not correlate to the ratio of expense to average net assets appearing in the financial highlights table, which table reflects only the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
|
2
|
The Fund’s advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Fund to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses (excluding taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses as determined in accordance with Form N-1A, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) do not exceed 0.90% of average daily net assets of the Fund. This agreement is in effect until February 28, 2015, and it may be terminated before that date only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. The Fund’s advisor is permitted to seek reimbursement from the Fund, subject to certain limitations, of fees waived or payments made to the Fund for a period of three years from the date of the waiver or payment.
|
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
One Year
|
Three Years
|
Five Years
|
Ten Years
|
$95
|
$318
|
$559
|
$1,250
|
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 68% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund pursues its investment objectives primarily by investing in preferred securities and other income producing securities, including convertible securities, debt securities, common stocks, and securities of other investment companies.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund primarily invests in preferred and debt securities, but the Fund’s advisor retains broad discretion to allocate the Fund’s investments across various asset classes. Preferred securities in which the Fund may invest include traditional straight and convertible preferreds, and hybrid preferreds (i.e. preferred securities issued by trusts or other special purpose entities established by operating companies). From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in one or more market sectors such as the finance sector.
The Fund may invest in debt securities of any maturity. Debt securities in which the Fund may invest include U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency securities, investment grade corporate debt instruments, and investment grade municipal bonds. Investment grade securities are those rated at the time of acquisition Baa3 or higher by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor's, a division of McGraw Hill Companies Inc. (“S&P”), or Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) or, if unrated by S&P, Moody's or Fitch, determined by the Fund’s advisor to be of comparable quality. The Fund may also invest in below investment grade securities. Below investment grade securities are also known as “high yield” or “junk” securities.
The Fund may write (sell) covered call options on securities the Fund holds in its portfolio.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities include non-U.S. Dollar denominated securities traded outside of the United States, U.S. Dollar denominated securities of foreign issuers traded in the United States and American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”). ADRs are receipts that represent interests in foreign securities held on deposit by U.S. banks.
The Fund’s advisor seeks to identify securities which it believes offer significantly higher yields than U.S. treasury securities of comparable maturity, while striving to maintain stability of principal and preserving good overall credit quality through extensive credit analysis and broad diversification across security types with a history of low correlation to other asset classes. The advisor selects preferred securities based upon a review of yield characteristics, call provisions, credit quality and ratings, and ability to continue paying dividends. In evaluating and selecting debt securities, the advisor balances various factors, including increased yield as compared to U.S. treasuries, maturity, call provisions and credit quality. The advisor selects common stocks based on the company’s business and financial strength and dividend history and policy, as well as ability to potentially grow dividend distributions. The advisor selects closed-end funds based upon a review of yield, price relative to net asset value, composition of the underlying portfolio, and the nature of the distributions. The Fund will generally sell a security if its full valuation is realized, if better opportunities are identified, if news alters the advisor’s investment thesis, or if the Fund requires cash to meet redemption requests.
Principal Risks of Investing
Risk is inherent in all investing. A summary description of certain principal risks of investing in the Fund is set forth below. Before you decide whether to invest in the Fund, carefully consider these risk factors associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause investors to lose money. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Market Risk.
The market price of a security or instrument may decline, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions throughout the world, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The market value of a security or instrument also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.
Preferred Stock Risk.
Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of other stocks such as common stock, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the company. The market value of preferred stock is subject to company-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities and is also sensitive to changes in the company’s creditworthiness, the ability of the company to make payments on the preferred stock, and changes in interest rates, typically declining in value if interest rates rise.
Convertible Securities Risk.
Convertible securities are subject to market and interest rate risk and credit risk. When the market price of the equity security underlying a convertible security decreases the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its yield and other fixed income characteristics, and is more susceptible to credit and interest rate risks. When the market price of such equity security rises, the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its equity conversion features and be more exposed to market risk. Convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalized companies with stock prices that may be more volatile than those of other companies.
Fixed Income Securities Risk.
The prices of fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to changes in an issuer’s credit rating or market perceptions about the creditworthiness of an issuer. Generally fixed income securities decrease in value if interest rates rise and increase in value if interest rates fall, and longer-term and lower rated securities are more volatile than shorter-term and higher rated securities.
Credit Risk.
If an issuer or guarantor of a debt security held by the Fund or a counterparty to a financial contract with the Fund defaults or is downgraded or is perceived to be less creditworthy, or if the value of the assets underlying a security declines, the value of the Fund’s portfolio will typically decline.
High Yield (“Junk”) Bond Risk.
High yield bonds are debt securities rated below investment grade (often called “junk bonds”). Junk bonds are speculative, involve greater risks of default, downgrade, or price declines and are more volatile and tend to be less liquid than investment-grade securities. Companies issuing high yield bonds are less financially strong, are more likely to encounter financial difficulties, and are more vulnerable to adverse market events and negative sentiments than companies with higher credit ratings.
Equity Risk.
The value of the equity securities held by the Fund may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests.
Foreign Investment Risk.
The prices of foreign securities may be more volatile than the prices of securities of U.S. issuers because of economic and social conditions abroad, political developments, and changes in the regulatory environments of foreign countries. In addition, changes in exchange rates and interest rates may adversely affect the values of the Fund’s foreign investments. Foreign companies are generally subject to different legal and accounting standards than U.S. companies, and foreign financial intermediaries may be subject to less supervision and regulation than U.S. financial firms. Foreign securities include ADRs. Unsponsored depositary receipts involve additional risks because U.S. reporting requirements do not apply and the issuing bank will recover shareholder distribution costs from changes in share prices and payment of dividends. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile than the markets of more mature economies and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries.
Currency Risk.
The values of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increase or decrease as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. Dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls, and speculation.
Options Risk
. W
riting call options are highly specialized activities and entail greater than ordinary investment risks.
The Fund may not fully benefit from or may lose money on an option if changes in its value do not correspond as anticipated to changes in the value of the underlying securities. If the Fund is not able to sell an option held in its portfolio, it would have to exercise the option to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase or sale of the underlying securities. Ownership of options involves the payment of premiums,
which may adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
To the extent that the Fund invests in over-the-counter options, the Fund may be exposed to counterparty risk.
Covered Call Options Risk.
The Fund may write (sell) covered call options on securities the Fund holds in its portfolio. This strategy is designed to generate additional gains from option premiums, but also results in certain risks. With respect to portfolio holdings on which the Fund has written a covered call option, the Fund will forgo the opportunity to benefit from potential increases in the value of that security, but will continue to bear the risk of declines in the value of the security.
Sector Risk.
From time to time, the Fund may invest a significant amount of its total assets in certain sectors of the economy. Each of those sectors may be subject to specific risks. These risks include governmental regulation of the sector and governmental monetary and fiscal policies, which may impact interest rates and currencies and affect corporate funding and international trade. Certain sectors may be more vulnerable than others to these factors. In addition, market sentiment and expectations toward a particular sector could affect a company’s market valuation and access to equity funding.
For example, as of October 31, 2013, the Fund invested a significant amount of its total assets in the Finance sector. Performance of companies in the Finance sector may be adversely impacted by many factors, including, among others: government regulations of, or related to, the sector; governmental monetary and fiscal policies; economic, business or political conditions; credit rating downgrades; changes in interest rates; price competition; and decreased liquidity in credit markets. This sector has experienced significant losses and a high degree of volatility in the recent past, and the impact of more stringent capital requirements and of recent or future regulation on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted.
Management and Strategy Risk.
The value of your investment depends on the judgment of the Fund’s advisor about the quality, relative yield, value or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, which may prove to be incorrect. Investment strategies employed by the Fund’s advisor in selecting investments for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other investments.
Value-Oriented Investment Strategies Risk.
Value stocks are those that are believed to be undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors. Value investing is subject to the risk that the market will not recognize a security’s inherent value for a long time or at all, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced or overvalued. In addition, during some periods (which may be extensive) value stocks generally may be out of favor in the markets.
Therefore the Fund is most suitable for long-term investors who are willing to hold their shares for extended periods of time through market fluctuations and the accompanying changes in share prices.
Performance
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the average annual total returns of the Fund compare with the average annual total returns of a broad-based market index. Updated performance information is available at the Fund’s website,
www.advisoryresearch.com
. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
The Fund commenced investment operations on December 31, 2012, after the conversion of a limited partnership account, Advisory Research Value Income Fund, L.P., which commenced operations on June 30, 2003, (the "Predecessor Account"), into shares of the Fund. Information in the bar chart and the performance table below prior to December 31, 2012 are for the Predecessor Account. The Fund’s objectives, policies, guidelines and restrictions are, in all material respects, equivalent to those of the Predecessor Account. The returns for the Predecessor Account reflect its performance prior to conversion into the Fund and have been adjusted to reflect the estimated gross annual operating expenses of the Fund as set forth in the "Annual Fund Operating Expenses" table above. The Predecessor Account was not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and therefore was not subject to certain restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act on registered investment companies and by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on regulated investment companies. If the Predecessor Account had been registered under the 1940 Act, the Predecessor Account's performance may have been adversely affected.
Calendar-Year Total Return (before taxes)
For each calendar year at NAV
During the period of time shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 15.25% (quarter ended 6/30/2009) and the lowest return for a calendar quarter was –18.65% (quarter ended 9/30/2008).
Average Annual Total Returns
for periods ended December 31, 2013
|
One Year
|
Five Years
|
Ten Years
|
Since
Inception
(6/30/2003)
|
Return Before Taxes
|
1.17%
|
11.09%
|
3.30%
|
3.94%
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions*
|
-0.57%
|
10.70%
|
3.12%
|
3.77%
|
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares*
|
1.66%
|
8.78%
|
2.57%
|
3.10%
|
Merrill Lynch US Preferred Fixed Rate Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
|
(3.65%)
|
9.23%
|
1.69%
|
1.84%
|
*
|
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
|
Investment Advisor
Advisory Research, Inc. (“ARI” or the “Advisor”)
Portfolio Managers
James M. Langer and Bruce M. Zessar have served as the portfolio managers of the Fund since its inception.
Adam Dabrowski has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since February, 2014.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
To purchase shares of the Fund, you must invest at least the minimum amount.
Minimum Investments
|
To Open
Your Account
|
To Add to
Your Account
|
Direct Regular Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Direct Retirement Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Automatic Investment Plan
|
$2,500
|
$100
|
Gift Account For Minors
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
Fund shares are redeemable on any business day the NYSE is open for business by written request or by telephone.
Tax Information
The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable, and will ordinarily be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Shareholders investing through such tax-deferred accounts may be taxed later upon withdrawal of monies from those accounts.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services.
These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your sales person to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information
.
MORE ABOUT THE FUNDS’ INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
ALL CAP VALUE FUND
Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long term capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental, and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest in equity securities of companies of any size including small and mid-capitalization companies. The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stock, preferred stocks and convertible securities. While the Fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. issuers, it may invest in securities of foreign issuers, including those in emerging markets, in keeping with the Fund’s investment objective.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest in a portfolio of securities typically spread across many economic sectors. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in one or more market sectors such as the finance sector.
The Fund also may invest in ADRs, EDRs, and GDRs. ADRs are receipts that represent interests in foreign securities held on deposit by U.S. banks. EDRs and GDRs have the same qualities as ADRs, except that they may be traded in several international trading markets.
The Advisor’s investment process is a bottom-up approach that seeks to identify companies with attractive valuations relative to net asset value. The Advisor employs a four-step investment process. First, the Advisor uses a quantitative screen to identify a group of value-oriented securities. Second, the Advisor conducts a thorough fundamental analysis of each company, focusing on key balance sheet information to determine the net asset value of the company. In the third step, the Advisor analyzes the companies’ senior management and their business plans to identify competent senior management teams that are committed to unlocking value. Finally, the portfolio management team determines whether to buy, wait or pass on those companies that have passed the first three steps. The Advisor also considers other factors including political risk, monetary policy risk, and regulatory risk when selecting foreign (non-U.S.) securities.
The Advisor generally will sell a security when one or more of the following occurs: 1) the Advisor’s estimate of full valuation is realized; 2) a more attractive stock is identified (in which case the least attractive stock in the portfolio is sold); 3) there is significant negative news; or 4) a company is acquired for cash. In the case of acquisitions for stock, the Advisor will evaluate the combined company.
When the Advisor believes that current market, economic, political or other conditions are unsuitable and would impair the pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund may invest some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including but not limited to obligations of the U.S. Government, money market fund shares, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and/or bankers acceptances, as well as other interest bearing or discount obligations or debt instruments that carry an investment grade rating by a national rating agency. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Principal Risks of Investing
As discussed in the Summary Section and described further below under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds”, the Fund is subject to the risks common to all mutual funds that invest in equity securities and foreign securities.
EMERGING MARKETS OPPORTUNITIES FUND
The Fund's investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental, and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its objective.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including amounts borrowed for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies that are either listed, domiciled, or conduct a meaningful amount of business in emerging markets. The Fund’s advisor defines emerging market companies as those companies that derive at least 50% of revenues or net profits from, or have at least 50% of assets or production capacities in, emerging market countries. The advisor also includes in the definition of emerging market companies those that have been organized under the laws of, have their principal offices or headquarters in, or the securities of which are principally traded in emerging market countries. Emerging market countries are those countries that are considered to be developing by the World Bank or the International Finance Corporation, or are included in any of Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) emerging market indices. Emerging market countries are typically located in Asia, Africa, Caribbean and Central America, South America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The Fund invests in companies of all market capitalizations. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in one or more market sectors such as the finance sector.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund generally will invest in a portfolio of 40 to 80 securities of companies located in different countries and regions. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies in one or more countries or regions outside the United States.
The Fund also may invest in ADRs, EDRs, GDRs and ETFs. ADRs are receipts that represent interests in foreign securities held on deposit by U.S. banks. EDRs and GDRs have the same qualities as ADRs, except that they may be traded in several international trading markets. ETFs are investment companies that invest in portfolios of securities designed to track particular market segments or indices and whose shares are bought and sold on securities exchanges.
The Advisor’s investment process is a bottom-up approach that seeks to identify companies with attractive valuations relative to net asset value. The Advisor employs a four-step investment process. First, the Advisor uses a quantitative screen to identify a group of value-oriented securities from emerging market countries or companies that conduct a significant amount of their business in emerging markets. Second, the Advisor conducts a thorough fundamental analysis of each company, focusing on key balance sheet, income statement and cash flow information to determine the net asset value of the company. In the third step, the Advisor analyzes the companies’ senior management and their business plans to identify competent senior management teams that are committed to unlocking value. Finally, the portfolio management team determines whether to buy, wait or pass on those companies that have passed the first three steps. The Advisor also considers other factors including political risk, monetary policy risk, and regulatory risk when selecting foreign (non-U.S.) securities.
The Advisor generally will sell a security when one or more of the following occurs: 1) the Advisor’s estimate of full valuation is realized; 2) a more attractive stock is identified (in which case the least attractive stock in the portfolio is sold); 3) there is significant negative news; or 4) a company is acquired for cash. In the case of acquisitions for stock or when a company held by the Fund acquires or merges with another company, the Advisor will evaluate the combined company and determine whether it will be kept in the Fund's portfolio or sold.
When the Advisor believes that current market, economic, political or other conditions are unsuitable and would impair the pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund may invest some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including but not limited to obligations of the U.S. Government, money market fund shares, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and/or bankers acceptances, as well as other interest bearing or discount obligations or debt instruments that carry an investment grade rating by a national rating agency. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Principal Risks of Investing
As discussed in the Summary Section and described further below under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds”, the Fund is subject to the risks common to all mutual funds that invest in equity securities and foreign securities.
GLOBAL VALUE FUND
Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long term capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental, and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund will invest primarily in equity securities of companies located throughout the world, including the United States. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 40% of its assets in companies organized, headquartered or doing a substantial amount of business outside the United States. The Fund considers a company that has at least 50% of its assets or derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the United States as doing a substantial amount of business outside the United States. The Fund will allocate its assets among various regions and countries (but in no less than three different countries). The Fund will invest primarily in equity securities of companies located in developed countries and may invest up to 15% of its assets in emerging markets.
The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities. The Fund may invest in any size company, including small and mid-capitalization companies. The Fund generally will invest in a portfolio of 90 to 125 securities of companies located in different countries and regions. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in the securities of companies in one or a few countries or regions. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest in a portfolio of securities typically spread across many economic sectors. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in one or more market sectors such as the finance sector.
The Fund also may invest in ADRs, EDRs, GDRs and ETFs. ADRs are receipts that represent interests in foreign securities held on deposit by U.S. banks. EDRs and GDRs have the same qualities as ADRs, except that they may be traded in several international trading markets. ETFs are investment companies that invest in portfolios of securities designed to track particular market segments or indices and whose shares are bought and sold on securities exchanges.
The Advisor’s investment process is a bottom-up approach that seeks to identify companies with attractive valuations relative to net asset value. The strategy invests in stocks that we believe are profitable, undervalued on a price to book basis, and exhibit low levels of leverage.
The Advisor employs a four-step investment process. First, the Advisor uses a quantitative screen to identify a group of value-oriented securities. Second, the Advisor conducts a thorough fundamental analysis of each company, focusing on key balance sheet information to determine the net asset value of the company. In the third step, the Advisor analyzes the companies’ senior management and their business plans to identify competent senior management teams that are committed to unlocking value. Finally, the portfolio management team determines whether to buy, wait or pass on those companies that have passed the first three steps. The Advisor also considers other factors including political risk, monetary policy risk, and regulatory risk when selecting foreign (non-U.S.) securities.
The Advisor generally will sell a security when one or more of the following occurs: 1) the Advisor’s estimate of full valuation is realized; 2) a more attractive stock is identified (in which case the least attractive stock in the portfolio is sold); 3) there is significant negative news; or 4) a company is acquired for cash. In the case of acquisitions for stock, the Advisor will evaluate the combined company.
When the Advisor believes that current market, economic, political or other conditions are unsuitable and would impair the pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund may invest some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including but not limited to obligations of the U.S. Government, money market fund shares, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and/or bankers acceptances, as well as other interest bearing or discount obligations or debt instruments that carry an investment grade rating by a national rating agency. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Principal Risks of Investing
As discussed in the Summary Section and described further below under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds”, the Fund is subject to the risks common to all mutual funds that invest in equity securities and foreign securities.
INTERNATIONAL ALL CAP VALUE FUND
Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long term capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental, and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including amounts borrowed for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies organized, headquartered or doing a substantial amount of business outside of the United States. The Fund considers a company that has at least 50% of its assets or derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the United States as doing a substantial amount of business outside the United States. The Fund invests in companies of all market capitalizations. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in one or more market sectors such as the finance sector.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund generally will invest in a portfolio of 40 to 80 securities of companies located in different countries and regions. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies in one or more countries or regions outside the United States.
The Fund also may invest in ADRs, EDRs, GDRs and ETFs. ADRs are receipts that represent interests in foreign securities held on deposit by U.S. banks. EDRs and GDRs have the same qualities as ADRs, except that they may be traded in several international trading markets. ETFs are investment companies that invest in portfolios of securities designed to track particular market segments or indices and whose shares are bought and sold on securities exchanges.
The Advisor’s investment process is a bottom-up approach that seeks to identify companies with attractive valuations relative to net asset value. The Advisor employs a four-step investment process. First, the Advisor uses a quantitative screen to identify a group of value-oriented securities of companies that are located or conduct a significant amount of their business in foreign (non-US) markets. Second, the Advisor conducts a thorough fundamental analysis of each company, focusing on key balance sheet information to determine the net asset value of the company. In the third step, the Advisor analyzes the companies’ senior management and their business plans to identify competent senior management teams that are committed to unlocking value. Finally, the portfolio management team determines whether to buy, wait or pass on those companies that have passed the first three steps. The Advisor also considers other factors including political risk, monetary policy risk, and regulatory risk when selecting foreign (non-U.S.) securities.
The Advisor generally will sell a security when one or more of the following occurs: 1) the Advisor’s estimate of full valuation is realized; 2) a more attractive stock is identified (in which case the least attractive stock in the portfolio is sold); 3) there is significant negative news; or 4) a company is acquired for cash. In the case of acquisitions for stock or when a company held by the Fund acquires or merges with another company, the Advisor will evaluate the combined company and determine whether it will be kept in the Fund's portfolio or sold.
When the Advisor believes that current market, economic, political or other conditions are unsuitable and would impair the pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund may invest some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including but not limited to obligations of the U.S. Government, money market fund shares, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and/or bankers acceptances, as well as other interest bearing or discount obligations or debt instruments that carry an investment grade rating by a national rating agency. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Principal Risks of Investing
As discussed in the Summary Section and described further below under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds”, the Fund is subject to the risks common to all mutual funds that invest in equity securities and foreign securities.
INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP VALUE FUND
Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long term capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental, and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including amounts borrowed for investment purposes) in equity securities of small capitalization companies and will invest at least 75% of its net assets in securities of companies located outside of the United States.
The Fund considers small capitalization companies to be companies with market capitalizations within the range of those companies included in the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index at the time of purchase. Because small capitalization companies are defined by reference to an index, the range of market capitalization of companies in which the Fund invests may vary with market conditions. As of December 31, 2013, the market capitalizations of companies included in the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index were between $12.5 million and $8.4 billion. Investments in companies that move above or below the capitalization range of the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index may continue to be held by the Fund in the Advisor’s sole discretion. The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stock, preferred stocks and convertible securities. The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of foreign (non-U.S.) companies located in developed countries but may also invest in emerging markets.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund generally will invest in a portfolio of 60 to 80 securities among different countries and regions. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies in one or more countries or regions outside the United States. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest in a portfolio of securities typically spread across many economic sectors. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in one or more market sectors such as the finance sector.
The Fund also may invest in ADRs, EDRs, GDRs and ETFs. ADRs are receipts that represent interests in foreign securities held on deposit by U.S. banks. EDRs and GDRs have the same qualities as ADRs, except that they may be traded in several international trading markets. ETFs are investment companies that invest in portfolios of securities designed to track particular market segments or indices and whose shares are bought and sold on securities exchanges.
The Advisor’s investment process is a bottom-up approach that seeks to identify companies with attractive valuations relative to net asset value. The Advisor employs a four-step investment process. First, the Advisor uses a quantitative screen to identify a group of value-oriented securities of companies with market capitalizations within or close to the range of the market capitalizations of the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index. Second, the Advisor conducts a thorough fundamental analysis of each company, focusing on key balance sheet information to determine the net asset value of the company. In the third step, the Advisor analyzes the companies’ senior management and their business plans to identify competent senior management teams that are committed to unlocking value. Finally, the portfolio management team determines whether to buy, wait or pass on those companies that have passed the first three steps. The Advisor also considers other factors including political risk, monetary policy risk, and regulatory risk when selecting foreign (non-U.S.) securities.
The Advisor generally will sell a security when one or more of the following occurs: 1) the Advisor’s estimate of full valuation is realized; 2) a more attractive stock is identified (in which case the least attractive stock in the portfolio is sold); 3) there is significant negative news; or 4) a company is acquired for cash. In the case of acquisitions for stock, the Advisor will evaluate the combined company.
When the Advisor believes that current market, economic, political or other conditions are unsuitable and would impair the pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund may invest some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including but not limited to obligations of the U.S. Government, money market fund shares, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and/or bankers acceptances, as well as other interest bearing or discount obligations or debt instruments that carry an investment grade rating by a national rating agency. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Principal Risks of Investing
As discussed in the Summary Section and described further under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds”, the Fund is subject to the risks common to all mutual funds that invest in equity securities and foreign securities.
SMALL COMPANY OPPORTUNITIES FUND
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental, and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its objective.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including amounts borrowed for investment purposes) in equity securities of small and micro cap companies. The Fund will not change this investment policy unless it gives shareholders at least 60 days’ advance written notice.
The Fund considers small and micro cap companies to be companies with market capitalizations within the ranges of those companies included in the Russell 2000 Index and the Russell Microcap
®
Index at the time of purchase. Because small and micro cap companies are defined by reference to indices, the range of market capitalization of companies in which the Fund invests may vary with market conditions. As of December 31, 2013, the market capitalizations of companies included in the Russell 2000 Index and Russell Microcap
®
Index ranged from $14 million to $5.3 billion and $9 million to $1.4 billion, respectively. Investments in companies that move above or below the capitalization ranges of the Russell 2000 Index or the Russell Microcap
®
Index may continue to be held by the Fund in the Fund advisor’s sole discretion. The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stock, preferred stocks and convertible securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. issuers and issuers organized or traded in foreign countries (“foreign issuers”) including emerging markets.
The Fund also may invest in ADRs, EDRs, GDRs and ETFs. ADRs are receipts that represent interests in foreign securities held on deposit by U.S. banks. EDRs and GDRs have the same qualities as ADRs, except that they may be traded in several international trading markets. ETFs are investment companies that invest in portfolios of securities designed to track particular market segments or indices and whose shares are bought and sold on securities exchanges. The Fund generally will invest in a portfolio of 50 to 100 securities typically spread across many economic sectors. From time to time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets in one or more market sectors such as the finance sector.
The Advisor’s investment process is a bottom-up approach that seeks to identify companies with attractive valuations relative to net asset value. The Advisor employs a four-step investment process. First, the Advisor uses a quantitative screen to identify a group of value-oriented U.S. securities of companies with market capitalizations within or close to the range of the market capitalizations of the Russell 2000 Index or the Russell Microcap® Index. Second, the Advisor conducts a thorough fundamental analysis of each company, focusing on key balance sheet information to determine the net asset value of the company. In the third step, the Advisor analyzes the companies’ senior management and their business plans to identify competent senior management teams that are committed to unlocking value. Finally, the portfolio management team determines whether to buy, wait or pass on those companies that have passed the first three steps. The Advisor also considers other factors including political risk, monetary policy risk, and regulatory risk when selecting foreign (non-U.S.) securities.
The Advisor generally will sell a security when one or more of the following occurs: 1) the Advisor’s estimate of full valuation is realized; 2) a more attractive stock is identified (in which case the least attractive stock in the portfolio is sold); 3) there is significant negative news; or 4) a company is acquired for cash. In the case of acquisitions for stock, the Advisor will evaluate the combined company.
When the Advisor believes that current market, economic, political or other conditions are unsuitable and would impair the pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund may invest some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including but not limited to obligations of the U.S. Government, money market fund shares, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and/or bankers acceptances, as well as other interest bearing or discount obligations or debt instruments that carry an investment grade rating by a national rating agency. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund
As discussed in the Summary Section and described further below under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds”, the Fund is subject to the risks common to all mutual funds that invest in equity securities and foreign securities.
STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
Investment Objective
The Fund’s primary objective is to seek high current income and secondary objective is long term capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objectives are not fundamental, and may be changed by the Trust’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, upon at least 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund pursues its investment objective primarily by investing in preferred and debt securities and other income producing securities including convertible securities, common stocks, and securities of other investment companies. In pursuing the Fund’s investment strategy, the Advisor seeks to identify securities it believes are undervalued considering credit quality and other investment characteristics. More specifically, the Fund’s advisor seeks to identify securities which it believes offer significantly higher yields than U.S. treasury securities of comparable maturity, while striving to maintain stability of principal and preserving good overall credit quality through extensive credit analysis and broad diversification across security types with a history of low correlation to other asset classes.
Preferred securities
Preferred securities generally pay fixed or adjustable rate distributions to investors and have preference over common stock in the payment of distributions and the liquidation of a company’s assets, but are junior to most other forms of the company’s debt, including both senior and subordinated debt. There are two basic types of preferred securities: traditional preferred securities and hybrid-preferred securities.
Traditional preferred stocks generally pay a fixed rate of return; however, because they are equity securities, preferred stocks provide equity ownership of a company and the income is paid in the form of dividends. Preferred stocks are typically subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure but senior to common equity, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than bonds and other debt instruments.
Many preferred securities are issued by trusts or other special purpose entities established by operating companies and are not direct obligations of an operating company (frequently referred to as “hybrid” preferred securities). At the time a trust or special purpose entity issues its preferred securities, the trust or special purpose entity purchases debt of the operating company (with terms comparable to those of the trust or special purpose entity securities), which enables the operating company to deduct for tax purposes the interest paid on the debt held by the trust or special purpose entity. The trust or special purpose entity is generally required to be treated as transparent for federal income tax purposes such that the holders of the preferred securities are treated as owning beneficial interests in the underlying debt of the operating company. Accordingly, payments on these preferred securities are treated as interest rather than dividends for federal income tax purposes and, as such, are not eligible for the dividends received deduction under Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any income tax rates that may be applicable only to dividend income. The trust or special purpose entity in turn is a holder of the operating company's debt and has priority with respect to the operating company's earnings and profits over the operating company's common shareholders, but is typically subordinated to other classes of the operating company's debt. The Fund may also invest in “baby bonds” which are securities that trade like preferred securities in $25 increments but are actually debt instruments, and are therefore not subordinate to an issuer’s other debt instruments.
Debt Securities
U.S. Government Securities.
The Fund may invest in U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and securities issued or guaranteed by various agencies of the U.S. government, or by various instrumentalities which have been established or sponsored by the U.S. government. U.S. Treasury obligations are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government. Securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies and U.S. government sponsored instrumentalities may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
Corporate Debt Securities.
The Fund may invest in corporate debt securities of any maturity. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most common types of corporate debt securities, with the primary difference being their maturities and secured or unsecured status. The Fund may invest in U.S. and non-U.S. issuers of corporate debt securities. Corporate debt may be rated investment-grade or below investment-grade and may carry fixed or floating rates of interest.
Municipal Bonds.
The Fund may invest in taxable municipal bonds. States, local governments and municipalities issue municipal bonds to raise money for certain purposes. Municipal bonds issued to finance activities with a broad public purpose are generally exempt from federal income tax. Taxable municipal bonds, however, are issued to finance activities with less significant benefits to the public, such as the construction of sports facilities, and as such the interest paid to holders of such bonds is taxable as ordinary income. Municipal bonds may be rated investment-grade or below investment-grade and pay interest based on fixed or floating rate coupons. Maturities may range from long-term to short-term.
Convertible Securities
The Fund may invest in convertible securities, which are hybrid securities that combine the investment characteristics of bonds and common stocks. Convertible securities typically consist of debt securities or preferred securities that may be converted within a specified period of time (typically for the entire life of the security) into a certain amount of common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer at a predetermined price. They also include debt securities with warrants or common stock attached and derivatives combining the features of debt securities and equity securities. Convertible securities entitle the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt securities, or dividends paid or accrued on preferred securities, until the securities mature or are redeemed, converted or exchanged.
Common Stocks
The Fund may invest in U.S. and non-U.S. issuers of dividend paying common stocks. Holders of common stocks are entitled to the income and increase in the value of the assets and business of the issuers after all debt obligations and obligations to preferred stockholders are satisfied. Common stocks generally have voting rights.
Covered Call Options
The Fund may write (sell) covered call options on securities the Fund holds in its portfolio. When the Fund writes a covered call option, the Fund sells the obligation to deliver a security on or before a predetermined date in the future in return for a fee, or “premium”. The Fund owns a sufficient amount of assets such that it is able to meet its potential obligation to deliver shares should the buyer exercise its right to purchase the shares. This technique offers the Fund the potential to generate gains from option premiums, although it may limit the Fund’s ability to participate in capital appreciation on its portfolio holdings when security prices rise.
Other Investment Companies
The Fund may invest in securities of closed-end investment companies.
Investing in investment companies will involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. Closed-end funds typically trade on securities exchanges and their shares may, at times, trade at a premium or discount to their net asset values. The Fund will incur brokerage costs when purchasing and selling shares of closed-end funds.
The Fund limits its investment in shares of other investment companies to the extent allowed by the 1940 Act.
The Advisor generally will sell a security when one or more of the following occurs: 1) the Advisor’s estimate of full valuation is realized; 2) a more attractive stock is identified; 3) there is significant negative news; 4) the security’s credit quality deteriorates, or 5) the Fund requires cash to meet redemption requests.
When the Advisor believes that current market, economic, political or other conditions are unsuitable and would impair the pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund may invest some or all of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, including but not limited to obligations of the U.S. Government, money market fund shares, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and/or bankers acceptances, as well as other interest bearing or discount obligations or debt instruments that carry an investment grade rating by a national rating agency. When the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Principal Risks of Investing
As discussed in the Summary Section and described further below under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds”, the Fund is subject to the risks common to all mutual funds that invest in equity securities and foreign securities.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds
The Funds’ principal risks are set forth below. Before you decide whether to invest in a Fund, carefully consider these risk factors and special considerations associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause you to lose money.
Convertible Securities Risk (All Funds).
Convertible securities are securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for common or preferred stock. The values of convertible securities may be affected by changes in interest rates, the creditworthiness of their issuer, and the ability of the issuer to repay principal and to make interest payments. A convertible security tends to perform more like a stock when the underlying stock price is high and more like a debt security when the underlying stock price is low. A convertible security is not as sensitive to interest rate changes as a similar non-convertible debt security and generally has less potential for gain or loss than the underlying stock.
Covered Call Options Risk (Strategic Income Fund).
The Fund may write (sell) covered call options on securities the Fund holds in its portfolio. When the Fund writes a covered call option, the Fund sells the obligation to deliver a security on or before a predetermined date in the future in return for a fee, or “premium”. The Fund owns a sufficient amount of assets such that it is able to meet its potential obligation to deliver shares should the buyer exercise its right to purchase the shares. This technique offers the Fund the potential to generate gains from option premiums, although it may limit the Fund’s ability to participate in capital appreciation on its portfolio holdings when security prices rise.
Credit Risk
(Strategic Income Fund)
.
If an obligor (such as the issuer itself or a party offering credit enhancement) for a security held by the Fund fails to pay amounts due when required by the terms of the security, otherwise defaults, is perceived to be less creditworthy, becomes insolvent or files for bankruptcy, a security’s credit rating is downgraded or the credit quality or value of any underlying assets declines, the value of the Fund’s investment could decline. If the Fund enters into financial contracts (such as certain derivatives, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, and when-issued, delayed delivery and forward commitment transactions), the Fund will be subject to the credit risk presented by the counterparties. Credit risk is broadly gauged by the credit ratings of the securities in which the Fund invests.
Currency Risk (All Funds).
The values of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increase or decrease as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. Dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the United States and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls, and speculation.
Equity Risk (All Funds).
The value of equity securities held by a Fund may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests. The price of common stock of an issuer in a Fund’s portfolio may decline if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the financial condition of the issuer declines. Common stock is subordinated to preferred stocks, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure in terms of priority with respect to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of such issuers. In addition, while broad market measures of common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, common stocks have also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns.
ETF Risk (All Funds Except All Cap Value Fund and Strategic Income Fund).
Investing in an ETF will provide a Fund with exposure to the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based and will expose the Fund to risks similar to those of investing directly in those securities. Shares of ETFs typically trade on securities exchanges and may at times trade at a premium or discount to their net asset values. In addition, an ETF may not replicate exactly the performance of the benchmark index it seeks to track for a number of reasons, including transaction costs incurred by the ETF, the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or the number of securities held. Investing in ETFs, which are investment companies, may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. The Fund will pay brokerage commissions in connection with the purchase and sale of shares of ETFs.
Fixed Income Securities Risk (Strategic Income Fund).
The prices of fixed income securities respond to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to changes in an issuer’s credit rating or market perceptions about the creditworthiness of an issuer. Prices of fixed income securities tend to move inversely with changes in interest rates.
Generally fixed income securities decrease in value if interest rates rise and increase in value if interest rates fall, with lower rated securities more volatile than higher rated securities.
The longer the effective maturity and duration of the Fund’s portfolio, the more the Fund’s share price is likely to react to changes in interest rates. (
Duration is a weighted measure of the length of time required to receive the present value of future payments, both interest and principal, from a fixed income security.)
Some fixed income securities give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the securities before their maturity dates. If an issuer calls its security during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund might have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield, and therefore might not benefit from any increase in value of the security as a result of declining interest rates. During periods of market illiquidity or rising interest rates, prices of callable issues are subject to increased price fluctuation. In addition, the Fund may be subject to extension risk, which occurs during a rising interest rate environment because certain obligations may be paid off by an issuer more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of those securities held by the Fund to fall.
Foreign Investment Risk (All Funds).
Investments in foreign securities are affected by risk factors generally not thought to be present in the United States. The prices of foreign securities may be more volatile than the prices of securities of U.S. issuers because of economic and social conditions abroad, political developments, and changes in the regulatory environments of foreign countries. Special risks associated with investments in foreign markets include less liquidity, less developed or less efficient trading markets, lack of comprehensive company information, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, greater risks associated with counterparties and settlement, and difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations. In addition, changes in exchange rates and interest rates, and imposition of foreign taxes, may adversely affect the value of a Fund’s foreign investments. Foreign companies are generally subject to different legal and accounting standards than U.S. companies, and foreign financial intermediaries may be subject to less supervision and regulation than U.S. financial firms. A Fund’s investments in depository receipts (including ADRs) are subject to these risks, even if denominated in U.S. Dollars, because changes in currency and exchange rates affect the values of the issuers of depository receipts. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depository receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depository receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.
Emerging Market Risk (All Funds).
Many of the risks with respect to foreign investments are more pronounced for investments in issuers in developing or emerging market countries. Emerging market countries tend to have government exchange controls, less market regulation, and less developed economic, political and legal systems than those of more developed countries. Their economies also depend heavily upon international trade and may be adversely affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners. Emerging market countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. Dollar and may not be traded internationally. Some countries with emerging securities markets have experienced high rates of inflation for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue to have negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain countries. Emerging securities markets typically have substantially less volume than U.S. markets, securities in these markets are less liquid, and their prices often are more volatile than those of comparable U.S. companies. Delays may occur in settling securities transactions in emerging market countries, which could adversely affect a Fund’s ability to make or liquidate investments in those markets in a timely fashion. In addition, it may not be possible for a Fund to find satisfactory custodial services in an emerging market country, which could increase the Fund’s costs and cause delays in the transportation and custody of its investments.
Geographic (Japan) Risk (International All Cap Value Fund and International Small Cap Value Fund).
As of October 31, 2013, each Fund invested a significant amount of its total assets in Japanese securities. The growth of Japan’s economy has historically lagged that of its Asian neighbors and other major developed economies. The Japanese economy is heavily dependent on international trade and has been adversely affected by trade tariffs, other protectionist measures, competition from emerging economies and the economic conditions of its trading partners. China has become an important trading partner with Japan, yet the countries’ political relationship has become strained. Should political tension increase, it could adversely affect the economy, especially the export sector, and destabilize the region as a whole. Japan is located in a part of the world that has historically been prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis and is economically sensitive to environmental events. Any such event could result in a significant adverse impact on the Japanese economy. Japan may be subject to risks relating to political, economic and labor risks. Japan also remains heavily dependent on oil imports, and higher commodity prices could therefore have a negative impact on the economy. The Japanese securities markets may be subject to greater market volatility, the availability of less reliable financial information, higher transactional and custody costs, taxation by foreign governments, decreased market liquidity, political instability and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio transactions.
High Yield (“Junk”) Bond Risk (Strategic Income Fund).
High yield bonds (often called “junk bonds”) are speculative, involve greater risks of default or downgrade and are more volatile and tend to be less liquid than investment-grade securities. High yield bonds involve a greater risk of price declines than investment-grade securities due to actual or perceived changes in an issuer’s creditworthiness. Companies issuing high yield fixed-income securities are less financially strong, are more likely to encounter financial difficulties, and are more vulnerable to adverse market events and negative sentiments than companies with higher credit ratings. These factors could affect such companies’ abilities to make interest and principal payments and ultimately could cause such companies to stop making interest and/or principal payments. In such cases, payments on the securities may never resume, which would result in the securities owned by the Fund becoming worthless. The market prices of junk bonds are generally less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher rated investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic or political changes or individual developments specific to the issuer.
Management and Strategy Risk (All Funds).
The value of your investment is dependent upon the judgment of the Advisor about the quality, relative yield, value or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, which may prove to be incorrect. Investment strategies employed by the Advisor in selecting investments for a Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other investments.
Market Risk (All Funds).
The market price of a security or instrument may decline, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions throughout the world, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The market value of a security or instrument also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. The financial crisis that began in 2008 has caused a significant decline in the value and liquidity of many securities; in particular, the values of some sovereign debt and of securities of issuers that invest in sovereign debt and related investments have fallen, credit has become more scarce worldwide and there has been significant uncertainty in the markets. This environment could make identifying investment risks and opportunities especially difficult for the Advisor. These market conditions may continue or get worse. In response to the crisis, the United States and other governments have taken steps to support financial markets. The withdrawal of this support or failure of efforts in response to the crisis could negatively affect financial markets generally as well as the value and liquidity of certain securities. In addition, policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries are changing many aspects of financial regulation. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.
Non-Diversification Risk (Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund, International All Cap Value Fund and International Small Cap Value Fund).
Each Fund is classified as “non-diversified,” which means each Fund may invest a larger percentage of its assets in the securities of a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. Investment in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes each Fund to greater market risk and potential losses than if its assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers.
Preferred Stock Risk (All Funds).
Preferred stock represents an equity interest in a company that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to the holders of other stocks such as common stocks, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the company. Preferred stocks may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. The market value of preferred stock is subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities and is sensitive to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness, the ability of the issuer to make payments on the preferred stock and changes in interest rates, typically declining in value if interest rates rise. In addition, a company’s preferred stock generally pays dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. Therefore the value of preferred stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects.
Sector Risk (All Funds).
From time to time, a Fund may invest a significant amount of its total assets in certain sectors of the economy. Each of those sectors may be subject to specific risks. These risks include governmental regulation of the sector and governmental monetary and fiscal policies, which may impact interest rates and currencies and affect corporate funding and international trade. Certain sectors may be more vulnerable than others to these factors. In addition, market sentiment and expectations toward a particular sector could affect a company’s market valuation and access to equity funding.
For example, as of October 31, 2013, a significant portion of each Fund’s assets were invested in the Financial sector. Performance of companies in the Financial sector may be adversely impacted by many factors, including, among others: government regulations of, or related to, the sector; governmental monetary and fiscal policies; economic, business or political conditions; credit rating downgrades; changes in interest rates; price competition; and decreased liquidity in credit markets. This sector has experienced significant losses and a high degree of volatility in the recent past, and the impact of more stringent capital requirements and of recent or future regulation on any individual financial company or on the sector as a whole cannot be predicted.
Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Company Risk (All Funds Except Strategic Income Fund).
Investing in small-capitalization and mid-capitalization companies generally involves greater risks than investing in large-capitalization companies. Small- or mid-cap companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources or may depend on the expertise of a few people and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established companies or market averages in general. Many small capitalization companies may be in the early stages of development. Since equity securities of smaller companies may lack sufficient market liquidity and may not be regularly traded, it may be difficult or impossible to sell securities at an advantageous time or a desirable price.
Value-Oriented Investment Strategies Risk
(All Funds)
. Value stocks are those that are believed to be undervalued in comparison to their peers due to adverse business developments or other factors. Value investing carries the risk that the market will not recognize a security’s inherent value for a long time or at all, or that a stock judged to be undervalued may actually be appropriately priced or overvalued. In addition, during some periods (which may be extensive) value stocks generally may be out of favor in the markets. Therefore the Funds are most suitable for long-term investors who are willing to hold their shares for extended periods of time through market fluctuations and the accompanying changes in share prices.
Additional Investment Techniques
In addition to the Principal Investment Strategies, t
he Fund’s Advisor may use other investments including options, futures, and securities lending to achieve the Fund’s investment objective.
The additional investments and techniques that the Fund may use are more fully described in the Fund’s
Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”)
.
Portfolio Holdings Information
A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio securities is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). Currently, disclosure of the Funds’ holdings is required to be made quarterly within 60 days of the end of each fiscal quarter, in the Funds’ Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Funds shareholders, and in the quarterly holdings report on Form N-Q.
Investment Advisor
Advisory Research, Inc. (“ARI” or “Advisor”), located at Two Prudential Plaza, 180 N. Stetson Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601, acts as the investment advisor to the Funds pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with the Trust. ARI, founded in 1974, is a Delaware corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Piper Jaffray Companies and a registered investment advisor. The Advisor is an investment advisor registered with the SEC. The Advisor manages approximately $ 11.3 billion in equity and fixed income assets for corporations, foundations, endowments, public plans and high net worth individuals as of December 31, 2013.
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the following table illustrates an annual contractual advisory fee to the Advisor for the services and facilities it provides, payable on a monthly basis.
Fund
|
Contractual Advisory Fees As a
Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
0.75%
|
Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
|
1.00%
|
Global Value Fund
|
0.80%
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
0.80%
|
International Small Cap Value Fund
|
0.90%
|
Small Company Opportunities Fund
|
0.80%
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
0.70%
|
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013, the Advisor received the following advisory fees from each Fund, after waiving fees pursuant to its expense limitation agreement with each Fund:
Fund
|
Advisory Fees Received As a
Percentage of Average Daily Net Assets
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
0.77%
|
Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
1
|
n/a
|
Global Value Fund
|
0.30%
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
0.00%
|
International Small Cap Value Fund
|
0.86%
|
Small Company Opportunities Fund
1
|
n/a
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
0.50%
|
1
The Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund and the Small Company Opportunities Fund commenced operations on November 1, 2013.
A discussion regarding the basis of Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement for each Fund (except the Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund and Small Company Opportunities Fund) is available in the Funds’ annual report dated October 31, 2013. A discussion regarding the basis of Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement for the Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund and Small Company Opportunities Fund will be available in the Fund’s semi-annual report dated April 30, 2014.
Portfolio Managers
The Funds are managed by the portfolio managers listed below. The portfolio managers work as a team in considering securities for selection and implementing portfolio strategies. All investment decisions are made by the portfolio managers as a team, in the absence of a veto from any portfolio manager.
The All Cap Value Fund is team managed by
James M. Langer, Matthew K. Swaim and Bruce M. Zessar
.
The Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund is team managed by
Jonathan P. Brodsky, Drew Edwards and Marco P. Priani.
The Global Value Fund is team managed by
James M. Langer, Jonathan P. Brodsky, Marco P. Priani, Drew Edwards, Matthew K. Swaim and Bruce Zessar
.
The International All Cap Value Fund is team managed by
Jonathan P. Brodsky, Drew Edwards and Marco P. Priani
.
The International Small Cap Value Fund is team managed by
Jonathan P. Brodsky, Drew Edwards and Marco P. Priani
.
The Small Company Opportunities Fund is team managed by
James M. Langer, Matthew K. Swaim, Shreekkanth (Shree) Viswanathan and Paul Galat.
The Strategic Income Fund is team managed by
James M. Langer, Bruce M. Zessar, and Adam Dabrowski
.
James M. Langer, CFA,
has 21 years of investment experience and has served as a Managing Director of the firm since 2007. He served as Vice President of ARI from 1996 to 2007. Prior to joining ARI in 1996, Mr. Langer served as an Investment Consultant at Marquette Associates for five years. Mr. Langer’s career in finance began at the Center for Research in Security
Prices at the University of Chicago, where he worked on several academic research projects. Mr. Langer holds a B.A. in economics from the University of Chicago and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management – Northwestern University.
Jonathan P. Brodsky
has 13 years of investment experience and has served as a Managing Director of the firm since 2009. He served as Vice President of ARI from 2004 to 2009. Prior to joining ARI, he served a non-political appointment in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of International Affairs from 2003 to 2004. Mr. Brodsky began his career in finance as an investment banker for J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. from 2000 to 2003. Mr. Brodsky holds a B.A. in political science and an M.A. in international relations from Syracuse University and an M.B.A. and J.D. from Northwestern University.
Drew Edwards
has 13 years of investment experience and has served as a Vice President of the firm since joining ARI in 2008. From 2005 to 2008, Mr. Edwards was an investment professional at Taiyo Pacific Partners, an activist fund manager that focuses on Japanese equities. Prior to joining Taiyo, he was a finance executive in the healthcare industry from 2002 to 2005 and as an investment banker at Lehman Brothers from 2000 to 2002. Mr. Edwards holds a B.A. in International Business from Sophia University (Tokyo) and an M.B.A. and J.D. from Northwestern University.
Marco P. Priani, CFA, CPA
,
FRM,
has 11 years of investment experience and has served as a Vice President of the firm since joining ARI in 2006. Prior to joining ARI, from 1993 to 2004 he worked as a partner in the corporate bankruptcy law firm of Priani, Claps & Caamaño in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Marco holds a J.D. from the Universidad de Buenos Aires, an M.A. in law and finance from the Universidad del CEMA, an M.B.A. in analytic finance and accounting from the University of Chicago, and an LLM from the Northwestern University School of Law.
Matthew K. Swaim, CFA, CPA
, has 11 years of investment experience and has served as a Managing Director of the firm since 2009. He served as Vice President of ARI from 2005 to 2009. Prior to joining ARI in 2005, he worked in the assurance and business advisory group at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1998 to 2003. While pursuing his master’s degree in business, he worked as an equity analyst with a mutual fund company from 2004 to 2005. Mr. Swaim holds a B.S. in accounting and business administration from the University of Kansas and an M.B.A. from the Kelley School of Business - Indiana University.
Bruce M. Zessar, CFA,
has ten years of investment experience and has served as a Managing Director of the firm since 2009. He served as Vice President of ARI from 2004 to 2009. Prior to joining ARI in 2004, he served as executive vice president and general counsel of Oasis Legal Finance, LLC, a specialty finance company from 2002 to 2004. Mr. Zessar was formerly a partner in the law firm of Sidley Austin, where he practiced law from 1990 to 2002. Mr. Zessar holds an A.B. magna cum laude in Economics from Harvard University and a J.D. with distinction from Stanford Law School.
Shreekkanth (Shree) Viswanathan, CFA, CPA
, has 14 years of investment experience and has served as a Managing Director of the firm since 2011. He served as Vice President of ARI from 2007 to 2011. Prior to joining ARI in 2007, Mr. Viswanathan served as a portfolio manager for Discovery Financial Partners and vice president of corporate development at Union Bank of California. Mr. Viswanathan began his career in finance as an investment banker at Deutsche Bank. He holds a B.S. in mathematics and physics from Madurai Kamaraj University in India, an M.B.A. in accounting from Keller Graduate School of Management – DeVry University, and an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Chicago.
Paul D. Galat
has 13 years of investment experience and has served as a Managing Director of the firm since 2012. Prior to joining the firm in 2012, he worked as an equity analyst at Skylands Capital, LLC., the hedge fund strategy formerly housed inside of Strong Funds. While pursuing his master’s degree in business, he worked as an analyst for a convertible arbitrage fund. Mr. Galat serves on the Reese Fund Board, a student led investment fund at the Kelly School of Business, Indiana University. He holds a B.S. in business administration from Miami University of Ohio and an M.B.A. from the Kelley School of Business – Indiana University.
Adam M. Dabrowski, CFA, FRM
has 12 years of investment experience, serves as a Vice President. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a senior developer for a financial services and trading firm. Adam holds a B.S. in computer science from the De Paul University and an M.B.A. in analytical finance from the University of Chicago.
The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation structure, other accounts managed by each portfolio manager and each portfolio manager’s ownership of securities of the Funds.
Other Service Providers
IMST Distributors LLC (the “Distributor”), is the Trust’s principal underwriter and acts as the Trust’s distributor in connection with the offering of Fund shares. The Distributor may enter into agreements with banks, broker-dealers, or other financial intermediaries through which investors may purchase or redeem shares. The Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust, the Advisor or any other service provider for the Funds
.
Fund Expenses
Each Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses. The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for operating expenses of the Funds to ensure that the total annual fund operating expenses (excluding any taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses (as determined in accordance with Form N-1A, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) do not exceed the following. This agreement is in effect until February 28, 2015, and it may be terminated before that date only by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.
Fund
|
As a Percentage of
Average Daily Net Assets
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
1.00%
|
Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
|
1.35%
|
Global Value Fund
|
1.10%
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
1.10%
|
International Small Cap Value Fund–Investor Class
|
1.30%
|
International Small Cap Value Fund –Class I
|
1.15%
|
Small Company Opportunities Fund
|
1.10%
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
0.90%
|
Any reduction in advisory fees or payment of a Fund’s expenses made by the Advisor in a fiscal year may be reimbursed by the Fund for a period of three years from the date of reduction or payment if the Advisor so requests. This reimbursement may be requested from a Fund if the aggregate amount of operating expenses for such fiscal year, as accrued each month, does not exceed the lesser of (a) the limitation on Fund expenses in effect at the time of the relevant reduction in advisory fees or payment of the Fund’s expenses, or (b) the limitation on Fund expenses at the time of the request. However, the reimbursement amount may not exceed the total amount of fees waived and/or Fund expenses paid by the Advisor and will not include any amounts previously reimbursed to the Advisor by a Fund. Any such reimbursement is contingent upon the Board’s subsequent review and ratification of the reimbursed amounts and no reimbursement may cause the total operating expenses paid by a Fund in a fiscal year to exceed the applicable limitation on Fund expenses. A Fund must pay current ordinary operating expenses before the Advisor is entitled to any reimbursement of fees and/or Fund expenses.
Prior Performance for Similar Accounts managed by the Advisor
The following tables set forth composite performance data relating to the historical performance of all accounts managed by the Advisor for the periods indicated with investment objectives, policies, strategies and risks substantially similar to those of the Advisory Research International Small Cap Value Fund and the Advisory Research All Cap Value Fund, respectively. The data is provided to illustrate the past performance of the Advisor in managing substantially similar accounts as measured against market indices and does not represent the performance of those Funds.
The private accounts and limited partnerships comprising the composites are not subject to the same types of expenses to which the Funds are subject, certain investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Consequently, the performance results for these private accounts or limited partnerships could have been adversely affected if the private accounts and limited partnerships had been regulated as investment companies under the federal securities laws. You should not consider this performance data as an indication of future performance of the Funds.
Average Annual Total Returns
For the Periods Ended December 31, 2013
ARI International Value Composite
|
One Year
|
Three Years
|
Since Inception
(1/1/2006)
|
ARI International Value Composite returns
(1)
|
24.2%
|
9.5%
|
5.6%
|
MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index
|
29.3%
|
9.3%
|
5.2%
|
ARI All Cap Value Composite
|
One Year
|
Three Years
|
Five Years
|
Since Inception
(7/1/2002)
|
ARI All Cap Value Composite returns
(2)
|
33.5 %
|
14.6 %
|
16.1%
|
8.8%
|
Russell 3000
®
Value Index
|
32.7 %
|
15.9 %
|
16.8%
|
8.0%
|
(1)
|
The composite performance does not represent the historical performance of the Advisory Research International Small Cap Value Fund and should not be interpreted as being indicative of the future performance of the Advisory Research International Small Cap Value Fund.
|
(2)
|
The composite performance does not represent the historical performance of the Advisory Research All Cap Value Fund and should not be interpreted as being indicative of the future performance of the Advisory Research All Cap Value Fund.
|
ARI is an independent registered investment advisor established in 1974. ARI manages a variety of equity and fixed income assets for primarily U.S. clients. ARI claims compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS). The GIPS method of calculating performance is not the same as that used for the Funds.
The composite returns are net of management fees, trading commissions, and transaction costs and reflect the reinvestment of all income. Composite returns have been reduced by the amount of the highest fee charged to any client invested in a strategy for the period under consideration. Actual fees may vary depending on, among other things, the applicable management fee schedule and portfolio size. The fee schedules are as follows:
|
Management Fees
|
ARI International Value Strategy
|
1.30% of assets under management
|
ARI All Cap Value Strategy
|
1.00% on the first $5 million
0.75% on the next $15 million
0.50% thereafter
|
The U.S. Dollar is the currency used to express performance.
MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index:
The MSCI EAFE Index (Europe, Australasia, Far East) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada. As of December 31, 2013 the MSCI EAFE Index consisted of the following 22 developed market country indices: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The Russell 3000
®
Value Index measures the performance of the broad value segment of U.S. equity value universe. It includes those Russell 3000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.
A complete list of firm composites and performance results is available upon request. Additional information regarding policies for calculating and reporting returns is also available by contacting the Advisor at requestinfo@advisoryresearch.com.
YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE FUND
Share Price
The offering price of each class of each Fund’s shares is based upon the net asset value per share (“NAV”) of that class. The NAV is determined by dividing (a) the difference between the value of each Fund’s securities, cash and other assets and the amount of the Fund’s expenses and liabilities attributable to the class by (b) the number of each Fund shares outstanding in that class (assets – liabilities / # of shares = NAV). Each NAV of a class takes into account all of the expenses and fees of that class of the Fund, including management fees and administration fees, which are accrued daily. The Funds’ NAV are calculated as of the close of regular trading (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day that the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for unrestricted business. The Funds’ NAV may be calculated earlier if trading on the NYSE is restricted or if permitted by the SEC. The NYSE is closed on weekends and most U.S. national holidays. However, foreign securities listed primarily on non-U.S. markets may trade on weekends or other days on which the Funds do not value their shares, which may significantly affect the Funds’ NAV on days when you are not able to buy or sell Fund shares.
The Funds’ securities generally are valued at market price. Securities are valued at fair value when market quotations are not readily available. In certain circumstances, the Funds employ fair value pricing to ensure greater accuracy in determining daily NAVs and to prevent dilution by frequent traders or market timers who seek to exploit temporary market anomalies. The Board has adopted procedures to be followed when the Funds must utilize fair value pricing, including when reliable market quotations are not readily available, when the Funds’ pricing service does not provide a valuation (or provides a valuation that, in the judgment of the Advisor, does not represent the security’s fair value), or when, in the judgment of the Advisor, events have rendered the market value unreliable (see, for example, the discussion of fair value pricing of foreign securities in the paragraph below). Valuing securities at fair value involves reliance on the judgment of the Advisor and the Board (or a committee thereof), and may result in a different price being used in the calculation of the Funds’ NAV from quoted or published prices for the same securities. Fair value determinations are made in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. There can be no assurance that the Funds will obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it sells the security.
In certain circumstances, the Fund employs fair value pricing to ensure greater accuracy in determining daily NAVs and to prevent dilution by frequent traders or market timers who seek to exploit temporary market anomalies. Fair value pricing may be applied to foreign securities held by the Funds upon the occurrence of an event after the close of trading on non-U.S. markets but before the close of trading on the NYSE when the Funds’ NAVs are determined. If the event may result in a material adjustment to the price of the Funds’ foreign securities once non-U.S. markets open on the following business day (such as, for example, a significant surge or decline in the U.S. market), the Funds may value such foreign securities at fair value, taking into account the effect of such event, in order to calculate the Funds’ NAVs. Other types of portfolio securities that the Funds may value at fair value include, but are not limited to: (1) investments that are illiquid or traded infrequently, including “restricted” securities and private placements for which there is no public market; (2) investments for which, in the judgment of the Advisor, the market price is stale; (3) securities of an issuer that has entered into a restructuring; (4) securities for which trading has been halted or suspended; and (5) fixed income securities for which there is no current market value quotation.
Buying Fund Shares
Each Fund, except for the International Small Cap Value Fund, offers one class of shares.
The
International Small Cap Value Fund offers two classes of shares, designated as Investor Class and Class I shares. Investor Class shares generally incur annual shareholder service fees. Class I shares do not incur such fees.
By offering multiple classes of shares, the International Small Cap Value Fund permits each investor to choose the class of shares that is most beneficial given the type of investor, the amount to be invested and the length of time the investor expects to hold the shares.
Each class of shares generally has the same rights, except for the distribution fees, and related expenses associated with each class of shares, and the exclusive voting rights by each class with respect to any distribution plan or service plan for such class of shares.
To purchase shares of the Funds, you must invest at least the minimum amount indicated in the following table.
|
|
|
International Small Cap Value Fund –Class I
|
Minimum Investments
|
To Open
Your Account
|
To Add to
Your Account
|
To Open
Your Account
|
To Add to
Your Account
|
Direct Regular Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
$500,000
|
$500
|
Direct Retirement Accounts
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
$500,000
|
$500
|
Automatic Investment Plan
|
$2,500
|
$100
|
$500
|
$100
|
Gift Account For Minors
|
$2,500
|
$500
|
$500,000
|
$500
|
Shares of the Funds may be purchased by check, by wire transfer of funds via a bank or through an approved financial intermediary (
i.e.
, a supermarket, investment advisor, financial planner or consultant, broker, dealer or other investment professional and their agents) authorized by the Funds to receive purchase orders. A financial intermediary
may charge additional fees and may require higher minimum investments or impose other limitations on buying and selling Funds shares.
You may make an initial investment in an amount greater than the minimum amounts shown in the preceding table and the Funds may, from time to time, reduce or waive the minimum initial investment amounts. The minimum initial investment amount is automatically waived for Funds shares purchased by Trustees of the Trust and current or retired directors and employees of the Advisor and its affiliates.
To the extent allowed by applicable law, each Fund reserves the right to discontinue offering shares at any time or to cease operating entirely.
In-Kind Purchases and Redemptions
The Funds reserve the right to accept payment for shares in the form of securities that are permissible investments for the Funds. The Funds also reserve the right to pay redemptions by an “in-kind” distribution of securities (instead of cash) from the Funds. In-kind purchases and redemptions are taxable events and may result in the recognition of gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. See the SAI for further information about the terms of these purchases and redemptions.
Additional Investments
Additional subscriptions in the Funds generally may be made by investing at least the minimum amount shown in the table above. Exceptions may be made at the Trust’s discretion. You may purchase additional shares of the Funds by sending a check together with the investment stub from your most recent account statement to the Funds at the applicable address listed in the table below. Please ensure that you include your account number on the check. If you do not have the investment stub from your account statement, list your name, address and account number on a separate sheet of paper and include it with your check. You may also make additional investments in the Funds by wire transfer of funds or through an approved financial intermediary. The minimum additional investment amount is automatically waived for shares purchased by Trustees of the Trust and current or retired directors and employees of the Advisor and its affiliates. Please follow the procedures described in this Prospectus.
Dividend Reinvestment
You may reinvest dividends and capital gains distributions in shares of the Funds. Such shares are acquired at NAV on the applicable payable date of the dividend or capital gain distribution. Unless you instruct otherwise, dividends and distributions on Fund shares are automatically reinvested in shares of the same class of the Fund paying the dividend or distribution. This instruction may be made by writing to the Transfer Agent or by telephone by calling 1-888-665-1414. You may, on the account application form or prior to any declaration, instruct that dividends and/or capital gain distributions be paid in cash or be reinvested in the Fund at the next determined NAV. If you elect to receive dividends and/or capital gain distributions in cash and the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the check, or if a check remains outstanding for six months or more, the Funds reserve the right to reinvest the distribution check in your account at a Fund’s current NAV and to reinvest all subsequent distributions.
Customer Identification Information
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked for your name, date of birth (for a natural person), your residential address or principal place of business, and mailing address, if different, as well as your Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number. Additional information is required for corporations, partnerships and other entities. Applications without such information will not be considered in good order. The Funds reserve the right to deny any application if the application is not in good order.
This Prospectus should not be considered a solicitation to purchase or as an offer to sell shares of the Funds in any jurisdiction where it would be unlawful to do so under the laws of that jurisdiction.
Automatic Investment Plan
If you intend to use the Automatic Investment Plan (“AIP”), you may open your account with the initial minimum investment amount. Once an account has been opened, you may make additional investments in the Funds at regular intervals through the AIP. If elected on your account application, funds can be automatically transferred from your checking or savings account on the 5
th
, 10
th
, 15
th
, 20
th
or 25
th
of each month. In order to participate in the AIP, each additional subscription must be at least $100, and your financial institution must be a member of the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) network. The first AIP purchase will be made 15 days after the Funds’ transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) receives your request in good order. The Transfer Agent will charge a $25 fee for any ACH payment that is rejected by your bank. Your AIP will be terminated if two successive mailings we send to you are returned by the U.S. Postal Service as undeliverable. You may terminate your participation in the AIP at any time by notifying the Transfer Agent at 1-888-665-1414 at least five days prior to the date of the next AIP transfer. The Funds may modify or terminate the AIP at any time without notice.
Timing and Nature of Requests
The purchase price you will pay for a Fund’s shares will be the next NAV calculated after the Transfer Agent or your authorized financial intermediary receives your request in good order. “Good order” means that your purchase request includes: (1) the name of the Fund, (2) the dollar amount of shares to be purchased, (3) your purchase application or investment stub, and (4) a check payable to
Advisory Research Funds
. All requests received in good order before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) will be processed on that same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) will be transacted at the next business day’s NAV. All purchases must be made in U.S. Dollars and drawn on U.S. financial institutions.
Methods of Buying
|
Through a broker-
dealer or other
financial
intermediary
|
The Funds are offered through certain approved financial intermediaries (and their agents). The Funds are also offered directly. A purchase order placed with a financial intermediary or its authorized agent is treated as if such order were placed directly with the Funds, and will be deemed to have been received by the Funds when the financial intermediary or its authorized agent receives the order and executed at the next NAV calculated by the Funds. Your financial intermediary will hold your shares in a pooled account in its (or its agent’s) name. The Funds may pay your financial intermediary (or its agent) to maintain your individual ownership information, maintain required records, and provide other shareholder services. The financial intermediary which offers shares may require payment of additional fees from its individual clients. If you invest through your financial intermediary, the policies and fees may be different than those described in this Prospectus. For example, the financial intermediary may charge transaction fees or set different minimum investments. Your financial intermediary is responsible for processing your order correctly and promptly, keeping you advised of the status of your account, confirming your transactions and ensuring that you receive copies of the Funds’ Prospectus. Please contact your financial intermediary to determine whether it is an approved financial intermediary of the Funds or for additional information.
|
By mail
|
The Funds will not accept payment in cash, including cashier’s checks. Also, to prevent check fraud, the Funds will not accept third party checks, Treasury checks, credit card checks, traveler’s checks, money orders or starter checks for the purchase of shares. All checks must be made in U.S. Dollars and drawn on U.S. financial institutions.
|
|
To buy shares directly from the Funds by mail, complete an account application and send it together with your check for the amount you wish to invest to a Fund to the address indicated below. To make additional investments once you have opened your account, write your account number on the check and send it together with the most recent confirmation statement received from the Transfer Agent. If your check is returned for insufficient funds, your purchase will be canceled and a $20 fee will be assessed against your account by the Transfer Agent.
|
|
Regular Mail:
Advisory Research Funds
P.O. Box 2175
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
|
Overnight Delivery:
Advisory Research Funds
803 West Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233-2301
|
|
The Funds do not consider the U.S. Postal Service or other independent delivery services to be its agents.
|
By telephone
|
To make additional investments by telephone, you must authorize telephone purchases on your account application. If you have given authorization for telephone transactions and your account has been open for at least 15 days, call the Transfer Agent toll-free at 1-888-665-1414 and you will be allowed to move money in amounts of at least $500 from your bank account to the Funds account upon request. Only bank accounts held at U.S. institutions that are ACH members may be used for telephone transactions. If your order is placed before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on a business day shares will be purchased in your account at the NAV calculated on that day. Orders received after 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) will be transacted at the next business day’s NAV. For security reasons, requests by telephone will be recorded.
|
By wire
|
To open an account by wire, a completed account application form must be received by a Fund before your wire can be accepted. You may mail or send by overnight delivery your account application form to the Transfer Agent. Upon receipt of your completed account application form, an account will be established for you. The account number assigned to you will be required as part of the wiring instruction that should be provided to your bank to send the wire. Your bank must include the name of the Fund, the account number, and your name so that monies can be correctly applied. Your bank should transmit monies by wire to:
|
|
UMB Bank, n.a.
ABA Number 101000695
|
|
For credit to Advisory Research Funds
A/C # 987 191 6707
|
|
For further credit to:
Advisory Research Funds
Your account number(s)
Name(s) of investor(s)
Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number
|
|
Before sending your wire, please contact the Transfer Agent at 1-888-665-1414 to notify it of your intention to wire funds. This will ensure prompt and accurate credit upon receipt of your wire. Your bank may charge a fee for its wiring service.
|
|
Wired funds must be received prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on a business day to be eligible for same day pricing.
The Funds and UMB Bank, n.a. are not responsible for the consequences of delays resulting from the banking or Federal Reserve wire system, or from incomplete wiring instructions.
|
Selling (Redeeming) Fund Shares
|
Through a broker-
dealer or other
financial intermediary
|
If you purchased your shares through an approved financial intermediary, your redemption order must be placed through the same financial intermediary. The Funds will be deemed to have received a redemption order when a financial intermediary (or its authorized agent) receives the order. The financial intermediary must receive and transmit your redemption order to the Transfer Agent prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on a business day for the redemption to be processed at the current day’s NAV. Orders received after 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on a business day or on a day when a Fund does not value their shares will be transacted at the next business day’s NAV. Please keep in mind that your financial intermediary may charge additional fees for its services. In the event your approved financial intermediary is no longer available or in operation, you may place your redemption order directly with the Funds as described below.
|
By mail
|
You may redeem shares purchased directly from the Funds by mail. Send your written redemption request to
Advisory Research Funds
at the address indicated below. Your request must be in good order and contain the Fund name, the name(s) on the account, your account number and the dollar amount or the number of shares to be redeemed. The redemption request must be signed by all shareholders listed on the account. Additional documents are required for certain types of shareholders, such as corporations, partnerships, executors, trustees, administrators, or guardians (
i.e
., corporate resolutions dated within 60 days, or trust documents indicating proper authorization).
|
|
Regular Mail:
Advisory Research Funds
P.O. Box 2175
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
|
Overnight Delivery:
Advisory Research Funds
803 West Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233-2301
|
|
·
You wish to redeem more than $50,000 worth of shares;
·
When redemption proceeds are sent to any person, address or bank account not on record;
·
If a change of address was received by the Transfer Agent within the last 15 days;
·
If ownership is changed on your account; or
·
When establishing or modifying certain services on your account.
|
|
A Medallion signature guarantee must be included if any of the following situations apply:
|
By telephone
|
To redeem shares by telephone, call the Funds at 1-888-665-1414 and specify the amount of money you wish to redeem. You may have a check sent to the address of record, or, if previously established on your account, you may have proceeds sent by wire or electronic funds transfer through the ACH network directly to your bank account. Wire transfers are subject to a $20 fee paid by the shareholder and your bank may charge a fee to receive wired funds. Checks sent via overnight delivery are also subject to a $15 charge. You do not incur any charge when proceeds are sent via the ACH network; however, credit may not be available for two to three business days.
|
|
If you are authorized to perform telephone transactions (either through your account application form or by subsequent arrangement in writing with the Fund), you may redeem shares worth up to $50,000, by instructing the Funds by phone at 1-888-665-1414. Unless noted on the initial account application, a Medallion signature guarantee is required of all shareholders in order to qualify for or to change telephone redemption privileges.
|
|
Note: The Funds and all of their service providers will not be liable for any loss or expense in acting upon instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine. To confirm that all telephone instructions are genuine, the caller must verify the following:
|
|
·
The Fund account number;
·
The name in which his or her account is registered;
·
The Social Security Number or Taxpayer Identification Number under which the account is registered; and
·
The address of the account holder, as stated in the account application form.
|
Medallion Signature Guarantee
In addition to the situations described above, the Funds reserve the right to require a Medallion signature guarantee in other instances based on the circumstances relative to the particular situation.
Shareholders redeeming more than $50,000 worth of shares by mail should submit written instructions with a Medallion signature guarantee from an eligible institution acceptable to the Transfer Agent, such as a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency or savings association, or from any participant in a Medallion program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. The three currently recognized Medallion programs are Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, Stock Exchanges Medallion Program and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program. Signature guarantees that are not part of these programs will not be accepted.
Participants in Medallion programs are subject to dollar limitations which must be considered when requesting their guarantee. The Transfer Agent may reject any signature guarantee if it believes the transaction would otherwise be improper.
A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
You may request that a predetermined dollar amount be sent to you on a monthly or quarterly basis. Your account must maintain a value of at least $2,500 for you to be eligible to participate in the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (“SWP”). The minimum withdrawal amount is $100. If you elect to receive redemptions through the SWP, the Funds will send a check to your address of record, or will send the payment via electronic funds transfer through the ACH network, directly to your bank account on record. You may request an application for the SWP by calling the Transfer Agent toll-free at 1-888-665-1414. The Funds may modify or terminate the SWP at any time. You may terminate your participation in the SWP by calling the Transfer Agent at least five business days before the next withdrawal.
Payment of Redemption Proceeds
You may redeem shares of a Fund at a price equal to the NAV next determined after the Transfer Agent and/or authorized agent receives your redemption request in good order. Generally, your redemption request cannot be processed on days the NYSE is closed. All requests received in good order by the Transfer Agent and/or authorized agent before the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) will usually be sent to the bank you indicate or wired on the following business day using the wire instruction on record. Except as specified below, the Funds will process your redemption request and send your proceeds within seven calendar days after the Funds receives your redemption request.
If you purchase shares using a check and request a redemption before the check has cleared, the Funds may postpone payment of your redemption proceeds up to 15 calendar days while the Funds wait for the check to clear. Furthermore, the Funds may suspend the right to redeem shares or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for more than seven calendar days: (1) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend or holiday closings) or trading on the NYSE is restricted; (2) for any period during which an emergency exists affecting the sale of a Fund’s securities or making such sale or the fair determination of the value of the Fund’s net assets not reasonably practicable; or (3) for such other periods as the SEC may permit for the protection of the Funds’ shareholders.
Other Redemption Information
Shareholders who hold shares of the Funds through an IRA or other retirement plan, must indicate on their redemption requests whether to withhold federal income tax. Redemption requests failing to indicate an election not to have taxes withheld will generally be subject to a 10% federal income tax withholding. In addition, if you are a resident of certain states, state income tax also applies to non-Roth IRA distributions when federal withholding applies. Please consult with your tax professional.
The Funds generally pay sale (redemption) proceeds in cash. However, under unusual conditions, the Funds may pay all or part of a shareholder’s redemption proceeds in portfolio securities with a market value equal to the redemption price (redemption-in-kind) in lieu of cash in order to protect the interests of the Funds’ remaining shareholders. If the Fund redeems your shares in kind, you will bear any market risks associated with investment in these securities, and you will be responsible for the costs (including brokerage charges) of converting the securities to cash.
The Funds may redeem all of the shares held in your account if your balance falls below the Funds’ minimum initial investment amount due to your redemption activity. If, within 30 days of the Funds’ written request, you have not increased your account balance, your shares will be automatically redeemed at the current NAV. The Funds will not require that your shares be redeemed if the value of your account drops below the investment minimum due to fluctuations of the Fund’s NAV.
Cost Basis Information
Federal law requires that mutual fund companies report their shareholders’ cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the IRS on the shareholders’ Consolidated Form 1099s when “covered” shares of the mutual funds are sold. Covered shares are any mutual fund and/or dividend reinvestment plan shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012.
Each Fund has chosen “first-in, first-out” (“FIFO”) as its standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders, which means this is the method the Fund will use to determine which
specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing net asset values, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Funds’ standing tax lot identification method is the method it will use to report the sale of covered shares on your Consolidated Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. Subject to certain limitations,
you may choose a method other than the Funds’ standing method at the time of your purchase or upon the sale of covered shares. Please refer to the appropriate Treasury regulations or consult your tax advisor with regard to your personal circumstances.
Tools to Combat Frequent Transactions
The Trust’s Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by Fund shareholders. The Trust discourages excessive, short-term trading and other abusive trading practices that may disrupt portfolio management strategies and harm the Funds’ performance. The Trust takes steps to reduce the frequency and effect of these activities in the Funds. These steps may include monitoring trading activity and using fair value pricing. In addition, the Trust may take action, which may include using its best efforts to restrict a shareholder’s trading privileges in the Funds, if that shareholder has engaged in four or more “round trips” in the Funds during the 12-month period. Although these efforts (which are described in more detail below) are designed to discourage abusive trading practices, these tools cannot eliminate the possibility that such activity may occur. Further, while the Trust makes efforts to identify and restrict frequent trading, the Trust receives purchase and sale orders through financial intermediaries and cannot always know or detect frequent trading that may be facilitated by the use of intermediaries or the use of group or omnibus accounts by those intermediaries. The Trust seeks to exercise its judgment in implementing these tools to the best of its ability in a manner that the Trust believes is consistent with shareholder interests.
Redemption Fee
|
You will be charged a redemption fee of 2.00% of the value of the shares being redeemed if you redeem your shares of the Funds within 90 days of purchase. The “first in, first out” (“FIFO”) method is used to determine the holding period; this means that if you bought shares on different days, the shares purchased first will be redeemed first for the purpose of determining whether the redemption fee applies. The redemption fee is deducted from the sale proceeds and is retained by the Funds for the benefit of its remaining shareholders. The fee will not apply to redemptions (i) due to shareholder’s death or disability, (ii) from certain omnibus accounts with systematic or contractual limitations, (iii) of shares acquired through reinvestments of dividends or capital gains distributions, (iv) through certain employer-sponsored retirement plans or employee benefit plans or, with respect to any plan, to comply with minimum distribution requirements, (v) effected pursuant to an automatic non-discretionary rebalancing program, (vi) effected pursuant to asset allocation programs, wrap fee programs, and other investment programs offered by financial institutions where investment decisions are made on a discretionary basis by investment professionals, (vii) effected pursuant to the SWP, (viii) that are part of an exchange between shares of the Funds, or (ix) by the Fund of accounts falling below the minimum initial investment amount. The Trust reserves the right to waive this fee in other circumstances if the Advisor determines that doing so is in the best interests of the Funds.
|
Monitoring Trading Practices
|
The Trust may monitor trades in Fund shares in an effort to detect short-term trading activities. If, as a result of this monitoring, the Trust believes that a shareholder of the Fund has engaged in excessive short-term trading, it may, in its discretion, ask the shareholder to stop such activities or refuse to process purchases in the shareholder’s accounts. In making such judgments, the Trust seeks to act in a manner that it believes is consistent with the best interest of Fund shareholders. Due to the complexity and subjectivity involved in identifying abusive trading activity, there can be no assurance that the Trust’s efforts will identify all trades or trading practices that may be considered abusive.
|
General Transaction Policies
Some of the following policies are mentioned above. In general, the Funds reserve the right to:
|
·
|
vary or waive any minimum investment requirement;
|
|
·
|
refuse, change, discontinue, or temporarily suspend account services, including purchase or telephone redemption privileges (if redemption by telephone is not available, you may send your redemption order to the Funds via regular or overnight delivery), for any reason;
|
|
·
|
reject any purchase request for any reason (generally, the Funds do this if the purchase is disruptive to the efficient management of the Funds due to the timing of the investment or an investor’s history of excessive trading);
|
|
·
|
delay paying redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days after receiving a request, if an earlier payment could adversely affect the Fund; and
|
|
·
|
reject any purchase or redemption request that does not contain all required documentation; and
|
|
·
|
subject to applicable law and with prior notice, adopt other policies from time to time requiring mandatory redemption of shares in certain circumstances.
|
If you elect telephone privileges on the account application or in a letter to the Funds, you may be responsible for any fraudulent telephone orders as long as the Funds and/or their service providers have taken reasonable precautions to verify your identity. In addition, once you place a telephone transaction request, it cannot be canceled or modified.
During periods of significant economic or market change, telephone transactions may be difficult to complete. If you are unable to contact the Funds by telephone, you may also mail your request to the Funds at the address listed under “Methods of Buying.”
Your broker or other financial intermediary may establish policies that differ from those of the Funds. For example, the organization may charge transaction fees, set higher minimum investments, or impose certain limitations on buying or selling shares in addition to those identified in this Prospectus. Contact your broker or other financial intermediary for details.
Please note that the value of your account may be transferred to the appropriate state if no activity occurs in the account within the time period specified by state law.
Exchange Privilege
. Shareholders may exchange shares of each Fund for shares of another Advisory Research Fund, including the Advisory Research MLP Energy & Income Fund. The amount of the exchange must be equal to or greater than the required minimum initial investment (see “Minimum Investment” table).
You may realize either a gain or loss on those shares and will be responsible for paying the appropriate taxes. If you exchange shares through a broker, the broker may charge you a transaction fee. You may exchange shares by sending a written request to the Funds or by telephone. Be sure that your written request includes the dollar amount or number of shares to be exchanged, the name(s) on the account, the account number(s), and signed by all shareholders on the account. In order to limit expenses, the Funds reserve the right to limit the total number of exchanges you can make in any year.
Fund Information
.
In order to reduce the amount of mail you receive and to help reduce expenses, we generally send a single copy of any shareholder report and Prospectus to each household. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those of other members of your household, please contact your dealer or the transfer agent.
SERVICE FEES – OTHER PAYMENTS TO THIRD PARTIES
International Small Cap Value Fund may pay a fee at an annual rate of up to
0.15% of its average daily net assets attributable to Investor Class shares to shareholder servicing agents. Shareholder servicing agents provide non-distribution administrative and support services to their customers, which may include establishing and maintaining accounts and records relating to shareholders, processing dividend and distribution payments from the Fund on behalf of shareholders, responding to routine inquiries from shareholders concerning their investments, assisting shareholders in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses, and other similar services.
The Funds or the Advisor may pay service fees to intermediaries such as banks, broker-dealers, financial advisors or other financial institutions, some of which may be affiliates, for sub-administration, sub-transfer agency and other shareholder services associated with shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus accounts, other group accounts or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents.
The Advisor, out of its own resources, and without additional cost to the Funds or their shareholders, may provide additional cash payments or non-cash compensation to broker-dealers or intermediaries that sell shares of the Funds. These additional cash payments are generally made to intermediaries that provide shareholder servicing, marketing support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the intermediary. The Advisor may pay cash compensation for inclusion of the Funds on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, in other sales programs or may pay an expense reimbursement in cases where the intermediary provides shareholder services to the Funds’ shareholders. The Advisor may also pay cash compensation in the form of finder’s fees that vary depending on the Funds and the dollar amount of the shares sold.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The All Cap Value Fund, Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund, Global Value Fund, International All Cap Value Fund, International Small Cap Value Fund, and Small Company Opportunities Fund will make distributions of net investment income, if any, at least annually, typically in December. The Strategic Income Fund will make distributions of net investment income monthly. Each Fund makes distributions of its net capital gains, if any, at least annually. Each Fund may make an additional payment of dividends or distributions if it deems it desirable at any other time during the year.
Some of the Funds’ investment income may be subject to foreign income taxes that are withheld at the country of origin. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes, but there can be no assurance that a Fund will qualify for treaty benefits.
If you buy shares of the Funds just before it makes a distribution (on or before the record date), you will receive some of the purchase price back in the form of a taxable distribution.
All dividends and distributions will be reinvested in Funds shares unless you choose one of the following options: (1) to receive net investment income dividends in cash, while reinvesting capital gain distributions in additional Fund shares; or (2) to receive all dividends and distributions in cash. If you wish to change your distribution option, please write to the Transfer Agent before the payment date of the distribution.
If you elect to receive distributions in cash and the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver your check, or if your distribution check has not been cashed for six months, the Funds reserve the right to reinvest the distribution check in your account at the Funds’ then current NAV and to reinvest all subsequent distributions.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion is very general. Since each shareholder’s circumstances are different and special tax rules may apply, you should consult your tax advisor about your investment in the Fund.
You will generally have to pay federal income taxes, as well as any state or local taxes, on distributions received from the Fund, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. If you sell Fund shares, it is generally considered a taxable event. If you exchange shares of a Fund for shares of another fund, the exchange will be treated as a sale of Fund shares and any gain on the transaction may be subject to federal income tax.
Distributions of net investment income, other than “qualified dividend income,” and distributions of short-term capital gains, are taxable for federal income tax purposes at ordinary income tax rates. Distributions of net capital gain (
i.e
., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are taxable for federal income tax purposes as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long the shareholder has held Fund shares. Distributions reported as qualified dividend income are taxed to individuals and other non-corporate investors at rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied. Dividends paid by a Fund may qualify in part for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders, provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
You may want to avoid buying shares of the Fund just before it declares a distribution (on or before the record date), because such a distribution will be taxable to you even though it may effectively be a return of a portion of your investment.
Dividends declared in October, November or December to shareholders of record as of a date in such month and paid during the following January are treated as if received on December 31 of the calendar year when the dividends were declared. Information on the federal income tax status of dividends and distributions is provided annually.
Dividends and distributions from the Fund and net gain from redemptions of Fund shares will generally be taken into account in determining a shareholder’s “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax applicable to certain individuals, estates and trusts.
If you are neither a citizen nor a resident of the United States, certain dividends you receive from the Fund may be subject to federal withholding tax. To the extent that the Fund’s distributions are subject to such withholding, the Fund will withhold federal income tax at the rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be determined in accordance with any applicable treaty). Dividends that are reported by the Fund as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends” are generally exempt from such withholding for taxable years of the Fund beginning before January 1, 2014.
If you do not provide the Fund with your correct taxpayer identification number and any required certifications, you will be subject to backup withholding on your redemption proceeds, dividends and other distributions. Backup withholding will not, however, be applied to payments that have been subject to the 30% withholding tax on shareholders who are neither citizens nor residents of the United States. The backup withholding rate is currently 28%.
The following tables are intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the percentage that an investor in the Fund would have earned (or lost) on an investment in a Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The financial information for the periods shown has been audited by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, are included in the Funds’ annual report, which is available upon request. Because the Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund, the Small Company Opportunities Fund and the International Small Cap Value Fund Class I have not commenced operations as of the fiscal year ended October, 31, 2013, no financial information is available for these Funds.
Advisory Research All Cap Value Fund
Per share operating performance.
For a capital share outstanding throughout each period.
|
|
For the Year Ended October 31, 2013
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended October 31, 2012
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended October 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
For the Period November 16, 2009* through October 31, 2010
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
12.84
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.70
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.16
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
1
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
1
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
1
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
|
|
|
3.42
|
|
|
|
|
1.09
|
|
|
|
|
0.75
|
|
|
|
|
1.14
|
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
3.50
|
|
|
|
|
1.21
|
|
|
|
|
0.83
|
|
|
|
|
1.16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.26
|
)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.29
|
)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
2
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
16.22
|
|
|
|
$
|
12.84
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.70
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
27.46
|
%
|
|
|
|
10.32
|
%
|
|
|
|
7.45
|
%
|
|
|
|
11.60
|
%
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and Supplemental Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions)
|
|
$
|
56.6
|
|
|
|
$
|
36.8
|
|
|
|
$
|
32.0
|
|
|
|
$
|
8.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
1.43
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.51
|
%
|
|
|
|
2.09
|
%
|
|
|
|
4.57
|
%
|
4
|
After fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
1.20
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
%
|
4
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
0.33
|
%
|
|
|
|
0.69
|
%
|
|
|
|
(0.24
|
%)
|
|
|
|
(3.07
|
%)
|
4
|
After fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
0.56
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
0.65
|
%
|
|
|
|
0.30
|
%
|
4
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
|
18
|
%
|
|
|
|
35
|
%
|
3
|
*
|
Commencement of operations.
|
1
|
Based on average shares method.
|
2
|
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
|
5
|
The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses of the All Cap Value Fund to 1.00%.
|
Advisory Research Global Value Fund
Per share operating performance.
For a capital share outstanding throughout each period.
|
|
For the Year Ended October 31, 2013
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended October 31, 2012
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended October 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
For the Period July 30, 2010* through October 31, 2010
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
11.44
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.52
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.58
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
1
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
1
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
1
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
|
|
|
2.83
|
|
|
|
|
0.93
|
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
|
0.57
|
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
2.94
|
|
|
|
|
1.05
|
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.13
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.18
|
)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.13
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.18
|
)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
-
|
|
2
|
|
|
-
|
|
2
|
|
|
-
|
|
2
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
14.22
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.44
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.52
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
26.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
10.10
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.06
|
%
|
|
|
|
5.80
|
%
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and Supplemental Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions)
|
|
$
|
22.3
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.9
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.6
|
|
|
|
$
|
7.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
2.05
|
%
|
|
|
|
2.53
|
%
|
|
|
|
2.93
|
%
|
|
|
|
5.29
|
%
|
4
|
After fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
4
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
0.13
|
%
|
|
|
|
(0.05
|
%)
|
|
|
|
(0.62
|
%)
|
|
|
|
(3.43
|
%)
|
4
|
After fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
0.83
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.13
|
%
|
|
|
|
0.96
|
%
|
|
|
|
0.51
|
%
|
4
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
93
|
%
|
|
|
|
37
|
%
|
|
|
|
76
|
%
|
|
|
|
18
|
%
|
3
|
*
|
Commencement of operations.
|
1
|
Based on average shares method.
|
2
|
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
|
5
|
The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses of the Global Value Fund to 1.10%.
|
Advisory Research International All Cap Value Fund
Per share operating performance.
For a capital share outstanding throughout each period.
|
|
For the Year Ended
October
31,
2013
|
|
|
For the Year Ended
October 31,
2012
|
|
|
For the Period May 2, 2011* through October 31, 2011
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
8.82
|
|
|
$
|
8.16
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
1
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
0.06
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
|
|
|
1.99
|
|
|
|
0.55
|
|
|
|
(1.90
|
)
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
2.15
|
|
|
|
0.73
|
|
|
|
(1.84
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.22
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.22
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
10.75
|
|
|
$
|
8.82
|
|
|
$
|
8.16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
24.86
|
%
|
|
|
9.04
|
%
|
|
|
(18.40
|
%)
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and Supplemental Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions)
|
|
$
|
1.7
|
|
|
$
|
1.6
|
|
|
$
|
1.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
12.27
|
%
|
|
|
15.41
|
%
|
|
|
22.47
|
%
|
3
|
After fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
3
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
(9.23
|
%)
|
|
|
(11.84
|
%)
|
|
|
(19.68
|
%)
|
3
|
After fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
1.69
|
%
|
|
|
2.22
|
%
|
|
|
1.44
|
%
|
3
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
65
|
%
|
|
|
37
|
%
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
2
|
*
|
Commencement of operations.
|
1
|
Based on average shares method.
|
4
|
The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses of the International All Cap Value Fund to 1.10%.
|
Advisory Research International Small Cap Value Fund
Investor Class
Per share operating performance.
For a capital share outstanding throughout each period.
|
|
For the Year Ended October 31, 2013
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended October 31, 2012
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended October 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
For the Period March 31, 2010* through October 31, 2010
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
10.48
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.02
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.51
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
0.17
|
|
1
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
1
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
1
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
|
|
|
2.63
|
|
|
|
|
0.66
|
|
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
2.80
|
|
|
|
|
0.84
|
|
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
|
0.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.21
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.20
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.33
|
)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.18
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.30
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|
|
|
(0.40
|
)
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
-
|
|
2
|
|
|
-
|
|
2
|
|
|
-
|
|
2
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
12.98
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.48
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.02
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
27.30
|
%
|
|
|
|
9.03
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1.02
|
%)
|
|
|
|
5.10
|
%
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and Supplemental Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions)
|
|
$
|
115.4
|
|
|
|
$
|
48.6
|
|
|
|
$
|
30.4
|
|
|
|
$
|
23.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
1.42
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.61
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.84
|
%
|
|
|
|
2.58
|
%
|
4
|
After fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
1.28
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
4
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
1.30
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.55
|
%
|
|
|
|
0.85
|
%
|
|
|
|
(0.43
|
%)
|
4
|
After fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
1.44
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.81
|
%
|
|
|
|
1.34
|
%
|
|
|
|
0.80
|
%
|
4
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
|
|
31
|
%
|
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
|
|
|
18
|
%
|
3
|
*
|
Commencement of operations.
|
1
|
Based on average shares method.
|
2
|
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
|
5
|
Prior to April 1, 2013, the Advisor had contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses of the International Small Cap Value Fund to 1.35%.
|
Effective April 1, 2013, the Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses to 1.30%.
|
Advisory Research Strategic Income Fund
Per share operating performance.
For a capital share outstanding throughout the period.
|
|
For the Period December 31, 2012* through
October 31, 2013
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
10.00
|
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
1
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments
|
|
|
(0.26
|
)
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.45
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
-
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
9.68
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
1.30
|
%
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios and Supplemental Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions)
|
|
$
|
110.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
1.00
|
%
|
4
|
After fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
|
4
|
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
4.52
|
%
|
4
|
After fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
4.62
|
%
|
4
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
68
|
%
|
3
|
*
|
Commencement of operations.
|
1
|
Based on average shares method.
|
2
|
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
|
5
|
The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses of the Strategic Income Fund to 0.90%.
|
Investment Advisor
Advisory Research, Inc.
Two Prudential Plaza
180 N. Stetson, Suite 5500
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Independent Counsel
Bingham McCutchen LLP
355 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 4400
Los Angeles, California 90071
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Tait, Weller & Baker LLP
1818 Market Street, Suite 2400
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Custodian
UMB Bank, n.a.
928 Grand Boulevard, 5
th
Floor
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
Fund Co-Administrator
Mutual Fund Administration Corporation
2220 E. Route 66, Suite 226
Glendora, California 91740
Fund Co-Administrator, Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
803 West Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233-2301
Distributor
IMST Distributors, LLC
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100
Portland, Maine 04101
www.foreside.com
Advisory Research Funds
Each a series of Investment Managers Series Trust
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
The SAI provides additional details about the investments and techniques of the Funds and certain other additional information. A current SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference. This means that the SAI is legally considered a part of this Prospectus even though it is not physically within this Prospectus.
Shareholder Reports
Additional information about the Funds’ investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Funds’ annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its most recent fiscal year.
The Funds’ SAI and annual and semi-annual reports are available free of charge on the Funds’ website, www. advisoryresearch.com. You can also obtain a free copy of the Funds’ SAI or annual and semi-annual reports, request other information, or inquire about a Fund by contacting a broker that sells shares of Funds or by calling the Funds’ (toll-free) at 1-888-665-1414 or by writing to:
Advisory Research Funds
P.O. Box 2175
Milwaukee, WI 53201
Information about the Funds (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the Public Reference Room of the SEC in Washington, DC. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the Fund are also available:
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Free of charge from the SEC’s EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at
http://www.sec.gov
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For a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address:
publicinfo@sec.gov
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For a duplication fee, by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-1520.
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(The Trust’s SEC Investment Company Act file number is 811- 21719.)
Statement of Additional Information
March 1, 2014
Advisory Research Funds
Advisory Research All Cap Value Fund (ADVGX)
Advisory Research Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund (ADVMX)
(Formerly Advisory Research Emerging Markets All Cap Value Fund)
Advisory Research Global Value Fund (ADVWX)
Advisory Research International All Cap Value Fund (ADVEX)
Advisory Research International Small Cap Value Fund - Investor Class (ADVIX)
Advisory Research International Small Cap Value Fund – Class I (ADVLX)
Advisory Research Small Company Opportunities Fund (ADVSX)
(Formerly Advisory Research Small Micro Cap Value Fund)
Advisory Research Strategic Income Fund (ADVNX)
Each a series of Investment Managers Series Trust
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, and it should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus for the Advisory Research All Cap Value Fund, Advisory Research Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund, Advisory Research Global Value Fund, Advisory Research International All Cap Value Fund, Advisory Research International Small Cap Value Fund, Advisory Research Small Company Opportunities Fund, and Advisory Research Strategic Income Fund (each, a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”) dated March 1, 2014, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Prospectus”). Each Fund is a series of the Investment Managers Series Trust (the “Trust”). Advisory Research, Inc. (“ARI” or the “Advisor”) is the investment advisor to the Funds. A copy of the Funds’ Prospectuses may be obtained by contacting the Funds at the address or telephone number below. The Funds’ Annual Report to shareholders for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2013, is incorporated by reference herein. A copy of the Funds’ Annual Report can be obtained by contacting the Funds at the address or telephone number specified below.
Advisory Research Funds
P.O. Box 2175
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
1-888-665-1414
Table of Contents
THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS
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B-2
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INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, POLICIES AND RISKS
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B-2
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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
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B-27
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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
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B-28
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PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
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B-44
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PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
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B-45
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PROXY VOTING POLICY
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B-46
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ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM
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B-46
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PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION
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B-47
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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
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B-48
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PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES
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B-50
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FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
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B-51
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DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
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B-57
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FUND PERFORMANCE
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B-58
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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B-58
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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B-60
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APPENDIX A
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B-62
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APPENDIX B
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B-69
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THE TRUST AND THE FUNDS
The Trust is an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware on February 15, 2005. The Trust currently consists of several other series of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share. This SAI relates only to the Funds and not to the other series of the Trust.
The Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an open-end management investment company. Such a registration does not involve supervision of the management or policies of the Funds. The Prospectus of the Funds and this SAI omit certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC. Copies of such information may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the prescribed fee.
The All Cap Value Fund, Global Value Fund, International Small Cap Value Fund and the Strategic Income Fund are diversified funds. The Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund, International All Cap Value Fund, and Small Company Opportunities Fund are non-diversified funds, which mean that they are not subject to the diversification requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Under the 1940 Act, a diversified fund may not, with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of one issuer (and in not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer), excluding cash, Government securities, and securities of other investment companies. Although the Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund, International All Cap Value Fund and Small Company Opportunities Fund are not required to comply with the above requirement, each Fund intends to diversify its assets to the extent necessary to qualify for tax treatment as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, POLICIES AND RISKS
The discussion below supplements information contained in the Funds’ Prospectus pertaining to the investment policies of the Funds.
Market Conditions
The equity and debt capital markets in the United States and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility. These conditions have caused a significant decline in the value and liquidity of many securities and other instruments. It is impossible to predict whether these conditions will continue, improve, or worsen. Because this situation is unprecedented and widespread, it may be unusually difficult to identify both risks and opportunities using past models of the interplay of market forces, or to predict the duration of these events.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, POLICIES AND RISKS
Common Stock
. Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company’s stock price.
The fundamental risk of investing in common stock is that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. While common stocks have historically provided greater long-term returns than preferred stocks, fixed-income and money market investments, common stocks have also experienced significantly more volatility than the returns from those other investments.
Small- and Mid-Cap Stocks.
The Funds may invest in common stock of companies with market capitalizations that are small compared to other publicly traded companies. Investments in larger companies present certain advantages in that such companies generally have greater financial resources, more extensive research and development, manufacturing, marketing and service capabilities, and more stability and greater depth of management and personnel. Investments in smaller, less seasoned companies may present greater opportunities for growth but also may involve greater risks than customarily are associated with more established companies. The securities of smaller companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than larger, more established companies. These companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or they may be dependent upon a limited management group. Their securities may be traded in the over-the-counter market or on a regional exchange, or may otherwise have limited liquidity. As a result of owning large positions in this type of security, a Fund is subject to the additional risk of possibly having to sell portfolio securities at disadvantageous times and prices if redemptions require the Fund to liquidate its securities positions. In addition, it may be prudent for a Fund, as its asset size grows, to limit the number of relatively small positions it holds in securities having limited liquidity in order to minimize its exposure to such risks, to minimize transaction costs, and to maximize the benefits of research. As a consequence, as a Fund’s asset size increases, the Fund may reduce its exposure to illiquid small capitalization securities, which could adversely affect performance.
The Funds may also invest in stocks of companies with medium market capitalizations (i.e., mid cap companies). Such investments share some of the risk characteristics of investments in stocks of companies with small market capitalizations described above, although mid cap companies tend to have longer operating histories, broader product lines and greater financial resources and their stocks tend to be more liquid and less volatile than those of smaller capitalization issuers.
Warrants and Rights
. Each Fund may invest in warrants or rights (including those acquired in units or attached to other securities) that entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time but will do so only if such equity securities are deemed appropriate by the Advisor. Warrants do not have voting rights, do not earn dividends, and do not entitle the holder to any rights with respect to the assets of the corporation that has issued them. They do not represent ownership of the underlying companies but only the right to purchase shares of those companies at a specified price on or before a specified exercise date. Warrants tend to be more volatile than the underlying stock, and if at a warrant’s expiration date the stock is trading at a price below the price set in the warrant, the warrant will expire worthless. Conversely, if at the expiration date the stock is trading at a price higher than the price set in the warrant, a Fund can acquire the stock at a price below its market value. The prices of warrants do not necessarily parallel the prices of the underlying securities. An investment in warrants or rights may be considered speculative.
Preferred Stocks
. Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment in the event a company is liquidated, although preferred stock is usually subordinate to the debt securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates. If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks to decline. Preferred stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as call/redemption provisions prior to maturity, a negative feature when interest rates decline. In addition, a fund may receive stocks or warrants as result of an exchange or tender of fixed income securities.
Each Fund’s investment in preferred stocks is subject to the credit risk related to the financial condition of the issuers of those securities. Credit ratings attempt to evaluate the safety of principal and dividend or interest payments and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value.
Convertible Securities
. A convertible security is a preferred stock, warrant or other security that may be converted or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other security of the same or a different issuer or into cash within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive the dividend or interest until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities generally have characteristics similar to both fixed income and equity securities. Although to a lesser extent than with fixed income securities generally, the market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, tends to increase as interest rates decline. In addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of convertible securities tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying common stocks and, therefore, also will react to variations in the general market for equity securities. A significant feature of convertible securities is that as the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis, and so they may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the prices of the convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the value of the underlying common stock. While no securities investments are without risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than investments in common stock of the same issuer.
Debt Securities.
Debt securities are used by issuers to borrow money. Generally, issuers pay investors periodic interest and repay the amount borrowed either periodically during the life of the security and/or at maturity. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest, but are purchased at a discount from their face values and accrue interest at the applicable coupon rate over a specified time period. The market prices of debt securities fluctuate depending on such factors as interest rates, credit quality and maturity. In general, market prices of debt securities decline when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall.
Lower rated debt securities, those rated Ba or below by Moody’s and/or BB or below by S&P or unrated but determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality, are described by the rating agencies as speculative and involve greater risk of default or price changes than higher rated debt securities due to changes in the issuer's creditworthiness or the fact that the issuer may already be in default. The market prices of these securities may fluctuate more than higher quality securities and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty. It may be more difficult to sell or to determine the value of lower rated debt securities.
Certain additional risk factors related to debt securities are discussed below:
Sensitivity to interest rate and economic changes.
Debt securities may be sensitive to economic changes, political and corporate developments, and interest rate changes. In addition, during an economic downturn or periods of rising interest rates, issuers that are highly leveraged may experience increased financial stress that could adversely affect their ability to meet projected business goals, obtain additional financing, and service their principal and interest payment obligations. Furthermore, periods of economic change and uncertainty can be expected to result in increased volatility of market prices and yields of certain debt securities. For example, prices of these securities can be affected by financial contracts held by the issuer or third parties (such as derivatives) related to the security or other assets or indices.
Payment expectations.
Debt securities may contain redemption or call provisions. If an issuer exercises these provisions in a lower interest rate environment, the Fund would have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in decreased income to investors. If the issuer of a debt security defaults on its obligations to pay interest or principal or is the subject of bankruptcy proceedings, the Fund may incur losses or expenses in seeking recovery of amounts owed to it.
Liquidity and valuation.
There may be limited trading in the secondary market for particular debt securities, which may adversely affect the Fund's ability to accurately value or sell such debt securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and/or liquidity of debt securities. The Advisor attempts to reduce the risks described above through diversification of the Fund's portfolio, credit analysis of each issuer, and by monitoring broad economic trends as well as corporate and legislative developments, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so. Credit ratings of debt securities provided by rating agencies indicate a measure of the safety of principal and interest payments, not market value risk. The rating of an issuer is a rating agency’s view of past and future potential developments related to the issuer and may not necessarily reflect actual outcomes. There can be a lag between corporate developments and the time a rating is assigned and updated.
Changing Fixed Income Market Conditions
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Following the financial crisis that began in 2007, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) has attempted to stabilize the U.S. economy and support the U.S. economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate at or near zero percent. In addition, the Federal Reserve has purchased large quantities of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities on the open market (“Quantitative Easing”). As the Federal Reserve “tapers” or reduces Quantitative Easing, and when the Federal Reserve raises the federal funds rate, there is a risk that interest rates across the U.S. financial system will rise. These policy changes may expose fixed-income and related markets to heightened volatility and may reduce liquidity for certain Fund investments, which could cause the value of the Fund’s investments and share price to decline. To the extent the Fund experiences high redemptions because of these policy changes, the Fund may experience increased portfolio turnover, which will increase the costs that the Fund incurs and may lower the Fund’s performance. The liquidity levels of the Fund’s portfolio may also be affected.
Bond rating agencies may assign modifiers (such as +/–) to ratings categories to signify the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Investment policies that are based on ratings categories should be read to include any security within that category, without considering the modifier. Please refer to Appendix A for more information about credit ratings.
Lower-Rated Debt Securities.
The Fund may invest in lower-rated fixed-income securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”). The lower ratings reflect a greater possibility that adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in general economic conditions, or both, or an unanticipated rise in interest rates, may impair the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal. The inability (or perceived inability) of issuers to make timely payment of interest and principal would likely make the values of securities held by the Fund more volatile and could limit the Fund’s ability to sell its securities at prices approximating the values the Fund had placed on such securities. In the absence of a liquid trading market for securities held by it, the Fund at times may be unable to establish the fair value of such securities. Securities ratings are based largely on the issuer’s historical financial condition and the rating agencies’ analysis at the time of rating. Consequently, the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition, which may be better or worse than the rating would indicate. In addition, the rating assigned to a security by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s (or by any other nationally recognized securities rating agency) does not reflect an assessment of the volatility of the security’s market value or the liquidity of an investment in the security.
Like those of other fixed-income securities, the values of lower-rated securities fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates. A decrease in interest rates will generally result in an increase in the value of the Fund’s fixed-income assets. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of the Fund’s fixed-income assets will generally decline. The values of lower-rated securities may often be affected to a greater extent by changes in general economic conditions and business conditions affecting the issuers of such securities and their industries. Negative publicity or investor perceptions may also adversely affect the values of lower-rated securities. Changes by nationally recognized securities rating agencies in their ratings of any fixed-income security and changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal may also affect the value of these investments. Changes in the value of portfolio securities generally will not affect income derived from these securities, but will affect the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund will not necessarily dispose of a security when its rating is reduced below its rating at the time of purchase. However, the Advisor will monitor the investment to determine whether its retention will assist in meeting the Fund’s investment objective. Issuers of lower-rated securities are often highly leveraged, so that their ability to service their debt obligations during an economic downturn or during sustained periods of rising interest rates may be impaired. Such issuers may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them and may be unable to repay outstanding obligations at maturity by refinancing.
The risk of loss due to default in payment of interest or repayment of principal by such issuers is significantly greater because such securities frequently are unsecured and subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. It is possible that, under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell these securities when the Advisor believes it advisable to do so or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if they were more widely held. Under these circumstances, it may also be more difficult to determine the fair value of such securities for purposes of computing the Fund’s net asset value. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default, the Fund may be required to participate in various legal proceedings or take possession of and manage assets securing the issuer¹s obligations on such securities. This could increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value. The ability of a holder of a tax-exempt security to enforce the terms of that security in a bankruptcy proceeding may be more limited than would be the case with respect to securities of private issuers. In addition, the Fund’s intention to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code may limit the extent to which the fund may exercise its rights by taking possession of such assets. To the extent the Fund invests in securities in the lower rating categories, the achievement of the Fund’s investment objective is more dependent on the Advisor’s investment analysis than would be the case if the Fund were investing in securities in the higher rating categories.
Municipal Bonds
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Municipal bonds are debt obligations issued by the states, possessions, or territories of the United States (including the District of Columbia) or a political subdivision, public instrumentality, agency, public authority or other governmental unit of such states, possessions, or territories (e.g., counties, cities, towns, villages, districts and authorities). For example, states, possessions, territories and municipalities may issue municipal bonds to raise funds for various public purposes such as airports, housing, hospitals, mass transportation, schools, water and sewer works, gas, and electric utilities. They may also issue municipal bonds to refund outstanding obligations and to meet general operating expenses. Municipal bonds may be general obligation bonds or revenue bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable from revenues derived from particular facilities, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or from other specific revenue sources. They are not usually payable from the general taxing power of a municipality. In addition, certain types of "private activity" bonds may be issued by public authorities to obtain funding for privately operated facilities, such as housing and pollution control facilities, for industrial facilities and for water supply, gas, electricity and waste disposal facilities. Other types of private activity bonds are used to finance the construction, repair or improvement of, or to obtain equipment for, privately operated industrial or commercial facilities. Current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of certain of such issues. In certain cases, the interest on a private activity bond may not be exempt from federal income tax or the alternative minimum tax.
Sovereign Debt Obligations
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The Fund may invest in sovereign debt obligations, which are securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, governmental agencies or instrumentalities and political subdivisions, including debt of developing countries. Sovereign debt may be in the form of conventional securities or other types of debt instruments such as loans or loan participations. Sovereign debt of developing countries may involve a high degree of risk, and may be in default or present the risk of default. Governmental entities responsible for repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal and pay interest when due, and may require renegotiation or rescheduling of debt payments. In addition, prospects for repayment of principal and payment of interest may depend on political as well as economic factors. Although some sovereign debt, such as Brady Bonds, is collateralized by U.S. Government securities, repayment of principal and payment of interest is not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. There is no bankruptcy proceeding by which sovereign debt on which governmental entities have defaulted may be collected in whole or in part.
Zero Coupon, Step Coupon, and Pay-In-Kind Securities
.
Within the parameters of its specific investment policies, the Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets in zero coupon, pay-in-kind, and step coupon securities. Zero coupon bonds are securities that make no fixed interest payments but instead are issued and traded at a discount from their face value. They do not entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity. Step coupon bonds trade at a discount from their face value and pay coupon interest. The coupon rate is low for an initial period and then increases to a higher coupon rate thereafter. The discount from the face amount or par value depends on the time remaining until cash payments begin, prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security, and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. Pay-in-kind bonds normally give the issuer an option to pay cash at a coupon payment date or give the holder of the security a similar bond with the same coupon rate and a face value equal to the amount of the coupon payment that would have been made.
For the purposes of the Fund's restriction on investing in income-producing securities, income-producing securities include securities that make periodic interest payments as well as those that make interest payments on a deferred basis or pay interest only at maturity (e.g., Treasury bills or zero coupon bonds).
Generally, the market prices of zero coupon, step coupon, and pay-in-kind securities are more volatile than the prices of securities that pay interest periodically and in cash and are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than other types of debt securities having similar maturities and credit quality.
Floating Rate, Inverse Floating Rate and Index Obligations
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The Fund may invest in debt securities with interest payments or maturity values that are not fixed, but float in conjunction with (or inversely to) an underlying index or price. These securities may be backed by sovereign or corporate issuers, or by collateral such as mortgages. The indices and prices upon which such securities can be based include interest rates, currency rates and commodities prices. Floating rate securities pay interest according to a coupon which is reset periodically. The reset mechanism may be formula based, or reflect the passing through of floating interest payments on an underlying collateral pool. Inverse floating rate securities are similar to floating rate securities except that their coupon payments vary inversely with an underlying index by use of a formula. Inverse floating rate securities tend to exhibit greater price volatility than other floating rate securities. Interest rate risk and price volatility on inverse floating rate obligations can be high, especially if leverage is used in the formula. Index securities pay a fixed rate of interest, but have a maturity value that varies by formula, so that when the obligation matures a gain or loss may be realized. The risk of index obligations depends on the volatility of the underlying index, the coupon payment and the maturity of the obligation.
Foreign Investments
. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers and other non-U.S. investments may involve risks in addition to those normally associated with investments in the securities of U.S. issuers or other U.S. investments. All foreign investments are subject to risks of foreign political and economic instability, adverse movements in foreign exchange rates, and the imposition or tightening of exchange controls and limitations on the repatriation of foreign capital. Other risks stem from potential changes in governmental attitude or policy toward private investment, which in turn raises the risk of nationalization, increased taxation or confiscation of foreign investors’ assets.
The financial problems in global economies over the past several years, including the European sovereign debt crisis, may continue to cause high volatility in global financial markets. In addition, global economies are increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact a different country or region. The severity or duration of these conditions may also be affected if one or more countries leave the Euro currency or by other policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations.
Additional non-U.S. taxes and expenses may also adversely affect a Fund’s performance, including foreign withholding taxes on foreign securities’ dividends. Brokerage commissions and other transaction costs on foreign securities exchanges are generally higher than in the United States. Foreign companies may be subject to different accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards. Most of the foreign investments held by a Fund will not be registered with the SEC or any other U.S. regulator, nor will the issuers thereof be subject to the reporting requirements or the SEC or any other U.S. regulator. Accordingly, less information may be available about foreign companies and other investments than is generally available on issuers of comparable securities and other investments in the United States. Foreign securities and other investments may also trade less frequently and with lower volume and may exhibit greater price volatility than U.S. securities and other investments.
Changes in foreign exchange rates will affect the value in U.S. Dollars of all foreign currency-denominated securities and other investments held by a Fund. Exchange rates are influenced generally by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign currency markets and by numerous other political and economic events occurring outside the United States, many of which may be difficult, if not impossible, to predict.
Income from foreign securities and other investments will be received and realized in foreign currencies, and the Funds are required to compute and distribute income in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, a decline in the value of a particular foreign currency against the U.S. Dollar occurring after a Fund’s income has been earned and computed in U.S. Dollars may require the Fund to liquidate portfolio securities or other investments to acquire sufficient U.S. Dollars to make a distribution. Similarly, if the exchange rate declines between the time a Fund incurs expenses in U.S. Dollars and the time such expenses are paid, the Fund may be required to liquidate additional portfolio securities or other investments to purchase the U.S. Dollars required to meet such expenses.
Emerging Markets
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Each Fund may invest in emerging market countries or developing countries as defined by the World Bank, International Financial Corporation or the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) emerging market indices or other comparable indices. Developing countries may impose restrictions on a Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income or capital. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of investment income or capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the operations of those Funds.
Some of the currencies in emerging markets have experienced de-valuations relative to the U.S. Dollar, and major adjustments have been made periodically in certain of such currencies. Certain developing countries face serious exchange constraints.
Governments of some developing countries exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In some countries, the government owns or controls many companies. Therefore, government actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in developing countries, which could affect the private sector companies in which the Funds invest.
Foreign Currency Transactions
.
Each Fund may conduct foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot, i.e., cash, basis at the prevailing rate in the foreign exchange market or by entering into a forward foreign currency contract. A forward foreign currency contract (“forward contract”) involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific amount of a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (usually less than one year) from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. Forward contracts are considered to be derivatives. A Fund enters into forward contracts in order to “lock in” the exchange rate between the currency it will deliver and the currency it will receive for the duration of the contract. In addition, each Fund may enter into forward contracts to hedge against risks arising from securities a Fund owns or anticipates purchasing or the U.S. Dollar value of interest and dividends paid on those securities. No Fund will have more than 10% of its total assets committed to forward contracts or maintain a net exposure to forward contracts that would obligate that Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of the value of the Fund’s investment securities or other assets denominated in that currency.
If a Fund delivers the foreign currency at or before the settlement of a forward contract, it may be required to obtain the currency by selling some of the Fund’s assets that are denominated in that specific currency. A Fund may close out a forward contract obligating it to purchase a foreign currency by selling an offsetting contract, in which case it will realize a gain or a loss.
Foreign currency transactions involve certain costs and risks. A Fund incurs foreign exchange expenses in converting assets from one currency to another. Forward contracts involve a risk of loss if the Advisor is inaccurate in predicting currency movements. The projection of short-term currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain. The precise matching of forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved is generally not possible. Accordingly, it may be necessary for a Fund to purchase additional foreign currency if the market value of the security is less than the amount of the foreign currency the Fund is obligated to deliver under the forward contract and the decision is made to sell the security and deliver the foreign currency. The use of forward contracts as a hedging technique does not eliminate the fluctuation in the prices of the underlying securities a Fund owns or intends to acquire, but it fixes a rate of exchange in advance. Although forward contracts can reduce the risk of loss if the values of the hedged currencies decline, these instruments also limit the potential gain that might result from an increase in the value of the hedged currencies.
There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies, and there is no regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation information available is generally representative of very large transactions in the interbank market. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global around-the-clock market. Since foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be involved in the use of foreign currency options, a Fund may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round lots.
Depository Receipts
. Global Depository Receipts (“GDRs”) are negotiable certificates held in the bank of one country representing a specific number of shares of a stock traded on an exchange of another country. American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”) are negotiable receipts issued by a U.S. bank or trust company that evidence ownership of securities in a foreign company which have been deposited with such bank or trust company's office or agent in a foreign country. Canadian Depository Receipts (“CDRs”) are negotiable receipts issued by a Canadian bank or trust company that evidence ownership of securities in a foreign company which have been deposited with such bank or trust company's office or agent in a foreign country. European Depository Receipts (“EDRs”) are negotiable certificates held in the bank of one country representing a specific number of shares of a stock traded on an exchange of another country. Investing in GDRs, CDRs, EDRs and ADRs presents risks that may not be equal to the risk inherent in holding the equivalent shares of the same companies that are traded in the local markets even though a Fund will purchase, sell and be paid dividends on GDRs, CDRs, EDRs and ADRs in U.S. Dollars. These risks include fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which are affected by international balances of payments and other economic and financial conditions; government intervention; speculation; and other factors. With respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political and social upheaval, and economic instability. A Fund may be required to pay foreign withholding or other taxes on certain GDRs, CDRs, EDRs or ADRs that it owns, but investors may or may not be able to deduct their pro-rata share of such taxes in computing their taxable income, or take such shares as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax. See "Federal Income Tax Matters." GDRs, CDRs, EDRs and ADRs may be sponsored by the foreign issuer or may be unsponsored. Unsponsored GDRs, CDRs, EDRs and ADRs are organized independently and without the cooperation of the foreign issuer of the underlying securities. Unsponsored GDRs, CDRs, EDRs and ADRs are offered by companies which are not prepared to meet either the reporting or accounting standards of the United States. While readily exchangeable with stock in local markets, unsponsored GDRs, CDRs, EDRs and ADRs may be less liquid than sponsored GDRs, CDRs, EDRs and ADRs. Additionally, there generally is less publicly available information with respect to unsponsored GDRs, CDRs, EDRs and ADRs.
Participatory Notes
. The Fund may invest in participatory notes (“P-Notes”). P-Notes are unsecured, bearer securities typically issued by banks or broker-dealers and are designed to offer a return linked to the performance of a particular underlying equity security or market (for example, the shares of a company incorporated in India and listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange) while not holding the actual shares of the underlying security. The Fund may purchase P-Notes while it is awaiting approval from a foreign exchange to trade securities directly in that market as well as to invest in foreign markets that restrict foreign investors, such as the Fund, from investing directly in individual securities traded on that exchange. P-Notes can also provide a less expensive option to direct investment (where ownership by foreign investors is permitted) by reducing registration and transaction costs in acquiring and selling local registered shares.
The terms of P-Notes vary widely. P-Notes can have the characteristics or take the form of various instruments, including, but not limited to, certificates or warrants. While the holder of a P-Note that is linked to a particular underlying security is entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions paid in connection with the underlying security, the holder of a P-Note generally is not entitled to the same rights, such as voting rights, as a direct owner of the underlying security. P-Notes constitute direct, general and unsecured contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them. Therefore, an investment in a P-Note involves additional risks beyond the risks normally associated with a direct investment in the underlying security and a P-Note’s performance may differ from the underlying security’s performance. The Fund must rely on the creditworthiness of the counterparty (i.e., bank or broker-dealer) issuing the P-Notes for its investment returns on the P-Notes and would have no rights against the issuer of the underlying security. Therefore, if such counterparty were to become insolvent, the Fund would lose its investment. The risk that the Fund may lose its investments due to the insolvency of a single counterparty may be amplified to the extent the Fund purchases P-Notes issued by one issuer or a small number of issuers. Issuers of P-Notes may have broad authority to control the foreign exchange rates related to the P-Notes and discretion to adjust a P-Note’s terms in response to certain events.
P-Notes involve transaction costs in addition to those applicable to a direct investment in securities. There is also no assurance that there will be a secondary trading market for a P-Note or that the trading price of a P-Note will equal the value of the underlying security. P-Notes are not traded on exchanges, are privately issued and may be considered illiquid. To the extent a P-Note is determined to be illiquid, it will be subject to the Fund’s percentage limitation on investments in illiquid securities.
Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs).
An MLP is an entity receiving partnership taxation treatment under the Code, and whose interests or “units” are traded on securities exchanges like shares of corporate stock. A typical MLP consists of a general partner and limited partners; however, some entities receiving partnership taxation treatment under the Code are established as limited liability companies. The general partner manages the partnership; has an ownership stake in the partnership (typically a 2% general partner equity interest and additional common units and subordinated units); and in many cases is eligible to receive an incentive distribution. The limited partners provide capital to the partnership, have a limited (if any) role in the operation and management of the partnership, and are entitled to receive cash distributions with respect to their units. An MLP typically pays an established minimum quarterly distribution to common unit holders, as provided under the terms of its partnership agreement. Common units have arrearage rights in distributions to the extent that the MLP fails to make minimum quarterly distributions. Once the MLP distributes the minimum quarterly distribution to common units, subordinated units then are entitled to receive distributions of up to the minimum quarterly distribution, but have no arrearage rights. At the discretion of the general partner, any distributable cash that exceeds the minimum quarterly distribution that the MLP distributed to the common and subordinated units is then distributed to both common and subordinated units, typically on a pro rata basis. Incentive distributions are often paid to the general partner such that as the distribution to limited partnership interests increases, the general partner may receive a proportionately larger share of the total distribution. Incentive distributions are designed to encourage the general partner, who controls and operates the partnership, to maximize the partnership’s cash flow and increase distributions to the limited partners.
To qualify as an MLP for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an entity must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources such as interest, dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, income and gain from certain mineral or natural resources activities, income and gain from the transportation or storage of certain fuels, and, in certain circumstances, income and gain from commodities or futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities, and gain from the sale or other disposition of a capital asset held for the production of such income. Mineral or natural resources activities include exploration, development, production, mining, processing, refining, marketing and transportation (including pipelines), of oil and gas, minerals, geothermal energy, fertilizer, timber or industrial source carbon dioxide. Currently, most MLPs operate in the energy, natural resources, or real estate sectors. The Fund anticipates that a substantial portion of the MLP entities in which the Fund invests will be engaged primarily in the energy industry. The Fund may, however, invest in MLP entities in any sector of the economy. Due to their federal income tax treatment as partnerships, MLPs generally do not pay income taxes, but investors holding interests in MLPs are generally subject to tax on their shares of the MLPs’ income and gains.
Holders of MLP units are exposed to a remote possibility of liability for all of the obligations of that MLP in the event that a court determines that the rights of the unit holders to take certain action under the limited partnership agreement would constitute “control” of the business of that MLP, or if a court or governmental agency determines that the MLP is conducting business in a state without complying with the limited partnership statute of that state.
Certain MLPs in which the Fund may invest depend upon their parent or sponsor entities for the majority of their revenues. If their parent or sponsor entities were to fail to make such payments or satisfy their obligations, the revenues and cash flows of such MLPs and the ability of such MLPs to make distributions to unit holders, such as the Fund, would be adversely affected.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”).
REITs are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in income producing real estate or real estate related loans or interests. REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs, or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of principal and interest payments. Similar to investment companies such as the Fund, REITs are not taxed on income
distributed to shareholders provided they comply with several requirements of the Code. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of expenses incurred by REITs in which the Fund invests in addition to the expenses incurred directly by the Fund.
Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation.
Investing in REITs involves risks similar to those associated with investing in small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in a limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically, small capitalization stocks, such as REITs, have had more price volatility than larger capitalization stocks.
REITs are subject to the possibilities of failing to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally available to them under the Code and failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. REITs (especially mortgage REITs) also are subject to interest rate risks. When interest rates decline, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed-rate obligations can be expected to rise. Conversely, when interest rates rise, the value of a REIT’s investment in fixed-rate obligations can be expected to decline. In contrast, as interest rates on adjustable rate mortgage loans are reset periodically, yields on a REIT’s investments in such loans will gradually align themselves to reflect changes in market interest rates, causing the value of such investments to fluctuate less dramatically in response to interest rate fluctuations than would investments in fixed-rate obligations.
Short Sales
.
A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss will be increased, by the transaction costs incurred by the Fund, including the costs associated with providing collateral to the broker-dealer (usually cash and liquid securities) and the maintenance of collateral with its custodian. A Fund also may be required to pay a premium to borrow a security, which would increase the cost of the security sold short. Although the Fund’s gain is limited to the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is theoretically unlimited.
The broker-dealer will retain the net proceeds of the short sale to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements until the short position is closed out.
When the Advisor believes that the price of a particular security held by the Fund may decline, it may make "short sales against the box" to hedge the unrealized gain on such security. Selling short against the box involves selling a security which the Fund owns for delivery at a specified date in the future. A Fund will incur transaction costs to open, maintain and close short sales against the box.
To the extent a Fund sells securities short (except in the case of short sales “against the box”), it is required to segregates an amount of cash or liquid securities on its records equal to the market price of the securities sold short. The segregated assets are marked to market daily in an attempt to ensure that the amount deposited in the segregated account is at least equal to the market value of the securities sold short. Segregated securities cannot be sold while the position they are covering is outstanding, unless they are replaced with similar securities. As a result, there is the possibility that segregation of a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could affect its portfolio management.
Options on Securities and Securities Indices
A call option would entitle a Fund, in return for the premium paid, to purchase specified securities at a specified price during the option period. A put option would entitle a Fund, in return for the premium paid, to sell specified securities during the option period. A Fund may invest in both European-style or American-style options. A European-style option is only exercisable immediately prior to its expiration. American-style options are exercisable at any time prior to the expiration date of the option.
Writing Call Options
.
Each Fund may write covered call options. A call option is “covered” if a Fund owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute right to acquire the security without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, cash or cash equivalents in such amounts as held in a segregated account by a Fund’s custodian). The writer of a call option receives a premium and gives the purchaser the right to buy the security underlying the option at the exercise price. The writer has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security against payment of the exercise price during the option period. If the writer of an exchange-traded option wishes to terminate his obligation, he may effect a “closing purchase transaction.” This is accomplished by buying an option of the same series as the option previously written. A writer may not effect a closing purchase transaction after it has been notified of the exercise of an option.
Effecting a closing transaction in a written call option will permit a Fund to write another call option on the underlying security with either a different exercise price, expiration date or both. Also, effecting a closing transaction will permit the cash or proceeds from the concurrent sale of any securities subject to the option to be used for other investments of a Fund. If a Fund desires to sell a particular security from its portfolio on which it has written a call option, it will effect a closing transaction prior to or concurrent with the sale of the security.
A Fund will realize a gain from a closing transaction if the cost of the closing transaction is less than the premium received from writing the option or if the proceeds from the closing transaction are more than the premium paid to purchase the option. A Fund will realize a loss from a closing transaction if the cost of the closing transaction is more than the premium received from writing the option or if the proceeds from the closing transaction are less than the premium paid to purchase the option. However, because increases in the market price of a call option will generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying security, any loss to a Fund resulting from the repurchase of a call option is likely to be offset in whole or in part by appreciation of the underlying security owned by the Fund.
In addition to covered call options, a Fund may write uncovered (or “naked”) call options on securities, including ETFs, and indices; however, SEC rules require that a Fund segregates assets on its books and records with a value equal to the value of the securities or the index that the holder of the option is entitled to call. Segregated securities cannot be sold while the option strategy is outstanding, unless they are replaced with other suitable assets. As a result, there is a possibility that segregation of a large percentage of a Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
Writing Covered Index Call Options
. Each Fund may sell index call options. A Fund may also execute a closing purchase transaction with respect to the option it has sold and then sell another option with either a different exercise price and/or expiration date. A Fund’s objective in entering into such closing transactions is to increase option premium income, to limit losses or to protect anticipated gains in the underlying stocks. The cost of a closing transaction, while reducing the premium income realized from the sale of the option, should be offset, at least in part, by the appreciation in the value of the underlying index, and by the opportunity to realize additional premium income from selling a new option.
When a Fund sells an index call option, it does not deliver the underlying stocks or cash to the broker through whom the transaction is effected. In the case of an exchange-traded option, a Fund establishes an escrow account. The Custodian (or a securities depository acting for the Custodian) acts as a Fund’s escrow agent. The escrow agent enters into documents known as escrow receipts with respect to the stocks included in a Fund (or escrow receipts with respect to other acceptable securities). The escrow agent releases the stocks from the escrow account when the call option expires or a Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction. Until such release, the underlying stocks cannot be sold by a Fund. A Fund may enter into similar collateral arrangements with the counterparty when it sells over-the-counter index call options.
When a Fund sells an index call option, it is also required to “cover” the option pursuant to requirements enunciated by the staff of the SEC. The staff has indicated that a mutual fund may “cover” an index call option by (1) owning and holding for the term of the option a portfolio of stocks substantially replicating the movement of the index underlying the call option; (2) purchasing an American-style call option on the same index with an exercise price not greater than the exercise price of the written option; or (3) establishing and maintaining for the term of the option a segregated account consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities or other high-grade debt securities, equal in value to the aggregate contract price of the call option (the current index value times the specific multiple). A Fund generally “covers” the index options it has sold by owning and holding stocks substantially replicating the movement of the applicable index. As an alternative method of “covering” the option, a Fund may purchase an appropriate offsetting option.
The purchaser of an index call option sold by a Fund may exercise the option at a price fixed as of the closing level of the index on exercise date. Unless a Fund has liquid assets sufficient to satisfy the exercise of the index call option, the Fund would be required to liquidate portfolio securities to satisfy the exercise. The market value of such securities may decline between the time the option is exercised and the time a Fund is able to sell the securities. If a Fund fails to anticipate an exercise, it may have to borrow from a bank (in amounts not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets) pending settlement of the sale of the portfolio securities and thereby incur interest charges. If trading is interrupted on the index, a Fund would not be able to close out its option positions.
Risks of Transactions in Options
.
There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities and indices. Options may be more volatile than the underlying securities and, therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation in value than an investment in the underlying securities themselves. There are also significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objective. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options of underlying securities; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or clearing corporation may not be adequate to handle current trading volume at all times; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events. The extent to which a Fund may enter into options transactions may be limited by the requirements of the Code, for qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company.
Over-the-Counter Options
.
Each Fund may engage in transactions involving over-the-counter options as well as exchange-traded options. Certain additional risks are specific to over-the-counter options. A Fund may engage a clearing corporation to exercise exchange-traded options, but if the Fund purchased an over-the-counter option, it must then rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option if the option is exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by a Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction.
Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while over-the-counter options may not. Consequently, a Fund may generally be able to realize the value of an over-the-counter option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when a Fund writes an over-the-counter option, the Fund may generally be able to close out the option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to whom the Fund originally wrote the option. While a Fund will seek to enter into over-the-counter options only with dealers who will agree to and are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will at any time be able to liquidate an over-the-counter option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless a Fund, as a covered over-the-counter call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other party, a Fund may be unable to liquidate an over-the-counter option. With respect to options written by a Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to the Fund. For example, since a Fund must maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a security it writes, the Fund may not sell the assets which it has segregated to secure the position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement may impair a Fund’s ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when such sale might be advantageous.
The SEC has taken the position that purchased over-the-counter options are illiquid securities. A Fund may treat the cover used for written over-the-counter options as liquid if the dealer agrees that the Fund may repurchase the over-the-counter option it has written for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the over-the-counter option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the maximum purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option. Accordingly, a Fund will treat over-the-counter options as subject to the Fund’s limitation on illiquid securities. If the SEC changes its position on the liquidity of over-the-counter options, a Fund will change the treatment of such instruments accordingly.
Stock Index Options.
Each Fund may invest in options on indices, including broad-based security indices. Puts and calls on indices are similar to puts and calls on other investments except that all settlements are in cash and gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question rather than on price movements in individual securities. When a fund writes a call on an index, it receives a premium and agrees that, prior to the expiration date, the purchaser of the call, upon exercise of the call, will receive from the fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the call is based is greater than the exercise price of the call. The amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the call times a specified multiple (“multiplier”), which determines the total dollar value for each point of such difference. When a fund buys a call on an index, it pays a premium and has the same rights as to such call as are indicated above. When a fund buys a put on an index, it pays a premium and has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the seller of the put, upon the fund’s exercise of the put, to deliver to the fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the put is based is less than the exercise price of the put, which amount of cash is determined by the multiplier, as described above for calls. When a fund writes a put on an index, it receives a premium and the purchaser of the put has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the fund to deliver to it an amount of cash equal to the difference between the closing level of the index and exercise price times the multiplier if the closing level is less than the exercise price.
The risks of investment in options on indices may be greater than options on securities. Because index options are settled in cash, if a fund writes a call on an index it cannot provide in advance for its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying index. A fund can offset some of the risk of writing a call index option by holding a diversified portfolio of securities or instruments similar to those on which the underlying index is based. However, a fund cannot, as a practical matter, acquire and hold a portfolio containing exactly the same securities or instruments as underlie the index and, as a result, bears a risk that the value of the securities or instruments held will vary from the value of the index..
Even if a Fund could assemble a portfolio that exactly reproduced the composition of the underlying index, it still would not be fully covered from a risk standpoint because of the “timing risk” inherent in writing index options. When an index option is exercised, the amount of cash that the holder is entitled to receive is determined by the difference between the exercise price and the closing index level on the date when the option is exercised. As with other kinds of options, a fund as the call writer will not learn of the assignment until the next business day at the earliest. The time lag between exercise and notice of assignment poses no risk for the writer of a covered call on a specific underlying security or instrument, such as common stock, because there the writer’s obligation is to deliver the underlying security or instrument, not to pay its value as of a fixed time in the past. So long as the writer already owns the underlying security or instrument, it can satisfy its settlement obligations by simply delivering it, and the risk that its value may have declined since the exercise date is borne by the exercising holder. In contrast, even if the writer of an index call holds investments that exactly match the composition of the underlying index, it will not be able to satisfy its assignment obligations by delivering those investments against payment of the exercise price. Instead, it will be required to pay cash in an amount based on the closing index value on the exercise date. By the time it learns that it has been assigned, the index may have declined, with a corresponding decline in the value of its portfolio. This “timing risk” is an inherent limitation on the ability of index call writers to cover their risk exposure by holding security or instrument positions.
If a Fund has purchased an index option and exercises it before the closing index value for that day is available, it runs the risk that the level of the underlying index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, a Fund will be required to pay the difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times the applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.
Futures and Options on Futures
Each Fund may use interest rate, foreign currency, index and other futures contracts. A Fund may use options on futures contracts. A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified quantity of the security or other financial instrument at a specified price and time. A futures contract on an index is an agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of the index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the index contract originally was written. Although the value of an index might be a function of the value of certain specified securities, physical delivery of these securities is not always made. A public market exists in futures contracts covering a number of indexes, as well as financial instruments, including, without limitation: U.S. Treasury bonds; U.S. Treasury notes; GNMA Certificates; three-month U.S. Treasury bills; 90-day commercial paper; bank certificates of deposit; Eurodollar certificates of deposit; the Australian Dollar; the Canadian Dollar; the British Pound; the Japanese Yen; the Swiss Franc; the Mexican Peso; and certain multinational currencies, such as the Euro. It is expected that other futures contracts will be developed and traded in the future.
A Fund may purchase and write (sell) call and put futures options. Futures options possess many of the same characteristics as options on securities and indexes (discussed above). A futures option gives the holder the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short position (put) in a futures contract at a specified exercise price upon expiration of, or at any time during the period of, the option. Upon exercise of a call option, the holder acquires a long position in the futures contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position. In the case of a put option, the opposite is true. When a purchase or sale of a futures contract is made by a Fund, the Fund is required to deposit with its futures commission merchant a specified amount of liquid assets (“initial margin”). The margin required for a futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be modified during the term of the contract. The initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the futures contract that is returned to a Fund upon termination of the contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. A Fund expects to earn taxable interest income on its initial margin deposits.
Futures and options on futures are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). A futures contract held by a Fund is valued daily at the official settlement price of the exchange on which it is traded. Each day a Fund pays or receives cash, called “variation margin”, equal to the daily change in value of the futures contract. This process is known as “marking to market”. Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by a Fund but is instead a settlement between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe the other if the futures contract expired. In computing daily net asset value, a Fund will mark to market its open futures positions. A Fund also is required to deposit and to maintain margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it. Such margin deposits will vary depending on the nature of the underlying futures contract (and the related initial margin requirements), the current market value of the option and other futures positions held by a Fund. Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, generally these obligations are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (involving the same exchange, underlying security or index and delivery month). If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, a Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, a Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, a Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. The transaction costs also must be included in these calculations.
A Fund may write covered straddles consisting of a call and a put written on the same underlying futures contract. A straddle will be covered when sufficient assets are deposited to meet a Fund’s immediate obligations. A Fund may use the same liquid assets to cover both the call and put options if the exercise price of the call and put are the same, or if the exercise price of the call is higher than that of the put. In such cases, a Fund also will segregate liquid assets equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the put is “in the money.”
Stock Index Futures
Each Fund may invest in stock index futures only as a substitute for a comparable market position in the underlying securities. A stock index future obligates the seller to deliver (and the purchaser to accept), effectively, an amount of cash equal to a specific dollar amount times the difference between the value of a specific stock index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is made. No physical delivery of the underlying stocks in the index is made. With respect to stock indices that are permitted investments, a Fund intends to purchase and sell futures contracts on the stock index for which it can obtain the best price with consideration also given to liquidity.
Swap Agreements
Each Fund may enter into interest rate, currency and index swaps and the purchase or sale of related caps, floors and collars. A Fund may enter into these transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, to protect against currency fluctuations or to protect against any increase in the price of securities it anticipates purchasing at a later date. Swaps may be used in conjunction with other instruments to offset interest rate, currency or other underlying risks. For example, interest rate swaps may be offset with “caps,” “floors” or “collars”. A “cap” is essentially a call option which places a limit on the amount of floating rate interest that must be paid on a certain principal amount. A “floor” is essentially a put option which places a limit on the minimum amount that would be paid on a certain principal amount. A “collar” is essentially a combination of a long cap and a short floor where the limits are set at different levels.
A Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with a Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. To the extent obligations created thereby may be deemed to constitute senior securities, a Fund will maintain required collateral in a segregated account consisting of U.S. Government securities or cash or cash equivalents. If a Fund were assigned an exercise notice on a call it has written, it would be required to liquidate portfolio securities in order to satisfy the exercise, unless it has other liquid assets that are sufficient to satisfy the exercise of the call. If a Fund has written a call, there is also a risk that the market may decline between the time the Fund has a call exercised against it, at a price which is fixed as of the closing level of the index on the date of exercise, and the time it is able to sell securities in its portfolio. As with stock options, a Fund will not learn that an index option has been exercised until the day following the exercise date but, unlike a call on stock where it would be able to deliver the underlying securities in settlement, the Fund may have to sell part of its securities portfolio in order to make settlement in cash, and the price of such securities might decline before they can be sold. For example, even if an index call which a Fund has written is “covered” by an index call held by the Fund with the same strike price, it will bear the risk that the level of the index may decline between the close of trading on the date the exercise notice is filed with the Options Clearing Corporation and the close of trading on the date the Fund exercises the call it holds or the time it sells the call, which in either case would occur no earlier than the day following the day the exercise notice was filed.
Total Return Swaps
. Each Fund may enter into total return swap contracts for investment purposes. Total return swaps are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based on the change in market value of the underlying assets, which may include a specified security, basket of securities or security indexes during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate of the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or market, including in cases in which there may be disadvantages associated with direct ownership of a particular security. In a typical total return equity swap, payments made by a Fund or the counterparty are based on the total return of a particular reference asset or assets (such as an equity security, a combination of such securities, or an index). That is, one party agrees to pay another party the return on a stock, basket of stocks, or stock index in return for a specified interest rate. By entering into an equity index swap, for example, the index receiver can gain exposure to stocks making up the index of securities without actually purchasing those stocks. Total return swaps involve not only the risk associated with the investment in the underlying securities, but also the risk of the counterparty not fulfilling its obligations under the agreement.
Credit Default Swaps
. Each Fund may enter into credit default swap agreements for investment purposes. A credit default swap agreement may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by a Fund. A Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. Credit default swaps may also be structured based on the debt of a basket of issuers, rather than a single issuer, and may be customized with respect to the default event that triggers purchase or other factors. As a seller, a Fund would generally receive an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap, which typically is between six months and three years, provided that there is no credit event. If a credit event occurs, generally the seller must pay the buyer the full face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference obligations that may have little or no value. Because of this deliverable obligation, a Fund will segregate liquid assets in the amount of the notional value of the transaction with the Fund’s custodian when selling protection on credit default swaps. If a Fund were a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund would recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference obligation that may have little or no value. The use of swap agreements by a fund entails certain risks, which may be different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the securities and other investments that are the referenced asset for the swap agreement. Swaps are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques, risk analyses, and tax planning different from those associated with stocks, bonds, and other traditional investments. The use of a swap requires an understanding not only of the referenced asset, reference rate, or index, but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the swap under all the possible market conditions. Because some swap agreements have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the swap itself. Certain swaps have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment.
A Fund may also purchase credit default swap contracts in order to hedge against the risk of default of the debt of a particular issuer or basket of issuers, in which case the Fund would function as the counterparty referenced in the preceding paragraph. This would involve the risk that the investment may expire worthless and would only generate income in the event of an actual default by the issuer(s) of the underlying obligation(s) (or, as applicable, a credit downgrade or other indication of financial instability). It would also involve the risk that the seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund in the event of a default. The purchase of credit default swaps involves costs, which will reduce a Fund’s return.
Currency Swaps
. Each Fund may enter into currency swap agreements for investment purposes. Currency swaps are similar to interest rate swaps, except that they involve multiple currencies. A Fund may enter into a currency swap when it has exposure to one currency and desires exposure to a different currency. Typically the interest rates that determine the currency swap payments are fixed, although occasionally one or both parties may pay a floating rate of interest. Unlike an interest rate swap, however, the principal amounts are exchanged at the beginning of the contract and returned at the end of the contract. In addition to paying and receiving amounts at the beginning and termination of the agreements, both sides will also have to pay in full periodically based upon the currency they have borrowed. Change in foreign exchange rates and changes in interest rates, as described above, may negatively affect currency swaps.
Interest Rate Swaps
. Each Fund may enter into an interest rate swap in an effort to protect against declines in the value of fixed income securities held by a Fund. In such an instance, a Fund may agree to pay a fixed rate (multiplied by a notional amount) while a counterparty agrees to pay a floating rate (multiplied by the same notional amount). If interest rates rise, resulting in a diminution in the value of the fund’s portfolio, the fund would receive payments under the swap that would offset, in whole or in part, such diminution in value.
Options on Swaps
. An option on a swap agreement, or a “swaption,” is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. In return, the purchaser pays a “premium” to the seller of the contract. The seller of the contract receives the premium and bears the risk of unfavorable changes on the underlying swap. A Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions. A Fund may also enter into swaptions on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending on whether the Fund is hedging its assets or its liabilities. A Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions to the same extent it may make use of standard options on securities or other instruments. A Fund may enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its holdings, as a duration management technique, to protect against an increase in the price of securities the fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, or for any other purposes, such as for speculation to increase returns. Swaptions are generally subject to the same risks involved in a Fund’s use of options.
Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, a Fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than it will incur when it purchases a swaption. When a Fund purchases a swaption, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when a Fund writes a swaption, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.
Over-the-Counter Transactions
Over-the-Counter (“OTC”) transactions differ from exchange-traded transactions in several respects. OTC transactions are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation. Without the availability of a clearing corporation, OTC transaction pricing is normally done by reference to information from market makers, which information is carefully monitored by the Advisor and verified in appropriate cases. As OTC transactions are transacted directly with dealers, there is a risk of nonperformance by the dealer as a result of the insolvency of such dealer or otherwise. An OTC transaction may only be terminated voluntarily by entering into a closing transaction with the dealer with whom a Fund originally dealt. Any such cancellation may require a Fund to pay a premium to that dealer. In those cases in which a Fund has entered into a covered transaction and cannot voluntarily terminate the transaction, the Fund will not be able to sell the underlying security until the transaction expires or is exercised or different cover is substituted. Each Fund intends to enter into OTC transactions only with dealers which agree to, and which are expected to be capable of, entering into closing transactions with the Fund. There is also no assurance that a Fund will be able to liquidate an OTC transaction at any time prior to expiration.
Certain additional risk factors related to derivatives are discussed below:
Derivatives Risk
. Under recently adopted rules by the CFTC, transactions in some types of interest rate swaps and credit default index swaps on North American and European indices will be required to be cleared. In a cleared derivatives transaction, a Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house (such as CME Clearing, ICE Clearing or LCH.Clearnet), rather than a bank or broker. Since a Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house can participate directly in the clearing house, a Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members, who are futures commission merchants that are members of the clearing houses and who have the appropriate regulatory approvals to engage in swap transactions. A Fund will make and receive payments owed under cleared derivatives transactions (including margin payments) through their accounts at clearing members. Clearing members guarantee performance of their clients’ obligations to the clearing house. In contrast to bilateral derivatives transactions, following a period of advance notice to a Fund, clearing members generally can require termination of existing cleared derivatives transactions at any time and increases in margin above the margin that it required at the beginning of a transaction. Clearing houses also have broad rights to increase margin requirements for existing transactions and to terminate transactions. Any such increase or termination could interfere with the ability of a Fund to pursue its investment strategy. Also, a Fund is subject to execution risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or that the Manager expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Fund’s behalf. While the documentation in place between a Fund and their clearing members generally provides that the clearing members will accept for clearing all transactions submitted for clearing that are within credit limits specified by the clearing members in advance, the Fund could be subject to this execution risk if the Fund submits for clearing transactions that exceed such credit limits, if the clearing house does not accept the transactions for clearing, or if the clearing members do not comply with their agreement to clear such transactions. In that case, the transaction might have to be terminated, and a Fund could lose some or all of the benefit of any increase in the value of the transaction after the time of the transaction. In addition, new regulations could, among other things, restrict a Fund’s ability to engage in, or increase the cost to the Fund of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Fund or increasing margin or capital requirements. If a Fund is not able to enter into a particular derivatives transaction, the Fund’s investment performance and risk profile could be adversely affected as a result.
Counterparty Risk
. Counterparty risk with respect to OTC derivatives may be affected by new regulations promulgated by the CFTC and SEC affecting the derivatives market. As described under “Derivatives Risk” above, some derivatives transactions will be required to be cleared, and a party to a cleared derivatives transaction is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the clearing member through which it holds its cleared position, rather than the credit risk of its original counterparty to the derivative transaction. Clearing members are required to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to cleared derivatives transactions from the clearing member’s proprietary assets. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing broker from its customers are generally held by the clearing broker on a commingled basis in an omnibus account, which may also invest those funds in certain instruments permitted under the applicable regulations. The assets of a Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the Fund’s clearing member because the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing broker’s customers for a relevant account class. Also, the clearing member transfers to the clearing house the amount of margin required by the clearing house for cleared swaps, which amounts are generally held in an omnibus account at the clearing house for all customers of the clearing member. Regulations promulgated by the CFTC require that the clearing member notify the clearing house of the amount of initial margin provided by the clearing member to the clearing house that is attributable to each customer. However, if the clearing member does not provide accurate reporting, a Fund is subject to the risk that a clearing house will use the Fund’s assets held in an omnibus account at the clearing house to satisfy payment obligations of a defaulting customer of the clearing member to the clearing house. In addition, clearing members generally provide to the clearing house the net amount of variation margin required for cleared swaps for all of its customers in the aggregate, rather than the gross amount of each customer. A Fund is therefore subject to the risk that a clearing house will not make variation margin payments owed to the Fund if another customer of the clearing member has suffered a loss and is in default.
Certain Other Investment Practices
When-Issued or Delayed-Delivery Securities.
Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. For example, delivery of and payment for these securities can take place a month or more after the date of the purchase commitment. The purchase price and the interest rate payable, if any, on the securities are fixed on the purchase commitment date or at the time the settlement date is fixed. The value of such securities is subject to market fluctuations and, in the case of fixed income securities, no interest accrues to a Fund until settlement takes place. When purchasing a security on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, a Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations. Accordingly, at the time a Fund makes the commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, it will record the transaction, reflect the value each day of such securities in determining its net asset value and, if applicable, calculate the maturity for the purposes of average maturity from that date. At the time of its acquisition, a when-issued security may be valued at less than the purchase price. Each Fund will make commitments for such when-issued transactions only when it has the intention of actually acquiring the securities. To facilitate such acquisitions, a Fund will maintain with the custodian a segregated account with liquid assets, consisting of cash, United States Government securities or other appropriate securities, in an amount at least equal to such commitments. On delivery dates for such transactions, a Fund will meet its obligations from maturities or sales of the securities held in the segregated account and/or from cash flow. If, however, a Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition, it could, as with the disposition of any other portfolio obligation, incur a taxable capital gain or loss due to market fluctuation. Also, a Fund may be disadvantaged if the other party to the transaction defaults. It is the current policy of the Funds not to enter into when- issued commitments exceeding in the aggregate 25% of the market value of a Fund’s total assets, less liabilities other than the obligations created by when-issued commitments.
Repurchase Agreements
When-Issued or Delayed-Delivery Securities.
Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio securities. Pursuant to such agreements, a Fund acquires securities from financial institutions such as banks and broker-dealers deemed to be creditworthy by the Advisor, subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase and the Fund’s agreement to resell such securities at a mutually agreed upon date and price. The repurchase price generally equals the price paid by a Fund plus interest negotiated on the basis of current short-term rates (which may be more or less than the rate on the underlying portfolio security). Securities subject to repurchase agreements will be held by the custodian or in the Federal Reserve/Treasury Book-Entry System or an equivalent foreign system. The seller under a repurchase agreement will be required to maintain the value of the underlying securities at not less than 102% of the repurchase price under the agreement. If the seller defaults on its repurchase obligation, a Fund will suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from a sale of the underlying securities are less than the repurchase price under the agreement. Bankruptcy or insolvency of such a defaulting seller may cause a Fund’s rights with respect to such securities to be delayed or limited. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans under the 1940 Act.
Investment Company Securities.
The Funds may invest in shares of other investment companies (each, an “Underlying Fund”), including open-end funds and closed-end funds investment companies, unit investment Trusts (“UITs”) and exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to certain restrictions set forth in this SAI. Generally, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and SEC rules adopted pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Fund’s acquisition of the securities of affiliated and unaffiliated funds is subject to the following guidelines and restrictions:
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A Fund may own an unlimited amount of the securities of any registered open-end fund or registered unit investment trust that is affiliated with the Fund, so long as any such Underlying Fund has a policy that prohibits it from acquiring any securities of registered open-end funds or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on certain sections of the 1940 Act.
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A Fund and its “affiliated persons” may own up to 3% of the outstanding stock of any fund, subject to the following restrictions:
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a Fund and the Underlying Fund, in the aggregate, may not charge a sales load greater than the limits set forth in Rule 2830(d)(3) of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) applicable to funds of funds;
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the Underlying Fund is not obligated to redeem more than 1% of its total outstanding securities during any period less than 30 days; and
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the purchase or acquisition of the Underlying Fund is made pursuant to an arrangement with the Underlying Fund or its principal underwriter whereby the Fund is obligated either to (i) seek instructions from its shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies with respect to the Underlying Fund and to vote in accordance with such instructions, or (ii) to vote the shares of the Underlying Fund held by the Fund in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of the Underlying Fund.
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Acquired funds typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Fund. The Fund’s purchase of such investment company securities results in the layering of expenses as Fund shareholders would indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of such investment companies, including advisory fees, in addition to paying Fund expenses. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to certain leverage risks. The net asset value and market value of leveraged securities will be more volatile and the yield to shareholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged securities. Investment companies may have investment policies that differ from those of the Fund.
Under certain circumstances an open-end investment company in which the Fund invests may determine to make payment of a redemption by the Fund wholly or in part by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, instead of in cash. As a result, the Fund may hold such securities until the Advisor determines it is appropriate to dispose of them. Such disposition will impose additional costs on the Fund.
The Fund expects that its investments in underlying funds will primarily be in ETFs. Investment decisions by the investment advisors to the registered investment companies in which the Fund invests are made independently of the Fund. At any particular time, one Underlying Fund may be purchasing shares of an issuer whose shares are being sold by another Underlying Fund. As a result, under these circumstances the Fund indirectly would incur certain transactional costs without accomplishing any investment purpose.
Illiquid and Restricted Securities
. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including (i) securities for which there is no readily available market; (ii) securities in which the disposition would be subject to legal restrictions (so called “restricted securities”); and (iii) repurchase agreements having more than seven days to maturity. However, the Fund will not acquire illiquid securities if, as a result, such securities would comprise more than 15% of the value of the Fund’s net assets. The Board or its delegate has the ultimate authority to determine, to the extent permissible under the federal securities laws, which securities are liquid or illiquid for purposes of this 15% limitation. The Board has delegated to the Advisor the day-to-day determination of the illiquidity of any security held by the Fund, although it has retained oversight and ultimate responsibility for such determinations. Although no definitive liquidity criteria are used, the Board has directed the Advisor to consider to such factors as (a) frequency of trading and availability of quotations; (b) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the availability of buyers; (c) the willingness of dealers to be market makers in the security; and (d) the nature of trading activity including (i) the time needed to dispose of a position or part of a position and (ii) offer and solicitation methods. A considerable period of time may elapse between the Fund’s decision to sell such securities and the time when the Fund is able to sell them, during which time the value of the securities could decline. Illiquid securities will usually be priced at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or its delegate. If, through the appreciation of illiquid securities or the depreciation of liquid securities, more than 15% of the value of the Fund’s net assets is invested in illiquid securities, including restricted securities which are not readily marketable, the Fund will take such steps as is deemed advisable, if any, to protect liquidity.
Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which prevailed when it decided to sell. Restricted securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that have a readily available market usually are not deemed illiquid for purposes of this limitation by the Fund. However, investing in Rule 144A securities could result in increasing the level of the Fund’s illiquidity if qualified institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities.
Lending Portfolio Securities
. Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and the Funds’ investment restrictions, a Fund may lend portfolio securities to securities broker-dealers or financial institutions, provided that such loans are callable at any time by the Fund (subject to notice provisions described below), and are at all times secured by cash or cash equivalents, which are maintained in a segregated account pursuant to applicable regulations and that are at least equal to the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive the income on the loaned securities while at the same time earns interest on the cash amounts deposited as collateral, which will be invested in short-term obligations. A Fund will not lend portfolio securities if such loans are not permitted by the laws or regulations of any state in which its shares are qualified for sale. A Fund’s loans of portfolio securities will be collateralized in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and no loan will cause the value of all loaned securities to exceed 33 1/3% of the value of a Fund’s total assets.
A loan may generally be terminated by the borrower on one business day’s notice, or by a Fund on five business days’ notice. If the borrower fails to deliver the loaned securities within five days after receipt of notice or fails to maintain the requisite amount of collateral, the Fund could use the collateral to replace the securities while holding the borrower liable for any excess of replacement cost over collateral. As with any extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery and in some cases even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, these loans of portfolio securities will only be made to firms deemed by the Funds’ management to be creditworthy and when the income that can be earned from such loans justifies the attendant risks. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower is required to return the securities to the Fund. Any gain or loss in the market price during the loan period would inure to the Fund. The risks associated with loans of portfolio securities are substantially similar to those associated with repurchase agreements. Thus, if the counterparty to the loan petitions for bankruptcy or becomes subject to the United States Bankruptcy Code, the law regarding the rights of the Fund is unsettled. As a result, under extreme circumstances, there may be a restriction on the Fund’s ability to sell the collateral, and the Fund would suffer a loss. When voting or consent rights that accompany loaned securities pass to the borrower, a Fund will follow the policy of calling the loaned securities, to be delivered within one day after notice, to permit the exercise of such rights if the matters involved would have a material effect on the Fund’s investment in such loaned securities. Each Fund will pay reasonable finder's, administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan of its securities.
Temporary Defensive Investments
Each Fund may take temporary defensive measures that are inconsistent with the Fund’s normal fundamental or non-fundamental investment policies and strategies in response to adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions as determined by the Advisor. Such measures could include, but are not limited to, investments in (1) highly liquid short-term fixed income securities issued by or on behalf of municipal or corporate issuers, obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies, commercial paper, and bank certificates of deposit; (2) repurchase agreements involving any such securities; and (3) other money market instruments. Each Fund also may invest in shares of money market mutual funds to the extent permitted under applicable law. Money market mutual funds are investment companies, and the investments in those companies by a Fund are in some cases subject to certain fundamental investment restrictions. As a shareholder in a mutual fund, a Fund will bear its ratable share of its expenses, including management fees, and will remain subject to payment of the fees to the Advisor, with respect to assets so invested. A Fund may not achieve its investment objectives during temporary defensive periods.
Additional Risk Considerations
Counterparty Risk
. A Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivatives contracts purchased by the Fund. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivatives contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceedings. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.
Market Disruptions
. As a result of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, some of the U.S. securities markets were closed for a four-day period. These terrorist attacks, the war in Iraq and its aftermath and other geopolitical events have led to, and may in the future lead to, increased short-term market volatility and may have long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets. Similar events in the future or other disruptions of financial markets could affect interest rates, securities exchanges, credit risk, inflation and other factors relating to the Funds’ shares.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Each Fund has adopted the following restrictions as fundamental policies, which may not be changed without the favorable vote of the holders of a “majority,” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Under the 1940 Act, the “vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” of the Fund means the vote of the holders of the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of its outstanding shares are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Each Fund’s investment objective is a non-fundamental policy and may be changed without shareholder approval.
No Fund may:
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Issue senior securities, borrow money or pledge its assets, except that (i) the Fund may borrow from banks in amounts not exceeding one-third of its net assets (including the amount borrowed); and (ii) this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from engaging in options transactions or short sales and in investing in financial futures and reverse repurchase agreements.
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Act as underwriter, except to the extent the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the sale of securities in its investment portfolio;
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Invest 25% or more of its total assets, calculated at the time of purchase and taken at market value, in any one industry (other than securities issued by the U.S. Government , its agencies and instrumentalities);
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Purchase or sell real estate or interests in real estate or real estate limited partnerships (although the Fund may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate, such as real estate investment trusts (“REITs”);
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Make loans of money, except (a) for purchases of debt securities consistent with the investment policies of the Fund, (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements or, (c) through the loan of portfolio securities in an amount up to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s net assets; or
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Purchase or sell commodities or commodity futures contracts (although the Fund may invest in financial futures and in companies involved in the production, extraction, or processing of agricultural, energy, base metals, precious metals, and other commodity-related products).
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Each Fund observes the following restriction as a matter of operating but not fundamental policy, pursuant to positions taken by federal regulatory authorities:
The Fund may not invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets in securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities that are not readily marketable and repurchase agreements with more than seven days to maturity.
Except with respect to borrowing, if a percentage or rating restriction on investment or use of assets set forth herein or in the Prospectus is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting from any cause other than actions by the Fund will not be considered a violation.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
Trustees and Officers
The overall management of the business and affairs of the Trust is vested with its Board of Trustees. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Trust and persons or companies furnishing services to it, including the agreements with the Advisor, co-administrators, distributor, custodian and transfer agent. The day-to-day operations of the Trust are delegated to its officers, except that the Advisor is responsible for making day-to-day investment decisions in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, strategies, and policies, all of which is subject to general supervision by the Board.
The Trustees and officers of the Trust, their years of birth and positions with the Trust, term of office with the Trust and length of time served, their business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years and other directorships held during the past five years are listed in the table below. Unless noted otherwise, each person has held the position listed for a minimum of five years.
Charles H. Miller, Ashley Toomey Rabun and William H. Young are all of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (collectively, the “Independent Trustees”).
Name, Address,
Year of Birth and
Position(s) held with Trust
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Term of Office
c
and Length of Time Served
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Principal Occupation During
the Past Five Years and Other Affiliations
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Number of Portfolios in the Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee
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Other Directorships Held by the Trustee During the Past Five Years
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“Independent” Trustees:
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Charles H. Miller
a
(Born 1947)
Trustee
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Since November 2007
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Retired (2013 – present). Executive Vice President, Client Management and Development, Access Data Corporation, a Broadridge company, a provider of technology and services to asset management firms (1997 - 2012).
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71
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None
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Ashley Toomey Rabun
a
(born 1952)
Trustee and Chairperson of the Board
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Since November 2007
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President and Founder, InvestorReach, Inc. a financial services consulting firm (1996-present)
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71
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None
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William H. Young
a
(born 1950)
Trustee
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Since November 2007
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Independent financial services consultant (1996-present); Interim CEO, Unified Fund Services (now Huntington), a mutual fund service provider (2003-2006); Senior Vice President, Oppenheimer Management Company (1983-1996). Board Member Emeritus-NICSA.
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71
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None
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Interested Trustees:
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John P. Zader
a †
(born 1961)
Trustee and President
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Since November 2007 as Trustee and December 2007 as President
|
CEO, UMB Fund Services, Inc., a mutual and hedge fund service provider, and the transfer agent, fund accountant, co-administrator and custodian for the Fund, (2006-present); Consultant to Jefferson Wells International, a provider of professional services for multiple industries, including financial services organizations (2006); Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, a mutual and hedge fund service provider (1988-2006).
|
71
|
IMST II Investment Managers Series Trust II, a registered investment company
|
Eric M. Banhazl
b†
(born 1957)
Trustee and Vice President
|
Since January 2008 as Trustee and December 2007 as Vice President
|
President, Mutual Fund Administration Corp., the co-administrator for the Fund (2006 – present).
|
71
|
IMST II Investment Managers Series Trust II, a registered investment company
|
Officers of the Trust
|
|
|
Rita Dam
b
(born 1966)
Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
|
Since December 2007
|
Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration Corp. (2006 – present).
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Joy Ausili
b
(born 1966)
Secretary and Assistant Treasurer
|
Since December 2007
|
Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration Corp. (2006 – present).
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Name, Address,
Year of Birth and
Position(s) held with Trust
|
Term of Office
c
and Length of Time Served
|
Principal Occupation During
the Past Five Years and Other Affiliations
|
Number of Portfolios in the Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee
|
Other Directorships Held by the Trustee During the Past Five Years
|
Maureen Quill
a
(born 1963)
Vice President
|
Since December 2013
|
Executive Vice President, UMB Fund Services, Inc. (1996 – present).
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Terrance P. Gallagher, CPA, JD
a
(born 1958)
Vice President
|
Since December 2007
|
Executive Vice President, UMB Fund Services, Inc. (2007 – present); Director of Compliance, Unified Fund Services Inc. (2004 – 2007); Partner, The Academy of Financial Services Studies and Precision Marketing Partners (1998 - 2004); Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of AAL Capital Management and The AAL Mutual Funds (1987 - 1998).
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Todd Cipperman
b
(born 1966)
Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”)
|
Since December 2009
|
Founder and Principal, Cipperman & Company/Cipperman Compliance Services (2004 – present).
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
a
|
Address for certain Trustees and certain officers: 803 West Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233-2301.
|
b
|
Address for Mr. Banhazl, Ms. Ausili and Ms. Dam: 2220 E. Route 66, Suite 226, Glendora, CA 91740. Address for Mr. Cipperman: 500 Swedesford Road, Suite 104, Wayne, PA 19087.
|
c
|
Trustees and officers serve until their successors have been duly elected.
|
†
|
Each of Mr. Zader and Mr. Banhazl is an “interested person” of the Trust by virtue of his position as an officer of the Trust.
|
Compensation
Each Independent Trustee receives from the Trust a quarterly retainer of $10,000, $5,000 for each regular meeting attended and $4,000 for each special in-person meeting attended. In addition, Ms. Rabun receives an additional annual retainer of $12,000 for serving as Chairperson of the Board, each of Mr. Young and Mr. Miller receives an additional annual retainer of $8,000 for serving as Audit Committee Chair and Valuation Committee Chair, respectively, and Mr. Young receives an additional annual retainer of $4,000 for serving as Derivatives Risk Oversight Committee Chair. The Trust has no pension or retirement plan. No other entity affiliated with the Trust pays any compensation to the Trustees.
Aggregate Compensation from each Fund for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2013:
|
Independent Trustees
|
|
Charles H. Miller,
Trustee, and Nominating Committee and Valuation Committee Chair
|
Ashley Toomey
Rabun,
Trustee
and
Chairperson
|
William H. Young,
Trustee and Audit
Committee and Derivatives Committee Chair
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
$ 1,432
|
$ 1,405
|
$ 1,504
|
Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Global Value Fund
|
1,384
|
1,359
|
1,455
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
1,359
|
1,334
|
1,428
|
International Small Cap Value Fund
|
1,482
|
1,455
|
1,557
|
Small Company Opportunities Fund
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
1,072
|
1,021
|
1,129
|
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Fund’s Expenses
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Total Compensation from Trust
(56 Funds) Paid to Trustees
1
|
$ 78,000
|
$ 77,000
|
$ 82,000
|
The Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund and the Small Company Opportunities Fund commenced operations on November 1, 2013.
Mr. Zader and Mr. Banhazl are not compensated for their services as Trustees because of their affiliation with the Trust. Officers of the Trust are not compensated by the Funds for their services.
Additional Information Concerning the Board and the Trustees
The current Trustees were selected in November 2007 (January 2008 for Mr. Banhazl) with a view towards establishing a Board that would have the broad experience needed to oversee a registered investment company comprised of multiple series employing a variety of different investment strategies. As a group, the Board has extensive experience in many different aspects of the financial services and asset management industries.
The Trustees were selected to join the Board based upon the following factors, among others: character and integrity; willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee; as to each Trustee other than Messrs. Banhazl and Zader, satisfying the criteria for not being classified as an “interested person” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act; and, as to Messrs. Banhazl and Zader, their positions with the Trust’s co-administrators. In addition, the Trustees have the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills relevant to the operations of the Trust:
|
·
|
Ms. Rabun has substantial senior executive experience in mutual fund marketing and distribution and serving in senior executive and board positions with mutual funds, including multiple series trusts similar to the Trust.
|
|
·
|
Mr. Miller has significant senior executive experience with respect to marketing and distribution of mutual funds, including multiple series trusts similar to the Trust.
|
|
·
|
Mr. Young has broad senior executive experience with respect to the operations and management of mutual funds and administrative service providers, including multiple series trusts similar to the Trust.
|
|
·
|
Mr. Banhazl has significant experience serving in senior executive and board positions for mutual funds and with respect to the organization and operation of mutual funds and multiple series trusts similar to the Trust.
|
|
·
|
Mr. Zader has substantial experience serving in senior executive positions at mutual fund administrative service providers.
|
In its periodic self-assessment of the effectiveness of the Board, the Board considers the complementary individual skills and experience of the individual Trustees primarily in the broader context of the Board’s overall composition so that the Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately diverse) skills and experience to oversee the business of the series of the Trust. The summaries set forth above as to the qualifications, attributes and skills of the Trustees are required by the registration form adopted by the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and do not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board as a whole than would otherwise be the case.
The Board of Trustees has four standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Derivatives Risk Oversight Committee (the “Derivatives Committee”) the Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”), and the Valuation Committee.
|
·
|
The function of the Audit Committee, with respect to each series of the Trust, is to review the scope and results of the Trust’s annual audit and any matters bearing on the audit or the Fund’s financial statements and to assist the Board’s oversight of the integrity of the Fund’s pricing and financial reporting. The Audit Committee is expected to meet at least twice a year with respect to each series of the Trust. The Audit Committee is comprised of all of the Independent Trustees and is chaired by Mr. Young. It does not include any Interested Trustees. The Audit Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013 with respect to the Funds.
|
The Audit Committee also serves as the Qualified Legal Compliance Committee (“QLCC”) for the Trust for the purpose of compliance with Rules 205.2(k) and 205.3(c) of the Code of Federal Regulations regarding alternative reporting procedures for attorneys retained or employed by an issuer who appear and practice before the SEC on behalf of the issuer. The QLCC meets as needed. The QLCC did not meet during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013.
|
·
|
The Derivatives Committee reviews the types of investments in derivatives made by various series of the Trust. The Derivatives Committee conducts meetings periodically as needed in order to inform the Board of Trustees about various series’ derivatives positions, related valuation issues and such other matters related to derivatives as the Committee determines. The Derivatives Committee is comprised of Messrs. Young and Miller and is chaired by Mr. Young. The Derivatives Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013.. The Funds did not invest in derivatives during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013.
|
|
·
|
The Nominating Committee is responsible for
reviewing matters pertaining to composition, committees, and operations of the Board
and meets from time to time as needed. The Nominating Committee will consider nominees properly recommended by the Trust’s shareholders. Shareholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send nominations that include, among other things, biographical data and the qualifications of the proposed nominee to the Trust’s Secretary. The Independent Trustees comprise the Nominating Committee, and the Committee is chaired by Mr. Miller. The Nominating Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013 with respect to the Funds
.
|
|
·
|
The function of the Valuation Committee is to value securities held by any series of the Trust for which current and reliable market quotations are not readily available. Such securities are valued at their respective fair values as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee and the actions of the Valuation Committee are subsequently reviewed by the Board. The Valuation Committee is comprised of all the Trustees and is chaired by Mr. Miller, but action may be taken by any one of the Trustees. The Valuation Committee meets as needed. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013 the Valuation Committee met once with respect to the Strategic Income Fund and four times with respect to the International All Cap Fund and the International Small Cap Value Fund.
|
Independent Trustees comprise 60% of the Board and Ashley Toomey Rabun, an Independent Trustee, serves as Chairperson of the Board. The Chairperson serves as a key point person for dealings between the Trust’s management and the other Independent Trustees. As noted above, through the committees of the Board the Independent Trustees consider and address important matters involving each series of the Trust, including those presenting conflicts or potential conflicts of interest. The Independent Trustees also regularly meet outside the presence of management and are advised by independent legal counsel. The Board has determined that its organization and leadership structure are appropriate in light of its fiduciary and oversight obligations, the special obligations of the Independent Trustees, and the relationship between the Interested Trustees and the Trust’s co-administrators. The Board also believes that its structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from management.
Consistent with its responsibility for oversight of the Fund in the interests of shareholders, the Board among other things oversees risk management of the Fund’s investment programs and business affairs directly and through the Audit Committee. The Board has emphasized to the Advisor the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management programs and procedures.
The Fund faces a number of risks, such as investment risk, valuation risk, reputational risk, risk of operational failure or lack of business continuity, and legal, compliance and regulatory risk. Risk management seeks to identify and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Fund. Under the overall supervision of the Board, the Advisor and other service providers to the Fund employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various of those possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Various personnel, including the Fund’s CCO, the Advisor’s management, and other service providers (such as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm) make periodic reports to the Board or to the Audit Committee with respect to various aspects of risk management. The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund’s investment objective, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Trustees as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations.
Fund Shares Beneficially Owned by Trustees.
As of December 31, 2013, the Trustees beneficially owned shares of the Funds and other series of the Trust as follows.
Name of Trustee
|
Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund
(None, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000, Over $100,000)
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies
|
Charles H. Miller, Independent Trustee
|
None
|
$1-$10,000
|
Ashley Toomey Rabun, Independent Trustee
|
None
|
None
|
William H. Young, Independent Trustee
|
None
|
None
|
John P. Zader, Interested Trustee
|
None
|
None
|
Eric M. Banhazl, Interested Trustee
|
None
|
$10,001-$50,000
|
Control Persons, Principal Shareholders, and Management Ownership
A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of the Fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund or acknowledges the existence of control. To the best knowledge of the Trust, shareholders owning 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Funds as of February 3, 2014, are set forth below. Shareholders with a controlling interest could affect the outcome of voting or the direction of management of the fund.
Fund
|
Shareholder
|
Percentage of Total Outstanding
Shares of Fund as of February 3, 2014
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
Eva Valley MAI LLC
Chicago, IL 60675
|
45.02%
|
|
Piper Jaffray Companies Retirement
Charlotte, NC 28288
|
7.10%
|
Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
|
Pershing LLC
Jersey City, NJ 07303
|
43.71%
|
|
Piper Jaffray
Minneapolis, MN 55402
|
42.79%
|
|
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc.
San Francisco, CA 94104
|
12.97%
|
Global Value Fund
|
Pershing LLC
Jersey City, NJ 07303
|
15.67%
|
|
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc.
San Francisco, CA 94104
|
13.79%
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc.
San Francisco, CA 94104
|
33.97%
|
|
Pershing LLC
Jersey City, NJ 07303
|
24.75%
|
|
Advisory Research, Inc.
Chicago, IL 60601
|
23.77%
|
International Small Cap Value Fund
Investor Class
|
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Chicago, IL 60675
|
29.55%
|
|
Eva Valley MAI LLC
Chicago, IL 60675
|
16.42%
|
|
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc.
San Francisco, CA 94104
|
13.51%
|
|
Bank of America NA
Dallas, TX 75284
|
8.04%
|
|
Pershing LLC
Jersey City, NJ 07303
|
7.11%
|
International Small Cap Value Fund
Class I
|
Christopher D. Crawshaw
Wilmette, IL 60091
|
100.00%
|
Small Company Opportunities Fund
|
Piper Jaffray
Minneapolis, MN 55402
|
94.80%
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
Eva Valley MAI LLC
Chicago, IL 60675
|
45.66%
|
|
Pershing LLC
Jersey City, NJ 07303
|
7.89%
|
|
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc.
San Francisco, CA 94104
|
5.62%
|
As of February 3, 2014, the Trustees and officers of the Trust as a group did not own more than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Funds. Furthermore, neither the Independent Trustees, nor members of their immediate family, own securities beneficially or of record in the Advisor, the Funds’ distributor, IMST Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), or any affiliate of the Advisor or Distributor.
The Advisor
Advisory Research, Inc. located at Two Prudential Plaza, 180 N. Stetson Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601, acts as investment advisor to the Funds pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Advisor is a wholly owned subsidiary of Piper Jaffray Companies, which is an international investment firm.
Subject to such policies as the Board of Trustees may determine, the Advisor is ultimately responsible for investment decisions for each Fund. Pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor provides each Fund with such investment advice and supervision as it deems necessary for the proper supervision of the Fund’s investments. The Advisor also continuously monitors and maintains each Fund’s investment criteria and determines from time to time what securities may be purchased by the Fund.
The Advisory Agreement will remain in effect for an initial two-year period with respect to each Fund. After the initial two-year period, the Advisory Agreement will continue in effect from year to year only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities and by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Advisory Agreement. The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf of a Fund, upon giving the Advisor 60 days’ notice when authorized either by a majority vote of the Fund’s shareholders or by a vote of a majority of the Board, or by the Advisor on 60 days’ written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Advisory Agreement provides that the Advisor under such agreement shall not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the Advisory Agreement, except for a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty, or for a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard by the Advisor of its duties under the Advisory Agreement.
In consideration of the services to be provided by the Advisor pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor is entitled to receive from each Fund an investment advisory fee computed daily and paid monthly based on an annual rate equal to a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets specified in the Prospectus.
Fund Expenses
Each Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses (all of which will be borne directly or indirectly by the Funds’ shareholders), including among others, legal fees and expenses of counsel to the Funds and the Funds’ independent trustees; insurance (including trustees’ and officers’ errors and omissions insurance); auditing and accounting expenses; taxes and governmental fees; listing fees; dues and expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations; fees and expenses of the Funds’ custodians, administrators, transfer agents, registrars and other service providers; expenses for portfolio pricing services by a pricing agent, if any; expenses in connection with the issuance and offering of shares; expenses relating to investor and public relations; expenses of registering or qualifying securities of the Funds’ for public sale; brokerage commissions and other costs of acquiring or disposing of any portfolio holding of the Funds; expenses of preparation and distribution of reports, notices and dividends to shareholders; expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan; compensation and expenses of trustees; any litigation expenses; and costs of shareholders’ and other meetings.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or pay for expenses of each Fund to ensure that the total annual Fund operating expenses (excluding any taxes, leverage interest, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses as determined in accordance with Form N-1A, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, and extraordinary expenses such as litigation expenses) to the limit set forth in the Expense Table in the Prospectus (the “expense cap”).
|
Expense Cap as percent of the
average daily net assets
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
1.00%
|
Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
|
1.35%
|
Global Value Fund
|
1.10%
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
1.10%
|
International Small Cap Value Fund – Investor Class
|
1.30%
|
International Small Cap Value Fund – Class I
|
1.15%
|
Small Company Opportunities Fund
|
1.10%
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
0.90%
|
Any reduction in advisory fees or payment of a Fund’s expenses made by the Advisor in a fiscal year may be reimbursed by the Fund for a period of three years from the date of reduction or payment if the Advisor so requests. This reimbursement may be requested from a Fund if the aggregate amount of operating expenses for such fiscal year, as accrued each month, does not exceed the lesser of (a) the limitation on Fund expenses in effect at the time of the relevant reduction in advisory fees or payment of the Fund’s expenses, or (b) the limitation on Fund expenses at the time of the request. The Advisor may seek reimbursement in an amount up to the difference between the operating expenses of a Fund at the time of the request and the lesser of (a) the limitation on Fund expenses in effect at the time of the relevant reduction in advisory fees or payment of the Fund’s expenses, or (b) the limitation on Fund expenses at the time of the request. However, the reimbursement amount may not exceed the total amount of fees waived and/or Fund expenses paid by the Advisor and will not include any amounts previously reimbursed to the Advisor by a Fund. Any such reimbursement is contingent upon the Board’s subsequent review and ratification of the reimbursed amounts and no reimbursement may cause the total operating expenses paid by the Fund in a fiscal year to exceed the applicable limitation on Fund expenses. A Fund must pay current ordinary operating expenses before the Advisor is entitled to any reimbursement of fees and/or Fund expenses.
Each Fund paid the following advisory fees to the Advisor:
|
Advisory Fees
Accrued
|
Advisory Fees
Waived
|
Advisory Fee
Retained
|
For the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2013
|
|
|
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
$ 456,035
|
$ 103,630
|
$ 352,405
|
Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
2
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Global Value Fund
|
172,577
|
120,386
|
52,191
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
17,138
|
17,138
|
0
|
International Small Cap Value Fund
|
807,453
|
113,951
|
693,502
|
Small Company Opportunities Fund
2
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
694,149
|
99,739
|
594,410
|
|
|
|
|
For the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2012
|
|
|
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
$ 350,845
|
$ 109,215
|
$ 241,630
|
Global Value Fund
|
108,189
|
108,189
|
0
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
13,190
|
13,190
|
0
|
International Small Cap Value Fund
|
389,855
|
100,922
|
288,933
|
Strategic Income Fund
1
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
|
For the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
$ 145,706
|
$130,836
|
$ 14,870
|
Global Value Fund
|
102,633
|
102,633
|
0
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
5,165
|
5,165
|
0
|
International Small Cap Value Fund
|
303,708
|
148,466
|
155,242
|
1
|
The Strategic Income Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2012.
|
2
|
The Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund and the Small Company Opportunities Fund commenced operations on November 1, 2013.
|
Portfolio Managers
ARI manages the Funds’ portfolios on a team basis.
The All Cap Value Fund is team managed by James M. Langer, Matthew K. Swaim and Bruce M. Zessar.
The Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund is team managed by Jonathan P. Brodsky, Drew Edwards and Marco P. Priani.
The Global Value Fund is team managed by James M. Langer, Jonathan P. Brodsky, Marco P. Priani, Drew Edwards Matthew K. Swaim and Bruce M. Zessar.
The International All Cap Value Fund is team managed by Jonathan P. Brodsky, Drew Edwards and Marco P. Priani.
The International Small Cap Value Fund is team managed by Jonathan P. Brodsky, Drew Edwards and Marco P. Priani.
The Small Company Opportunities Fund is team managed by James M. Langer, Matthew K. Swaim and Shreekkanth (Shree) Viswanathan and Paul Galat.
The Strategic Income Fund is team managed by James M. Langer, Bruce M. Zessar and Adam Dabrowski.
Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers
. The portfolio managers jointly manage other accounts. Information on these other accounts is as follows.
As of October 31, 2013:
James M. Langer
|
|
|
|
With Advisory Fee Based on Performance
|
Type of Account
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets in Accounts Managed
(
in millions)
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets
(in millions)
|
Registered investment companies
|
3
|
$465.4
|
0
|
$--
|
Other pooled investment vehicles
|
12
|
757.8
|
3
|
199.4
|
Other advisory accounts
|
819
|
5,397.3
|
9
|
295.7
|
Jonathan P. Brodsky
|
|
|
|
With Advisory Fee Based on Performance
|
Type of Account
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets in Accounts Managed
(in millions)
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets
(in millions)
|
Registered investment companies
|
3
|
$465.4
|
0
|
$--
|
Other pooled investment vehicles
|
12
|
757.8
|
3
|
199.4
|
Other advisory accounts
|
819
|
5,397.3
|
9
|
295.7
|
Drew Edwards
|
|
|
|
With Advisory Fee Based on Performance
|
Type of Account
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets in Accounts Managed
(in millions)
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets
(in millions)
|
Registered investment companies
|
3
|
$465.4
|
0
|
$--
|
Other pooled investment vehicles
|
12
|
757.8
|
3
|
199.4
|
Other advisory accounts
|
819
|
5,397.3
|
9
|
295.7
|
Marco P. Priani
|
|
|
|
With Advisory Fee Based on Performance
|
Type of Account
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets in Accounts Managed
(in millions)
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets
(in millions)
|
Registered investment companies
|
3
|
$465.4
|
0
|
$--
|
Other pooled investment vehicles
|
12
|
757.8
|
3
|
199.4
|
Other advisory accounts
|
819
|
5,397.3
|
9
|
295.7
|
Matthew K. Swaim
|
|
|
|
With Advisory Fee Based on Performance
|
Type of Account
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets in Accounts Managed
(in millions)
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets
(in millions)
|
Registered investment companies
|
3
|
$465.4
|
0
|
$--
|
Other pooled investment vehicles
|
12
|
757.8
|
3
|
199.4
|
Other advisory accounts
|
819
|
5,397.3
|
9
|
295.7
|
Bruce M. Zessar
|
|
|
|
With Advisory Fee Based on Performance
|
Type of Account
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets in Accounts Managed
(in millions)
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets
(in millions)
|
Registered investment companies
|
3
|
$465.4
|
0
|
$--
|
Other pooled investment vehicles
|
12
|
757.8
|
3
|
199.4
|
Other advisory accounts
|
819
|
5,397.3
|
9
|
295.7
|
Shreekkanth (Shree) Viswanathan
|
|
|
|
|
|
With Advisory Fee Based on Performance
|
Type of Account
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets in Accounts Managed (in millions)
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets
(in millions)
|
Registered investment companies
|
3
|
$465.4
|
0
|
$--
|
Other pooled investment vehicles
|
12
|
757.8
|
3
|
199.4
|
Other advisory accounts
|
819
|
5,397.3
|
9
|
295.7
|
Paul Galat
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
With Advisory Fee Based on Performance
|
Type of Account
|
Number of
A
ccounts
|
Total Assets in Accounts Managed
(in millions)
|
Number of
Accounts
|
Total Assets
(in millions)
|
Registered investment companies
|
3
|
$465.4
|
0
|
$--
|
Other pooled investment vehicles
|
12
|
757.8
|
3
|
199.4
|
Other advisory accounts
|
819
|
5,397.3
|
9
|
295.7
|
Portfolio Manager Compensation
ARI’s compensation structure/levels for staff and professionals are, by design, higher than industry levels. ARI believes that portfolio manager compensation should be driven primarily by the delivery of consistent and superior long-term performance for its clients. Portfolio managers are compensated with competitive salaries, annual bonuses that are based on each individual’s overall job performance and retirement benefits. Bonuses are discretionary and determined by ARI’s CEO. The success of ARI and the individual employees’ contribution to that success is the primary determinant of incentive compensation. This compensation structure is designed to align the best interests of our clients with the management of the portfolio.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or other account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple funds and/or other accounts may be presented with one or more of the following potential conflicts.
The management of multiple funds and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of the Fund and/or other account. Most other accounts managed by a portfolio manager are managed using the same investment models that are used in connection with the management of the Fund. ARI has adopted a policy to provide for fair and equitable treatment of all client accounts, and periodically reviews such policy.
If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one Fund or other account, a Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible funds and other accounts. To deal with these situations, the Advisor has adopted procedures for allocating portfolio transactions across multiple accounts.
The Advisor determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts (such as mutual funds for which the Advisor acts as advisor, other pooled investment vehicles that are not registered mutual funds, and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), the Advisor may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, trades for a Fund in a particular security may be placed separately from, rather than aggregated with, such other accounts. Having separate transactions with respect to a security may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the possible detriment of the Fund or other account(s) involved.
The Advisor has adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.
Ownership of the Funds by Portfolio Managers
The following chart sets forth the dollar range of equity securities owned by each portfolio manager in the Fund as of October 31, 2013.
Name of Portfolio Manager
|
Dollar Range of Securities in the Funds
(A: None, B: $1-$10,000, C: $10,001-$50,000, D: $50,001-$100,000,
E: $100,001 - $500,000, F: $500,001 - $1,000,000, G: Over $1,000,000)
|
|
All Cap
Value Fund
|
Global
Value Fund
|
International All
Cap Value Fund
|
International Small
Cap Value Fund
|
Strategic
Income Fund
|
James M. Langer
|
D
|
E
|
A
|
A
|
E
|
Jonathan P. Brodsky
|
A
|
D
|
D
|
D
|
A
|
Drew Edwards
|
A
|
E
|
C
|
C
|
A
|
Marco P. Priani
|
B
|
E
|
C
|
E
|
A
|
Matthew K. Swaim
|
E
|
E
|
A
|
C
|
A
|
Bruce M. Zessar
|
E
|
A
|
A
|
A
|
C
|
Shreekkanth (Shree) Viswanathan
|
A
|
A
|
A
|
A
|
A
|
Paul Galat
|
B
|
A
|
A
|
A
|
A
|
Adam Dabrowski
|
A
|
A
|
A
|
B
|
A
|
The Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund and the Small Company Opportunities Fund commenced operations on November, 2013.
Service Providers
Pursuant to a Co-Administration Agreement (the “Co-Administration Agreement”), UMB Fund Services, Inc. (“UMBFS”), 803 W. Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233, and Mutual Fund Administration Corporation (“MFAC”), 2220 E. Route 66, Suite 226, Glendora, California 91740 (collectively the “Co-Administrators”), act as co-administrators for the Funds. The Co-Administrators provide certain administrative services to each Fund, including, among other responsibilities, coordinating the negotiation of contracts and fees with, and the monitoring of performance and billing of, the Fund’s independent contractors and agents; preparing for signature by an officer of the Trust of all documents required to be filed for compliance with applicable laws and regulations including those of the securities laws of various states; arranging for the computation of performance data, including net asset value and yield; arranging for the maintenance of books and records of the Fund; and providing, at their own expense, office facilities, equipment and personnel necessary to carry out their duties. In this capacity, the Co-Administrators do not have any responsibility or authority for the management of the Funds, the determination of investment policy, or for any matter pertaining to the distribution of Fund shares. The Co-Administration Agreement provides that neither Co-Administrator shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or its series, except for losses resulting from a Co-Administrator's willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under the Agreement.
Each Fund paid the following co-administrator fees:
|
Fiscal Year Ended
|
|
October 31, 2013
|
October 31, 2012
|
October 31, 2011
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
$ 50,544
|
$ 39,577
|
$ 35,000
|
Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
2
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Global Value Fund
|
37,095
|
37,437
|
35,000
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
37,478
|
36,824
|
16,953
|
International Small Cap Value Fund
|
88,202
|
46,065
|
36,000
|
Small Company Opportunities Fund
2
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Strategic Income Fund
1
|
103,037
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
1
|
The Strategic Income Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2012.
|
2
|
The Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund and the Small Company Opportunities Fund commenced operations on November 1, 2013.
|
UMBFS also acts as the Trust’s fund accountant, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent pursuant to separate agreements.
UMB Bank, n.a. (the “Custodian”), an affiliate of UMBFS, is the custodian of the assets of the Fund pursuant to a custody agreement between the Custodian and the Trust, whereby the Custodian provides services for fees on a transactional basis plus out-of-pocket expenses. The Custodian’s address is 928 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The Custodian does not participate in decisions pertaining to the purchase and sale of securities by the Fund.
Tait, Weller & Baker LLP is the independent registered public accounting firm for each Fund. Its services include auditing the Fund’s financial statements and the performance of related tax services.
Bingham McCutchen LLP (“Bingham”), 355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 4400, Los Angeles, California 90071, serves as counsel to the Trust and provides counsel on legal matters relating to the Funds. Bingham also serves as independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees.
Distribution Agreement
IMST Distributors, LLC is the distributor (also known as the principal underwriter) of the shares of each Fund and is located at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). The Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust, the Advisor, the Sub-advisors or any other service provider for the Funds.
Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust dated January 1, 2013 (the “Distribution Agreement”), the Distributor acts as the agent of the Trust in connection with the continuous offering of shares of the Funds. The Distributor continually distributes shares of the Funds on a best efforts basis. The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of a Fund’s shares. The Distributor and its officers have no role in determining the investment policies or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Trust.
The Distributor may enter into agreements with selected broker-dealers, banks or other financial intermediaries for distribution of shares of the Funds. With respect to certain financial intermediaries and related fund “supermarket” platform arrangements, the Funds and/or the Advisor, rather than the Distributor, typically enter into such agreements. These financial intermediaries may charge a fee for their services and may receive shareholder service or other fees from parties other than the Distributor. These financial intermediaries may otherwise act as processing agents and are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase, redemption and other requests to the Funds.
Investors who purchase shares through financial intermediaries will be subject to the procedures of those intermediaries through which they purchase shares, which may include charges, investment minimums, cutoff times and other restrictions in addition to, or different from, those listed herein. Information concerning any charges or services will be provided to customers by the financial intermediary through which they purchase shares. Investors purchasing shares of the Funds through financial intermediaries should acquaint themselves with their financial intermediary’s procedures and should read the Prospectus in conjunction with any materials and information provided by their financial intermediary. The financial intermediary, and not its customers, will be the shareholder of record, although customers may have the right to vote shares depending upon their arrangement with the financial intermediary. The Distributor does not receive compensation from the Funds for its distribution services except the distribution/service fees with respect to the shares of those classes for which a Rule 12b-1 distribution plan is effective. The Advisor pays the Distributor a fee for certain distribution-related services.
The Distribution Agreement has an initial term of up to two years and will continue in effect only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of each Fund’s outstanding voting securities in accordance with the 1940 Act. The Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf of a Fund on no less than 60 days’ written notice when authorized either by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund or by vote of a majority of the members of the Board who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Agreement, or by the Distributor, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Distribution Agreement provides that the Distributor shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the performance of the Distributor’s obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement, except a loss resulting from the Distributor’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of such duties and obligations, or by reason of its reckless disregard thereof.
Shareholder Service Plan
The Board has adopted, on behalf of the International Small Cap Value Fund, a Shareholder Service Plan (the “Service Plan”) under which the Advisor will provide, or arrange for others (such as banks, trust companies, broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries (each, a “Service Organization”)) to provide, certain specified non-distribution shareholder servicing functions for Fund shares owned by its respective customers. The Fund will pay the Advisor or Service Organizations, as applicable, at an annual rate of up to 0.15% of the Fund’s Investor Class shares’ average daily net assets, payable monthly. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013, the Fund did not pay shareholder servicing fees.
Marketing and Support Payments
The Advisor, out of its own resources and without additional cost to the Funds or their shareholders, may provide cash payments or other compensation to certain financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Funds. These payments are in addition to other fees described in the Funds’ Prospectuses and this SAI, and are generally provided for shareholder services or marketing support. Payments for marketing support are typically for inclusion of the Funds on sales lists, including electronic sales platforms. Investors may wish to take these payments into account when considering and evaluating recommendations to purchase shares of the Funds.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Advisor determines which securities are to be purchased and sold by each Fund and which broker-dealers are eligible to execute the Fund’s portfolio transactions. The purchases and sales of securities in the over-the-counter market will generally be executed by using a broker for the transaction.
Purchases of portfolio securities for each Fund also may be made directly from issuers or from underwriters. Where possible, purchase and sale transactions will be effected through dealers (including banks) that specialize in the types of securities which the Fund will be holding unless better executions are available elsewhere. Dealers and underwriters usually act as principals for their own accounts. Purchases from underwriters will include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers will include the spread between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and price offered by more than one dealer or underwriter are comparable, the order may be allocated to a dealer or underwriter that has provided research or other services as discussed below.
In placing portfolio transactions, the Advisor will use its reasonable efforts to choose broker-dealers capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable price and execution available. The full range and quality of services available will be considered in making these determinations, such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational facilities of the broker-dealer involved, the risk in positioning the block of securities, and other factors. In those instances where it is reasonably determined that more than one broker-dealer can offer the services needed to obtain the most favorable price and execution available, consideration may be given to those broker-dealers which furnish or supply research and statistical information to the Advisor that they may lawfully and appropriately use in their investment advisory capacities, as well as provide other services in addition to execution services. The Advisor considers such information, which is in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by it under its Advisory Agreement with the Funds, to be useful in varying degrees, but of indeterminable value.
While it is each Fund’s general policy to seek to obtain the most favorable price and execution available in selecting a broker-dealer to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund, weight is also given to the ability of a broker-dealer to furnish brokerage and research services as defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to the Fund or to the Advisor, even if the specific services are not directly useful to the Fund and may be useful to the Advisor in advising other clients. In negotiating commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, the Fund may therefore pay a higher commission or spread than would be the case if no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided that the amount of such commission or spread has been determined in good faith by the Advisor to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such broker-dealer. The standard of reasonableness is to be measured in light of the Advisor’s overall responsibilities to the Fund.
Investment decisions for each Fund are made independently from those of other client accounts that may be managed or advised by the Advisor. Nevertheless, it is possible that at times, identical securities will be acceptable for both the Fund and one or more of such client accounts. In such event, the position of the Fund and such client accounts in the same issuer may vary and the holding period may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of these client accounts seek to acquire the same security as the Fund at the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a position in such security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower yield for such security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as high a price for, or as large an execution of, an order to sell any particular security at the same time as the Advisor’s other client accounts.
No Fund effects securities transactions through brokers in accordance with any formula, nor does it effect securities transactions through brokers for selling shares of the Funds. However, broker-dealers who execute brokerage transactions may effect purchase of shares of a Fund for their customers. The brokers may also supply the Funds with research, statistical and other services.
Each Fund paid the following brokerage commissions and soft dollar commissions as follows:
|
Broker
Commissions
|
Soft Dollar
Commissions
|
For the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2013
|
|
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
$ 29,965
|
$ 15,940
|
Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
1
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Global Value Fund
|
45,678
|
40,175
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
4,135
|
3,548
|
International Small Cap Value Fund
|
157,407
|
140,371
|
Small Company Opportunities Fund
1
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
96,423
|
74,210
|
|
|
|
For the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2012
|
|
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
$ 14,065
|
$ 5,920
|
Global Value Fund
|
14,000
|
700
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
2,395
|
383
|
International Small Cap Value Fund
|
77,177
|
16,520
|
Strategic Income Fund
2
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
|
|
For the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2011
|
|
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
$ 25,512
|
$ 18,565
|
Global Value Fund
|
30,604
|
8,688
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
3,305
|
273
|
International Small Cap Value Fund
|
53,840
|
689
|
1
|
The Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund and the Small Company Opportunities Fund commenced operations on November 1, 2013.
|
2
|
The Strategic Income Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2012.
|
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Although the Funds generally will not invest for short-term trading purposes, portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of time they have been held when, in the opinion of the Advisor, investment considerations warrant such action. Portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing (1) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by (2) the monthly average of the value of portfolio securities owned during the fiscal year. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all the securities in a Fund’s portfolio, with the exception of securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less, were sold and either repurchased or replaced within one year. A high rate of portfolio turnover (100% or more) generally leads to higher transaction costs and may result in a greater number of taxable transactions. To the extent net short-term capital gains are realized, any distributions resulting from such gains will be taxed at ordinary income tax rates for federal income tax purposes.
Each Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was as follows:
|
Fiscal Year Ended
|
|
October 31, 2013
|
October 31, 2012
|
All Cap Value Fund
|
40%
|
20%
|
Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund
1
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Global Value Fund
|
93%
|
37%
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
65%
|
37%
|
International Small Cap Value Fund
|
40%
|
31%
|
Small Company Opportunities Fund
1
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Strategic Income Fund
2
|
68%
|
n/a
|
1
|
The Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund and the Small Company Opportunities Fund commenced operations on November 1, 2013.
|
2
|
The Strategic Income Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2012.
|
PROXY VOTING POLICY
The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Trust Policies”) on behalf of the Trust, which delegates the responsibility for voting each Fund’s proxies to the Advisor, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. The Trust Policies require that the Advisor vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of each Fund. The Trust Policies also require the Advisor to present to the Board, at least annually, the Advisor’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Advisor’s Policies”) and a record of each proxy voted by the Advisor on behalf of each Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Advisor as involving a conflict of interest. See
Appendix B
for the Trust Policies and Advisor Policies. The Trust Policies and Advisor Policies are intended to serve as guidelines and to further the economic value of each security held by each Fund. The Trust’s CCO will review the Trust Policies and Advisor Policies on a regular basis. Each proxy will be considered individually, taking into account the relevant circumstances at the time of each vote.
If a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Advisor’s interests and a Fund’s interests, the Advisor will resolve the conflict by following the policy guidelines or the recommendation of an independent third party.
Each Fund is required to annually file Form N-PX, which lists the Fund’s complete proxy voting record for the 12-month period ending June 30
th
each year. Once filed, the Fund’s proxy voting record will be available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-888-665-1414 and on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM
The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”). In order to ensure compliance with this law, the Program provides for the development and implementation of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program.
Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Distributor and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity, checking shareholder names against designated government lists, including Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), and a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION
The Trust has adopted policies and procedures regarding disclosure of portfolio holdings information (the “Disclosure Policy”). The Board of Trustees determined that the adoption of the Disclosure Policy, including the disclosure permitted therein, was in the best interests of the Trust. The Disclosure Policy applies to each Fund, the Advisor and other internal parties involved in the administration, operation or custody of the Fund, including, but not limited to UMBFS, MFAC, the Board of Trustees, counsel to the Trust and Independent Trustees, Bingham McCutchen LLP, and the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, Tait, Weller & Baker LLP (collectively, the “Service Providers”). Pursuant to the Disclosure Policy, non-public information concerning each Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed to the Service Providers only if such disclosure is consistent with the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the fiduciary duties owed by the Fund and the Advisor to the Fund’s shareholders. The Fund and its Service Providers may not receive compensation or any other consideration (which includes any agreement to maintain assets in the Fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the Advisor or any affiliated person of the Advisor) in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information of the Fund. The Funds’ Disclosure Policy is implemented and overseen by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust, subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees. Periodic reports regarding these procedures will be provided to the Trust’s Board.
Portfolio holdings information will be deemed public when it has been (1) posted to the Funds' public website (
www.advisoryresearch.com
) or (2) disclosed in periodic regulatory filings on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). Management of the Trust may make information regarding a Fund’s portfolio holdings available on the Fund’s public website no earlier than five days after the date of such information
(e.g., information as of January 31 may be made available no earlier than February 5).
Non-Public Portfolio Holdings Information Policy
. All portfolio holdings information that has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally as described above is considered non-public portfolio holdings information for the purposes of the Disclosure Policy. Pursuant to the Disclosure Policy, a Fund or its Service Providers may disclose non-public portfolio holdings information to certain third parties who fall within pre-authorized categories on a daily basis, with no lag time unless otherwise specified below. These third parties include: (i) the Fund’s Service Providers and others who need access to such information in the performance of their contractual or other duties and responsibilities to the Fund (e.g., custodians, accountants, the Advisor, administrators, attorneys, officers and Trustees) and who are subject to duties of confidentiality imposed by law or contract, (ii) brokers who execute trades for the Fund, (iii) evaluation service providers (as described below) and (iv) shareholders requesting in-kind redemptions (as described below).
Evaluation Service Providers
. These third parties include mutual fund evaluation services, such as Morningstar and Lipper, if a Fund has a legitimate business purpose for disclosing the information, provided that the third party expressly agrees to maintain the non-public portfolio holdings information in confidence and not to trade portfolio securities based on the non-public portfolio holdings information. Subject to the terms and conditions of any agreement between the Fund or its authorized service providers and the third party, if these conditions for disclosure are satisfied, there shall be no restriction on the frequency with which the Fund’s non-public portfolio holdings information is released, and no lag period shall apply. In addition, persons who owe a duty of trust or confidence to the Fund or its Service Providers (such as legal counsel) may receive non-public portfolio holdings information without entering into a non-disclosure agreement.
Shareholder In-Kind Distributions
. A Fund’s shareholders may, in some circumstances, elect to redeem their shares of the Fund in exchange for their pro rata share of the securities held by the Fund. In such circumstances, pursuant to the Disclosure Policy, Fund shareholders may receive a complete listing of the portfolio holdings of the Fund up to seven (7) calendar days prior to making the redemption request provided that they represent orally or in writing that they agree to maintain the confidentiality of the portfolio holdings information and not to trade portfolio securities based on the non-public holdings information.
Other Entities
. Pursuant to the Disclosure Policy, a Fund or the Advisor may disclose non-public portfolio holdings information to a third party who does not fall within the pre-approved categories, and who are not executing broker-dealers; however, prior to the receipt of any non-public portfolio holdings information by such third party, the recipient must have entered into a non-disclosure agreement and the disclosure arrangement must have been approved by the Chief Compliance Officer and the President of the Trust. The Chief Compliance Officer will report to the Board of Trustees on a quarterly basis regarding any recipients of non-public portfolio holdings information approved pursuant to this paragraph. There are no other ongoing arrangements as of the date of this SAI.
Current Arrangements Regarding Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
.
As of the date of this SAI, the Trust or a Fund has ongoing business arrangements with the following entities which involve making portfolio holdings information available to such entities as an incidental part of the services they provide to the Trust: (i) Advisory Research, Inc. (the Advisor), MFAC and UMBFS (the Trust’s co-administrators) and UMB Bank, n.a. (the Custodian) pursuant to investment management, administration and custody agreements, respectively, under which the Funds’ portfolio holdings information is provided daily on a real-time basis; (ii) RiskMetrics Group/Institutional Shareholder Services pursuant to a proxy voting agreement under which the Funds' portfolio holdings information is provided daily, subject to a one-day lag; (iii) Tait, Weller & Baker, LLP (Independent Registered Public Accounting firm), Bingham McCutchen LLP (attorneys) and other professionals engaged by the Trust to whom the Trust provides portfolio holdings information on a regular basis with varying lag times after the date of the information, and (iv) Morningstar, Inc., Lipper Inc., Thomson Financial, Vickers Stock Research Corporation, and Bloomberg L.P., to which the Funds’ portfolio holdings information is provided quarterly after the end of the previous fiscal quarter, with a 60-day time lag and no earlier than the date such information is filed on the SEC’s EDGAR system on Form N-Q (for the first and third fiscal quarters) or the Annual or Semi-Annual Report is mailed to shareholders (for the second and fourth fiscal quarters), as applicable.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The NAV of each Fund’s shares will fluctuate and is determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) each business day. The NAV may be calculated earlier if trading on the NYSE is restricted or if permitted by the SEC. The NYSE annually announces the days on which it will not be open for trading. The most recent announcement indicates that the NYSE will not be open for the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. However, the NYSE may close on days not included in that announcement.
The NAV of each class is computed by dividing (a) the difference between the value of the Fund’s securities, cash and other assets and the amount of the Fund’s expenses and liabilities attributable to the class by (b) the number of shares outstanding in that class (assets – liabilities / # of shares = NAV). Each NAV takes into account all of the expenses and fees of that class of the Fund, including management fees and administration fees, which are accrued daily.
Net Assets
|
=
|
NAV
|
Shares Outstanding
|
An example of how each Fund calculated the NAV as of October 31, 2013 is as follows:
All Cap Value Fund
|
$56,609,258
|
=
|
$16.22
|
3,489,427
|
Global Value Fund
|
$22,318,434
|
=
|
$14.22
|
1,569,511
|
International All Cap Value Fund
|
$1,730,664
|
=
|
$10.75
|
160,947
|
International Small Cap Value Fund Investor Class
|
$115,379,435
|
=
|
$12.98
|
8,890,867
|
Strategic Income Fund
|
$110,916,963
|
=
|
$9.68
|
11,463,916
|
The Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund and the Small Company Opportunities Fund commenced operations on November 1, 2013. The International Small Cap Value Fund Class I shares commenced operations on December 31, 2013.
Generally, the Funds’ investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of a market value, at fair value as determined in good faith by the Advisor and the Trust’s Valuation Committee pursuant to procedures approved by or under the direction of the Board. Pursuant to those procedures, the Board considers, among other things: 1) the last sale price on the securities exchange, if any, on which a security is primarily traded; 2) the mean between the bid and ask prices; 3) price quotations from an approved pricing service, and 4) other factors as necessary to determine a fair value under certain circumstances.
The Funds’ securities which are traded on securities exchanges are valued at the last sale price on the exchange on which such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any reported sales, at the mean between the last available bid and ask prices.
Securities that are traded on more than one exchange are valued on the exchange determined by the Advisor to be the primary market. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (“NASDAQ”), National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has not been any sale on such day, at the mean between the bid and ask prices. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) securities which are not traded in the NASDAQ National Market System shall be valued at the most recent trade price.
Stocks that are “thinly traded” or events occurring when a foreign market is closed but the NYSE is open (for example, the value of a security held by a Fund has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded) may create a situation where a market quote would not be readily available. When a market quote is not readily available, the security’s value is based on “fair value” as determined by procedures adopted by the Board. The Board will periodically review the reliability of the Funds’ fair value methodology. The Funds may hold portfolio securities, such as those traded on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other days when the Funds’ shares are not priced. Therefore, the value of the Funds’ shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem shares.
Short-term debt obligations with remaining maturities in excess of 60 days are valued at current market prices, as discussed above. Short-term securities with 60 days or less remaining to maturity are, unless conditions indicate otherwise, are amortized to maturity based on their cost to the Funds if acquired within 60 days of maturity or, if already held by the Funds on the 60
th
day, based on the value determined on the 61
st
day.
All other assets of the Funds are valued in such manner as the Board in good faith deems appropriate to reflect as their fair value.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES
Detailed information on the purchase and redemption of shares is included in the Funds’ Prospectuses. Shares of each Fund are sold at the next NAV calculated after receipt of an order for purchase. In order to purchase shares of a Fund, you must invest the initial minimum investment. However, the Funds reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to waive the minimum initial investment amount for certain investors, or to waive or reduce the minimum initial investment for 401(k) plans or other tax-deferred retirement plans. You may purchase shares on any day that the NYSE is open for business by placing orders with the Funds.
The Funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase requests, particularly those that would not be in the best interests of the Funds or their shareholders and could adversely affect the Funds or its operations. This includes those from any individual or group who, in the Funds’ view, is likely to engage in or has a history of excessive trading (usually defined as more than four round-trip transactions out of the Fund within a calendar year). Furthermore, the Trust may suspend the right to redeem its shares or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for more than seven calendar days (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend or holiday closings) or trading on the NYSE is restricted; (ii) for any period during which an emergency exists affecting the sale of the Fund’s securities or making such sale or the fair determination of the value of the Fund’s net assets not reasonably practicable; or (iii) for such other periods as the SEC may permit for the protection of the Funds’ shareholders. In addition, if shares are purchased using a check and a redemption is requested before the check has cleared, the Funds may postpone payment of the redemption proceeds up to 15 days while the Funds wait for the check to clear.
Redemptions In-Kind
. The Trust has filed an election under SEC Rule 18f-1 committing to pay in cash all redemptions by a shareholder of record up to amounts specified by the rule (the lesser of (i) $250,000 or (ii) 1% of the Fund’s assets). The Funds have reserved the right to pay the redemption price of its shares in excess of the amounts specified by the rule, either totally or partially, by an in-kind distribution of portfolio securities (instead of cash). The securities so distributed would be valued at the same amounts as those assigned to them in calculating the NAV for the Fund shares being redeemed. If a shareholder receives an in-kind distribution, the shareholder could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash.
The Funds do not intend to hold any significant percentage of their portfolio in illiquid securities, although a Fund, like virtually all mutual funds, may from time to time hold a small percentage of securities that are illiquid. In the unlikely event a Fund were to elect to make an in-kind redemption, a Fund expects that it would follow the normal protocol of making such distribution by way of a pro rata distribution based on its entire portfolio. If a Fund held illiquid securities, such distribution may contain a pro rata portion of such illiquid securities or a Fund may determine, based on a materiality assessment, not to include illiquid securities in the in-kind redemption. The Funds do not anticipate that it would ever selectively distribute a greater than pro rata portion of any illiquid securities to satisfy a redemption request. If such securities are included in the distribution, shareholders may not be able to liquidate such securities and may be required to hold such securities indefinitely. Shareholders’ ability to liquidate such securities distributed in-kind may be restricted by resale limitations or substantial restrictions on transfer imposed by the issuers of the securities or by law. Shareholders may only be able to liquidate such securities distributed in-kind at a substantial discount from their value, and there may be higher brokerage costs associated with any subsequent disposition of these securities by the recipient.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal (and, where noted, state and local) income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders. The discussion is very general. Current and prospective shareholders are therefore urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in the Fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this SAI and existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
Each Fund is treated as a separate entity from other series of the Trust for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund has elected to be treated and intends to qualify each year to be taxed as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code by complying with all applicable requirements of the Code, including, among other things, requirements as to the sources of the Fund’s income, diversification of the Fund’s assets and timing of Fund distributions. To so qualify, the Fund must, among other things: (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (i.e., partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends, capital gains, and other traditionally permitted mutual fund income); and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash, securities of other regulated investment companies, U.S. Government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the Fund’s assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, in the securities (other than the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses, or in the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships.”
As a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its taxable investment income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders, provided that it satisfies a minimum distribution requirement. In order to avoid liability for federal excise tax, the Fund must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) 98.2% of the excess of its realized capital gains over its realized capital losses for the 12-month period ending on October 31 during such year and (iii) any amounts from the prior calendar year that were not distributed and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. The Fund will be subject to income tax at regular corporate tax rates on any taxable income or gains that it does not distribute to its shareholders. The Fund's policy is to distribute to its shareholders all investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and any net capital gains for each fiscal year in a manner that complies with the distribution requirements of the Code, so that the Fund will not be subject to any federal income or excise taxes.
If, for any taxable year, the Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company or to meet certain minimum distribution requirements under the Code, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In addition, in the event of a failure to qualify, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividend income for federal income tax purposes. However, such dividends would be eligible, subject to any generally applicable limitations, (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. Moreover, if the Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company in any year, it would be required to pay out its earnings and profits accumulated in that year in order to qualify again as a regulated investment company. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be able to cure a failure to qualify as a regulated investment company, but in order to do so the Fund might incur significant Fund-level taxes and might be forced to dispose of certain assets. If the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund would generally be required to recognize any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its assets upon a disposition of such assets within ten years of qualifying as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year.
Shareholders will be subject to federal income taxes on distributions made by the Funds whether paid in cash or additional shares. Distributions of net investment income (including interest, dividend income and net short-term capital gain in excess of any net long-term capital loss, less certain expenses), other than, qualified dividend income, will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of qualified dividend income, as such term is defined in Section 1(h)(11) of the Code (generally dividends received from U.S. domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations provided that certain holding period and other requirements are met), generally will be taxed to non-corporate shareholders at the federal income tax rates applicable to net capital gain, provided the Fund reports the amount distributed as qualified dividend income.
Distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, will be taxable to non-corporate shareholders as long-term capital gain without regard to how long a shareholder has held shares of the Fund. The Fund may retain certain amounts of capital gains and designate them as undistributed net capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amounts so designated, (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the income tax paid by the fund on those undistributed amounts against their federal income tax liabilities and to claim refunds to the extent such credits exceed their liabilities and (iii) will be entitled to increase their federal income tax basis in their shares by an amount equal to the excess of the amounts of undistributed net capital gain included in their respective income over their respective income tax credits.
Dividends paid by a Fund may qualify in part for received deduction available to corporate shareholders, provided the Fund reports the amount distributed as a qualifying dividend and certain holding period and other requirements under the Code are satisfied. The reported amount, however, cannot exceed the aggregate amount of qualifying dividends received by a Fund for its taxable year. In view of the Funds’ investment policies, it is expected that dividends from domestic corporations may be part of each Fund’s gross income and that, accordingly, a portion of the distributions by a Fund may be eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income and for the dividends received deduction. However, the portion of a Fund’s gross income attributable to qualified dividend income and qualifying dividends is largely dependent on a Fund’s investment activities for a particular year and, therefore, cannot be predicted with any certainty. Qualified dividend income treatment and the dividends received deduction may be reduced or eliminated if, among other things, (i) the shareholder is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property or (ii) certain holding period requirements are not satisfied at both the Fund and shareholder levels. In addition, qualified dividend income treatment is not available if a shareholder elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest.
Dividends and distributions from the Fund and net gain from redemptions of Fund shares will generally be taken into account in determining a shareholder’s “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax applicable to certain individuals, estates and trusts.
Distributions are generally taxable when received. However, distributions declared in October, November or December to shareholders of record on a date in such a month and paid the following January are taxable for federal income tax purposes as if received on December 31 of the calendar year in which declared. Distributions are includable in alternative minimum taxable income in computing a shareholder's liability for the federal alternative minimum tax.
Depreciation or other cost recovery deductions passed through to a Fund from investments in MLPs in a given year will generally reduce a Fund’s taxable income, but those deductions may be recaptured in a Fund’s income in one or more subsequent years. When recognized and distributed, recapture income will generally be taxable to shareholders at the time of the distribution at ordinary income tax rates, even though those shareholders might not have held shares in a Fund at the time the deductions were taken by the Fund, and even though those shareholders will not have corresponding economic gain on their shares at the time of the recapture. In order to distribute recapture income or to fund redemption requests, a Fund may need to liquidate investments, which may lead to additional recapture income.
A redemption of Fund shares may result in recognition of a taxable gain or loss. The gain or loss will generally be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for more than one year. If the shares were held for one year or less, the gain or loss will generally be treated as a short-term capital gain or loss. Any loss realized upon a redemption or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gains during such six-month period. Any loss realized upon a redemption may be disallowed under certain wash sale rules to the extent shares of the same Fund or other substantially identical stock or securities are purchased (through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the redemption.
If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not exempted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations considering their individual circumstances.
A Fund’s transactions in options and other similar transactions may be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, affect the character of any income realized by a Fund from such investments, accelerate recognition of income to the Fund, defer Fund losses, affect the holding period of the Fund’s securities, affect whether distributions will be eligible for the dividends received deduction or be treated as qualified dividend income and affect the determination of whether capital gain and loss is characterized as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions may also require a Fund to “mark-to-market” certain types of the positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out), which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding U.S. federal income and excise taxes. The Funds will monitor these transactions and will make the appropriate entries in their books and records, and if the Funds deem it advisable, will make appropriate elections if available in order to mitigate the effect of these rules, prevent disqualification of the Funds as regulated investment companies and minimize the imposition of U.S. federal income and excise taxes.
A Fund’s transactions in broad based equity index futures contracts, exchange traded options on such indices and certain other futures contracts are generally considered “Section 1256 contracts” for federal income tax purposes. Any unrealized gains or losses on such Section 1256 contracts are treated as though they were realized at the end of each taxable year. The resulting gain or loss is treated as sixty percent long-term capital gain or loss and forty percent short-term capital gain or loss. Gain or loss recognized on actual sales of Section 1256 contracts is treated in the same manner. As noted above, distributions of net short-term capital gain are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income while distributions of net long-term capital gain are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long the shareholder has held shares of a Fund.
The Fund’s entry into a short sale transaction, an option or certain other contracts could be treated as the constructive sale of an appreciated financial position, causing the Fund to realize gain, but not loss, on the position.
If the Fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the Fund must accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, each Fund must distribute, at least annually, all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), including such accrued income to shareholders to avoid federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities (potentially under disadvantageous circumstances) to generate cash, or may have to undertake leverage by borrowing the cash, to satisfy these distribution requirements. Dispositions of portfolio securities may result in additional gains and additional distribution requirements.
If the Fund invests in a market discount bond, it will be required to treat any gain recognized on the disposition of such market discount bond as ordinary income (instead of capital gain) to the extent of the accrued market discount, unless the Fund elects to include the market discount in income as it accrues as discussed above. A market discount bond is a security acquired in the secondary market at a price below its redemption value (or its adjusted issue price if it is also an original issue discount bond).
The Fund may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries, including taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains with respect to its investments in those countries, which would, if imposed, reduce the yield on or return from those investments. Tax treaties between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. So long as the Fund qualifies for treatment as a regulated investment company and incurs “qualified foreign taxes,” if more than 50% of its total assets at the close of its taxable year consist of stock or securities of foreign corporations, a Fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the amount of such foreign taxes paid. If this election is made, information with respect to the amount of the foreign income taxes that are allocated to a Fund's shareholders will be provided to them and any shareholder subject to tax on dividends will be required: (i) to include in ordinary gross income (in addition to the amount of the taxable dividends actually received) its proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid that are attributable to such dividends; and (ii) either to deduct its proportionate share of such foreign taxes in computing its taxable income or to claim that amount as a foreign tax credit (subject to applicable limitations) against U.S. income taxes. The Fund does not expect to satisfy the requirements for passing through to its shareholders their respective pro rata shares of qualified foreign taxes paid by the Fund, with the result that shareholders will not be required to include such taxes in their gross incomes and will not be entitled to a tax deduction or credit for such taxes on their own federal income tax returns.
Foreign exchange gains or losses realized by a Fund in connection with certain transactions involving foreign currency-denominated debt securities, certain options and futures contracts relating to foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Section 988 of the Code, which generally causes such gains or losses to be treated as ordinary gain or loss and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
The Funds may purchase the securities of certain foreign investment funds or trusts called passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”). PFICs may be the only or primary means by which the Fund may invest in some countries. If a Fund invests in PFICs, it may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend to shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on either the Funds or shareholders with respect to deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. Capital gains on the sale of such holdings will be deemed to be ordinary income regardless of how long such PFICs are held. A “qualified electing fund” election or a “mark to market” election may generally be available that would ameliorate these adverse tax consequences, but such elections could require the Fund to recognize taxable income or gain (subject to the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies, as described above) without the concurrent receipt of cash. In order to satisfy the distribution requirements and avoid a tax on the Fund, the Fund may be required to liquidate portfolio securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss to the fund. In order for the Fund to make a qualified electing fund election with respect to a PFIC, the PFIC would have to agree to provide certain tax information to the Fund on an annual basis, which it might not agree to do. The Fund may limit and/or manage its holdings in PFICs to limit its tax liability or maximize its return from these investments.
Ordinary dividends and certain other payments made by the Fund to non-U.S. shareholders are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate (or a lower rate as may be determined in accordance with any applicable treaty). In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty. The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. The effectively connected dividends in this particular instance will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the non-U.S. shareholder were a U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate, depending on the applicable tax treaty). A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form may be subject to backup withholding at the appropriate rate.
This 30% withholding tax generally does not apply to distributions of net capital gains. For Fund taxable years beginning before January 1, 2014, this 30% withholding tax will also not apply to dividends that the Fund reports as (a) interest-related dividends, to the extent such dividends are derived from the Fund’s “qualified net interest income,” or (b) short-term capital gain dividends, to the extent such dividends are derived from the Fund’s “qualified short-term gain.” “Qualified net interest income” is the Fund’s net income derived from U.S.-source interest and original issue discount, subject to certain exceptions and limitations. “Qualified short-term gain” generally means the excess of the net short-term capital gain of the Fund for the taxable year over its net long-term capital loss, if any. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder has to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute Form).
Distributions and redemption payments and certain capital gain dividends paid after June 30, 2014, to a non-U.S. shareholder that fails to make certain required certifications, or that is a “foreign financial institution” as defined in Section 1471 of the Code and that does not meet the requirements imposed on foreign financial institutions by Section 1471, will generally be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate. Withholding on such payments will begin at different times depending on the type of payment, the type of payee, and whether the shareholder’s account is opened before or after July 1, 2014. Withholding with respect to ordinary dividends is currently scheduled to begin on July 1, 2014 for accounts opened on or after that date and on certain later dates for accounts opened before July 1, 2014. Withholding on redemption payments and certain capital gain dividends is currently scheduled to begin on January 1, 2017. The extent, if any, to which such withholding tax may be reduced or eliminated by an applicable tax treaty is unclear. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.
The Fund is required to withhold (as “backup withholding”) a portion of reportable payments, including dividends, capital gain distributions and the proceeds of redemptions and exchanges or repurchases of Fund shares, paid to shareholders who have not complied with certain IRS regulations. The backup withholding rate is currently 28%. In order to avoid this withholding requirement, shareholders, other than certain exempt entities, must certify on IRS Forms W-9 or on certain other documents, that the Social Security Numbers or other Taxpayer Identification Numbers they provide are their correct numbers and that they are not currently subject to backup withholding, or that they are exempt from backup withholding. The Fund may nevertheless be required to backup withhold if it receives notice from the IRS or a broker that a number provided is incorrect or that backup withholding is applicable as a result of previous underreporting of interest or dividend income.
This discussion and the related discussion in the Prospectus have been prepared by management of the Fund, and counsel to the Trust has expressed no opinion in respect thereof.
Prospective shareholders of the Fund should consult their own tax advisors concerning the effect of owning shares of the Fund in light of their particular tax situations.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund will receive income in the form of dividends and interest earned on its investments in securities. This income, less the expenses incurred in its operations, is the Fund's net investment income, substantially all of which will be declared as dividends to the Fund's shareholders.
The amount of income dividend payments by the Fund is dependent upon the amount of net investment income received by the Fund from its portfolio holdings, is not guaranteed and is subject to the discretion of the Board. The Fund does not pay "interest" or guarantee any fixed rate of return on an investment in its shares.
The Fund also may derive capital gains or losses in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Any net gain the Fund may realize from transactions involving investments held for less than the period required for long-term capital gain or loss recognition or otherwise producing short-term capital gains and losses (taking into account any available carryover of capital losses), although a distribution from capital gains, will be distributed to shareholders with and as a part of the income dividends paid by the Fund and will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. If during any year the Fund realizes a net gain on transactions involving investments held for more than the period required for long-term capital gain or loss recognition or otherwise producing long-term capital gains and losses, the Fund will have a net long-term capital gain. After deduction of the amount of any net short-term capital loss, the balance (to the extent not offset by any available capital losses carried over) generally will be distributed and treated as long-term capital gains in the hands of the shareholders regardless of the length of time the Fund's shares may have been held by the shareholders. For more information concerning applicable capital gains tax rates, see your tax advisor.
Any dividend or distribution paid by the Fund reduces the Fund's NAV on the date paid by the amount of the dividend or distribution per share. Accordingly, a dividend or distribution paid shortly after a purchase of shares by a shareholder would represent, in substance, a partial return of capital (to the extent it is paid on the shares so purchased), even though it would be subject to federal income taxes.
Dividends and other distributions will be made in the form of additional shares of the Fund unless the shareholder has otherwise indicated. Investors have the right to change their elections with respect to the reinvestment of dividends and distributions by notifying the transfer agent in writing, but any such change will be effective only as to dividends and other distributions for which the record date is seven or more business days after the transfer agent has received the written request.
FUND PERFORMANCE
From time to time the Funds may advertise their total returns for prior periods. Any such advertisement would include at least average annual total return quotations for one year, five-year and ten-year periods (or life of the Fund, if shorter). Other total return quotations, aggregate or average, over other time periods may also be included.
The total return of a Fund for a particular period represents the increase (or decrease) in the value of a hypothetical investment in the Fund from the beginning to the end of the period. Total return is calculated by subtracting the value of the initial investment from the ending value and showing the difference as a percentage of the initial investment; the calculation assumes the initial investment is made at the current maximum public offering price (which includes the maximum sales charge); that all income dividends or capital gain dividends during the period are reinvested in Fund shares at NAV; and that any applicable contingent deferred sales charge has been paid. A Fund's total return will vary depending on market conditions, the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund’s operating expenses and unrealized net capital gains or losses during the period. Total return is based on historical earnings and asset value fluctuations and is not intended to indicate future performance. No adjustments are made to reflect any income taxes payable by shareholders on dividends or capital gain dividends paid by a Fund or to reflect that 12b-1 fees may have changed over time.
Average annual total return quotations are computed by finding the average annual compounded rate of return over the period that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value.
The Funds’ Annual and Semi-annual Reports will contain additional performance information. A copy of the Funds’ Annual Report or Semi-annual Report may be obtained without charge by calling or writing the Funds at the telephone number and address printed on the cover of this SAI.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Investment Managers Series Trust is an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust under the laws of the State of Delaware on February 15, 2005. The Trust has a number of outstanding series of shares of beneficial interest, par value of $0.01 per share, each of which represents interests in a separate portfolio of securities.
The Trust’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to create additional series of shares, to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest of each series, including the Funds, and to divide or combine the shares of any series into a greater or lesser number of shares without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interest in the series. The assets belonging to a series is charged with the liabilities in respect of that series and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to that series only. Therefore, any creditor of any series may look only to the assets belonging to that series to satisfy the creditor’s debt. Any general liabilities, expenses, costs, charges or reserves of the Trust which are not readily identifiable as pertaining to any particular series are allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among the existing series in the sole discretion of the Trustees. Each share of a Fund represents an interest in the Fund proportionately equal to the interest of each other share. Upon a Fund’s liquidation, all shareholders would share pro rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to shareholders.
The Trust may offer more than one class of shares of any series. Each share of a series or class represents an equal proportionate interest in that series or class with each other share of that series or class. With respect to the International Small Cap Value Fund, the Trust currently offers two classes of shares: Investor Class and Class I. The Trust has reserved the right to create and issue additional series or classes. Each share of a series or class represents an equal proportionate interest in that series or class with each other share of that series or class.
The shares of each series or class participate equally in the earnings, dividends and assets of the particular series or class. Expenses of the Trust which are not attributable to a specific series or class are allocated among all the series in a manner believed by management of the Trust to be fair and equitable. Shares issued do not have pre-emptive or conversion rights. Shares when issued are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share held. Shares of each series or class generally vote together, except when required under federal securities laws to vote separately on matters that only affect a particular series or class, such as the approval of distribution plans for a particular class.
The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders but will hold special meetings of shareholders of a series or class when, in the judgment of the Board, it is necessary or desirable to submit matters for a shareholder vote. Shareholders have, under certain circumstances, the right to communicate with other shareholders in connection with requesting a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of removing one or more trustees. Shareholders also have, in certain circumstances, the right to remove one or more trustees without a meeting. No material amendment may be made to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each portfolio affected by the amendment. The Trust’s Declaration of Trust provides that, at any meeting of shareholders of the Trust or of any series or class, a shareholder servicing agent may vote any shares as to which such shareholder servicing agent is the agent of record for shareholders who are not represented in person or by proxy at the meeting, proportionately in accordance with the votes cast by holders of all shares of that portfolio otherwise represented at the meeting in person or by proxy as to which such shareholder servicing agent is the agent of record. Any shares so voted by a shareholder servicing agent will be deemed represented at the meeting for purposes of quorum requirements. Any series or class may be terminated (i) upon the merger or consolidation with, or the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of its assets to, another entity, if approved by the vote of the holders of two-thirds of its outstanding shares, except that if the Board recommends such merger, consolidation or sale or disposition of assets, the approval by vote of the holders of a majority of the series’ or class’ outstanding shares will be sufficient, or (ii) by the vote of the holders of a majority of its outstanding shares, or (iii) by the Board by written notice to the series’ or class’ shareholders. Unless each series and class is so terminated, the Trust will continue indefinitely.
Shareholders may send communications to the Board. Shareholders should send communications intended for the Board by addressing the communications to the Board, in care of the Secretary of the Trust and sending the communication to 2220 E. Route 66, Suite 226, Glendora, CA 91740. A shareholder communication must (i) be in writing and be signed by the shareholder, (ii) provide contact information for the shareholder, (iii) identify the Fund to which it relates, and (iv) identify the class and number of shares held by the shareholder. The Secretary of the Trust may, in good faith, determine that a shareholder communication should not be provided to the Board because it does not reasonably relate to the Trust or its operations, management, activities, policies, service providers, Board, officers, shareholders or other matters relating to an investment in a Fund or is otherwise ministerial in nature. Other shareholder communications received by the Funds not directly addressed and sent to the Board will be reviewed and generally responded to by management, and will be forwarded to the Board only at management's discretion based on the matters contained therein.
The Declaration of Trust provides that no Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be subject to any personal liability in connection with the assets or affairs of the Trust or any of its series except for losses in connection with his or her willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties. The Trust’s Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust shall maintain appropriate insurance (for example, fidelity bonding and errors and omissions insurance) for the protection of the Trust, its shareholders, trustees, officers, employees and agents covering possible tort and other liabilities. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate insurance existed and the Trust itself was unable to meet its obligations.
The Declaration of Trust does not require the issuance of stock certificates. If stock certificates are issued, they must be returned by the registered owners prior to the transfer or redemption of shares represented by such certificates.
Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that as to any investment company which has two or more series outstanding and as to any matter required to be submitted to shareholder vote, such matter is not deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a “majority” (as defined in the rule) of the voting securities of each series affected by the matter. Such separate voting requirements do not apply to the election of Trustees or the ratification of the selection of accountants. The Rule contains special provisions for cases in which an advisory contract is approved by one or more, but not all, series. A change in investment policy may go into effect as to one or more series whose holders so approve the change even though the required vote is not obtained as to the holders of other affected series.
The Trust and the Advisor have adopted Codes of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of the Advisor to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Incorporated by reference herein is the Funds’ Annual Report to shareholders for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2013 which includes the “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”, “Schedule of Investments”, Statement of Assets and Liabilities”, “Statement of Operations”, “Statements of Changes in Net Assets”, “Financial Highlights” and “Notes to Financial Statements”. A copy of the Fund’s Annual Report can be obtained at no charge by calling 1-888-665-1414 or writing the Funds.
APPENDIX A
RATINGS
Standard & Poor's Corporation
A brief description of the applicable Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") rating symbols and their meanings (as published by S&P) follows:
Long-Term Debt
An S&P corporate or municipal debt rating is a current assessment of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific obligation. This assessment may take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers or lessees. The debt rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable. S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information, or based on other circumstances. The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
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1.
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Likelihood of default-capacity and willingness of the obligor as to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation;
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2.
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Nature of and provisions of the obligation; and
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3.
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Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
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Investment Grade
AAA
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Debt rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
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AA
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Debt rated "AA" has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
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A
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Debt rated "A" has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
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BBB
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Debt rated "BBB" is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
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Speculative Grade Rating
Debt rated "BB", "B", "CCC", "CC" and "C" is regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal. "BB" indicates the least degree of speculation and "C" the highest. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics these are outweighed by major uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB
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Debt rated "BB" has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The "BB" rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "BBB" rating.
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B
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Debt rated "B" has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The "B" rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "BB" or "BB" rating.
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CCC
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Debt rated "CCC" has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The "CCC" rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "B" or "B" rating.
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CC
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The rating "CC" typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "CCC" debt rating.
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C
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The rating "C" typically is applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied "CCC" debt rating. The "C" rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments are continued.
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CI
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The rating "CI" is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.
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D
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Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.
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Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
Provisional Ratings: The letter "p" indicates that the rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood of, or the risk of default upon failure of, such completion. The investor should exercise judgment with respect to such likelihood and risk.
r
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The letter "r" is attached to highlight derivative, hybrid, and certain other obligations that S&P believes may experience high volatility or high variability in expected returns due to non-credit risks. Examples of such obligations are: securities who's principal or interest return is indexed to equities, commodities, or currencies; certain swaps and options; and interest only and principal only mortgage securities. The absence of an "r" symbol should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will exhibit no volatility or variability in total return.
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L
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The letter "L" indicates that the rating pertains to the principal amount of those bonds to the extent that the underlying deposit collateral is Federally insured by the Federal Savings & Loan Insurance Corporation or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation* In the case of certificates of deposit the letter "L" indicates that the deposit, combined with other deposits being held in the same right and capacity will be honored for principal and accrued pre-default interest up to the Federal insurance limits within 30 days after closing of the insured institution or, in the event that the deposit is assumed by a successor insured institution, upon maturity.
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NR
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Indicates no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.
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Commercial Paper
An S&P commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from "A-1" for the highest quality obligations to "D" for the lowest. These categories are as follows:
A-1
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This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
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A-2
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Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated "A-1."
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*Continuance of the rating is contingent upon S&P's receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flow.
A-3
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Issues carrying this designation have adequate capacity for timely payment. They are, however, somewhat more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than obligations carrying the higher designations.
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B
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Issues rated "B" are regarded as having only speculative capacity for timely payment.
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C
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This rating is as signed to short-term debt obligations with a doubtful capacity for payment.
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D
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Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when interest payments or principal Payments are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.
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A commercial rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. The ratings are based on current information furnished to S&P by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable.
S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in or unavailability of such information or based on other circumstances.
Preferred Securities
AAA
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This is the highest rating that may be assigned to a preferred stock issue and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations.
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AA
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A preferred stock issue rated AA also qualifies as a high quality fixed income security. The capacity to pay preferred stock obligations is very strong, although not as overwhelming as for issues rated AAA.
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A
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An issue rated A is backed by a sound capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions.
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BBB
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An issue rated BBB is regarded as backed by an adequate capacity to pay preferred stock obligations. Although it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make payments for preferred stock in this category for issues in the A category.
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BB
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As issue rated BB is regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay the preferred stock obligation. While such issues will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, they are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
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Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
A brief description of the applicable Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") rating symbols and their meanings (as published by Moody's) follows:
Long-Term Debt
The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody's for corporate and municipal long-term debt:
Aaa
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Bonds are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the Fundamentally strong position of such issuer.
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Aa
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Bonds are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the "Aaa" group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in "Aaa" securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in "Aaa" securities.
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A
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Bonds possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
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Baa
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Bonds considered medium-grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
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Ba,
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B, Caa, Ca, and C Bonds that possess one of these ratings provide questionable protection of interest and principal ("Ba" indicates some speculative elements; "B" indicates a general lack of characteristics of desirable investment; "Caa" represents a poor standing; "Ca" represents obligations which are speculative in a high degree; and "C" represents the lowest rated class of bonds). "Caa," "Ca" and "C" bonds may be in default.
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Con. (---)
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Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated conditionally. These are bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under construction, (b) earnings of projects unseasoned in operation experience, (c) rentals which begin when facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting condition attaches. Parenthetical rating denotes probable credit stature upon completion of construction or elimination of basis of condition.
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(P)
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When applied to forward delivery bonds, indicates that the rating is provisional pending delivery of the bonds. The rating may be revised prior to delivery if changes occur in the legal documents or the underlying credit quality of the bonds.
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Note: Those bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B groups which Moody's believes possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the symbols, Aa1, A1, Ba1 and B1.
Short-Term Loans
MIG 1/VMIG 1
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This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated broad based access to the market for refinancing.
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MIG 2/VMIG 2
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This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
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MIG 3/VMIG 3
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This designation denotes favorable quality. All security elements are accounted for but there is lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
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MIG 4/VMIG 4
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This designation denotes adequate quality. Protection commonly regarded as required of an investment security is present and although not distinctly or predominantly speculative, there is specific risk.
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S.G.
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This designation denotes speculative quality. Debt instruments in this category lack margins of protection.
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Commercial Paper
Issuers rated Prime-1 (or related supporting institutions) have a superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1 repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics:
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Leading market positions in well-established industries.
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High rates of return on Funds employed.
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Conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection.
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-
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Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation.
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Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.
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Issuers rated Prime-2 (or related supporting institutions) have a strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained. Issuers rated Prime-3 (or related supporting institutions) have an acceptable capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market composition may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and the requirement for relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.
Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
Preferred Securities Ratings
aaa
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Preferred stocks which are rated "aaa" are considered to be top quality. This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks.
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aa
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Preferred stocks which are rated "aa" are considered to be high grade. This rating indicates that there is reasonable assurance that earnings and asset protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future.
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a
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Preferred stocks which are rated "a" are considered to be upper-medium grade. While risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the "aaa" and "aa" classifications, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be maintained at adequate levels.
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baa
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Preferred stocks which are rated "baa" are judged lover-medium grade, neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any great length of time.
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ba
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Preferred stocks which are rated "ba" are considered to have speculative elements and their future cannot be considered well assured. Earnings and asset protection may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods. Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.
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APPENDIX B
ARI’s Proxy Voting Policy
ARI is a fiduciary that owes each client a duty of care with regard to all services undertaken on the client’s behalf. Proxy voting is one such service for the following clients: 1) those covered under the Employee Retirement Income Securities Act (“ERISA”) and 2) those non-ERISA clients over which ARI exercises such voting authority. To fulfill these duties, ARI must cast votes in a manner consistent with the best interests of its clients. In accordance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, ARI has adopted policies and procedures to address its proxy voting responsibilities.
I. Summary of Proxy Voting Policies.
ARI has engaged Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) to provide proxy voting services for clients over which ARI exercises proxy voting authority. ARI has adopted standard proxy voting guidelines, which are applied by ISS to all ARI proxy votes, absent instruction from ARI to the contrary. ARI generally votes in accordance with its proxy voting guidelines; however, in rare circumstances ARI may opt to override the guidelines if it is decided to be the best interest of its clients. It should be noted that the below Summary of Proxy Voting Guidelines is general in nature and provided for informational purposes. Complete proxy voting policies and procedures, including complete guidelines are available upon request.
II. Summary of Proxy Voting Guidelines.
Board of Directors: Votes on director nominees in uncontested elections should be determined
Case-by-Case
, based on the following four fundamental principles:
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Board Accountability
: Practices that promote accountability include: transparency into a company’s governance practices; annual board elections; and providing shareholders the ability to remove problematic directors and to vote on takeover defenses or other charter/bylaw amendments. These practices help reduce the opportunity for management entrenchment.
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·
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Board Responsiveness
: Directors should be responsive to shareholders, particularly in regard to shareholder proposals that receive a majority vote and to tender offers where a majority of shares are tendered. Furthermore, shareholders should expect directors to devote sufficient time and resources to oversight of the company.
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·
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Director Independence
: Without independence from management, the board may be unwilling or unable to effectively set company strategy and scrutinize performance or executive compensation.
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·
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Director Competence
: Companies should seek directors who can add value to the board through specific skills or expertise and who can devote sufficient time and commitment to serve effectively. While directors should not
be constrained by arbitrary limits such as age or term limits, directors who are unable to attend board and committee meetings and/or who are overextended (i.e. serving on too many boards) raise concern on the director’s ability to effectively serve in shareholders’ best interests.
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Mergers and Corporate Restructurings: Votes on proposals on mergers and acquisitions should be determined
Case-by-Case
generally by reviewing and evaluating the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including the:
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·
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reasonableness of valuation;
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market reaction to the proposed deal;
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strategic rationale for the proposed transaction including management’s track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions;
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fairness of the negotiations and process including the comprehensiveness of the sales process (e.g., full auction, partial auction, no auction);
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·
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conflicts of interest such as whether or not insiders are benefiting from the transaction disproportionately as compared to non-insider shareholders; and
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·
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governance factors such as whether the combined company will have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction.
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Anti-takeover Defenses/Capital Structure
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Case by Case
on management proposals on poison pill ratification, focusing on the features of the shareholder rights plan, and FOR shareholder proposals requesting that the company submit its poison pill to a shareholder vote or redeem it unless the company has: (1) a shareholder approved poison pill in place; or (2) the company has adopted a policy concerning the adoption of a pill in the future in certain situations.
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·
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Against
proposals that increase authorized common stock for the explicit purpose of implementing a non-shareholder-approved shareholder rights plan (poison pill).
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·
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Against
proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the bylaws and
For
proposals giving the board the ability to amend the bylaws in addition to shareholders.
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Executive and Director Compensation
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Evaluate executive pay and practices, as well as certain aspects of outside director compensation on a
Case-by-Case
basis. Underlying all evaluations are five global principles that most investors expect corporations to adhere to in designing and administering executive and director compensation programs: (1) m
aintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment, with emphasis on long-term shareholder value; (2) avoid arrangements that risk “pay for failure”; (3) maintain an independent and effective compensation committee
; (4) p
rovide shareholders with clear, comprehensive compensation disclosures;
and (5) a
void inappropriate pay to non-executive directors
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·
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Vote
Against
management say on pay (MSOP) proposals,
Against/Withhold
on compensation committee members (or in rare cases where the full board is deemed responsible, all directors including the CEO), and/or
Against
an equity-based incentive plan proposal if:
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o
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There is a misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);
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o
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The company maintains problematic pay practices;
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o
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The board exhibits poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders.
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·
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Generally, vote
For
shareholder proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director pay information, provided the information requested is relevant to shareholders' needs, would not put the company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its industry, and is not unduly burdensome to the company.
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Social and Environmental Issues:
When evaluating social and environmental shareholder proposals, ISS considers the following factors:
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·
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Whether adoption of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value; whether the information requested concerns business issues that relate to a meaningful percentage of the company's business as measured by sales, assets, and earnings; and the degree to which the company's stated position on the issues raised in the proposal could affect its reputation or sales, or leave it vulnerable to a boycott or selective purchasing;
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·
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Whether the issues presented are more appropriately/effectively dealt with through governmental or company-specific action; whether the company has already responded in some appropriate manner to the request embodied in the proposal; and whether the company's analysis and voting recommendation to shareholders are persuasive;
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What other companies have done in response to the issue addressed in the proposal; whether the proposal itself is well framed and the cost of preparing the report is reasonable; and whether implementation of the proposal’s request would achieve the proposal’s objectives;
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Whether the subject of the proposal is best left to the discretion of the board; whether the requested information is available to shareholders either from the company or from a publicly available source; and whether providing this information would reveal proprietary or confidential information that would place the company at a competitive disadvantage.
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III. Conflicts of Interest.
ARI
believes that the use of standard proxy voting guidelines and the use of an independent third party, such as ISS, mitigate potential conflicts of interest between ARI and its clients. In addition, any recommendations by its employees to vote against the guidelines should be brought to the attention of ARI’s Chief Compliance Officer. Any resulting override shall be documented and then submitted to ISS by compliance personnel. Finally, the Advisor has adopted a Code of Ethics, advocating strictly ethical behavior and mandating that all of its business activities be conducted in the best interest of its clients.
INVESTMENT MANAGERS SERIES TRUST
PROXY VOTING
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Investment Managers Series Trust (the “Trust”) is registered as an open-end investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). The Trust offers multiple series (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”). Consistent with its fiduciary duties and pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Proxy Rule”), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has adopted this proxy voting policy on behalf of the Trust (the “Policy”) to reflect its commitment to ensure that proxies are voted in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders.
Delegation of Proxy Voting Authority to Fund Advisors
The Board believes that the investment advisor of each Fund (each an “Advisor” and, collectively, the “Advisors”), as the entity that selects the individual securities that comprise its Fund’s portfolio, is the most knowledgeable and best-suited to make decisions on how to vote proxies of portfolio companies held by that Fund. The Trust shall therefore defer to, and rely on, the Advisor of each Fund to make decisions on how to cast proxy votes on behalf of such Fund.
The Trust hereby designates the Advisor of each Fund as the entity responsible for exercising proxy voting authority with regard to securities held in the Fund’s investment portfolio. Consistent with its duties under this Policy, each Advisor shall monitor and review corporate transactions of corporations in which the Fund has invested, obtain all information sufficient to allow an informed vote on all proxy solicitations, ensure that all proxy votes are cast in a timely fashion, and maintain all records required to be maintained by the Fund under the Proxy Rule and the 1940 Act. Each Advisor shall perform these duties in accordance with the Advisor’s proxy voting policy, a copy of which shall be presented to this Board for its review. Each Advisor shall promptly provide to the Board updates to its proxy voting policy as they are adopted and implemented.
Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records Available to Fund Shareholders
If a Fund or an Advisor has a web site, a copy of the Advisor’s proxy voting policy and this Policy may be posted on such website. A copy of such policies and of each Fund’s proxy voting record shall also be made available, without charge, upon request of any shareholder of the Fund, by calling the applicable Fund’s toll-free telephone number as printed in the Fund’s prospectus. The Trust’s administrator shall reply to any Fund shareholder request within three business days of receipt of the request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.
Each Advisor shall provide a complete voting record, as required by the Proxy Rule, for each series of the Trust for which it acts as advisor, to the Trust’s co-administrator within 15 days
following the end of each calendar quarter. The Trust’s co-administrator, MFAC will file a report based on such record on Form N-PX on an annual basis with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than August 31
st
of each year.
PART C: OTHER INFORMATION
Advisory Research Funds
|
(a)
|
(1) Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Registrant
(1)
|
(2) Certificate of Trust
(1)
(3) Amendment to Certificate of Trust
(1)
(4) Amendment to Certificate of Trust
(2)
(5) Amendment to Certificate of Trust
(6)
(6) Amendment to Agreement and Declaration of Trust
(2)
(7) Amendment to Agreement and Declaration of Trust
(4)
(8) Amendment to Agreement and Declaration of Trust
(5)
(9) Certificate of Designation
(7)
(b) Amended By-Laws of Registrant
(5) (12)
(c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders is incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Bylaws.
(d) Investment Advisory Agreement
(13)
(e) Distribution Agreement
(11)
(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts is not applicable.
(g) Custody Agreement
(3)
(h) Other Material Contracts
(1) Transfer Agency Agreement
(5)
(2) Fund Accounting Agreement
(5)
(3) Co-Administration Agreement
(5)
(4) Amended Operating Expense Agreement
(13)
(5) Shareholder Service Plan
(13)
(i) Legal Opinion
(8)
(j) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(*)
(k) Not applicable
(l) Initial Subscription Agreement
(8)
(m) Rule 12b-1 Plan – not applicable
(n) Rule 18f-3 Plan
(13)
(o) Powers of Attorney
(3)
(p) Code of Ethics
(1) Code of Ethics of the Trust
(9)
(2) Codes of Ethics of the Advisor
(10)
(3) Code of Ethics of Distributor is not applicable
__________________________________________________________________
(*)
Filed herewith.
(1)
Previously filed in Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 filed with the Commission on March 31, 2006.
(2)
Previously filed in Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 filed with the Commission on December 5, 2007.
(3)
Previously filed in Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 filed with the Commission on February 1, 2008.
(4)
Previously filed in Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 filed with the Commission on March 14, 2008.
(5)
Previously filed in Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 filed with the Commission on April 1, 2009.
(6)
Previously filed in Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 filed with the Commission on December 30, 2009.
(7)
Previously filed in Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 filed with the Commission on April 15, 2010.
(8)
Previously filed in Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 filed with the Commission on June 11, 2010.
(9)
Previously filed in Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 filed with the Commission on June 29, 2010.
(10)
Previously filed in Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 214 filed with the Commission on February 28, 2012.
(11)
Previously filed in Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 297 filed with the Commission on December 26, 2012.
(12)
Previously filed in Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 436 filed with the Commission on December 20, 2013.
(13)
Previously filed in Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 440 filed with the Commission on December 30, 2013.
ITEM 29.
|
PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE FUND
|
See the Statement of Additional Information.
Pursuant to Del. Code Ann. Title 12 Section 3817, a Delaware statutory trust may provide in its governing instrument for the indemnification of its officers and Trustees from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.
Reference is made to Article 8, Section 8.4 of the Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which provides:
Subject to the limitations, if applicable, hereinafter set forth in this Section 8.4, the Trust shall indemnify (from the assets of the Series or Series to which the conduct in question relates) each of its Trustees, officers, employees and agents (including Persons who serve at the Trust's request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter, together with such Person's heirs, executors, administrators or personal representative, referred to as a "Covered Person")) against all liabilities, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and expenses, including reasonable accountants' and counsel fees, incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such Covered Person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Trustee or officer, director or trustee, except with respect to any matter as to which it has been determined that such Covered Person (i) did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person's action was in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust; (ii) had acted with willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person's office (iii) for a criminal proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful (the conduct described in (i), (ii) and (iii) being referred to hereafter as "Disabling Conduct"). A determination that the Covered Person is entitled to indemnification may be made by (i) a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought that the Covered Person to be indemnified was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct, (ii) dismissal of a court action or an administrative proceeding against a Covered Person for insufficiency of evidence of Disabling Conduct, or (iii) a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that the indemnity was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct by (a) a vote of a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither "interested persons" of the Trust as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act nor parties to the proceeding (the "Disinterested Trustees"), or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. Expenses, including accountants' and counsel fees so incurred by any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), may be paid from time to time by one or more Series to which the conduct in question related in advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding; provided that the Covered Person shall have undertaken to repay the amounts so paid to such Series if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article 8 and (i) the Covered Person shall have provided security for such undertaking, (ii) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (iii) a majority of a quorum of the disinterested Trustees, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement between the Trust and IMST Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), the Trust has agreed to indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor, and each of its present or former directors, members, officers, employees, representatives and any person who controls or previously controlled the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (“Distributor Indemnitees”), free and harmless (a) from and against any and all losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, charges, payments, costs and expenses (including the costs of investigating or defending any alleged losses, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, charges, payments, costs or expenses and any counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) of any and every nature (“Losses”) which Distributor and/or each of the Distributor Indemnitees may incur under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other statute (including Blue Sky laws) or any rule or regulation thereunder, or
under common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact contained in the registration statement or any prospectus, an annual or interim report to shareholders or sales literature, or any amendments or supplements thereto, or arising out of or based upon any omission, or alleged omission, to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Trust’s obligation to indemnify Distributor and any of the Distributor Indemnitees shall not be deemed to cover any Losses arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Distributor and furnished to the Trust or its counsel by Distributor in writing for the purpose of, and used in, the preparation thereof; (b) from and against any and all Losses which Distributor and/or each of the Distributor Indemnitees may incur in connection with this Agreement or the Distributor’s performance hereunder, except to the extent the Losses result from the Distributor’s willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, (c) from and against any and all Losses which Distributor and/or each of the Distributor Indemnitees may incur resulting from the actions or inactions of any prior service provider to the Trust or any Funds in existence prior to, and added to Schedule A after, the date of this Agreement, or (d) from and against any and all Losses which Distributor and/or each of the Distributor Indemnitees may incur when acting in accordance with instructions from the Trust or its representatives; and provided further that to the extent this agreement of indemnity may require indemnity of any Distributor Indemnitee who is also a trustee or officer of the Trust, no such indemnity shall inure to the benefit of such trustee or officer if to do so would be against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act.
ITEM 31.
|
BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
|
With respect to the Advisor, the response to this Item will be incorporated by reference to the Advisor’s Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Advisor’s Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov
.
ITEM 32.
|
IMST DISTRIBUTORS, LLC –
Effective January 1, 2013
|
Item 32(a)
|
IMST Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:
|
1.
|
Investment Managers Series Trust
|
2.
|
Investment Managers Series Trust II
|
Item 32(b)
|
The following are the Officers and Managers of the Distributor. The Distributor’s main business address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101.
|
Name
|
Address
|
Position with Underwriter
|
Position with Registrant
|
Mark A. Fairbanks
|
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101
|
President and Manager
|
None
|
Richard J. Berthy
|
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101
|
Vice President, Treasurer and Manager
|
None
|
Meredith F. Henning
|
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101
|
Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer
|
None
|
Lisa S. Clifford
|
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101
|
Vice President and Managing Director of Compliance
|
None
|
Jennifer E. Hoopes
|
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101
|
Secretary
|
None
|
Nishant Bhatnagar
|
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101
|
Assistant Secretary
|
None
|
Item 32(c)
|
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 33.
|
LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.
|
The books and records required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 are maintained at the following locations:
Records Relating to:
|
Are located at:
|
Registrant’s Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant and Co-Administrator
|
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
803 W. Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
|
Registrant’s Co-Administrator
|
Mutual Fund Administration Corporation
2220 E. Route 66, Suite 226
Glendora, California 91740
|
Registrant’s Custodian
|
UMB Bank, n.a.
928 Grand Boulevard, 5
th
Floor
Kansas City, Missouri, 64106
|
Registrant’s Investment Adviser
|
Advisory Research, Inc.
Two Prudential Plaza
180 N. Stetson Ave. Suite 5500
Chicago, IL 60601
|
Registrant’s Distributor
|
IMST Distributors, LLC
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100
Portland, Maine 04101
|
ITEM 34.
|
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
|
Not applicable
Not applicable
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, on
the 27th day of February, 2014
.
|
INVESTMENT MANAGERS SERIES TRUST
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ John P. Zader
|
|
|
|
John P. Zader, President
|
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed on
the
27th day of February, 2014
, by the following persons in the capacities set forth below.
Signature
|
|
Title
|
†
|
|
|
Ashley Toomey Rabun
|
|
Trustee
|
†
|
|
|
William H. Young
|
|
Trustee
|
†
|
|
|
Charles H. Miller
|
|
Trustee
|
/s/ John P. Zader
|
|
|
John P. Zader
|
|
Trustee and President
|
†
|
|
|
Eric M. Banhazl
/s/ Rita Dam
|
|
Trustee and Vice President
|
Rita Dam
|
|
Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
|
Attorney-in-fact, pursuant to power of attorney previously filed
with Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 on February 1, 2008.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
|
Exhibit No.
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
EX99.j
|
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