(LOGO)

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Risk/Return Summary 1
   
Additional Investment Information 11
   
How to Purchase Shares 17
   
How to Redeem Shares 21
   
Dividends and Distributions 23
   
Taxes 24
   
Operation of the Fund 25
   
Calculation of Share Price 27
   
Financial Highlights 29
   
Privacy Notice 30
   
Additional Information back cover

 

 

Risk/Return Summary

 

 

What is the Fund’s investment objective?

 

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation.

 

What are the Fund’s fees and expenses?

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and fees to intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and example below.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)     None  

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)        
Management Fees     0.80 %(1)
Other Expenses     0.48 %
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses     0.02 %
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses     1.30 %
Fee Recoupment     0.08 %(2)
Less: Fee Waiver     0.11 %(2)
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Recoupment     1.27 %(3)

 

(1) Management Fees reflect a reduction in the annual percentage rate at which such fees are computed from 0.95% to 0.75%, effective May 1, 2022.

 

(2) Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to reduce Management Fees and reimburse Other Expenses so that “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses” (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest, taxes, brokerage costs and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed 1.25%. Any management fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Adviser are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of three years from the date such fees and expenses were waived or reimbursed, provided the repayment to the Adviser does not cause “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses” (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest, taxes, brokerage costs and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to exceed the contractual expense limitation at the time such amount was waived or repaid. This expense limitation is in effect until May 1, 2024 and may be terminated by the Fund or the Adviser upon not less than 60 days’ prior written notice, provided, however, that (i) the Adviser may not terminate the agreement without the approval of the Board of Trustees, and (ii) the agreement terminates automatically if the Adviser ceases to serve as the Fund’s investment adviser. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Adviser waived $36,210 of its management fees and recouped $25,276 of previous fee reductions.

 

(3) Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Recoupment will not correlate to the ratio of net expenses to average net assets in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which does not reflect “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.”

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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. The Example also takes into account the Adviser’s contractual arrangement to maintain the Fund’s expenses at the agreed upon level for a period of one year. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

  1 Year   3 Years   5 Years   10 Years
  $ 129   $ 409   $ 710   $1,565

 

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 rate 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 14% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

What are the Fund’s principal investment strategies?

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities (which include common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks). The Fund may invest in the securities of companies of any size, regardless of market capitalization. At times, depending on market and other conditions, the Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in a small number of issuers, industries or business sectors. The Fund may invest in special situation companies that have fallen out of favor with the market, but are expected to appreciate over time due to company-specific developments, rather than general business conditions or movements in the markets as a whole. Special situations may include significant changes in a company’s allocation of its existing capital (companies undergoing turnarounds or spin-offs) or a restructuring of assets. Special situations may also result from significant changes to an industry through regulatory developments or shifts in competition, new product introductions, changes in senior management or significant changes in a company’s cost structure. The Fund may invest in

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equity securities of foreign issuers. The Fund will invest directly in foreign issuers or indirectly in the form of depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are stocks issued by a U.S. bank or broker that trade in the U.S. but represent ownership of securities issued by foreign companies.

 

The Fund may also invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) if the Adviser believes it is advisable to expose the Fund to the broad market or to broad market sectors or to protect against market risk without purchasing a large number of individual securities. ETFs differ from traditional index funds because their shares are listed on a securities exchange and can be traded intraday. When the Fund invests in an ETF, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly pay a proportionate share of the management fee and operating expenses of the ETF. The Fund may invest in debt securities, which include U.S. Treasury notes and bonds, investment grade corporate debt securities, convertible debt securities and debt securities rated below investment grade (high yield or junk bonds). The Fund may also invest in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund’s cash level is a result of the Adviser’s individual security selection process, and therefore may vary, depending on the Adviser’s desired security weightings. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will limit its investment in ETFs, debt securities (including junk bonds), and cash or cash equivalents to no more than 20% of its net assets.

 

The Adviser uses fundamental security analyses to identify and purchase shares of companies that the Adviser believes are selling below their intrinsic value. The Adviser looks for companies whose market prices are below what a corporate or entrepreneurial buyer would be willing to pay for the entire business. The price of stocks in relation to cash flow, earnings, dividends, book value, and asset value, both historical and prospective, are key determinants in the security selection process. Emphasis is also placed on identifying companies undergoing changes that may significantly enhance shareholder value in the future, including changes in operations, management, capital allocation, strategies or product offerings. The Adviser intends to hold securities for an average of 3 to 5 years under normal market conditions. The price of the securities held by the Fund are monitored in relation to the Adviser’s criteria for value. When a stock appreciates substantially and is no longer undervalued, according to the Adviser’s valuation criteria, it is sold. Stocks are also sold when a company fails to achieve expected results or economic factors or competitive developments adversely impair the company’s intrinsic value. 

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What are the principal risks of investing in the Fund?

 

As with any mutual fund investment, there is a risk that you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

 

General Market Risks. The return on and value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate in response to stock market movements. Stocks and other equity securities are subject to market risks, such as rapid fluctuations in price or liquidity due to earnings and other developments affecting a particular company or industry, stock market trends and general economic conditions, investor perceptions, interest rates and other factors beyond the control of the Adviser. The value of an investment in the Fund may decline in tandem with a drop in the overall value of the markets in which the Fund invests and/or other markets based on negative developments in the U.S. and global economies. Economic, political and financial conditions, including wars or conflicts, or industry or economic trends and developments, may, from time to time, and for varying periods of time, cause volatility, illiquidity or other potentially adverse effects in the financial markets. Natural or environmental disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis, and widespread disease, including pandemics and epidemics, have been and can be highly disruptive to economies and the markets. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in significant disruptions to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies, sectors, industries, interest rates and investor sentiment. The U.S. Federal Reserve and the U.S. government have taken numerous measures to stimulate the U.S. economy and to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The extent of COVID-19 relief and prior monetary stimulus policies, among other factors, has resulted in higher inflation. The U.S. Federal Reserve and many foreign central banks are raising interest rates and taking other measures to control inflation, which at times has resulted in unusually high volatility and negatively impacted the markets. Economies and financial markets throughout the world have become interconnected, which increases the possibility that economic, financial or political events in one country could have a profound impact on global economies or markets. Other events that may arise in the future could exacerbate pre-existing political, social and economic risks in ways that cannot be predicted. U.S. companies with significant non-U.S. operations can be impacted by political, economic and regulatory developments in foreign markets. Stocks tend to move in cycles and may experience periods of turbulence and instability.

4

 

Foreign Exposure Risks. Investments in foreign securities involve risks that may be different from those of U.S. securities, including the risk that foreign economies may be less stable than the U.S. economy. Foreign securities may not be subject to uniform audit, financial reporting or disclosure standards, practices or requirements comparable to those found in the United States. Foreign securities are also subject to the risk of adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, tariffs, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, delayed transaction settlement, limitations on the removal of money or other assets, political or social instability, war or conflicts, and nationalization of companies or industries. The risks associated with tensions or open conflict between nations, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, increasing trade tensions between China and its trading partners, government capital or currency controls, expropriation of assets, the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union in 2020, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are global economic powers or major producers of oil, could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. While the full impact of Brexit is unknown, there may be an extended period of political and economic uncertainty and market volatility that may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of securities held by the Fund.

 

Depositary receipts are subject to some of the same risks as direct investment in foreign companies and certain additional risks. In a sponsored depositary arrangement, the foreign issuer assumes the obligation to pay some or all of the depositary’s transaction fees. Under an unsponsored depositary arrangement, the foreign issuer assumes no obligation and the depositary’s transaction fees are paid directly by the depositary holders. Because unsponsored depositary arrangements are organized independently and without the cooperation of the issuer of the underlying securities, available information concerning the foreign issuer may not be as current as for sponsored depositaries and voting rights for the deposited securities are not passed through to the holders.

 

Non-Diversification Risks. The Fund is classified as non-diversified and may therefore invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a limited number of issuers than a fund that is diversified. At times, the Fund may overweight a position in a particular issuer or emphasize investment in a limited number of issuers, industries or sectors, which may cause its share price to be more susceptible to any economic, business, political or regulatory occurrence affecting an issuer than a fund that is more widely diversified. The issuers that the Fund may emphasize will vary from time to time.

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Sector Risks. If the Fund holds significant investments in the securities of issuers in industries within a particular sector, any development affecting that sector will have a greater impact on the value of the net assets of the Fund than would be the case if the Fund did not have significant investments in that sector. For instance, economic or market factors, regulation or deregulation, and technological or other developments may negatively impact all companies in a particular sector. This may increase the risk of loss and share price volatility in the Fund. As of December 31, 2022, the Fund had 24.9% of the value of its net assets invested in a single stock within the real estate sector and 28.5% of the value of its net assets invested in the real estate sector. Certain stocks that are associated with the real estate sector, including the stock held by the Fund, operate as property leasing companies for a particular industry, such as the natural gas and crude oil industry, and may be more dependent on the strength of their underlying industry than the strength of the real estate market generally. The oil and natural gas market has experienced periods of volatility and fluctuation that is often based on factors that may be out of the control of the issuers of such securities, including changes in supply and demand, international political and economic developments and the success of exploration projects.

 

Holdings Risks. If the Fund emphasizes investments in a particular issuer or issuers or holds a smaller number of portfolio securities than other mutual funds, the Fund’s portfolio will be more susceptible to the depreciation of any one security than a fund that invests in a larger number of stocks. As of December 31, 2022, the Fund had 24.9% of the value of its net assets invested in a single issuer.

 

Security Selection and Investment Style Risks. Like any mutual fund, the Fund’s method of security selection may not be successful, and the Fund may underperform the stock market as a whole. If the Adviser’s opinion about the intrinsic value of a company is incorrect or if the intrinsic value of a company is not recognized by the market, a stock may not achieve the price appreciation anticipated by the Adviser. The Fund’s value style may cause it to underperform relative to funds that use a growth or non-value approach to investing or funds that have a broader investment style.

 

Market Capitalization Risks. The Fund may emphasize investment in a particular market capitalization, which may cause its share price to be more susceptible to the financial, market or economic events affecting issuers within that market capitalization. Larger capitalization companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes, have fewer opportunities to expand the market for their products or services, and may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies. Small and mid-capitalization

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companies may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and other competitive strengths usually present in larger companies. Micro-cap companies may have limited product lines, markets and access to financing, and may lack the management depth of larger companies. In many instances, the securities of micro, small and mid-capitalization companies are traded only over-the-counter or on a regional securities exchange, and the frequency and volume of their trading is substantially less than is typical of larger companies.

 

Debt Security Risks. Any debt securities held by the Fund are subject to certain risks, such as credit risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk. At times there may be an imbalance of supply and demand in the markets which could result in greater price volatility, less liquidity, wider trading spreads and a lack of price transparency. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of the security cannot meet its financial obligations. Issuers of junk bonds may not be as financially strong and may have a weakened capacity to pay interest or principal, when due, especially during periods of economic downturn or uncertainty. Interest rate risk is the risk that the Fund’s share price will be affected by changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the value of the Fund’s debt securities and share price generally will decline. Securities with longer maturities generally are more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter maturities. Potential changes in government policy affecting interest rates may cause debt securities to experience a heightened level of interest rate risk. The decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve to aggressively increase interest rates and sell some of the U.S. Government securities on its balance sheet to control the effects of inflation may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the recent period of low interest rates. Liquidity risk is the risk that a security cannot be sold at an advantageous time or price. Liquidity risk may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment, if there is a reduction in the inventories of traditional dealers, or in other circumstances. Lower rated securities may be subject to greater levels of liquidity risk.

 

ETF Risks. The Adviser may invest in certain types of ETFs to protect against market risk. Investments in ETFs generally present the same primary risks as investments in conventional investment companies, including the risk that the general level of security prices owned by the ETF may decline, thereby affecting the value of the shares of the ETF. In addition, ETFs are subject to certain risks that do not apply to mutual funds, including the risk that the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade at a discount to its net asset value, or that an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not be developed or maintained. ETFs are also subject to the risks of the underlying securities or sectors that the ETF is designed to track.

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Preferred Stock Risks. Preferred stock is subject to the risks of equity securities as well as risks associated with fixed income securities, such as interest rate risk. Because a company will generally pay dividends on preferred stock only after the company makes required payments to creditors, the value of a company’s preferred stock may react strongly to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or outlook. Preferred stock may be less liquid than common stock and generally has limited or no voting rights. In addition, preferred stock is subject to the risk that a company may defer or not pay dividends, may call or redeem its preferred stock, or convert it to common stock.

 

Convertible Security Risks. A convertible security is a bond or preferred stock that can be exchanged or converted into a specific number of shares of the issuer’s common stock. When the price of the underlying stock falls, the price of a convertible security tends to decline. Because a company must generally pay interest on its nonconvertible secured debt before it can pay interest on its convertible securities, the credit rating of a company’s convertible securities is generally lower than on its secured nonconvertible debt securities. A convertible security may be “callable,” which means the issuer can redeem the security prior to its maturity.

 

Special Situation Company Risks. Investing in special situation companies carries an additional risk of loss if the expected development does not occur or produce the intended results. The availability of special situation companies that present attractive investment opportunities may be sporadic, or rare in certain instances, which may detract from the Fund’s ability to pursue its investment objective.

 

What has been the Fund’s performance history?

 

The bar chart and performance table shown below provide some indication of the risks and variability of investing in the Fund by showing the Fund’s performance from year to year for each of the last ten calendar years, and by showing how the Fund’s average annual total returns for the 1, 5 and 10 year periods ended December 31, 2022 compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The performance results through December 31, 2015 and portions of 2016 were achieved using an investment strategy that is different than the more focused strategy that is currently being used to manage the Fund. Certain performance information reflects fee reductions and/or expense reimbursements by the Adviser; without such fee reductions and/or expense reimbursements, returns would be less than those shown. How the Fund has performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information, current through the most recent month-end, is available on the Fund’s website (www.schwartzvaluefocusedfund.com) or by calling 1-888-726-0753.

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(BAR CHART)

 

During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 32.32% during the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and the lowest return for a quarter was -27.83% during the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

 

Average Annual Total Returns For Periods Ended December 31, 2022

 

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, and 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.

 

    One
Year
    Five
Years
    Ten
Years
 
SCHWARTZ VALUE FOCUSED FUND                        
Return Before Taxes     21.15 %     14.09 %     10.06 %
Return After Taxes on Distributions     20.72 %     13.37 %     9.27 %
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares     12.52 %     11.13 %     8.02 %
                         
STANDARD & POOR’S 1500 INDEX (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)     -17.77 %     9.15 %     12.40 %

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Management of the Fund

 

Investment Adviser

 

Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Timothy S. Schwartz, CFA, is the lead portfolio manager and George P. Schwartz, CFA, is co-portfolio manager of the Fund.

 

Timothy S. Schwartz, CFA, President and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser, has acted as co-portfolio manager of the Fund since March 2008 and lead portfolio manager since January 2016.

 

George P. Schwartz, CFA, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser, has acted as a portfolio manager since the Fund’s inception in July 1993 and co-portfolio manager since January 2016.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

Minimum Initial Investment - $2,500

 

Minimum Additional Investment – None, except that the minimum for participants in the Automatic Investment Plan is $50.

 

General Information. You may purchase or redeem (sell) shares of the Fund on each day that the Fund is open for business. Transactions may be initiated by written request, by wire transfer or through your financial institution.

 

Tax Information

 

The Fund’s distributions are generally taxed as ordinary income or capital gains unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, or you are a tax-exempt investor.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

If you purchase 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 salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

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Additional Investment Information

 

Investment Objective. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. Dividend and interest income is only an incidental consideration to the Fund’s investment objective. The Fund’s investment objective is fundamental and as such may not be changed without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities (which include common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks). The Fund may invest in the securities of companies of any size, regardless of market capitalization. At times, depending on market and other conditions, the Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in a small number of issuers, industries or business sectors. The Fund may invest in special situation companies that have fallen out of favor with the market, but are expected to appreciate over time due to company-specific developments, rather than general business conditions or movements in the markets as a whole.

 

Principal Risks

 

General Market Risks. The return on and value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate in response to stock market movements. Stocks and other equity securities are subject to market risks, such as rapid fluctuations in price or liquidity due to earnings and other developments affecting a particular company or industry, stock market trends and general economic conditions, investor perceptions, interest rates and other factors beyond the control of the Adviser. The value of an investment in the Fund may decline in tandem with a drop in the overall value of the markets in which the Fund invests and/or other markets based on negative developments in the U.S. and global economies. Economic, political and financial conditions, including conflicts or wars, or industry or economic trends and developments, may, from time to time, and for varying periods of time, cause volatility, illiquidity or other potentially adverse effects in the financial markets. Natural or environmental disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis, and widespread disease, including pandemics and epidemics, have been and can be highly disruptive to economies and the markets. For example, the outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in significant disruptions to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies, sectors, industries, interest rates and investor sentiment. The U.S. Federal Reserve and the U.S. government have taken numerous measures to stimulate the U.S. economy and to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The extent

11

 

of COVID-19 relief and prior monetary stimulus policies, among other factors, has resulted in higher inflation. The U.S. Federal Reserve and many foreign central banks are raising interest rates and taking other measures to control inflation, which at times has resulted in unusually high volatility and negatively impacted the markets. Economies and financial markets throughout the world have become interconnected, which increases the possibility that economic, financial or political events in one country could have a profound impact on global economies or markets. U.S. companies with significant non-U.S. operations can be impacted by political, economic and regulatory developments in foreign markets. Stocks tend to move in cycles and may experience periods of turbulence and instability.

 

Foreign Exposure Risks. Investments in foreign securities involve risks that may be different from those of U.S. securities, including the risk that foreign economies may be less stable than the U.S. economy. Foreign securities may not be subject to uniform audit, financial reporting or disclosure standards, practices or requirements comparable to those found in the United States. Foreign securities are also subject to the risk of adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, tariffs, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, delayed transaction settlement, limitations on the removal of money or other assets, political or social instability, and nationalization of companies or industries. Tensions or open conflict between nations, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, increasing trade tensions between China and its trading partners, a rise in protectionist trade policies, slowing global economic growth, the risks of Brexit, the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are global economic powers or major producers of oil, could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen.

 

Depositary receipts are subject to some of the same risks as direct investment in foreign companies and certain additional risks. In a sponsored depositary arrangement, the foreign issuer assumes the obligation to pay some or all of the depositary’s transaction fees. Under an unsponsored depositary arrangement, the foreign issuer assumes no obligation and the depositary’s transaction fees are paid directly by the depositary holders. Because unsponsored depositary arrangements are organized independently and without the cooperation of the issuer of the underlying securities, available information concerning the foreign issuer may not be as current as for sponsored depositaries and voting rights for the deposited securities are not passed through to the holders.

 

Non-Diversification Risks. The Fund is classified as non-diversified and may therefore invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a limited number of issuers than a fund that is diversified. At times, the Fund

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may overweight a position in a particular issuer or emphasize investment in a limited number of issuers, industries or sectors, which may cause its share price to be more susceptible to any economic, business, political or regulatory occurrence affecting an issuer than a fund that is more widely diversified. The issuers that the Fund may emphasize will vary from time to time.

 

Sector Risks. If the Fund holds significant investments in the securities of issuers in industries within a particular sector, any development affecting that sector will have a greater impact on the value of the net assets of the Fund than would be the case if the Fund did not have significant investments in that sector. For instance, economic or market factors, regulation or deregulation, and technological or other developments may negatively impact all companies in a particular sector. This may increase the risk of loss and share price volatility in the Fund. As of December 31, 2022, the Fund had 24.9% of the value of its net assets invested in a single stock within the real estate sector and 28.5% of the value of its net assets invested in the real estate sector. Certain stocks that are associated with the real estate sector, including a stock held by the Fund, operate as property leasing companies for a particular industry, such as the natural gas and crude oil industry, and may be more dependent on the strength of their underlying industry than the strength of the real estate market generally. The oil and natural gas market has experienced periods of volatility and fluctuation that is often based on factors that may be out of the control of the issuers of such securities, including changes in supply and demand, international political and economic developments and the success of exploration projects.

 

Holdings Risks. If the Fund emphasizes investments in a particular issuer or issuers or holds a smaller number of portfolio securities than other mutual funds, the Fund’s portfolio will be more susceptible to the depreciation of any one security than a fund that invests in a larger number of stocks. As of December 31, 2022, the Fund had 24.9% of the value of its net assets invested in a single issuer.

 

Security Selection and Investment Style Risks. Like any mutual fund, the Fund’s method of security selection may not be successful, and the Fund may underperform the stock market as a whole. If the Adviser’s opinion about the intrinsic value of a company is incorrect or if the intrinsic value of a company is not recognized by the market, a stock may not achieve the price appreciation anticipated by the Adviser. The Fund’s value style may go out of favor with investors.

 

Market Capitalization Risks. The Fund may emphasize investment in a particular market capitalization, which may cause its share price to be more susceptible to the financial, market or economic events affecting issuers within that market capitalization. Larger capitalization companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges, such as changes

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in technology and consumer tastes, have fewer opportunities to expand the market for their products or services, and may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies. Small and mid-capitalization companies may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and other competitive strengths usually present in larger companies. Micro-cap companies may have limited product lines, markets and access to financing, and may lack the management depth of larger companies. In many instances, the securities of micro, small and mid-capitalization companies are traded only over-the-counter or on a regional securities exchange, and the frequency and volume of their trading is substantially less than is typical of larger companies.

 

Debt Security Risks. Any debt securities held by the Fund are subject to certain risks, such as credit risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk. At times there may be an imbalance of supply and demand in the markets which could result in greater price volatility, less liquidity, wider trading spreads and a lack of price transparency. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of the security cannot meet its financial obligations. Issuers of junk bonds may not be financially strong and may have a weakened capacity to pay interest or principal, when due, especially during periods of economic downturn or uncertainty. Interest rate risk is the risk that the Fund’s share price will be affected by changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the value of the Fund’s debt securities and share price generally will decline. Securities with longer maturities generally are more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter maturities. Potential changes in government policy affecting interest rates may cause debt securities to experience a heightened level of interest rate risk. The decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve to aggressively increase interest rates and sell some of the U.S. Government securities on its balance sheet in order to control the effects of inflation may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the recent period of low interest rates. Liquidity risk is the risk that a security cannot be sold at an advantageous time or price. Liquidity risk may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment, if there is a reduction in the inventories of traditional dealers, or in other circumstances. Lower rated securities may be subject to greater levels of liquidity risk.

 

ETF Risks. Investments in ETFs generally present the same primary risks as investments in conventional investment companies, including the risk that the general level of security prices owned by the ETF may decline, thereby affecting the value of the shares of the ETF. In addition, ETFs are subject to certain risks that do not apply to mutual funds, including the risk that the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade at a discount to its net asset value, or that an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not be developed or maintained. ETFs are also subject to the risks of the underlying securities or sectors that the ETF is designed to track.

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Preferred Stock Risks. Preferred stock is subject to the risks of equity securities as well as risks associated with fixed income securities, such as interest rate risk. Because a company will generally pay dividends on preferred stock only after the company makes required payments to creditors, the value of a company’s preferred stock may react strongly to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or outlook. Preferred stock may be less liquid than common stock and generally has limited or no voting rights. In addition, preferred stock is subject to the risk that a company may defer or not pay dividends, may call or redeem its preferred stock, or convert it to common stock.

 

Convertible Security Risks. A convertible security is a bond or preferred stock that can be exchanged or converted into a specific number of shares of the issuer’s common stock. When the price of the underlying stock falls, the price of a convertible security tends to decline. Because a company must generally pay interest on its nonconvertible secured debt before it can pay interest on its convertible securities, the credit rating of a company’s convertible securities is generally lower than on its secured nonconvertible debt securities. A convertible security may be “callable,” which means the issuer can redeem the security prior to its maturity.

 

Special Situation Company Risks. Investing in special situation companies carries an additional risk of loss if the expected development does not occur or produce the intended results. The availability of special situation companies that present attractive investment opportunities may be sporadic, or rare in certain instances, which may detract from the Fund’s ability to pursue its investment objectives.

 

Non-Principal Investment Strategies

 

Temporary Defensive Strategies/Cash Positions. For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may from time to time invest a significant portion, and possibly all, of its assets in U.S. Government obligations or money market instruments. The Fund may also hold U.S. Government obligations or money market instruments for liquidity purposes, as funds awaiting investment, to accumulate cash for anticipated purchases and to provide for shareholder redemptions or operational expenses. “U.S. Government obligations” include securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury, by various agencies of the U.S. Government, and by various instrumentalities that have been established or sponsored by the U.S. Government. The money market instruments that the Fund may own from time to time include U.S. Government obligations having a maturity of less than one year, shares of money market mutual funds, commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P Global Ratings or Prime-1 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., repurchase

15

 

agreements, bank debt instruments (certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances), and other short-term instruments issued by domestic branches of U.S. financial institutions that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and have assets exceeding $10 billion. To the extent the Fund invests in money market mutual funds, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund would bear its pro-rata portion of such money market funds’ advisory and operational fees.

 

Illiquid Securities. The Fund will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in securities or other investments that are illiquid. Illiquid securities are investments that cannot reasonably be expected to be sold or disposed of within seven calendar days in current market conditions, without significantly impacting the market value of the investment.

 

Non-Principal Risks

 

Temporary Defensive Strategies. U.S. Government obligations may or may not be backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government. There is a risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities that are not backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government if it is not obligated to do so by law. When the Fund invests for temporary defensive purposes, these investments may conflict with or impair the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that a security cannot be sold at an advantageous time and/or price in the secondary market, which could prevent the Fund from selling an investment at the approximate price that it is valued or the time it desires to sell. Liquidity risk may be magnified during times of financial or political stress. The Federal Reserve has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to keep credit flowing through short-term money markets, which has raised concerns about the markets’ dependence on the Federal Reserve’s provision of liquidity.

 

Inflation Risk. The Fund is subject to inflation risk, which is the risk that the present value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. The rate of inflation in many countries has increased in recent years, due to supply chain disruptions, fiscal or monetary stimulus, energy price increases, wage inflation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, among other factors. Unanticipated or persistent inflation may also have a material adverse impact on the financial condition or results of a company’s operations which may cause the value of the Fund’s holdings in such companies to decline.

16

 

How to Purchase Shares

 

Your initial investment in the Fund ordinarily must be at least $2,500. The Fund may, in the Adviser’s sole discretion, accept certain accounts with less than the stated minimum initial investment. The minimum investment requirement may also be waived for certain financial intermediaries and organizations (including omnibus accounts) that have lower minimum investment amounts. Shares of the Fund are sold on a continuous basis at the net asset value next determined after receipt of a purchase order in proper form by the Fund. Purchase orders received by the Fund’s transfer agent, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (the “Transfer Agent”) by 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, are priced at that day’s net asset value. Purchase orders received by the Transfer Agent after 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, are priced at the net asset value next determined on the following business day. An order is considered to be in proper form if it is complete, contains all necessary information to process the order and is delivered in a manner set forth in this prospectus.

 

Opening a New Account. You may open an account and make an initial investment in the Fund by sending a check and a completed account application to Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, P.O. Box 46707, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-0707. Checks should be made payable to the “Schwartz Value Focused Fund.” You may not use ACH to make an initial investment.

 

All purchase checks must be written in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank. The Fund does not accept cash, drafts, “starter” checks, travelers’ checks, credit card checks, post-dated checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders. In addition, to protect the Fund from check fraud, the Fund does not accept checks made payable to third parties.

 

Through Your Broker or Financial Institution. Shares of the Fund may be purchased through brokerage firms or financial institutions or sub-agents of such brokerage firms or financial institutions that are authorized to accept purchase orders on behalf of the Fund. Your order will be considered to have been received by the Fund when the authorized brokerage firm, financial institution, or its authorized designee, accepts the purchase order. Your purchase will be made at the net asset value next determined after your order is received by such organization in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, or such earlier time as may be required by such organization. These organizations may charge you transaction fees on purchases of Fund shares and may impose other charges or restrictions or account options that differ from those applicable to shareholders who purchase shares directly through the Transfer Agent. These organizations may be the shareholders of record of your shares. The Fund is not responsible for ensuring that these organizations carry out their obligations to their customers. Shareholders investing in this manner should look to the organization through which they

17

 

invest for specific instructions on how to purchase and redeem shares. The Adviser (from its own revenues) may pay such organizations for administrative, shareholder subaccounting and other services, including sales-related services, based on the number of accounts and/or the amount of customer assets maintained in the Fund by such organizations. The payment of such compensation by the Adviser will not affect the expense ratio of the Fund. Contact your brokerage firm or financial institution to determine whether it is authorized to accept orders on behalf of the Fund.

 

By Wire. Provided the Transfer Agent has received a completed account application, you may also purchase shares of the Fund by bank wire. Please telephone the Transfer Agent at 888-726-0753 for instructions. You should be prepared to give the name in which the account is to be established, the address, telephone number and taxpayer identification number for the account, and the name of the bank that will wire the money. Your investment will be made at the next determined net asset value after your wire is received together with the account information indicated above. If the Transfer Agent does not receive timely and complete account information, there may be a delay in the investment of your money and any accrual of dividends. To make your initial wire purchase, you must mail or fax (877-513-0756) a completed account application to the Transfer Agent. Your bank may impose a charge for sending your wire. There is presently no fee for receipt of wired funds, but the Transfer Agent reserves the right to charge shareholders for this service upon 30 days prior notice to shareholders.

 

Adding to Your Account. You may purchase and add shares to your account by mail, by bank wire transfer or through your brokerage firm or other financial institution. Checks should be sent to Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, P.O. Box 46707, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-0707. Checks should be made payable to the “Schwartz Value Focused Fund.” In order to purchase additional shares of the Fund by bank wire, please telephone the Transfer Agent at 888-726-0753 for instructions. Each additional purchase request must contain the name of your account and your account number to permit proper crediting to your account. While there is no minimum amount required for subsequent investments, the Fund reserves the right to impose this requirement. All purchases are made at the net asset value next determined after receipt of a purchase order by the Fund.

 

Automatic Investment Plan (“AIP”) and Direct Deposit Plan. You may make automatic monthly investments in the Fund from your bank, savings and loan or other depository institution account on the date(s) specified in your Account Application. Under the AIP, investments in the Fund must be at least $50. The Transfer Agent pays the costs of your transfers, but reserves the right, upon 30 days’ written notice, to make reasonable charges for this service.

18

 

Your employer may offer a direct deposit plan which will allow you to have all or a portion of your paycheck transferred automatically to purchase shares of the Fund. Please call 888-726-0753 for more information.

 

Customer Identification and Verification. 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 that opens a new account, and to determine whether such person’s name appears on government lists of known or suspected terrorists and terrorist organizations. As a result, the Fund must obtain the following information for each person that opens a new account:

 

Name;

 

Date of birth (for individuals);

 

Residential or business street address (although post office boxes are still permitted for mailing); and

 

Social security number, taxpayer identification number, or other identifying number.

 

You may also be asked for a copy of your driver’s license, passport, or other identifying document in order to verify your identity. In addition, it may be necessary to verify your identity by cross-referencing your identification information with a consumer report or other electronic database. Additional information may be required to open accounts for corporations and other entities. Federal law prohibits the Fund and other financial institutions from opening a new account unless they receive the minimum identifying information listed above.

 

After an account is opened, the Fund may restrict your ability to purchase additional shares until your identity is verified. The Fund also may close your account or take other appropriate action if it is unable to verify your identity within a reasonable time. If your account is closed for this reason, your shares will be redeemed at the net asset value next calculated after the account is closed.

 

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares. In general, the Fund is designed for long-term investment and not as a frequent or short-term trading (“market timing”) vehicle. The Fund discourages and does not accommodate frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures in an effort to detect and prevent market timing in the Fund. The Fund, through its service providers, will monitor shareholder trading activity in order to ensure it complies with the Fund’s policies. The Fund will also prepare reports illustrating purchase and redemption activity to detect market timing activity. The Fund believes that market timing

19

 

activity is not in the best interests of shareholders. Market timing can be disruptive to the portfolio management process and may adversely impact the ability of the Adviser to implement the Fund’s investment strategies. In addition to being disruptive, the risks to the Fund presented by market timing are higher expenses through increased trading and transaction costs; forced and unplanned portfolio turnover; large asset swings that decrease the Fund’s ability to provide maximum investment return to all shareholders; and potentially diluting the value of Fund shares. These risks can have an adverse effect on the Fund’s performance. The Fund reserves the right at any time to reject any purchase request that it believes to be market timing; modify any terms or conditions of purchases of shares of the Fund; or withdraw all or any part of the offering made by this Prospectus. If a purchase order is rejected, shareholders will be responsible for any resulting losses or fees imposed by their financial institution. Financial intermediaries may establish omnibus accounts in the Fund for their clients. The Fund relies on intermediaries to help enforce its market timing policies. Although the Fund has taken steps to discourage frequent purchases and redemptions of its shares, the Fund cannot guarantee that such trading will not occur. Each of the restrictions on frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares described above applies uniformly in all cases.

 

Additional Information. The Fund will mail you confirmations of all purchases or redemptions of Fund shares. Certificates representing shares are not issued. The Fund and Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) reserve the right to limit the amount of investments and to refuse to sell to any person.

 

The Fund’s account application contains provisions in favor of the Fund, the Adviser, the Transfer Agent, the Distributor and certain of their affiliates, excluding such entities from liability in connection with the performance of any acts instructed by the shareholder; provided, however, that such entities will be excluded from liability only if such entities have acted within applicable standards of reasonable care. If reasonable procedures are not followed by such entities, they will not be excluded from liability.

 

By sending your check to the Fund or the Transfer Agent, please be aware that you are authorizing the Transfer Agent to make a one-time electronic debit from your account at the financial institution indicated on your check. Your bank account will be debited as early as the same day the Transfer Agent receives your payment in the amount of your check; no additional amount will be added to the total. The transaction will appear on your bank statement. Your original check will be destroyed once processed, and you will not receive your cancelled check back. If the Transfer Agent cannot post the transaction electronically, you authorize the Transfer Agent to present an image copy of your check for payment.

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If an order to purchase shares is cancelled because your check or electronic payment does not clear, you will be charged a fee of $25 and you will be responsible for any other resulting losses or fees incurred by the Fund or the Transfer Agent in the transaction.

 

How to Redeem Shares

 

You may redeem shares of the Fund on each day that the Fund is open for business by sending a written request to the Transfer Agent. The request must state the number of shares or the dollar amount to be redeemed and your account number. The request must be signed exactly as your name appears on the Fund’s account records. Redemption requests must be received prior to the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) in order to receive the net asset value calculated on that day. Redemption proceeds by check will normally be sent on or before the fifth business day following the redemption request and redemption proceeds by wire will normally be sent on the business day following the redemption request, if the request is in proper form.

 

Signature Guarantees. To protect your account and the Fund from fraud, a signature guarantee may be required to make sure that you are the person who has authorized a redemption. You will need your signature guaranteed if (i) the shares to be redeemed have a value of more than $50,000; (ii) the name(s) or the address on your account has been changed within the previous 15 days of your redemption request; (iii) your bank account information has changed within 30 days of your redemption request; (iv) you request that your redemption be mailed to an address other than the address on record with the Fund; or (v) you request that your redemption be made payable to a person not on record with the Fund. The Transfer Agent will accept signatures guaranteed by a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association or other financial institution that participates in the STAMP Medallion Program sponsored by the Securities Transfer Association. Signature guarantees from financial institutions that do not participate in the STAMP Medallion Program will not be accepted. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee. The Transfer Agent has adopted standards for accepting signature guarantees from the above institutions. The Fund and the Transfer Agent reserve the right to amend these standards at any time without notice.

 

By Wire. Redemption requests may direct that the proceeds be wired directly to your existing account in any commercial banking institution or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application. There is currently no charge for processing wire redemptions. However, the Transfer Agent reserves the right, upon 30 days’ written notice, to make

21

 

reasonable charges for wire redemptions. All charges will be deducted from your account by redemption of shares in your account. Your bank or brokerage firm may also impose a charge for processing the wire. In the event that wire transfer of funds is impossible or impractical, the redemption proceeds will be sent by mail to the designated account.

 

Receiving Payment. Whether you request payment by check, wire, or ACH, your redemption proceeds will be sent to you within 3 business days after receipt of your redemption request in the form described above. However, payment in redemption of shares purchased by check will be effected only after the check has been collected, which may take up to fifteen days from the purchase date. The payment for your redemption will be based on the next calculated share price on the date of your redemption request, even if the payment is delayed due to a recent purchase. To eliminate this delay, you may purchase shares of the Fund by certified check or wire transfer.

 

The Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests from the sale of its cash holdings (money market instruments) or from the sale of other portfolio assets. These methods will typically be used during both regular and stressed market conditions.

 

Through Your Broker or Financial Institution. You may also redeem your shares through a brokerage firm or financial institution that has been authorized to accept orders on behalf of the Fund. Your request will be considered to have been received by the Fund when the authorized brokerage firm, financial institution, or its authorized designee, accepts the redemption order. Your redemption will be made at the net asset value next determined after your order is received by such organization in proper form before 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, or such earlier time as may be required by such organization. These organizations may be authorized to designate other intermediaries to act in this capacity. Such an organization may charge you transaction fees on redemptions of Fund shares and may impose other charges or restrictions or account options that differ from those applicable to shareholders who redeem shares directly through the Transfer Agent. Contact your brokerage firm or financial institution to determine whether it is authorized to accept orders on behalf of the Fund.

 

Systematic Withdrawal Plan. If the shares in your account have a value of at least $5,000, you (or another person you have designated) may receive monthly, quarterly or semi-annual payments in a specified amount of not less than $50 each by authorizing the Fund to redeem the necessary number of shares periodically. There is currently no charge for this service, but the Transfer Agent reserves the right, upon 30 days’ written notice, to make reasonable charges or to terminate the plan upon 60 days’ written notice. Telephone the Transfer Agent toll-free at 888-726-0753 for additional information.

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IRA Redemptions. If you do not want federal income taxes withheld from your redemption of shares from your IRA account, you must specify this in your redemption request. Otherwise, your redemption will be subject to federal withholding taxes.

 

Additional Information. At the discretion of the Fund or the Transfer Agent, corporate investors and other associations may be required to furnish an appropriate certification authorizing redemptions to ensure proper authorization.

 

The Fund reserves the right to require you to close your account if at any time the value of your shares is less than $2,500 (based on actual amounts invested, unaffected by market fluctuations), or such other minimum amount as the Fund may determine from time to time. After notification to you of the Fund’s intention to close your account, you will be given 60 days to increase the value of your account to the minimum amount.

 

The Fund reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption or to postpone the date of payment for more than five business days under unusual circumstances as determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The Fund, when it is deemed to be in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders, may make payment for shares redeemed in whole or in part in securities of the Fund taken at current value. Should payment be made in securities, the redeeming shareholder will generally incur brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash and will bear market risk until the securities received are converted into cash. Portfolio securities that are issued in an in-kind redemption will be readily marketable.

 

Dividends and Distributions

 

The Fund expects to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. Distributions are paid according to one of the following options:

 

Share Option — income distributions and capital gains distributions reinvested in additional shares
 
Income Option —  income distributions paid in cash; capital gains distributions reinvested in additional shares
 
Cash Option — income distributions and capital gains distributions paid in cash

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You should indicate your choice of option on your application. If no option is specified on your application, distributions will automatically be reinvested in additional shares. All distributions will be based on the net asset value in effect on the payable date.

 

If you select the Income Option or the Cash Option and the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver your checks or if your checks remain uncashed for six months, your dividends may be reinvested in your account at the then-current net asset value and your account will be converted to the Share Option. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution checks.

 

Taxes

 

The Fund has qualified in all prior years and intends to continue to qualify for the special tax treatment afforded a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by annually distributing substantially all of its net investment income and any net realized capital gains to its shareholders and by satisfying certain other requirements related to the sources of its income and the diversification of its assets. By so qualifying, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on that part of its net investment income and net realized capital gains that it distributes to shareholders. Dividends and distributions paid to shareholders are generally subject to federal income tax and may be subject to state and local income tax. The Fund expects most of its distributions to be in the form of capital gains; however, the nature of the Fund’s distributions could vary in any given year.

 

If your shares are held in a taxable account, you will generally have a taxable capital gain or loss if you sell your Fund shares. The amount of the gain or loss and the rate of tax will depend primarily upon how much you paid for the shares (your “cost basis”), how much you sold them for, and how long you held them. Your total cost basis is generally the original amount paid for Fund shares, plus the value of reinvested dividends and reinvested capital gains distributions. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 requires mutual funds to report cost basis information to the IRS for any sale of mutual fund shares acquired after January 1, 2012. Unless you specify an alternate cost basis method, the Fund will default to the average cost method when calculating cost basis.

 

Distributions of net investment income and net realized short-term capital gains, if any, are generally taxed as ordinary income, although certain income dividends may be taxed to non-corporate shareholders at long-term capital gains rates. Dividends from net investment income may be eligible, in whole or in part, for the dividends received deduction available to

24

 

corporations. Distributions of net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) are taxable as capital gains, without regard to the length of time you have held your Fund shares. Capital gains distributions may be taxable at different rates depending on the length of time the Fund holds its assets and depending upon a shareholder’s annual taxable income. Redemptions of shares are taxable events on which you may realize a gain or loss.

 

If you buy shares of the Fund shortly before the record date of a distribution, you will pay taxes on money earned by the Fund before you were a shareholder. You will pay the full pre-distribution price for the shares, then receive a portion of your investment back as a distribution, which is taxable.

 

Individuals, trusts, and estates whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts are subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on “net investment income.” Net investment income includes dividends paid by the Fund and capital gains from any sale of Fund shares.

 

The Fund will mail you a statement annually indicating the amount and federal income tax status of all distributions made during the year. In addition to federal taxes, you may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions.

 

You should consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of distributions, redemptions, and the use of the Automatic Withdrawal Plan. The tax consequences described in this section apply whether distributions are taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares. See “Taxes” in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for further information.

 

Operation of the Fund

 

The Fund is a non-diversified series of Schwartz Investment Trust (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company organized as an Ohio business trust. The Board of Trustees supervises the business activities of the Fund. Like other mutual funds, the Trust retains various organizations to perform specialized services for the Fund.

 

Investment Adviser. The Trust retains Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc., 801 W. Ann Arbor Trail, Suite 244, Plymouth, Michigan 48170, to manage the Fund’s investments. The Adviser has been registered as an investment adviser since 1988 and had approximately $2.7 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2022. The controlling shareholder of the Adviser is George P. Schwartz, who is Chairman and President of the Trust and Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser.

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As of May 1, 2022, the Fund pays an investment advisory fee to the Adviser computed at the annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Prior to May 1, 2022, the Fund paid an investment advisory fee to the Adviser computed at the annual rate of 0.95% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has contractually agreed, through May 1, 2024, to reduce its investment advisory fees and reimburse other expenses so that aggregate ordinary operating expenses (excluding interest on borrowings, taxes, brokerage costs, acquired fund fees and expenses, litigation and other extraordinary expenses) do not exceed an annual rate of 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Any advisory fee reductions and/or expense reimbursements by the Adviser are subject to repayment by the Fund for a period of three years from the date which such fee reductions or expense reimbursements were waived or reimbursed, provided the repayment to the Adviser does not cause the Fund’s aggregate ordinary operating expenses to exceed 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Board of Trustees has authorized in advance these repayments to the Adviser. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund paid an investment advisory fee at the annual rate of 0.80% of its average daily net assets (after advisory fee reductions and fee recoupments).

 

A discussion of the factors considered by the Board of Trustees in its most recent approval of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement, including its conclusions with respect thereto, will be available in the Fund’s semi-annual report for the period ending June 30, 2023.

 

Portfolio Managers. Timothy S. Schwartz, CFA, is the lead portfolio manager and George P. Schwartz, CFA, is co-portfolio manager of the Fund. Each portfolio manager is responsible for the day-to-day execution of investment policy, portfolio management and investment research for the Fund. Mr. Timothy Schwartz joined the Adviser in 1998 and currently serves as President and Chief Investment Officer. Mr. George Schwartz has been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser for more than 30 years and served as President until January 2014. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and their ownership of shares of the Fund.

 

Additional Information. The Fund enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, the Adviser, who provide services to the Fund. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third-party”) beneficiaries of, those contractual arrangements.

 

This Prospectus and the SAI provide information concerning the Fund that you should consider in determining whether to purchase shares of the Fund. The Fund may make changes to this information from time to time.

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Neither this Prospectus nor the SAI is intended to give rise to any contract rights or other rights in any shareholder, other than any rights conferred explicitly, by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.

 

Distributor. Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, serves as the distributor of shares of the Fund. The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Transfer Agent. The Fund may be distributed through other broker-dealers as well.

 

Portfolio Holdings and Disclosure Policy. A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the SAI.

 

Calculation of Share Price

 

On each day that the Fund is open for business, the price (net asset value) of the Fund’s shares is determined as of the close of the regular session of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). The Fund is open for business each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. Currently, the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading every day except Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Fund’s net asset value is calculated by dividing the sum of the value of the securities held by the Fund plus cash or other assets minus all liabilities (including estimated accrued expenses) by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund, rounded to the nearest cent. The price at which a purchase or redemption of Fund shares is effected is based on the next calculation of net asset value after the order is received in proper form.

 

The Fund’s portfolio securities are valued as follows: (1) securities that are traded on stock exchanges, other than NASDAQ, are valued at the closing sales price as of the close of the regular session of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the day the securities are being valued, or, if not traded on a particular day, at the closing bid price, (2) securities that are quoted by NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price, or, if an Official Closing Price is not available, at the most recently quoted bid price, (3) securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last reported sales price or, if there is no reported sale on the valuation date, at the most recently quoted bid price, (4) securities that are traded both in the over-the-counter market and on a stock exchange are valued according to the broadest and most representative market, (5) fixed income securities are

27

 

generally valued using prices provided by an independent pricing service, and (6) securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or are considered to be unreliable due to significant market or other events are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with consistently applied procedures established by the Adviser and adopted and overseen by the Board of Trustees. The Board has appointed the Adviser as the valuation designee to fair value securities or other investments pursuant to procedures approved by the Fund’s Board. When fair value pricing is employed, the prices used by the Fund to calculate its net asset value may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities. To the extent any assets of the Fund are invested in other open-end investment companies that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund’s net asset value with respect to those assets is calculated based upon the net asset values reported by such registered open-end investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing. The Fund’s net asset value will fluctuate with the value of the securities it holds.

 

To the extent the Fund invests in foreign securities that may be traded in foreign markets on days when the Fund does not calculate its net asset value, the value of the Fund’s assets may be affected on days when shares of the Fund cannot be purchased or sold. Conversely, trading in some of the Fund’s foreign securities may not occur on days when the Fund is open for business. In view of these circumstances, and because the value of foreign securities may be materially affected by events occurring before the Fund’s pricing time but after the close of the primary markets or exchanges on which such securities are traded, portfolio securities of the Fund that trade in foreign markets will frequently be priced at their fair value.

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Financial Highlights

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the annual report, which is available upon request.

 

Per Share Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Year

 

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2022

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2021

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2020

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2018

 
Net asset value at beginning of year   $ 37.52     $ 30.54     $ 28.03     $ 23.62     $ 26.44  
Income (loss) from investment operations:     0.39       0.12       0.15       (0.03 )     (0.08 )
Net investment income (loss)                                  
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) on investments
    7.54       9.39       3.11       4.44       (2.08 )
Total from investment operations     7.93       9.51       3.26       4.41       (2.16 )
Less distributions from:                                        
Net investment income     (0.39 )     (0.12 )     (0.15 )            
Net realized gains on investments           (2.41 )     (0.60 )           (0.66 )
Total distributions     (0.39 )     (2.53 )     (0.75 )           (0.66 )
Net asset value at end of year   $ 45.06     $ 37.52     $ 30.54     $ 28.03     $ 23.62  
Total return(a)     21.15 %     31.14 %     11.62 %     18.67 %     (8.14 %)
Ratios/Supplementary Data:   $ 51,773     $ 23,561     $ 18,097     $ 22,461     $ 19,428  
Net assets at end of year (000’s)                                        
Ratio of total expenses to
average net assets
    1.28 %     1.51 %     1.71 %     1.61 %     1.67 %
Ratio of net expenses to
average net assets(b)
    1.25 %     1.25 %     1.25 %     1.25 %     1.25 %
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to
average net assets(b)
    1.39 %     0.28 %     0.49 %     (0.13 %)     (0.31 %)
Portfolio turnover rate     14 %     18 %     45 %     28 %     34 %

 

(a) Total return is a measure of the change in value of an investment in the Fund over the period covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

 

(b) Ratio was determined after advisory fee reductions and/or recoupments.

29

 

Privacy Notice

 

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

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

 

●    Social Security number

 

●    Assets

 

●    Retirement Assets

 

●    Transaction History

 

●    Checking Account Information

 

●    Purchase History

 

●    Account Balances

 

●    Account Transactions

 

●    Wire Transfer Instructions

 

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

       
How? All financial companies need to share your personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Schwartz Value Focused Fund chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
       
Reasons we can share your personal information Does the
Schwartz Value
Focused Fund
share?
Can you limit
this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes –

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

Yes No

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

No We don’t share
For joint marketing with other financial companies No We don’t share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

No We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you No We don’t share
         
Questions? Call 1-888-726-0753    

30

 

Who we are
Who is providing this notice?

Schwartz Investment Trust

Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

What we do
How does the Schwartz Value Focused Fund protect my personal information?

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

 

Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

How does the Schwartz Value Focused Fund collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

●    Provide account information

 

●    Give us your contact information

 

●    Make deposits or withdrawals from your account

 

●    Make a wire transfer

 

●    Tell us where to send the money

 

●    Tell us who receives the money

 

●    Show your government-issued ID

 

●    Show your driver’s license

 

We also collect your personal information from other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

●    Sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

 

●    Affiliates from using your information to market to you

 

●    Sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

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

   
Definitions
Affiliates

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

 

●    Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc., the investment adviser to the Schwartz Value Focused Fund, could be deemed to be an affiliate.

Nonaffiliates

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

 

   The Schwartz Value Focused Fund does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

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

 

●    The Schwartz Value Focused Fund doesn’t jointly market.

31

 

 
 
 
SCHWARTZ VALUE FOCUSED FUND
 

 

Board of Trustees

 

Donald J. Dawson, Jr.,
Lead Independent Trustee
John J. McHale, Jr.
Edward J. Miller
William A. Morrow
George P. Schwartz, CFA

 

Investment Adviser

 

SCHWARTZ INVESTMENT COUNSEL, INC.
801 W. Ann Arbor Trail, Suite 244
Plymouth, Michigan 48170
734-455-7777

 

5060 Annunciation Circle, Suite 101
Ave Maria, Florida 34142

239-867-4520

 

Administrator/Transfer Agent

 

ULTIMUS FUND SOLUTIONS, LLC
P.O. Box 46707

Cincinnati, Ohio 45246-0707
888-726-0753

 

Legal Counsel

 

SULLIVAN & WORCESTER LLP
1666 K Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20006

Officers

 

George P. Schwartz, CFA, President
Timothy S. Schwartz, CFA, Treasurer
Cathy M. Stoner, CPA, IACCP,
Chief Compliance Officer
Robert C. Schwartz, Vice President/Secretary
Angela A. Simmons, Assistant Treasurer
Shannon Thibeaux-Burgess, Assistant Secretary
Stephen L. Preston, Assistant Vice President

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
111 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606

 

Distributor

 

ULTIMUS FUND DISTRIBUTORS, LLC

225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246

 

Custodian

 

US BANK, N.A.
425 Walnut Street

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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