Smead Funds Trust

LOGO

Statement of Additional Information

March 30, 2023

 

    

Investor
Class

Shares

  

Class A
Shares

  

Class C
Shares

  

Class I1
Shares

  

Class I2
Shares

  

Class R1
Shares

  

Class R2
Shares

  

Class Y
Shares

Smead International

Value Fund

   (SVXLX)    (SVXAX)    (SVXCX)    (SVXFX)    (SVXIX)          (SVXYX)
Smead Value Fund    (SMVLX)    (SVFAX)    (SVFCX)    (SVFFX)       (SVFDX)    (SVFKX)    (SVFYX)

Smead Funds Trust (“Smead Funds” or the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company issuing shares in two (2) separate series or “Funds”, each of which is publicly offered and described herein: Smead International Value Fund (the “International Value Fund”) and Smead Value Fund (the “Value Fund”). This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) describes the Investor Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I1 shares, Class I2 shares and Class Y shares of the International Value Fund, and the Investor Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I1 shares, Class R1 shares, Class R2 shares and Class Y shares of the Value Fund. The Class I2 shares, Class R3 shares and Class R4 shares of the Value Fund are described in a separate prospectus and statement of additional information. This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Funds’ current prospectus relating to the share classes specified in the table above, dated March 30, 2023 (the “Prospectus”), as supplemented and amended from time to time, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The audited financial statements of the International Value Fund for the period January 12, 2022 (date operations commenced) through November 30, 2022, and the Value Fund for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, are incorporated herein by reference to the Funds’ 2022 Annual Report to Shareholders. The International Value Fund succeeded to substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the Smead International Value Fund LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership (the “International Value Predecessor Fund”), in exchange solely for Class I1 shares of the International Value Fund on January 11, 2022 (the “Reorganization”).

To obtain a copy of the Funds’ Prospectus or 2022 Annual Report to Shareholders free of charge, please visit https://smeadcap.com/smead-funds/, call the Funds at 877-807-4122 or write to the following addresses: for Regular Mail, Smead Funds, c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc., P.O. Box 2175, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-2175 and for Overnight or Express Mail, Smead Funds, c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc., 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212-3948.


Table of Contents

 

THE TRUST

     2  

INVESTMENT POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND ASSOCIATED RISKS

     3  

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

     16  

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

     17  

Board of Trustees

     17  

Trustees and Officers

     17  

The Role of the Board of Trustees

     18  

Board Leadership Structure

     19  

Board Oversight of Risk Management

     19  

Trustee Qualifications

     19  

Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares

     21  

Board Committees

     22  

Trustee Compensation

     23  

Control Persons and Principal Shareholders

     24  

Investment Adviser

     27  

Portfolio Managers

     29  

SERVICE PROVIDERS

     30  

Administrator and Custodian

     30  

Transfer Agent

     31  

Legal Counsel

     31  

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     31  

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICING OF FUND SHARES

     31  

Distribution (Rule 12b-1) Plan

     32  

Shareholder Servicing Plan

     34  

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

     35  

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

     36  

CODE OF ETHICS

     37  

PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES

     37  

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE PROGRAM

     39  

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

     39  

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

     40  

ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

     41  

How to Purchase Shares

     41  

Sales Charges on Class A Shares

     42  

Class A Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers

     42  

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers

     44  

Automatic Conversion to Class A Shares

     44  

How to Redeem Shares and Delivery of Redemption Proceeds

     45  


Telephone Redemptions

     45  

Redemption in-Kind

     45  

FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS

     46  

DISTRIBUTIONS

     48  

COST BASIS REPORTING

     49  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     50  

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     48  

APPENDIX A

     A-1  

APPENDIX B

     B-1  


The Trust

Smead Funds Trust is a Delaware statutory trust organized on July 17, 2014, and is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an open-end management investment company. The Trust currently offers two series, the International Value Fund and the Value Fund, each of which is non-diversified. The Value Fund commenced operations on November 21, 2014, and the International Value Fund commenced operations on January 12, 2022. The International Value Fund and Value Fund are each referred to herein as a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds.”

As of the date of the Reorganization, the International Value Fund succeeded to substantially all the assets and liabilities of the International Value Predecessor Fund. Smead Private Fund Advisers, LLC, an affiliate of Smead Capital Management, Inc., the investment adviser to the International Value Fund and the Value Fund, served as the General Partner for the International Value Predecessor Fund since its inception on January 12, 2015.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of interests (or shares). Interests in each Fund are represented by shares of beneficial interest each with a par value of $0.001. Each share of the Trust has equal voting rights and liquidation rights, and shares are voted in the aggregate and not by the series or class of shares except in matters where a separate vote is required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), or when the matters affect only the interests of a particular series or class of shares. When matters are submitted to shareholders for a vote, each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each full share owned and fractional votes for fractional shares owned. Shareholders do not have preemptive rights or conversion rights. The Trust does not normally hold annual meetings of shareholders. The Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Board of Trustees”) shall promptly call and give notice of a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon removal of any trustee when requested to do so in writing by shareholders holding 10% or more of the Trust’s outstanding shares.

The Trust has adopted a multiple class plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act, detailing the attributes of each class of a Fund, and has reserved the right to create and issue additional series or classes. Currently, the International Value Fund has six classes of shares: Investor Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I1 shares, Class I2 shares, and Class Y shares. Currently, the Value Fund has ten classes of shares: Investor Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I1 shares, Class I2 shares, Class R1 shares, Class R2 shares, Class R3 shares, Class R4 shares and Class Y shares. This SAI describes the Investor Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I1 shares, Class I2 shares and Class Y shares for the International Value Fund, and the Investor Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I1 shares, Class R1 shares, Class R2 shares and Class Y shares for the Value Fund. The Class I2 shares, Class R3 shares and Class R4 shares for the Value Fund are described in a separate prospectus and statement of additional information.

Each share of a Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets and liabilities belonging to such Fund and is entitled to such distributions out of the income belonging to that Fund as are declared by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees has the authority from time to time to divide or combine the shares of any series into a greater or lesser number of shares of that series so long as the proportionate beneficial interests in the assets belonging to that series and the rights of shares of any other series are in no way affected. Additionally, in case of any liquidation of a series, the holders of shares of the series being liquidated are entitled to receive a distribution out of the assets, net of the liabilities, belonging to that series. Expenses attributable to any series or class are borne by that series or class. Any general expenses of the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular series or class are allocated by, or under the direction of, the Board of Trustees on the basis of relative net assets, the number of shareholders or another equitable method. No shareholder is liable to further calls or to assessment by the Trust without his or her express consent.

The assets of a Fund received for the issuance or sale of its shares, and all income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, shall constitute the underlying assets of the Fund. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of a Fund, the holders of shares of that Fund are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of such Fund available for distribution to shareholders.

Smead Capital Management, Inc. (the “Adviser”) is the investment adviser to the Funds.

 

2


Investment Policies, Strategies and Associated Risks

Investment Objective

The investment objective of each Fund is long-term capital appreciation. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Investment Strategies and Related Risks

The following discussion supplements the description of each Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategies set forth in the Prospectus. Except for the fundamental investment restrictions listed below (see “Fundamental Investment Limitations”), each Fund’s investment strategies and policies are not fundamental and may be changed by sole action of the Board of Trustees, without shareholder approval. While each Fund is permitted to hold securities and engage in various strategies as described hereafter, it is not obligated to do so. Each Fund’s investment objective and strategies may be changed without the approval of such Fund’s shareholders upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

Whenever an investment policy or investment restriction states a maximum percentage of a Fund’s assets that may be invested in any security, or other asset, or sets forth a policy regarding quality standards, such standard or percentage limitation will be determined immediately after and as a result of the Fund’s acquisition or sale of such security or other asset. Accordingly, except with respect to borrowing and illiquid securities, any subsequent change in values, net assets or other circumstances will not be considered when determining whether an investment complies with a Fund’s investment policies and investment restrictions set forth herein or in the Prospectus. In addition, if a bankruptcy or other extraordinary event occurs concerning a particular investment by a Fund, the Fund may receive stock, real estate or other investments that the Fund would not, or could not, buy. If this happens, a Fund will sell such investments as soon as practicable while trying to maximize the return to its shareholders.

Diversification

Each Fund is classified as “non-diversified.” A non-diversified fund is a fund that is not limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. The securities of a particular issuer may dominate a Fund’s investment portfolio. This may adversely affect a Fund’s performance or subject a Fund’s shares to greater price volatility than that experienced by more diversified investment companies. Please see “Federal Income Tax Matters” for further information on tax diversification for the Funds.

Investment Strategies and Risks for International Value Fund

Convertible Securities

As a principal investment strategy, the International Value Fund may invest in convertible securities consisting primarily of warrants convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities. A warrant gives the holder the right to purchase at any time during a specified period a predetermined number of shares of common stock at a fixed price. Investments in warrants involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for resale of the warrants, potential price fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors, and failure of the price of the underlying security to reach or have reasonable prospects of reaching a level at which the warrant can be prudently exercised.

Depositary Receipts

The International Value Fund may invest in foreign securities by purchasing depositary receipts, including American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), or other securities convertible into securities or issuers based in foreign countries as a non-principal strategy.

ADRs may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. Generally, ADRs in registered form are denominated in U.S. dollars and are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, while GDRs and EDRs, in bearer form, may be denominated in other currencies and are designed for use in non-U.S. securities markets. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities. GDRs and EDRs are receipts with a non-U.S. bank evidencing a similar arrangement. For purposes of the Fund’s investment policies, ADRs, GDRs and EDRs are deemed to have the same classification as the underlying securities they represent. Thus, an ADR, GDR or EDR representing ownership of common stock will be treated as common stock.

 

3


ADR facilities may be established as either “unsponsored” or “sponsored.” While ADRs issued under these two types of facilities are in some respects similar, there are distinctions between them relating to the rights and obligations of ADR holders and the practices of market participants. A depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by (or even necessarily the acquiescence of) the issuer of the deposited securities, although typically the depositary requests a letter of non-objection from such issuer prior to the establishment of the facility. Holders of unsponsored ADRs generally bear all the costs of such facilities. The depositary usually charges fees upon the deposit and withdrawal of the deposited securities, the conversion of dividends into U.S. dollars, the disposition of non-cash distributions, and the performance of other services. The depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited securities or to pass through voting rights to ADR holders in respect of the deposited securities. Sponsored ADR facilities are created in generally the same manner as unsponsored facilities, except that the issuer of the deposited securities enters into a deposit agreement with the depositary. The deposit agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities of the issuer, the depositary and the ADR holders. With sponsored facilities, the issuer of the deposited securities generally will bear some of the costs relating to the facility (such as dividend payment fees of the depositary), although ADR holders continue to bear certain other costs (such as deposit and withdrawal fees). Under the terms of most sponsored arrangements, depositaries agree to distribute notices of shareholder meetings and voting instructions, and to provide shareholder communications and other information to the ADR holders at the request of the issuer of the deposited securities.

Derivatives

As a non-principal investment strategy, the International Value Fund may, but is not required to, use derivatives for hedging purposes. The regulation of the U.S. and non-U.S. derivatives markets has undergone substantial change in recent years and such change may continue. In particular, in November 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act to govern the use of derivatives and certain related instruments by registered investment companies. Rule 18f-4, which had a compliance date of August 19, 2022, replaced existing SEC and staff guidance with a new framework for the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. Unless a fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined in Rule 18f-4, Rule 18f-4 requires registered investment companies that trade derivatives and other instruments that create future payment or delivery obligations to adopt a value at-risk leverage limit and implement a derivatives risk management program. The Fund expects to qualify as a limited derivatives user. Complying with the Rule 18f-4 may increase the cost of the Fund’s investments and cost of doing business.

General Description of Hedging Strategies. The Fund may engage in hedging activities, including options, futures contracts (sometimes referred to as “futures”) and options on futures contracts to attempt to hedge the Fund’s holdings.

Hedging instruments on securities generally are used to hedge against price movements in one or more particular securities positions that the Fund owns or intends to acquire. Hedging instruments on stock indices, in contrast, generally are used to hedge against price movements in broad equity market sectors in which the Fund has invested or expects to invest. The use of hedging instruments is subject to applicable regulations of the SEC, the several options and futures exchanges upon which they are traded, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and various state regulatory authorities. In addition, the Fund’s ability to use hedging instruments will be limited by tax considerations.

Except as set forth below, the Fund’s commodities transactions must be made solely for bona fide hedging purposes as defined by the CFTC. The Fund may invest in commodity interests for other than bona fide hedging purposes if it meets either the 5% trading de minimis test (the “5% Test”) or a test based on the net notional value of the Fund’s commodities transactions (the “Notional Test”). Under the 5% Test, the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish positions in commodity futures, commodity options or swaps may not exceed 5% of the Fund’s net asset value. Under the Notional Test, the aggregate net notional value of commodity futures, commodity options or swaps not used solely for bona fide hedging purposes may not exceed 100% of the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund has filed a notice of eligibility for exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” in accordance with Section 4.5 of the regulations under the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended (the “CEA”) and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.

 

4


Asset Coverage for Futures and Options Positions. The Fund will comply with the regulatory requirements of the SEC and the CFTC with respect to coverage of options and futures positions by registered investment companies. In connection with futures or options transactions, unless the transactions are covered in accordance with SEC positions, the Fund will maintain a segregated account with its custodian consisting of cash or liquid securities, or the Fund will earmark as segregated on the books of the Fund or the Fund’s custodian, an amount of liquid assets, equal to the entire amount at risk (less margin deposits) on a continuous basis. Securities held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the futures or options position is outstanding, unless replaced with other permissible assets. These assets will be marked-to-market daily.

Stock Index Options. The Fund may (i) purchase stock index options for any purpose, (ii) sell stock index options in order to close out existing positions, and/or (iii) write covered options on stock indexes for hedging purposes. Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indexes. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple.

A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market values of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the S&P 500 or the Value Line Composite Index or a narrower market index, such as the S&P 100. Indexes may also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the AMEX Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index. Options on stock indexes are currently traded on the following exchanges: the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the American Stock Exchange, the Pacific Stock Exchange and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.

The Fund’s use of stock index options is subject to certain risks. Successful use by the Fund of options on stock indexes will be subject to the ability of the Fund’s adviser to correctly predict movements in the stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, the Fund’s ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market decline through transactions in put options on stock indexes, depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by the Fund. Inasmuch as the Fund’s securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, the Fund will bear the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indexes. It is also possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and the Fund’s securities which would result in a loss on both such securities and the options on stock indexes acquired by the Fund.

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based.

Certain Considerations Regarding Options. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.

 

5


The writing and purchasing of options is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Imperfect correlation between the options and securities markets may detract from the effectiveness of attempted hedging. Options transactions may result in significantly higher transaction costs and portfolio turnover for the Fund.

Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into futures contracts (hereinafter referred to as “Futures” or “Futures Contracts”), including index and interest rate Futures as a hedge against movements in the equity and bond markets or Futures related to currencies, in order to establish more definitely the effective return on securities held or intended to be acquired by the Fund or for other purposes permissible under the CEA. The Fund’s hedging may include sales of Futures as an offset against the effect of expected declines in stock, bond or currency prices and purchases of Futures as an offset against the effect of expected increases in stock, bond or currency prices. The Fund will not enter into Futures Contracts which are prohibited under the CEA and will, to the extent required by regulatory authorities, enter into only Futures Contracts that are traded on national futures exchanges and are standardized as to maturity date and underlying financial instrument. The principal interest rate Futures exchanges in the United States are the Board of Trade of the City of Chicago and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Futures exchanges and trading are regulated under the CEA by the CFTC.

An index Futures Contract is an agreement pursuant to which the 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 Futures Contract was originally written. An interest rate Futures Contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g., debt security) for a specified price at a designated date, time and place. Transaction costs are incurred when a Futures Contract is bought or sold, and margin deposits must be maintained. A Futures Contract may be satisfied by delivery or purchase, as the case may be, of the instrument or by payment of the change in the cash value of the index. More commonly, Futures Contracts are closed out prior to delivery by entering into an offsetting transaction in a matching Futures Contract. Although the value of an index might be a function of the value of certain specified securities, no physical delivery of those securities is made. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, a gain will be realized; if it is more, a loss will be realized. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, a gain will be realized; if it is less, a loss will be realized. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular Futures Contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the Futures Contract.

Margin is the amount of funds that must be deposited by the Fund with its custodian in a segregated account in the name of the futures commission merchant in order to initiate Futures trading and to maintain the Fund’s open positions in Futures Contracts. A margin deposit serves as a down payment on the underlying asset and is intended to ensure the Fund meets its obligations with respect to the Futures Contract. The margin required for a particular Futures Contract is set by the exchange on which the Futures Contract is traded and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the Futures Contract. Futures Contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margins that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the Futures Contract being traded.

If the price of an open Futures Contract changes (by increase in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the Futures Contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the Futures Contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Fund. In computing daily net asset value, the Fund will mark-to-market the current value of its open Futures Contracts. The Fund expects to earn interest income on their margin deposits.

Because of the low margin deposits required, Futures trading involves an extremely high degree of leverage. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a Futures Contract may result in immediate and substantial loss, as well as gain, to the investor. For example, if at the time of purchase, 10% of the value of the Futures Contract is deposited as margin, a subsequent 10% decrease in the value of the Futures Contract would result in a total loss of the margin deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs, if the account were then closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a loss equal to 150% of the original margin deposit, if the Futures Contract were closed out. Thus, a purchase or sale of a Futures Contract may result in losses in excess of the amount initially invested in the Futures Contract. However, the Fund would presumably have sustained comparable losses if, instead of the Futures Contract, it had invested in the underlying financial instrument and sold it after the decline.

 

6


Most United States Futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in Futures Contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a Futures Contract may vary either up or down from the previous day’s settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of Futures Contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures Contract prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of Futures positions and subjecting some Futures traders to substantial losses.

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when the Fund seeks to close out a Futures position. The Fund would continue to be required to meet margin requirements until the position is closed, possibly resulting in a decline in the Fund’s net asset value. In addition, many of the contracts are relatively new instruments without a significant trading history. As a result, there can be no assurance that an active secondary market will develop or continue to exist.

A public market exists in Futures Contracts covering a number of indexes, including, but not limited to, the S&P 500 Index, the S&P 100 Index, the NASDAQ 100 Index, the Value Line Composite Index and the NYSE Composite Index.

Options on Futures. The Fund may also purchase or write put and call options on Futures Contracts and enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate an existing position. 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 prior to the expiration 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. Prior to exercise or expiration, a futures option may be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of a futures option of the same series.

The Fund may use options on Futures Contracts in connection with hedging strategies. Generally, these strategies would be employed under the same market and market sector conditions in which the Fund use put and call options on securities or indexes. The purchase of put options on Futures Contracts is analogous to the purchase of puts on securities or indexes so as to hedge the Fund’s securities holdings against the risk of declining market prices. The writing of a call option or the purchasing of a put option on a Futures Contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the securities which are deliverable upon exercise of the Futures Contract. If the futures price at expiration of a written call option is below the exercise price, the Fund will retain the full amount of the option premium which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the Fund’s holdings of securities. If the futures price when the option is exercised is above the exercise price, however, the Fund will incur a loss, which may be offset, in whole or in part, by the increase in the value of the securities held by the Fund that were being hedged. Writing a put option or purchasing a call option on a Futures Contract serves as a partial hedge against an increase in the value of the securities the Fund intends to acquire.

Foreign Currency Related Derivative Strategies Special Considerations. The Fund may purchase and sell foreign currency on a spot basis, and may use currency-related derivative instruments, such as options on foreign currencies, futures on foreign currencies, options on futures on foreign currencies and forward currency contracts (i.e., an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a specified future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the contract date agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time the contract is entered into). The Fund may use these instruments for hedging or any other lawful purpose consistent with its investment objective, including transaction hedging, anticipatory hedging, cross hedging, proxy hedging and position hedging. The Fund’s use of currency-related derivative instruments will be directly related to the Fund’s current or anticipated portfolio securities, and the Fund may engage in transactions in currency-related derivative instruments as a means to protect against some or all of the effects of adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its portfolio investments. In general, if the currency in which a portfolio investment is denominated appreciates against the U.S. dollar, the dollar value of the security will increase. Conversely, a decline in the exchange rate of the currency would adversely affect the value of the portfolio investment expressed in U.S. dollars.

 

7


For example, the Fund might use currency-related derivative instruments to “lock in” a U.S. dollar price for a portfolio investment, thereby enabling the Fund to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the subject foreign currency during the period between the date the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received. The Fund also might use currency-related derivative instruments when the Fund’s adviser believes that one currency may experience a substantial movement against another currency, including the U.S. dollar, and it may use currency-related derivative instruments to sell or buy the amount of the former foreign currency, approximating the value of some or all of the Fund’s portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency. Alternatively, where appropriate, the Fund may use currency-related derivative instruments to hedge all or part of its foreign currency exposure through the use of a basket of currencies or a proxy currency where such currency or currencies act as an effective proxy for other currencies. The use of this basket hedging technique may be more efficient and economical than using separate currency-related derivative instruments for each currency exposure held by the Fund. Furthermore, currency-related derivative instruments may be used for short hedges – for example, the Fund may sell a forward currency contract to lock in the U.S. dollar equivalent of the proceeds from the anticipated sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency.

In addition, the Fund may use a currency-related derivative instrument to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one foreign country to another foreign country where it’s anticipated that the foreign currency exposure purchased will appreciate relative to the U.S. dollar and thus better protect the Fund against the expected decline in the foreign currency exposure sold. For example, if the Fund owns securities denominated in a foreign currency and it is anticipated that the currency will decline, it might enter into a forward contract to sell an appropriate amount of the first foreign currency, with payment to be made in a second foreign currency that would better protect the Fund against the decline in the first security than would a U.S. dollar exposure. Hedging transactions that use two foreign currencies are sometimes referred to as “cross hedges.” The effective use of currency-related derivative instruments by the Fund in a cross hedge is dependent upon a correlation between price movements of the two currency instruments and the underlying security involved, and the use of two currencies magnifies the risk that movements in the price of one instrument may not correlate or may correlate unfavorably with the foreign currency being hedged. Such a lack of correlation might occur due to factors unrelated to the value of the currency instruments used or investments being hedged, such as speculative or other pressures on the markets in which these instruments are traded.

The Fund also might seek to hedge against changes in the value of a particular currency when no hedging instruments on that currency are available or such hedging instruments are more expensive than certain other hedging instruments. In such cases, the Fund may hedge against price movements in that currency by entering into transactions using currency-related derivative instruments on another foreign currency or a basket of currencies, the values of which are believed to have a high degree of positive correlation to the value of the currency being hedged. The risk that movements in the price of the hedging instrument will not correlate perfectly with movements in the price of the currency being hedged is magnified when this strategy is used.

The use of currency-related derivative instruments by the Fund involves a number of risks. The value of currency-related derivative instruments depends on the value of the underlying currency relative to the U.S. dollar. Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market might involve substantially larger amounts than those involved in the use of such derivative instruments, the Fund could be disadvantaged by having to deal in the 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 (generally consisting of transactions of greater than $1 million).

There is no systematic reporting of last sale information for foreign currencies or any regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Quotation information generally is representative of very large transactions in the interbank market and thus might not reflect odd-lot transactions where rates might be less favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global, round-the-clock market. To the extent the U.S. options or futures markets are closed while the markets for the underlying currencies remain open, significant price and rate movements might take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the markets for the derivative instruments until they re-open.

 

8


Settlement of transactions in currency-related derivative instruments might be required to take place within the country issuing the underlying currency. Thus, the Fund might be required to accept or make delivery of the underlying foreign currency in accordance with any U.S. or foreign regulations regarding the maintenance of foreign banking arrangements by U.S. residents and might be required to pay any fees, taxes and charges associated with such delivery assessed in the issuing country.

When the Fund engages in a transaction in a currency-related derivative instrument, it relies on the counterparty to make or take delivery of the underlying currency at the maturity of the contract or otherwise complete the contract. In other words, the Fund will be subject to the risk that a loss may be sustained by the Fund as a result of the failure of the counterparty to comply with the terms of the transaction. The counterparty risk for exchange-traded instruments is generally less than for privately-negotiated or OTC currency instruments, since generally a clearing agency, which is the issuer or counterparty to each instrument, provides a guarantee of performance. For privately-negotiated instruments, there is no similar clearing agency guarantee. In all transactions, the Fund will bear the risk that the counterparty will default, and this could result in a loss of the expected benefit of the transaction and possibly other losses to the Fund. The Fund will enter into transactions in currency-related derivative instruments only with counterparties that are reasonably believed to be capable of performing under the contract.

Permissible foreign currency options will include options traded primarily in the OTC market. Although options on foreign currencies are traded primarily in the OTC market, the Fund will normally purchase or sell OTC options on foreign currency only when it is believed that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular option at any specific time.

When required by the SEC guidelines, the Fund will set aside permissible liquid assets in segregated accounts or otherwise cover its potential obligations under currency-related derivative instruments. To the extent the Fund’s assets are so set aside, they cannot be sold while the corresponding currency position is open, unless they are replaced with similar assets. As a result, if a large portion of the Fund’s assets are so set aside, this could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

The Fund’s dealing in currency-related derivative instruments will generally be limited to the transactions described above. However, the Fund reserves the right to use currency-related derivative instruments for different purposes and under different circumstances. It also should be realized that use of these instruments does not eliminate, or protect against, price movements in the Fund’s securities that are attributable to other (i.e., non-currency related) causes. Moreover, while the use of currency-related derivative instruments may reduce the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of a hedged currency, at the same time the use of these instruments tends to limit any potential gain which may result from an increase in the value of that currency.

Federal Income Tax Treatment of Options, Futures and Foreign Currency Transactions. If a call option written by the Fund expires, the Fund will realize, for federal income tax purposes, a short-term capital gain equal to the option premium received by the Fund. If a call option written by the Fund is exercised, the option premium will be included in the proceeds of the sale, and will thus increase the Fund’s capital gain (or decrease its capital loss) on the sale of the security covering the option.

If the Fund writes options other than “qualified covered call options,” as defined in Section 1092 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or purchases puts, any losses on such options transactions, to the extent they do not exceed the unrecognized gains on the securities covering the options, may be subject to deferral until the securities covering the options have been sold.

The Fund’s investment in Section 1256 contracts, such as regulated futures contracts, most foreign currency forward contracts traded in the interbank market and options on most stock indices, are subject to special federal income tax rules. All Section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of its taxable year are required to be marked to their market value, and any unrealized gain or loss on those positions will be included in the Fund’s income as if each position had been sold for its fair market value at the end of the taxable year. The resulting gain or loss will be combined with any gain or loss realized by the Fund from positions in Section 1256 contracts closed during the taxable year. Provided such positions were held as capital assets and were neither part of a “hedging transaction” nor part of a “straddle,” 60% of the resulting net gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and 40% of such net gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss, regardless of the period of time the positions were actually held by the Fund.

 

9


Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) and Other Investment Companies

As a non-principal investment strategy, the International Value Fund may invest in securities issued by ETFs and other investment companies within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act in furtherance of its investment objective and principal strategies. With certain exceptions or exemptions, Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act precludes the Fund from acquiring (i) more than 3% of the total outstanding shares of another investment company; (ii) shares of another investment company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund; or (iii) shares of another registered investment company and all other investment companies having an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of the Fund. The Fund may invest in money market mutual funds or securities of other investment companies investing in short-term debt securities as a temporary strategy, pending reinvestment or when attractive equity investments are unavailable. The Fund may invest its assets in ETFs that hold international equities, including the securities of one or more emerging market companies. The Fund may also purchase ETFs that invest in companies that have particular market capitalizations, that are in specific industries and economic sectors and that comprise various equity indices. The Fund may also purchase ETFs that make investments linked to alternative asset classes and related indices, such as commodities, currencies, real estate, hedging strategies and private equity. The Fund may acquire ETFs as a means of investing cash temporarily in instruments that may generate returns comparable to the Fund’s benchmark index. As an owner of an ETF, mutual fund or another investment company, the Fund bears, along with other shareholders, a pro-rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees, and such fees and other expenses will be borne indirectly by the Fund’s shareholders. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory and other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations.

Although the 1940 Act restricts investments by registered investment companies in the securities of other investment companies (including ETFs), registered investment companies may be permitted to invest in other investment companies beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1) pursuant to the “fund of funds” rules promulgated thereunder, including Rule 12d1-4. Rule 12d1-4 of the 1940 Act provides an exemption from Section 12(d)(1) that allows a fund to invest all of its assets in other registered funds, including ETFs, if the fund satisfies certain conditions specified in the Rule, including, among other conditions, that the fund and its advisory group will not control (individually or in the aggregate) an acquired fund (e.g., hold more than 25% of the outstanding voting securities of an acquired fund that is a registered open-end investment company).

Foreign Investment Companies

As a non-principal investment strategy, the International Value Fund may invest in foreign investment companies. Some of the securities in which the Fund invests may be located in countries that may not permit direct investment by outside investors. Investments in such securities may only be permitted through foreign government-approved or -authorized investment vehicles, which may include other investment companies. Investing through such vehicles may involve frequent or layered fees or expenses and may also be subject to limitation under the 1940 Act. As described in the immediately preceding section, under the 1940 Act, in general, the Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in shares of investment companies and up to 5% of its assets in any one investment company as long as the investment does not represent more than 3% of the voting stock of the acquired investment company.

Preferred Stocks

The International Value Fund may invest in preferred stocks as a non-principal investment strategy. Preferred stocks are securities that represent an ownership interest in a corporation and that give the owner a prior claim over common stock on the company’s earnings or assets.

Restricted Securities

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. 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 a security 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 will be priced at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with methodologies approved by the Board.

 

10


Investment Strategies and Risks for Value Fund

Options

The Value Fund may purchase and sell put and call options, but will primarily write covered call options, purchase put options on securities held by the Fund, or otherwise engage in options transactions that do not leverage the Fund. Such options may relate to particular securities and may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange and issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options on particular securities may be more volatile than the underlying securities, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying securities themselves.

A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. The writer of an option that wishes to terminate its obligation may effect a “closing purchase transaction.” This is accomplished by buying an option of the same series as the option previously written. The effect of the purchase is that the writer’s position will be canceled by the clearing corporation. However, a writer may not effect a closing purchase transaction after being notified of the exercise of an option. Likewise, an investor who is the holder of an option may liquidate its position by effecting a “closing sale transaction.” The cost of such a closing purchase transaction plus transaction costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have incurred a loss in the transaction. There is no guarantee in any instance that either a closing purchase transaction or a closing sale transaction can be effected.

Effecting a closing sale transaction in the case of a written call option will permit the Fund to write another call option on the underlying security with either a different exercise price or expiration date or both. Also, effecting a closing sale transaction will permit the cash or proceeds from the concurrent sale of any securities subject to the option to be used for other Fund investments. If the Fund desires to sell a particular security from its portfolio on which it has written a call option, it will effect a closing sale transaction prior to or concurrent with the sale of the security.

The Fund may write options in connection with buy-and-write transactions; that is, the Fund may purchase a security and then write a call option against that security. The Fund will determine the exercise price of the call based upon the expected price movement of the underlying security. The exercise price of a call option may be below (“in-the-money”), equal to (“at-the-money”) or above (“out-of-the-money”) the current value of the underlying security at the time the option is written. Buy-and-write transactions using in-the-money call options may be used when it is expected that the price of the underlying security will remain flat or decline moderately during the option period. Buy-and-write transactions using out-of-the-money call options may be used when it is expected that the premiums received from writing the call option plus the appreciation in the market price of the underlying security up to the exercise price will be greater than the appreciation in the price of the underlying security alone. If the call options are exercised in such transactions, the maximum gain to the Fund will be the premium received by it for writing the option, adjusted upwards or downwards by the difference between the Fund’s purchase price of the security and the exercise price. If the options are not exercised and the price of the underlying security declines, the amount of such decline will be offset in part, or entirely, by the premium received.

In the case of writing a call option on a security, the option is “covered” if the Fund owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration, such as conversion or exchange of other securities held by it, or, if additional cash consideration is required, the Fund has designated or “segregated” on its records cash or liquid assets equal in value to such amount. A call option is covered if the Fund holds a call on the same security or index as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (1) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written, or (2) greater than the exercise price of the call written provided the Fund designates on its records cash or liquid assets equal to the difference. The Fund will limit its investment in uncovered put or call options purchased or written, measured by the exercise price in the case of a put or market value in the case of a call, by the Fund to 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets. The Fund will write put options only if they are covered by (1) designating on its records cash or liquid assets in an amount not less than the exercise price of the option at all times during the option period or (2) selling short the underlying security at a price at least equal to the strike price or purchasing a put option with a strike price at least equal to the strike price of the put option sold.

 

11


The writing of covered put options is similar in terms of risk/return characteristics to buy-and-write transactions. If the market price of the underlying security rises or otherwise is above the exercise price, the put option will expire worthless and the Fund’s gain will be limited to the premium received. If the market price of the underlying security declines or otherwise is below the exercise price, the Fund may elect to close the position or take delivery of the security at the exercise price and the Fund’s return will be the premium received from the put option minus the amount by which the market price of the security is below the exercise price.

The Fund may purchase put options to hedge against a decline in the value of their portfolios. By using put options in this way, the Fund will reduce any profit it might otherwise have realized in the underlying security by the amount of the premium paid for the put option and by transaction costs. The Fund may purchase call options to hedge against an increase in the price of securities that they anticipate purchasing in the future. The premium paid for the call option plus any transaction costs will reduce the benefit, if any, realized by the Fund upon exercise of the option, and, unless the price of the underlying security rises sufficiently, the option may expire worthless to the Fund.

When the Fund purchases an option, the premium paid by it is recorded as an asset of the Fund. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the net premium (the premium less the commission) received by the Fund is included in the liability section of the Fund’s statement of assets and liabilities as a deferred credit. The amount of this asset or deferred credit will be subsequently marked to market to reflect the current value of the option purchased or written. The current value of the traded option is the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the average of the closing bid and asked prices. If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised the Fund realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by the Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold) and the deferred credit related to such option will be eliminated. If an option written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.

There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities and indices. For example, there are 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 objectives. An option writer that is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying security (in the case of a covered call option) or liquidate the segregated account (in the case of a secured put option) until the option expires or the optioned security is delivered upon exercise with the result that the writer in such circumstances will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the security during such period.

There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to close an unlisted option position. Furthermore, unlisted options are not subject to the protections afforded purchasers of listed options by the Options Clearing Corporation, which performs the obligations of its members who fail to do so in connection with the purchase or sale of options.

In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on a national securities exchange (an “Exchange”), 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 or underlying securities; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an Exchange; the facilities of an Exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; 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 the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that Exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

 

12


Investment Strategies and Risks for International Value Fund and Value Fund

Equity Securities

An equity security (such as a stock, partnership interest or other beneficial interest in an issuer) represents a proportionate share of the ownership of a company. Its value is based on the success of the company’s business, any income paid to stockholders, the value of its assets and general market conditions. Common stocks and preferred stocks are examples of equity securities. Preferred stocks are equity securities that often pay dividends at a specific rate and have a preference over common stocks in dividend payments and liquidation of assets. Some preferred stocks may be convertible into common stock. Convertible securities are securities (such as debt securities or preferred stock) that may be converted into or exchanged for a specified amount of common stock of the same or different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula.

Equity Securities of Large Cap Companies

The risks of investing in companies in general include business failure and reliance on erroneous reports. Larger, more established companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges such as changes in consumer tastes or innovative smaller competitors. Also, large-cap companies are sometimes unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.

Temporary Strategies; Cash or Similar Investments

For temporary defensive purposes, the Adviser may from time to time invest up to 100% of the Fund’s total assets in high-quality, short-term debt securities and money market instruments. These short-term debt securities and money market instruments include shares of other mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements in order to meet redemption requests or as a defensive measure in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. Taking a temporary defensive position may be inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies or may result in the Fund not achieving its investment objective.

To the extent that a Fund uses a money market fund for its cash position, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund would bear its pro rata portion of such money market fund’s advisory fees and operational expenses.

Each Fund may also invest in any of the following securities and instruments:

Money Market Funds. Each Fund may invest in money market funds in connection with its management of daily cash positions or as a temporary defensive measure. Generally, money market funds seek to earn income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity. They primarily invest in high quality money market obligations, including securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies and instrumentalities, bank obligations and high-grade corporate instruments. These investments generally mature within 397 days from the date of purchase. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any government agency. A Fund’s investments in money market funds may be used for cash management purposes and to maintain liquidity in order to satisfy redemption requests or pay unanticipated expenses. In addition to the advisory and operational fees a Fund bears directly in connection with its own operation, each Fund also bears its pro rata portion of the advisory and operational expenses of each other money market fund.

Your cost of investing in a Fund will generally be higher than the cost of investing directly in the underlying money market fund shares. You will indirectly bear these fees and expenses charged by the underlying money market funds in addition to a Fund’s direct fees and expenses. Furthermore, the use of this strategy could affect the timing, amount and character of distributions to you and, therefore, may increase the amount of taxes payable by you.

 

13


Bank Certificates of Deposit, Bankers Acceptances and Time Deposits. Each Fund may acquire certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against monies deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning in effect that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances acquired by a Fund will be dollar-denominated obligations of domestic or foreign banks or financial institutions which at the time of purchase have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million (including assets of both domestic and foreign branches), based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such bank obligations are fully insured by the U.S. Government.

Domestic banks and foreign banks are subject to different governmental regulations with respect to the amount and types of loans that may be made and interest rates that may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry depends largely upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operations of the banking industry.

As a result of federal and state laws and regulations, domestic banks are, among other things, required to maintain specified levels of reserves, limited in the amount which they can loan to a single borrower and subject to other regulations designed to promote financial soundness. However, such laws and regulations do not necessarily apply to foreign bank obligations that a Fund may acquire.

In addition to purchasing certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, to the extent permitted under its investment objective and policies stated above and, in the Prospectus, a Fund may make interest-bearing time or other interest-bearing deposits in commercial or savings banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate.

Savings Association Obligations. Each Fund may invest in certificates of deposit (interest-bearing time deposits) issued by savings banks or savings and loan associations that have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million, based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such obligations is fully insured by the U.S. Government.

Commercial Paper, Short-Term Notes and Other Corporate Obligations. Each Fund may invest a portion of its assets in commercial paper and short-term notes. Commercial paper consists of unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations. Issues of commercial paper and short-term notes will normally have maturities of less than nine months and fixed rates of return, although such instruments may have maturities of up to one year.

Commercial paper and short-term notes will consist of issues rated at the time of purchase “A -2” or higher by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”), “Prime-1” or “Prime-2” by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, will be determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.

Corporate obligations include bonds and notes issued by corporations to finance longer-term credit needs than supported by commercial paper. While such obligations generally have maturities of ten years or more, the Funds may purchase corporate obligations that have remaining maturities of one year or less from the date of purchase and that are rated “A” or higher by S&P or “A” or higher by Moody’s.

Repurchase Agreements. Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. Under a repurchase agreement, a Fund agrees to purchase securities from financial institutions or broker-dealers deemed creditworthy by the Adviser, subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon time and price. The resale price under a repurchase agreement is generally equal to the price paid by a Fund, plus interest negotiated on the basis of then-current short-term rates (which may be more or less than the rate on the underlying securities). Repurchase agreements are typically entered into for periods of one week or less.

The Adviser will review and continuously monitor the creditworthiness of each approved seller, and will require each of a Fund’s repurchase agreements to be fully collateralized at all times with high-quality, liquid assets maintained by a designated third-party in a segregated account. Repurchase agreements could involve certain risks in the event of bankruptcy or other default by the seller. If a seller under a repurchase agreement were to default on the agreement and be unable to repurchase the security subject to the repurchase agreement, a Fund would look to the collateral underlying the seller’s repurchase agreement, including the securities subject to the repurchase agreement, for satisfaction of the seller’s obligation to the Fund. A Fund might incur a loss if the value of the collateral declines and may incur disposition costs in liquidating certain collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller, obtaining rights to sell the collateral may be delayed or limited and a loss may be incurred, except with respect to repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities.

 

14


Securities subject to repurchase agreements will be held, as applicable, by a Fund’s custodian in the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system or by another authorized securities depository. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans by the Fund under the 1940 Act.

Repurchase agreements shall be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period remaining until the date on which the repurchase of the underlying securities is scheduled to occur, or, where the agreement is subject to demand, the notice period applicable to a demand for the repurchase of the securities. The staff of the SEC currently takes the position that repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days are illiquid securities.

Short Sales

Each Fund may engage in short sales. Short sales are transactions in which a Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of that security. To complete a short sale transaction, a Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. A Fund then is obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing it at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was sold by a Fund. Until the security is replaced, a Fund is required to pay to the lender amounts equal to any interest or dividends which accrue during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, a Fund also may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. There will also be other costs associated with short sales.

A Fund will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed security. A Fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. This result is the opposite of what one would expect from a cash purchase of a long position in a security. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased, by the amount of any premium or amounts in lieu of interest or dividends a Fund may be required to pay in connection with a short sale, and will be also decreased by any transaction or other costs.

Until a Fund replaces a borrowed security in connection with a short sale, the Fund will (a) designate on its records as collateral cash or liquid assets at such a level that the designated assets plus any amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current value of the security sold short or (b) otherwise cover its short position in accordance with applicable law. The amount designated on a Fund’s records will be marked to market daily and at no time will the sum of the amount so designated and the amount deposited with the broker as collateral be less than the market value of the securities at the time they sold short. This may limit a Fund’s investment flexibility, as well as its ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

There is no guarantee that a Fund will be able to close out a short position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. During the time that a Fund is short a security, it is subject to the risk that the lender of the security will terminate the loan at a time when the Fund is unable to borrow the same security from another lender. If that occurs, a Fund may be “bought in” at the price required to purchase the security needed to close out the short position, which may be a disadvantageous price.

Short sales also involve other costs. A Fund must normally repay to the lender an amount equal to any dividends or interest that accrues while the loan is outstanding. In addition, to borrow the security, the Fund may be required to pay a premium. A Fund also will incur transaction costs in effecting short sales. The amount of any ultimate gain for a Fund resulting from a short sale will be decreased, and the amount of any ultimate loss will be increased, by the amount of premiums, dividends, interest or expenses a Fund may be required to pay in connection with the short sale.

 

15


Investment Restrictions

Fundamental Investment Restrictions

The Trust (on behalf of 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 of the outstanding voting securities” of a Fund, as defined under the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, the vote of the holders of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” means the vote of the holders of the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares of a 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 a Fund.

Neither Fund may:

 

1.

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 total assets (including the amount borrowed); and (ii) this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from engaging in options transactions or short sales in accordance with its objectives and strategies;

 

2.

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);

 

3.

Invest 25% or more of its net assets, calculated at the time of purchase and taken at fair market value, in securities of issuers in any one industry or group of industries (other than U.S. Government securities);*

 

4.

Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities (although the Fund may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies that invest or deal in real estate);

 

5.

Purchase or sell commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments and provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving currencies and futures contracts and options thereon or investing in securities or other instruments that are secured by commodities; or

 

6.

Make loans of money (except for the lending of its portfolio securities, purchases of debt securities consistent with the investment policies of the Fund and except for repurchase agreements).

 

*

Investment Restriction 3 is applicable to investments in securities of issuers in any one industry or group of industries.

Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions

The following lists the non-fundamental investment restrictions applicable to the Funds. These restrictions can be changed by the Board of Trustees, but the change will only be effective after prior written notice is given to shareholders of a Fund.

Each Fund may not:

 

1.

With respect to Fundamental Investment Restriction 1 above for each Fund, purchase portfolio securities while outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of its assets; or

 

2.

Invest 15% or more of the value of its net assets, computed at the time of investment, in illiquid investments. Illiquid investments are those securities a Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold in current market conditions in seven calendar days without significantly changing the market value of the securities. Illiquid investments may include restricted securities not determined by the Board of Trustees to be liquid, non-negotiable time deposits, over-the-counter options, and repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice.

Each Fund’s investment objective is non-fundamental as well.

 

16


Management of the Funds

Board of Trustees

The management and affairs of the Funds are supervised by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees consists of six individuals. The Trustees are fiduciaries for each Fund’s shareholders and are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware in this regard. The Board of Trustees establishes policies for the operation of the Funds and appoints the officers who conduct the daily business of the Funds.

Trustees and Officers

The Trustees and the officers of the Trust are listed below with their age, present positions with the Trust and principal occupations over at least the last five years. The address of each Trustee and officer is c/o Smead Capital Management, Inc., 2777 East Camelback Road, Suite 375, Phoenix, Arizona 85016. The information in the following table is as of the date of this SAI unless otherwise indicated.

 

Name and Age

  

Position(s)

Held with

the Trust

  

Term of Office and

Length of Time
Served

  

Number of

Portfolios

in Trust

Overseen

by Trustee

  

Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships Held by
Trustee During the Past

Five Years

Independent Trustees

Gregory A. Demopulos

Age: 64

   Trustee    Indefinite Term (since September 2014).    2    Chairman and CEO, Omeros Corp. (biopharmaceutical company) (since 1994).    Chairman, Omeros Corp (since 1994).

Peter M. Musser

Age: 66

   Trustee   

Indefinite Term

(since September 2014).

   2    Principal, Angeline Properties, LLC (a private investment firm) (since 2014); and Principal and Senior Equity Portfolio Manager with Rainier Investment Management (from 1994 to 2013).    Trustee, Lawrence University (since 2012); Trustee, Berry College (since 2010); and Director, Boys and Girls Clubs of King County (2008 to 2016).

 

17


Name and Age

  

Position(s)

Held with

the Trust

  

Term of Office and

Length of Time
Served

   Number of
Portfolios
in Trust
Overseen
by Trustee
  

Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years

  

Other Directorships Held by
Trustee During the Past

Five Years

Walter F. Walker

Age: 68

   Trustee    Indefinite Term (since September 2014).    2    Principal, Hana Road Capital LLC (hedge fund) (since 2007).    Advisory Council, Stone Arch Capital (since 2005) and Independent Director, Harbor Custom Development, Inc. (real estate development company) (since 2020).

Nancy A. Zevenbergen

Age: 63

   Trustee    Indefinite Term (since September 2014).    2    Principal and Chief Investment Officer, Zevenbergen Capital Investments LLC (since 1987).    Director, Seattle Pacific Foundation (since 1993); Director, Anduin Foundation (since 2010); Director, University of Washington Foster School of Business (2014-2022); and Director, evenstar3 Inc. (since 2005).
Interested Trustees

William W. Smead1

Age: 64

   Trustee and Chairman    Indefinite Term (since September 2014).    2    Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser (since 2007); previously, Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser (2007-2019).    None.

Cole W. Smead1

Age: 38

  

Trustee

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

  

Indefinite Term (since September 2014).

 

Elected annually (since January 2016).

   2    Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser (since 2022) and President of the Adviser (since 2020); previously, Managing Director of the Adviser (2007-2019).    Director and Chairman, Smead Funds S.A. (since 2015).
Officers

Steven J. LeMire

Age: 53

  

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Treasurer, Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

  

Elected annually (since

September 2014).

 

Elected annually (since January 2016).

   N/A    Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (since 2014).    N/A

Heather Peterson

Age: 37

   Secretary    Elected annually (since August 2020).    N/A    Director - Marketing & Brand Development of the Adviser (since February 2022); and Vice President - Marketing of the Adviser (January 2016 - February 2022).    N/A

 

1 

Mr. William Smead and Mr. Cole Smead are each deemed to be an “interested person” of the Funds under the 1940 Act because of his position with Smead Capital Management, Inc. Mr. William Smead and Mr. Cole Smead are father and son, respectively.

The Role of the Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees provides oversight of the management and operations of the Trust. Like all mutual funds, the day-to-day responsibility for the management and operation of the Trust is the responsibility of various service providers to the Trust and its individual series, such as the Adviser, distributor, custodian and the Trust’s administrator, and transfer agent, each of whom are discussed in greater detail in this SAI. The Board approves all significant agreements with the Adviser, distributor, custodian, and the Trust’s administrator and transfer agent. The Board has appointed various individuals of the Adviser as officers of the Trust, with responsibility to monitor and report to the Board on the Trust’s day-to-day operations. In conducting this oversight, the Board receives regular reports from these officers and service providers regarding the Trust’s operations. The Board has appointed a chief compliance officer (“CCO”) who reports directly to the Board and who

 

18


administers the Trust’s compliance program and regularly reports to the Board as to compliance matters, including an annual compliance review. Some of these reports are provided as part of formal “Board Meetings,” which are generally held four times per year, in person, and such other times as the Board determines is necessary, and involve the Board’s review of recent Trust operations. From time to time, one or more members of the Board may also meet with Trust officers in less formal settings, between formal Board Meetings to discuss various topics. In all cases, however, the role of the Board and of any individual Trustee is one of oversight and not of management of the day-to-day affairs of the Trust, and its oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the Trust’s investments, operations or activities.

Board Leadership Structure

The Board has structured itself in a manner that it believes allows it to effectively perform its oversight function. The Board of Trustees is composed of four Independent Trustees and two Interested Trustees. The Board of Trustees has established two standing committees, an Audit Committee and a Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”), each of which are discussed in greater detail under “Board Committees” below. Each of the Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee are composed entirely of Independent Trustees.

Mr. William W. Smead, the Trust’s Chairperson, is an “interested person” of the Trust, as defined by the 1940 Act, by virtue of the fact that he is an interested person of Smead Capital Management, Inc., the Funds’ adviser. The Trust has appointed Peter M. Musser as a lead Independent Trustee.

In accordance with the fund governance standards prescribed by the SEC under the 1940 Act, the Independent Trustees on the Nominating Committee select and nominate all candidates for Independent Trustee positions. Each Trustee was appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees because of his or her experience, qualifications, attributes and skills as set forth in the subsection “Trustee Qualifications” below.

The Board intends to review its structure regularly in light of the characteristics and circumstances of the Trust, including: the number of funds that comprise the Trust; the variety of asset classes that those funds reflect; the net assets of the Trust; the committee structure of the Trust; and the independent distribution arrangements of each of the Trust’s underlying funds.

The Board has determined that the function and composition of the Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee are appropriate means to address any potential conflicts of interest that may arise from the Chairperson’s status as an Interested Trustee. In addition, the inclusion of all Independent Trustees as members of the Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee allows all such Trustees to participate in the full range of the Board’s oversight duties, including oversight of risk management processes discussed below. Given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Trust as described above, the Trust has determined that the Board’s leadership structure is appropriate.

Board Oversight of Risk Management

As part of its oversight function, the Board receives and reviews various risk management reports and assessments and discusses these matters with appropriate management and other personnel, including personnel of the Trust’s service providers. Because risk management is a broad concept composed of many elements (such as, for example, investment risk, issuer and counterparty risk, compliance risk, operational risks, business continuity risks, etc.), the oversight of different types of risks is handled in different ways. For example, the CCO regularly reports to the Board during Board Meetings and meets in executive session with the Independent Trustees to discuss compliance and operational risks. In addition, the Audit Committee meets with the Treasurer and the Trust’s independent public accounting firm to discuss, among other things, the internal control structure of the Trust’s financial reporting function. The full Board receives reports from the Adviser as to investment risks as well as other risks that may be discussed during Audit Committee meetings.

Trustee Qualifications

The Board believes that each of the Trustees has the qualifications, experience, attributes and skills appropriate to their service as Trustees of the Trust in light of the Trust’s business and structure. The Trustees have substantial business and professional backgrounds that indicate they have the ability to critically review, evaluate and assess information provided to them. Certain of these business and professional experiences are set forth in the table above. The Board annually conducts a “self-assessment” wherein the effectiveness of the Board and the individual Trustees is reviewed.

 

19


In addition to the information provided in the table above, below is certain additional information concerning each individual Trustee. The information provided below, and in the table above, is not all-inclusive. Many of the Trustees’ qualifications to serve on the Board involve intangible elements, such as intelligence, integrity, work ethic, the ability to work together, the ability to communicate effectively, the ability to exercise judgment, the ability to ask incisive questions, and commitment to shareholder interests. The Board has determined that the Trustees have the appropriate attributes and experience to serve effectively as Trustees of the Trust.

Independent Trustees

Gregory A. Demopulos, MD. Dr. Demopulos is a founder of Omeros Corporation, a Seattle-based biopharmaceutical company where he has served as Chairman and CEO since 1994. Dr. Demopulos served on the board of directors for Onconome, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in Redmond Washington, from 2004 to 2017. He received his Doctor of Medicine from Stanford University School of Medicine and his Bachelor of Science from Stanford University.

Peter M. Musser, CFA. Peter M. Musser has over four decades of experience in the investment field; positions have included Senior Equity Analyst (buy and sell-side), Supervisory Analyst, and Senior Equity Portfolio Manager at a number of investment banking and investment management firms. He currently is a principal with Angeline Properties, LLC, a private investment firm. Mr. Musser is a 1978 economics graduate of Lawrence University in Wisconsin. He later earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, was past President of the CFA Society of Seattle, and is a member of the CFA Institute. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Lawrence University in Wisconsin and Berry College in Georgia, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County from 2008 to 2016.

Walter F. Walker. Mr. Walker served as a Vice President in Goldman, Sachs & Co.’s Private Client Services group from 1987 through 1994. In April 1994, Mr. Walker formed Walker Capital, Inc., a San Francisco based money management firm. In September 1994, Mr. Walker became President and General Manager of the Seattle SuperSonics. In 2001, he was part of a group that purchased the Seattle SuperSonics and the Seattle Storm, and in addition to being an owner, served as Chief Executive Officer and President of the teams until their sale in 2006. In late 2007, he formed Hana Road Capital LLC.

Mr. Walker graduated from the University of Virginia in 1976 as an Academic All-American with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. In 2001, he was named as one of six recipients as the NCAA Silver Anniversary Scholar-Athlete Awards. He received his Masters of Business Administration from Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 1987. He was conferred as a Chartered Financial Analyst in 1992.

In addition to his investment and management experience, Mr. Walker was drafted in the first round (5th overall) by the Portland Trailblazers in 1976 and in 1977 was a member of the Portland Trailblazers 1977 Championship team. After the 1977 season, Mr. Walker was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics, where he was a member of the SuperSonics 1979 Championship team. In 1982, Mr. Walker was traded to the Houston Rockets. He retired from professional basketball in 1985. In 1993, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania State Sports Hall of Fame and was named the greatest player of the 20th Century from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Nancy A. Zevenbergen, CFA, CIC. Ms. Zevenbergen established Zevenbergen Capital Investments (“ZCI”) in 1987, creating a responsive, research-focused investment firm serving tax-exempt entities and high net worth individuals. Ms. Zevenbergen oversees the firm’s investment policy and portfolio management decisions, maintaining a focused research effort for disruptive growth companies. Prior to founding ZCI, Ms. Zevenbergen served for six years as a Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst for Rainier National Bank. She was responsible for supervising trust assets for individuals and organizations with diverse investment goals and varying constraints. She graduated from the University of Washington Foster School of Business in 1981 with a concentration in Finance. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a member of both the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Seattle. In addition, Ms. Zevenbergen is a designated Chartered Investment Counselor (CIC). Ms. Zevenbergen serves on the Boards of Seattle Pacific Foundation, the Anduin Foundation, the University of Washington Foundation Board, and evenstar3 Inc.

 

20


Interested Trustees

William Wallace Smead. Mr. William Smead is the founder of Smead Capital Management, Inc and serves as its Chairman and Chief Investment Officer. In this role, he is the final decision-maker for all U.S. investment and portfolio decisions as well as reviewing the implementation of those decisions in the firm’s separate accounts and mutual funds. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser from its inception in 2007 to December 2019.

Mr. William Smead began his career in the investment business with Drexel Burnham Lambert in 1980. He left Drexel Burnham Lambert in 1989 as First Vice President/Assistant Manager and joined Oppenheimer & Co. Mr. William Smead left Oppenheimer & Co. and joined Smith Barney in 1990. He was with Smith Barney until September 2001, when he joined Wachovia Securities and became the Managing Director/Portfolio Manager of Smead Investment Group of Wachovia Securities. Mr. William Smead was with Wachovia Securities until the founding of Smead Capital Management, Inc. in July 2007. Mr. William Smead graduated from Whitman College in 1980 with a B.A. in Economics.

Cole William Smead, CFA. Mr. Cole Smead has served as Chief Executive Officer of Smead Capital Management, Inc. since December 2022 and President since January 2020, where he oversees all activities of the firm. Mr. Cole Smead was previously Managing Director at Smead Capital Management, Inc. and has been with the firm since its inception in 2007. He currently serves as a Director and Chairman of Smead Funds. Before joining Smead Capital Management, Inc., he was a Financial Advisor with Wachovia Securities from 2006 to 2007. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Mr. Cole Smead graduated from Whitman College with a B.A. in Economics & History.

Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares

As of December 31, 2022, the Trustees owned shares of the Funds as set forth in the table below. The following are the ranges: none, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000 or over $100,000.

 

     Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund
   Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in All Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by Trustees in
Family of Investment Companies1
 

Independent Trustees

     

Gregory A. Demopulos

        Over $100,000  

International Value Fund

   $10,001-$50,000   

Value Fund

   Over $100,000   

Peter M. Musser

        Over $100,000  

International Value Fund

   $1-$10,000   

Value Fund

   Over $100,000   

Walter F. Walker

        Over $100,000  

International Value Fund

   $1-$10,000   

Value Fund

   Over $100,000   

Nancy A. Zevenbergen

        Over $100,000  

International Value Fund

   $1-$10,000   

Value Fund

   Over $100,000   

Interested Trustees

     

William W. Smead

        Over $100,000  

International Value Fund

   Over $100,000   

Value Fund

   Over $100,000   

Cole W. Smead

        Over $100,000  

International Value Fund

   Over $100,000   

Value Fund

   Over $100,000   

 

1

As of the date of this SAI, there are two (2) series in the Trust.

Furthermore, as of December 31, 2022, neither the Trustees who are not “interested” persons of the Funds, nor members of their immediate families, owned securities beneficially, or of record, in the Adviser, UMB Distribution Services, LLC (the “Distributor”), or any of its affiliates. Accordingly, during the two most recently completed calendar years, neither the

 

21


Trustees who are not “interested” persons of the Funds nor members of their immediate families, have a direct or indirect interest, the value of which exceeds $120,000, in the Adviser, the Distributor or any of their affiliates. In addition, during the two most recently completed calendar years, neither the Independent Trustees nor members of their immediate families have conducted any transactions (or series of transactions) in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and to which the Adviser, the Distributor or any affiliate thereof was a party.

Board Committees

Audit Committee. The Trust has an Audit Committee, which is composed of the Independent Trustees, Messrs. Demopulos, Musser and Walker and Ms. Zevenbergen. The Audit Committee reviews financial statements and other audit-related matters for the Funds. The Audit Committee also holds discussions with management and with the Funds’ independent auditors concerning the scope of the audit and the auditor’s independence. Mr. Walker is designated as the Audit Committee chairman. Mr. Walker and Mr. Musser serve as the Audit Committee’s “audit committee financial experts,” as stated in the Funds’ annual reports. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, the Trust’s Audit Committee met four times.

Nominating Committee. The Trust has a Nominating Committee, which is composed of the Independent Trustees, Messrs. Demopulos, Musser and Walker and Ms. Zevenbergen. Ms. Zevenbergen is designated as the Nominating Committee chairperson. The Nominating Committee is responsible for seeking and reviewing candidates for consideration as nominees for the position of trustee and meets at least annually. As part of this process, the Nominating Committee considers criteria for selecting candidates sufficient to identify a diverse group of qualified individuals to serve as trustees. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, the Trust’s Nominating Committee met one time.

The Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders for vacancies on the Board of Trustees. Recommendations for consideration by the Nominating Committee should be sent to the Secretary of the Trust in writing together with the appropriate biographical information concerning each such proposed nominee, and such recommendation must comply with the notice provisions set forth in the Trust’s By-Laws. In general, to comply with such procedures, such nominations, together with all required information, must be delivered to and received by the Secretary of the Trust at the principal executive office of the Trust not later than 60 days (nor more than 90 days) prior to the shareholder meeting at which the shareholders vote on any such nominee. Shareholder recommendations for nominations to the Board of Trustees will be accepted on an ongoing basis and such recommendations will be kept on file for two years after receipt for consideration when there is a vacancy on the Board of Trustees. The Nominating Committee’s procedures with respect to reviewing shareholder nominations are described below.

Shareholders may submit for the Nominating Committee’s consideration, recommendations regarding potential nominees to fill the position of an Independent Trustee on the Board. The shareholder must submit any such recommendation (a “Shareholder Recommendation”) in writing to the Trust, to the attention of the Trust’s Secretary, at the address of the principal executive offices of the Trust not less than sixty (60) calendar days nor more than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the date of the Board or shareholder meeting at which the nominee candidate would be considered for election. Shareholder Recommendations will be kept on file for two years after receipt of the Shareholder Recommendation. A Shareholder Recommendation considered by the Committee in connection with the Committee’s nomination of any candidate(s) for appointment or election as an Independent Trustee need not be considered again by the Committee in connection with any subsequent nomination(s). In order for the Nominating Committee to consider a Shareholder Recommendation, the Shareholder Recommendation must include:

 

  (i)

a statement in writing setting forth:

 

  (A)

the name, age, date of birth, business address, residence address and nationality of the person recommended by the shareholder (the “candidate”), and the names and addresses of at least three professional references;

 

  (B)

the number of all shares of the Trust (including the series and class, if applicable) owned of record or beneficially by the candidate, the date such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition(s), as reported to such shareholder by the candidate;

 

  (C)

any other information regarding the candidate called for with respect to director nominees by paragraphs (a), (d), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of Rule 14a-101 (Schedule 14A) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), adopted by the SEC (or the corresponding provisions of any applicable regulation or rule subsequently adopted by the SEC or any successor agency with jurisdiction related to the Trust);

 

22


  (D)

any other information regarding the candidate that would be required to be disclosed if the candidate were a nominee in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or any other applicable law or regulation; and

 

  (E)

whether the recommending shareholder believes that the candidate is or will be an “interested person” of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and, if not an “interested person,” information regarding the candidate that will be sufficient, in the discretion of the Board or the Committee, for the Trust to make such determination;

 

  (ii)

the written and signed consent of the candidate to be named as a nominee and to serve as a Trustee if elected;

 

  (iii)

the recommending shareholder’s name as it appears on the Trust’s books;

 

  (iv)

the number of all shares of the Trust (including the series and class, if applicable) owned beneficially and of record by the recommending shareholder;

 

  (v)

a complete description of all arrangements or understandings between the recommending shareholder and the candidate and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made by the recommending shareholder including, without limitation, all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings between the candidate and recommending shareholder during the past three years; and

 

  (vi)

a brief description of the candidate’s relevant background and experience for membership on the Board, such as qualification as an audit committee financial expert.

The Nominating Committee may require the recommending shareholder to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require or deem necessary to verify any information furnished above or to determine the eligibility of the candidate to serve as a Trustee of the Trust or to satisfy applicable law. If the recommending shareholder fails to provide such other information in writing within seven days of receipt of a written request from the Nominating Committee, the recommendation of such candidate as a nominee will be deemed not properly submitted for consideration, and the Nominating Committee will not be required to consider such candidate.

Trustee Compensation

Prior to December 2022, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or Adviser received an annual retainer of $30,000 in the form of shares of each series of the Trust, in four equal quarterly installments of shares equal in value to $7,500, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings. The amount of shares from each series was allocated based on each series’ net asset value. The Lead Independent Trustee and the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Trust each received an additional annual retainer of $5,000 (in Trust shares as described above) as compensation for his or her services. Effective January 1, 2023, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or Adviser receives an annual retainer of $30,000, payable in the form of four equal quarterly installments of Trust shares; plus $5,000 per meeting attended in-person; plus $1,000 per meeting attended remotely; as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings. The Lead Independent Trustee and the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Trust each receive an additional annual retainer of $10,000 (in Trust shares as described above) as compensation for his or her service. The “interested persons” who serve as Trustees of the Trust receive no compensation for their services as Trustees. None of the Trust’s officers receive compensation from the Trust.

The table below sets forth the compensation paid to the Trustees during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan.

 

Name of Person/Position

   Aggregate
Compensation
from the Trust
     Pension or Retirement
Benefits Accrued
as Part of Fund
Expenses
     Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement
     Total Compensation
from the Trust Paid to
Trustees1
 

Independent Trustees

           

Gregory A. Demopulos

   $ 30,000        None        None      $ 30,000  

Peter M. Musser

   $ 35,000        None        None      $ 35,000  

Walter F. Walker

   $ 35,000        None        None      $ 35,000  

Nancy A. Zevenbergen

   $ 30,000        None        None      $ 30,000  

Interested Trustees

           

William W. Smead

     None        None        None        None  

Cole W. Smead

     None        None        None        None  

1 As of the date of this SAI, there are two (2) series in the Trust.

 

23


Control Persons and Principal Shareholders

A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially owns 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund or acknowledges the existence of control. Shareholders with a controlling interest could affect the outcome of proxy voting or the direction of management of the Fund.

As of March 1, 2023, all Trustees and officers as a group owned beneficially (as the term is defined in Section 13(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each Fund other than Investor Class of the International Value Fund (approximately 16.26%) and Class I1 of the International Value Fund (approximately 10.70%). As of March 1, 2023, the following shareholders are known by a Fund to own of record or to beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund and/or share class:

 

Fund/Class

  

Name and Address

   Percentage of
Ownership
   Type of
Ownership
        
International Value Fund—Class A Shares   

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*

Special Custody A/C FBO Customers

Attn Mutual Funds

211 Main Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-1905

   24.56%    Record
International Value Fund—Class A Shares   

TD Ameritrade Inc *

For Customers

Omaha, NE 68103-2226

   43.26%    Record
International Value Fund – Class A Shares   

National Financial Services LLC*

Jersey City, NJ 07310

   17.33%    Record
International Value Fund – Class A Shares   

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*

Special Custody A/C FBO

Customers

Attn Mutual Funds

211 Main Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-1905

   13.42%    Record
International Value Fund—Class C Shares   

Pershing, LLC*

Jersey City, NJ 07399-0001

   66.79%    Record
International Value Fund – Class C Shares   

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*

Special Custody A/C FBO

Customers

Attn Mutual Funds

211 Main Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-1905

   32.48%    Record
International Value Fund—Class I1 Shares   

William Smead

2777 East Camelback Road

Suite 375

Phoenix, AZ 85016

   10.69%    Beneficial
International Value Fund—Class I1 Shares   

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*

Special Custody A/C FBO Customers

Attn Mutual Funds

211 Main Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-1905

   60.33%    Record
International Value Fund – Class I1 Shares   

LPL Financial*

San Diego, CA 92121-3091

   5.27%    Record

 

24


Fund/Class

  

Name and Address

   Percentage of
Ownership
   Type of
Ownership
International Value Fund – Class I1   

National Financial Services LLC *

For the Sole Benefit of its

Customers

499 Washington Blvd. FL 5

Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010

   7.70%    Record
International Value Fund – Class I1   

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*

Special Custody A/C FBO Customers

Attn Mutual Funds

211 Main Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-1905

   6.94%    Record
International Value Fund – Investor Class   

The Timothy A Gaar Living Trust

Timothy A Gaar Trustee

Indio, CA 92201

   73.28%    Beneficial
International Value Fund – Investor Class   

Skamokawa Living Trust

Kaydee A Smead

Phoenix, AZ 85018

   16.26%    Beneficial
International Value Fund – Investor Class   

Barry Rougeau

Phoenix, AZ 85001

   10.46%    Beneficial
Value Fund—Investor Class Shares   

Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc.*

For the Sole Benefit of Its

Customers

4800 Deer Lake Drive East

Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

   6.01%    Record
Value Fund—Investor Class Shares   

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*

Special Custody A/C FBO

Customers

Attn Mutual Funds

211 Main Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-1905

   20.55%    Record
Value Fund—Investor Class Shares   

National Financial Services LLC *

For the Sole Benefit of its

Customers

499 Washington Blvd. FL 5

Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010

   53.40%    Record
Value Fund – Class A Shares   

Wells Fargo Clearing Services

LLC*

Special Custody Acct FBO

Customers

2801 Market Street

Saint Louis, MO 63103

   5.14%    Record

Value Fund – Class A

Shares

  

TD Ameritrade Inc *

For Customers

PO Box 2226

Omaha, NE 68103-2226

   5.58%%    Record

Value Fund—Class A

Shares

  

Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc.*

For the Sole Benefit of Its Customers

4800 Deer Lake Drive East

Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

   8.67%    Record

 

25


Fund/Class

  

Name and Address

   Percentage of
Ownership
   Type of
Ownership

Value Fund—Class A

Shares

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*

Special Custody A/C FBO

Customers

Attn Mutual Funds

211 Main Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-1905

   17.20%    Record

Value Fund—Class C

Shares

  

Pershing LLC*

1 Pershing Plz.

Jersey City, NJ 07399-0001

   11.06%    Record

Value Fund—Class C

Shares

  

Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc.*

For the Sole Benefit of Its

Customers

4800 Deer Lake Drive East

Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

   28.86%    Record

Value Fund – Class C

Shares

  

Wells Fargo Clearing Services

LLC*

Special Custody Acct FBO

Customers

2801 Market Street

Saint Louis, MO 63103

   48.16%    Record
Value Fund – Class C   

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*

Special Custody A/C FBO

Customers

Attn Mutual Funds

211 Main Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-1905

   8.57%    Record

Value Fund – Class I1

Shares

  

Wells Fargo Clearing Services

LLC*

Special Custody Acct FBO

Customers

2801 Market Street

Saint Louis, MO 63103

   8.80%    Record

Value Fund—Class I1

Shares

  

UBS WM USA*

OMNI Acct MF

Special Custody AC EBOC

UBSFSI

1000 Harbor Blvd.

Weehawken, NJ 07086-6761

   8.91%    Record

Value Fund—Class I1

Shares

  

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.*

Special Custody A/C FBO

Customers

Attn Mutual Funds

211 Main Street

San Francisco, CA 94105-1905

   8.81%    Record

 

26


Fund/Class

  

Name and Address

   Percentage of
Ownership
   Type of
Ownership

Value Fund—Class I1

Shares

  

National Financial Services

LLC*

For the Sole Benefit of its

Customers

499 Washington Blvd. FL 5

Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010

   32.16%    Record

Value Fund—Class I1

Shares

  

Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc.*

For the Sole Benefit of Its

Customers

4800 Deer Lake Drive East

Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

   22.89%    Record

Value Fund—Class R1

Shares

  

Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc.*

For the Sole Benefit of Its

Customers

4800 Deer Lake Drive East

Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

   100%    Record

Value Fund—Class R2

Shares

  

Acensus Trust Company* FBO

The PBayer LLC Savings Plan

PO Box 10758

Fargo, ND 58106

   19.13%    Record

Value Fund—Class R2

Shares

  

Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc.*

For the Sole Benefit of Its

Customers

4800 Deer Lake Drive East

Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484

   80.87%    Record

Value Fund—Class Y

Shares

  

The Fulton Company*

C/O Fulton Financial Advisors

PO Box 3215

Lancaster, PA 17604

   18.80%    Record

 

* 

The Trust believes that this entity, the holder of record of these shares, is not the beneficial owner of such shares.

Investment Adviser

As stated in the Prospectus, investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by the Adviser, Smead Capital Management, Inc., pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Mr. William W. Smead is considered to be a control person of the Adviser, due to his ownership of more than 25% of the firm and his position as Chairman. Mr. Cole Smead is also considered to be a control person of the Adviser due to his position as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Adviser.

Advisory Agreement. The Advisory Agreement shall continue in effect initially for a two-year period and thereafter from year to year, only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by: (i) the Board of Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund; and (ii) the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement nor interested persons thereof, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust, on behalf of a Fund, upon 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser, when authorized by either: (i) a majority vote of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund; or (ii) by a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees, or by the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice to the Trust. The Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment,” as defined under the 1940 Act. The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of portfolio transactions for a Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder.

 

 

27


In consideration of the services provided by the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive from each Fund an investment advisory fee computed daily and paid monthly, based on an annual rate equal to 0.75% of each Fund’s average daily net assets, as specified in the Prospectus. The advisory fee is calculated for each share class based on average daily net assets of each share class.

Fund Expenses. Each Fund is responsible for its own operating expenses. The Adviser has agreed to waive its management fees payable to it by a Fund and/or to pay Fund operating expenses to the extent necessary to limit a Fund’s aggregate annual operating expenses (excluding any Rule 12b-1 fees, Shareholder Servicing fees, taxes, expenses on leverage, interest, brokerage commissions, dividends and interest on short positions, acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses such as litigation) to the extent set forth in the “Fees and Expenses Table” of the Prospectus for each Fund. The Adviser is permitted to recoup management fee waivers and/or expense payments made in the three calendar years from the date fees were waived or expenses were reimbursed. A Fund may make such repayments to the Adviser if such repayment does not cause a Fund’s total expense ratio (taking into account the recoupment) to exceed the expense cap at the time such amounts were waived or the Fund’s then current expense cap. Any such recoupment will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees. Each Fund must pay its current ordinary operating expenses before the Adviser is entitled to any recoupment of management fees and/or expenses. This operating expense limitation agreement will terminate on March 31, 2024 for each Fund, and may only be terminated earlier than such date by, or with the consent of, the Board of Trustees.

 

28


For the fiscal years ended November 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the table below sets forth (i) the total advisory fees accrued under the Advisory Agreement, (ii) the amount of the advisory fees and/or operating expenses waived or reimbursed by the Adviser (if any), (iii) the amount of previously waived advisory fees and/or operating expenses recouped by the Adviser (if any), and (iv) the net advisory fees paid to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement from the Funds:

 

     2022      2021      2020  

International Value Fund1

        

Advisory Fee Accrued

   $ 408,868        N/A        N/A  

Less: Fee Waiver

   ($ 33,480      N/A        N/A  

Plus: Fee Recoupment

     None        N/A        N/A  

Net Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 375,388        N/A        N/A  

Value Fund

        

Advisory Fee Accrued

   $ 28,389,659      $ 15,599,184      $ 8,381,652  

Less: Fee Waiver

   $ 0      $ 0      ($ 20,250

Plus: Fee Recoupment

   $ 17,704      $ 0     

Net Advisory Fee Paid

   $ 28,407,363      $ 15,599,184      $ 8,361,402  

 

1

The International Value Fund commenced operations on January 12, 2022; therefore, the Adviser did not receive any advisory fees from the International Value Fund for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2021 and 2020.

Portfolio Managers

As stated in the Prospectus, Mr. William W. Smead is the Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser, and the lead portfolio manager of the Value Fund, pursuant to which he is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Value Fund’s portfolio. Mr. Cole W. Smead is the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Adviser and co-portfolio manager for the Value Fund, and is jointly responsible for the day-to-day management of the Value Fund’s portfolio.

As stated in the Prospectus, Mr. Cole W. Smead is the lead portfolio manager of the International Value Fund, pursuant to which he is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the International Value Fund’s portfolio. Mr. William W. Smead is the co-portfolio manager for the International Value Fund, and is jointly responsible for the day-to-day management of the International Value Fund’s portfolio.

 

29


The following provides information regarding other accounts managed by the portfolio managers as of November 30, 2022:

 

Category of Account

   Total
Number of
Accounts
Managed
     Total Assets in
Accounts Managed
(in millions)
     Number of
Accounts for
which Advisory
Fee is Based on
Performance
     Assets in
Accounts for
which
Advisory Fee

is Based on
Performance

(in millions)
 

Cole W. Smead

           

Other Registered Investment Companies

     0      $ 0        0      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     1      $ 196.01        0      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     48      $ 359.65        0      $ 0  

William W. Smead

           

Other Registered Investment Companies

     0      $ 0        0      $ 0  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

     1      $ 196.01        0      $ 0  

Other Accounts

     48      $ 359.65        0      $ 0  

The Portfolio Managers also manage various private accounts, all of which may have investment strategies that are similar to that of the International Value Fund or the Value Fund, as applicable, which could create certain conflicts of interest including the timing of trades and allocation of investment opportunities. All portfolio transactions will be implemented according to the Adviser’s trade allocation policies. These policies are designed to ensure that trades are allocated in a manner that fulfills the Adviser’s fiduciary duty to each advisory client and is fair and nondiscriminatory. Please refer to the section herein entitled “Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage” for more information regarding the Adviser’s trading practices.

As of November 30, 2022, the Portfolio Managers’ compensation consists of a base salary plus a discretionary bonus that is based on the Adviser’s overall profits, taking into account the Portfolio Manager’s contributions to the firm, industry experience and level of responsibility associated with their positions within the firm.

As of November 30, 2022, the Portfolio Managers beneficially owned shares of the Funds totaling the following amounts:

 

Name of Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the

Value Fund
   Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the

International Value Fund
William W. Smead    Over
$1,000,000
   Over
$1,000,000
Cole W. Smead    Over
$1,000,000
   Over
$1,000,000

Service Providers

Administrator and Custodian

Effective December 1, 2022, the Trust entered into a fund administration and accounting services agreement with The Northern Trust Company (the “Administrator”), 50 LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. The Administrator provides certain administrative services to the Funds, including, among other responsibilities: (i) preparing the following documents for filing with the SEC (as required): Form N-CEN, Form N-CSR, Form N-PORT, Form N-PX, Form N-CR, Form N-LIQUID and all amendments to the Trust’s registration statements on Form N-1A, including annual updates of the Prospectus and SAI and any supplements thereto; (ii) calculating the net asset value per share of each Fund and each share class, utilizing prices obtained from mutually agreeable sources and transmitting valuation information as required by the Trust and the Adviser; (iii) preparing the agenda, resolutions and notices for all Board of Trustees and Committee meetings, attending meetings and preparing minutes for Board and Committee meetings; (iv) working with vendors to prepare and file necessary blue sky filings as required by the laws of individual states and U.S. jurisdictions; (v) coordinating the audit of the Trust’s financial statements by the Trust’s independent accountants and providing applicable Fund information, as requested; (vi) preparing total return performance information for the Funds, including such information on an after-tax basis as required by applicable law; and (vii) arranging for the maintenance of books and records of the Funds. As

 

30


compensation for the services rendered to the Funds pursuant to the agreement, the Administrator charges quarterly asset-based fees plus out-of-pocket expenses. In this capacity, the Administrator does 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 Northern Trust Company is also the custodian of the assets of the Funds (the “Custodian”) pursuant to a custody agreement between the Custodian and the Trust, whereby the Custodian charges fees on a transactional basis plus out -of -pocket expenses. The Custodian has custody of all assets and securities of the Funds, delivers and receives payments for securities sold, receives and pays for securities purchased, collects income from investments and performs other duties, all as directed by the officers of the Trust. The Custodian’s address is 50 LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. The Custodian does not participate in decisions relating to the purchase and sale of securities by the Funds.

Prior to December 1, 2022, State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) served as administrator for the Funds. For the fiscal years ended November 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, State Street received the following in administration fees from the Funds:

 

     2022      2021      2020  

International Value Fund1

        

Administration Fee

   $ 10,907        N/A        N/A  

Value Fund

        

Administration Fee

   $ 642,796      $ 399,422      $ 233,460  

 

1

The International Value Fund commenced operations on January 12, 2022; therefore, the International Value Fund paid no administration fees for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2021 and 2020.

Transfer Agent

UMB Fund Services, Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”), 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53212-3948, serves as the Funds’ transfer agent and dividend paying agent.

Legal Counsel

Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., 833 East Michigan Street, Suite 1800, Milwaukee, WI 53202 serves as counsel to the Funds and the Independent Trustees.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Cohen & Company, Ltd. (“Cohen”), 1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800, Cleveland, OH 44115, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Funds. Cohen audits and reports on each Fund’s annual financial statements, reviews certain regulatory reports and each Fund’s federal income tax returns, and performs other auditing and tax services for the Funds when engaged to do so.

Distribution and Servicing of Fund Shares

The Trust has entered into a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) with the Distributor, UMB Distribution Services, LLC, 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212, pursuant to which the Distributor acts as each Fund’s principal underwriter, provides certain administration services and promotes and arranges for the sale of a Fund’s shares. The offering of a Fund’s shares is continuous, and the Distributor distributes a Fund’s shares on a best-efforts basis. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

Prior to June 1, 2020, ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203, served as the principal underwriter for the Value Fund.

The Distribution Agreement has an initial term of two years and will continue in effect only if its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of a Fund’s outstanding voting securities and, in either case, by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party. The Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on behalf of a Fund on 60 days’ written notice when authorized either by a majority vote of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund or by vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust. The Distribution Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as defined in the 1940 Act).

 

31


The aggregate dollar amount of underwriting commissions (i.e., front-end sales charges) on the sale of the Value Fund’s shares paid to ALPS Distributors, Inc. for the fiscal period of December 1, 2019 through May 31, 2020 was $8,958. The aggregate amount of underwriting commissions on the sale of the Value Fund’s shares paid to UMB Distribution Services, LLC for the: (i) fiscal years ended November 30, 2022 and November 30 2021 was $115,171 and $48,615, respectively; (ii) and for the fiscal period June 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020, the amount paid was $6,668.

The aggregate dollar amount of underwriting commissions (i.e., front-end sales charges) on the sale of the International Value Fund’s shares paid to UMB Distribution Services, LLC for the period from January 12, 2022 (date operations commenced) through November 30, 2022 was $0. Because the International Value Fund commenced operations on January 12, 2022, no information is available for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2021 and 2020.

The Distributor did not retain any of these underwriting commissions.

Distribution (Rule 12b-1) Plan

The Funds have adopted a distribution plan (the “Distribution Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

Under the Distribution Plan, the Funds are authorized to pay the Distributor, or other such entities as approved by the Board of Trustees, a Rule 12b-1 distribution/shareholder servicing fee (“Rule 12b-1 Fee”) for the sale and servicing of the International Value Fund’s Investor Class shares, Class A shares, and Class C shares, and the Value Fund’s Investor Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class R1 shares and Class R2 shares . The maximum amount of the Rule 12b-1 Fee authorized under the Distribution Plan is expressed as a percentage of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the applicable share class, as follows:

 

Share Class

   Annual Rule 12b-1 Fee  

Investor Class shares

     0.25

Class A shares

     0.25

Class C shares

     0.75

Class R1 shares (only for Value Fund)

     0.50

Class R2 shares (only for Value Fund)

     0.50

The Distributor may pay any or all amounts received under the Distribution Plan to other persons, including the Adviser, for any distribution and/or shareholder servicing activity. Because these fees are paid out of a Fund’s assets attributable to Investor Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class R1 shares (Value Fund only) and Class R2 shares (Value Fund only) on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment in such shares of the Fund and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. The Distribution Plan provides that the Distributor may use all or any portion of such Rule 12b-1 Fee to finance any activity that is principally intended to result in the sale or servicing of Fund shares, subject to the terms of the Distribution Plan.

The Rule 12b-1 Fee is payable to the Distributor regardless of the distribution/shareholder servicing expenses actually incurred. Because the Rule 12b-1 Fee is not directly tied to expenses, the amount of distribution and/or servicing fees paid by a Fund during any year may be more or less than actual expenses incurred pursuant to the Distribution Plan. For this reason, this type of distribution fee arrangement is characterized by the SEC staff as a “compensation” plan.

The Distributor may use the Rule 12b-1 Fee to pay for activities related to distribution including, but not limited to, advertising, compensating underwriters, dealers and selling personnel engaged in the distribution of Fund shares, the printing and mailing of prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports to other than current Fund shareholders, the printing and mailing of sales literature pertaining to a Fund, and obtaining whatever information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities that a Fund may, from time to time, deem advisable. Additionally, a portion of the Rule 12b-1 Fee (no more than 0.25% of a Fund’s average daily net assets, subject to the maximum annual rate of each share class) may be paid for sub-accounting services provided to beneficial owners whose shares are held of record in omnibus, other group accounts or accounts traded through registered clearing agents, as well as account maintenance and personal service to shareholders. These services may include, but are not limited to, assisting in, establishing and maintaining shareholder accounts and records, assisting with purchase and redemption requests, arranging for bank wires, monitoring dividend payments from a Fund to shareholders, and receiving and answering correspondence.

 

32


The tables below show the amounts of Rule 12b-1 Fees incurred on behalf of each Fund’s Investor Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class R1 shares (Value Fund only) and Class R2 shares (Value Fund only) and the allocation of such Rule 12b-1 Fees for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022; except that because the International Value Fund commenced operations on January 12, 2022, the table reflects Rule 12b-1 fees incurred by the International Value Fund for the period January 12, 2022 through November 30, 2022.

 

     Rule 12b-1
Fees Incurred on
behalf of

Investor
Class Shares
     Rule
12b-1 Fees
Incurred on
behalf of

Class A Shares
     Rule
12b-1 Fees
Incurred on
behalf of

Class C Shares
     Rule
12b-1 Fees
Incurred on
behalf of Class

R1 Shares
     Rule
12b-1 Fees
Incurred on
behalf of Class

R2 Shares
 
    

Fiscal Year

Ended

November 30,

2022

    

Fiscal Year

Ended

November 30,

2022

    

Fiscal Year

Ended

November 30,

2022

    

Fiscal Year

Ended

November 30,

2022

    

Fiscal Year

Ended

November 30,

2022

 

International Value Fund1

        

Advertising/Marketing

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0        N/A        N/A  

Printing/Postage

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0        N/A        N/A  

Payment to distributor

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0        N/A        N/A  

Payment to dealers

   $ 21      $ 5,015      $ 422        N/A        N/A  

Compensation to sales

Personnel

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0        N/A        N/A  

Other

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0        N/A        N/A  

Total

   $ 21      $ 5,015      $ 422        N/A        N/A  

Value Fund

        

Advertising/Marketing

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0  

Printing/Postage

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0  

Payment to distributor

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0  

Payment to dealers

   $ 261,104      $ 911,709      $ 216,574      $ 873      $ 430  

Compensation to sales

personnel

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0  

Other

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0  

Total

   $ 261,104      $ 911,709      $ 216,574      $ 873      $ 430  

1 

The information in the table relating to the International Value Fund is for the period January 12, 2022 (date operations commenced) through November 30, 2022.

To the extent these asset-based fees and other payments made under the Distribution Plan to these financial intermediaries for the distribution and shareholder servicing services they provide to a Fund’s shareholders exceed the Rule 12b-1 Fees available, such payments are made by the Adviser from its own resources, which may include its profits from the advisory fee it receives from a Fund. In addition, a Fund may participate in various “fund supermarkets” in which a mutual fund supermarket sponsor (usually a broker-dealer) offers many mutual funds to the sponsor’s customers without charging the customers a sales charge. In connection with its participation in such platforms, a Fund may use all or a portion of the Rule 12b-1 Fees to pay one or more supermarket sponsors a negotiated fee for distributing a Fund’s shares. In addition, in its discretion, the Adviser may pay additional fees to such intermediaries from its own assets.

The Distribution Plan provides that it will continue from year to year upon approval by the majority vote of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” of a Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Distribution Plan or in any agreement related to such plan (the “Qualified Trustees”), as required by the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. It is also required that the trustees who are not “interested persons” of a Fund, select and nominate all other trustees who are not “interested persons” of a Fund. The Distribution Plan and any related agreements may not be amended to materially increase the amounts to be spent for distribution and shareholder servicing expenses without approval of shareholders holding a majority of the Fund’s shares outstanding. All material amendments to the Distribution Plan or any related agreements must be approved by a vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees and the Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on any such amendment.

 

33


The Distribution Plan requires that the Distributor provide to the Board of Trustees, at least quarterly, a written report on the amounts and purpose of any payment made under the Distribution Plan. The Distributor is also required to furnish the Board of Trustees with such other information as may reasonably be requested in order to enable the Board of Trustees to make an informed determination of whether the Distribution Plan should be continued. With the exception of the Adviser, no “interested person” of a Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, and no Qualified Trustee of a Fund has a direct or indirect financial interest in the Distribution Plan or any related agreement. The Board has determined that the Distribution Plan is likely to benefit the Funds’ Investor Class, Class A, Class C, Class R1 (Value Fund only) and Class R2 (Value Fund only) shareholders by providing an incentive for financial intermediaries to engage in sales and marketing efforts on behalf of the Funds and to provide enhanced services to the shareholders of the classes subject to the Distribution Plan.

As noted above, the Distribution Plan provides for the ability to use Fund assets to pay financial intermediaries (including those that sponsor mutual fund supermarkets), plan administrators and other service providers to finance any activity that is principally intended to result in the sale of Fund shares. The payments made by a Fund to these financial intermediaries are based primarily on the dollar amount of assets invested in a Fund through the financial intermediaries. These financial intermediaries may pay a portion of the payments that they receive from the Fund to their investment professionals. In addition to the ongoing asset-based fees paid to these financial intermediaries under the Distribution Plan, a Fund may, from time to time, make payments under the Distribution Plan that help defray the expenses incurred by these intermediaries for conducting training and educational meetings about various aspects of a Fund for their employees. In addition, a Fund may make payments under the Distribution Plan for exhibition space and otherwise help defray the expenses these financial intermediaries incur in hosting client seminars where a Fund is discussed. Flat fees on a one-time or irregular basis may be made for the initial set-up of a Fund on an intermediary’s systems, participation or attendance at an intermediary’s meetings, or for other reasons.

Shareholder Servicing Plan

The Funds have adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan on behalf of the International Value Fund’s Investor Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I1 shares and Class I2 shares and the Value Fund’s Investor Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I1 shares, Class R1 shares and Class R2 shares (the “Shareholder Servicing Plan”) that allows each Fund to make payments to financial intermediaries and other service providers in return for shareholder servicing and maintenance of shareholder accounts. The shareholder support services may include, among others, providing general shareholder liaison services (including responding to shareholder inquiries), providing information on shareholder investments, and establishing and maintaining shareholder accounts and records. The maximum amount of shareholder servicing and maintenance fees (“Shareholder Servicing Fee”) authorized under the Shareholder Servicing Plan is an annual rate of 0.25% of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to each share class subject to the plan. The Shareholder Servicing Fee currently being implemented is expressed as a percentage of a Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the applicable share class, as follows:

 

Name of Fund

   Share Class      Annual Shareholder Servicing Fee  

International Value Fund

     Investor Class shares        0.00

International Value Fund

     Class A shares        0.17

International Value Fund

     Class C shares        0.25

International Value Fund

     Class I1 shares        0.15

International Value Fund

     Class I2 shares        0.10

Value Fund

     Investor Class shares        0.17

Value Fund

     Class A shares        0.17

Value Fund

     Class C shares        0.25

Value Fund

     Class I1 shares        0.15

Value Fund

     Class R1 shares        0.25

Value Fund

     Class R2 shares        0.10

For those share classes that currently charge less than the maximum Shareholder Servicing Fee, a Fund may increase such fee, but not beyond the maximum of 0.25%, only after providing affected shareholders with 30 days’ prior written notice.

 

34


Payments under the Shareholder Servicing Plan may not exceed the respective amounts shown above unless the Board approves the implementation of higher amounts.

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser determines which securities are to be purchased and sold by a Fund and which broker-dealers are eligible to execute a Fund’s portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales of securities in the over-the-counter market will generally be executed directly with a “market-maker” unless, in the opinion of the Adviser, a better price and execution can otherwise be obtained by using a broker for the transaction.

The Adviser, through an outsourced trading desk, purchases portfolio securities for a Fund and effects transactions with broker-dealers (including banks) that specialize in the types of securities that a Fund will be holding, unless better executions are available elsewhere. Dealers usually act as principal for their own accounts. Purchases from dealers will include a spread between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and price offered by more than one dealer are comparable, the order may be allocated to a dealer that has provided research or other services as discussed below.

In placing portfolio transactions, the Adviser will use reasonable efforts to choose broker-dealers capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable price and execution available. In determining the best execution, the Adviser considers the full range and quality of services available, such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational facilities of the firm involved, the firm’s risk in positioning a 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, the Adviser gives preference to those broker-dealers that furnish or supply research and statistical information and other services to the Adviser that, in accordance with Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, are paid for by so-called “soft dollars” earned as a result of brokerage transactions executed on behalf of the Adviser’s client accounts, including a Fund. The Adviser 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 a Fund, to be useful in varying degrees, but of indeterminable value. Portfolio transactions may be placed with broker-dealers who sell shares of a Fund subject to rules adopted by FINRA and the SEC. Portfolio transactions may also be placed with broker-dealers in which the Adviser has invested on behalf of a Fund and/or client accounts.

While it is the Adviser’s general policy to first seek to obtain the most favorable price and execution available in selecting a broker-dealer to execute portfolio transactions for a Fund, as noted above, weight is also given to the ability of a broker-dealer to furnish research and statistical information and other services to the Adviser, even if the information and services are not directly useful to a Fund and may be useful to the Adviser in advising other clients. In other words, a Fund may not be, and historically has not been, the Adviser’s only client that benefits from receipt of such research and services from the brokers and dealers a Fund uses for its trading needs. Although the Adviser believes that all of its clients, including the Funds, benefit from the research and other services received by it from brokers, the Adviser may not necessarily use such research and other services in connection with the accounts that paid commissions to or otherwise traded with brokers providing such research or services in any given period. For example, the Trust, as the Adviser’s single largest client, generates the most soft dollars for the Adviser, which are used to service all of the Adviser’s client accounts, including those that do not pay soft dollars. In negotiating commissions with a broker or evaluating the spread to be paid to a dealer, a 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 Adviser 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 Adviser’s overall responsibilities to a Fund.

Investment decisions for a Fund are made independently from those of other client accounts. 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 a Fund and such client account(s) in the same issuer may vary and the length of time that each may choose to hold its investment in the same issuer may likewise vary. However, to the extent any of these client accounts seek to acquire the same security as a Fund at the same time, a Fund may not be able to acquire as large a portion of such security as it desires, or it may have to pay a higher price or obtain a lower yield for such security. Similarly, a 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. If one or more of such client accounts simultaneously purchases or sells the same security that a Fund is purchasing or selling, each

 

35


day’s transactions in such security will be allocated between a Fund and all such client accounts in a manner deemed equitable by the Adviser, taking into account the respective sizes of the accounts and the amount being purchased or sold and consistent with the policies of the Adviser. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security insofar as a Fund is concerned. In other cases, however, it is believed that the ability of a Fund to participate in volume transactions may produce better executions for a Fund. Notwithstanding the above, the Adviser may execute buy and sell orders for accounts and take action in performance of its duties with respect to any of its accounts that may differ from actions taken with respect to another account, so long as the Adviser shall, to the extent practical, allocate investment opportunities to accounts, including a Fund, over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis and in accordance with applicable law.

Each Fund is required to identify any securities of its “regular brokers or dealers” that the Fund has acquired during its most recent fiscal year. During the period January 12, 2022 (date operations commenced) through November 30, 2022, the International Value Fund did not acquire securities of its “regular brokers or dealers.” Likewise, during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, the Value Fund did not acquire any securities of its “regular brokers or dealers.”

Each Fund is also required to identify any brokerage transactions during its most recent fiscal year that were directed to a broker because of research services provided, along with the amount of any such transactions and any related commissions paid by the Fund. The following table shows the amount of transactions and related commissions paid by the Funds for transactions directed to a broker because of research services provided during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022 (except that for the International Value Fund, the information is provided from January 12, 2022 (date operations commenced) through November 30, 2022):

 

     Commissions      Transactions  
International Value Fund    $ 29,382      $ 59,920,243  

Value Fund

   $ 367,876      $ 2,145,875,018  

Except as otherwise noted, for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Funds paid the following brokerage commissions:

 

    

Brokerage Commissions

Paid During

 

Name of Fund

   2022      2021      2020  

International Value Fund1

   $ 734,464        N/A        N/A  

Value Fund

   $ 936,261      $ 754,741 2     $ 427,281 2 

 

1 

The information in the table relating to the International Value Fund is for the period January 12, 2022 (date operations commenced) through November 30, 2022.

2

The increase in brokerage commissions for the Value Fund from 2020 to 2021 is attributable to an increase in portfolio transactions due to new positions added to the Fund as well an increase in subscriptions.

Portfolio Turnover

Although the Fund 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 Adviser, 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 the 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 above-average transaction and brokerage commission costs and may generate capital gains, including short-term capital gains taxable to shareholders at ordinary income rates. To the extent that the Fund experiences an increase in brokerage commissions due to a higher portfolio turnover rate, the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by the increased expenses incurred by the Fund.

 

36


Except as otherwise noted, for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the portfolio turnover rates for the Funds were as follows:

 

     Portfolio Turnover Rate  

Name of Fund

   2022     2021     2020  

International Value Fund1

     20.30     N/A       N/A  

Value Fund

     11.15     17.40 %2      40.26 %2 

 

1

The information in the table relating to the International Value Fund is for the period January 12, 2022 (date operations commenced) through November 30, 2022.

2 

The increase in portfolio turnover for the Value Fund from 2020 to 2021 is attributable to an increase in portfolio transactions due to new positions added to the Fund as well an increase in subscriptions.

Code of Ethics

The Funds, the Adviser and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These Codes of Ethics permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of the Adviser and Distributor to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund.

Proxy Voting Procedures

The Board of Trustees has adopted proxy voting policies and procedures (“Proxy Policies”) wherein the Trust has delegated to the Adviser the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by a Fund as part of its investment advisory services, subject to the supervision and oversight of the Board. The Proxy Voting Policies of the Adviser are described below. Notwithstanding this delegation of responsibilities, however, the Fund retains the right to vote proxies relating to its portfolio securities. The fundamental purpose of the Proxy Policies is to ensure that each vote will be in a manner that reflects the best interest of the Funds and their shareholders, taking into account the value of a Fund’s investments.

Procedures

It is the Adviser’s policy, where it has accepted responsibility, to vote proxies on behalf of a particular client, to vote such proxies in the best interest of its clients and ensure that the vote is not the product of an actual or potential conflict of interest. A member of the Adviser’s investment team (the “Investment Team”) is responsible for ensuring that proxies are voted in a manner consistent with the proxy voting guidelines adopted by the Adviser (the “Proxy Voting Guidelines”) and the Adviser’s policies and procedures. Absent special circumstances, which are further discussed below, all proxies will be voted consistent with the Adviser’s policies and procedures.

A member of the Adviser’s Investment Team will be responsible for monitoring corporate actions, making proxy voting decisions, and ensuring that proxies are submitted in a timely manner. When the Adviser receives proxy proposals where the Proxy Voting Guidelines do not contemplate the issue or otherwise outline its general position as voting on a case-by-case basis, the proxy will be forwarded to the Adviser’s chief investment officer (the “CIO”), who will review the proposal and either vote the proxy or instruct a member of the Investment Team on how to vote the proxy.

It is intended that the Proxy Voting Guidelines will be applied with a measure of flexibility. The Investment Team may vote a proxy contrary to the Proxy Voting Guidelines if, in the sole determination of the Investment Team, it is determined that such action is in the best interest of the Adviser’s clients. In the exercise of such discretion, the Investment Team may take into account a wide array of factors relating to the matter under consideration, the nature of the proposal, and the company involved. Special circumstances or instructions from clients may also justify casting different votes for different clients with respect to the same proxy vote.

ERISA Plans

Plans managed by the Adviser governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) shall be administered consistent with the terms of the governing plan documents and applicable provisions of ERISA. In cases where the Adviser has been delegated sole proxy voting discretion, these policies and procedures will be followed subject to the fiduciary

 

37


responsibility standards of ERISA. These standards generally require fiduciaries to act prudently and to discharge their duties solely in the interest of participants and beneficiaries. The Department of Labor has indicated that voting decisions of ERISA fiduciaries must generally focus on the course that would most likely increase the value of the stock being voted.

Conflicts of Interest

The Adviser may occasionally be subject to conflicts of interest in the voting of proxies due to business or personal relationships it maintains with persons having an interest in the outcome of certain votes. The Adviser, along with any affiliates and/or employees, may also occasionally have business or personal relationships with other proponents of proxy proposals, participants in proxy contests, corporate directors, or candidates for directorships.

If the Investment Team becomes aware of any potential or actual conflict of interest relating to a particular proxy proposal, the Investment Team will promptly report such conflict to the Adviser’s CCO. The Adviser will take the following steps to ensure that its proxy voting decisions are made in the best interest of its clients and are not the product of such conflict:

 

   

Where the Proxy Voting Guidelines outline the Adviser’s voting position, as either “for” or “against” such proxy proposal, voting will be accordance with the its Proxy Voting Guidelines.

 

   

Where the Proxy Voting Guidelines outline the Adviser’s voting position to be determined on a “case-by-case” basis for such proxy proposal, or such proposal is not contemplated in the Proxy Voting Guidelines, then one of the two following methods will be selected by the Investment Team depending upon the facts and circumstances of each situation and the requirements of applicable law:

 

   

Voting the proxy in accordance with the voting recommendation of a non-affiliated third party vendor; or

 

   

Provide the client with sufficient information regarding the proxy proposal and obtain the client’s consent or direction before voting.

Third Party Delegation

The Adviser may delegate to a non-affiliated third party vendor, the responsibility to review proxy proposals and make voting recommendations to the Adviser. The CIO will ensure that any third party recommendations followed will be consistent with the Proxy Voting Guidelines. In all cases, however, the ultimate decisions on how to vote proxies are made by the Adviser’s CIO.

Mutual Funds

Where the Adviser acts as investment adviser to a closed-end and/or open-end registered investment company and is responsible for voting their proxies, such proxies will be voted in accordance with any applicable investment restrictions of a fund and, to the extent applicable, any resolutions or other instructions approved by an authorized person of the fund. In the event of a conflict of interest for a security in a fund, the fund cannot be provided with information regarding the proposal and consent cannot be obtained from the fund.

Special Circumstances

The Adviser may choose not to vote proxies in certain situations or for certain accounts, such as: (i) where a client has informed the Adviser that they wish to retain the right to vote the proxy; (ii) where the Adviser deems the cost of voting the proxy would exceed any anticipated benefit to the client; (iii) where a proxy is received for a client that has terminated the Adviser’s services; (iv) where a proxy is received for a security that the Adviser no longer manages (i.e., the Adviser had previously sold the entire position); and/or (v) where the exercise of voting rights could restrict the ability of an account’s portfolio manager to freely trade the security in question (as is the case, for example, in certain foreign jurisdictions known as “blocking markets”).

In addition, certain accounts over which the Adviser has proxy-voting discretion may participate in securities lending programs administered by the custodian or a third party. Because title to loaned securities passes to the borrower, the Adviser will be unable to vote any security that is out on loan to a borrower on a proxy record date. If the Adviser has investment discretion, however, the Adviser shall reserve the right to instruct the lending agent to terminate a loan in situations where the matter to be voted upon is deemed to be material to the investment and the benefits of voting the security are deemed to outweigh the costs of terminating the loan.

 

38


The Funds’ actual voting records relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th are available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free, 1-877-807-4122 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance 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 (the “USA PATRIOT Act”). To ensure compliance with this law, the Trust’s Program provides for the development 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. Mr. Steve LeMire, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, has been designated as the Anti-Money Laundering Officer of the Trust.

Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to: determining that the Distributor and the Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures; reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity; and conducting a complete and thorough review of all new account applications. The Fund will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.

As a result of the Program, the Fund may be required to “freeze” the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Fund may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.

Portfolio Holdings Information

The Trust on behalf of the Funds has adopted portfolio holdings disclosure policies (“Portfolio Holdings Policies”) that govern the timing and circumstances of disclosure of portfolio holdings of a Fund. The Adviser has also adopted the Portfolio Holdings Policies. Information about a Fund’s portfolio holdings will not be distributed to any third party except in accordance with these Portfolio Holdings Policies. The Adviser and the Board of Trustees have considered the circumstances under which a Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed under the Portfolio Holdings Policies. The Adviser and the Board of Trustees also considered actual and potential material conflicts that could arise in such circumstances between the interests of a Fund’s shareholders and the interests of the Adviser, Distributor or any other affiliated person of a Fund. After due consideration, the Adviser and the Board of Trustees have determined that a Fund has a legitimate business purpose for disclosing portfolio holdings to persons described in the Portfolio Holdings Policies. The Board of Trustees also authorized the Adviser or appointed officers to consider and authorize dissemination of portfolio holdings information to additional parties, after considering the best interests of the shareholders and potential conflicts of interest in making such disclosures.

The Board of Trustees exercises continuing oversight of the disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio holdings: (1) by overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the Portfolio Holdings Policies, Codes of Ethics and other relevant policies of a Fund and its service providers by the Trust’s CCO; (2) by considering reports and recommendations by the CCO concerning any material compliance matters (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act); and (3) by considering whether to approve any amendment to these Portfolio Holdings Policies. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to amend the Portfolio Holdings Policies at any time without prior notice in its sole discretion.

A Fund discloses its portfolio holdings in its Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, which are filed with the SEC on a semi-annual basis on Form N-CSR and mailed to shareholders approximately two months after the end of the fiscal year and semi-annual period. A Fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. These reports are available, free of charge, on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

In the event of a conflict between the interests of a Fund and the interests of the Adviser or an affiliated person of the Adviser, the CCO of the Adviser, in consultation with the Trust’s CCO, shall make a determination in the best interests of a Fund, and shall report such determination to the Board of Trustees at the end of the quarter in which such determination was made. Any employee of the Adviser who suspects a breach of this obligation must report the matter immediately to the Adviser’s CCO or to his or her supervisor.

 

39


In addition, material non-public holdings information may be provided without lag as part of the normal investment activities of a Fund to each of the following entities which, by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to a Fund, are required to maintain the confidentiality of the information disclosed: the Administrator; the Custodian; the Transfer Agent; the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm; counsel to the Funds or the Board of Trustees (current parties are identified in this SAI); broker-dealers (in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or requests for price quotations or bids on one or more securities); and regulatory authorities. Portfolio holdings information not publicly available with the SEC may only be provided to additional third parties, in accordance with the Portfolio Holdings Policies, when a Fund has a legitimate business purpose, and the third-party recipient is subject to a confidentiality agreement. Currently, between the 5th and 10th business day of the month following a calendar quarter, a Fund provides its quarterly portfolio holdings to rating and ranking organizations, including Lipper, a Thomson Reuters company, Morningstar, Inc., Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC, Bloomberg L.P., Thomson Reuters Corporation, Vickers Stock Research Corporation and Capital-Bridge, Inc., and BNY/Mellon. In addition, within 30 days of the calendar quarter end, a Fund posts to its website a list of its top ten holdings as well as a full list of portfolio holdings. Portfolio holdings information may be separately provided to any person, at the same time that it is filed with the SEC or one day after it is first published on the Fund’s website. Additional portfolio holdings disclosure may be approved under the Portfolio Holdings Policies by the Trust’s CCO, Treasurer or President.

In no event shall the Adviser, its affiliates or employees, or a Fund receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about a Fund’s portfolio holdings.

There can be no assurance that the Portfolio Holdings Policies and these procedures will protect a Fund from potential misuse of that information by individuals or entities to which it is disclosed.

Determination of Net Asset Value

The NAV of a Fund’s shares will fluctuate and is determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) each business day. The NYSE annually announces the days on which it will not be open for trading. The most recent announcement indicates that it will not be open on the following days: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. However, the NYSE may close on days not included in that announcement.

The NAV per share is computed by dividing the value of the securities held by a Fund plus any cash or other assets (including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received) minus all liabilities (including accrued expenses) by the total number of shares in a Fund outstanding at such time.

 

Net Assets    =   

Net Asset Value Per Share

Shares Outstanding

Generally, a Fund’s investments are valued at market value or, in the absence of a market value, at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser, as the valuation designee (the “Valuation Designee”), and the Adviser’s valuation committee (the “Valuation Committee”), pursuant to procedures approved by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees in compliance with Rule 2a-5.

Each security owned by a Fund that is listed on a securities exchange is valued at its last sale price on that exchange on the date as of which assets are valued. When the security is listed on more than one exchange, a Fund will use the price on the exchange that the Fund generally considers to be the principal exchange on which the security is traded. Portfolio securities listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) will be valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”), which may not necessarily represent the last sale price. If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation. If there has been no sale on such exchange or on NASDAQ on such day, the security is valued at the mean between the most recent bid and asked prices on such day. Over-the-Counter Securities that are not traded on NASDAQ shall be valued at the most recent trade price.

 

40


Debt securities other than short-term instruments are valued at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices provided by a pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees (“Pricing Service”). If the closing bid and asked prices are not readily available, the Pricing Service may provide a price determined by a matrix pricing method or other analytical pricing models. Short-term debt securities, such as commercial paper, bankers’ acceptances and U.S. Treasury Bills, having a maturity of less than 60 days are valued at amortized cost. If a short-term debt security has a maturity of greater than 60 days, it is valued at market price.

Redeemable securities issued by open-end, registered investment companies, including money market funds, are valued at the NAV of such companies for purchase and/or redemption orders placed on that day.

In the absence of prices from a Pricing Service or in the event that market quotations are not readily available, fair value will be determined under the Funds’ valuation policies and procedures adopted pursuant to Rule 2a-5. These fair value pricing procedures will also be used to price a security when corporate events, events in the securities market or world events cause the Valuation Designee and the Valuation Committee to believe that a security’s last sale price may not reflect its actual fair market value. The intended effect of using fair value pricing procedures is to ensure that a Fund’s shares are accurately priced.

When fair value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by a Fund to calculate its NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities. Due to the subjective and variable nature of fair value pricing, it is possible that the fair value determined for a particular security may be materially different (higher or lower) from the price of the security quoted or published by others or the value when trading resumes or is realized upon sale. Therefore, if a shareholder purchases or redeems Fund shares when a Fund holds securities priced at a fair value, the number of shares purchased or redeemed may be higher or lower than would be the case if a Fund were using market value pricing.

In the case of foreign securities, the occurrence of certain events after the close of foreign markets, but prior to the time a Fund’s NAV is calculated (such as a significant surge or decline in the U.S. or other markets) often will result in an adjustment to the trading prices of foreign securities when foreign markets open on the following business day. If such events occur, a Fund will value foreign securities at fair value, taking into account such events, in calculating the NAV. In such cases, use of fair valuation can reduce an investor’s ability to seek to profit by estimating a Fund’s NAV in advance of the time the NAV is calculated. The Adviser anticipates that a Fund’s portfolio holdings will be fair valued only if market quotations for those holdings are considered unreliable.

Additional Purchase and Redemption Information

The information provided below supplements the information contained in the Prospectus regarding the purchase and redemption of Fund shares.

How to Purchase Shares

You may purchase shares of a Fund directly from the Transfer Agent, or from securities brokers, dealers or other financial intermediaries (collectively, “Financial Intermediaries”). Investors should contact their Financial Intermediary directly for appropriate instructions, as well as information pertaining to accounts and any service or transaction fees that may be charged. A Fund may enter into arrangements with certain Financial Intermediaries whereby such Financial Intermediaries (and their authorized designees) are authorized to accept your order on behalf of a Fund (each an “Authorized Intermediary”). If you transmit your purchase request to an Authorized Intermediary before the close of regular trading (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on a day that the NYSE is open for business, shares will be purchased at the next calculated NAV, plus any applicable sales charge, after the Financial Intermediary receives the request. Investors should check with their Financial Intermediary to determine if it is an Authorized Intermediary.

Shares are purchased at the next calculated NAV, plus any applicable sales charge, after the Transfer Agent or Authorized Intermediary receives your purchase request in good order. In most cases, in order to receive that day’s NAV, the Transfer Agent must receive your order in good order before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time).

The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion (i) to suspend the continued offering of a Fund’s shares, (ii) to reject purchase orders in whole or in part when, in the judgment of the Adviser or the Distributor, such rejection is in the best interest of a Fund, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum for initial and subsequent investments as described in the Prospectus and under other circumstances deemed appropriate by the Board of Trustees.

 

41


Sales Charges on Class A Shares

Class A shares of a Fund are retail shares that require that you pay a sales charge when you invest in a Fund, unless you qualify for a reduction or waiver of the sales charge. If you purchase Class A shares of a Fund you will pay the public offering price (“POP”), which is the NAV per share next determined after your order is received plus a sales charge (shown in percentages below) depending on the amount of your investment. Since sales charges are reduced for Class A share purchases above certain dollar amounts, known as “breakpoint thresholds,” the POP is lower for these purchases. The dollar amount of the sales charge is the difference between the POP of the shares purchased (based on the applicable sales charge in the table below) and the NAV of those shares. Because of rounding in the calculation of the POP, the actual sales charge you pay may be more or less than that calculated using the percentages shown below. The sales charge does not apply to shares purchased with reinvested distributions. The sales charge for Class A shares of a Fund is calculated as follows:(1)

 

Class A Shares Investment Amount

   Sales Charge as
a% of

Offering Price
  Sales Charge as
a % of Net
Amount Invested
  Dealer
Reallowance as
a % of
Offering Price

Less than $25,000(2)

   5.75%   6.10%   5.00%

$25,000 but less than $50,000

   5.00%   5.26%   4.25%

$50,000 but less than $100,000

   4.50%   4.71%   3.75%

$100,000 but less than $250,000

   3.50%   3.63%   2.75%

$250,000 but less than $500,000

   2.50%   2.56%   2.00%

$500,000 but less than $750,000

   2.00%   2.04%   1.60%

$750,000 but less than $1 million

   1.50%   1.52%   1.20%

$1 million or more(3)(4)

   None   None   Up to 1.00%

 

(1) 

The offering price is calculated to two decimal places using standard rounding criteria. As a result, the number of shares purchased and the dollar amount of the sales charge as a percentage of the offering price and of your net investment may be higher or lower depending on whether there was a downward or upward rounding.

(2) 

The minimum initial investment for Class A shares of a Fund is $3,000.

(3) 

There is no front-end sales charge for purchases of Class A shares of $1,000,000 or more. However, a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be applied to redemptions of Class A shares within 18 months of purchase.

(4) 

The Adviser may directly or indirectly pay a commission to dealers that sell amounts of $1,000,000 or more of Class A according to the following schedule: 1.00% of the first $3,000,000, 0.50% of amounts from $3,000,001 to $50,000,000, and 0.25% of amounts over $50,000,000. The Distributor will then also pay to such dealers an annual Rule 12b-1 Fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Class A shares held by its clients beginning in the thirteenth month. Where a dealer does not receive payment of this commission, the dealer will receive the annual Rule 12b-1 Fee starting immediately after purchase. Any payments made by the Adviser as described above are eligible for reimbursement to the Adviser under the Funds’ Distribution Plan.

You should always discuss the suitability of your investment with your broker-dealer or financial adviser.

Class A Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers

The sales charge on Class A shares of a Fund may be reduced or waived based on the type of transaction, the combined market value of your accounts or intended investment, and for certain groups or classes of shareholders. If you believe you are eligible for any of the following reductions or waivers, it is up to you to ask the selling agent or shareholder servicing agent for the reduction or waiver and to provide appropriate proof of eligibility.

Reinvested Distributions: You pay no sales charges on Class A shares you buy with reinvested distributions of the same share class from a Fund.

Breakpoint Thresholds: You may reduce the sales charge on Class A shares by investing an amount to meet one of the breakpoint thresholds indicated in the tables above.

 

42


Rights of Accumulation: You may combine your current purchase of Class A shares of a Fund with all other classes of shares of a Fund currently owned for the purpose of qualifying for the lower initial sales charge rates that apply to larger purchases. The applicable sales charge for the new purchase is based on the total of your current purchase of Class A shares of a Fund and the current value (based on the current public offering price) of all other classes of shares of the Fund you own at the Financial Intermediary at which you are making the current purchase. You may not aggregate shares held at different Financial Intermediaries. If the current purchase is made directly through the Fund’s Transfer Agent, UMB Fund Services, Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”), only those shares held directly at the Transfer Agent may apply toward the right of accumulation. You may aggregate shares that you own and that are currently owned by members of your “immediate family” including your spouse, child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, sibling, grandchild and grandparent, including in-law and adoptive relationships residing at the same address. Shares held in the name of a nominee or custodian under pension, profit sharing or employee benefit plans may not be combined with other shares to qualify for the right of accumulation. You must notify the Transfer Agent or your Financial Intermediary at the time of purchase in order for the right of accumulation to apply. A Fund is not liable for any difference in purchase price if you fail to notify the Transfer Agent of your intent to exercise your right of accumulation and each Fund reserves the right to modify or terminate this right at any time.

Reinstatement Privilege: If you redeem Class A shares of a Fund, and within 60 days purchase and register new shares of the same share class, you will not pay a sales charge on the new purchase amount. The amount eligible for this privilege may not exceed the amount of your redemption proceeds. To exercise this privilege, contact the Transfer Agent or your financial intermediary.

Letter of Intent: By signing a Letter of Intent (“LOI”), you can reduce your Class A sales charge. Your individual purchases will be made at the applicable sales charge based on the amount you intend to invest over a 13-month period. The LOI will apply to all purchases of the share class designated in the LOI. Any shares of the share class designated in the LOI that are purchased within 90 days of the date you sign the letter of intent may be used as credit toward completion, but the reduced sales charge will only apply to new purchases made on or after that date. Purchases resulting from the reinvestment of distributions do not apply toward fulfillment of the LOI. Shares equal to 5.75% for Class A shares of the amount of the LOI will be held in escrow during the 13-month period. If at the end of that time the total amount of purchases made is less than the amount intended, you will be required to pay the difference between the reduced sales charge and the sales charge applicable to the individual purchases had the LOI not been in effect. This amount will be obtained from redemption of the escrow shares. Any remaining escrow shares will be released to you.

Investments of $1,000,000 or More: There is neither an initial sales charge on a lump sum Class A share purchase of $1,000,000 or more, nor on any purchase into a Class A account with an accumulated value of $1,000,000 or more. However, if you have taken advantage of this waiver and redeem your shares within 18 months of purchase, there is a CDSC of 1.00% imposed on such shares based on the lesser of original cost or current market value. The CDSC will not apply if you are otherwise entitled to a waiver of the initial sales charge as listed in “Initial Sales Charge Waivers,” below. Also, the CDSC will not apply if you are entitled to a waiver as listed in “Contingent Deferred Sales Charges Waivers,” below.

Initial Sales Charge Waivers: Sales charges for Class A shares may be waived under certain circumstances for some investors or for certain purchases. You will not have to pay a sales charge on purchases of Class A shares if:

 

   

you are an affiliate of the Adviser or any of its or the Fund’s officers, directors, trustees, employees or retirees;

 

   

you are a registered representative of any broker-dealer authorized to sell Fund shares, subject to the internal policies and procedures of the broker-dealer;

 

   

you are a member of the immediate family of any of the persons listed in the above bullets (i.e., parent, child, spouse, domestic partner, sibling, step or adopted relationships, grandparent, grandchild and UTMA accounts naming qualifying persons);

 

   

authorized qualified employee benefit plans*;

 

   

rollovers of current investments through authorized qualified employee benefit plans or savings plans*, provided the shares are transferred to the Fund as either a direct rollover, or subsequent to distribution, the rolled-over proceeds are contributed to an IRA through an account directly with a Fund;

 

   

registered investment advisers, trust companies and bank trust departments exercising discretionary investment authority with respect to amounts to be invested in a Fund;

 

   

persons participating in a fee-based program (such as a wrap account) under which they (i) pay advisory fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution or (ii) pay fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution for providing transaction processing and other administrative services, but not investment advisory services;

 

43


   

registered broker dealers who have entered into an agreement with the Distributor and have been approved by the Distributor to offer Fund shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may or may not charge a transaction fee.

 

*

Qualified employee benefit plans or savings plans for which a Fund has entered into an agreement to waive the sales charge.

To receive a reduction in your Class A sales charge, you must let your financial institution or shareholder services representative know at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction. You may be asked by your financial adviser or shareholder services representative to provide account statements or other information regarding your related accounts or related accounts of your immediate family in order to verify your eligibility for a reduced sales charge. Your investment professional or financial institution must notify the Fund if your share purchase is eligible for the sales load waiver. Sales charges will not be applied to shares purchased by reinvesting distributions.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers

For Class A shares, a CDSC of 1.00% is imposed on shares purchased at the $1,000,000 breakpoint (as described in “Sales Charges for Class A and Class C Shares,” above) that are redeemed within 18 months of purchase. For Class C shares, a CDSC is imposed on shares that are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. In the case of a partial redemption, the first shares redeemed are any reinvested shares. After that, shares are always redeemed on a “first in/first out” basis. If the first shares redeemed have been held for longer than 18 months in the case of Class A shares or 12 months in the case of Class C shares from the date of purchase, then no CDSC is imposed on the redemption. The CDSC is imposed on a lot-by-lot basis on the market value or initial purchase price, whichever is lower. This deferred sales charge may be waived under certain circumstances such as:

 

   

death of the shareholder;

 

   

divorce, where there exists a court decree that requires redemption of the shares;

 

   

return of IRA excess contributions;

 

   

shares redeemed by a Fund due to low balance or other reasons;

 

   

required minimum distributions at age 701/2 (waivers apply only to amounts necessary to meet the required minimum amount based on assets held within a Fund); and

 

   

other circumstances related to death, financial hardship or any other rare instances that would require the Adviser to have discretion.

If you would like information about sales charge waivers, call your financial representative or contact the Funds at 877 -807 -4122.

Automatic Conversion to Class A Shares

Class C shares of a Fund are eligible for automatic conversion to Class A shares of a Fund approximately eight years after the date of each original purchase and will be subject to Class A’s lower Rule 12b-1 Fee (as set forth above). The automatic conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares will be on the basis of the NAV per share, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge, meaning the value of your investment will not change, but the number of shares of the Fund that you own may be higher or lower after the conversion.

Class C shares of a Fund will convert automatically into Class A shares of a Fund on a monthly basis in the month of, or the month following, the eighth anniversary of the Class C shares’ purchase date. Class C shares of a Fund acquired through a reinvestment of dividends or distributions will convert to Class A shares of a Fund pro rata with Class C shares of a Fund not acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions. All such automatic conversions of Class C shares will constitute tax-free exchanges for federal income tax purposes.

For shareholders investing in Class C shares through retirement plans, omnibus accounts, and in certain other instances, a Fund and its agents may not have transparency into how long a shareholder has held Class C shares for purposes of determining whether such Class C shares are eligible for automatic conversion into Class A shares. In these circumstances, a Fund will not be able to automatically convert Class C shares into Class A shares as described above. In order to determine eligibility for conversion in these circumstances, it is the responsibility of the shareholder or their Financial Intermediary (and not the Fund) to notify a Fund that the shareholder is eligible for the conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares, and the shareholder or their Financial Intermediary may be required to maintain and provide a Fund with records that substantiate the holding period of such shareholder’s Class C shares.

 

44


In addition, a Financial Intermediary may sponsor and/or control accounts, programs or platforms that impose a different conversion schedule or eligibility requirements in regards to the conversion of Class C shares into Class A shares. In these cases, certain Class C shareholders may not be eligible to convert to Class A shares as described above. However, these Class C shareholders may be permitted to exchange their Class C shares for Class A shares pursuant to the terms of the Financial Intermediary’s conversion policy. Financial Intermediaries will be responsible for making such exchanges in those circumstances. Please consult with your Financial Intermediary if you have any questions regarding the conversion of Class C shares to Class A shares.

How to Redeem Shares and Delivery of Redemption Proceeds

You may redeem your Fund shares any day the NYSE is open for regular trading, either directly with the Transfer Agent or through your Financial Intermediary.

Payments to shareholders for shares of a Fund redeemed directly from the Transfer Agent will be made as promptly as possible, but no later than seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the written request in proper form, with the appropriate documentation as stated in the Prospectus, except that a Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment during any period when (a) trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC or the NYSE is closed for other than weekends and holidays; (b) an emergency exists as determined by the SEC making disposal of portfolio securities or valuation of net assets of a Fund not reasonably practicable; or (c) for such other period as the SEC may permit for the protection of a Fund’s shareholders. Under unusual circumstances, a Fund may suspend redemptions, or postpone payment for more than seven days, but only as authorized by SEC rules.

The value of shares on redemption or repurchase may be more or less than the investor’s cost, depending upon the fair market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities at the time of redemption or repurchase.

Telephone Redemptions

Shareholders with telephone transaction privileges established on their account may redeem Fund shares by telephone. Upon receipt of any instructions or inquiries by telephone from the shareholder, a Fund or its authorized agents may carry out the instructions and/or respond to the inquiry consistent with the shareholder’s previously established account service options. For joint accounts, instructions or inquiries from either party will be carried out without prior notice to the other account owners. In acting upon telephone instructions, the Fund and its agents use procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that such instructions are genuine. These include recording all telephone calls, requiring pertinent information about the account and sending written confirmation of each transaction to the registered owner.

The Transfer Agent will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. If the Transfer Agent fails to employ reasonable procedures, a Fund and the Transfer Agent may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. If these procedures are followed, however, to the extent permitted by applicable law, neither a Fund nor its agents will be liable for any loss, liability, cost or expense arising out of any redemption request, including any fraudulent or unauthorized request. For additional information, contact the Transfer Agent.

Redemption in-Kind

Each Fund generally pays redemptions in cash. The Trust, however, has filed a notice of election under Rule 18f-1 of the 1940 Act with the SEC disclosing its intent to pay redemptions up to certain amounts in cash. If the amount you are redeeming during any 90-day period is in excess of the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of a Fund, valued at the beginning of such period, the Fund has the right to redeem your shares by giving you the amount that exceeds the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of the Fund in securities instead of cash. The Funds may also redeem in-kind redemption requests that are below the Rule 18f-1 limit, but only with the consent of the redeeming shareholder and subject to a determination that such a redemption would not harm remaining shareholders. Although generally unlikely, if a Fund pays your redemption proceeds by a distribution of securities, you could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash, and you will bear any market risks associated with such securities until they are converted into cash. For federal income tax purposes, redemptions made in-kind are taxed in the same manner to a redeeming shareholder as redemptions made in cash.

 

45


With certain exceptions, portfolio securities distributed pursuant to a redemption in-kind will be comprised of a pro-rata portion of the relevant Fund’s portfolio holdings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees and provided that the redeeming shareholder is not an affiliate of the Trust or the Adviser, a Fund may distribute portfolio securities pursuant to a redemption in-kind request that is comprised of securities selected by the Adviser in a manner that does not reflect a pro rata distribution of such securities, provided that the Adviser represents to the Board that the non-pro rata distribution will not disadvantage the redeeming shareholder or the remaining Fund shareholders, and is in the best interest of the distributing Fund.

Federal Income Tax Matters

Each series of the Trust is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund, as a series of the Trust, intends to qualify and elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Section 851 of the Code, provided a Fund complies with all applicable requirements regarding the source of its income, diversification of its assets and timing and amount of its distributions. A Fund’s policy is to distribute to its shareholders all of its investment company taxable income and any net capital gain 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 on amounts distributed. However, a Fund cannot guarantee that its anticipated distributions will be sufficient to eliminate all taxes at the Fund level. If a Fund does not qualify as a RIC and is unable to obtain relief from such failure, it would be taxed as a regular corporation and, in such case, it would be more beneficial for a shareholder to directly own the Fund’s underlying investments rather than indirectly owning such underlying investments through the Fund.

To qualify as a RIC, a Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income from “good income,” which includes: (1) dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies; and (2) other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to a Fund’s business of investing in such stock, securities or foreign currencies. Some Fund investments may produce income that will not qualify as good income for the purposes of this annual gross income requirement. There can be no assurance that a Fund will satisfy all requirements to be taxed as a RIC.

Furthermore, a Fund must diversify its holdings such that at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the value of a Fund’s assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other acceptable securities, with such other securities limited in respect to any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of a Fund’s assets and to no more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any such issuer; and (ii) no more than 25% of the value of a Fund’s assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs), or of any two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by a Fund and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or of certain qualified publicly traded partnerships.

Each Fund will be subject to a 4% federal excise tax if it fails to distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year (i) at least 98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income for either the 12-month period ending on October 31 during such year or, if the Fund makes an election under Section 4982(e)(4) of the Code, the Fund’s fiscal year (reduced by any net ordinary losses, but not below the Fund’s net capital gain for the applicable period) and (iii) any amounts from the prior calendar year that were not distributed and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. Each Fund has a Section 4982(e)(4) election currently in effect.

Investment company taxable income generally consists of interest, dividends, and net short-term capital gain, less expenses. Net capital gain is the excess of the net long-term gain from a Fund’s sales or exchanges of capital assets over the net short-term loss from such sales or exchanges, taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund. A Fund may elect to defer certain losses for tax purposes.

Distributions of investment company taxable income are generally taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. For non-corporate shareholders, a portion of a Fund’s distributions of investment company taxable income may consist of “qualified dividend income” eligible for taxation at the reduced federal income tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains to the extent that the amount distributed is attributable to and reported as “qualified dividend income” and the shareholder meets certain holding period requirements with respect to its Fund shares. For corporate shareholders, a portion of a Fund’s

 

46


distributions of investment company taxable income may qualify for the intercorporate dividends-received deduction to the extent a Fund receives dividends directly or indirectly from U.S. corporations, reports the amount distributed as eligible for deduction and the shareholder meets certain holding period requirements with respect to its Fund shares. The aggregate amount so reported to either non-corporate or corporate shareholders cannot, however, exceed the aggregate amount of such dividends received by a Fund for its taxable year.

Distributions of net capital gain are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain regardless of the length of time a shareholder has owned Fund shares. Distributions of net capital gain are not eligible for “qualified dividend income” treatment or the dividends-received deduction referred to in the previous paragraph.

Distributions of any investment company taxable income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above whether received in additional Fund shares or in cash. Shareholders who choose to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the NAV of a share on the reinvestment date. Distributions are generally taxable when received. However, distributions declared in October, November or December to shareholders of record and paid the following January are taxable as if received on December 31. Distributions are generally includable in alternative minimum taxable income in computing a non-corporate shareholder’s liability for the alternative minimum tax.

Interest and dividends received by a Fund from foreign sources may be subject to income, withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries and U.S. possessions that would reduce the yield on Fund securities. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate these foreign taxes, however, and many foreign countries do not impose taxes on capital gains realized on investments held by foreign investors. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of stock and securities of foreign corporations, it will be eligible to, and may, file an election with the IRS that would, in effect, pass through to the shareholders any foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes paid by a Fund. Pursuant to the election, a Fund would treat those taxes as distributions paid to its shareholders and each shareholder would be required to (i) include in gross income, and treat as paid by the shareholder, his or her proportionate share of those taxes paid by the Fund, (ii) treat his or her share of those taxes and of any distribution paid by a Fund that represents income sourced from foreign countries or U.S. possessions as his own income from those sources, and (iii) either deduct the taxes deemed paid by the shareholder in computing his or her taxable income or, alternatively, use the foregoing information in calculating the foreign tax credit against his or her federal income tax. If a Fund makes this election, it will report to its shareholders shortly after each taxable year their respective share of income from sources within, and taxes paid to, foreign countries and U.S. possessions.

Certain individuals, trusts and estates may be subject to a Net Investment Income (“NII”) tax (in addition to the regular income tax) of 3.8%. The NII tax is imposed on the lesser of: (i) the taxpayer’s investment income, net of deductions properly allocable to such income; or (ii) the amount by which such taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain thresholds ($250,000 for married individuals filing jointly, $200,000 for unmarried individuals and $125,000 for married individuals filing separately). A Fund’s distributions are includable in a shareholder’s investment income for purposes of this NII tax. In addition, any capital gain realized by a shareholder upon the sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares is includable in such shareholder’s investment income for purposes of this NII tax.

The International Value Fund is the successor to the portfolio of the International Value Predecessor Fund, and the International Value Fund has taken the position that it has succeeded to the tax basis of the assets acquired from the International Value Predecessor Fund. Shareholders should be aware that as the International Value Fund sells portfolio securities that were acquired from the International Value Predecessor Fund, any unrealized gain inherent in such securities at the time the International Value Fund acquired such securities, along with any appreciation that occurred while the International Value Fund held such securities, may be recognized by the International Value Fund, and any such recognized gain will be distributed to Fund shareholders and will be taxable to them for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a shareholder of the International Value Fund may be taxed on appreciation that occurred before the shareholder purchased shares of such Fund, including appreciation that occurred prior to such Fund’s acquisition of portfolio securities from the International Value Predecessor Fund.

 

47


A sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares, whether for cash or in-kind proceeds, may result in recognition of a taxable capital gain or loss. Gain or loss realized upon a sale or redemption of Fund shares will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year, and, if held for one year or less, as short-term capital gain or loss. Any loss realized upon a sale, exchange or redemption of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions of net capital gain received or deemed to be received with respect to such shares. In determining the holding period of such shares for this purpose, any period during which the shareholder’s risk of loss is offset by means of options, short sales, or similar transactions is not counted. Any loss realized upon a sale, exchange or redemption of a Fund’s shares may be disallowed under certain wash sale rules to the extent shares of the same Fund are purchased (through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the sale or redemption. If a shareholder’s loss is disallowed under the wash sale rules, the basis of the new shares will be increased to preserve the loss until a future sale or redemption of the shares.

Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a Fund may be required to withhold a generally nonrefundable 30% tax on (i) distributions of investment company taxable income and (ii) distributions of net capital gain and the gross proceeds of a sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares paid to (A) certain “foreign financial institutions” unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, monitor, and report to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) the identity of certain of its accountholders, among other items (or unless such entity is otherwise deemed compliant under the terms of an intergovernmental agreement with the United States), and (B) certain “non-financial foreign entities” unless such entity certifies to the Fund that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner, among other items. In December 2018, the IRS and Treasury Department released proposed Treasury Regulations that would eliminate FATCA withholding on Fund distributions of net capital gain and the gross proceeds from a sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares. Although taxpayers are entitled to rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued, these proposed Treasury Regulations have not been finalized, may not be finalized in their proposed form, and are potentially subject to change. This FATCA withholding tax could also affect a Fund’s return on its investments in foreign securities or affect a shareholder’s return if the shareholder holds its Fund shares through a foreign intermediary. You are urged to consult your tax adviser regarding the application of this FATCA withholding tax to your investment in a Fund and the potential certification, compliance, due diligence, reporting, and withholding obligations to which you may become subject in order to avoid this withholding tax.

The tax principles applicable to transactions in certain financial instruments or investments that may be engaged in by a Fund are complex and, in some cases, uncertain. Such transactions and investments may cause a Fund to recognize taxable income prior to the receipt of cash, thereby requiring a Fund to liquidate other positions, or to borrow money, so as to make sufficient distributions to shareholders to avoid corporate-level tax. Moreover, some or all of the taxable income recognized may be ordinary income or short-term capital gain, so that the distributions may be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.

Except in the case of certain exempt shareholders, if a shareholder does not furnish a Fund with its correct Social Security Number or taxpayer identification number and certain certifications or a Fund receives notification from the IRS requiring backup withholding, the Fund is required by federal law to withhold federal income tax from the shareholder’s distributions and redemption proceeds at a rate set under Section 3406 of the Code for U.S. residents.

Foreign taxpayers (including nonresident aliens) are generally subject to withholding tax at a flat rate of 30% on U.S.-source income that is not effectively connected with a trade or business in the U.S. This withholding rate may be lower under the terms of a tax treaty or convention.

This section is not intended to be a full discussion of federal income tax laws and the effect of such laws on you. There may be other federal, state, foreign, or local tax considerations to a particular shareholder. This discussion is based on the Code, Treasury Regulations, judicial decisions, and IRS guidance, all of which are subject to change, and possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that legislative, judicial, or administrative changes will not be forthcoming which could affect the accuracy of any statements made in this section. You are urged to consult your own tax adviser.

Distributions

Each Fund will realize income primarily in the form of dividends and interest earned on the Fund’s investments in securities. This income, less the expenses incurred in its operations, is a Fund’s net investment income, substantially all of which will be distributed to the Fund’s shareholders.

 

48


The amount of a Fund’s distributions 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 of Trustees. A Fund does not pay “interest” or guarantee any fixed rate of return on an investment in its shares.

A Fund also may realize capital gains or losses in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Any net gain that a Fund may realize from transactions involving investments held 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 capital loss carryforwards) will be distributed to shareholders as a part of the Fund’s distributions of net investment income. If during any year a Fund realizes a net gain on transactions involving investments held for the period required for long-term capital gain or loss recognition or otherwise producing long-term capital gains and losses, the Fund will generally 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 capital loss carryforward) will be distributed and treated as long-term capital gains in the hands of the shareholders regardless of the length of time that the shares may have been held by the shareholders. Net capital losses realized by a Fund may be carried over indefinitely and will generally retain their character as short-term or long-term capital losses. For more information concerning applicable capital gains tax rates, please consult your tax adviser.

Any distribution paid by a Fund reduces the Fund’s NAV per share on the date paid by the amount of the distribution per share. Accordingly, a 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.

Distributions will be reinvested in additional shares of a Fund unless the shareholder has otherwise indicated. Investors have the right to change their elections with respect to the reinvestment of distributions by notifying the Transfer Agent. However, any such change will be effective only as to distributions for which the record date is five or more business days after the Transfer Agent has received the request.

Cost Basis Reporting

Each Fund is required to report to certain shareholders and the IRS the cost basis of shares acquired by such shareholders on or after January 1, 2012 (“covered shares”) when the shareholder sells, exchanges or redeems such shares. These requirements do not apply to shares held through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA, or to shares held by tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, corporations (other than S corporations), credit unions and certain other governmental bodies. Shares acquired before January 1, 2012 (“non-covered shares”) are treated as if held in a separate account from covered shares. A Fund is not required to determine or report a shareholder’s cost basis in non-covered shares and is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any information provided for non-covered shares.

The cost basis of a share is generally its purchase price adjusted for distributions, returns of capital, and other corporate actions. Cost basis is used to determine whether the sale or redemption of a share results in a gain or loss. If you sell, exchange or redeem covered shares during any year, then a Fund will report the gain or loss, cost basis, and holding period of such covered shares to the IRS and you on Form 1099.

A cost basis method is the method by which a Fund determines which specific covered shares are deemed to be sold, exchanged or redeemed when a shareholder sells, exchanges or redeems less than its entire holding of covered shares and has made multiple purchases of covered shares on different dates at differing net asset values. If a shareholder does not affirmatively elect a cost basis method, a Fund will use the average cost method, which averages the basis of all covered shares in an account regardless of holding period, and covered shares sold, exchanged or redeemed are deemed to be those with the longest holding period first. Each shareholder may elect in writing (and not over the telephone) any alternate IRS-approved cost basis method to calculate the cost basis in its covered shares. The default cost basis method applied by a Fund or the alternate method elected by a shareholder may not be changed after the settlement date of a sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares.

If you hold Fund shares through a broker (or another nominee), please contact that broker or nominee with respect to the reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account.

 

49


You are encouraged to consult your tax adviser regarding the application of these cost basis reporting rules and, in particular, which cost basis calculation method you should elect.

Financial Statements

The audited financial statements of the International Value Fund for the period January 12, 2022 (date operations commenced) through November 30, 2022, and the Value Fund for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2022, which includes the report of the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, are incorporated herein by reference to the Funds’ Annual Report to Shareholders of those Funds (the “Annual Report”). The Annual Report was filed on Form N-CSR with the SEC on January 31, 2023. The Annual Report is available without charge upon request by visiting https://smeadcap.com/smead-funds/, or call the Funds at 877-807-4122 or write to the following addresses: for Regular Mail, Smead Funds, c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc., P.O. Box 2175, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-2175 and for Overnight or Express Mail, Smead Funds, c/o UMB Fund Services, Inc., 235 West Galena Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212-3948.

 

50