STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Modern Capital Tactical Income Fund

 

 

 

 Class A Shares: MCTOX
Class ADV Shares: MCTDX

 

August 1, 2023 (as revised October 19, 2023, December 29, 2023, and February 9, 2024)

 

A series of the

Modern Capital Funds Trust

1050 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Suite 2470

Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina 29465

Telephone 800-767-3838

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is meant to be read in conjunction with the prospectus for the Modern Capital Tactical Income Fund, dated August 1, 2023 (as revised October 19, 2023, and December 29, 2023) (the “Prospectus”) and is incorporated by references in its entirety into the Prospectus. Because this SAI is not itself a prospectus, no investment in shares of the Fund should be made solely upon the information contained herein. The Fund’s financial statements and accompanying notes that appear in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports are incorporated by reference into this SAI. Copies of the Prospectus, annual report, and/or semi-annual report may be obtained, at no charge, by writing or calling the Fund at the address or phone number shown above or online at www.moderncap.com/assetmanagement/funds. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the same meanings as in the Prospectus.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

MODERN CAPITAL FUNDS TRUST 2
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS 2
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENTS AND RISKS 3
KEY FEATURES OF UNIT INVESTMENT TRUSTS 8
OTHER INVESTMENT RISKS 12
VENUTRE CAPITAL, GROWTH CAPITAL, SPECIAL SITUTATIONS, AND BUYOUTS 23
VALUATION 23
PRIMARY INVESTMENTS 23
SELECTION OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT FUNDS 24
RISKS 24
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 29
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS 30
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS 32
INVESTMENT ADVISER 33
DISTRIBUTOR 36
TRANSFER AGENT, FUND ACCOUNTING AGENT, AND ADMINISTRATOR 37
CUSTODIAN 39
COUNSEL 39
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 39
COMPLIANCE CONSULTANT 39
CODE OF ETHICS 39
PROXY VOTING POLICY 39
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 40
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS 40
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES 42
REDUCTION OF UP-FRONT SALES CHARGE ON CLASS A SHARES 42
WAIVERS OF UP-FRONT SALES CHARGE ON CLASS A SHARES 43
NET ASSET VALUE 43
TAX INFORMATION 44
INVESTMENTS IN FOREIGN SECURITIES 44
BACKUP WITHHOLDING 45
FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS 45
FINANCIALS 46
APPENDIX A 47
APPENDIX B 51

 

 

MODERN CAPITAL FUNDS TRUST

 

Modern Capital Funds Trust (“the Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an open-end management investment company. The Trust was formed by a Certificate of Trust on June 16, 2020. The Trust Agreement permits the Trust to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest of separate series. The Modern Capital Tactical Income Fund (the “Tactical Income Fund” or “Fund”) currently is the only series of the Trust. The Fund changed its name on December 29, 2023. Prior to such date the Fund was named Modern Capital Tactical Opportunities Fund. The Fund is non-diversified.

 

The Trust does not issue share certificates. All shares are held in non-certificate form registered on the books of the Trust and the Trust’s transfer agent for the account of the shareholder. Each share of a series represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets and liabilities belonging to the applicable class of that series and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of income belonging to the applicable class of that series as are declared by the Trustees. The shares do not have cumulative voting rights or any preemptive or conversion rights, and the Trustees have 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 interest in the assets belonging to that series and the rights of shares of any other series are in no way affected. In case of any liquidation of a series, the holders of shares of the series being liquidated will be entitled to receive as a class a distribution out of the assets, net of the liabilities, belonging to that series. Expenses attributable to any class of a series are borne by that class, and thus the net asset values per share of the classes may differ. There can be no assurance that a series will grow to an economically viable size, in which case the Trustees may determine to liquidate the series at a time that may not be opportune for shareholders. Any general expenses of the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular series are allocated by or under the direction of the Trustees in such manner as the Trustees determine to be fair and equitable. No shareholder is liable to further calls or to assessment by the Trust without his or her express consent.

 

The Fund offers multiple classes of shares: Class A Shares and Class ADV Shares. Each share class represents an interest in the same assets of the Fund, has the same rights and is identical in all material respects except that (i) each class of shares may bear different distribution fees; (ii) each class of shares may be subject to different (or no) sales charges; (iii) certain other class specific expenses will be borne solely by the class to which such expenses are attributable; and (iv) each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to its own distribution arrangements. On any matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders, each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each dollar (and fractional vote for each fractional dollar) of net asset value standing in such shareholder’s name on the books of the Fund and Class in which such shareholder owns shares which are entitled to vote. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) may classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes of shares at a future date.

 

Modern Capital Management Co. (the “Adviser”) acts as investment adviser to the Fund.

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

The following investment restrictions are fundamental policies of the Fund and cannot be changed unless the change is approved by the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting of shareholders if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund.

 

As a matter of fundamental policy, the Fund may not:

 

a. Borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;

 

b. Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time;

 

c. Engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities;

 

d. Purchase or sell real estate, which does not include securities of companies which deal in real estate or mortgages or investments secured by real estate or interests therein, except that the Fund reserves freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of the Fund’s ownership of securities;

 

e. Purchase physical commodities or forward contracts relating to physical commodities;

2

 

f. Make loans to other persons, except (i) loans of portfolio securities and loans represented by a note, and (ii) to the extent that entry into repurchase agreements and the purchase of debt instruments or interests in indebtedness in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies may be deemed to be loans;

 

g. Invest 25% or more of its total assets in a particular industry or group of industries other than other investment companies. The 25% limitation is not applicable to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities or repurchase agreements with respect thereto.

 

With respect to investment limitation (g), if the Fund invests in one or more investment companies that concentrates its investments in a particular industry, the Fund will examine its other investment company holdings to ensure that the Fund is not indirectly concentrating its investments in a particular industry.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENTS AND RISKS

 

The investment objective of the Fund and a description of its principal investment strategies are set forth under “Principal Investment Strategies” and “Principal Investment Risks” in the Prospectus. The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed without the approval of a majority of the applicable Fund’s outstanding voting securities. The following pages contain more detailed information about the types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, and a summary of related risks.

 

Active Trading Risk. Active trading of portfolio securities (commonly known as day-trading strategies) may result in added expenses, a lower return and increased tax liability. Specifically, active trading of portfolio securities may result in high brokerage costs, which may lower the Fund’s actual return. Active trading also may increase the proportion of the Fund’s gains that are short-term capital gains, which are treated as ordinary income and taxed at a higher rate than long-term gains. Because the Adviser engages in high turnover trading strategies that seek to leverage short term price dislocations through the duration of a trade, the Fund will have high portfolio turnover rates, which at times may be in excess of 1,000% of capital over the course of a year. Increased portfolio turnover causes the Fund to incur higher brokerage costs and incur custody charges, which may adversely affect the Fund’s performance and may produce increased taxable distributions.

 

Bank Obligations. The Fund may invest in bank obligations such as bankers’ acceptances, certificates of deposit, and time deposits. 

 

Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange typically 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. Investments will be in bankers’ acceptances guaranteed by domestic and foreign banks having, at the time of investment, capital, surplus, and undivided profits in excess of $100,000,000 (as of the date of their most recently published financial statements). 

 

Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank or a savings and loan association for a definite period of time and earning a specified return.

 

Borrowing. The Fund is permitted to borrow money up to one-third of the value of its total assets. Borrowing is a speculative technique that increases investment opportunity and the Fund’s ability to achieve greater returns. However, it also increases investment risk. Because the Fund’s investments will fluctuate in value, whereas the interest obligations on borrowed funds may be fixed (or floating), during times of borrowing, the Fund’s net asset value may tend to increase more when its investments increase in value and decrease more when its investments decrease in value. In addition, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market interest rates and may partially offset or exceed the return earned on the investments made with borrowed funds. Also, during times of borrowing under adverse market conditions, the Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when fundamental investment considerations would not favor such sales. The Fund may also borrow for temporary liquidity purposes, such as to meet redemptions, rather than to leverage its investment portfolio.

 

Call Risk. During periods of falling interest rates, an issuer of a callable bond held by the Fund may “call” or repay the security before its stated maturity, which may result in the Fund having to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in the Fund’s income.

 

Commercial Paper. Commercial paper consists of unsecured promissory notes, including Master Notes, issued by corporations. Issues of commercial paper normally have maturities of less than nine months and fixed rates of return. Master Notes, however, are obligations that provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid and permit daily changes in the amount borrowed. 

3

 

Master Notes are governed by agreements between the issuer and the Adviser acting as agent, for no additional fee, in its capacity as Adviser to the Fund and as fiduciary for other clients for whom it exercises investment discretion. The monies loaned to the borrower come from accounts maintained with or managed by the Adviser or its affiliates pursuant to arrangements with such accounts. Interest and principal payments are credited to such accounts. The Adviser, acting as a fiduciary on behalf of its clients, has the right to increase or decrease the amount provided to the borrower under an obligation. The borrower has the right to pay without penalty all or any part of the principal amount then outstanding on an obligation together with interest to the date of payment. Since these obligations typically provide that the interest rate is tied to the Treasury bill auction rate, the rate on Master Notes is subject to change. Repayment of Master Notes to participating accounts depends on the ability of the borrower to pay the accrued interest and principal of the obligation on demand which is continuously monitored by the Adviser. Master Notes typically are not rated by credit rating agencies.

 

The Fund may purchase commercial paper consisting of issues rated at the time of purchase within the three highest rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (an “NRSRO”). The Fund may also invest in commercial paper that is not rated but is determined by the Adviser, under guidelines established by the Board, to be of comparable quality.

 

Common Stocks. The Fund may invest in common stocks, which include the common stock of any class or series of domestic or foreign corporations or any similar equity interest, such as a trust or partnership interest. These investments may or may not pay dividends and may or may not carry voting rights. Common stock occupies the most junior position in a company’s capital structure. The Fund may also invest in warrants and rights related to common stocks.

 

Convertible Securities. The Fund may invest in convertible securities, including debt securities or preferred stock that may be converted into common stock or that carry the right to purchase common stock. Convertible securities entitle the holder to exchange the securities for a specified number of shares of common stock, usually of the same company, at specified prices within a certain period of time. They also entitle the holder to receive interest or dividends until the holder elects to exercise the conversion privilege.

 

The terms of any convertible security determine its ranking in a company’s capital structure. In the case of subordinated convertible debentures, the holder’s claims on assets and earnings are generally subordinate to the claims of other creditors, and senior to the claims of preferred and common stockholders. In the case of convertible preferred stock, the holder’s claims on assets and earnings are subordinate to the claims of all creditors and are senior to the claims of common stockholders. As a result of their ranking in a company’s capitalization, convertible securities that are rated by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations are generally rated below other obligations of the company and many convertible securities are not rated.

 

Fixed Income Securities. Fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest include nonconvertible preferred stocks and nonconvertible corporate debt securities. The Fund may invest in short-term investments (including repurchase agreements “collateralized fully,” as provided in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act; interest-bearing or discounted commercial paper, including dollar denominated commercial paper of foreign issuers; and any other taxable and tax-exempt money market instruments, including variable rate demand notes, that are “Eligible Securities” as defined in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act)

 

Foreign Investments. The Fund may invest in certain obligations or securities of foreign issuers. Certain of these investments may be in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), other similar depositary receipts, and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) or other investment companies that invest in foreign securities, Yankee Obligations, and U.S. dollar-denominated securities issued by foreign branches of U.S. and foreign banks. Foreign investments may subject the Fund to investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investment in obligations of U.S. domestic issuers. Such risks include future adverse political and economic developments, possible seizure, nationalization, or expropriation of foreign investments, less stringent disclosure requirements, the possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source or other taxes, and the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions. 

 

Additional risks include less publicly available information, less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and issuers, the risk that companies may not be subject to the accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements of U.S. companies, the risk that foreign securities markets may have less volume and that therefore many securities traded in these markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than U.S. securities, and the risk that custodian and brokerage costs may be higher. Foreign issuers of securities or obligations are often subject to accounting treatment and engage in business practices different from those respecting domestic issuers of similar securities or obligations. Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. Certain of these investments may subject the Fund to currency fluctuation risks.

4

 

Depositary Receipts. The Fund’s investments may include securities of foreign issuers in the form of sponsored or unsponsored ADRs, GDRs and EDRs. ADRs are depositary receipts typically issued by a United States bank or trust company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. EDRs and GDRs are typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies, although they also may be issued by United States banks or trust companies, and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by either a foreign or a United States corporation. Generally, depositary receipts in registered form are designed for use in the United States securities market and depositary receipts in bearer form are designed for use in securities markets outside the United States Depositary receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. Ownership of unsponsored depositary receipts may not entitle the Fund to financial or other reports from the issuer of the underlying security, to which it would be entitled as the owner of sponsored depositary receipts. 

 

Emerging Markets. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers located in “emerging markets” (lesser developed countries located outside of the U.S.) or ETFs or other investment companies that invest in emerging market securities. Investing in emerging markets involves not only the risks described above with respect to investing in foreign securities, but also other risks, including exposure to economic structures that are generally less diverse and mature than, and to political systems that can be expected to have less stability than, those of developed countries. For example, many investments in emerging markets experienced significant declines in value due to political and currency volatility in emerging markets countries during the latter part of 1997 and the first half of 1998. Other characteristics of emerging markets that may affect investment include certain national policies that may restrict investment by foreigners in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests and the absence of developed structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. The typically small size of the markets of securities of issuers located in emerging markets and the possibility of a low or nonexistent volume of trading in those securities may also result in a lack of liquidity and in price volatility of those securities.

 

Foreign Currency Options. A foreign currency option provides the option buyer with the right to buy or sell a stated amount of foreign currency at the exercise price at a specified date or during the option period. A call option gives its owner the right, but not the obligation, to buy the currency, while a put option gives its owner the right, but not the obligation, to sell the currency. The option seller (writer) is obligated to fulfill the terms of the option sold if it is exercised. However, either seller or buyer may close its position during the option period in the secondary market for such options at any time prior to expiration.  

 

The Fund may write only foreign currency options that are “covered” or for which the Fund has segregated liquid assets equal to the exercise liability of the option that are adjusted daily to the option’s current market value. A call option is “covered” if the Fund either owns the underlying currency or has an absolute and immediate right (such as a call with the same or a later expiration date) to acquire that currency. The Fund may write put options on a fully covered basis on a currency the Fund intends to purchase or where the Fund arranges with its Custodian to segregate cash or other liquid asset equal in value to the exercise liability of the put option adjusted daily to the option’s current market value. In addition, the Fund will not permit the option to become uncovered without segregating liquid assets as described above prior to the expiration of the option or termination through a closing purchase transaction as described in “Options on Securities” herein.

 

A foreign currency call option rises in value if the underlying currency appreciates. Conversely, a foreign currency put option rises in value if the underlying currency depreciates. While purchasing a foreign currency option may protect the Fund against an adverse movement in the value of a foreign currency, it would not limit the gain which might result from a favorable movement in the value of the currency. For example, if the Fund were holding securities denominated in an appreciating foreign currency and had purchased a foreign currency put to hedge against a decline in the value of the currency, it would not have to exercise its put. In such an event, however, the amount of the Fund’s gain would be offset in part by the premium paid for the option. Similarly, if the Fund entered into a contract to purchase a security denominated in a foreign currency and purchased a foreign currency call to hedge against a rise in the value of the currency between the date of purchase and the settlement date, the Fund would not need to exercise its call if the currency instead depreciated in value. In such a case, the Fund would acquire the amount of foreign currency needed for settlement in the spot market at a lower price than the exercise price of the option.

5

 

Foreign Currency Futures Transactions. Unlike forward foreign currency exchange contracts, foreign currency futures contracts and options on foreign currency futures contract are standardized as to amount and delivery period and may be traded on boards of trade and commodities exchanges or directly with a dealer which makes a market in such contracts and options. It is anticipated that such contracts may provide greater liquidity and lower cost than forward foreign currency exchange contracts. As part of their financial futures transactions, the Fund may use foreign currency futures contracts and options on such futures contracts. Through the purchase or sale of such contracts, the Fund may be able to achieve many of the same objectives as through investing in forward foreign currency exchange.

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in connection with its investments in foreign securities. A forward contract may be used by the Fund only to hedge against possible variations in exchange rates of currencies in countries in which it may invest. A forward foreign currency exchange contract (“forward contract”) involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. Forward contracts are traded in the interbank market directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades.

 

Foreign Government Obligations. The Fund may invest in obligations of foreign sovereign governments or of their agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or political subdivisions. These securities may be denominated in United States dollars or in another currency. Sovereign debt may be issued by foreign developed and emerging market governments and their respective sub-divisions, agencies or instrumentalities, government sponsored enterprises and supranational government entities. Supranational entities include international organizations that are organized or supported by one or more government entities to promote economic reconstruction or development and by international banking institutions and related governmental agencies. Investment in sovereign debt can involve a high degree of risk. The governmental entity that controls the repayment of sovereign debt may not be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of the debt. A governmental entity’s willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the governmental entity’s policy toward the International Monetary Fund, and the political constraints to which a governmental entity may be subject. Governmental entities also may depend on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The commitment on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on a governmental entity’s implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor’s obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties’ commitments to lend funds to the governmental entity, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to service its debts in a timely manner. Consequently, governmental entities may decide to default on their sovereign debt in whole or in part. Holders of sovereign debt (including the Fund) may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to governmental entities. There is no known bankruptcy proceeding by which sovereign debt on which governmental entities have defaulted may be collected in whole or in part. See also “Foreign Investment Risk.” 

 

Investment Company Securities. The Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment companies. The Fund intends to limit its investments in accordance with applicable law or as permitted by an SEC rule or exemptive order. Among other things, such law would limit these investments so that, as determined immediately after a securities purchase is made by the Fund: (a) not more than 5% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the securities of any one investment company (the “5% Limitation”); (b) not more than 10% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the aggregate in securities of investment companies as a group (the “10% Limitation”); (c) not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company will be owned by the Fund; and (d) not more than 10% of the outstanding voting stock of any one closed-end investment company will be owned by the Fund together with all other investment companies that have the same advisor. Under certain sets of conditions, different sets of restrictions may be applicable. As a shareholder of another investment company, the Fund would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of that investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory and other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations. Investment companies in which the Fund may invest may also impose a sales or distribution charge in connection with the purchase or redemption of their Shares and other types of commissions or charges. Such charges will be payable by the Fund and, therefore, will be borne directly by Shareholders.  

6

 

The Fund may rely on Rule 12d1-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), which allows unaffiliated mutual funds to exceed the 5% Limitation and the 10% Limitation, provided the aggregate sales loads any investor pays (i.e., the combined distribution expenses of both the acquiring fund and the acquired funds) does not exceed the limits on sales loads established by FINRA for funds of funds. 

 

The Fund intends to rely on Section 12(d)(1)(G) and Rule 12d1-2 under the 1940 Act to invest in other investment companies (including registered unit investment trusts) beyond the above-described limits to the extent the other investment companies (including registered unit investment trusts) are members of the same group of investment companies. 

 

Closed-End Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in “closed-end” investment companies (or “closed-end funds”), subject to the investment restrictions set forth below. The Fund, together with any company or companies controlled by the Fund, and any other investment companies having a sub-adviser as an investment adviser, may purchase only up to 10% of the total outstanding voting stock of any closed-end fund. Typically, the common shares of closed-end funds are offered to the public in a one-time initial public offering by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission. Such securities are then listed for trading on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter markets. Because the common shares of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as the Fund), investors seek to buy and sell common shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market. The common shares of closed-end funds may trade at a price per share which is more or less than the NAV per share, the difference representing the “market premium” and the “market discount” of such common shares, respectively.

 

There can be no assurance that a market discount on common shares of any closed-end fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the NAV of that fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that the common shares of closed-end funds which trade at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund. The Fund may also invest in preferred shares of closed-end funds. 

 

Some closed-end funds are business development companies (“BDCs”). BDCs may carry risks similar development to those of a private equity or venture capital fund. BDCs company risk are not redeemable at the option of the shareholder and they may trade in the market at a discount to their net asset value. A BDC is a form of investment company that is required to invest at least 70% of its total assets in securities (typically debt) of private companies, thinly traded U.S. public companies, or short-term high quality debt securities. BDCs usually trade at a discount to their net asset value because they invest in unlisted securities and have limited access to capital markets. BDCs may leverage their portfolios through borrowings or the issuance of preferred stock. While leverage often serves to increase the yield of a BDC, this leverage also subjects a BDC to increased risks, including the likelihood of increased volatility and the possibility that a BDC’s common share income will fall if the dividend rate of the preferred shares or the interest rate on any borrowings rises.

 

An investor in the Fund should recognize that he may invest directly in closed-end funds and that by investing in closed-end funds indirectly through the Fund he will bear not only his proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund (including operating costs and investment advisory and administrative fees) but also, indirectly, similar fees of the underlying closed-end funds. An investor may incur increased tax liabilities by investing in the Funds rather than directly in the underlying funds.

 

Exchange Traded Funds. The Fund may invest in a range of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). An ETF is an investment company that offers investors a proportionate share in a portfolio of stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies or other securities. Like individual equity securities, ETFs are traded on a stock exchange and can be bought and sold throughout the day. Traditional ETFs attempt to achieve the same investment return as that of a particular market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. To mirror the performance of a market index, an ETF invests either in all of the securities in the index or a representative sample of securities in the index. Some ETFs also invest in futures contracts or other derivative instruments to track their benchmark index. Unlike traditional indexes, which generally weight their holdings based on relative size (market capitalization), enhanced or fundamentally weighted indexes use weighting structures that include other criteria such as earnings, sales, growth, liquidity, book value or dividends. Some ETFs also use active investment strategies instead of tracking broad market indexes. Investments in ETFs are considered to be investment companies, see “Securities of Other Investment Companies” above. 

7

 

When the Fund invests in ETFs, it is subject to the specific risks of the underlying investment of the ETF. These risks could include those associated with small companies, illiquidity risk, sector risk, foreign and emerging market risk, as well as risks associated with fixed income securities, real estate investments, and commodities. ETFs in which the Fund invests will not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices or sector they track because the total return generated by the securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of the securities. In addition, the ETFs in which the Fund invest will incur expenses not incurred by their applicable indices. Certain securities comprising the indices tracked by the ETFs may, from time to time, temporarily be unavailable, which may further impede the ETFs’ ability to track their applicable indices.

 

When the Fund invests in sector ETFs, there is a risk that securities within the same group of industries will decline in price due to sector-specific market or economic developments. If the Fund invests more heavily in a particular sector, the value of its shares may be especially sensitive to factors and economic risks that specifically affect that sector. As a result, the Fund’s share price may fluctuate more widely than the value of shares of a mutual fund that invests in a broader range of industries. Additionally, some sectors could be subject to greater government regulation than other sectors. Therefore, changes in regulatory policies for those sectors may have a material effect on the value of securities issued by companies in those sectors. The sectors in which the Fund may be more heavily invested will vary.

 

To offset the risk of declining security prices, the Fund may invest in inverse ETFs. Inverse ETFs are funds designed to rise in price when stock prices are falling. Inverse ETF index funds seek to provide investment results that will match the inverse of the performance of a specific benchmark on a daily basis. For example, if an inverse ETFs current benchmark is the inverse of the Russell 2000 Index and the ETF meets its objective, the value of the ETF will tend to increase on a daily basis when the value of the underlying index decreases (e.g., if the Russell 2000 Index goes down 5% then the inverse ETF’s value should go up 5%). Inverse ETFs may employ leverage, which magnifies the changes in the underlying stock index upon which they are based. However, the Fund will not invest in inverse ETFs that employ leverage.

 

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not acquire shares of another investment company (ETFs or other investment companies) if, immediately after such acquisition, the Fund and its affiliated persons would hold more than 3% of the ETF’s or investment company’s total outstanding stock (“3% Limitation”). Accordingly, the Fund is subject to the 3% Limitation unless: (i) the ETF or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from the 3% Limitation from the SEC that is applicable to the Fund; and (ii) the ETF and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. The SEC has issued such an exemptive order to iShares Trust and iShares, Inc. which permits investment companies to invest in the various series of the iShares Trust and iShares, Inc. (“iShares Funds”) beyond the 3% Limitation, subject to certain terms and conditions, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the iShares Funds. The Fund may seek to qualify to invest in iShares Funds in excess of the 3% Limitation.

 

To the extent the 3% Limitation applies to certain ETFs, that limitation may prevent the Fund from allocating its investments in the manner that the Adviser, considers optimal, or cause the Fund to select a similar index or sector-based mutual fund or other investment company (“Other Investment Companies”), or a similar basket of stocks (a group of securities related by index or sector that are pre-selected by, and made available through, certain brokers at a discounted brokerage rate) (“Stock Baskets”) as an alternative. The Fund may also invest in Other Investment Companies or Stock Baskets when the Adviser believes they represent more attractive opportunities than similar ETFs. The Fund’s investments in Other Investment Companies will be subject to the same 3% Limitation described herein.

 

Exchange-Traded Notes. The Fund may invest in exchange-traded notes (“ETNs”). ETNs are a type of senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt security issued by financial institutions that combines both aspects of bonds and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”). An ETN’s returns are based on the performance of a market index minus fees and expenses. Similar to ETFs, ETNs are listed on an exchange and traded in the secondary market. However, unlike an ETF, an ETN can be held until the ETN’s maturity, at which time the issuer will pay a return linked to the performance of the market index to which the ETN is linked minus certain fees.

8

 

Unlike regular bonds, ETNs do not make periodic interest payments and principal is not protected. ETNs are subject to credit risk and the value of an ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer’s credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. The value of an ETN may also be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer’s credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying asset. When the Fund invests in ETNs it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. The Fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist for an ETN.

 

ETNs are also subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or a court will uphold, how the Fund characterizes and treats ETNs for tax purposes. Further, the IRS and Congress have considered proposals that would change the timing and character of income and gains from ETNs.

 

An ETN that is tied to a specific market benchmark or strategy may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities, commodities or other components in the applicable market benchmark or strategy. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid and, thus, they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form.

 

The market value of ETN shares may differ from their market benchmark or strategy. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETN shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities, commodities or other components underlying the market benchmark or strategy that the ETN seeks to track. As a result, there may be times when an ETN share trades at a premium or discount to its market benchmark or strategy.

 

Unit Investment Trusts. A unit investment trust, commonly referred to as a UIT, is one of three basic types of investment companies. The other two types are mutual funds and closed-end funds. A unit investment trust is a registered investment company that buys and holds a generally fixed portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. “Units” in the trust are sold to investors (unitholders) who receive a share of principal and dividends (or interest). A UIT has a stated date for termination that varies according to the investments held in its portfolio. A UIT investing in long-term bonds may remain outstanding for 20 to 30 years. UITs that invest in stocks may seek to capture capital appreciation over a period of a year or a few years. When these trusts are dissolved, proceeds from the securities are either paid to unitholders or reinvested in another trust. A UIT does not actively trade its investment portfolio. That is, a UIT buys a relatively fixed portfolio of securities (for example, five, ten, or twenty specific stocks or bonds), and holds them with little or no change for the life of the UIT. Because the investment portfolio of a UIT generally is fixed, investors know more or less what they are investing in for the duration of their investment. Investors will find the portfolio securities held by the UIT listed in its prospectus.

 

Although many investors purchase units with the intention of holding them until the trust terminates, UIT investors may sell their units at any time. Even in the absence of a secondary market for UITs, trusts are required by law to redeem (buy back) outstanding units at their net asset value (NAV), which is based upon the current market value of the underlying securities. The NAV may be more or less than the price the investor paid initially. 

 

Loans of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend securities if such loans are secured continuously by liquid assets consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid debt securities or by a letter of credit in favor of the Fund at least equal at all times to 100% of the market value of the securities loaned, plus accrued interest. While such securities are on loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any income accruing thereon. Loans will be subject to termination by the Fund in the normal settlement time, currently three Business Days after notice, or by the borrower on one day’s notice (as used herein, “Business Day” shall denote any day on which the New York Stock Exchange and the custodian are both open for business). Any gain or loss in the market price of the borrowed securities that occurs during the term of the loan inures to the lending Fund and its shareholders. The Fund may pay reasonable finders’ and custodial fees, including fees to an Adviser or its affiliate, in connection with loans. In addition, the Fund will consider all facts and circumstances including the creditworthiness of the borrowing financial institution, and the Fund will not lend their securities to any director, officer, employee, or affiliate of an Adviser, the Administrator or Distributor, unless permitted by applicable law. Loans of portfolio securities involve risks, such as delays or an inability to regain the securities or collateral adjustments in the event the borrower defaults or enters into bankruptcy. 

9

 

Lower Rated or Unrated Securities. Securities rated Baa by Moody’s or BBB by S&P or lower, or deemed of comparable quality by the Adviser, may have speculative characteristics. Securities rated below investment grade, i.e., below Baa or BBB, or deemed of comparable quality by the Adviser, have higher yields but also involve greater risks than higher rated securities. Under guidelines used by rating agencies, securities rated below investment grade, or deemed of comparable quality, have large uncertainties or major risk exposures in the event of adverse conditions, which features outweigh any quality and protective characteristics. Securities with the lowest ratings are considered to have extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing, to have a current identifiable vulnerability to default, to be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due in the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, and/or to be in default or not current in the payment of interest or principal. Such securities are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations. Accordingly, it is possible that these types of factors could, in certain instances, reduce the value of such securities held by the Fund with a commensurate effect on the value of its shares. 

 

The secondary market for lower rated securities is not as liquid as that for higher rated securities. This market is concentrated in relatively few market makers and participants in the market are mostly institutional investors, including insurance companies, banks, other financial institutions and investment companies. In addition, the trading market for lower rated securities is generally lower than that for higher-rated securities, and the secondary markets could contract under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. These factors may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to dispose of these securities and may limit its ability to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of determining the value of its assets. If the Fund is not able to obtain precise or accurate market quotations for a particular security, it will become more difficult to value its portfolio, requiring them to rely more on judgment. Less liquid secondary markets may also affect the Fund’s ability to sell securities at their fair value. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets, measured at the time of investment, in illiquid securities, which may be more difficult to value and to sell at fair value. If the secondary markets for high yield debt securities are affected by adverse economic conditions, the proportion of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities may increase. 

 

In the case of corporate debt securities, while the market values of securities rated below investment grade and comparable unrated securities tend to react less to fluctuations in interest rate levels than do those of higher-rated securities, the market values of certain of these securities also tend to be more sensitive to individual corporate developments and changes in economic conditions than higher-rated securities. Price volatility in these securities will be reflected in the Fund’s share value. In addition, such securities generally present a higher degree of credit risk. Issuers of these securities often are highly leveraged and may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them, so that their ability to service their debt obligations during an economic downturn or during sustained periods of rising interest rates may be impaired. The risk of loss due to default by such issuers is significantly greater than with investment grade securities because such securities generally are unsecured and frequently are subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness.

 

Municipal Securities. Municipal securities are debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities such as airports, bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Other public purposes for which municipal securities may be issued include refunding of outstanding obligations, obtaining funds for general operating expenses and obtaining funds to loan to other public institutions and facilities. In addition, certain types of industrial development bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide privately-operated housing facilities, sports facilities, convention or trade show facilities, airport, mass transit, port or parking facilities, air or water pollution control facilities and certain local facilities for water supply, gas, electricity, or sewage or solid waste disposal. Such obligations, which may include lease arrangements, are included within the term “municipal securities” if the interest paid thereon qualifies as exempt from federal income tax. Other types of industrial development bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may constitute municipal securities, although the current federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such issues.

 

Preferred Stocks. The Fund may invest in preferred stock. Preferred stock, unlike common stock, offers a stated dividend rate payable from the issuer’s earnings. Preferred stock dividends may be cumulative or non-cumulative, participating, or auction rate. If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of the preferred stocks to decline. Preferred stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as call/redemption provisions prior to maturity, a negative feature when interest rates decline.

 

10

 

The two principal classifications of municipal securities are “general obligation” and “revenue” bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Industrial development bonds that are municipal securities are in most cases revenue bonds and do not generally involve the pledge of the credit of the issuer of such bonds. There are, of course, variations in the degree of risk of municipal securities, both within a particular classification and between classifications, depending upon numerous factors. 

 

The yields on municipal securities are dependent upon a variety of factors, including general money market conditions, general conditions of the municipal securities market, size of particular offering, maturity of the obligation and rating of the issue. The ratings of Moody’s and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of the municipal securities which they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal securities with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields, while municipal securities of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.

 

The Fund may invest in “private activity” bonds. The Fund may also purchase participation interests in municipal securities (such as industrial development bonds) from financial institutions, including banks, insurance companies and broker-dealers. A participation interest gives the Fund an undivided interest in the municipal securities in the proportion that the Fund’s participation interest bears to the total principal amount of the municipal securities. These instruments may be variable or fixed rate. 

 

Provisions of the federal bankruptcy statutes relating to the adjustment of debts of political subdivisions and authorities of states of the United States provide that, in certain circumstances, such subdivisions or authorities may be authorized to initiate bankruptcy proceedings without prior notice to or consent of creditors, which proceedings could result in material and adverse modification or alteration of the rights of holders of obligations issued by such subdivisions or authorities.

 

Litigation challenging the validity under state constitutions of present systems of financing public education has been initiated or adjudicated in a number of states, and legislation has been introduced to effect changes in public school finances in some states. In other instances there has been litigation challenging the issuance of pollution control revenue bonds or the validity of their issuance under state or federal law which litigation could ultimately affect the validity of those Municipal Securities or the tax-free nature of the interest thereon.

 

Private Investment Funds. The Fund may invest in privately-offered investment funds that are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1993 and are typically excluded from the definition of investment company under the 1940 Act. These private investment funds are commonly referred to as private funds, private equity funds, PE funds, or VC funds. Additionally, these private investment funds are generally available only to accredited investors, such as the Fund and other institutional investors. The Fund may invest in primary offering as well as secondary offerings.

 

Private equity is a common term for investments that are typically made in non-public companies through privately negotiated transactions. Private equity investors generally seek to acquire quality assets at attractive valuations and use operational expertise to enhance value and improve portfolio company performance. Buyout funds are used by private equity investors to acquire private and public companies, as well as divisions of larger companies. Private equity specialists seek to uncover value enhancing opportunities in portfolio companies, unlock the value of the portfolio company and reposition it for sale at a multiple of invested equity.

 

Private equity investments held by private investment funds may be structured using a range of financial instruments, including common and preferred equity, convertible securities, subordinated debt and warrants or other derivatives. Private equity funds, often organized as limited partnerships, are the most common vehicles for making private equity investments. In such funds, investors usually commit to provide up to a certain amount of capital when requested by the fund’s manager or general partner. The general partner then makes private equity investments on behalf of the private investment fund. The private investment fund’s investments are usually realized, or “exited” after a four to seven year holding period through a private sale, an initial public offering (“IPO”) or a recapitalization. Proceeds of such exits are then distributed to the private investment fund’s investors. The private investment funds themselves typically have a term of seven to twelve years.

11

 

The Fund’s performance depends upon the performance of the private investment funds’ managers and selected strategies, the adherence by such managers to such selected strategies, the instruments used by such managers and the Adviser’s ability to select managers and strategies and effectively allocate Fund assets among the private investment funds. The Fund’s investment portfolio may consist of private investment funds that hold securities issued primarily by privately-held companies, and operating results for the portfolio companies in a specified period will be difficult to predict. Such investments involve a high degree of business and financial risk that can result in substantial losses. The securities in which a private investment fund manager may invest may be among the most junior in a portfolio company’s capital structure and, thus, subject to the greatest risk of loss. Generally, there will be no collateral to protect an investment once made. A manager’s investments, depending upon strategy, may be in companies whose capital structures are highly leveraged. Such investments involve a high degree of risk in that adverse fluctuations in the cash flow of such companies, or increased interest rates, may impair their ability to meet their obligations, which may accelerate and magnify declines in the value of any such portfolio company investments in a down market. Fund investors will bear two layers of fees and expenses: asset-based fees and expenses at the Fund level, and asset-based fees, carried interests, incentive allocations or other fees and expenses at the private investment funds level. Venture capital is usually classified by investments in private companies that have a limited operating history, are attempting to develop or commercialize unproven technologies or implement novel business plans or are not otherwise developed sufficiently to be self-sustaining financially or to become public. Although these investments may offer the opportunity for significant gains, such investments involve a high degree of business and financial risk that can result in substantial losses, which risks generally are greater than the risks of investing in public companies that may be at a later stage of development.

 

Security Market Risk. The value of the Fund may decrease in response to the activities and financial prospects of the securities markets generally, or an individual security in the Fund’s portfolio. The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. The value of certain types of securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments.

 

Unexpected local, regional or global events, such as war; acts of terrorism; financial, political or social disruptions; natural, environmental or man-made disasters; the spread of infectious illnesses or other public health issues; and recessions and depressions could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments and may impair market liquidity. Such events can cause investor fear, which can adversely affect the economies of nations, regions and the market in general, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness known as COVID-19, which is caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), was first detected in China in December 2019 and subsequently spread globally. This coronavirus has resulted in, among other things, travel restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, significant disruptions to business operations, market closures, cancellations and restrictions, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand, and significant volatility and declines in global financial markets, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of COVID-19 has adversely affected, and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future could adversely affect, the economies of many nations and the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

 

Inflation pressures have been fueled by elevated energy prices. One of the main near-term sources of elevated energy prices is the geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine These tensions could either escalate into military conflict or could dissipate based on various factors facing Russia and Ukraine. Due to Europe’s reliance on Russian oil and gas, Russia’s bargaining position may decline as the demand for oil and gas declines. This could lead to near term energy price volatility and may contribute to inflation pressures. 

 

China remains a risk factor to both global supply and demand. The 2021 Chinese property market correction appears broader and deeper than China’s prior housing cycles. Weak market sentiment in China, combined with a high volume of property developer bonds maturing in offshore USD denominated markets in the first half of 2022, increase the risk of a lack of liquidity in the Chinese property market. The Chinese property market slowdown and resulting potential weakness in China’s economic growth could have broader repercussions. China currently accounts for around half the annual copper and steel used globally while being expected to comprise more than 20% of global GDP growth between 2021 and 2026. Additionally, the Chinese market remains important to both U.S. and globally listed companies as a growing consumer market and an important part of supply chains. Chinese policy action may help mitigate this risk from the property sector and restore confidence and stability. 

12

 

It is impossible to predict the effects of these or similar events in the future on the Fund, although it is possible that these or similar events could have a significant adverse impact on the NAV and/or risk profile of the Fund.

 

REITs. The Fund may invest in securities of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REITs are publicly traded corporations or trusts that specialize in acquiring, holding and managing residential, commercial or industrial real estate. A REIT is not taxed at the entity level on income distributed to its shareholders or unitholders if it distributes to shareholders or unitholders at least 95% of its taxable income for each taxable year and complies with regulatory requirements relating to its organization, ownership, assets and income.

 

REITs generally can be classified as “Equity REITs” “Mortgage REITs” and “Hybrid REITs.” An Equity REIT invests the majority of its assets directly in real property and derives its income primarily from rents and from capital gains on real estate appreciation which are realized through property sales. A Mortgage REIT invests the majority of its assets in real estate mortgage loans and services its income primarily from interest payments. A Hybrid REIT combines the characteristics of an Equity REIT and a Mortgage REIT. Although the Fund can invest in all three kinds of REITs, its emphasis is expected to be on investments in Equity REITs. 

 

Investments in the real estate industry involve particular risks. The real estate industry has been subject to substantial fluctuations and declines on a local, regional and national basis in the past and may continue to be in the future. Real property values and income from real property may decline due to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, regulatory limitations on rents, changes in neighborhoods and in demographics, increases in market interest rates, or other factors. Factors such as these may adversely affect companies that own and operate real estate directly, companies that lend to such companies, and companies that service the real estate industry. 

 

Direct investments in REITs also involve risks. Equity REITs will be affected by changes in the values of and income from the properties they own, while Mortgage REITs may be affected by the credit quality of the mortgage loans they hold. In addition, REITs are dependent on specialized management skills and on their ability to generate cash flow for operating purposes and to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders. REITs may have limited diversification and are subject to risks associated with obtaining financing for real property, as well as to the risk of self-liquidation. REITs also can be adversely affected by their failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through treatment of their income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or their failure to maintain an exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. By investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, a shareholder bears not only a proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also may indirectly bear similar expenses of some of the REITs in which it invests.

 

Repurchase Agreements. Securities held by the Fund may be subject to repurchase agreements. These transactions permit the Fund to earn income for periods as short as overnight. The Fund could receive less than the repurchase price on any sale of such securities. Under the terms of a repurchase agreement, the Fund would acquire securities from member banks of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and registered broker-dealers and other financial institutions that the Adviser deems creditworthy under guidelines approved by the Board, subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase such securities at a mutually agreed-upon date and price. The repurchase price would generally equal the price paid by the Fund plus interest negotiated on the basis of current short-term rates, which may be more or less than the rate on the underlying portfolio securities. The seller under a repurchase agreement will be required to maintain continually the value of collateral held pursuant to the agreement at not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). If the seller were to default on its repurchase obligation or become insolvent, the Fund holding such obligation would suffer a loss to the extent that the proceeds from a sale of the underlying portfolio securities were less than the repurchase price under the agreement, or to the extent that the disposition of such securities by the Fund were delayed pending court action. Additionally, there is no controlling legal precedent confirming that the Fund would be entitled, as against a claim by such seller or its receiver or trustee in bankruptcy, to retain the underlying securities, although the Trust believes that, under the regular procedures normally in effect for custody of the Fund’s securities subject to repurchase agreements and under federal laws, a court of competent jurisdiction would rule in favor of the Trust if presented with the question. Securities subject to repurchase agreements will be held by the Fund’s custodian or another qualified custodian or in the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans by the Fund under the 1940 Act.

13

 

Restricted and Illiquid Securities. The Fund may acquire, in privately negotiated transactions, securities that cannot be offered for public sale in the United States without first being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”). Restricted securities are subject to restrictions on resale under federal securities law. Because of these restrictions, the Fund may not be able to readily resell these securities at a price equal to what it might obtain for similar securities with a more liquid market. The Fund’s valuation of these securities will reflect relevant liquidity considerations. Under criteria established by the Fund’s Trustees, certain restricted securities sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act may be determined to be liquid. To the extent that restricted securities are not determined to be liquid, the Fund will limit its purchase, together with other illiquid securities including non-negotiable time deposits and repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven days after notice, to no more than 15% of its net assets.

 

Restricted securities in which the Fund may invest may include commercial paper issued in reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper is restricted as to disposition under federal securities law, and is generally sold to institutional investors, such as the Fund, who agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment purposes and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be in an exempt transaction. Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper is normally resold to other institutional investors like the Fund through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers who make a market in Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper, thus providing liquidity. The Adviser believes that Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper and possibly certain other restricted securities which meet the criteria for liquidity established by the Trustees of the Fund are quite liquid. The Funds intend, therefore, to treat the restricted securities which meet the criteria for liquidity established by the Trustees, including Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper, as determined by the Adviser, as liquid and not subject to the investment limitations applicable to illiquid securities.

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund sells a security and agrees to repurchase it at a mutually agreed upon date and at a price reflecting the interest rate effective for the term of the agreement. This may also be viewed as the borrowing of money by the Fund. The Fund will not invest the proceeds of a reverse repurchase agreement for a period which exceeds the duration of the reverse repurchase agreement. The Fund may not enter into reverse repurchase agreements exceeding in the aggregate one-third of the market value of its total assets, less liabilities other than the obligations created by reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund will segregate assets consisting of cash or liquid securities in an amount at least equal to its repurchase obligations under its reverse repurchase agreements.

 

Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities retained by the Fund may decline below the price of the securities it has sold but is obligated to repurchase under the agreement. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s use of proceeds from the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the other party or its trustee or receiver whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities.

 

Small and Unseasoned Companies. Unseasoned and small companies may have limited or unprofitable operating histories, limited financial resources, and inexperienced management. In addition, they often face competition from larger or more established firms that have greater resources. Securities of small and unseasoned companies are frequently traded in the over-the-counter market or on regional exchanges where low trading volumes may result in erratic or abrupt price movements. To dispose of these securities, the Fund may need to sell them over an extended period or below the original purchase price. Investments by the Fund in these small or unseasoned companies may be regarded as speculative. 

 

United States Government Obligations. The Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, or by its agencies or instrumentalities. Obligations issued or guaranteed by federal agencies or instrumentalities may or may not be backed by the “full faith and credit” of the United States. Securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include Treasury bills, Treasury notes, Treasury bonds, and obligations of the Government National Mortgage Association, the Farmers Home Administration, and the Export-Import Bank. In the case of securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the Fund must look principally to the agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself in the event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitments. Securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include, but are not limited to, obligations of the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the United States Postal Service, each of which has the right to borrow from the United States Treasury to meet its obligations, and obligations of the Federal Farm Credit System and the Federal Home Loan Banks, both of whose obligations may be satisfied only by the individual credits of each issuing agency. 

14

 

Variable Amount Master Demand Notes. Variable amount master demand notes are unsecured demand notes that permit the indebtedness thereunder to vary and provide for periodic readjustments in the interest rate according to the terms of the instrument. They are also referred to as variable rate demand notes. Because master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and the issuer, they are not normally traded. Although there is no secondary market in the notes, the Fund may demand payment of principal and accrued interest at any time or during specified periods not exceeding one year, depending upon the instrument involved, and may resell the note at any time to a third party. The Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios of the issuers of such notes and will continuously monitor their financial status and ability to meet payment on demand. 

 

Warrants. The Fund may invest in warrants. The Fund may purchase warrants issued by domestic and foreign companies to purchase newly created equity securities consisting of common and preferred stock. Warrants are securities that give the holder the right, but not the obligation to purchase equity issues of the company issuing the warrants, or a related company, at a fixed price either on a date certain or during a set period. The equity security underlying a warrant is authorized at the time the warrant is issued or is issued together with the warrant. 

 

Investing in warrants can provide a greater potential for profit or loss than an equivalent investment in the underlying security, and, thus, can be a speculative investment. At the time of issue, the cost of a warrant is substantially less than the cost of the underlying security itself, and price movements in the underlying security are generally magnified in the price movements of the warrant. This leveraging effect enables the investor to gain exposure to the underlying security with a relatively low capital investment. This leveraging increases an investor’s risk, however, in the event of a decline in the value of the underlying security and can result in a complete loss of the amount invested in the warrant. In addition, the price of a warrant tends to be more volatile than, and may not correlate exactly to, the price of the underlying security. If the market price of the underlying security is below the exercise price of the warrant on its expiration date, the warrant will generally expire without value. The value of a warrant may decline because of a decline in the value of the underlying security, the passage of time, changes in interest rates or in the dividend or other policies of the company whose equity underlies the warrant or a change in the perception as to the future price of the underlying security, or any combination thereof. Warrants generally pay no dividends and confer no voting or other rights other than to purchase the underlying security. 

 

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities. The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. Delivery of and payment for these securities may take as long as a month or more after the date of the purchase commitment. The value of these securities is subject to market fluctuation during this period and no interest or income accrues to the Fund until settlement. The Fund will maintain with the custodian a separate account with a segregated portfolio of liquid assets consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid high-grade debt securities in an amount at least equal to these commitments. When entering into a when-issued or delayed delivery transaction, the Fund will rely on the other party to consummate the transaction; if the other party fails to do so, the Fund may be disadvantaged. It is the current policy of the Fund not to enter into when-issued commitments exceeding in the aggregate 25% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets, less liabilities other than the obligations created by these commitments.

  

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Board has adopted Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policies and Procedures (the “Policy”) to protect the interests of Fund shareholders and to address potential conflicts of interests that could arise between the interests of Fund shareholders and the interests of the Adviser, principal underwriter, or affiliated persons of the Fund, Adviser or principal underwriter.

 

The Policy is intended to prevent the misuse of material non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of the Fund (“Holdings Information”). Holdings Information will be disclosed to selected third parties only when the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so, and the Recipients (as defined below) are subject to a duty of confidentiality (including a duty not to trade based on the non-public information). Under this Policy, the receipt of compensation by the Fund, the Adviser or an affiliate as consideration for disclosing Holdings Information will not be deemed a legitimate business purpose. Recipients will receive Holdings Information only after furnishing written assurances to the Adviser and/or the Fund that the Holdings Information will remain confidential, and Recipients and persons with access to the Holdings Information will be prohibited from trading based on the Information. In all instances, Holdings Information will be disclosed only when consistent with the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the Adviser’s fiduciary duties, and the Adviser’s and Fund’s obligations to prevent the misuse of material, non-public information.

15

 

Pursuant to the policy, the Fund, the Adviser, and their agents are obligated to:

 

Act in the best interest of Fund shareholders by protecting non-public and potentially material portfolio Holdings Information;

 

Ensure that Holdings Information is not provided to a favored group of clients or potential clients; and

 

Adopt such safeguards and controls around the release of Holdings Information so that no client or group of clients is unfairly disadvantaged as a result of such release.

  

The following policies and procedures will apply to the disclosure of listings of portfolio holdings for the Fund by the Adviser and the Fund: 

 

SEC Filings. The Fund must disclose their complete portfolio holdings monthly to the SEC using Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of the first and third quarter end of the Fund’s fiscal year. The N-PORT on the first and third quarter end of the Fund’s fiscal year are made public through the SEC electronic filings. The Fund files annual and semi-annual reports the Form N-CSR and distributes these to shareholders. Mailing is done within 60 days of the end of the semi-annual and annual periods. SEC filing is made with 10 days of commencement of mailing. 

 

Service Providers. Pursuant to policies and procedures adopted by the Board, the Fund has ongoing arrangements to release portfolio holdings information on a daily basis, with no lag time, to the Adviser, Transfer Agent, Fund Accounting Agent, Administrator and Custodian. The Adviser, Transfer Agent, Fund Accounting Agent, Administrator and Custodian receive portfolio holdings information daily in order to carry out the essential operations of the Fund. The Fund may also release portfolio information on an as needed basis, with varying lag times, to other third parties providing services to the Fund. The Fund discloses portfolio holdings to its auditors, legal counsel, proxy voting services (if applicable), pricing services, printers, parties to merger and reorganization agreements and their agents, and prospective or newly hired investment advisors or sub-advisors. The information may be provided to auditors within days of the end of an annual period, while the information may be given to legal counsel at any time, with no lag time, and information may be given to proxy voting services (if applicable), pricing services, printers, parties to merger and reorganization agreements and their agents, and prospective or newly hired investment advisors or sub-advisors at intervals and lag times which will vary. 

 

Other Disclosure. The Adviser and the Fund currently do not disclose Holdings Information except as noted above. The Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) may authorize providing non-public Holdings Information of the Fund that is current as of thirty business day after the month-end to third-party rating and ranking organizations (each a “Recipient”) for use in connection with their rating or ranking of the Fund. The disclosure may include additional information; however, any such additional information provided to a Recipient shall not include any material information about the Fund’s trading strategies or pending transactions.

 

The CCO may approve the distribution in an electronic format of non-public Holdings Information posted on the public Internet site of the Company to Recipients and rating agencies upon request, and such Recipients and rating agencies will not be required to execute a Nondisclosure Agreement.

 

Occasions may arise where the Adviser, the Fund or an affiliate may have a conflict of interest in connection with a Recipient’s request for disclosure of Holdings Information. In such cases, the Adviser, Fund or affiliate will disclose the conflict to the CCO, the CCO will review the conflict, and if the CCO determines, to the best of his knowledge following appropriate due diligence, that the disclosure of non-public Holdings Information would be in the best interests of shareholders and the Fund and will not adversely affect the shareholders or the Fund, the CCO may approve the disclosure. The CCO will document in writing any such exception (which identifies the legitimate business purpose for the disclosure) and will provide a report to the Board for its review at a subsequent Board meeting. Any such exceptions log shall be retained in the Fund’s records.

16

 

The Fund and the Adviser will not enter into any arrangement providing for the disclosure of Holdings Information for the receipt of compensation or benefit of any kind in return for the disclosure of the Holdings Information. The Board exercises oversight of the disclosure of Portfolio Holdings by reviewing quarterly reports presented by the Fund’s CCO regarding violations of the Fund’s policies, exceptions to the policies, and new arrangements for disclosing Portfolio Holdings.

 

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

 

The Board oversees the business and affairs of the Trust and appoints or elects officers responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Trust and the execution of policies established by Board resolution or directive. The Trustees meet periodically throughout the year to review contractual arrangements with companies furnish services to the Funds; review performance of the Advisor and the Funds; and oversee activities of the Funds. This section of the SAI provides information about the persons who serve as Trustees and officers to the Trust as well as the entities that provide services to the Funds.

 

Trustees and Officers. Following are the Trustees and officers of the Trust, their age and address, their present position with the Trust or the Funds, and their principal occupation during the past five years. The Trustees in the following table who are not “interested” persons of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”) are indicated as such. The address of each Trustee and officer of the Trust, unless otherwise indicated, is 825 Low Country Blvd., Suite 204, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina 29464.

 

Name, Address and

Year of Birth

Position(s)
held with
Fund or Trust


Length of
Time Served
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee Other Directorships
Held by Trustee
During Past 5 Years
Independent Trustees

Margaret (Peggy) McCaffrey

(03/1963)

Independent Trustee Since 2021 CPA/Partner, Cohen & Co. (1990-2021) 1 None

David Mendez

(07/1964)

Independent Trustee Since 2020 Industry Practice Expert, Techstars (2018-Present); Managing Partner, Good Growth Capital (2017-Present); Managing Partner, Capital A Partners (2013-Present) 1 None
Interested Trustees

Bradley D. Atkins*

(07/1974)

 

Chairman, Interested Trustee, and President Since 2020 Chief Executive Officer, Modern Capital, Inc. (2020-Present); Chief Executive Officer, Rethink LLC (a Retail Financial Services Firm) (2005-Present) 1 The Liberty Partners Group of Companies, Modern Capital, Inc.
* Basis of Interestedness. Mr. Atkins is an “interested person” of the Trust and the Adviser because of his role as Chief Executive Officer of Modern Capital Management Co., the adviser to the Fund.

  


Name and
Date of Birth
Position held with
Funds or Trust
Length
of Time Served
Principal Occupation
During Past 5 Years
Officers
Kristof Wild
Year of Birth: 1986
Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Secretary Since 2023 Chief Operating Officer (2021 – present) Modern Capital, Inc. (2021-Present); Partner, Berryl Swiss Family Advisory (2015-Present); Head of Product, Modern Capital, Inc. (2020-2021)

Liam Clarke

Year of Birth: 1996

 

Chief Compliance Officer Since 2023

Director, Vigilant, LLC (2021 - present); Financial Services Assurance Experienced Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (2018-2021)

 

Qualification of Trustees. The Board believes that each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees on the Board lead to the conclusion that the Board possesses the requisite skills and attributes to carry out its oversight responsibilities with respect to the Trust. The Board believes that its Trustees’ ability to review, critically evaluate, question, and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the Advisor, other service providers, counsel and independent auditors, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of its duties, support this conclusion. The Board also has considered the following experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills, among others, of its members, as applicable, in reaching its conclusion: (i) such person’s business and professional experience and accomplishments, including prior experience in the financial services and investment management fields or on other boards; (ii) such person’s ability to work effectively with the other members of the Board; (iii) how the individual’s skills, experiences, and attributes would contribute to an appropriate mix of relevant skills and experience on the Board; (iv) such person’s character and integrity; (v) such person’s willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee; and (vi) as to each Trustee his status as an Independent Trustee.

17

 

The Board has determined that each of the Trustees’ careers and background, combined with their interpersonal skills and general understanding of financial and other matters, enable the Trustees to effectively participate in and contribute to the Board’s functions and oversight of the Trust. References to the qualifications, attributes, and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.

 

Board Structure. The Board currently consists of four Trustees, all of whom are Independent. Mr. Speed, Jr., serves as the Independent Chairman of the Board. The Board has established several standing committees: Audit Committee, Fair Valuation Committee, and Nominating Committee. These standing committees are comprised entirely of the Independent Trustees. Other information about these standing committees is set forth below. The Board has determined that the Board’s structure is appropriate given the characteristics, size, and operations of the Trust. The Board also believes that its leadership structure, including its committees, helps facilitate effective oversight of Trust management. The Board reviews its structure annually.

 

With respect to risk oversight, the Board considers risk management issues as part of its general oversight responsibilities throughout the year. The Board holds four regular board meetings each year during which the Board receives risk management reports and/or assessments from Trust management, the Funds’ advisor, administrator, transfer agent, and distributor, and receives an annual report from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). The Audit Committee also meets with the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm on an annual basis, to discuss among other things, the internal control structure of the Trust’s financial reporting function. When appropriate, the Board may hold special meeting or communicate directly with Trust management, the CCO, the Trust’s third-party service providers, legal counsel, or independent public accountants to address matters arising between regular board meeting or needing special attention. In addition, the Board has adopted policies and procedures for the Trust to help detect and prevent and, if necessary, correct violations of federal securities laws.

 

The Board met three times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

 

Trustee Standing Committees. The Trustees have established the following standing committees:

 

Audit Committee. All of the Independent Trustees are members of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee oversees the Funds’ accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, reviews the results of the annual audits of the Funds’ financial statements, and interacts with the Funds’ independent auditors on behalf of all the Trustees. The Audit Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

 

Nominating Committee. The Independent Trustees are the current members of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee assists the Board in adopting fund governance practices and meeting certain fund governance standards. The Nominating Committee also nominates, selects, and appoints Independent Trustees to fill vacancies on the Board of Trustees and to stand for election at meetings of the shareholders of the Trust. The Nominating Committee operates pursuant to a Nominating Committee Charter and normally meets annually but may also meet as often as necessary to carry out its purpose. The Nominating Committee met twice during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

 

Beneficial Equity Ownership Information. The table below sets forth, as of December 31, 2022, the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Funds, and the aggregate dollar range of equity securities in the Fund complex.

 

A = None; B = $1-$10,000; C = $10,001-$50,000; D = $50,001-$100,000; and E = over $100,000.

18

 

Name of Trustee

Dollar Range of Equity

Securities in the Fund

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Funds Overseen or to be Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies
Independent Trustees
Margaret McCaffrey A A
David Mendez A A
Interested Trustees
Bradley D. Atkins E E

 

Ownership of Securities of Advisor, Distributor, or Related Entities. As of December 31, 2021, the Independent Trustees and/or their immediate family members owned no securities of the Advisor, Distributor, or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Advisor or Distributor.

 

Compensation. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, will be paid a fee of $10,000 per year. The “interested persons” of the Trust receive no Board member compensation from the Fund. The table below details the amount of compensation expected to be paid to the Trustees for the first fiscal year of the Fund. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan.

 

Name of Trustee Aggregate Compensation from the Fund Pension Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Fund Expenses Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement Total Compensation from the Trust Paid to Trustees
Peggy McCaffrey $10,000 None None $10,000
David Mendez $10,000 None None $10,000

 

Anti-Money Laundering Program. The Trust has adopted an anti-money laundering program, as required by applicable law, which is designed to prevent the Funds from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. The Trust’s CCO is responsible for implementing and monitoring the operations and internal controls of the program. Compliance officers at certain of the Funds’ service providers are also responsible for monitoring the program. The anti-money laundering program is subject to the continuing oversight of the Trustees.

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

 

Principal Holders of Voting Securities. As of June 30, 2023, the Independent Trustees of the Trust as a group owned beneficially (i.e., had direct or indirect voting and/or investment power) none of the then outstanding shares of the Funds. As of June 30, 2023, to the Trust’s knowledge, the following shareholders owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Funds. Shareholders owning 25% or more of outstanding shares may be in control and may be able to affect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of Shareholders.

 

Modern Capital Tactical Income Fund
Class A Shares 

Name and Address of Owner Percentage of Ownership Type of Ownership
Carol A Groh-Smith
529 South Flagler Drive
Apt 24E-F
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

14.35%

Beneficial
Kenneth Whelan & Judith Whelan JTWROS
27 Hillcrest Avenue
Ardsley, NY 10502

7.13%

Beneficial
Rachel S. Nasser & Nathan Nasser TTEE
3200 Park Avenue, Unit 2B2
Bridgeport, CT 05504

5.62%

Beneficial
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
60 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402

29.08%

Record1
Thomas Walter Brooks
1646 Hutton Place
Cumming, GA 30041

5.76%

Beneficial

19

 

    Modern Capital Tactical Income Fund  

Class ADV Shares

Name and Address of Owner Percentage of Ownership Type of Ownership 
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
60 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402

94.28%

Record1

 

1. The Fund believes that such entity does not have a beneficial ownership interest in such shares.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Modern Capital Management Co., a Wyoming corporation located at 825 Low Country Blvd., Suite 204, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina 29464, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser was formed in October 2019 and has been advising the Fund since the Fund commenced investment operations in 2021. As an SEC-registered investment adviser, management of the Fund and other mutual funds is currently the adviser’s primary business. Under the terms of the management agreement, the adviser is responsible for formulating the Fund’s investment policies, making ongoing investment decisions and directing portfolio transactions. Modern Capital Management Co. is indirectly controlled by Bradley D. Atkins through his majority ownership of the interests of the Adviser’s parent entity, Modern Capital, Inc.

 

The Management Agreement provides that the Adviser will provide the Fund with investment advice and supervision and will continuously furnish an investment program for the Fund consistent with the investment objectives and policies of the Fund. The Adviser is responsible for the payment of the salaries and expenses of all of its personnel, office rent and the expenses of providing investment advisory and related clerical expenses.

 

Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Adviser manages the investment of the assets of the Fund in conformity with the investment objectives and policies of the Fund. It is the responsibility of the Adviser to make investment decisions for the Fund and to provide continuous supervision of the investment portfolio of the Fund.

 

For its services under the Management Agreement, the Adviser is paid a management fee at the annual rate of 0.60% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The management fee is accrued daily and paid at least monthly. The Adviser pays expenses incurred by it in connection with acting as investment adviser, other than costs (including brokerage costs; legal fees, borrowing costs, such as (a) interest and (b) dividends on securities sold short; taxes; acquired fund expenses and extraordinary expenses) of securities purchased for the Fund and other expenses paid by the Fund as detailed in the Management Agreement. The Adviser pays for all employees, office space and facilities required by it to provide services under the Management Agreement, except for specific items of expense referred to below.

 

Expense Limitation Agreement. The Adviser has entered into an expense limitation agreement whereby the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse certain Fund expenses, including the Adviser's management fee and any organizational expenses (exclusive of (i) any front-end or contingent deferred loads; (ii) brokerage fees and commissions, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses; (iv) borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); (v) taxes; (vi) specialized pricing services and (vii) extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Trust officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser)) in order to limit annual Fund operating expenses to 0.90%, and 0.90% for Class A shares, and Class ADV shares, respectively, through July 31, 2024.

20

 

Except for the expenses described above that have been assumed by the Adviser, all expenses incurred in administration of the Fund will be charged to the Fund, including investment management fees; fees and expenses of the Board; interest charges; taxes; brokerage commissions; expenses of valuing assets; expenses of continuing registration and qualification of the Fund and the shares under federal and state law; share issuance expenses; fees and disbursements of independent accountants and legal counsel; fees and expenses of custodians, including sub-custodians and securities depositories, transfer agents and shareholder account servicing organizations; expenses of preparing, printing and mailing prospectuses, reports, proxies, notices and statements sent to shareholders; expenses of shareholder meetings; costs of investing in underlying funds; and insurance premiums. The Fund is also liable for nonrecurring expenses, including litigation to which they may from time to time be a party. Expenses incurred for the operation of the Fund, including the expenses of communications with its shareholders, are paid by the Fund. 

 

The Management Agreement with the Fund continues in effect for an initial two year term and then from year to year as long as its continuation is approved at least annually by the Board, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons,” or by the shareholders of the Fund. The Management Agreement may be terminated at any time upon 60 days’ written notice by the relevant Fund or by a majority vote of the outstanding shares or 90 days’ written notice by the Adviser and will terminate automatically upon assignment.

 

The Management Agreement provides that the Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the performance of its duties, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties, or from reckless disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder. 

 

The following chart shows the total dollar amount that the Fund paid to Modern Capital Management Co. during the initial period ended March 31, 2023.

 

Fund March 31, 2023
Advisory Fees Fees Waived Fees Reimbursed
Modern Capital Tactical Income Fund $152,441 $152,441 $151,179

  

Portfolio Managers. Peter Montalbano and Michael Lowenberg are the portfolio managers responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Pursuant to the Portfolio Management Agreement dated October 26, 2020, between Messrs. Lowenberg and Montalbano and the Adviser, Messrs. Lowenberg and Montalbano manage the investment portfolio of the Fund and provide such portfolio management services to the Fund as independent contractors. Messrs. Lowenberg and Montalbano are each an investment adviser representative of the Adviser and, as such, are subject to the supervision and control of the Adviser. They are not employees of the Adviser or the Trust.

 

Compensation. Messrs. Lowenberg and Montalbano each receive from the Adviser a fixed fee for providing portfolio management services to the Fund equal to 25.0% of the monthly investment advisory fee paid by the Fund to the Adviser, net of reductions in fees due to any expense cap which may be in effect as of the time in which the fees are earned. In addition, the Adviser pays Messrs. Lowenberg and Montalbano for certain expenses they incur including certain of their registration fees, costs associated with bonding requirements and errors and omissions insurance, travel and entertainment expenses associated with the Fund, and costs associated with operating their business operations.

 

Messrs. Lowenberg and Montalbano have agreed to indemnify the Adviser for certain actions, damages and expenses, as specified in the Portfolio Management Agreement.

 

Ownership of Fund Shares. The table below shows the amount of the Fund’s equity securities beneficially owned by each member of the portfolio management team as of March 31, 2023, and stated as one of the following ranges:

21

 

A = None; B = $1-$10,000; C = $10,001-$50,000; D = $50,001-$100,000; E = $100,001-$500,000; F = $500,001-$1,000,000; and G = over $1,000,000.

 

Portfolio Manager
Fund
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in the Fund
Michael Lowenberg Modern Capital Tactical Income Fund C
Peter Montalbano Modern Capital Tactical Income Fund D

 

Other Accounts. In addition to the Fund, the portfolio management team is responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts. The table below shows the number of, and total assets in, such other accounts as of March 31, 2023.

 


Portfolio
Management Team
Registered Investment Companies Other Pooled Investment Vehicles Other Accounts
Number of Accounts Total Assets Number of Accounts Total Assets Number of Accounts Total Assets
All Accounts
Michael Lowenberg 0 $0 1 $7,300,000 151 $32,000,000
Peter Montalbano 0 $0 1 $7,300,000 151 $32,000,000
Accounts with Performance-Based Advisory Fee
Michael Lowenberg 0 $0 1 $7,300,000 0 $0
Peter Montalbano 0 $0 1 $7,300,000 0 $0

 

Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or other accounts. More specifically, a portfolio manager who manages multiple funds is presented with the following potential conflicts:

 

The management of multiple accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each account. The management of multiple funds and accounts also may give rise to potential conflicts of interest if the funds and accounts have different objectives, benchmarks, time horizons, and fees as the portfolio manager must allocate his time and investment ideas across multiple funds and accounts.

 

With respect to securities transactions for the Fund, the Adviser determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with the duty to seek best execution of the transaction. The portfolio manager may execute transactions for another fund or account that may adversely impact the value of securities held by the Fund. Securities selected for funds or accounts other than the Fund may outperform the securities selected for the Fund.

 

The appearance of a conflict of interest may arise where the Adviser has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee. The management of personal accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest; there is no assurance that the Fund’s code of ethics will adequately address such conflicts. One of the portfolio manager’s numerous responsibilities may be to assist in the sale of Fund shares. Because the portfolio manager’s compensation is indirectly linked to the sale of Fund shares, he may have an incentive to devote time to marketing efforts designed to increase sales of Fund shares.

 

The Fund has adopted a code of ethics that, among other things, permits personal trading by employees under conditions where it has been determined that such trades would not adversely impact client accounts. Nevertheless, the management of personal accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest, and there is no assurance that these codes of ethics will adequately address such conflicts.

22

 

The Adviser and the Fund have adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

 

DISTRIBUTOR

 

As of October 9, 2023, Vigilant LLC (the “Distributor”), 223 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Suite 216, Chadds Ford, PA 19317, serves as distributor for the Fund. Prior to that date, Capital Investment Group, Inc., located at 100 E. Six Forks Rd. #200, Raleigh, NC  27609 served as the distributor for the Fund. The Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, will use reasonable efforts to facilitate the sale of the Fund’s shares. Shares of the Fund are offered to the public on a continuous basis pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with the Trust (the “Distribution Agreement”). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state’s securities laws and is a member of FINRA.

 

The Distributor may enter into selling agreements with broker-dealers that solicit orders for the sale of shares of the Fund and may allow concessions to dealers that sell shares of the Fund. The Distributor receives the portion of the sales charge on all direct initial investments in the Fund and on all investments in accounts with no designed dealer of record.

 

Capital Investment Group, the Fund's former distributor, received the following commissions and other compensation during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023:

 



Fund
Net Underwriting
Discounts and
Commissions
Compensation
on Redemptions
and Repurchases

Brokerage
Commissions

Other
Compensation
Modern Capital Tactical Income Fund $0 $0 $0 $6,500

 

Rule 12b-1 Plan. In August, 2023, the Board of Trustees voted to eliminate plans (the “Prior Plans”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Rule 12b-1 provides that any payments made by the Fund in connection with the distribution of its shares may be made only pursuant to a written plan describing all material aspects of the proposed financing of the distribution and also requires that all agreements with any person relating to the implementation of a plan must be in writing. Under the Fund’s prior Plan related to the Class A Shares, the Fund incur an annual fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Class A Shares (the “Class A 12b-1 Fee”). Under the Fund’s prior Plan related to the Class ADV Shares, the Fund incurs an annual fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Class ADV Shares (the “Class ADV 12b-1 Fee”), (the Class A 12b-1 Fee and Class ADV 12b-1 Fee are collectively referred to as the “12b-1 Fee”).  

 

The following chart shows the distribution and service fees the Fund accrued for the initial year ended March 31, 2023 pursuant to the Prior Plans.

 

Fund Class A Shares Class ADV Shares
Modern Capital Tactical Income Fund $8,162 $55,356

 

The following chart describes the dollar amount and the manner in which amounts accrued by the Fund under the Plan were spent during the past fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

 

  Class A Shares Class ADV Shares
Advertising $0 $0
Printing and Mailing of Prospectuses to Other than Current Shareholders $0 $0
Compensation to Underwriters $0 $0
Compensation to Broker-Dealers $0 $0
Compensation to Sales Personnel $0 $0
Interest, Carrying, or Other Financing Charges $0 $0
Other $0 $0

23

 

TRANSFER AGENT, FUND ACCOUNTANT AND ADMINISTRATOR

 

Fund Accountant and Administrator. Gryphon Fund Group, LLC (the “Administrator”), located at 3000 Auburn Drive, Suite 410, Beachwood, Ohio 44122, serves as administrator and fund accountant Fund pursuant to the Master Fund Services Agreement. Prior to October 9, 2023, The Nottingham Company ("Prior Administrator") served as the Fund's fund accounting agent and administrator.

 

Under the Master Fund Services Agreement, the Administrator performs various administrative services, including providing various executive and administrative services such as preparing or overseeing the preparation by the Trust’s service providers, working with other professional firms where appropriate, of (i) filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, FINRA, state securities commissions and other applicable agencies and authorities, (ii) financial statements and reports to shareholders, (iii) tax returns; (iv) proxy materials and post-effective amendments to the Trust’s registration statement; and (v) necessary materials for meetings of the Board.

 

The Administrator also provides the Trust with accounting services, including: maintaining and keeping current the general ledger for the Fund, recording all income and expenses, capital share activity and security transactions of the Fund. Administrator shall calculate the net asset value of the Fund and the per share net asset value of the Fund, in accordance with the Fund’s current prospectus and statement of additional information, once daily as of the time selected by the Board. Administrator shall prepare and maintain a daily valuation of all securities and other assets of the Fund in accordance with instructions from a designated officer of the Trust and in the manner set forth in the Fund’s current prospectus and statement of additional information. In valuing securities of the Trust, Administrator may contract with, and rely upon market quotations provided by, outside services.

 

For the administrative and accounting services rendered to the Fund by the Administrator, the Fund pays the Administrator a minimum fee and an asset based fee. The Fund also pays the Administrator for any out-of-pocket expenses.

 

The following shows the total dollar amounts that the Fund paid to the Prior Administrator for the initial year ending March 31, 2023:

 

Fund 2023
Modern Capital Tactical Income Fund $35,545

 

Fund Transfer Agent and Dividend Dispersing Agent. As of October 9, 2023, The Gryphon Fund Group, LLC, located at 3000 Auburn Drive, Suite 410, Beachwood, OH 44122, also serves as dividend disbursing agent and transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”) pursuant to the Master Fund Services Agreement with the Trust. Nottingham Shareholder Services, LLC, located at 116 South Franklin Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, served as dividend disbursing agent and transfer agent prior to that date with the Trust. 

 

Under the Master Fund Services Agreement, the Transfer Agent is responsible for, subject to the policies and direction of the Board, providing day-to-day supervision for the dividend disbursing, transfer agent, and shareholder servicing operations of the Fund. 

 

For the dividend and transfer agency services rendered to the Fund by the Transfer Agent, the Fund pays the Transfer Agent a minimum fee and an asset based fee. The Fund also pays the Transfer Agent for any out-of-pocket expenses.

 

CUSTODIAN

 

U.S. Bank, N.A., located at 1555 N. Rivercenter Drive, MK-WI-S302, Milwaukee, WI 53212, serves as the custodian of the Fund and has custody of all securities and cash of the Fund. The custodian, among other things, attends to the collection of principal and income and payment for and collection of proceeds of securities bought and sold by the Fund.

 

COUNSEL

 

Thompson Hine LLP, located at 1919 M Street N.W., Suite 700, Washington D.C. 20036 serves as the Trust’s legal counsel.

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is Tait, Weller & Banker, LLP, located at 50 S. 16th Street, Suite 2900, Philadelphia, PA 19102. Shareholders will receive annual financial statements, together with a report of independent registered public accounting firm, and semiannual unaudited financial statements of the Fund. The independent registered public accounting firm will report on the Fund’s annual financial statements, review certain regulatory reports and the Fund’s income tax returns, and perform other professional accounting, auditing, tax and advisory services when engaged to do so by the Fund.

24

 

COMPLIANCE CONSULTANT

 

Vigilant Compliance, LLC, with a office located at Gateway Corporate Center Suite 216, 233 Wilmington West Chester Pike, Ste 216, Chadds Ford Pennsylvania 19317, provides a CCO to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a services agreement between the Trust and Vigilant Compliance, LLC.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

Modern Capital Management, Co., the Distributor and the Fund have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1(c) under the 1940 Act. The purpose of each code is to avoid potential conflicts of interest and to prevent fraud, deception or misconduct with respect to the Fund. Such codes of ethics permit personnel covered by the codes to invest in securities that may be purchased by the Fund, subject to the restrictions of the code. The codes are filed as exhibits to the Trust’s registration statement.

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY

 

The Board has delegated responsibilities for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund to the Adviser. The Adviser may delegate such proxy voting to a third-party proxy voting service provider. The Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures. In some instances, the Adviser may be asked to cast a proxy vote that presents a conflict between its interests and the interests of the Fund’s shareholders. In such a case, the Trust’s policy requires that the Adviser abstain from making a voting decision and to forward all necessary proxy voting materials to the Trust to enable the Board to make a voting decision. When the Board is required to make a proxy voting decision, only the Trustees without a conflict of interest with regard to the security in question or the matter to be voted upon shall be permitted to participate in the decision of how the Fund’s vote will be cast. The Adviser has developed a detailed proxy voting policy that has been approved by the Board.

 

The Adviser’s policies and procedures state that the Adviser generally relies on the individual portfolio manager(s) to make the final decision on how to cast proxy votes. When exercising its voting responsibilities, the Adviser’s policies call for an emphasis on (i) accountability of management of the company to its board, and of the board to the company’s shareholders, (ii) alignment of management and shareholder interests and (iii) transparency through timely disclosure of important information about a company’s operations and financial performance. While no set of proxy voting guidelines can anticipate all situations that may arise, the advisors have adopted guidelines describing the advisors’ general philosophy when proposals involve certain matters. The following is a summary of those guidelines:

 

Electing a board of directors – a board should be composed primarily of independent directors, and key board committees should be entirely independent. The Adviser generally supports efforts to declassify boards or other measures that permit shareholders to remove a majority of directors at any time;

 

Approving independent auditors – the relationship between a company and its auditors should be limited primarily to the audit engagement;

 

Providing equity-based compensation plans - appropriately designed equity-based compensation plans, approved by shareholders, can be an effective way to align the interests of shareholders and the interests of directors, management, and employees by providing incentives to increase shareholder value. Conversely, the Adviser is opposed to plans that substantially dilute ownership interests in the company, provide participants with excessive awards, or have inherently objectionable structural features;

 

corporate voting structure - shareholders should have voting power equal to their equity interest in the company and should be able to approve or reject changes to a company’s by-laws by a simple majority vote. The Adviser opposes super-majority requirements and generally support the ability of shareholders to cumulate their votes for the election of directors; and

25

 

Shareholder rights plans - shareholder rights plans, also known as poison pills, may tend to entrench current management, which the Advisor generally considers to have a negative impact on shareholder value.

 

Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800-711-9164 or on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures is also available by calling 800-711-9164 and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request. 

 

The Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies are attached hereto as Appendix B.

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 

 

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. The calculation excludes from both the numerator and the denominator securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by the Fund. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of the Fund’s portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period.

 

The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund for initial period ended March 31, 2023 is 1228.52%.

 

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

 

Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected by brokers, and the Fund pays a brokerage commission for this service. In transactions on stock exchanges, these commissions are negotiated. In the over-the-counter market, securities (e.g., debt securities) are normally traded on a “net” basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of the securities usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price, which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter’s concession or discount.

 

Subject to policies established by the Board, the Adviser is responsible for placing of the Fund’s portfolio transactions. In placing portfolio transactions, the Adviser seeks the best qualitative execution for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), the execution capability, financial responsibility and responsiveness of the broker or dealer and the brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. The Adviser generally seeks favorable prices and commission rates that are reasonable in relation to the benefits received.

 

Under normal circumstances, the Adviser expects that it will typically select White Mountain Capital, LLC, an affiliated broker/dealer, to execute transactions for the Fund (the “Affiliated Broker”). In such instances the placement of orders with the Affiliated Broker will be consistent with the Fund’s objective of obtaining best execution and would not be dependent upon the fact that the Affiliated Broker is an affiliate of the Adviser. With respect to orders placed with the Affiliated Broker for execution on a national securities exchange, commissions received must conform to Section 17(e)(2)(A) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17e-1 thereunder, which permit an affiliated person of a registered investment company (such as the Fund), or any affiliated person of such person, to receive a brokerage commission from such registered investment company provided that such commission is reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities during a comparable period of time. This standard would allow the affiliated broker to receive no more than reasonable and fair compared remuneration than would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker in a commensurate arms-length transaction. Any commission, fee or other remuneration paid to the Affiliated Broker or dealer will be paid in compliance with the Fund’s procedures adopted in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act. The Adviser does not believe that the restrictions on transactions with the affiliated brokers described above will materially adversely affect its ability to provide services to the Fund, the Fund’s ability to take advantage of market opportunities, or the Fund’s overall performance. 

 

The Fund has no obligation to deal with any broker or dealer in the execution of its transactions. However, the Fund, as described above, may place transactions with affiliates of the Adviser. The Fund may also place transactions with affiliates of the Distributor. As the level of securities trading increases, the level of commissions paid by the Fund to any Adviser affiliates increases. Such transactions will be executed at competitive commission rates through the affiliated broker’s clearing broker. Because the affiliate receives compensation based on the amount of transactions completed, there could be an incentive on the part of the Adviser to effect as many transactions as possible, thereby maximizing the commissions its affiliate receives. In connection with the execution of securities transactions, subject to its policy of best execution, the Fund may pay higher brokerage commissions to the affiliate than it might pay to unaffiliated broker-dealers as more fully described below.

26

 

Although commissions paid on every transaction will, in the judgment of the Adviser, be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage services provided, under the Management Agreement and as permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Adviser may cause the Fund to pay a commission to broker-dealers who provide brokerage and research services to the Adviser for effecting a securities transaction for the Fund. Such commission may exceed the amount other broker-dealers would have charged for the transaction, if the Adviser determines in good faith that the greater commission is reasonable relative to the value of the brokerage and the research and investment information services provided by the executing broker-dealer viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or the Adviser’s overall responsibilities to the Fund and to its other clients. Such research and investment information services may include advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, the availability of securities or of purchasers or sellers of securities, furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts, and effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto such as clearance and settlement.

 

Research provided by brokers is used for the benefit of all of the clients of the Adviser and not solely or necessarily for the benefit of the Fund. The Adviser’s investment management personnel attempt to evaluate the quality of research provided by brokers. Results of this effort are sometimes used by the Adviser as a consideration in the selection of brokers to execute portfolio transactions. 

 

The investment advisory fees that the Fund pays to the Adviser will not be reduced as a consequence of the Adviser’s affiliate’s receipt of brokerage and research services. To the extent the Fund’s portfolio transactions are used to obtain such services, the brokerage commissions paid by the Fund will exceed those that might otherwise be paid, by an amount, which cannot be presently determined. Such services would be useful and of value to the Adviser in serving the Fund and other clients and, conversely, such services obtained by the placement of brokerage business of other clients would be useful to the Adviser in carrying out its obligations to the Fund.

 

Certain investments may be appropriate for the Fund and also for other clients advised by the Adviser. Investment decisions for the Fund and other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives and after consideration of such factors as their current holdings, availability of cash for investment and the size of their investments generally. To the extent possible, Fund transactions are traded separately from trades of other clients advised by the Adviser. Occasionally, a particular security may be bought or sold for one or more clients in different amounts. In such event, and to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, such transactions with respect to the Adviser will be allocated among the clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. Ordinarily, such allocation will be made on the basis of the weighted average price of such transactions effected during a trading day.

 

Under the 1940 Act, persons affiliated with an affiliate of the Adviser or the Distributor may be prohibited from dealing with the Fund as a principal in the purchase and sale of securities. 

 

The Fund will not affect any brokerage transactions in its portfolio securities if such transactions would be unfair or unreasonable to Fund shareholders. The Management Agreement provides that affiliates of affiliates of the Adviser may receive brokerage commissions in connection with effecting such transactions for the Fund. In determining the commissions to be paid to an affiliated broker, it is the policy of the Trust that such commissions will, in the judgment of the Board, be (a) fair and reasonable when compared to rates charged by other qualified brokers having comparable execution capability and (b) at least as favorable to the Fund as commissions contemporaneously charged by the affiliated broker on comparable transactions for its unaffiliated customers, except for customers of the affiliated broker considered by a majority of the Trust’s disinterested Trustees not to be comparable to the Fund. The disinterested Trustees from time to time review, among other things, information relating to the commissions charged by an affiliated broker to the Adviser and its other customers, and rates and other information concerning the commissions charged by other qualified brokers. Neither the Distribution Agreement nor the Management Agreement provide for a reduction of the Distributor’s or Adviser’s respective fees by the amount of any profits earned by an affiliated broker from brokerage commissions generated from portfolio transactions of the Fund.

 

The Fund will not acquire portfolio securities issued by or enter into repurchase agreements or reverse repurchase agreements with, the Adviser, the Distributor or their affiliates.

27

 

The following shows the aggregate amount of broker commissions paid by the Fund during the initial period ended March 31, 2023.

 

Fund March 31, 2023
Modern Capital Tactical Income Fund $634,462

 

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

 

Fund shares may be purchased from investment dealers who have sales agreements with the Fund’s Distributor or from the Distributor directly. As described in the Prospectus, the Fund provides you with alternative ways of purchasing Fund shares based upon your individual investment needs and preferences by offering Class A and Class ADV shares as described below.

 

Class A Shares. You may purchase Class A shares at a public offering price equal to the applicable net asset value per share plus an up-front sales charge imposed at the time of purchase as set forth in the Prospectus.

 

Shares may be purchased at the public offering price through any securities dealer having a sales agreement with the Distributor. Shares may also be purchased through banks and certain other financial institutions that have agency agreements with the Distributor. These financial institutions will receive transaction fees that are the same as the commissions to dealers and may charge their customers service fees relating to investments in the Fund. Purchase requests should be addressed to the dealer or agent from which the Prospectus was received which has a sales agreement with the Distributor. Such dealer or agent may place a telephone order with the Distributor for the purchase of Fund shares. It is a dealer’s or broker’s responsibility to promptly forward payment and registration instructions (or completed applications) to the Transfer Agent for shares being purchased in order for investors to receive the next determined net asset value (or public offering price). Reference should be made to the wire order to ensure proper settlement of the trade. Payment for redemptions of shares purchased by telephone normally will be processed within three business days.

 

REDUCTION OF UP-FRONT SALES CHARGE ON CLASS A SHARES

 

Letters of Intent. An investor may qualify for a reduced sales charge on Class A shares immediately by stating his or her intention to invest in Class A shares of the Fund, during a 13-month period, an amount that would qualify for a reduced sales charge shown in the Fund’s Prospectus under “How to Buy Shares — Class A Shares” and by signing a non-binding Letter of Intent, which may be signed at any time within 90 days after the first investment to be included under the Letter of Intent. After signing the Letter of Intent, each investment in Class A shares made by an investor will be entitled to the sales charge applicable to the total investment indicated in the Letter of Intent. If an investor does not complete the purchases under the Letter of Intent within the 13-month period, the sales charge will be adjusted upward, corresponding to the amount actually purchased. When an investor signs a Letter of Intent, Class A shares of the Fund with a value of up to 5% of the amount specified in the Letter of Intent will be restricted. If the total purchases of Class A shares made by an investor under the Letter of Intent, less redemptions, prior to the expiration of the 13-month period equals or exceeds the amount specified in the Letter of Intent, the restriction on the shares will be removed. In addition, if the total purchases of Class A shares exceed the amount specified and qualify for a further quantity discount, the Distributor will make a retroactive price adjustment and will apply the adjustment to purchase additional Class A shares at the then current applicable offering price. If an investor does not complete purchases under a Letter of Intent, the sales charge is adjusted upward, and, if after written notice to the investor, he or she does not pay the increased sales charge, sufficient Class A restricted shares will be redeemed at the current net asset value to pay such charge.

 

Rights of Accumulation. A right of accumulation (“ROA”) permits an investor to aggregate shares owned by the investor, his spouse, children and grandchildren under 21 (cumulatively, the “Investor”) in the Fund to reach a breakpoint discount. This includes accounts held with other financial institutions and accounts established for a single trust estate or single fiduciary account, including a qualified retirement plan such as an IRA, 401(k) or 403(b) plan (some restrictions may apply). The value of shares eligible for a cumulative quantity discount equals the cumulative cost of the shares purchased (not including reinvested dividends) or the current account market value; whichever is greater. The current market value of the shares is determined by multiplying the number of shares by the previous day’s net asset value.

28

 

a. Investor’s current purchase of Class A shares in the Fund; and

 

b. The net asset value (at the close of business on the previous day) of Class A shares of the Fund held by the Investor.

 

For example, if Investor-owned Class A shares worth $40,000 at the current net asset value and purchased an additional $10,000 of Class A shares, the sales charge for the $10,000 purchase would be at the rate applicable to a single $50,000 purchase.

 

To qualify for a ROA on a purchase of Class A shares through a broker-dealer, when each purchase is made, the individual investor or the broker-dealer must provide the respective Fund with sufficient information to verify that the purchase qualifies for the discount.

 

Investments of $1 Million or More. With respect to Class A shares, if you invest $1 million or more, either as a lump sum or through our rights of accumulation quantity discount or letter of intent programs, you can buy Class A shares without an initial sales charge.

 

WAIVERS OF UP-FRONT SALES CHARGE ON CLASS A SHARES

 

The Prospectus describes the classes of persons that may purchase shares without an up-front sales charge. The elimination of the up-front sales charge for redemptions by certain classes of persons is provided because of anticipated economies of scale and sales related efforts. 

 

To qualify for a waiver of the up-front sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares through a broker-dealer, when each purchase is made, the individual investor or the broker-dealer must provide the Fund with sufficient information to verify that the purchase qualifies for the discount.

 

The Fund make available, free of charge, more information about sales charge reductions and waivers through the prospectus or through your financial advisor.

 

Class ADV Shares. You may purchase Class ADV shares at a public offering price equal to the applicable net asset value per share. Class ADV shares are only available through investment advisers that have entered into selling agreements with the Fund. 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

 

For the Fund, net asset value (“NAV”) per share is determined by dividing the total value of that Fund’s assets, less any liabilities, by the number of shares of that Fund outstanding.

 

The net asset value per share of the Fund is determined by the Administrator as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each day when the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. The New York Stock Exchange is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day as observed.

 

Assets for which market quotations are available are valued as follows: (a) each listed security is valued at its closing price obtained from the respective primary exchange on which the security is listed, or, if there were no sales on that day, at its last reported current bid price; (b) each unlisted security is valued at the last current bid price obtained from the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System; (c) United States Government and agency obligations are valued based upon bid quotations from the Federal Reserve Bank for identical or similar obligations; (d) short-term money market instruments (such as certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and commercial paper) are most often valued by bid quotation or by reference to bid quotations of available yields for similar instruments of issuers with similar credit ratings. All of these prices are obtained by the Administrator from services, which collect and disseminate such market prices. Bid quotations for short-term money market instruments reported by such a service are the bid quotations reported to it by the major dealers.

 

When approved by the Trustees, certain securities may be valued on the basis of valuations provided by an independent pricing service when such prices the Trustees believe reflect the fair value of such securities. These securities would normally be those, which have no available recent market value, have few outstanding shares and therefore infrequent trades, or for which there is a lack of consensus on the value, with quoted prices covering a wide range. The lack of consensus would result from relatively unusual circumstances such as no trading in the security for long periods of time, or a company’s involvement in merger or acquisition activity, with widely varying valuations placed on the company’s assets or stock. Prices provided by an independent pricing service may be determined without exclusive reliance on quoted prices and may take into account appropriate factors such as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data.

29

 

In the absence of an ascertainable market value, assets are valued at their fair value as determined by the Adviser using methods and procedures reviewed and approved by the Trustees.

 

Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which market quotations and information pricing service are not readily available are valued either at amortized cost or at original cost, plus accrued interest, both of which approximate current value.

 

TAX INFORMATION

 

The Fund have qualified, and intend to continue to qualify, as a regulated investment company, or “RIC”, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Qualification generally will relieve the Fund of liability for federal income taxes. If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify for the special tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies, all of its taxable income will be subject to federal tax at regular corporate rates (without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders). In such event, dividend distributions would be taxable to shareholders to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits and would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporations.

 

The Fund’s net realized capital gains from securities transactions will be distributed only after reducing such gains by the amount of any available capital loss carry forwards. Capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010, may now be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Under previously enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains only for eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital, irrespective of the character of the original loss. Capital loss carryforwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carryforwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders. The Fund did not have any capital loss carry forwards for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

 

INVESTMENTS IN FOREIGN SECURITIES

 

The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes on income from certain foreign securities. This, in turn, could reduce the Fund’s income dividends paid to you.

 

Pass-Through of Foreign Tax Credits. The Fund may be subject to certain taxes imposed by the countries in which it invests or operates. If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and if more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of any taxable year consists of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to treat any foreign taxes paid by the Fund that qualify as income or similar taxes under U.S. income tax principles as having been paid by the Fund’s shareholders. It is not likely that the Fund will be able to do so. For any year for which the Fund makes such an election, each shareholder will be required to include in its gross income an amount equal to its allocable share of such taxes paid by the Fund and the shareholders will be entitled, subject to certain limitations, to credit their portions of these amounts against their U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or to deduct their portions from their U.S. taxable income, if any. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by individuals who do not itemize deductions. In any year in which it elects to “pass through” foreign taxes to shareholders, the Fund will notify shareholders within 60 days after the close of the Fund’s taxable year of the amount of such taxes and the sources of its income. Furthermore, the amount of the foreign tax credit that is available may be limited to the extent that dividends from a foreign corporation qualify for the lower tax rate on “qualified dividend income.”

 

Effect of Foreign Debt Investments and Hedging on Distributions. Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates, which occur between the time the Fund accrues receivables or liabilities denominated in a foreign currency, and the time the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities, generally are treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. Similarly, on disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition of certain options and futures contracts, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition also are treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains when distributed are taxable to you as ordinary income, and any losses reduce the Fund’s ordinary income otherwise available for distribution to you. This treatment could increase or decrease the Fund’s ordinary income distributions to you, and may cause some or all of the Fund’s previously distributed income to be classified as a return of capital. A return of capital generally is not taxable to you, but reduces the tax basis of your shares in the Fund. Any return of capital in excess of your basis, however, is taxable as a capital gain.

30

 

PFIC securities. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign entities that could be deemed for tax purposes to be passive foreign investment companies (PFICs). In general, a foreign corporation is classified as a PFIC if at least one-half of its assets constitute investment-type assets, or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type income. When investing in PFIC securities, the Fund may elect to mark-to-market a PFIC and recognize any gains at the end of its fiscal and excise (described above) tax years. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any current or previously recognized gains. These gains (reduced by allowable losses) are treated as ordinary income that the Fund is required to distribute, even though it has not sold the securities. You should also be aware that distributions from a PFIC are generally not eligible for the reduced rate of tax on “qualified dividend income.” In the alternative, the Fund may elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (a “QEF election”), in which case the Fund would be required to include its share of the company’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives distributions from the company. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may require the Fund to sell securities it would have otherwise continued to hold in order to make distributions to shareholders to avoid any Fund-level tax. Income from investments in PFICs generally will not qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income.

 

BACKUP WITHHOLDING

 

The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the fourth lowest tax rate applicable to unmarried individuals (currently approximately 28%) of all reportable payments, including dividends, capital gain distributions and redemptions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

 

FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS

 

The United States imposes a withholding tax (at a 30% or lower treaty rate) on all Fund dividends of ordinary income. Capital gain dividends paid by the Fund from its net long-term capital gains and exempt-interest dividends are generally exempt from this withholding tax. The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (2004 Tax Act) amends these withholding tax provisions to exempt most dividends paid by the Fund from short-term capital gains and U.S. source interest income to the extent such gains and income would be exempt if earned directly by the non-U.S. investor. Under 2004 Tax Act, ordinary dividends designated as short-term capital gain dividends and interest-related dividends designated as a payment out of qualified interest income will generally not be subject to a U.S. withholding tax, provided you certify you are a non-U.S. investor. These exemptions from withholding are effective for distributions of income earned by the Fund in its fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2004 and ending before January 1, 2008.

 

The 2004 Tax Act also provides a partial exemption from U.S. estate tax for shares in the Fund held by the estate of a non-U.S. decedent. The amount treated as exempt is based on the proportion of assets in the Fund at the end of the quarter immediately preceding the decedent’s death that would be exempt if held directly by the non-U.S. investor. This provision applies to decedents dying after December 31, 2004, and before January 1, 2008.

 

Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution (“FFI”) or a non-financial foreign entity (“NFFE”) within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on: (a) income dividends paid by the Fund after June 30, 2014 and (b) certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares paid by the Fund after December 31, 2016. FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreement or other exemption, if it enters into a valid agreement with the IRS to, among other requirements, report required information about certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them. The Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of the Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.

31

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The audited financial statements, financial highlights and notes thereto in the Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2023 (the “2023 Annual Report”), are incorporated in this SAI by reference and made a part of this document. No other part of the 2023 Annual Report is incorporated by reference herein. The financial statements and financial highlights included in the 2023 Annual Report have been audited by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP. The report of Tait, Weller & Baker LLP is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements and financial highlights audited by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP have been incorporated herein in reliance upon such report given upon Tait, Weller & Baker LLP’s authority as experts in accounting and auditing. You may request a copy of the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports at no charge by calling the Funds at 800-711-9164.

 

32

 

APPENDIX A –DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS

 

The Fund may acquire from time to time certain securities that meet the following minimum rating criteria (“Investment-Grade Debt Securities”) (or if not rated, of equivalent quality as determined by the Advisor). The various ratings used by the nationally recognized securities rating services are described below.

 

A rating by a rating service represents the service’s opinion as to the credit quality of the security being rated. However, the ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality or guarantees as to the creditworthiness of an issuer. Consequently, the Advisor believes that the quality of Investment-Grade Debt Securities in which the Fund may invest should be continuously reviewed and that individual analysts give different weightings to the various factors involved in credit analysis. A rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell, or hold a security, because it does not take into account market value or suitability for a particular investor. When a security has received a rating from more than one service, each rating is evaluated independently. Ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or obtained by the rating services from other sources that they consider reliable. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in or unavailability of such information, or for other reasons.

 

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services. The following summarizes the highest four ratings used by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”), a division of McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., for bonds which are deemed to be Investment-Grade Debt Securities by the Advisor:

 

AAA – This is the highest rating assigned by S&P to a debt obligation and indicates an extremely strong capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

AA – Debt rated AA differs from AAA issues only in a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

 

A – Debt rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

 

BBB – Debt rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

To provide more detailed indications of credit quality, the AA, A, and BBB ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within these major rating categories.

 

Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are not considered by the Advisor to be Investment-Grade Debt Securities and are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such bonds may have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

 

Commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted A-1+. Capacity for timely payment on commercial paper rated A-2 is satisfactory, but the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.

 

The rating SP-1 is the highest rating assigned by S&P to short term notes and indicates strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation. The rating SP-2 indicates a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes. The rating SP-3 indicates a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. The following summarizes the highest four ratings used by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) for fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more, which are deemed to be Investment-Grade Securities by the Advisor:

 

Aaa – Bond obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

 

Aa – Bond obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

 

A – Bond obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

33

 

Baa – Bond obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

 

Obligations that are rated Ba, B, Caa, Ca, or C by Moody’s are not considered “Investment-Grade Debt Securities” by the Advisor. Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk. Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

 

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

 

Short-Term Ratings.

 

Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs, or individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

 

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

 

P-1 – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

P-2 – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

P-3 – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

NP – Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

 

Note: Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor, or support-provider.

 

US Municipal Short-Term Debt And Demand Obligation Ratings.

 

Short-Term Debt Ratings. There are three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels – MIG 1 through MIG 3. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the obligation.

 

MIG 1 – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

 

MIG 2 – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

MIG 3 – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

 

SG – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

 

Demand Obligation Ratings. In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moody’s evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (“demand feature”), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating.

34

 

When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR, e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1.

 

VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issue’s specific structural or credit features.

 

VMIG 1 – This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

VMIG 2 – This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

VMIG 3 – This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

SG – This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.

 

Fitch Ratings. The following summarizes the highest four ratings used by Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”):

 

Long-Term Ratings.

 

AAA – Highest credit quality. The rating AAA denotes that the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

 

AA – Very high credit quality. The rating AA denotes a very low expectation of credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

 

A – High credit quality. The rating A denotes a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher rating.

 

BBB – Good credit quality. The rating BBB indicates that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.

 

Long-term securities rated below BBB by Fitch are not considered by the Advisor to be investment-grade securities. Securities rated BB and B are regarded as speculative with regard to a possible credit risk developing. BB is considered speculative and B is considered highly speculative. Securities rated CCC, CC, and C are regarded as a high default risk. A rating CC indicates that default of some kind appears probable, while a rating C signals imminent default. Securities rated DDD, D, and D indicate a default has occurred.

 

Short-Term Ratings.

 

F1 – Highest credit quality. The rating F1 indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added (+) to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

 

F2 – Good credit quality. The rating F2 indicates a satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitment, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

 

F3 – Fair credit quality. The rating F3 indicates the capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade.

 

B – Speculative. The rating B indicates minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

35

 

Short-term rates B, C, and D by Fitch are considered by the Advisor to be below investment-grade securities. Short-term securities rated B are considered speculative, securities rated C have a high default risk, and securities rated D denote actual or imminent payment default.

 

(+) or (-) suffixes may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to long-term ratings “AAA” category, categories below “CCC”, or short-term ratings other than “F1”. The suffix “NR” indicates that Fitch does not publicly rate the issuer or issue in question.

36

 

APPENDIX B

 

MODERN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT CO.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

Pursuant to the recent adoption by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of Rule 206(4)-6 (17 CFR 275.206(4)-6) and amendments to Rule 204-2 (17 CFR 275.204-2) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Act”), it is a fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative act, practice or course of business, within the meaning of Section 206(4) of the Act, for an investment adviser to exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, unless (i) the adviser has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of its clients, (ii) the adviser describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients and provides copies on request, and (iii) the adviser discloses to clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser voted their proxies.

 

In order to fulfill its responsibilities under the Act, Modern Capital Management Co. (hereinafter “we” or “our”) has adopted the following policies and procedures for proxy voting with regard to companies in investment portfolios of our clients.

 

KEY OBJECTIVES

 

The key objectives of these policies and procedures recognize that a company’s management is entrusted with the day-to-day operations and longer term strategic planning of the company, subject to the oversight of the company’s board of directors. While “ordinary business matters” are primarily the responsibility of management and should be approved solely by the corporation’s board of directors, these objectives also recognize that the company’s shareholders must have final say over how management and directors are performing, and how shareholders’ rights and ownership interests are handled, especially when matters could have substantial economic implications to the shareholders.

 

Therefore, we will pay particular attention to the following matters in exercising our proxy voting responsibilities as a fiduciary for our clients:

 

Accountability. Each company should have effective means in place to hold those entrusted with running a company’s business accountable for their actions. Management of a company should be accountable to its board of directors and the board should be accountable to shareholders.

 

Alignment of Management and Shareholder Interests. Each company should endeavor to align the interests of management and the board of directors with the interests of the company’s shareholders. For example, we generally believe that compensation should be designed to reward management for doing a good job of creating value for the shareholders of the company.

 

Transparency. Promotion of timely disclosure of important information about a company’s business operations and financial performance enables investors to evaluate the performance of a company and to make informed decisions about the purchase and sale of a company’s securities.

 

DECISION METHODS

 

No set of proxy voting guidelines can anticipate all situations that may arise. In special cases, we may seek insight from our managers and analysts on how a particular proxy proposal may impact the financial prospects of a company, and vote accordingly.

 

We believe that we invest in companies with strong management. Therefore we will tend to vote proxies consistent with management’s recommendations. However, we will vote contrary to management’s recommendations if we believe those recommendations are not consistent with increasing shareholder value.

 

SUMMARY OF PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

 

Election of the Board of Directors

 

We believe that good corporate governance generally starts with a board composed primarily of independent directors, unfettered by significant ties to management, all of whose members are elected annually. We also believe that turnover in board composition promotes independent board action, fresh approaches to governance, and generally has a positive impact on shareholder value. We will generally vote in favor of non-incumbent independent directors.

37

 

The election of a company’s board of directors is one of the most fundamental rights held by shareholders. Because a classified board structure prevents shareholders from electing a full slate of directors annually, we will generally support efforts to declassify boards or other measures that permit shareholders to remove a majority of directors at any time, and will generally oppose efforts to adopt classified board structures.

 

Approval of Independent Auditors

 

We believe that the relationship between a company and its auditors should be limited primarily to the audit engagement, although it may include certain closely related activities that do not raise an appearance of impaired independence.

 

We will evaluate on a case-by-case basis instances in which the audit firm has a substantial non-audit relationship with a company to determine whether we believe independence has been, or could be, compromised.

 

Equity-based compensation plans

 

We believe that appropriately designed equity-based compensation plans, approved by shareholders, can be an effective way to align the interests of shareholders and the interests of directors, management, and employees by providing incentives to increase shareholder value. Conversely, we are opposed to plans that substantially dilute ownership interests in the company, provide participants with excessive awards, or have inherently objectionable structural features.

 

We will generally support measures intended to increase stock ownership by executives and the use of employee stock purchase plans to increase company stock ownership by employees. These may include:

 

1.       Requiring senior executives to hold stock in a company.

 

2.       Requiring stock acquired through option exercise to be held for a certain period of time. 

 

These are guidelines, and we consider other factors, such as the nature of the industry and size of the company, when assessing a plan’s impact on ownership interests.

 

Corporate Structure

 

We view the exercise of shareholders’ rights, including the rights to act by written consent, to call special meetings and to remove directors, to be fundamental to good corporate governance.

 

Because classes of common stock with unequal voting rights limit the rights of certain shareholders, we generally believe that shareholders should have voting power equal to their equity interest in the company and should be able to approve or reject changes to a company’s by-laws by a simple majority vote.

 

We will generally support the ability of shareholders to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.

 

Shareholder Rights Plans

 

While we recognize that there are arguments both in favor of and against shareholder rights plans, also known as poison pills, such measures may tend to entrench current management, which we generally consider to have a negative impact on shareholder value. Therefore, while we will evaluate such plans on a case by case basis, we will generally oppose such plans.

 

CLIENT INFORMATION

 

A copy of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures is available to our clients, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-440-0442. We will send a copy of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures within three business days of receipt of a request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

 

In addition, we will provide each client, without charge, upon request, information regarding the proxy votes cast by us with regard to the client’s securities.

 

38