ck0001650149-20231130
STATEMENT
OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
December
3, 2023
InfraCap
Small Cap Income ETF
(SCAP)
Listed
on NYSE Arca, Inc.
InfraCap
Small Cap Income ETF
c/o
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
P.O.
Box 701
Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53201-0701
800-617-0004
This
Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus, but should be
read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the InfraCap Small Cap Income ETF
(the “Fund”), a series of Series Portfolios Trust (the “Trust”), dated December
3, 2023, as may be supplemented from time to time, which is incorporated by
reference into this SAI. You may obtain the Prospectus without charge by
contacting U.S. Bank Global Fund Services at the address or telephone number
listed above or by visiting the Fund’s website at www.infracapfund.com/scap
You
may obtain a copy of the Prospectus without charge by contacting the Fund c/o
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services at the address or telephone number listed above.
Investors in the Fund will be informed of the Fund’s progress through periodic
reports. Financial statements certified by an independent registered public
accounting firm will be submitted to shareholders at least annually. Since the
Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, no financial
statements are available. Once available, copies of the Fund’s Annual and
Semi-Annual Report to shareholders may be obtained, without charge, upon request
by contacting U.S. Bank Global Fund Services at the address or telephone number
listed above, or by visiting the Fund’s website at
www.infracapfund.com/scap .
The
Trust is a Delaware statutory trust organized on July 27, 2015, and is
registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an
open-end management investment company. The Trust’s Declaration of Trust, as
amended and/or restated to date (the “Declaration of Trust”) permits the Trust’s
Board of Trustees (the “Board”) to issue an unlimited number of full and
fractional shares of beneficial interest, without par value, which may be issued
in any number of series. The Board may from time to time issue other series, the
assets and liabilities of which will be separate and distinct from any other
series. This SAI relates only to the Fund.
The
Declaration of Trust also provides for indemnification and reimbursement of
expenses out of the Fund’s assets for any Trustee or Trust officer held
personally liable for obligations of the Fund or the Trust. All such rights are
limited to the assets of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust further provides
that the Trust may maintain appropriate insurance (for example, fidelity bonding
and errors and omissions insurance) for the protection of the Trust, its
shareholders, trustees, officers, employees and agents to cover possible claims
and other liabilities. However, the activities of the Trust as an investment
company would not likely give rise to liabilities in excess of the Trust’s total
assets. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate
insurance exists and the Fund itself is unable to meet its
obligations.
The
Declaration of Trust provides that the Trust shall not in any way be bound or
limited by present or future laws or customs in regard to trust investments. The
Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee or officer shall be liable for his
or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee or
officer, and for nothing else, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or
mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees, as trustees of a registered investment
company, may have a number of duties ascribed to them under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and the foregoing provisions
are not intended to eliminate or alter those duties.
The
Declaration of Trust provides that by virtue of becoming a shareholder of the
Trust, each shareholder is bound by the provisions of the Declaration of Trust.
The Declaration of Trust provides a detailed process for the bringing of
derivative actions by shareholders. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a
written demand by the complaining shareholder must first be made on the
Trustees. The Declaration of Trust details conditions that must be met with
respect to the demand, including the requirement that 10% of the outstanding
Shares of the Fund who are eligible to bring such derivative action under the
Delaware Statutory Trust Act join in the demand for the Trustees to commence
such derivative action and that the shareholder making a pre-suit demand on the
Board undertakes to reimburse the Fund for the expense of any advisers that the
Board hires in its investigation of the demand, in the event the Board
determines not to bring the action. The demand requirements set out in Delaware
law and the Declaration of Trust, as described above, do not apply to
shareholder actions alleging violations of the federal securities
laws.
Additionally,
the Declaration of Trust provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of
Delaware, to the extent there is subject matter jurisdiction in such court for
the claims asserted or, if not, then in the Superior Court of the State of
Delaware shall be the exclusive forum in which certain types of litigation may
be brought, which may require shareholders to have to bring an action in an
inconvenient or less favorable forum. This exclusive forum provision does not
apply to claims arising under the federal securities laws because the Securities
Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act allow claims to be brought in state and federal
courts and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires claims to be brought
exclusively in
federal
court. The Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders waive any and all
right to trial by jury in any claim, suit, action or proceeding.
Pursuant
to the Declaration of Trust, to the extent that, at law or in equity, a Trustee
or officer of the Trust has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities
relating thereto to the Trust, the shareholders or to any other person, such
Trustee or officer acting under the Declaration of Trust shall not be liable to
the Trust, the shareholders or to any other person for his or her good faith
reliance on the provisions of the Declaration of Trust. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing in the Declaration of Trust modifying, restricting, or
eliminating the duties or liabilities of the Trustees shall apply to or in any
way limit the duties (including state law fiduciary duties of loyalty and care)
or liabilities of such persons of matters arising under the federal securities
laws.
The
Fund offers and issues Shares at its net asset value (“NAV”) only in
aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each, a “Creation Unit”). The Fund
generally offers and issues Shares in exchange for a basket of securities
(“Deposit Securities”) together with the deposit of a specified cash payment
(“Cash Component”). The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the
substitution of a “cash in lieu” amount (“Deposit Cash”) to be added to the Cash
Component to replace any Deposit Security. Shares are listed on the NYSE Arca,
Inc. (the “Exchange”) and trade on the Exchange at market prices that may differ
from the Shares’ NAV. Shares are also redeemable only in Creation Unit
aggregations, primarily for a basket of Deposit Securities together with a Cash
Component. A Creation Unit of the Fund generally consists of a minimum of 25,000
Shares, though this may change from time to time. As a practical matter, only
institutions or large investors purchase or redeem Creation Units. Except when
aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities.
Infrastructure
Capital Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the
Fund. Except for the InfraCap Equity Income Fund ETF, the Fund does not hold
itself out as related to any other series of the Trust for purposes of
investment and investor services, nor does it share the same investment adviser
with any other series of the Trust.
The
Fund’s principal investment strategies utilized by the Adviser and the principal
risks associated with the same are set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus. The
following discussion provides additional information about those principal
investment strategies and related risks, as well as information about investment
strategies (and related risks) that the Fund may utilize, even though they are
not considered to be “principal” investment strategies. Accordingly, an
investment strategy (and related risk) that is described below, but which is not
described in the Prospectus, should not be considered to be a principal strategy
(or related risk) applicable to the Fund. The following strategies and risks
apply to the Fund directly or indirectly through its investments in
derivatives.
Information
Regarding the Fund’s Investment Strategies and Risks
General
Market Risks
The
value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may fluctuate with changes in the
financial condition of an issuer or counterparty, changes in specific economic
or political conditions that affect a particular security or issuer and changes
in general economic or political conditions. An investor in the Fund could lose
money over short or long periods of time.
There
can be no guarantee that a liquid market for the securities held by the Fund
will be maintained. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain
securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities.
There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any
such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold
and the value of shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for the
Fund’s portfolio securities are limited or absent, or if bid/ask spreads are
wide.
Cyber
Security Risk. Investment
companies, such as the Fund, and their service providers may be subject to
operational and information security risks resulting from cyber attacks. Cyber
attacks include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained
online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized
release of confidential information or various other forms of cyber security
breaches. Cyber attacks affecting the Fund or the Adviser, custodian, transfer
agent, intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely
impact the Fund. For instance, cyber attacks may interfere with the processing
of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its net
asset value (“NAV”), cause the release of private shareholder information or
confidential company information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory
fines or financial losses, and cause reputational damage. The Fund may also
incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes. Similar
types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in
which the Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences for
such issuers, and may cause the Fund’s investments in such portfolio companies
to lose value.
Recent
Events. Financial
markets in the United States and around the world have experienced extreme and
in many cases unprecedented volatility and severe losses due to the pandemic
caused by COVID‑19. The pandemic has resulted in a wide range of social and
economic disruptions, including closed borders, voluntary or compelled
quarantines of large populations, stressed healthcare systems, reduced or
prohibited domestic or international travel, supply chain disruptions, and
so-called “stay-at-home” orders throughout much of the United States and many
other countries. The fall-out from these disruptions has included the rapid
closure of businesses deemed “non-essential” by federal, state, or local
governments and rapidly increasing unemployment, as well as greatly reduced
liquidity for certain instruments at times. Some sectors of the economy and
individual issuers have experienced particularly large losses. Such disruptions
may continue for an extended period of time or reoccur in the future to a
similar or greater extent. In response, the U.S. government and the Federal
Reserve have taken extraordinary actions to support the domestic economy and
financial markets, resulting in very low interest rates and in some cases
negative yields. It is unknown how long circumstances related to the pandemic
will persist, whether they will reoccur in the future, whether efforts to
support the economy and financial markets will be successful, and what
additional implications may follow from the pandemic. The impact of these events
and other epidemics or pandemics in the future could adversely affect Fund
performance.
DESCRIPTION
OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS
The
following are descriptions of the Fund’s permitted investments and investment
practices and the associated risk factors. The Fund will only invest in any of
the following instruments or engage in any of the following investment practices
if such investment or activity is consistent with the Fund’s investment
objective and permitted by the Fund’s stated investment policies.
Borrowing
The
Fund may borrow money to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Under the 1940
Act, the Fund may borrow up to one-third (1/3) of its total assets. The Fund
will borrow money only for short-term or emergency purposes. Such borrowing is
not for investment purposes and will be repaid by the borrowing Fund promptly.
Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on NAV of any increase or decrease
in the market value of the borrowing Fund’s portfolio. Money borrowed will be
subject to interest costs that
may
or may not be recovered by earnings on the securities purchased. The Fund also
may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with a
borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit;
either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the
stated interest rate.
Depositary
Receipts
To
the extent the Fund invests in stocks of foreign corporations, the Fund’s
investment in securities of foreign companies may be in the form of depositary
receipts or other securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers.
American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are dollar-denominated receipts
representing interests in the securities of a foreign issuer, which securities
may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities into
which they may be converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued by U.S. banks
and trust companies which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by
a foreign corporation. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for use
in domestic securities markets and are traded on exchanges or over-the-counter
in the United States.
Global
Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), and
International Depositary Receipts (“IDRs”) are similar to ADRs in that they are
certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer; however, GDRs,
EDRs, and IDRs may be issued in bearer form and denominated in other currencies
and are generally designed for use in specific or multiple securities markets
outside the U.S. EDRs, for example, are designed for use in European securities
markets, while GDRs are designed for use throughout the world. Depositary
receipts will not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as their
underlying securities.
The
Fund will not invest in any unlisted depositary receipts or any depositary
receipt that the Adviser deems to be illiquid or for which pricing information
is not readily available. In addition, all depositary receipts generally must be
sponsored. However, the Fund may invest in unsponsored depositary receipts under
certain limited circumstances. The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts
are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States and,
therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and
there may not be a correlation between such information and the value of the
depositary receipts.
Equity
Securities
Equity
securities, such as the common stock of an issuer, are subject to stock market
fluctuations and therefore may experience volatile changes in value as market
conditions, consumer sentiment or the financial condition of the issuers change.
A decrease in value of the equity securities in the Fund’s portfolio may also
cause the value of the Fund’s shares to decline.
An
investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding of the risks
inherent in an investment in equity securities, including the risk that the
financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition
of the stock market may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the
value of the Fund’s portfolio securities and therefore a decrease in the value
of shares).
Common
stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile
increases and decreases in value as market confidence and perceptions change.
These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors,
including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal
policies; inflation and interest rates; economic expansion or contraction; and
global or regional political, economic or banking crises.
Holders
of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt
obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, generally have
inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the
rights of creditors or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks. Further,
unlike debt securities, which typically have a stated principal amount payable
at maturity (whose
value,
however, is subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks,
which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional
or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal
amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as
long as the common stock remains outstanding.
When-issued
securities. A
when-issued security is one whose terms are available and for which a market
exists, but which has not been issued. When the Fund engages in when-issued
transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the sale. If the other
party fails to complete the sale, the Fund may miss the opportunity to obtain
the security at a favorable price or yield. When purchasing a security on a
when-issued basis, the Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the
security, including the risk of price and yield changes. At the time of
settlement, the value of the security may be more or less than the purchase
price. The yield available in the market when the delivery takes place also may
be higher than those obtained in the transaction itself. Because the Fund does
not pay for the security until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to
the risks associated with its other investments.
Decisions
to enter into “when-issued” transactions will be considered on a case-by-case
basis when necessary to maintain continuity in a company’s index membership. The
Fund will segregate cash or liquid securities equal in value to commitments for
the when-issued transactions. The Fund will segregate additional liquid assets
daily so that the value of such assets is equal to the amount of the
commitments.
Types
of Equity Securities:
Common
Stocks
— Common stocks represent units of ownership in a company. Common stocks usually
carry voting rights and earn dividends. Unlike preferred stocks, which are
described below, dividends on common stocks are not fixed but are declared at
the discretion of the company’s board of directors.
Preferred
Stocks —
Preferred stocks are also units of ownership in a company. Preferred stocks
normally have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the
liquidation of the company. However, in all other respects, preferred stocks are
subordinated to the liabilities of the issuer. Unlike common stocks, preferred
stocks are generally not entitled to vote on corporate matters. Types of
preferred stocks include adjustable-rate preferred stock, fixed dividend
preferred stock, perpetual preferred stock, and sinking fund preferred
stock.
Generally,
the market values of preferred stock with a fixed dividend rate and no
conversion element vary inversely with interest rates and perceived credit
risk.
Rights
and Warrants —
A right is a privilege granted to existing shareholders of a corporation to
subscribe to shares of a new issue of common stock before it is issued. Rights
normally have a short life of usually two to four weeks, are freely transferable
and entitle the holder to buy the new common stock at a lower price than the
public offering price. Warrants are securities that are usually issued together
with a debt security or preferred stock and that give the holder the right to
buy proportionate amount of common stock at a specified price. Warrants are
freely transferable and are traded on major exchanges. Unlike rights, warrants
normally have a life that is measured in years and entitles the holder to buy
common stock of a company at a price that is usually higher than the market
price at the time the warrant is issued. Corporations often issue warrants to
make the accompanying debt security more attractive.
An
investment in warrants and rights may entail greater risks than certain other
types of investments. Generally, rights and warrants do not carry the right to
receive dividends or exercise voting rights with respect to the underlying
securities, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. In
addition, their value does not necessarily change with the value of the
underlying securities, and they cease to have value if they are not exercised on
or before their expiration date. Investing in rights and warrants increases the
potential profit or loss to be realized from the investment as compared with
investing the same amount in the underlying securities.
Small-
and Mid-Capitalization Companies —
The securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable
to adverse issuer, market, political, or economic developments than securities
of larger-capitalization companies. The securities of small- and
mid-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to
greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks
or the stock market as a whole. Some small- or mid-capitalization companies have
limited product lines, markets, and financial and managerial resources and tend
to concentrate on fewer geographical markets relative to larger capitalization
companies. There is typically less publicly available information concerning
small- and mid-capitalization companies than for larger, more established
companies. Small- and mid-capitalization companies also may be particularly
sensitive to changes in interest rates, government regulation, borrowing costs,
and earnings.
Micro-Cap
Companies
— The securities of micro-cap companies may be more volatile in price, have
wider spreads between their bid and ask prices, and have significantly lower
trading volumes than the securities of larger capitalization companies. As a
result, the purchase or sale of more than a limited number of shares of the
securities of a smaller company may affect its market price. Some micro-cap
companies are followed by few, if any, securities analysts, and there tends to
be less publicly available information about such companies. Their securities
generally have even more limited trading volumes and are subject to even more
abrupt or erratic market price movements than are small-cap and mid-cap
securities, and the Fund may be able to deal with only a few market-makers when
purchasing and selling micro-cap securities. Such companies may also have
limited markets, financial resources or product lines, may lack management
depth, and may be more vulnerable to adverse business or market developments.
These conditions, which create greater opportunities to find securities trading
well below the Fund’s estimate of the company’s current worth, also involve
increased risk.
Large
Capitalization Companies —
Investments
in large capitalization companies may go in and out of favor based on market and
economic conditions and may underperform other market segments. Some large
capitalization companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive
challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes, and may not be
able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially
during extended periods of economic expansion. As such, returns on investments
in stocks of large capitalization companies could trail the returns on
investments in stocks of small and mid-capitalization companies.
Tracking
Stocks —
A tracking stock is a separate class of common stock whose value is linked to a
specific business unit or operating division within a larger company and which
is designed to “track” the performance of such business unit or division. The
tracking stock may pay dividends to shareholders independent of the parent
company. The parent company, rather than the business unit or division,
generally is the issuer of tracking stock. However, holders of the tracking
stock may not have the same rights as holders of the company’s common
stock.
Investments
in Other Investment Companies
The
Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies, including
exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and business development companies (“BDCs”). As
the shareholder of another ETF, the Fund would bear, along with other
shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other ETF’s expenses, including
advisory fees. Such expenses are in addition to the expenses the Fund pays in
connection with its own operations. The Fund’s investments in other ETFs may be
limited by applicable law.
Disruptions
in the markets for the securities underlying ETFs purchased or sold by the Fund
could result in losses on investments in ETFs. ETFs also carry the risk that the
price the Fund pays or receives may be higher or lower than the ETF’s NAV. ETFs
are also subject to certain additional risks, including the risks of illiquidity
and of possible trading halts due to market conditions or other reasons, based
on the policies of the relevant exchange. ETFs and other investment companies in
which the Fund may invest may be
leveraged,
which would increase the volatility of the Fund’s NAV. The Fund may also invest
in ETFs and other investment companies that seek to return the inverse of the
performance of an underlying index on a daily, monthly, or other basis,
including inverse leveraged ETFs.
Inverse
and leveraged ETFs are subject to additional risks not generally associated with
traditional ETFs. To the extent that the Fund invests in inverse ETFs, the value
of the Fund’s investments will decrease when the index underlying the ETF’s
benchmark rises, a result that is the opposite from traditional equity or bond
funds. The NAV and market price of leveraged or inverse ETFs are usually more
volatile than the value of the tracked index or of other ETFs that do not use
leverage. This is because inverse and leveraged ETFs use investment techniques
and financial instruments that may be considered aggressive, including the use
of derivative transactions and short selling techniques. The use of these
techniques may cause the inverse or leveraged ETFs to lose more money in market
environments that are adverse to their investment strategies than other funds
that do not use such techniques.
BDCs
are specialized closed-end funds that trade like stocks. Shares of BDCs are not
priced at the NAV of their underlying portfolio holdings, but instead trade like
stocks at the market price, which may be at a price above or below their NAV.
The 1940 Act imposes certain restraints upon the operations of a BDC. For
example, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets
primarily in securities of private companies or thinly traded U.S. public
companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities and high quality
debt investments that mature in one year or less. The risks of owning a BDC
generally reflect the risks of owning its underlying investments. Generally,
little public information exists for private and thinly traded companies, and
there is a risk that investors may not be able to make a fully informed
investment decision. Risks may include, but are not limited to, credit and
investment risk, market and valuation risk, price volatility risk, liquidity
risk and interest rate risk. When the Fund invests in BDCs, shareholders of the
Fund indirectly bear a proportionate share of the BDC’s fees and expenses, as
well as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses. As a result, an investment
by the Fund in an BDC could cause the Fund’s operating expenses (taking into
account indirect expenses such as the fees and expenses of the BDC) to be higher
and, in turn, performance to be lower than if the Fund were to invest directly
in the instruments held by the BDC.
The
Fund may invest in ETFs and BDCs to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Investing in another pooled vehicle exposes the Fund to all the risks of that
pooled vehicle. Generally, the federal securities laws limit the extent to which
the Fund can invest in securities of other investment companies, subject to
certain exceptions. For example, the 1940 Act provides that the Fund may not:
(1) purchase more than 3% of another investment company’s outstanding shares;
(2) invest more than 5% of its assets in any such investment company (the “5%
Limit”), and (3) invest more than 10% of its assets in investment companies
overall (the “10% Limit”). The Fund may rely on Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940
Act, which provides that the provisions of paragraph 12(d)(1) shall not apply to
securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the Fund if: (i) immediately after
such purchase or acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding shares of
such registered investment company is owned by the Fund and all affiliated
persons of such Fund; and (ii) the Fund has not offered or sold, and is not
proposing to offer or sell its shares through a principal underwriter or
otherwise at a public offering price that includes a sales load of more than 1
½%. Rule 12d1-3 under the 1940 Act provides, however, that the Fund may rely on
the Section 12(d)(1)(F) exemption and charge a sales load in excess of 1 1/2%
provided the sales load and any service fee charged does not exceed limits set
forth in applicable rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
(“FINRA”).
If
the Fund invests in and, thus, is a shareholder of, another investment company,
the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the Fund’s proportionate share of
the fees and expenses paid by such other investment company, including advisory
fees, in addition to both the management fees payable directly by the Fund
to
the Fund’s own investment adviser and the other expenses that the Fund bears
directly in connection with the Fund’s own operations.
The
Fund may also rely on Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act. Rule 12d1-4 which became
effective on January 19, 2021, permits the Fund to invest in other investment
companies beyond the statutory limits, subject to certain conditions specified
in the rule. Rule 12d1-4, among other things, (1) applies to both “acquired
funds” and “acquiring funds,” each as defined under the rule; (2) includes
limits on control and voting of acquired funds’ shares; (3) requires that the
investment advisers of acquired funds and acquiring funds relying on the rule
make certain specified findings based on their evaluation of the relevant fund
of funds structure; (4) requires acquired funds and acquiring funds that are
relying on the rule, and which do not have the same investment adviser, to enter
into fund of funds investment agreements, which must include specific terms; and
(5) includes certain limits on complex fund of funds structures.
Equity-Linked
Notes
An
equity-linked note is a note whose performance is tied to a single stock or a
basket of stocks. Upon the maturity of the note, generally the holder receives a
return of principal based on the capital appreciation of the underlying linked
securities. The terms of an equity-linked note may also provide for periodic
interest payments to holders at either a fixed or floating rate. Equity-linked
notes will be considered securities of Small Cap companies for purposes of the
Fund’s investment objective and strategies if the underlying securities in the
equity-linked note are securities of Small Cap companies, as defined by the
Fund. The price of an equity-linked note is derived from the value of the
underlying linked securities. The level and type of risk involved in the
purchase of an equity-linked note by the Fund is similar to the risk involved in
the purchase of the underlying security. Such notes therefore may be considered
to have speculative elements. However, equity-linked notes are also dependent on
the individual credit of the issuer of the note, which may be a trust or other
special purpose vehicle or finance subsidiary established by a major financial
institution for the limited purpose of issuing the note. Like other structured
products, equity-linked notes are frequently secured by collateral consisting of
a combination of debt or related equity securities to which payments under the
notes are linked. If so secured, the Fund would look to this underlying
collateral for satisfaction of claims in the event that the issuer of an
equity-linked note defaulted under the terms of the note.
Equity-linked
notes are often privately placed and may not be rated, in which case the Fund
will be more dependent on the ability of the Fund’s portfolio managers to
evaluate the creditworthiness of the issuer, the underlying security, any
collateral features of the note, and the potential for loss due to market and
other factors. Ratings of issuers of equity-linked notes refer only to the
creditworthiness of the issuer and strength of related collateral arrangements
or other credit supports, and do not take into account, or attempt to rate, any
potential risks of the underlying linked securities. Depending upon the law of
the jurisdiction in which an issuer is organized and the note is issued, in the
event of default, the Fund may incur additional expenses in seeking recovery
under an equity-linked note, and may have more limited methods of legal recourse
in attempting to do so.
As
with any investment, the Fund can lose the entire amount it has invested in an
equity-linked note. The secondary market for equity-linked notes may be limited.
The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse effect on the ability
of the Fund to accurately value the equity-linked note in its portfolio, and may
make disposal of such securities more difficult for the Fund.
Illiquid
Investments
The
Fund may not acquire any illiquid investment if, immediately after the
acquisition, the Fund would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in
illiquid investments. An illiquid investment means any investment that the Fund
reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in
seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly
changing the market value of the
investment.
If illiquid investments exceed 15% of the Fund’s net assets, certain remedial
actions will be taken as required by Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act and the
Fund’s policies and procedures.
The
Fund may not be able to sell illiquid investments when the Adviser considers it
desirable to do so or may have to sell such investments at a price that is lower
than the price that could be obtained if the securities were more liquid. In
addition, the sale of illiquid investments also may require more time and may
result in higher dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale
of investments that are not illiquid. Illiquid investments also may be more
difficult to value due to the unavailability of reliable market quotations for
such securities, and investment in illiquid investments may have an adverse
impact on NAV.
Derivatives
The
Fund may use derivative instruments for various reasons, including to create
investment leverage; as a substitute for securities, interest rates, currencies
and commodities; for tax purposes; and/or to hedge against market movements. The
information below contains general additional information about
derivatives.
Rule
18f-4 under the 1940 Act.
Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Derivatives Rule”) provides a comprehensive
framework for the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. The
Derivatives Rule permits a registered investment company, subject to various
conditions described below, to enter into derivatives transactions and certain
other transactions notwithstanding the restrictions on the issuance of “senior
securities” under Section 18 of the 1940 Act. Section 18 of the 1940 Act, among
other things, prohibits open-end funds, including the Fund, from issuing or
selling any “senior security,” other than borrowing from a bank (subject to a
requirement to maintain 300% “asset coverage”).
Registered
investment companies that do not qualify as “limited derivatives users” as
defined below, are required by the Derivatives Rule to, among other things, (i)
adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program (“DRMP”) and new
testing requirements; (ii) comply with a relative or absolute limit on fund
leverage risk calculated based on value-at-risk (“VaR”); and (iii) comply with
new requirements related to Board and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”) reporting. The DRMP is administered by a “derivatives risk manager,”
who is appointed by the Board and periodically reviews the DRMP and reports to
the Board.
The
Derivatives Rule provides an exception from the DRMP, VaR limit and certain
other requirements for a registered investment company that limits its
“derivatives exposure” to no more than 10% of its net assets (as calculated in
accordance with the Derivatives Rule) (a “limited derivatives user”), provided
that the registered investment company establishes appropriate policies and
procedures reasonably designed to manage derivatives risks, including the risk
of exceeding the 10% “derivatives exposure” threshold.
The
requirements of the Derivatives Rule may limit the Fund’s ability to engage in
derivatives transactions as part of its investment strategies. These
requirements may also increase the cost of the Fund’s investments and cost of
doing business, which could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments
and/or the performance of the Fund. The rule also may not be effective to limit
the Fund’s risk of loss. In particular, measurements of VaR rely on historical
data and may not accurately measure the degree of risk reflected in a Fund’s
derivatives or other investments. There may be additional regulation of the use
of derivatives transactions by registered investment companies, which could
significantly affect their use. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains
unclear. Additional regulation of derivatives transactions may make them more
costly, limit their availability or utility, otherwise adversely affect their
performance or disrupt markets.
Cover
for Futures Contracts.
Transactions involving futures contracts expose the Fund to an obligation to
another party. The Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it
complies with the
Derivatives
Rule, including any applicable VaR limit, and owns either: (1) an offsetting
(“covered”) position in other futures contracts; or (2) cash and liquid assets
with a value, marked-to-market daily, sufficient to cover its potential
obligations to the extent not covered as provided in (1) above. The Fund may
enter into agreements with broker-dealers, which require the broker-dealers to
accept physical settlement for certain futures contracts. If this occurs, the
Fund would treat the futures contract as being cash-settled for purposes of
determining the Fund’s coverage requirements.
Regulation
as a Commodity Pool Operator.
The Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity
pool operator” with respect to the Fund under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”)
pursuant to the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) Regulation
4.5. The Fund currently expects to operate in a manner that would permit the
Adviser to continue to claim the exclusion under Rule 4.5, which may adversely
affect the Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund under certain market conditions
and may adversely affect the Fund’s total return. In the event the Adviser
becomes unable to rely on the exclusion under Rule 4.5 and is required to
register with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator with respect to the Fund,
the Fund’s expenses may increase and the Fund may be adversely affected. The
Fund may be limited in its ability to use futures and options on futures and to
engage in certain swaps transactions during any period where its investment
adviser is not registered as a commodity pool operator or commodity trading
advisor. Such limitations are not expected to affect the normal operations of
the Fund.
Options
on Futures Contracts.
The Fund may purchase and sell options on the same types of futures in which it
may invest. Options on futures are similar to options on underlying instruments
except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the
premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the
option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to
purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time
during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of
the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option
will be accompanied by the delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s
futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of
the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less
than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures
contract. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the
exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.
Options
on Securities.
The Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options. Such options
may relate to particular securities or stock indices, and may or may not be
listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued
by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized
activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more
volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis,
an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an
investment in the underlying instruments themselves.
A
call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the
right to buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying
security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the
option, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the
writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option
contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right
to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the
expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the
security.
Stock
index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most
respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary
difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are
exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock,
is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not
occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who
exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of
the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in
the
case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the
option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price
of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars
times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market
value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options
are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index
or the Value Line Composite Index, or a narrower market index, such as the
Standard & Poor’s 100® Index. Indices may also be based on an industry or
market segment, such as the NYSE Arca Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and
Business Equipment Index. Options on stock indices are currently traded on the
Chicago Board Options Exchange, the NYSE, and the Philadelphia Stock
Exchange.
The
Fund’s obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option written by it,
or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be
terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by the Fund’s execution of
a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange
an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying instrument, exercise price
and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing purchase
transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding
option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the
sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option
containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of such a
liquidation purchase plus transactions costs may be greater than the premium
received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have incurred a
loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market
will exist for any particular option. An option writer unable to effect a
closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying instrument
or liquidate the assets held in a segregated account, as described below, until
the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise. In
such circumstances, the writer will be subject to the risk of market decline or
appreciation in the instrument during such period.
If
an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a loss
equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on
an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received
by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase
the option or a loss if it is less. If an option written by the Fund expires on
the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase
transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase
transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold). If an
option written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be
increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a
gain or loss.
Certain
Risks Regarding Options.
There are several risks associated with transactions in options. For example,
there are significant differences between the securities and options markets
that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a
given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary
market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an
exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be
insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by
an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading
halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to
particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies;
unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an
exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may
not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more
exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some
future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or
series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in
that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding
options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of
trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with
their terms.
Successful
use by the Fund of options on stock indices will be subject to the ability of
the Adviser to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock
market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in
the prices of individual securities. In addition, the Fund’s ability to
effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in
anticipation of or during a market decline, through transactions in put options
on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the
underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by
the Fund. Inasmuch as the Fund’s securities will not duplicate the components of
an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, the Fund bears the
risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same
amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indices. It is also
possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and the
Fund’s securities that would result in a loss on both such securities and the
options on stock indices acquired by the Fund.
The
hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the
underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close
before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate
movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in
the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity
that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated
with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index
options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the
Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements
in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is
based.
There
is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist
for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no
secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to
close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is
exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order
to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If the
Fund was unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options on
securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option in order
to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and
sale of the underlying securities.
Cover
for Options Positions.
Transactions using options (other than options that the Fund has purchased)
expose the Fund to an obligation to another party. The Fund will not enter into
any such transactions unless it complies with the Derivatives Rule, including
any applicable VaR limit, and owns either (i) an offsetting (“covered”) position
in securities or other options or (ii) cash or liquid investments with a value
sufficient at all times to cover its potential obligations not covered as
provided in (i) above. The Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover
for these instruments and, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or
liquid investments in a segregated account with the custodian in the prescribed
amount. Under current SEC guidelines, the Fund will segregate assets to cover
transactions in which the Fund writes or sells options.
Assets
used as cover or held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the position
in the corresponding option is open unless they are replaced with similar
assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Fund’s assets to
cover or segregated accounts could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s
ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
Dealer
Options.
The Fund may engage in transactions involving dealer options as well as
exchange-traded options. Certain additional risks are specific to dealer
options. While the Fund might look to a clearing corporation to exercise
exchange-traded options, if the Fund were to purchase a dealer option it would
need to rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if the
option were exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss
of the premium paid by the Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the
transaction.
Exchange-traded
options generally have a continuous liquid market while dealer options may not.
Consequently, the Fund may generally be able to realize the value of a dealer
option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the dealer
who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes a dealer option, the Fund may
generally be able to close out the option prior to its expiration only by
entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to whom the Fund
originally wrote the option. While the Fund will seek to enter into dealer
options only with dealers who will agree to and which are expected to be capable
of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance
that the Fund will at any time be able to liquidate a dealer option at a
favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless the Fund, as a covered
dealer call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase transaction, it
will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until
the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other
party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option. With respect to
options written by the Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction
may result in material losses to the Fund. For example, because the Fund must
maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a security it
writes, the Fund may not sell the assets that it has segregated to secure the
position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement may impair the
Fund’s ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when such sale might be
advantageous.
Spread
Transactions.
The Fund may purchase covered spread options from securities dealers. These
covered spread options are not presently exchange-listed or exchange-traded. The
purchase of a spread option gives the Fund the right to put securities that it
owns at a fixed dollar spread or fixed yield spread in relationship to another
security that the Fund does not own, but which is used as a benchmark. The risk
to the Fund, in addition to the risks of dealer options described above, is the
cost of the premium paid as well as any transaction costs. The purchase of
spread options will be used to protect the Fund against adverse changes in
prevailing credit quality spreads, i.e., the yield spread between high quality
and lower quality securities. This protection is provided only during the life
of the spread options.
Futures
Contracts.
A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by
another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g.,
units of a stock index) for a specified price, date, time and place designated
at the time the contract is made. Brokerage fees are paid when a futures
contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. Entering into
a contract to buy is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or
holding a long position. Entering into a contract to sell is commonly referred
to as selling a contract or holding a short position. Unlike when the Fund
purchases or sells a security, no price would be paid or received by the Fund
upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures
contract, and to maintain the Fund’s open positions in futures contracts, the
Fund would be required to deposit with its custodian or futures broker in a
segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of cash, U.S.
government securities, suitable money market instruments, or other liquid
investments, known as “initial margin.” The margin required for a particular
futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may
be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of
the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margins
that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being
traded.
If
the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in underlying
instrument or index in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a
purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the
margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require
an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because
of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit
exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Fund. These
subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the futures broker,
are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate making
the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a
process known as “marking to the market.” The Fund expects to
earn
interest income on any margin deposits. Although certain futures contracts, by
their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the underlying
instruments, in practice most futures contracts are usually closed out before
the delivery date. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is
effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase,
respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical underlying
instrument or index and the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price
is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is more,
the Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than
the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund
realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these
calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to
enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures
contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an
offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the
margin deposits on the futures contract.
Because
the Fund will designate on its books or maintain in a separate account liquid
assets to satisfy its purchase commitments in the manner described, the Fund’s
liquidity and the ability of the Adviser to manage them may be affected in the
event the Fund’s forward commitments, commitments to purchase when-issued
securities and delayed settlements ever exceeded 15% of the value of its net
assets.
Futures
trading is speculative and futures prices are highly volatile. Price movements
for futures contracts, for example, which may fluctuate substantially during a
short period of time, are influenced by numerous factors that affect the
securities markets, including: changing supply and demand relationships;
government programs and policies; national and international political and
economic events and changes in interest rates. Also, the success of many futures
trading strategies that use “technical” factors in identifying price moves
depends upon the occurrence in the future of price movements. Technical systems
will not be profitable and may in fact produce losses if there are no market
moves of the kind the system seeks to follow. Any factor that would make it more
difficult to execute the trades identified, such as a reduction of liquidity,
also would reduce profitability.
Futures
trading is highly leveraged. The low margin deposits normally required in
trading futures interests permit an extremely high degree of leverage.
Accordingly, a relatively small price movement in a futures interest may result
in an immediate and substantial loss to the investor. Like other leveraged
investments, futures trading may result in losses in excess of the amount
invested.
Futures
contracts may be classified as illiquid. Most U.S. futures exchanges impose
daily limits regulating the maximum amount above or below the previous day’s
settlement price which a futures contract price may fluctuate during a single
day. During a single trading day no trades may be executed at prices beyond the
daily limit. Once the price of a particular futures contract has increased or
decreased to the limit point, it may be difficult, costly or impossible to
liquidate a position. Futures prices in particular contracts have occasionally
moved the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. If
this occurs, the Fund might be prevented from promptly liquidating unfavorable
positions which could result in substantial losses. Those losses could
significantly exceed the margin initially committed to the trades involved. In
addition, even if prices have not moved the daily limit, or if there are no
limits for the contracts traded by the Fund, the Fund may not be able to execute
trades at favorable prices if little trading in the contracts is taking place.
It is also possible that an exchange or the CFTC may suspend trading in a
particular contract, order immediate settlement of a contract or order that
trading to the liquidation of open positions only. The CFTC and U.S. exchanges
may also impose speculative position limits which, if applicable to the Fund’s
trading in futures contracts, could require liquidation of positions that could
negatively impact profitability. Futures trading involves counterparty risk.
Futures brokers must maintain the Fund’s assets (other than assets used to trade
foreign futures or options on foreign markets) in a segregated account. If a
futures broker goes bankrupt, the Fund could lose money as it may only be able
to recover a pro-rata share of the property available for distribution to all of
the broker’s
customers.
In addition, even if a futures broker adequately segregates the Fund’s assets,
the Fund may still be subject to risk of loss of funds on deposit should another
customer of the futures broker fail to satisfy deficiencies in such other
customer’s account. In addition, trading may occur on foreign exchanges and
other non-U.S. markets. Neither existing CFTC regulations nor regulations of any
other U.S. governmental agency apply to transactions on foreign markets. The
Fund, should it trade futures contracts, is at risk for fluctuations in the
exchange rate between the currencies in which it trades and U.S. dollars. It
also is possible that exchange controls could be imposed in the future. There is
no restriction on how much of the Fund’s trading might be on foreign markets. In
addition, if the Fund chooses to exchange a cash, forward or spot market
position outside of regular trading hours for a comparable futures position,
such transactions are subject to counterparty creditworthiness
risk.
Swap
Agreements.
The Fund may enter into interest rate, index and currency exchange rate swap
agreements in an attempt to obtain a particular desired return at a lower cost
to the Fund than if it had invested directly in an instrument that yielded that
desired return. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily
by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one
year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the
returns (or differentials in rates of returns) earned or realized on particular
predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or
“swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional
amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount
invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in
a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. The “notional amount”
of the swap agreement is only a fictive basis on which to calculate the
obligations the parties to a swap agreement have agreed to exchange. The Fund’s
obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to
the amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative
values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net
amount”).
Whether
the Fund’s use of swap agreements enhances the Fund’s total return will depend
on the Adviser’s ability to correctly predict whether certain types of
investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments.
Because they are two-party contracts and may have terms of greater than seven
days, swap agreements may be classified as illiquid. Moreover, the Fund bears
the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in
the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. The
Fund’s Adviser will cause the Fund to enter into swap agreements only with
counterparties that would be eligible for consideration as repurchase agreement
counterparties under the Fund’s repurchase agreement guidelines. The swap market
is a relatively new market and is largely unregulated. It is possible that
developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation,
could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements
or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.
Certain
swap agreements are exempt from most provisions of the CEA and, therefore, are
not regulated as futures or commodity option transactions under the CEA,
pursuant to regulations of the CFTC. To qualify for this exemption, a swap
agreement must be entered into by “eligible participants,” which include the
following, provided the participants’ total assets exceed established levels: a
bank or trust company, savings association or credit union, insurance company,
investment company subject to regulation under the 1940 Act, commodity pool,
corporation, partnership, proprietorship, organization, trust or other entity,
employee benefit plan, governmental entity, broker-dealer, futures commission
merchant, natural person, or regulated foreign person. To be eligible, natural
persons and most other entities must have total assets exceeding $10 million;
commodity pools and employees benefit plans must have assets exceeding $5
million. In addition, an eligible swap transaction must meet three conditions.
First, the swap agreement may not be part of a fungible class of agreements that
are standardized as to their material economic terms. Second, the
creditworthiness of parties with actual or potential obligations under the swap
agreement must be a material consideration in entering into or determining the
terms of the swap
agreement,
including pricing, cost or credit enhancement terms. Third, swap agreements may
not be entered into and traded on or through a multilateral transaction
execution facility.
Certain
Investment Techniques and Derivatives Risks. When the Fund uses investment
techniques such as margin, leverage and short sales, and forms of financial
derivatives, such as options and futures, an investment in the Fund may be more
volatile than investments in other mutual funds. Although the intention is to
use such investment techniques and derivatives to minimize risk to the Fund,
there is the possibility that improper implementation of such techniques and
derivative strategies or unusual market conditions could result in significant
losses to the Fund. Derivatives are used to limit risk in the Fund or to enhance
investment return and have a return tied to a formula based upon an interest
rate, index, price of a security, or other measurement. Derivatives involve
special risks, including: (1) the risk that interest rates, securities prices
and currency markets will not move in the direction that a portfolio manager
anticipates; (2) imperfect correlation between the price of derivative
instruments and movements in the prices of the securities, interest rates or
currencies being hedged; (3) the fact that skills needed to use these strategies
are different than those needed to select portfolio securities; (4) the possible
absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument and possible
exchange imposed price fluctuation limits, either of which may make it difficult
or impossible to close out a position when desired; (5) the risk that adverse
price movements in an instrument can result in a loss substantially greater than
the Fund’s initial investment in that instrument (in some cases, the potential
loss in unlimited); (6) particularly in the case of privately-negotiated
instruments, the risk that the counterparty will not perform its obligations, or
that penalties could be incurred for positions held less than the required
minimum holding period, which could leave the Fund worse off than if it had not
entered into the position; and (7) the inability to close out certain hedged
positions. In addition, the use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes (that
is, to seek to increase total return) is considered a speculative practice and
may present an even greater risk of loss than when used for hedging
purposes.
Fixed
Income/Debt/Bond Securities
Yields
on fixed income securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including the
general conditions of the money market and other fixed income securities
markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and
the rating of the issue. An investment in the Fund will be subjected to risk
even if all fixed income securities in the Fund’s portfolio are paid in full at
maturity. All fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, can
change in value when there is a change in interest rates or the issuer’s actual
or perceived creditworthiness or ability to meet its obligations.
There
is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities
sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. In
other words, an increase in interest rates produces a decrease in market value.
The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the greater will
be the effect of interest rate changes on the market value of that security.
Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal
and in the markets’ perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will also affect
the market value of the debt securities of that issuer. Obligations of issuers
of fixed income securities (including municipal securities) are subject to the
provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In
addition, the obligations of municipal issuers may become subject to laws
enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures, or referenda extending
the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or imposing other constraints
upon enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to
levy taxes. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and
principal and in the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will
also affect the market value of the debt securities of that issuer. The
possibility exists, therefore, that, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due,
the principal of and interest on its debt securities may become
impaired.
The
corporate debt securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate bonds
and notes and short-term investments such as commercial paper and variable rate
demand notes. Commercial paper (short-term promissory notes) is issued by
companies to finance their or their affiliate’s current obligations and is
frequently unsecured. Variable and floating rate demand notes are unsecured
obligations redeemable upon not more than 30 days’ notice. These obligations
include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at
varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement with the issuer of
the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a
given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon
a specified number of days’ notice. These obligations generally are not traded,
nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To
the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and
there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an
illiquid investment.
The
Fund may invest in debt securities, including non-investment grade debt
securities. The following describes some of the risks associated with fixed
income debt securities:
Interest
Rate Risk.
Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
In general, the price of a debt security can fall when interest rates rise and
can rise when interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and
mortgage securities can be more sensitive to interest rate changes although they
usually offer higher yields to compensate investors for the greater risks. The
longer the maturity of the security, the greater the impact a change in interest
rates could have on the security’s price. In addition, short-term and long-term
interest rates do not necessarily move in the same amount or the same direction.
Short-term securities tend to react to changes in short-term interest rates and
long-term securities tend to react to changes in long-term interest
rates.
Credit
Risk.
Fixed income securities of issuers with lower credit quality have speculative
characteristics and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of those issuers to make principal or
interest payments, as compared to issuers of more highly rated securities of
issuers with higher credit quality.
Extension
Risk.
The Fund is subject to the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay
principal on an obligation held by the Fund (such as mortgage-backed securities)
later than expected. This may happen when there is a rise in interest rates.
These events may lengthen the duration (i.e. interest rate sensitivity) and
potentially reduce the value of these securities.
Prepayment
Risk.
Certain types of debt securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, have yield
and maturity characteristics corresponding to underlying assets. Unlike
traditional debt securities, which may pay a fixed rate of interest until
maturity when the entire principal amount comes due, payments on certain
mortgage-backed securities may include both interest and a partial payment of
principal. Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, payments of principal
may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing, or foreclosure of the
underlying mortgage loans.
Securities
subject to prepayment are less effective than other types of securities as a
means of “locking in” attractive long-term interest rates. One reason is the
need to reinvest prepayments of principal; another is the possibility of
significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates.
These prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these
securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of
declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities,
although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods
of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the
effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining
interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction
in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities,
subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to
rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore,
potentially increasing the volatility of the Fund.
At
times, some of the mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest will
have higher than market interest rates and therefore will be purchased at a
premium above their par value. Prepayments may cause losses in securities
purchased at a premium, as unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, will
cause the Fund to experience a loss equal to any unamortized
premium.
High
Yield Securities
The
Fund may invest in high yield securities. High yield, high risk bonds are
securities that are generally rated below investment grade by the primary rating
agencies (BB+ or lower by S&P and Ba1 or lower by Moody’s). Other terms used
to describe such securities include “lower rated bonds,” “non-investment grade
bonds,” “below investment grade bonds,” and “junk bonds.” These securities are
considered to be high-risk investments. The risks include the
following:
Greater
Risk of Loss.
These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater
risk that issuers of lower rated securities will default than issuers of higher
rated securities. Issuers of lower rated securities generally are less
creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt.
These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes,
political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield
securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior
indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest, the Fund would
experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its
investments.
Sensitivity
to Interest Rate and Economic Changes.
The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than
higher rated securities. Although non-investment grade securities tend to be
less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities,
non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate,
economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and
change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be
volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with
defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.
Valuation
Difficulties.
It is often more difficult to value lower rated securities than higher rated
securities. If an issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial
and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower
rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary
market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for
investments in lower rated securities, valuation of such investments is much
more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher rated
securities.
Liquidity.
There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower
rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be
relatively less liquid than the market for higher rated securities. In addition,
relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of
lower-rated securities at times. As a result, the Fund may be required to sell
investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely when an issuer’s
financial condition is deteriorating.
Credit
Quality.
Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and
unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the
actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.
New
Legislation.
Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high
yield, high risk investments. As an example, in the late 1980’s, legislation
required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their
investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could
have a material negative effect on the Fund’s investments in lower rated
securities. High yield, high risk investments may include the
following:
Straight
fixed-income debt securities.
These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable
rate of interest payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable
maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may include
features such as call provisions and sinking funds.
Zero-coupon
debt securities.
These bear no interest obligation but are issued at a discount from their value
at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire return equals the difference
between their issue price and their maturity value.
Zero-fixed-coupon
debt securities.
These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to
interest-bearing debt securities.
Pay-in-kind
bonds.
These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest
payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. These bonds are
typically sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(“1933 Act”), usually to a relatively small number of institutional
investors.
Loan
Participations and Assignments.
These are participations in, or assignments of all or a portion of loans to
corporations or to governments, including governments of less developed
countries (“LDCs”).
Securities
issued in connection with Reorganizations and Corporate
Restructurings.
In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may
issue common stock or other securities to holders of its debt securities. The
Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even if it does not invest
in such securities.
Non-U.S.
Securities
The
Fund may invest in non-U.S. equity securities, including securities listed and
traded in emerging markets. Investments in securities listed and traded in
emerging markets are subject to additional risks that may not be present for
U.S. investments or investments in more developed non-U.S. markets. Investments
in non-U.S. equity securities involve certain risks that may not be present in
investments in U.S. securities. For example, non-U.S. securities may be subject
to currency risks or to foreign government taxes. There may be less information
publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than about a U.S. issuer, and a
foreign issuer may or may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards and practices comparable to those in the U.S.
Other risks of investing in such securities include political or economic
instability in the country involved, the difficulty of predicting international
trade patterns and the possibility of imposition of exchange controls. The
prices of such securities may be more volatile than those of domestic
securities. With respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of
expropriation of assets or nationalization, imposition of withholding taxes on
dividend or interest payments, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing judgments
against foreign entities or diplomatic developments which could affect
investment in these countries. Losses and other expenses may be incurred in
converting between various currencies in connection with purchases and sales of
foreign securities. Since foreign exchanges may be open on days when the Fund
does not price its shares, the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio
may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell the
Fund’s shares. Conversely, shares may trade on days when foreign exchanges are
closed. Each of these factors can make an investment in the Fund more volatile
and potentially less liquid than other types of investments.
Non-U.S.
stock markets may not be as developed or efficient as, and may be more volatile
than, those in the U.S. While the volume of shares traded on non-U.S. stock
markets generally has been growing, such markets usually have substantially less
volume than U.S. markets. Therefore, the Fund’s investment in non-U.S. equity
securities may be less liquid and subject to more rapid and erratic price
movements than comparable securities listed for trading on U.S. exchanges.
Non-U.S. equity securities may trade at price/
earnings
multiples higher than comparable U.S. securities and such levels may not be
sustainable. There may be less government supervision and regulation of foreign
stock exchanges, brokers, banks and listed companies abroad than in the U.S.
Moreover, settlement practices for transactions in foreign markets may differ
from those in U.S. markets. Such differences may include delays beyond periods
customary in the U.S. and practices, such as delivery of securities prior to
receipt of payment, that increase the likelihood of a failed settlement, which
can result in losses to the Fund. The value of non-U.S. investments and the
investment income derived from them may also be affected unfavorably by changes
in currency exchange control regulations. Foreign brokerage commissions,
custodial expenses and other fees are also generally higher than for securities
traded in the U.S. This may cause the Fund to incur higher portfolio transaction
costs than domestic equity funds. Fluctuations in exchange rates may also affect
the earning power and asset value of the foreign entity issuing a security, even
one denominated in U.S. dollars. Dividend and interest payments may be
repatriated based on the exchange rate at the time of disbursement, and
restrictions on capital flows may be imposed.
The
Fund may invest directly or indirectly in the securities of issuers in emerging
market countries. Securities of issuers in emerging market countries are subject
to all of the risks of foreign investing generally, and have additional
heightened risks due to a lack of established legal, political, business, and
social frameworks to support securities markets, including: delays in settling
portfolio securities transactions; currency and capital controls; greater
sensitivity to interest rate changes; pervasiveness of corruption and crime;
currency exchange rate volatility; and inflation, deflation, or currency
devaluation.
From
time to time, certain companies in which the Fund invests may operate (a) in, or
have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions, embargoes or other
government actions imposed by the U.S. Government of the United Nations and/or
(b) in countries the U.S. Government has identified as state sponsors of
terrorism. One or more of these companies may be subject to constraints under
U.S. law or regulations that could negatively affect the company’s performance
or the Fund’s ability to invest or hold securities of such companies.
Additionally, one or more of these companies could suffer damage to its
reputation if the market identifies it as a company that invests or deals with
countries that the U.S. Government identifies as state sponsors of terrorism or
subjects to sanction, which could also negatively affect the company’s
performance.
Other
Short-Term Instruments
The
Fund may invest in short-term instruments, including money market instruments,
on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity or for other reasons. Money market
instruments are generally short-term investments that may include but are not
limited to: (i) shares of money market funds; (ii) obligations issued
or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities
(including government-sponsored enterprises); (iii) negotiable certificates
of deposit (“CDs”), bankers’ acceptances, fixed time deposits and other
obligations of U.S. and foreign banks (including foreign branches) and similar
institutions; (iv) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1”
by Moody’s or “A-1” by S&P or, if unrated, of comparable quality as
determined by the Adviser; (v) non-convertible corporate debt securities
(e.g.,
bonds and debentures) with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of not
more than 397 days and that satisfy the rating requirements set forth in Rule
2a-7 under the 1940 Act; and (vi) short-term U.S. dollar-denominated
obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches) that, in the opinion of
the Adviser, are of comparable quality to obligations of U.S. banks which may be
purchased by the Fund. Any of these instruments may be purchased on a current or
a forward-settled basis. Money market instruments also include shares of money
market funds. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking
institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers’
acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in
connection with international transactions.
Real
Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)
A
REIT is a corporation or business trust (that would otherwise be taxed as a
corporation) which meets the definitional requirements of the Code. The Code
permits a qualifying REIT to deduct from taxable income the dividends paid,
thereby effectively eliminating corporate level federal income tax. To meet the
definitional requirements of the Code, a REIT must, among other things: invest
substantially all of its assets in interests in real estate (including mortgages
and other REITs), cash and government securities; derive most of its income from
rents from real property or interest on loans secured by mortgages on real
property; and, in general, distribute annually 90% or more of its taxable income
(other than net capital gains) to shareholders.
REITs
are sometimes informally characterized as Equity REITs and Mortgage REITs. An
Equity REIT invests primarily in the fee ownership or leasehold ownership of
land and buildings (e.g.,
commercial equity REITs and residential equity REITs); a Mortgage REIT invests
primarily in mortgages on real property, which may secure construction,
development or long-term loans.
REITs
may be affected by changes in underlying real estate values, which may have an
exaggerated effect to the extent that REITs in which the Fund invests may
concentrate investments in particular geographic regions or property types.
Additionally, rising interest rates may cause investors in REITs to demand a
higher annual yield from future distributions, which may in turn decrease market
prices for equity securities issued by REITs. Rising interest rates also
generally increase the costs of obtaining financing, which could cause the value
of the Fund’s investments to decline. During periods of declining interest
rates, certain Mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to
prepay, which prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by such
Mortgage REITs. In addition, Mortgage REITs may be affected by the ability of
borrowers to repay when due the debt extended by the REIT and Equity REITs may
be affected by the ability of tenants to pay rent.
Certain
REITs have relatively small market capitalization, which may tend to increase
the volatility of the market price of securities issued by such REITs.
Furthermore, REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills, have
limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in
operating and financing a limited number of projects. By investing in REITs
indirectly through the Fund, a shareholder will bear not only his or her
proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar
expenses of the REITs. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash
flow to make distributions to shareholders.
In
addition to these risks, Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of
the underlying property owned by the trusts, while Mortgage REITs may be
affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, Equity and Mortgage
REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified.
Equity and Mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency
defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. In addition, Equity and Mortgage
REITs could possibly fail to qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax
treatment generally available to REITs under the Code or fail to maintain their
exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. The above factors may also
adversely affect a borrower’s or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations to
the REIT. In the event of default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may
experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur
substantial costs associated with protecting its investments.
Master
Limited Partnerships
The
Fund may invest in master limited partnership interests (“MLPs”). MLPs are
limited partnerships, the interests in which (known as “units”) are traded on
public exchanges, just like corporate stock. MLPs are limited partnerships that
provide an investor with a direct interest in a group of assets (generally, oil
and gas properties). Master limited partnership units typically trade publicly,
like stock, and thus may provide the investor more liquidity than ordinary
limited partnerships. Master limited partnerships are also called publicly
traded partnerships and public limited partnerships. A limited partnership has
one or more general partners (they may be individuals, corporations,
partnerships or another entity) which manage the partnership, and limited
partners, which provide capital to the partnership but have no role in its
management. When an investor buys units in an MLP, he or she becomes a limited
partner. MLPs are formed in several ways. A non-traded partnership may decide to
go public. Several non-traded partnerships may “roll up” into a single MLP. A
corporation may spin off a group of assets or part of its business into an MLP
of which it is the general partner, either to realize what it believes to be the
assets’ full value or as an alternative to issuing debt. A corporation may fully
convert to an MLP, although since 1986 the tax consequences have made this an
unappealing; or, a newly formed company may operate as an MLP from its
inception.
There
are different types of risks to investing in MLPs, including regulatory risks
and interest rate risks. Currently most publicly traded MLPs qualify for pass
through taxation of their income to partners, on account of satisfying a
qualifying income test, which prevents double taxation of earnings. If the
government were to change the tax treatment of MLPs, unitholders would not be
able to enjoy the relatively high yields in the sector for long. In addition,
MLPs that charge government-regulated fees for transportation of oil and gas
products through their pipelines are subject to unfavorable changes in
government-approved rates and fees, which would affect an MLP’s revenue stream
negatively. MLPs also carry some interest rate risks. During increases in
interest rates, MLPs may not produce desirable returns to
shareholders.
Utilities
and Industrials
Utilities
companies include companies that produce or distribute gas, electricity or
water. These companies are subject to the risk of the imposition of rate caps,
increased competition due to deregulation, the difficulty in obtaining an
adequate return on invested capital or in financing large construction projects,
the limitations on operations and increased costs and delays attributable to
environmental considerations and the capital markets’ ability to absorb utility
debt. In addition, taxes, government regulation, international politics, price
and supply fluctuations, volatile interest rates and energy conservation may
negatively affect utilities companies.
The
Industrial sector includes companies engaged in the manufacture and distribution
of capital goods, such as those used in defense, construction and engineering,
companies that manufacture and distribute electrical equipment and industrial
machinery and those that provide commercial and transportation services and
supplies. Companies in the Industrial sector may be adversely affected by
changes in government regulation, world events and economic conditions. In
addition, companies in the Industrial sector may be adversely affected by
environmental damages, product liability claims and exchange rates. The success
of these companies is affected by supply and demand both for their specific
product or service and for Industrial sector products in general. The products
of manufacturing companies may face product obsolescence due to rapid
technological developments and frequent new product introduction. In addition,
the Industrial sector may also be adversely affected by changes or trends in
commodity prices, which may be unpredictable. As a result, the Fund’s investment
returns may underperform the market in periods where the Industrial sectors
underperform other sectors. Potential negative market or economic developments
affecting one or more of the sectors in which the Fund’s investments are
concentrated could have a greater impact on the Fund than on a fund with fewer
holdings in the impacted sectors.
Repurchase
Agreements
The
Fund may invest in repurchase agreements with commercial banks, brokers or
dealers to generate income from its excess cash balances and to invest
securities lending cash collateral. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under
which the Fund acquires a financial instrument (e.g.,
a security issued by the U.S. government or an agency thereof, a banker’s
acceptance or a certificate of deposit) from a seller, subject to resale to the
seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next Business Day). A
repurchase agreement may be considered a loan collateralized by securities. The
resale price reflects an agreed upon interest rate effective for the period the
instrument is held by the Fund and is unrelated to the interest rate on the
underlying instrument.
In
these repurchase agreement transactions, the securities acquired by the Fund
(including accrued interest earned thereon) must have a total value in excess of
the value of the repurchase agreement and are held by the Custodian until
repurchased. No more than an aggregate of 15% of the Fund’s net assets will be
invested in illiquid investments, including repurchase agreements having
maturities longer than seven days and securities subject to legal or contractual
restrictions on resale, or for which there are no readily available market
quotations.
The
use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the other
party to the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying
security at a time when the value of the security has declined, the Fund may
incur a loss upon disposition of the security. If the other party to the
agreement becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under
the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or other laws, a court may determine that the
underlying security is collateral for a loan by the Fund not within the control
of the Fund and, therefore, the Fund may not be able to substantiate its
interest in the underlying security and may be deemed an unsecured creditor of
the other party to the agreement.
Securities
Lending
The
Fund may lend portfolio securities in an amount up to one-third of its total
assets to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. In a portfolio
securities lending transaction, the Fund receives from the borrower an amount
equal to the interest paid or the dividends declared on the loaned securities
during the term of the loan as well as the interest on the collateral
securities, less any fees (such as finders or administrative fees) the Fund pays
in arranging the loan. The Fund may share the interest it receives on the
collateral securities with the borrower. The terms of the Fund’s loans permit it
to reacquire loaned securities on five business days’ notice or in time to vote
on any important matter. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the
Fund or borrower at any time, and the borrowed securities must be returned when
the loan is terminated. The Fund may pay fees to arrange for securities
loans.
The
SEC currently requires that the following conditions must be met whenever the
Fund’s portfolio securities are loaned: (1) the Fund must receive at least
100% cash collateral from the borrower; (2) the borrower must increase such
collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of
such collateral; (3) the Fund must be able to terminate the loan at any time;
(4) the Fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any
dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities, and any
increase in market value; (5) the Fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees
approved by the Board in connection with the loan; (6) while voting rights on
the loaned securities may pass to the borrower, the Board must terminate the
loan and regain the right to vote the securities if a material event adversely
affecting the investment occurs; and (7) the Fund may not loan its portfolio
securities so that the value of the loaned securities is more than one-third of
its total asset value, including collateral received from such loans. These
conditions may be subject to future modification. Such loans will be terminable
at any time upon specified notice. The Fund might experience the risk of loss if
the institution with which it has engaged in a portfolio loan transaction
breaches its agreement with the Fund. In addition, the Fund will not enter into
any portfolio security lending arrangement having a duration of
longer
than one year. The principal risk of portfolio lending is potential default or
insolvency of the borrower. In either of these cases, the Fund could experience
delays in recovering securities or collateral or could lose all or part of the
value of the loaned securities. As part of participating in a lending program,
the Fund may be required to invest in collateralized debt or other securities
that bear the risk of loss of principal. In addition, all investments made with
the collateral received are subject to the risks associated with such
investments. If such investments lose value, the Fund will have to cover the
loss when repaying the collateral.
Any
loans of portfolio securities are fully collateralized based on values that are
marked-to-market daily. Any securities that the Fund may receive as collateral
will not become part of the Fund’s investment portfolio at the time of the loan
and, in the event of a default by the borrower, the Fund will, if permitted by
law, dispose of such collateral except for such part thereof that is a security
in which the Fund is permitted to invest. During the time securities are on
loan, the borrower will pay the Fund any accrued income on those securities, and
the Fund may invest the cash collateral and earn income or receive an
agreed-upon fee from a borrower that has delivered cash-equivalent
collateral.
Special
Purpose Acquisition Companies
The
Fund may invest in stock, warrants, and other securities of special purpose
acquisition companies (“SPACs”) or similar special purpose entities that pool
funds to seek potential acquisition opportunities. Unless and until an
acquisition is completed, a SPAC generally invests its assets (less a portion
retained to cover expenses) in U.S. Government securities, money market fund
securities, and cash. If an acquisition that meets the requirements for the SPAC
is not completed within a pre-established period of time, the invested funds are
returned to the entity’s shareholders, less certain permitted expense, and any
warrants issued by the SPAC will expire worthless. Because SPACs and similar
entities are in essence blank check companies without an operating history or
ongoing business other than seeking acquisitions, the value of their securities
is particularly dependent on the ability of the entity’s management to identify
and complete a profitable acquisition. SPACs may pursue acquisitions only within
certain industries or regions, which may increase the volatility of their
prices. In addition, these securities, may be traded in the over-the-counter
market, may be considered illiquid and/or be subject to restrictions on
resale.
Short
Sales
The
Fund may sell securities short. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund
sells a security it does not own or have the right to acquire (or that it owns
but does not wish to deliver) in anticipation that the market price of that
security will decline.
When
the Fund makes a short sale, the broker-dealer through which the short sale is
made must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the party purchasing
the security. The Fund is required to make a margin deposit in connection with
such short sales; the Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities
and will often be obligated to pay over any dividends and accrued interest on
borrowed securities.
If
the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short
sale and the time the Fund covers its short position, the Fund will incur a
loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain.
Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs
described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected
by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold
short and the securities being hedged.
To
the extent the Fund sells securities short, it will provide collateral to the
broker-dealer and (except in the case of short sales “against the box”) will
maintain additional asset coverage in the form of cash, U.S. government
securities or other liquid investments with its custodian in a segregated
account in an amount at least equal to the difference between the current market
value of the securities sold short and any
amounts
required to be deposited as collateral with the selling broker (not including
the proceeds of the short sale). A short sale is “against the box” to the extent
the Fund contemporaneously owns, or has the right to obtain at no added cost,
securities identical to those sold short.
Swap
Agreements
The
Fund intends to enter into swap agreements, including, but not limited to, total
return swaps, index swaps, and interest rate swaps. The Fund may utilize swap
agreements in an attempt to gain exposure to the securities in a market without
actually purchasing those securities, or to hedge a position. Swap agreements
are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for
periods ranging from a day to more than one-year. In a standard “swap”
transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in
rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or
instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties
are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” (i.e.,
the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a
basket of securities representing a particular index).
Forms
of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a
premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that
interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap” interest rate floors, under
which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other
to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified level, or “floor;” and
interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or
vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements
exceeding given minimum or maximum levels.
The
Fund’s obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against
any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a
swap counterparty will be covered by segregating assets determined to be liquid.
Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior
securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior
securities. Because they are two-party contracts which may have terms of greater
than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for purposes
of the Fund’s illiquid investment limitations. The Fund will not enter into any
swap agreement unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the
transaction is creditworthy. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount
expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or
bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty.
The
Fund may enter into swap agreements to invest in a market without owning or
taking physical custody of the underlying securities in circumstances in which
direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable.
The counterparty to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment
banking firm or broker-dealer. The counterparty will generally agree to pay the
Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement
would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks,
plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. The Fund will
agree to pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional
amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional
amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks.
Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or
loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid
by the Fund on the notional amount.
Swap
agreements typically are settled on a net basis, which means that the two
payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case
may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Payments may be made at the
conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term. Other swap
agreements, may require initial premium (discount) payments as well as periodic
payments (receipts) related to the interest leg of the swap or to the default of
a reference obligation. The Fund will earmark and reserve assets necessary to
meet any accrued payment obligations when it is the buyer of a credit default
swap.
Swap
agreements do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets.
Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to swap agreements is limited to the
net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If a
swap counterparty defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount
of payments the Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any. The net
amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements
with respect to each equity swap will be accrued on a daily basis and an amount
of cash or liquid assets, having an aggregate NAV at least equal to such accrued
excess will be maintained in a segregated account by the Fund’s custodian.
Inasmuch as these transactions are entered into for hedging purposes or are
offset by segregated cash of liquid assets, as permitted by applicable law, the
Fund and the Adviser believe that these transactions do not constitute senior
securities under the 1940 Act and, accordingly, will not treat them as being
subject to the Fund’s borrowing restrictions.
The
swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks
and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing
standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become
relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments,
which are traded in the OTC market. The Adviser, under the supervision of the
Board, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of Fund
transactions in swap agreements.
The
use of swap agreements is a highly specialized activity which involves
investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary
portfolio securities transactions. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness
declines, the value of the swap would likely decline. Moreover, there is no
guarantee that the Fund could eliminate its exposure under an outstanding swap
agreement by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same or another
party.
U.S.
Government Securities
The
Fund may invest in U.S. government securities. Securities issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities include U.S.
Treasury securities, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Treasury and which differ only in their interest rates, maturities, and times of
issuance. U.S. Treasury bills have initial maturities of one-year or less; U.S.
Treasury notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and U.S. Treasury
bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years. Certain U.S.
government securities are issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities
of the U.S. government including, but not limited to, obligations of U.S.
government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Federal National Mortgage
Association (“Fannie Mae”), the Government National Mortgage Association
(“Ginnie Mae”), the Small Business Administration, the Federal Farm Credit
Administration, the Federal Home Loan Banks, Banks for Cooperatives (including
the Central Bank for Cooperatives), the Federal Land Banks, the Federal
Intermediate Credit Banks, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Export-Import
Bank of the United States, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Federal
Financing Bank, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the National Credit
Union Administration and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer
Mac).
Some
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and
instrumentalities, including, for example, Ginnie Mae pass- through
certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.
Other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those
securities issued by Fannie Mae, are supported by the discretionary authority of
the U.S. government to purchase certain obligations of the federal agency, while
other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those of
the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow
from the U.S. Treasury, while the U.S. government provides financial support to
such U.S. government-sponsored federal agencies, no assurance can be given that
the U.S. government will always do so, since the U.S. government is not so
obligated by law. U.S. Treasury notes and bonds typically pay coupon interest
semi- annually and repay the principal at maturity.
On
September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced a federal takeover of Fannie Mae
and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), placing the two
federal instrumentalities in conservatorship. Under the takeover, the U.S.
Treasury agreed to acquire $1 billion of senior preferred stock of each
instrumentality and obtained warrants for the purchase of common stock of each
instrumentality (the “Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement” or
“Agreement”). Under the Agreement, the U.S. Treasury pledged to provide up to
$200 billion per instrumentality as needed, including the contribution of cash
capital to the instrumentalities in the event their liabilities exceed their
assets. This was intended to ensure that the instrumentalities maintain a
positive net worth and meet their financial obligations, preventing mandatory
triggering of receivership. On December 24, 2009, the U.S. Treasury announced
that it was amending the Agreement to allow the $200 billion cap on the U.S.
Treasury’s funding commitment to increase as necessary to accommodate any
cumulative reduction in net worth over the next three years. As a result of this
Agreement, the investments of holders, including the Fund, of mortgage-backed
securities and other obligations issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are
protected.
The
total public debt of the United States as a percentage of gross domestic product
has grown rapidly since the beginning of the 2008-2009 financial downturn.
Although high debt levels do not necessarily indicate or cause economic
problems, they may create certain systemic risks if sound debt management
practices are not implemented. A high national debt can raise concerns that the
U.S. government will not be able to make principal or interest payments when
they are due. This increase has also necessitated the need for the U.S. Congress
to negotiate adjustments to the statutory debt limit to increase the cap on the
amount the U.S. government is permitted to borrow to meet its existing
obligations and finance current budget deficits. In August 2011, S&P lowered
its long-term sovereign credit rating on the U.S. In explaining the downgrade at
that time, S&P cited, among other reasons, controversy over raising the
statutory debt limit and growth in public spending. On August 2, 2019, following
passage by Congress, the President of the United States signed the Bipartisan
Budget Act of 2019, which suspends the statutory debt limit through July 31,
2021. Any controversy or ongoing uncertainty regarding the statutory debt
ceiling negotiations may impact the U.S. long-term sovereign credit rating and
may cause market uncertainty. As a result, market prices and yields of
securities supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government may be
adversely affected.
The
investment restrictions applicable to the Fund are set forth below and are
either fundamental or non-fundamental. Fundamental restrictions may not be
changed without a majority vote of shareholders as required by the 1940 Act.
Non-fundamental policies or restrictions may be changed by the Board without
shareholder approval.
Fundamental
Investment Restrictions
The
Trust (on behalf of the Fund) has adopted the following restrictions as
fundamental policies, which may not be changed without the affirmative vote of
the holders of a “majority” of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
Under the 1940 Act, the “vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities” means the vote of the holders of the lesser of (i) 67%
or more of the shares of the Fund present at a meeting at which the holders of
more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding shares are present or represented by
proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the
Fund.
As
a matter of fundamental policy:
1.The
Fund may not lend money or other assets except to the extent permitted by (i)
the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other
authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or
permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.
2.The
Fund may not borrow money, except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or
interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with
appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from
the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.
3.The
Fund may not issue senior securities except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or
interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with
appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from
the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.
4.The
Fund may not concentrate its investments in a particular industry, as
concentration is defined under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder
or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended
or interpreted from time to time, except that the Fund may invest without
limitation in: (i) securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its
agencies or instrumentalities; (ii) tax-exempt obligations of state or municipal
governments and their political subdivisions; (iii) securities of other
investment companies; and (iv) repurchase agreements.
5.The
Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, except as permitted by (i) the 1940
Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other
authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or
permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority (although the Fund may
purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of
companies which invest or deal in real estate, such as REITs).
6.The
Fund may not buy or sell commodities or commodity (futures) contracts, except as
permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC,
SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or
other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other
authority.
7.The
Fund may not engage in the business of underwriting the securities of other
issuers except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or
modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate
jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC
staff or other authority, and except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed
to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with
the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.
8.The
Fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer if, as a result, the Fund
would fail to be a diversified company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as each may be amended from
time to time, except to the extent that the Fund may be permitted to do so by
the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as each may
be amended from time to time, exemptive order, SEC release, no-action letter or
similar relief or written interpretations.
9.The
Fund may not make investments for the purpose of exercising control or acquiring
management of a company.
Percentage
and Rating Restrictions
Except
with respect to borrowing, all percentage or rating restrictions on an
investment or use of assets set forth herein or in the Prospectus are adhered to
at the time of investment. Later changes in the percentage or rating resulting
from any cause other than actions by the Fund will not be considered a violation
of the Fund’s investment restrictions. If the value of the Fund’s holdings of
illiquid investments at any time exceeds the percentage limitation applicable
due to subsequent fluctuations in value or other reasons, the Board will
consider what actions are appropriate to maintain adequate
liquidity.
Additional
Information Regarding Fundamental Investment Restrictions
The
following descriptions of the 1940 Act may assist investors in understanding the
above policies and restrictions.
Lending.
The
1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from making loans (including lending its
securities); however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from
lending more than one-third of their total assets (including lending its
securities), except through the purchase of debt obligations or the use of
repurchase agreements. In addition, collateral arrangements with respect to
options, forward currency and futures transactions and other derivative
instruments (as applicable), as well as delays in the settlement of securities
transactions, will not be considered loans.
For
purposes of the Fund’s fundamental investment restriction with respect to
lending, the entry into repurchase agreements, lending securities and acquiring
of debt securities shall not constitute loans by the Fund.
Senior
Securities and Borrowing. The
1940 Act prohibits the Fund from issuing any class of senior securities or
selling any senior securities of which it is the issuer, except that the Fund is
permitted to borrow from a bank so long as, immediately after such borrowings,
there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings of the Fund (not
including borrowings for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the
value of the Fund’s total assets). In the event that such asset coverage falls
below this percentage, the Fund is required to reduce the amount of its
borrowings within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) so that the
asset coverage is restored to at least 300%. Asset coverage means the ratio that
the value of a fund’s total assets (including amounts borrowed), minus
liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all
borrowings. Borrowing money to increase portfolio holdings is known as
“leveraging.” In addition, Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act permits a fund to enter
into derivatives transactions, notwithstanding the prohibitions and restrictions
on the issuance of senior securities under the 1940 Act, provided that the fund
complies with the conditions of Rule 18f-4.
Concentration.
The SEC staff has defined concentration as investing 25% or more of a fund’s
total assets in any particular industry or group of industries, with certain
exceptions such as with respect to investments in obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, or
tax-exempt obligations of state or municipal governments and their political
subdivisions. The SEC staff has further maintained that a fund should consider
the underlying investments, where easily determined, of investment companies in
which the fund is invested when determining concentration of the fund. For
purposes of the Fund’s concentration policy, the Fund may classify and
re-classify companies in a particular industry and define and re-define
industries in any
reasonable
manner, consistent with SEC and SEC staff guidance. In this regard, the Adviser
may analyze the characteristics of a particular issuer and instrument and may
assign an industry classification consistent with those characteristics. The
Adviser may, but need not, consider industry classifications provided by third
parties.
Underwriting.
The
1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from engaging in the underwriting business or
from underwriting the securities of other issuers; in fact, in the case of
diversified funds, the 1940 Act permits a fund to have underwriting commitments
of up to 25% of its assets under certain circumstances. Those circumstances
currently are that the amount of a fund’s underwriting commitments, when added
to the value of the fund’s investments in issuers where the fund owns more than
10% of the outstanding voting securities of those issuers, cannot exceed the 25%
cap.
Commodities.
The
1940 Act neither permits nor prohibits a fund from investing in commodities or
commodity (futures) contracts. The Fund does not currently intend to invest in
commodities or commodity (futures) contracts.
Diversification.
The
Fund is diversified. Under applicable federal laws, to qualify as a diversified
Fund, the Fund, with respect to 75% of its total assets, may not invest more
than 5% of its total assets in any one issuer and may not hold more than 10% of
the voting securities of any one such issuer. The remaining 25% of the Fund’s
total assets does not need to be “diversified” and may be invested in securities
of a single issuer, subject to other applicable laws. The diversification of the
Fund’s holdings is measured at the time the Fund purchases a security. However,
if the Fund purchases a security and holds it for a period of time, the security
may become a larger percentage of the Fund’s total assets due to movements in
the financial markets. If the market affects several securities held by the
Fund, the Fund may have a greater percentage of its assets invested in
securities of fewer issuers. Because the Fund is diversified, the Fund is less
subject to the risk that its performance may be hurt disproportionately by the
poor performance of relatively few securities despite the Fund qualifying as a
diversified Fund under applicable federal laws.
The
frequency of the Fund’s portfolio transactions (the portfolio turnover rate)
will vary from year to year depending on many factors. Although the Fund
generally will not invest for short-term trading purposes, portfolio securities
may be sold without regard to the length of time they have been held when, in
the opinion of the Adviser, investment considerations warrant such action.
Higher portfolio turnover rates may result in increased brokerage costs to the
Fund and a possible increase in short-term capital gains or losses. The Fund’s
annual portfolio turnover rate will be included in the “Financial Highlights”
section of the Fund’s Prospectus following the commencement of Fund
operations.
The
Trust’s Board has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about
the Fund’s security holdings. The Fund’s entire portfolio holdings are publicly
disseminated each day the Fund is open for business through financial reporting
and news services including publicly available internet web sites. In addition,
the composition of the in-kind creation basket and the in-kind redemption basket
is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the Exchange (as defined
below) via the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”).
Greater
than daily access to information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings will
be permitted (i) to certain personnel of service providers to the Fund involved
in portfolio management and providing administrative, operational, risk
management, or other support to portfolio management, and (ii) to other
personnel
of the Fund’s service providers who deal directly with, or assist in, functions
related to investment management, administration, custody and fund accounting,
as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course, agreements with
the Fund, and the terms of the Trust’s current registration statement. From time
to time, and in the ordinary course of business, such information may also be
disclosed (i) to other entities that provide services to the Fund, including
pricing information vendors, and third parties that deliver analytical,
statistical or consulting services to the Fund and (ii) generally after it has
been disseminated to the NSCC.
The
Fund will disclose its complete portfolio holdings in public filings with the
SEC on a quarterly basis, based on the Fund’s fiscal year-end, within 60 days of
the end of the quarter, and will provide that information to shareholders, as
required by federal securities laws and regulations thereunder.
No
person is authorized to disclose any of the Fund’s portfolio holdings or other
investment positions (whether in writing, by fax, by e-mail, orally, or by other
means) except in accordance with this policy. The Trust’s Chief Compliance
Officer may authorize disclosure of portfolio holdings. The Board reviews the
implementation of this policy on a periodic basis.
EXCHANGE
LISTING AND TRADING
A
discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment
in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus. The discussion below supplements,
and should be read in conjunction with, the Prospectus.
The
shares of the Fund are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”)
and trade on the Exchange at market prices. These prices may differ from the
Fund’s NAV per share. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the
Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of shares of the Fund will continue
to be met.
The
Exchange will consider the suspension of trading in, and will initiate delisting
procedures of, the shares of the Fund under any of the following circumstances:
(1) if the Exchange becomes aware that the Fund is no longer eligible to operate
in reliance on Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act; (2) if the Fund no longer complies
with the relevant requirements in the Exchange’s rules; (3) if, following the
initial twelve-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the
Fund on the Exchange, there are fewer than 50 record and/or beneficial holders
of the shares; or (4) such other event occurs or condition exists that, in the
opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange
inadvisable.
The
Trust reserves the right to adjust the share price of the Fund in the future to
maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be
accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no
effect on the net assets of the Fund.
As
in the case of other publicly traded securities, brokers’ commissions on
transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary
levels.
The
base and trading currencies of the Fund is the U.S. dollar. The base currency is
the currency in which the Fund’s NAV per share is calculated and the trading
currency is the currency in which shares of the Fund are listed and traded on
the Exchange.
The
Board oversees the management and operations of the Trust. The Board, in turn,
elects the officers of the Trust, who are responsible for the day-to-day
operations of the Trust and its separate series. The current Trustees and
officers of the Trust, their year of birth, positions with the Trust, terms of
office with the Trust and length of time served, principal occupations during
the past five years and other
directorships
are set forth in the table below. Unless noted otherwise, the principal business
address of each Trustee is c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, 615 East Michigan
Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
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Name
and Year of Birth |
Positions with the
Trust |
Term
of Office and Length of Time Served |
Principal Occupations
During Past Five Years |
Number
of
Portfolios
in
Fund
Complex(2)
Overseen
by
Trustees |
Other Directorships Held
During Past Five Years |
Independent
Trustees of the Trust(1) |
Koji
Felton (born 1961)
|
Trustee |
Indefinite
Term; Since September 2015. |
Retired. |
2 |
Independent
Trustee, Listed Funds Trust (53 portfolios) (Since 2019). |
Debra
McGinty-Poteet (born 1956) |
Trustee |
Indefinite
Term; Since September 2015. |
Retired. |
2 |
Lead
Independent Trustee, F/m Funds Trust (4 portfolios)
(2015-2023).
|
Daniel
B. Willey (born 1955)
|
Trustee |
Indefinite
Term; Since September 2015. |
Retired. |
2 |
None |
Interested
Trustee |
Elaine
E. Richards(3)
(born
1968) |
Chair,
Trustee |
Indefinite
Term; Since July 2021 |
Senior
Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (since 2007). |
2 |
None |
Officers
of the Trust |
Ryan
L. Roell (born 1973) |
President
and Principal Executive Officer |
Indefinite
Term; Since July 2019. |
Vice
President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (since 2005). |
Not
Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Douglas
Schafer
(born
1970)
|
Vice
President, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer |
Indefinite
Term; Since November 2023 |
Assistant
Vice President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (since 2002). |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Donna
Barrette (born 1966) |
Vice
President, Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering
Officer |
Indefinite
Term; Since November 2019. |
Senior
Vice President and Compliance Officer, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services
(since 2004). |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
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Name
and Year of Birth |
Positions with the
Trust |
Term
of Office and Length of Time Served |
Principal Occupations
During Past Five Years |
Number
of
Portfolios
in
Fund
Complex(2)
Overseen
by
Trustees |
Other Directorships Held
During Past Five Years |
Adam
W. Smith (born 1981) |
Secretary |
Indefinite
Term; Since June 2019. |
Vice
President, U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (since 2012). |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Richard
E. Grange (born 1982) |
Assistant
Treasurer |
Indefinite Term;
Since October 2022. |
Officer,
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (since 2017). |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
Leone
Logan
(born
1986)
|
Assistant
Treasurer |
Indefinite
Term; Since
October
2023 |
Officer,
U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (since 2022); Senior Financial Reporting
Analyst,
BNY
Mellon
(2014
- 2022) |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
(1)The
Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined
under the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”).
(2)As
of the date of this SAI, the Trust was comprised of 20 portfolios (including the
Fund) managed by unaffiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex”
applies only to the Fund. The Fund does not hold itself out as related to any
other series within the Trust for investment purposes, nor does it share the
same investment adviser with any other series within the Trust.
(3)Ms.
Richards, as a result of her employment with U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC,
which acts as transfer agent, administrator, and fund accountant to the Trust,
is considered to be an “interested person” of the Trust, as defined by the 1940
Act.
Additional
Information Concerning the Board of Trustees
The
Role of the Board
The
Board oversees the management and operations of the Trust. Like all mutual
funds, the day-to-day management and operation of the Trust is the
responsibility of the various service providers to the Trust, such as the
Adviser, the Distributor, the Administrator, the Custodian, and the Transfer
Agent, each of whom are discussed in greater detail in this SAI. The Board has
appointed various senior employees of the Administrator as officers of the
Trust, with responsibility to monitor and report to the Board on the Trust’s
operations. In conducting this oversight, the Board receives regular reports
from these officers and the service providers. For example, the Treasurer
provides reports as to financial reporting matters and the President provides
reports as to matters relating to the Trust’s operations. In addition, the
Adviser provides regular reports on the investment strategy and performance of
the Fund. The Board has appointed a CCO who administers the Trust’s compliance
program and regularly reports to the Board as to compliance matters. These
reports are provided as part of formal “Board Meetings” which are typically held
quarterly, in person, and involve the Board’s review of recent operations. In
addition, various members of the Board also meet with management in less formal
settings, between formal “Board Meetings,” to discuss various topics. In all
cases, however, the role of the Board and of any individual Trustee is one of
oversight and not of management of the day-to-day affairs of the Trust and its
oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of the Trust’s investments,
operations or activities.
Board
Structure, Leadership
The
Board has structured itself in a manner that it believes allows it to perform
its oversight function effectively. It has established two standing committees,
a Governance and Nominating Committee, and an Audit Committee, which also serves
as the Qualified Legal Compliance Committee, which are discussed in greater
detail below under “Trust Committees.” The Board is comprised of one Interested
Trustee and three Independent Trustees, which are Trustees that are not
affiliated with the Adviser, the principal underwriter, or their affiliates. The
Governance and Nominating Committee, Audit Committee and Qualified Legal
Compliance Committee are comprised entirely of Independent Trustees. The Chair
of the Board is an Interested Trustee. The Board has determined not to appoint a
lead Independent Trustee; however, the Independent Trustees are advised by
independent counsel. The President and Principal Executive Officer of the Trust
is not a Trustee, but rather is a senior employee of the Administrator who
routinely interacts with the unaffiliated investment advisers of the Trust and
comprehensively manages the operational aspects of the funds in the Trust. The
Trust has determined that it is appropriate to separate the Principal Executive
Officer and Chair of the Board positions because the day-to day responsibilities
of the Principal Executive Officer are not consistent with the oversight role of
the Trustees and because of the potential conflict of interest that may arise
from the Administrator’s duties with the Trust. The Board reviews its structure
and the structure of its committees annually. Given the specific characteristics
of the Trust, as described above, the Board has determined that the structure of
the Interested Chair, the composition of the Board, and the function and
composition of its various committees are appropriate means to address any
potential conflicts of interest that may arise.
Board
Oversight of Risk Management
As
part of its oversight function, the Board receives and reviews various risk
management reports and discusses these matters with appropriate management and
other personnel. Because risk management is a broad concept comprised of many
elements (e.g., investment risk, issuer and counterparty risk, compliance risk,
operational risks, business continuity risks, etc.), the oversight of different
types of risks is handled in different ways. For example, the Audit Committee
meets with the Treasurer and the Trust’s independent registered public
accounting firm to discuss, among other things, the internal control structure
of the Trust’s financial reporting function. The Board meets regularly with the
CCO to discuss compliance and operational risks and how they are managed. The
Board also receives reports from the Adviser as to investment risks of the Fund.
In addition to these reports, from time to time the Board receives reports from
the Administrator and the Adviser as to enterprise risk management.
Information
about Each Trustee’s Qualification, Experience, Attributes or Skills
The
Board believes that each of the Trustees has the qualifications, experience,
attributes and skills (“Trustee Attributes”) appropriate to their continued
service as Trustees of the Trust in light of the Trust’s business and structure.
The Board annually conducts a “self-assessment” wherein the effectiveness of the
Board and individual Trustees is reviewed.
In
addition to the information provided in the chart above, below is certain
additional information concerning each particular Trustee and his/her Trustee
Attributes. The information is not all-inclusive. Many Trustee Attributes
involve intangible elements, such as intelligence, integrity, work ethic, the
ability to work together, the ability to communicate effectively, the ability to
exercise judgment, to ask incisive questions, and commitment to shareholder
interests.
Koji
Felton. Mr.
Felton has served as a Trustee since 2015 and has substantial experience with
the mutual fund industry and familiarity with federal securities laws and
regulations. Mr. Felton’s prior experience includes serving as Director and
Counsel for KKR Credit Advisors LLC, the asset manager arm of Kohlberg Kravis
Roberts & Co. L.P. (2013 - 2015). Prior to that Mr. Felton served as counsel
in the Financial Services Group at Dechert LLP from (2011 - 2013), as well as in
various capacities, and ultimately as Senior Vice President and Deputy General
Counsel for mutual funds, at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (1998 – 2011). Mr.
Felton also worked as a staff attorney and served as an Enforcement Branch Chief
for the San Francisco District Office of the SEC (1992 - 1998). Mr. Felton began
his career as a litigation associate specializing in securities and banking
litigation at Shearman & Sterling (1986 - 1992).
Debra
McGinty-Poteet.
Ms.
McGinty-Poteet has served as a Trustee since 2015 and has significant mutual
fund industry experience, including her current and prior experience on mutual
fund boards. Ms. McGinty-Poteet also served as Lead Independent Trustee and
Chair of the Audit Committee for F/m Funds Trust (2015 – 2023). Prior to
becoming a Trustee of the Trust, Ms. McGinty-Poteet served as the President,
Chair of the Board, and Interested Trustee for Brandes Investment Trust where
she also oversaw the proprietary and sub-advisory mutual fund business for
Brandes Investment Advisors (1999 – 2012). Ms. McGinty-Poteet previously served
as Chief Operating Officer of North American Trust Company (1997 – 1998); Global
Managing Director of Mutual Funds at Bank of America (1992 – 1996); and in
various capacities, and ultimately as Global Head of Mutual Funds, at Security
Pacific Bank (1982 – 1992).
Daniel
Willey. Mr.
Willey has served as a Trustee since 2015 and has significant work history and
experience in the investment management industry. As a chief compliance officer,
Mr. Willey has valuable experience in an oversight role and in working with
regulatory compliance matters. Mr. Willey served as the Chief Compliance Officer
of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (2009-2017). Prior to this role,
Mr. Willey served as the Chief Operating and Chief Compliance Officer of Barrett
Associates, Inc. (investment adviser and affiliate of Legg Mason (2007 – 2009);
President and Chief Executive Officer of TIMCO, Citigroup Asset Management (2004
– 2006); Head Equity Trader of TIMCO (1994 – 2004); Vice President, Shawmut
National Bank (1992 – 1994); Investment Officer, State of Connecticut (1990 –
1992); Vice President, Bank of New England (Connecticut Bank & Trust) (1981
– 1990); Registered Representative, Tucker Anthony and R.L. Day, Inc. (1979 –
1981); and Assistant Analyst, The Travelers Insurance Company (1977 –
1979).
Elaine
Richards.
Ms. Richards has served as a Trustee since 2021 and has over 25 years of
experience, knowledge, and understanding of the mutual fund industry. Ms.
Richards currently serves as a Senior Vice President of U.S. Bank Global Fund
Services and has extensive experience in the 1940 Act, securities law in general
and SEC compliance and regulatory matters. In addition, Ms. Richards has
extensive experience in the oversight of regulatory examinations and providing
support and assistance to mutual fund clients implementing new regulatory
requirements. Prior to joining U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, Ms. Richards was
Vice President and senior counsel at Wells Fargo Funds Management.
Trust
Committees
The
Trust has two standing committees: the Governance and Nominating Committee, the
Audit Committee, which also serves as the Qualified Legal Compliance Committee
(“QLCC”).
The
Governance and Nominating Committee, comprised of all the Independent Trustees,
is responsible for making recommendations to the Board regarding various
governance-related aspects of the Board’s responsibilities and seeking and
reviewing candidates for consideration as nominees for Trustees and
meets
only as necessary. The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider
nominees nominated by shareholders. Recommendations by shareholders for
consideration by the Governance and Nominating Committee should be sent to the
President of the Trust in writing together with the appropriate biographical
information concerning each such proposed nominee, and such recommendation must
comply with the notice provisions set forth in the Trust Bylaws. In general, to
comply with such procedures, such nominations, together with all required
biographical information, must be delivered to and received by the President of
the Trust at the principal executive offices of the Trust no less than 120 days
and no more than 150 days prior to the shareholder meeting at which any such
nominee would be voted on. The Governance and Nominating Committee have not held
any meetings with respect to the Funds as of the date of this SAI.
The
Audit Committee is comprised of all of the Independent Trustees. The Audit
Committee generally meets on a quarterly basis with respect to the various
series of the Trust, and may meet more frequently. The function of the Audit
Committee, with respect to each series of the Trust, is to review the scope and
results of the audit of such series’ financial statements and any matters
bearing on the audit or the financial statements, and to ensure the integrity of
the series’ pricing and financial reporting. The Audit Committee has not held
any meetings with respect to the Fund as of the date of this SAI.
The
function of the QLCC is to receive reports from an attorney retained by the
Trust of evidence of a material violation by the Trust or by any officer,
director, employee or agent of the Trust.
Trustee
Ownership of Fund Shares and Other Interests
No
Trustee beneficially owned shares of the Fund as of the date of this SAI as the
Fund had not commenced operations. Furthermore, neither the Independent Trustees
nor members of their immediate family, own securities beneficially or of record
in the Adviser, the Fund’s principal underwriter, or any of their affiliates as
of the same date.
Compensation
The
Independent Trustees each receive an annual retainer of $50,000. Independent
Trustees will also be reimbursed for expenses in connection with each Board
meeting attended. These reimbursements will be allocated among applicable
portfolios of the Trust. The Trust has no pension or retirement plan. No other
entity affiliated with the Trust pays any compensation to the Trustees. The
Trust does not pay any fees to, or reimburse expenses of, the Interested
Trustee.
Because
the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, the
following compensation figures represent estimates for the Fund’s current fiscal
period ended November 30, 2024:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Name
of Person/ Position |
Aggregate
Compensation
From
the
Fund(1) |
Pension
or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of
Fund Expenses |
Estimated
Annual Benefits Upon Retirement |
Total
Compensation
from
Fund and Fund
Complex(2)
Paid to
Trustees |
Koji
Felton, Independent Trustee |
$0 |
None |
None |
$0 |
Debra
McGinty Poteet, Independent Trustee |
$0 |
None |
None |
$0 |
Daniel
Willey, Independent Trustee |
$0 |
None |
None |
$0 |
(1)Trustees’
fees and expenses are allocated among the Fund and all other series comprising
the Trust.
(2)As
of the date of this SAI, the Trust was comprised of 20 portfolios (including the
Fund) managed by unaffiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex”
applies only to the Fund, and not to other series of the Trust. For the fiscal
period ended November 30, 2024, aggregate Independent Trustees’ fees and
expenses are estimated at $112,500.
Codes
of Ethics
The
Trust, the Adviser and the distributor have each adopted a separate code of
ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics permit,
subject to certain conditions, personnel of the Adviser and distributor to
invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.
The
Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (the “Trust Proxy
Policies”) on behalf of the Trust which delegate the responsibility for voting
proxies to the Adviser or its designee, subject to the Board’s continuing
oversight. The Trust’s Proxy Policies require that the Adviser or its designee
vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund
and its shareholders. The Trust Proxy Policies also require the Adviser to
present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser’s proxy policies and a
record of each proxy voted by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund, including a
report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a
conflict of interest.
The
Adviser has adopted proxy policies, which may be amended from time to time. In
voting proxies, the Adviser is guided by fiduciary principles. All proxies are
to be voted solely in the best interests of the beneficial owners of the
securities. A copy of the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures is
attached to this SAI as Appendix A.
The
Trust is required to file a Form N-PX, with the Fund’s complete proxy voting
record for the 12 months ended June 30, no later than August 31 of
each year. Form N-PX for the Fund will be available without charge, upon
request, by calling toll-free 800-617-0004 and on the SEC’s website at
www.sec.gov.
A
principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or is known by the Trust
to own beneficially 5% or more of any class of the outstanding shares of any
class of the Fund. A control person is any person who owns beneficially or
through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund
or acknowledges the existence of control.
Because
the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, there are
no principal shareholders or control persons of the Fund as of the date of this
SAI and the Trustees and officers of the Trust did not own more than 1% of the
outstanding shares of any class of the Fund.
As
stated in the Prospectus, investment advisory services are provided to the Fund
by Infrastructure Capital Advisors, LLC, pursuant to an Investment Advisory
Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). Mr. Jay D. Hatfield is a control person of
the Adviser by virtue of his 99% ownership of the Adviser. Mr. Hatfield’s
ownership of the Adviser is held through Infrastructure Capital Management, LLC
(“ICM”), a private investment company that he founded in 2008 and which
principally owns the Adviser.
As
compensation, the Fund will pay the Adviser a monthly unified management fee
(accrued daily) based upon the average daily net assets of the Fund at the
annual rate of 0.80%.
Under
the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses of
the Fund except for the fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to the Investment
Advisory Agreement, interest charges on any borrowings, dividends and other
expenses on securities sold short, and other taxes, brokerage commissions and
other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of
securities and other investment instruments, acquired fund fees and expenses,
accrued deferred tax liability, extraordinary expenses, and distribution fees
and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
The
Advisory Agreement continues in effect for an initial two year period, and from
year to year thereafter only if such continuance is specifically approved at
least annually by the Board or by vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding
voting securities and by a majority of the Independent Trustees, who are not
parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party, in
each case cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the
Advisory Agreement. The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by the
Trust on behalf of the Fund on not more than 60 days’, nor less than
30 days’, written notice to the Adviser when authorized either by a
majority vote of the Fund’s shareholders or by a vote of a majority of the
Trustees, or by the Adviser on not more than 60 days’ written notice to the
Trust, and will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as
defined in the 1940 Act). The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall
not be liable under such agreement for any error of judgment or mistake of law
or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the
execution of portfolio transactions for the Fund, except for willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or
by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties
thereunder.
Because
the Fund commenced operations on or about the date of this SAI, the Fund neither
paid nor accrued any management fees during the last three fiscal
years.
Portfolio
Managers
Mr.
Jay D. Hatfield, Mr. Andrew Meleney, and Mr. Samuel Caffrey-Agoglia serve as the
Portfolio Managers for the Fund and are primarily responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Fund. Information regarding other accounts managed by the
Fund’s portfolio managers as of November 30, 2023 is set forth below.
Jay
D. Hatfield
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Category
of Account |
Total
Number of Accounts Managed |
Total
Assets in Accounts Managed (in millions) |
Number
of Accounts for which Advisory Fee is Based
on Performance |
Assets
in Accounts for which Advisory Fee is Based on Performance
(in millions) |
Other
Registered Investment Companies |
4 |
$1,433.6 |
0 |
$0 |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
1 |
$12.0 |
1 |
$12.0 |
Other
Accounts |
5 |
$8.9 |
0 |
$0 |
Andrew
Meleney
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Category
of Account |
Total
Number of Accounts Managed |
Total
Assets in Accounts Managed (in millions) |
Number
of Accounts for which Advisory Fee is Based
on Performance |
Assets
in Accounts for which Advisory Fee is Based on Performance
(in millions) |
Other
Registered Investment Companies |
0 |
$0 |
0 |
$0 |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
0 |
$0 |
0 |
$0 |
Other
Accounts |
0 |
$0 |
0 |
$0 |
Samuel
Caffrey-Agoglia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Category
of Account |
Total
Number of Accounts Managed |
Total
Assets in Accounts Managed (in millions) |
Number
of Accounts for which Advisory Fee is Based
on Performance |
Assets
in Accounts for which Advisory Fee is Based on Performance
(in millions) |
Other
Registered Investment Companies |
0 |
$0 |
0 |
$0 |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
0 |
$0 |
0 |
$0 |
Other
Accounts |
0 |
$0 |
0 |
$0 |
Compensation
Mr.
Hatfield is also the principal owner of the Adviser and participates in the
overall profitability of the firm. Since profits are expected to increase as
assets increase, Mr. Hatfield is expected to receive increased profits as assets
of the Fund increase.
Mr.
Meleney and Mr. Caffrey-Agoglia are compensated through a competitive structure
that includes base salaries and discretionary bonuses tied to the success of the
Adviser and individual performances. The compensation structure is independent
of the performance of the accounts managed by the Adviser and consequently
neither is aligned with nor is in conflict with the interests of each respective
client or their shareholders.
Conflicts
of Interest
Material
conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with the portfolio managers’
management of the Fund’s investments and investments of other accounts managed
by the portfolio managers include conflicts associated with the allocation of
investment opportunities between the Fund and other accounts managed. The
Adviser maintains investment, trade allocation, and account valuation (including
fair valuation) policies and procedures to address and mitigate such conflicts
of interest.
Additional
information about potential conflicts of interest is set forth in Part 2A of the
Adviser’s Form ADV, which is available on the SEC’s website
(adviserinfo.sec.gov).
Ownership
of Shares of the Fund
As
of the date of this SAI, the Portfolio Managers do not beneficially own any
shares of the Fund. Shares of the Fund cannot be acquired until the Fund’s
launch date.
Administrator,
Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant
Pursuant
to an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”), U.S. Bancorp
Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund
Services”) and is located at 615 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
53202, acts as the Administrator to the Fund. Fund Services provides certain
services to the Fund including, among other responsibilities, coordinating the
negotiation of contracts and fees with, and the monitoring of performance and
billing of, the Fund’s independent contractors and agents; preparation for
signature by an officer of the Trust of all documents required to be filed for
compliance by the Trust and the Fund with applicable laws and regulations,
excluding those of the securities laws of various states; arranging for the
computation of performance data, including NAV and yield; responding to
shareholder inquiries; and arranging for the maintenance of books and records of
the Fund, and providing, at its own expense, office facilities, equipment and
personnel necessary to carry out its duties. In this capacity, Fund Services
does not have any responsibility or authority for the management of the Fund,
the determination of investment policy, or for any matter pertaining to the
distribution of the Fund’s shares.
Pursuant
to the Administration Agreement, as compensation for its services, Fund Services
receives from the Fund, a fee based on the Fund’s current average daily net
assets, subject to a minimum annual fee. Fund Services also is entitled to
certain out-of-pocket expenses. Fund Services also acts as fund accountant,
transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent under separate agreements.
Custodian
U.S.
Bank National Association is the custodian of the assets of the Fund (the
“Custodian”) pursuant to a custody agreement between the Custodian and the
Trust. For its services, the Custodian receives a monthly fee based on a
percentage of the Fund’s assets, in addition to certain transaction based fees,
and is reimbursed for out of pocket expenses. The Custodian’s address is
1555 N. River Center Drive, Suite 302, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212. The
Custodian does not participate in decisions relating to the purchase and sale of
securities by the Fund. Fund Services, the Custodian, and the Fund’s principal
underwriter are affiliated entities under the common control of U.S. Bancorp.
The Custodian and its affiliates may participate in revenue sharing arrangements
with the service providers of mutual funds in which the Fund may
invest.
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm and Legal Counsel
Cohen
& Company, Ltd., located at 342 North Water Street, Suite 830, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53202, is the independent registered public accounting firm for the
Fund and performs an annual audit of the Fund’s financial
statements.
Goodwin
Procter LLP, 1900 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, serves as legal counsel to
the Trust and to the independent trustees.
Pursuant
to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser determines which securities are to be
purchased and sold by the Fund and which broker-dealers are eligible to execute
the Fund’s portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales of securities on an
exchange are affected through brokers that charge a commission while purchases
and sales of securities in the over-the-counter market will generally be
executed directly with the primary “market-maker” unless, in the opinion of the
Adviser, a better price and execution can otherwise be obtained by using a
broker for the transaction. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities that are
fixed income securities (for instance, money market instruments and bonds, notes
and bills) usually are principal transactions. In a principal transaction, the
party from whom the Fund purchases or to whom the Fund sells is acting on its
own behalf (and not as the agent of some other party, such as its customers).
These securities normally are purchased directly from the issuer or from an
underwriter or market maker for the securities. The price of securities
purchased from underwriters includes a disclosed fixed commission or concession
paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and prices of securities purchased from
dealers serving as market makers reflects the spread between the bid and asked
price. The price of over-the-counter securities usually includes an undisclosed
commission or markup.
In
selecting brokers or counterparties for the Fund, the Adviser will use its best
judgment to choose the brokers most likely to provide “best execution.” Brokers
are selected on the basis of an evaluation by the Adviser of the overall value
and quality of the brokerage services provide by such firms to clients of the
Adviser, including the Fund. Such service and characteristics may include, but
are not limited to: commission rates charged by the broker and the ability to
minimize overall costs to the Adviser’s clients; possible adverse market impact
of the order and/or the Adviser’s opinion of which broker is best able to handle
the order to minimize adverse market impact; execution capability and expertise;
responsiveness; trading infrastructure; and ability to accommodate any special
execution orders or handling requirements. The Adviser’s choice of brokers and
best execution is subject to periodic, ongoing review by the
Adviser.
In
selecting brokers, the Adviser does not have an obligation to seek the lowest
available cost, but rather may consider all relevant factors, including those
noted above. As a result, the Adviser may pay transaction costs that would be
higher than the Adviser may be able to obtain through another
broker.
Section
28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is a “safe harbor”
that permits an investment manager to use commissions or “soft dollars” to
obtain research and brokerage services that provide lawful and appropriate
assistance in the investment decision-making process. The Adviser will limit the
use of “soft dollars” to obtain research and brokerage services to services
which constitute research and brokerage within the meaning of Section 28(e).
Research services within Section 28(e) may include, but are not limited to,
research reports (including market research); certain financial newsletters and
trade journals; software providing analysis of securities portfolios; corporate
governance research and rating services; attendance at certain seminars and
conferences; discussions with research analysts; meetings with corporate
executives; consultants’ advice on portfolio strategy; data services (including
services providing market data, company financial data and economic data);
advice from brokers on order execution; and certain proxy services. Brokerage
services within Section 28(e) may include, but are not limited to, services
related to the execution, clearing and settlement of securities transactions and
functions incidental thereto (i.e., connectivity services between an investment
manager and a broker-dealer and other relevant parties such as custodians);
trading software operated by a broker-dealer to route orders; software that
provides trade analytics and trading strategies; software used to transmit
orders; clearance and settlement in connection with a trade; electronic
communication of allocation instructions; routing settlement instructions; post
trade matching of trade information; and services required by the
SEC
or a self-regulatory organization such as comparison services, electronic
confirms or trade affirmations.
The
Fund has not paid brokerage commissions as it has not commenced operations as of
the date of this SAI.
Depository
Trust Company (“DTC”) acts as securities depositary for the Fund’s shares.
Shares of the Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC
or its nominee, Cede & Co., and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC. Except
in limited circumstances set forth below, certificates will not be issued for
shares.
DTC
is a limited-purpose trust company that was created to hold securities of its
participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and
settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such
securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC
Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities
certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks,
trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of
whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by
a number of its DTC Participants and by the NYSE and FINRA. Access to the DTC
system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust
companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC
Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect
Participants”).
Beneficial
ownership of shares of the Fund is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect
Participants, and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and
Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in shares of the Fund
(owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial
Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through,
records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records
of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners
that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through
the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of shares
of the Fund. The Trust recognizes DTC or its nominee as the record owner of all
shares of the Fund for all purposes. Beneficial Owners of shares of the Fund are
not entitled to have such shares registered in their names, and will not receive
or be entitled to physical delivery of share certificates. Each Beneficial Owner
must rely on the procedures of DTC and any DTC Participant and/or Indirect
Participant through which such Beneficial Owner holds its interests, to exercise
any rights of a holder of shares of the Fund.
Conveyance
of all notices, statements, and other communications to Beneficial Owners is
effected as follows. DTC will make available to the Trust upon request and for a
fee a listing of shares of the Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust
shall obtain from each such DTC Participant the number of Beneficial Owners
holding shares of the Fund, directly or indirectly, through such DTC
Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of
such notice, statement, or other communication, in such form, number and at such
place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice,
statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly
or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to
each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the
expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and
regulatory requirements.
Share
distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the
registered holder of all shares of the Fund. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of
any such distributions, shall credit immediately
DTC
Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the Fund as shown on the records of DTC or
its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and
Beneficial Owners of shares of the Fund held through such DTC Participants will
be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case
with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered
in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC
Participants.
The
Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating
to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests in the Fund’s shares, or for maintaining, supervising, or
reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for
any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the
relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and
Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.
DTC
may determine to discontinue providing its service with respect to the Fund at
any time by giving reasonable notice to the Fund and discharging its
responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such
circumstances, the Fund shall take action either to find a replacement for DTC
to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such replacement is
unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of
shares of the Fund, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect
thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.
The
Fund offers and issues shares only in Creation Units on a continuous basis
through the Distributor, without a sales load (but subject to transaction fees,
if applicable), at their NAV per share next determined after receipt of an
order, on any Business Day, in proper form pursuant to the terms of the
Authorized Participant Agreement (“Participant Agreement”). The NAV of the
Fund’s shares is calculated each business day as of the scheduled close of
regular trading on the NYSE, generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time. The Fund will
not issue fractional Creation Units. A “Business Day” is any day on which the
NYSE is open for business.
Fund
Deposit.
The consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit of the Fund generally consists
of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (the “Deposit
Securities”) per each Creation Unit and the Cash Component (defined below),
computed as described below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust reserves
the right to permit or require the substitution of a “cash in lieu” amount
(“Deposit Cash”) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit
Security. When accepting purchases of Creation Units for all or a portion of
Deposit Cash, the Fund may incur additional costs associated with the
acquisition of Deposit Securities that would otherwise be provided by an in-kind
purchaser.
Together,
the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the Cash Component
constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and
subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit of the Fund. The “Cash
Component” is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of Shares (per
Creation Unit) and the value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as
applicable. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per
Creation Unit exceeds the value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as
applicable), the Cash Component shall be such positive amount. If the Cash
Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the
value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash
Component shall be such negative amount and the creator will be entitled to
receive cash in an amount equal to the Cash Component. The Cash Component serves
the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation
Unit and the value
of
the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable. Computation of the Cash
Component excludes any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable
upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities, if applicable,
which shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant (as defined
below).
The
Fund, through NSCC, makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening
of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list of the
names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security or the required
amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, to be included in the current Fund
Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the
Fund. Such Fund Deposit is subject to any applicable adjustments as described
below, to effect purchases of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the
next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities or the required amount of
Deposit Cash, as applicable, is made available.
The
identity and number of Shares of the Deposit Securities or the amount of Deposit
Cash, as applicable, required for a Fund Deposit for the Fund changes as
adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the
Adviser with a view to the investment objective of the Fund.
The
Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of Deposit Cash
to replace any Deposit Security, which shall be added to the Cash Component,
including, without limitation, in situations where the Deposit Security: (i) may
not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery; (ii) may not be eligible
for transfer through the systems of DTC for corporate securities and municipal
securities; (iii) may not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant
(as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting; (iv) would be
restricted under the securities laws or where the delivery of the Deposit
Security to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of the
Deposit Security by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under the
securities laws; or (v) in certain other situations (collectively, “custom
orders”). The adjustments described above will reflect changes, known to the
Adviser on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of
the Fund Deposit, in the composition of the Fund resulting from certain
corporate actions.
Procedures
for Purchase of Creation Units.
To be eligible to place orders with the Transfer Agent to purchase a Creation
Unit of the Fund, an entity must be (i) a “Participating Party” (i.e., a
broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the
Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”)), a
clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a DTC Participant (see
“Book Entry Only System”). In addition, each Participating Party or DTC
Participant (each, an “Authorized Participant”) must execute a Participant
Agreement that has been agreed to by the Distributor, and that has been accepted
by the Transfer Agent, with respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation
Units. Each Authorized Participant will agree, pursuant to the terms of a
Participant Agreement, on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it
will act, to certain conditions, including that it will pay to the Trust, an
amount of cash sufficient to pay the Cash Component together with the creation
transaction fee (described below), if applicable, and any other applicable fees
and taxes.
All
orders to purchase Shares directly from the Fund must be placed for one or more
Creation Units and in the manner and by the time set forth in the Participant
Agreement and/or applicable order form. The order cut-off time for the Fund for
orders to purchase Creation Units is expected to be 4:00 p.m. Eastern time,
which time may be modified by the Fund from time-to-time by amendment to the
Participant Agreement and/or applicable order form. The date on which an order
to purchase Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units, as set forth
below) is received and accepted is referred to as the “Order Placement
Date.”
An
Authorized Participant may require an investor to make certain representations
or enter into agreements with respect to the order (e.g., to provide for
payments of cash, when required). Investors should be aware that their
particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and that,
therefore, orders to purchase Shares directly from the Fund in Creation Units
have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant
that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional
charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number
of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement and only a small
number of such Authorized Participants may have international
capabilities.
On
days when the Exchange closes earlier than normal, the Fund may require orders
to create Creation Units to be placed earlier in the day. In addition, if a
market or markets on which the Fund’s investments are primarily traded is
closed, the Fund will also generally not accept orders on such day(s). Orders
must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other
transmission method acceptable to the Transfer Agent pursuant to procedures set
forth in the Participant Agreement and in accordance with the applicable order
form. On behalf of the Fund, the Transfer Agent will notify the Custodian of
such order. The Custodian will then provide such information to the appropriate
local sub-custodian(s). Those placing orders through an Authorized Participant
should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the purchase order
to the Transfer Agent by the cut-off time on such Business Day. Economic or
market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure may
impede the ability to reach the Transfer Agent or an Authorized
Participant.
Fund
Deposits must be delivered by an Authorized Participant through the Federal
Reserve System (for cash) or through DTC (for corporate securities), through a
subcustody agent (for foreign securities), and/or through such other
arrangements allowed by the Trust or its agents. With respect to foreign Deposit
Securities, the Custodian shall cause the subcustodian of the Fund to maintain
an account into which the Authorized Participant shall deliver, on behalf of
itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, such Deposit Securities (or
Deposit Cash for all or a part of such securities, as permitted or required),
with any appropriate adjustments as advised by the Trust. Foreign Deposit
Securities must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local
subcustodian. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the Authorized
Participant in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite
number of Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, to the account of
the Fund or its agents by no later than 12:00 p.m. Eastern time (or such other
time as specified by the Trust) on the Settlement Date. If the Fund or its
agents do not receive all of the Deposit Securities, or the required Deposit
Cash in lieu thereof, by such time, then the order may be deemed rejected and
the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any,
resulting therefrom. The “Settlement Date” for the Fund is generally the second
Business Day after the Order Placement Date. All questions as to the number of
Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash to be delivered, as applicable, and the
validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of
any tendered securities or cash, as applicable, will be determined by the Trust,
whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash represented
by the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the
Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be
received by the Custodian no later than the Settlement Date. If the Cash
Component and the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, are not
received by the Custodian in a timely manner by the Settlement Date, the
creation order may be cancelled. Upon written notice to the Transfer Agent, such
canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund
Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current NAV of the
Fund.
The
order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is
placed provided that the order is placed in proper form prior to the applicable
cut-off time and the federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with
the Custodian on the Settlement Date. If the order is not placed in
proper
form as required, or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received on
the Settlement Date, then the order may be deemed to be rejected and the
Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting
therefrom. A creation request is considered to be in “proper form” if all
procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, order form and this SAI are
properly followed.
Issuance
of a Creation Unit.
Except as provided in this SAI, Creation Units will not be issued until the
transfer of good title to the Trust of the Deposit Securities or payment of
Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the payment of the Cash Component have been
completed. When the subcustodian has confirmed to the Custodian that the
required Deposit Securities (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to
the account of the relevant subcustodian or subcustodians, the Transfer Agent
and the Adviser shall be notified of such delivery, and the Trust will issue and
cause the delivery of the Creation Units. The delivery of Creation Units so
created generally will occur no later than the second Business Day following the
day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Transfer Agent. The
Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting
from unsettled orders.
Creation
Units may be purchased in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of
the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances,
the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of Shares on the date
the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit
Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash
Component, plus (ii) an additional amount of cash equal to a percentage of the
value as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the undelivered Deposit
Securities (the “Additional Cash Deposit”), which shall be maintained in a
separate non-interest bearing collateral account. The Authorized Participant
must deposit with the Custodian the Additional Cash Deposit, as applicable, by
12:00 p.m. Eastern time (or such other time as specified by the Trust) on the
Settlement Date. If the Fund or its agents do not receive the Additional Cash
Deposit in the appropriate amount, by such time, then the order may be deemed
rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses,
if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to
be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities
to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust
in an amount at least equal to the applicable percentage, as set forth in the
Participant Agreement, of the daily market value of the missing Deposit
Securities. The Participant Agreement will permit the Trust to buy the missing
Deposit Securities at any time. Authorized Participants will be liable to the
Trust for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases.
These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase
price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the value of such Deposit Securities on
the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Transfer Agent plus the
brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The
Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of
the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or
purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction
fee, as described below under “Creation Transaction Fee,” may be charged. The
delivery of Creation Units so created generally will occur no later than the
Settlement Date.
Acceptance
of Orders of Creation Units. The
Trust reserves the absolute right to reject an order for Creation Units
transmitted to it by the Transfer Agent with respect to the Fund including,
without limitation, if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the Deposit
Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, delivered by the Participant are not
as disseminated through the facilities of the NSCC for that date by the
Custodian; (c) the investor(s), upon obtaining Shares ordered, would own 80% or
more of the currently outstanding Shares; (d) acceptance of the Deposit
Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (e) the
acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful;
(f) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the
Trust or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of
beneficial owners; (g) the acceptance or receipt of the order for
a
Creation Unit would, in the opinion of counsel to the Trust, be unlawful; or (h)
in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Custodian,
the Transfer Agent and/or the Adviser make it for all practical purposes not
feasible to process orders for Creation Units.
Examples
of such circumstances include acts of God or public service or utility problems
such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in
telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities
causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information
systems affecting the Trust, the Distributor, the Custodian, a sub-custodian,
the Transfer Agent, DTC, NSCC, Federal Reserve System, or any other participant
in the creation process, and other extraordinary events. The Transfer Agent
shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized
Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit of its rejection
of the order of such person. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian, any
sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give
notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits
nor shall either of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such
notification. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian and the Distributor
shall not be liable for the rejection of any purchase order for Creation
Units.
All
questions as to the number of Shares of each security in the Deposit Securities
and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities
to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination
shall be final and binding.
Creation
Transaction Fee.
A fixed purchase (i.e., creation) transaction fee, payable to the Fund’s
custodian, may be imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs
associated with the purchase of Creation Units (“Creation Order Costs”). The
standard fixed creation transaction fee for the Fund is $300, regardless of the
number of Creation Units created in the transaction. The Fund may adjust the
standard fixed creation transaction fee from time to time. The fixed creation
fee may be waived on certain orders if the Fund’s custodian has determined to
waive some or all of the Creation Order Costs associated with the order or
another party, such as the Adviser, has agreed to pay such fee.
In
addition, a variable fee, payable to the Fund, of up to a maximum of 2% of the
value of the Creation Units subject to the transaction may be imposed for cash
purchases, non-standard orders, or partial cash purchases of Creation Units. The
variable charge is primarily designed to cover additional costs (e.g.,
brokerage, taxes) involved with buying the securities with cash. The Fund may
determine to not charge a variable fee on certain orders when the Adviser has
determined that doing so is in the best interests of Fund shareholders, e.g.,
for creation orders that facilitate the rebalance of the Fund’s portfolio in a
more tax efficient manner than could be achieved without such
order.
Investors
who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee
for such services. Investors are responsible for the fixed costs of transferring
the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their
order.
Risks
of Purchasing Creation Units. There
are certain legal risks unique to investors purchasing Creation Units directly
from the Fund. Because Shares may be issued on an ongoing basis, a
“distribution” of Shares could be occurring at any time. Certain activities that
a shareholder performs as a dealer could, depending on the circumstances, result
in the shareholder being deemed a participant in the distribution in a manner
that could render the shareholder a statutory underwriter and subject to the
prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act. For example,
a shareholder could be deemed a statutory underwriter if it purchases Creation
Units from the Fund, breaks them down into the constituent shares, and sells
those shares directly to customers, or if a shareholder chooses to couple the
creation
of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation
of secondary-market demand for Shares. Whether a person is an underwriter
depends upon all of the facts and circumstances pertaining to that person’s
activities, and the examples mentioned here should not be considered a complete
description of all the activities that could cause you to be deemed an
underwriter.
Dealers
who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as opposed
to engaging in ordinary secondary-market transactions), and thus dealing with
Shares as part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(C)
of the Securities Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus
delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities
Act.
Redemption.
Shares of the Fund may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next
determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Fund
through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. EXCEPT UPON LIQUIDATION
OF THE FUND, THE TRUST WILL NOT REDEEM SHARES IN AMOUNTS LESS THAN CREATION
UNITS. Investors must accumulate enough shares of the Fund in the secondary
market to constitute a Creation Unit to have such shares of the Fund redeemed by
the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient
liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a
Creation Unit. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in
connection with assembling a sufficient number of shares of the Fund to
constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
With
respect to the Fund, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to
the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time) on
each Business Day, the list of the names and share quantities of the Fund’s
portfolio securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or
correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on
that day (“Fund Securities”). Fund Securities received on redemption may not be
identical to Deposit Securities.
Redemption
proceeds for a Creation Unit are paid either in-kind or in cash, or combination
thereof, as determined by the Trust. With respect to in-kind redemptions of the
Fund, redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit will consist of Fund Securities as
announced by the Custodian on the Business Day of the request for redemption
received in proper form plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between
the NAV of shares of the Fund being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt
of a request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash
Redemption Amount”), less a fixed redemption transaction fee, as applicable, as
set forth below. In the event that the Fund Securities have a value greater than
the NAV of shares of the Fund, a compensating cash payment equal to the
differential is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by
the redeeming shareholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the Trust’s
discretion, an Authorized Participant may receive the corresponding cash value
of the securities in lieu of the in-kind securities value representing one or
more Fund Securities.
Redemption
Transaction Fee.
A fixed redemption transaction fee, payable to the Fund’s custodian, may be
imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the
redemption of Creation Units (“Redemption Order Costs”). The standard fixed
redemption transaction fee for the Fund is $500, regardless of the number of
Creation Units redeemed in the transaction. The Fund may adjust the redemption
transaction fee from time to time. The fixed redemption fee may be waived on
certain orders if the Fund’s custodian has determined to waive some or all of
the Redemption Order Costs associated with the order or another party, such as
the Adviser, has agreed to pay such fee.
In
addition, a variable fee, payable to the Fund, of up to a maximum of 2% of the
value of the Creation Units subject to the transaction may be imposed for cash
redemptions, non-standard orders, or partial cash redemptions (when cash
redemptions are available) of Creation Units. The variable charge is primarily
designed
to cover additional costs (e.g., brokerage, taxes) involved with selling
portfolio securities to satisfy a cash redemption. The Fund may determine to not
charge a variable fee on certain orders when the Adviser has determined that
doing so is in the best interests of Fund shareholders, e.g., for redemption
orders that facilitate the rebalance of the Fund’s portfolio in a more tax
efficient manner than could be achieved without such order.
Investors
who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee
for such services. Investors are responsible for the fixed costs of transferring
the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their
order.
Procedures
for Redemption of Creation Units.
Orders to redeem Creation Units must be submitted in proper form to the Transfer
Agent prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. A redemption request is considered to be
in “proper form” if (i) an Authorized Participant has transferred or caused to
be transferred to the Trust’s Transfer Agent the Creation Unit(s) being redeemed
through the book-entry system of DTC so as to be effective by the time as set
forth in the Participant Agreement and (ii) a request in form satisfactory to
the Trust is received by the Transfer Agent from the Authorized Participant on
behalf of itself or another redeeming investor within the time periods specified
in the Participant Agreement. If the Transfer Agent does not receive the
investor’s shares through DTC’s facilities by the times and pursuant to the
other terms and conditions set forth in the Participant Agreement, the
redemption request shall be rejected.
The
Authorized Participant must transmit the request for redemption, in the form
required by the Trust, to the Transfer Agent in accordance with procedures set
forth in the Participant Agreement. Investors should be aware that their
particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement, and that,
therefore, requests to redeem Creation Units may have to be placed by the
investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant who has executed a
Participant Agreement. Investors making a redemption request should be aware
that such request must be in the form specified by such Authorized Participant.
Investors making a request to redeem Creation Units should allow sufficient time
to permit proper submission of the request by an Authorized Participant and
transfer of shares of the Fund to the Trust’s Transfer Agent; such investors
should allow for the additional time that may be required to effect redemptions
through their banks, brokers or other financial intermediaries if such
intermediaries are not Authorized Participants.
Additional
Redemption Procedures.
In connection with taking delivery of Shares of Fund Securities upon redemption
of Creation Units, a redeeming shareholder or Authorized Participant acting on
behalf of such shareholder must maintain appropriate custody arrangements with a
qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody providers in each jurisdiction in
which any of the Fund Securities are customarily traded, to which account such
Fund Securities will be delivered. Deliveries of redemption proceeds generally
will be made within two business days of the trade date.
The
Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such Shares in cash,
and the redeeming investor will be required to receive its redemption proceeds
in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Fund
may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a
cash payment equal to the NAV of its Shares based on the NAV of Shares next
determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a
redemption transaction fee, if applicable, and additional charge for requested
cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other
transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). The Fund
may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such
redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of
the Fund Securities but does not differ in NAV.
Redemptions
of Shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable
federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise
permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash
to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities
upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund
Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which
it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular
security included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of
Creation Units may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized
Participant may request the redeeming investor of Shares to complete an order
form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating
cash payment. Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified
institutional buyer,” (“QIB”), as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the
Securities Act, will not be able to receive Fund Securities that are restricted
securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A. An Authorized Participant may be
required by the Trust to provide a written confirmation with respect to QIB
status to receive Fund Securities.
Because
the portfolio securities of the Fund may trade on other exchanges on days that
the Exchange is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for the Fund,
shareholders may not be able to redeem their Shares, or to purchase or sell
Shares on the Exchange, on days when the NAV of the Fund could be significantly
affected by events in the relevant foreign markets.
The
right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with
respect to the Fund (1) for any period during which the Exchange is closed
(other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during
which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period
during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of Shares or
determination of the NAV of Shares is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such
other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.
The
NAV of shares of the Fund will be determined once daily ordinarily as of the
scheduled close of public trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)
(normally, 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each day that the NYSE is open for
trading. It is expected that the NYSE will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays
and on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday,
Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving
Day and Christmas. The Fund does not expect to determine the NAV of shares on
any day when the NYSE is not open for trading even if there is sufficient
trading in its portfolio securities on such days to materially affect the NAV
per share.
In
valuing the Fund’s assets for calculating NAV, readily marketable portfolio
securities listed on a national securities exchange are valued at the last sale
price on the business day as of which such value is being determined. If there
has been no sale on such exchange on such day, the security is valued at the
mean between the bid and asked prices on such day. Securities primarily traded
in the Nasdaq National Market System (“Nasdaq”) for which market quotations are
readily available shall be valued using the Nasdaq Official Closing Price
(“NOCP”). If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the
last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such
day, at the mean between the bid and asked prices. Readily marketable securities
traded only in the over-the market and not on Nasdaq are valued at the most
recent trade price. All other assets of the Fund are valued in such manner as
the Adviser in good faith deems appropriate to reflect their fair value, subject
to Board oversight.
Trading
in most foreign securities markets located outside North America is normally
completed well before the close of the NYSE. In addition, securities trading on
foreign markets may not take place on all
days
on which the NYSE is open for trading, and may occur in certain foreign markets
on days on which the Fund’s NAV is not calculated. Events affecting the values
of portfolio securities that occur between the time their prices are determined
and the close of the NYSE will not be reflected in the calculation of NAV unless
the Adviser deems that the particular event would affect NAV, in which case an
adjustment will be made in such manner as the Adviser in good faith deems
appropriate to determine fair market value. Assets or liabilities expressed in
foreign currencies are translated, in determining NAV, into U.S. dollars based
on the spot exchange rates, or at such other rates as the Adviser, pursuant to
fair value procedures approved by the Board, may determine to be
appropriate.
The
Adviser has been designated by the Board as the valuation designee for the Fund
pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. In its capacity as valuation designee,
the Adviser performs the fair value determinations relating to any or all Fund
investments, subject to Board oversight. The Adviser has established procedures
for its fair valuation of the Fund’s investments. These procedures address,
among other things, determine when market quotations are not readily available
or reliable and the methodologies to be used for determining the fair value of
investments, as well as the use and oversight of third-party pricing services
for fair valuation.
Fair
value represents a good faith approximation of the value of a security. Fair
value determinations involve the consideration of a number of subjective
factors, an analysis of applicable facts and circumstances and the exercise of
judgment. As a result, it is possible that the fair value for a security
determined in good faith in accordance with the Adviser’s fair value procedures
may differ from valuations for the same security determined by other funds using
their own valuation procedures. Although the Adviser’s fair value procedures are
designed to value a security at the price the Fund may reasonably expect to
receive upon its sale in an orderly transaction, there can be no assurance that
any fair value determination thereunder would, in fact, approximate the amount
that the Fund would actually realize upon the sale of the security or the price
at which the security would trade if a reliable market price were readily
available.
Distributions
The
following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the
section in the Prospectus entitled “Dividends, Distributions and Their
Taxation.”
General
Policies
Dividends
from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid at least annually by
the Fund. Distributions of remaining net realized capital gains, if any,
generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Fund may make distributions
on a more frequent basis for the Fund to comply with the distribution
requirements of the Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the
provisions of the 1940 Act.
Dividends
and other distributions on shares of the Fund are distributed, as described
below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such shares. Dividend
payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to
Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the
Fund.
The
Fund may make additional distributions to the extent necessary (i) to distribute
the entire annual taxable income of the Fund, plus any net capital gains and
(ii) to avoid imposition of the excise tax
imposed
by Section 4982 of the Code. Management of the Trust reserves the right to
declare special dividends if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is
necessary or advisable to preserve the Fund’s eligibility for treatment as a RIC
or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed
income.
Dividend
Reinvestment Service
No
dividend reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Financial intermediaries
may make the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service available for use by
beneficial owners of Fund shares for reinvestment of their dividend
distributions. Beneficial owners should contact their financial intermediary to
determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of
participation therein. Financial intermediaries may require beneficial owners to
adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and
used, dividend distributions of both income and net realized capital gains will
be automatically reinvested in additional whole shares of the Fund purchased in
the secondary market.
Tax
Information
The
following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to
United States Holders (as defined below) of shares in the Fund. This summary is
based upon the Code, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative
pronouncements and judicial decisions, all as in effect as of the date of this
SAI and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
This summary addresses only shares that are held as capital assets within the
meaning of Section 1221 of the Code and does not address all of the tax
consequences that may be relevant to shareholders in light of their particular
circumstances or to certain types of Shareholders subject to special treatment
under the Code, including, without limitation, certain financial institutions,
dealers in securities or commodities, traders in securities who elect to apply a
mark-to-market method of accounting, insurance companies, tax-exempt
organizations, partnerships or S-corporations (and persons who own their
interest in shares through a partnership or S-corporation), expatriates of the
United States, persons who are subject to alternative minimum tax, persons that
have a “functional currency” other than the United States dollar, persons who
hold shares as a position in a “straddle” or as a part of a “hedging,”
“conversion” or “constructive sale” transaction for U.S. federal income tax
purposes or persons who received their shares as compensation. This summary also
does not address the state, local or foreign tax consequences of an investment
in the Fund.
For
purposes of this discussion, a “United States Holder” means a holder of shares
that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is:
•a
citizen or resident of the United States;
•a
corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income
tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the
United States, any State or the District of Columbia;
•an
estate, the income of which is included in gross income for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, regardless of its source; or
•a
trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United
States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the
authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or which has a valid
election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a
United States person.
If
a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income
tax purposes) holds shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend
upon the status of such person and the activities of the limited liability
company or partnership. A shareholder that is a partnership should consult its
own tax advisors regarding the treatment of its partners.
Prospective
shareholders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors and financial
planners regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in
the Fund, the application of state, local, or foreign laws, and the effect of
any possible changes in applicable tax laws on their investment in the
Fund.
Tax
Treatment of the Fund
Each
series of the Trust is treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. The Fund has elected to qualify and intends to continue to qualify
annually as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code,
requiring it to comply with all applicable requirements regarding its income,
assets and distributions. Provided that the Fund qualifies as a regulated
investment company, it is eligible for a dividends paid deduction, allowing it
to offset dividends it pays to shareholders against its taxable income; if the
Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M, it
will be taxed as a regular corporation.
The
Fund’s policy is to distribute to its shareholders all of its taxable income,
including any net realized capital gains (taking into account any capital loss
carry-forward of the Fund), each year in a manner that complies with the
distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies under the
Code, and results in the Fund not being subject to any U.S. federal income or
excise taxes. In particular, in order to avoid the non-deductible 4% excise tax,
the Fund must also distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by
December 31 of each calendar year (1) at least 98% of its ordinary
income for such year, (2) at least 98.2% of the excess of its realized
capital gains over its realized capital losses for the 12-month period ending on
October 31 during such year and (3) any amounts from the prior
calendar year that were not distributed and on which the Fund paid no federal
income tax. However, the Fund can give no assurances that its distributions will
be sufficient to eliminate all U.S. federal income taxes. The Fund is not
required to consider tax consequences in making or disposing of
investments.
In
order to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Fund must, among other
things, derive at least 90% of its gross income each year from dividends,
interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or
other disposition of stock or securities or foreign currencies, or other income
(including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward
contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in stock,
securities or currencies, and net income derived from an interest in a qualified
publicly traded partnership. The Fund must also satisfy the following two asset
diversification tests. At the end of each quarter of each taxable year, (i) at
least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets must be represented by cash
and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, the
securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities, with
such other securities being limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount
not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not more than
10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than
25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in the securities of
any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other
regulated investment companies), the securities of any two or more issuers
(other than the securities of other regulated investment companies) that the
Fund controls (by owning 20% or more of their outstanding voting stock) and
which are determined under Treasury regulations to be engaged in the same or
similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses, or the securities
of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. The Fund must also
distribute
each taxable year sufficient dividends to its shareholders to claim a dividends
paid deduction equal to at least the sum of 90% of the Fund’s investment company
taxable income (as adjusted under Section 852(b)(2) of the Code, but not taking
into account the Fund’s dividends paid deduction; in the case of the Fund
generally consisting of interest and dividend income, less expenses)) and 90% of
the Fund’s net tax-exempt interest, if any.
The
Fund’s ordinary income generally consists of interest and dividend income, less
expenses. Net realized capital gains for a fiscal period are computed by taking
into account any capital loss carry-forward of the Fund.
Distributions
of net investment income and net short-term capital gains are taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income. For individual shareholders, a portion of the
distributions paid by the Fund may be qualified dividends currently eligible for
federal income taxation at long-term capital gain rates to the extent the Fund
reports the amount distributed as a qualifying dividend and certain holding
period requirements are met. In the case of corporate shareholders, a portion of
the distributions may qualify for the inter-corporate dividends-received
deduction to the extent the Fund reports the amount distributed as a qualifying
dividend and certain holding period requirements are met. The aggregate amount
so reported to either individual or corporate shareholders cannot, however,
exceed the aggregate amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund for its
taxable year. In view of the Fund’s investment policy, it is expected that
dividends from domestic corporations will be part of the Fund’s gross income and
that, accordingly, part of the distributions by the Fund may be eligible for
treatment as qualified dividend income by individual shareholders, or for the
dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders under federal tax law.
However, the portion of the Fund’s gross income attributable to qualifying
dividends is largely dependent on the Fund’s investment activities for a
particular year and therefore cannot be predicted with any certainty. The
Qualified dividend treatment may be eliminated if the Fund shares held by an
individual investor are held for less than 61 days, and the corporate-dividends
received deduction may be eliminated if the Fund shares held by a corporate
investor are treated as debt-financed or are held for less than 46 days.
Distributions will be taxable to you even if the share price of the Fund has
declined.
The
sale or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable transaction for federal income tax
purposes. You will generally recognize a gain or loss on such transactions equal
to the difference, if any, between the amount of your net sales proceeds and
your adjusted tax basis in the Fund shares. Such gain or loss will be capital
gain or loss if you held your Fund shares as capital assets. Any capital gain or
loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if you held the Fund
shares for more than one year at the time of the sale or exchange. Any capital
loss arising from the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less,
however, will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount
of net long-term capital gain distributions with regard to these
shares.
Tax
Treatment of United States Holders – Taxation of Distributions
Distributions
paid out of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are
generally dividends taxable at ordinary income rates to each shareholder.
Dividends will be taxable to you even if the share price of the Fund has
declined. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings
and profits will first be treated as a nontaxable return of capital up to the
amount of a shareholder’s tax basis in its shares, and then as capital gain.
For
individual shareholders, a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund may be
qualified dividends currently eligible for U.S. federal income taxation at
long-term capital gain rates to the extent the Fund reports the amount
distributed as a qualifying dividend and certain shareholder level holding
period
requirements
(discussed further below) are met. In the case of corporate shareholders,
subject to certain limitations (not all of which are discussed herein), a
portion of the distributions may qualify for the inter-corporate
dividends-received deduction to the extent the Fund reports the amount
distributed as a qualifying dividend and certain shareholder level holding
period requirements (discussed further below) are met. The aggregate amount so
reported to either individual or corporate shareholders cannot exceed the
aggregate amount of qualifying dividends received by the Fund for its taxable
year. Although no assurances can be provided, the Fund generally expects that
dividends from domestic corporations will be part of the Fund’s gross income and
that, accordingly, part of the distributions by the Fund may be eligible for
treatment as qualified dividend income by individual shareholders, or for the
dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders. Qualified dividend
treatment may be eliminated if the Fund shares held by an individual investor
are held for less than 61 days, and the corporate dividends-received deduction
may be eliminated if Fund shares held by a corporate investor are treated as
debt-financed or are held for less than 46 days.
Distributions
properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends (Capital Gain Dividends)
will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain (to the extent such
distributions do not exceed the Fund’s actual net long-term capital gain for the
taxable year), regardless of how long a shareholder has held Fund shares, and do
not qualify as dividends for purposes of the dividends received deduction or as
qualified dividend income. The Fund will report Capital Gain Dividends, if any,
in written statements furnished to its shareholders.
Tax
Treatment of United States Holders - Sales and Dispositions of
Shares
A
sale, redemption, or exchange of shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In
general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be
treated as long-term capital gain or loss if shares have been held for more than
12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of shares will
generally be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Any loss realized upon
a taxable disposition of shares held for six months or less will be treated as
long-term capital loss, rather than short-term capital loss, to the extent of
any amounts treated as distributions to the shareholder of long-term capital
gain (including any amounts credited to the shareholder as undistributed capital
gains). All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of
shares may be disallowed if substantially identical shares are acquired (through
the reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30
days before and ending 30 days after the disposition. In such a case, the basis
of the newly acquired shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed
loss.
The
cost basis of shares acquired by purchase will generally be based on the amount
paid for shares and then may be subsequently adjusted for other applicable
transactions as required by the Code. The difference between the selling price
and the cost basis of shares generally determines the amount of the capital gain
or loss realized on the sale or exchange of shares. Contact the broker through
whom you purchased your shares to obtain information with respect to the
available cost basis reporting methods and elections for your account. An
Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally
will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the
difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the
sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus the
amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. The ability of Authorized
Participants to receive a full or partial cash redemption of Creation Units of
the Fund may limit the tax efficiency of the Fund. A person who redeems Creation
Units will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between
the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market
value of any securities received plus the amount of any cash received for such
Creation Units. The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), however, may assert
that a loss realized upon an exchange of
securities
for Creation Units cannot currently be deducted under the rules governing “wash
sales” (for a person who does not mark-to-market its portfolio) or on the basis
that there has been no significant change in economic position.
The
Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has the right to reject an order for Creation
Units if the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the
Creation Units so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares and if,
pursuant to Section 351 of the Code, the Fund would have a basis in the deposit
securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of
deposit. The Trust also has the right to require the provision of information
necessary to determine beneficial Share ownership for purposes of the 80%
determination. If the Fund does issue Creation Units to a purchaser (or a group
of purchasers) that would, upon obtaining the Creation Units so ordered, own 80%
or more of the outstanding shares, the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) will
not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of securities for Creation
Units.
Authorized
Participants purchasing or redeeming Creation Units should consult their own tax
advisers with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption
transaction and whether the wash sales rule applies and when a loss may be
deductible.
Taxation
of Shareholders – Net Investment Income Tax
U.S.
individuals with adjusted gross income (subject to certain adjustments)
exceeding certain threshold amounts ($250,000 if married filing jointly or if
considered a “surviving spouse” for federal income tax purposes, $125,000 if
married filing separately, and $200,000 in other cases) are subject to a 3.8%
tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which includes taxable
interest, dividends, and certain capital gains (generally including capital gain
distributions and capital gains realized on the sale of shares). This 3.8% tax
also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment income of
certain shareholders that are estates and trusts.
Tax
Treatment of United States Holders - Medicare Tax
A
3.8% Medicare tax is currently imposed on net investment income earned by
certain individuals, estates and trusts. “Net investment income,” for these
purposes, means investment income, including ordinary and Capital Gain dividends
and net gains from taxable dispositions of Fund shares, reduced by the
deductions properly allocable to such income. In the case of an individual, the
tax will be imposed on the lesser of (1) the shareholder’s net investment
income or (2) the amount by which the shareholder’s modified adjusted gross
income exceeds $250,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing jointly or a
surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing
separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). This Medicare tax, if applicable,
is reported by you on, and paid with, your U.S. federal income tax
return.
Tax
Treatment of Non-U.S. Shareholders
The
foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely to the
application of that law to U.S. citizens or residents and U.S. domestic
corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Each shareholder who is not a
U.S. person should consider the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership
of shares of the Fund, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be
subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate under an
applicable income tax treaty) on amounts constituting ordinary
income.
Backup
Withholding
The
Fund may be required to withhold 24% of certain payments to a shareholder unless
the shareholder has completed and submitted to the Fund a Form W-9 providing the
shareholder’s taxpayer identification number and certifying under penalties of
perjury: (i) that such number is correct, (ii) that (A) the
shareholder is exempt from backup withholding, (B) the shareholder has not
been notified by the IRS that the shareholder is subject to backup withholding
as a result of an under-reporting of interest or dividends, or (C) the IRS
has notified the shareholder that the shareholder is no longer subject to backup
withholding, and (iii) the shareholder is a U.S. citizen or other U.S.
person (as defined in IRS Form W-9); or (b) an exception applies under
applicable law and Treasury regulations. Backup withholding is not an additional
tax, and any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s ultimate
U.S. federal income tax liability if proper documentation is provided. The Fund
reserves the right to refuse to open an account for any person failing to
provide a certified taxpayer identification number.
FATCA
and Similar Foreign Rules
The
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, (“FATCA”) provisions of the Code impose a
withholding tax of 30% on certain types of U.S. sourced income (e.g., dividends,
interest, and other types of passive income) paid, and will be required to
impose a 30% withholding tax on proceeds from the sale or other disposition of
property producing U.S. sourced income paid effective January 1, 2019 to (i)
foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”), including non-U.S. investment funds,
unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding their
direct and indirect U.S. account holders and (ii) certain nonfinancial foreign
entities (“NFFEs”), unless they certify certain information regarding their
direct and indirect U.S. owners. FATCA withholding will apply to any shareholder
that does not properly certify its status as a U.S. person, or, in the case of a
non-U.S. shareholder, the basis for its exemption from FATCA withholding. If the
Fund is required to withhold amounts from payments pursuant to FATCA, investors
will receive distributions that are reduced by such withholding amounts.
To
implement FATCA, the U.S. government has entered into agreements with non-U.S.
governments (and is otherwise bound via automatic exchange of information
agreements in treaties) to provide reciprocal exchanges of taxpayer information
to non-U.S. governments. The Fund will be required to perform due diligence
reviews to classify non-U.S. entity investors for FATCA purposes. Shareholders
agree to provide information necessary to allow the Fund to comply with the
FATCA and similar foreign rules.
Quasar
Distributors, LLC (“Quasar”) the Distributor, is located at 111
East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
Quasar serves as the Fund’s principal underwriter and distributor in a
continuous public offering of the Fund’s shares. Pursuant to a distribution
agreement between the Fund and Quasar (the “Distribution Agreement”), Quasar
acts as the Fund’s principal underwriter and distributor. Shares of the Fund are
continuously offered for sale by Quasar only in Creation Units. Quasar will not
distribute shares of the Fund in amounts less than a Creation Unit. Quasar will
deliver prospectuses and, upon request, Statements of Additional Information to
persons purchasing Creation Units and will maintain records of orders placed
with it. Quasar will also provide certain administrative services pursuant to
the Distribution Agreement. Quasar is a registered broker-dealer under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is a member of
FINRA.
The
Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting
Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Units of shares of the Fund.
Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Authorized Participants (as discussed in
“Procedures for Purchase of Creation Units” above) or DTC participants (as
defined above).
The
Distribution Agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and
is renewable annually thereafter. The continuance of the Distribution Agreement
must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Trustees
or by a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and (ii) by the vote of a majority
of the Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operations of the Distribution Agreement or any related agreement, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The
Distribution Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust on 60 days’
written notice when authorized either by majority vote of its outstanding voting
shares of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of its Board (including a majority
of the Independent Trustees), or by the Distributor on 60 days’ written notice,
and will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The
Distribution Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad
faith or gross negligence on the part of the Distributor, or reckless disregard
by it of its obligations thereunder, the Distributor shall not be liable for any
action or failure to act in accordance with its duties thereunder.
Intermediary
Compensation.
The Adviser or its affiliates, out of their own resources and not out of Fund
assets (i.e., without additional cost to the Fund or its shareholders), may pay
certain broker dealers, banks and other financial intermediaries
(“Intermediaries”) for certain activities related to the Fund, including
participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more
knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for other
activities, such as marketing and educational training or support. These
arrangements are not financed by the Fund and, thus, do not result in increased
Fund expenses. They are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the
fees and expenses sections of the Fund’s Prospectus and they do not change the
price paid by investors for the purchase of shares of the Fund or the amount
received by a shareholder as proceeds from the redemption of shares. Such
compensation may be paid to Intermediaries that provide services to the Fund,
including marketing and education support (such as through conferences, webinars
and printed communications). The Adviser periodically assess the advisability of
continuing to make these payments. Payments to an Intermediary may be
significant to the Intermediary, and amounts that Intermediaries pay to your
adviser, broker or other investment professional, if any, may also be
significant to such adviser, broker or investment professional. Because an
Intermediary may make decisions about what investment options it will make
available or recommend, and what services to provide in connection with various
products, based on payments it receives or is eligible to receive, such payments
create conflicts of interest between the Intermediary and its clients. For
example, these financial incentives may cause the Intermediary to recommend the
Fund over other investments. The same conflict of interest exists with respect
to your financial adviser, broker or investment professional if he or she
receives similar payments from his or her Intermediary firm.
Intermediary
information is current only as of the date of this SAI. Please contact your
adviser, broker, or other investment professional for more information regarding
any payments his or her Intermediary firm may receive. Any payments made by the
Adviser or its affiliates to an Intermediary may create the incentive for an
Intermediary to encourage customers to buy shares of the Fund.
Distribution
Plan
As
noted in the Prospectus, the Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”)
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act under which the Fund pays the
Distributor an amount which is accrued daily and paid quarterly.
Under
the Plan, the Trustees will be furnished quarterly with information detailing
the amount of expenses paid under the Plan and the purposes for which payments
were made. The Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the
Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons. Continuation of the Plan
is considered by such Trustees no less frequently than annually. With the
exception of the Distributor and the Adviser, in their capacities as the Fund’s
principal underwriter and distribution coordinator, respectively, no interested
person has or had a direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan or any
related agreement.
The
Plan provides that the Fund pays the Distributor an annual fee of up to a
maximum of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the shares. Under the Plan,
the Distributor may make payments pursuant to written agreements to financial
institutions and intermediaries such as banks, savings and loan associations and
insurance companies including, without limit, investment counselors,
broker-dealers and the Distributor’s affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively,
“Agents”) as compensation for services and reimbursement of expenses incurred in
connection with distribution assistance. The Plan is characterized as a
compensation plan since the distribution fee will be paid to the Distributor
without regard to the distribution expenses incurred by the Distributor or the
amount of payments made to other financial institutions and intermediaries. The
Trust intends to operate the Plan in accordance with its terms and with the
FINRA rules concerning sales charges.
Under
the Plan, subject to the limitations of applicable law and regulations, the Fund
is authorized to compensate the Distributor up to the maximum amount to finance
any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of the
Fund or for providing or arranging for others to provide shareholder services
and for the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Such activities may include,
but are not limited to: (i) delivering copies of the Fund’s then current
reports, prospectuses, notices, and similar materials, to prospective purchasers
of Creation Units; (ii) marketing and promotional services, including
advertising; (iii) paying the costs of and compensating others, including
Authorized Participants (as discussed in “Procedures for Purchase of Creation
Units” above) with whom the Distributor has entered into written Authorized
Participant Agreements, for performing shareholder servicing on behalf of the
Fund; (iv) compensating certain Authorized Participants for providing assistance
in distributing the Creation Units of the Fund, including the travel and
communication expenses and salaries and/or commissions of sales personnel in
connection with the distribution of the Creation Units of the Fund; (v) payments
to financial institutions and intermediaries such as banks, savings and loan
associations, insurance companies and investment counselors, broker-dealers,
mutual fund supermarkets and the affiliates and subsidiaries of the Trust’s
service providers as compensation for services or reimbursement of expenses
incurred in connection with distribution assistance; (vi) facilitating
communications with beneficial owners of shares, including the cost of providing
(or paying others to provide) services to beneficial owners of shares,
including, but not limited to, assistance in answering inquiries related to
shareholder accounts; and (vii) such other services and obligations as are set
forth in the Distribution Agreement.
While
there is no assurance that the expenditures of the Fund’s assets to finance
distribution of Retail Class shares will have the anticipated results, the Board
believes there is a reasonable likelihood that one or more of such benefits will
result, and because the Board is in a position to monitor the distribution
expenses, it is able to determine the benefit of such expenditures in deciding
whether to continue the Plan.
Prior
to the date of this SAI, the Plan had not yet been implemented, and there are no
current plans to impose these fees.
Securities
Lending
The
Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may enter into a securities lending agreement with
U.S. Bank (the “Securities Lending Agent”) to provide certain services related
to the Fund’s securities lending program. Pursuant to the securities lending
agreement, the Securities Lending Agent, on behalf of the Fund, will be
authorized to enter into securities loan agreements, negotiate loan fees and
rebate payments, collect loan fees, deliver securities, manage and hold
collateral, invest cash collateral, receive substitute payments, make interest
and dividend payments (in cases where a borrower has provided non-cash
collateral), and upon termination of a loan, liquidate collateral investments
and return collateral to the borrower.
As
of the date of this SAI, the Fund has not engaged in any securities lending
activities and has not received any income related to securities lending
activities.
As
of the date of this SAI, the Securities Lending Agent has not provided any
services to the Fund or received any fees or compensation from the Fund related
to the securities lending program.
Because
the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, there are no
financial statements available. Shareholders of the Fund will be informed of the
Fund’s progress through periodic reports when those reports become available.
Financial statements certified by the independent registered public accounting
firm will be submitted to shareholders at least annually.
INFRASTRUCTURE
CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC
PROXY-VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
September
2020
Statement
of Policy
Proxy
voting is an important right of shareholders, and reasonable care and diligence
must be undertaken to ensure that these rights are properly and timely
exercised. The Advisor votes proxies in the best interest of its clients and in
accordance with these policies and procedures.
Proxy-Voting
Procedures
All
proxies received by the Advisor are sent to the CCO or his designee, who (1)
keeps a record of each proxy received, (2) determines which accounts managed by
the Advisor hold the security to which the proxy relates, and (3) determines the
date by which the Advisor must vote the proxy in order to allow adequate time
for the completed proxy to be returned to the issuer. Absent material conflicts,
the portfolio managers determine how the Advisor should vote the proxy. The CCO
or his designee is responsible for completing the proxy and mailing the proxy in
a timely and appropriate manner. The Advisor has adopted enhanced proxy voting
procedures in response to recent proxy voting rules to ensure proxies are cast
in the best interest of its clients.
Voting
Guidelines
In
the absence of specific voting guidelines from the client, the Advisor votes
proxies in the best interests of each particular client, which may result in
different voting results for proxies for the same issuer.
Conflicts
of Interest
The
CCO seeks to identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of the
Advisor and its clients. This examination includes a review of the relationship
of the Advisor and its affiliates with the issuer of each security and any
affiliates of the issuer to determine if the issuer is a client of the Advisor
or an affiliate of the Advisor or has some other relationship with the Advisor
or a client of the Advisor. If a material conflict exists, the CCO determines
whether voting is in the best interests of the client and whether it is
appropriate to disclose the conflict to affected clients.
Disclosure
The
Advisor discloses in the Brochure that clients may contact the CCO by electronic
mail or telephone to obtain information on how the Advisor voted proxies for the
accounts of particular clients and to request a copy of this policy and these
procedures. If a client requests this information, the CCO will prepare a
written response to the client that lists, with respect to each voted proxy
about which the client has inquired, the name of the issuer, the proposal voted
upon, and how the Advisor voted the proxy.
Recordkeeping
The
CCO maintains files relating to the proxy-voting procedures in an easily
accessible place. Records will be maintained and preserved for five years from
the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on a record,
with records for the first two years kept in the offices of the Advisor. Records
of the following are included:
This
policy and these procedures and any amendments thereto;
Each
proxy statement that the Advisor receives, unless the Advisor has a third party
retain the proxy statements, so long as the third party undertakes to provide a
copy of a proxy statement promptly upon request;
A
record of each vote that the Advisor casts;
A
copy of any document that the Advisor created that was material to making a
decision how to vote proxies or that memorializes that decision;
and
A
copy of each written client request for information on how the Advisor voted
client proxies and a copy of any written response to any written or oral client
request for information on how the Advisor voted client proxies.