WESTWOOD FUNDS
PROSPECTUS
February 28, 2023
WESTWOOD QUALITY VALUE FUND
TICKER SYMBOL: WHGLX
WESTWOOD QUALITY MIDCAP FUND
TICKER SYMBOL: WWMCX
WESTWOOD QUALITY SMIDCAP FUND
TICKER SYMBOL: WHGMX
WESTWOOD QUALITY SMALLCAP FUND
TICKER SYMBOL: WHGSX
WESTWOOD QUALITY ALLCAP FUND
TICKER SYMBOL: WQAIX
WESTWOOD TOTAL RETURN FUND
TICKER SYMBOL: WLVIX
WESTWOOD INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND
TICKER SYMBOL: WHGIX
WESTWOOD HIGH INCOME FUND
TICKER SYMBOL: WHGHX
WESTWOOD ALTERNATIVE INCOME FUND
TICKER SYMBOL: WMNIX
WESTWOOD SMALLCAP GROWTH FUND
TICKER SYMBOL: WSCIX
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
INVESTMENT ADVISER:
WESTWOOD MANAGEMENT CORP.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved
these
securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this Prospectus.
Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
About This Prospectus
This Prospectus has been arranged into different sections so that you can easily review this important information. For detailed information about each Fund (individually a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”), please see:
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
Page | |
WESTWOOD QUALITY VALUE FUND | 1 | |
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE | 1 | |
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES | 1 | |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES | 2 | |
PRINCIPAL RISKS | 3 | |
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION | 5 | |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 6 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 6 | |
WESTWOOD QUALITY MIDCAP FUND | 7 | |
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE | 7 | |
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES | 7 | |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES | 8 | |
PRINCIPAL RISKS | 9 | |
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION | 11 | |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 12 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 12 | |
WESTWOOD QUALITY SMIDCAP FUND | 13 | |
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE | 13 | |
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES | 13 | |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES | 14 | |
PRINCIPAL RISKS | 15 | |
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION | 17 | |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 18 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGER | 18 | |
WESTWOOD QUALITY SMALLCAP FUND | 19 | |
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE | 19 | |
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES | 19 | |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES | 20 | |
PRINCIPAL RISKS | 21 | |
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION | 23 | |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 24 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 24 | |
WESTWOOD QUALITY ALLCAP FUND | 25 | |
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE | 25 | |
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES | 25 | |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES | 26 | |
PRINCIPAL RISKS | 27 | |
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION | 29 | |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 30 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 30 |
ii
WESTWOOD TOTAL RETURN FUND | 31 | |
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE | 31 | |
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES | 31 | |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES | 32 | |
PRINCIPAL RISKS | 33 | |
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION | 37 | |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 38 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 38 | |
WESTWOOD INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND | 39 | |
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES | 39 | |
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES | 39 | |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES | 40 | |
PRINCIPAL RISKS | 41 | |
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION | 45 | |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 46 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 46 | |
WESTWOOD HIGH INCOME FUND | 47 | |
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE | 47 | |
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES | 47 | |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES | 48 | |
PRINCIPAL RISKS | 49 | |
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION | 53 | |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 54 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 54 | |
WESTWOOD ALTERNATIVE INCOME FUND | 55 | |
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE | 55 | |
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES | 55 | |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES | 56 | |
PRINCIPAL RISKS | 57 | |
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION | 60 | |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 61 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 61 | |
WESTWOOD SMALLCAP GROWTH FUND | 62 | |
FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE | 62 | |
FUND FEES AND EXPENSES | 62 | |
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES | 63 | |
PRINCIPAL RISKS | 64 | |
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION | 66 | |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 67 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 67 |
iii
SUMMARY INFORMATION ABOUT THE PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES, TAXES AND FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY COMPENSATION | 68 | |
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RISKS | 69 | |
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES | 85 | |
INFORMATION ABOUT PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS | 88 | |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 88 | |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 91 | |
RELATED PERFORMANCE DATA OF THE ADVISER | 95 | |
PURCHASING, SELLING AND EXCHANGING FUND SHARES | 97 | |
PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES | 106 | |
OTHER POLICIES | 107 | |
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS | 110 | |
TAXES | 111 | |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 113 | |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | 114 | |
HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS | Back Cover |
iv
WESTWOOD QUALITY VALUE FUND
Fund Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Westwood Quality Value Fund (the “Fund” or “Value Fund”) is to seek long-term capital appreciation.
Fund Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Institutional Shares of the Fund. You may be required to pay commissions and/or other forms of compensation to a broker for transactions in Institutional Shares, which are not reflected in the table or the example below. Shares of the Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Institutional Shares | ||
Management Fees1 | 0.50% | |
Other Expenses | 0.19% | |
Administrative Services Plan Fees1 | 0.10% | |
Other Operating Expenses | 0.09% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.69% | |
Less Fee Reductions and/or Expense1,2 | (0.04)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.65% |
1 | The expense information in this table has been restated to reflect the reduction in the management fees and expense cap and the implementation of Administrative Service Plan Fees, effective November 30, 2022. |
2 | Westwood Management Corp. (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to reduce fees and reimburse expenses in order to keep Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Institutional Shares (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, Rule 12b-1 distribution fees (if any), administrative servicing fees (if any), borrowing expenses such as dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, Acquired Fund fees and expenses, costs to organize the Fund, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) from exceeding 0.55% of the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average daily net assets until March 1, 2024. In addition, the Adviser may receive from the Fund the difference between the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) and the expense cap to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee reductions or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the date of the recoupment if at any point Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) are below the expense cap (i) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (ii) at the time of the recoupment. This Agreement may be terminated: (i) by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Trust”), for any reason at any time; or (ii) by the Adviser, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, effective as of the close of business on March 1, 2024. This agreement will terminate automatically if the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is terminated. |
1
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same and the contractual agreement to limit expenses remains in effect until March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
$66 | $217 | $380 | $855 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund was 77% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in common stocks and other equity securities of large capitalization companies. This investment policy may be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. The Fund considers large capitalization companies to be companies that have market capitalizations of greater than $5 billion at the time of initial purchase. The equity securities in which the Fund invests are primarily common stocks, but may also include real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), and master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). The Fund generally invests in equity securities of domestic companies, but may also invest in equity securities of foreign companies and American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). In the event that the Fund invests in foreign securities and ADRs, the Adviser expects that the Fund’s investments in such securities would normally represent less than 25% of the Fund’s assets.
The Fund invests in approximately 40-60 securities that are well diversified among market sectors. The Adviser utilizes a value style of investing to select securities for the Fund that it believes are undervalued, generally maintain high-quality characteristics, and offer an attractive opportunity for price appreciation coupled with downside risk limitation. Value investing focuses on companies with stocks that appear undervalued in light of factors such as the company’s earnings, book values, revenues and cash flow. The Fund considers quality characteristics from a quantitative perspective, such as free cash flow generation, attractive returns on capital, and conservative balance sheets. Additionally, from a qualitative perspective, quality characteristics include strong management teams, durable competitive advantages, and reasonable growth prospects. Key metrics for evaluating the risk/return profile of an investment may include strong free cash flow, an improving return on equity, a strengthening balance sheet and, in the case of common equities, positive earnings surprises without a corresponding change in the stock price. The Adviser has disciplines in place that serve as sell signals, such as a security reaching a predetermined price target or a change to a company’s fundamentals that negatively impacts the original investment thesis. The Adviser will not necessarily sell a security that has depreciated below the stated market capitalization defined above.
2
Principal Risks
As with all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.
Equity Risk – Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund.
Large-Capitalization Company Risk – The large capitalization companies in which the Fund invests may lag the performance of smaller capitalization companies because large capitalization companies may experience slower rates of growth than smaller capitalization companies and may not respond as quickly to market changes and opportunities.
Investment Style Risk –If the Adviser’s assessment of market conditions, or a company’s value or its prospects for exceeding earnings expectations is inaccurate, the Fund could suffer losses or produce poor performance relative to other funds. In addition, “value stocks” can continue to be undervalued by the market for long periods of time.
Market Risk – The prices of and the income generated by the Fund’s securities may decline in response to, among other things, investor sentiment, general economic and market conditions, regional or global instability, and currency and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, the impact of any military action, epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund.
REIT Risk – REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as the following: declines in property values; increases in property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; overbuilding; zoning changes; and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. REIT operating expenses are not reflected in the fee table and example in this Prospectus.
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MLP Risk – MLPs are limited partnerships in which the ownership units are publicly traded. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to oil and gas industries or other natural resources, but they also may finance other projects. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry or industries, such as the energy industries, the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry or industries. Additional risks of investing in an MLP also include those involved in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation. For example, state law governing partnerships is often less restrictive than state law governing corporations. Accordingly, there may be fewer protections afforded to investors in a MLP than investors in a corporation. For example, investors in MLPs may have limited voting rights or be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of their investment. In addition, MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions which will have the effect of reducing the amount of income paid by the MLP to its investors.
Energy Sector Risk – Issuers in energy-related industries can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels. Markets for various energy-related commodities can have significant volatility, and are subject to control or manipulation by large producers or purchasers. Companies in the energy sector may need to make substantial expenditures, and to incur significant amounts of debt, in order to maintain or expand their reserves. Oil and gas exploration and production can be significantly affected by natural disasters as well as changes in exchange rates, interest rates, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. These companies may be at risk for environmental damage claims. Issuers in the energy sector may also be impacted by changing investor and consumer preferences arising from the sector’s potential exposure to sustainability and environmental concerns.
Value Investing Risk – Investments in value stocks present the risk that a stock may decline in value or never reach the value the Adviser believes is its full market value. In addition, the Fund’s value investment style may go out of favor with investors.
Foreign Company Risk – Investing in foreign companies, including direct investments and through ADRs, which are traded on U.S. exchanges and represent an ownership interest in a foreign security, poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These risks will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. Securities of foreign companies may not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and foreign companies are generally not subject to the regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce income received from the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio. Foreign securities may also be more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers. In addition, periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may require the Fund to sell such investments at inopportune times, which could result in losses to the Fund. While ADRs provide an alternative to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their respective national markets and currencies, investments in ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.
Foreign Currency Risk – As a result of the Fund’s investments in securities or other investments denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies, the Fund will be subject to currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, in which case, the dollar value of an investment in the Fund would be adversely affected.
4
Performance Information
The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Fund from year-to-year and by showing how the average annual returns for 1-year, 5-years, 10-years and since inception of the Fund compare with those of the Russell 1000® Value Index. The performance shown in the bar chart and table for periods prior to November 1, 2021 represents the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Westwood Quality Value Fund, a series of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”). The Fund is the successor to the Predecessor Fund through a reorganization with the Fund on November 1, 2021. How the Fund and the Predecessor Fund have performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.westwoodfunds.com or by calling 1-877-FUND-WHG (1-877-386-3944).
Year | Return |
Annual Return 2013 | 30.03% |
Annual Return 2014 | 11.85% |
Annual Return 2015 | -0.36% |
Annual Return 2016 | 10.93% |
Annual Return 2017 | 20.85% |
Annual Return 2018 | -6.04% |
Annual Return 2019 | 27.35% |
Annual Return 2020 | 2.73% |
Annual Return 2021 | 23.79% |
Annual Return 2022 | -5.66% |
* | The Fund’s year-to-date return through December 31, 2022 was (5.66)%. |
Best Quarter | Worst Quarter |
13.27% | (23.07)% |
(12/31/2020) | (03/31/2020) |
5
Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2022
This table compares the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022 to those of an appropriate broad-based index.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).
WESTWOOD QUALITY VALUE FUND – INSTITUTIONAL |
|
1 Year | |
5 Years | |
10 Years | |
Inception
Date June 28, 2006 |
Fund Returns Before Taxes | (5.66)% | 7.50% | 10.80% | |||||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions | (6.00)% | 5.43% | 8.53% | |||||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (3.11)% | 5.59% | 8.28% | |||||
Russell 1000® Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | (7.54)% | 6.67% | 10.29% |
Investment Adviser
Westwood Management Corp. is the Fund’s investment adviser.
Portfolio Managers
The Fund is managed by a portfolio team. The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are as follows:
Ms. Lauren Hill, CFA, Senior Vice President, Research Analyst & Portfolio Manager, has managed the Fund since 2020.*
Mr. Matthew Lockridge, Senior Vice President, Head of US Value, has managed the Fund since 2012.*
Mr. Michael Wall, Vice President, Research Analyst, has managed the Fund since February 28, 2022.
* | Including managing the Predecessor Fund through its reorganization into the Fund on November 1, 2021. |
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to the “Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation” section of the Prospectus.
6
WESTWOOD QUALITY MIDCAP FUND
Fund Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Westwood Quality MidCap Fund (the “Fund” or the “MidCap Fund”) is to seek long-term capital appreciation.
Fund Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Institutional Shares of the Fund. You may be required to pay commissions and/or other forms of compensation to a broker for transactions in Institutional Shares, which are not reflected in the table or the example below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Institutional Shares | ||
Management Fees | 0.58% | |
Other Expenses | 19.68% | |
Administrative Services Plan Fees | 0.20% | |
Other Operating Expenses | 19.48% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 20.26% | |
Less Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements1 | (19.68)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.58% |
1 | Westwood Management Corp. (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to reduce fees and reimburse expenses in order to keep Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Institutional Shares (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, Rule 12b-1 distribution fees (if any), administrative servicing fees (if any), borrowing expenses such as dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, cost to organize the Fund, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) from exceeding 0.58% of the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average daily net assets until March 1, 2024. In addition, the Adviser may receive from the Fund the difference between the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) and the expense cap to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee reductions or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the date of the recoupment if at any point Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) are below the expense cap (i) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (ii) at the time of the recoupment. This Agreement may be terminated: (i) by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Trust”), for any reason at any time; or (ii) by the Adviser, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, effective as of the close of business on March 1, 2024. This agreement will terminate automatically if the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is terminated. |
7
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same, and the contractual agreement to limit expenses remains in effect only until March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
$80 | $3,683 | $6,270 | $9,981 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund was 96% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of mid-cap companies. This investment policy may be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. The Fund considers mid-cap companies to be those companies within the market capitalization range of the Russell Midcap® Index at the time of initial purchase. While the market capitalization range of the Russell Midcap® Index changes throughout the year, as of the most recent annual reconstitution of the index on December 31, 2022, the market capitalization range of the companies in the index was between $652.98 million and $52.82 billion. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities of companies which the Adviser believes are undervalued in relation to the broader market, employ superior business models compared to their competition, and possess strong balance sheets and free cash flow. The equity securities in which the Fund invests are primarily common stocks, public real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), and master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). The Fund’s investments in REITs include commercial property REITs and residential mortgage REITs. The Fund’s investments in MLPs will primarily be within the broad energy sector and include MLPs in transportation and shipping, storage, processing, refining, marketing, exploration, production, and mining.
Under normal conditions, the Fund invests in approximately 50-80 securities that are well-diversified among market sectors. The Adviser utilizes a value style of investing to select equity securities for the Fund that it believes are undervalued, generally maintain high-quality characteristics, and offers an attractive risk-adjusted return opportunity. The Adviser considers both valuation and quality metrics in absolute terms, as well as on a relative basis compared to the companies comprising the Russell Midcap® Value Index. The Adviser identifies undervalued securities by evaluating the current intrinsic value of a company’s current and future potential earnings, free cash flow, revenue, and return on capital. The Adviser also emphasizes high quality companies as part of the principal investment strategy and considers investing in companies that maintain conservative balance sheets with lower levels of debt, attractive return of equity, strong management teams, and competitive advantages in their respective industry or sector. As it pertains to the Adviser’s emphasis on risk-adjusted returns, the qualitative and quantitative assessment of absolute downside risk for each individual security is paramount when selecting securities for the Fund in an effort to outperform the Index in down markets.
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As the Adviser constructs the Fund’s portfolio, it does not have set allocations for common stocks, REITs, or MLPs, nor does it focus on any particular industry or sector. Sector weights are a residual of bottom-up portfolio construction and are limited to 25% to any one sector on an absolute basis as a component of the inherent risk controls embedded in the process. As the Adviser evaluates each investment opportunity, it applies the same value investing criteria regardless of the security type and constructs the portfolio by selecting those securities with the most attractive value factors described above regardless of security type, sector, or industry. The Fund will not invest more than 25% of its assets in MLPs. The Adviser has disciplines in place that serve as sell signals, such as a security reaching a predetermined price target or a change to a company’s fundamentals that negatively impacts the original investment thesis. The Adviser will not necessarily sell a security that has depreciated below the stated market capitalization defined above.
Principal Risks
As with all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.
Equity Risk – Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund.
Energy Sector Risk – Issuers in energy-related industries can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels. Markets for various energy-related commodities can have significant volatility, and are subject to control or manipulation by large producers or purchasers. Companies in the energy sector may need to make substantial expenditures, and to incur significant amounts of debt, in order to maintain or expand their reserves. Oil and gas exploration and production can be significantly affected by natural disasters as well as changes in exchange rates, interest rates, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. These companies may be at risk for environmental damage claims. Issuers in the energy sector may also be impacted by changing investor and consumer preferences arising from the sector’s potential exposure to sustainability and environmental concerns.
Mid-Capitalization Company Risk – The mid-capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, investments in these mid-sized companies may pose additional risks, including liquidity risk, because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.
9
Investment Style Risk – If the Adviser’s assessment of market conditions, or a company’s value or its prospects for exceeding earnings expectations is inaccurate, the Fund could suffer losses or produce poor performance relative to other funds. In addition, “value stocks” can continue to be undervalued by the market for long periods of time.
Market Risk – The prices of and the income generated by the Fund’s securities may decline in response to, among other things, investor sentiment, general economic and market conditions, regional or global instability, and currency and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, the impact of any military action, epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund.
REIT Risk – REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as the following: declines in property values; increases in property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; overbuilding; zoning changes; and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. REIT operating expenses are not reflected in the fee table and example in this Prospectus.
MLP Risk – MLPs are limited partnerships in which the ownership units are publicly traded. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to oil and gas industries or other natural resources, but they also may finance other projects. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry or industries, such as the energy industries, the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry or industries. Additional risks of investing in an MLP also include those involved in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation. For example, state law governing partnerships is often less restrictive than state law governing corporations. Accordingly, there may be fewer protections afforded to investors in a MLP than investors in a corporation. For example, investors in MLPs may have limited voting rights or be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of their investment. In addition, MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions which will have the effect of reducing the amount of income paid by the MLP to its investors.
Energy companies are affected by worldwide energy prices and costs related to energy production. These companies may have significant operations in areas at risk for natural disasters, social unrest and environmental damage. These companies may also be at risk for increased government regulation and intervention, energy conservation efforts, litigation and negative publicity and perception.
Value Investing Risk – Investments in value stocks present the risk that a stock may decline in value or never reach the value the Adviser believes is its full market value. In addition, the Fund’s value investment style may go out of favor with investors.
Management Style Risk – The portfolio manager’s method of security selection may not be successful and the Fund may underperform relative to other mutual funds that employ similar investment strategies. In addition, the Adviser may select investments that fail to perform as anticipated.
New Fund Risk – The Fund was formed in 2021 and has a limited operating history. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy or growing to an economically viable size.
10
Performance Information
The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Fund from year-to-year and by showing how the average annual returns for 1-year and since inception of the Fund compare with those of the Russell Midcap Value Index. How the Fund has performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.westwoodfunds.com or by calling 1-877-FUND-WHG (1-877-386-3944).
Year | Return |
Annual Return 2022 | -7.87% |
* | The Fund’s year-to-date return through December 31, 2022 was (7.87)%. |
Best Quarter | Worst Quarter |
10.18% | (11.75)% |
(12/31/2022) | (6/30/2022) |
11
Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2022
This table compares the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022 to those of an appropriate broad-based index.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).
WESTWOOD QUALITY MIDCAP FUND – INSTITUTIONAL | 1 Year |
Since Inception (November 30, 2021) | ||
Fund Returns Before Taxes | (7.87)% | (1.99)% | ||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions | (8.20)% | (2.31)% | ||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (4.47)% | (1.54)% | ||
Russell Midcap Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | (12.03)% | (6.01)% |
Investment Adviser
Westwood Management Corp. is the Fund’s investment adviser.
Portfolio Managers
The Fund is managed by a portfolio team. The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are as follows:
Mr. Trip Rodgers, CFA, Senior Vice President, Senior Research Analyst, has managed the Fund since its inception in 2021.
Ms. Lauren Hill, CFA, Senior Vice President, Research Analyst & Portfolio Manager, has managed the Fund since its inception in 2021.
Mr. Matthew Na, CFA, Vice President, Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager, has managed the Fund since February 28, 2023.
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to the “Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation” section of the Prospectus.
12
WESTWOOD QUALITY SMIDCAP FUND
Fund Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Westwood Quality SMidCap Fund (the “Fund” or “SMidCap Fund”) is to seek long-term capital appreciation.
Fund Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Institutional Shares of the Fund. You may be required to pay commissions and/or other forms of compensation to a broker for transactions in Institutional Shares, which are not reflected in the table or the example below. Shares of the Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Institutional Shares | ||
Management Fees | 0.75% | |
Other Expenses | 0.28% | |
Administrative Services Plan Fees | 0.20% | |
Other Operating Expenses | 0.08% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.03% | |
Less Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements1 | (0.15)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.88% |
1 | Westwood Management Corp. (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to reduce fees and reimburse expenses in order to keep Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Institutional Shares (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, Rule 12b-1 distribution fees (if any), administrative servicing fees (if any), borrowing expenses such as dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, Acquired Fund fees and expenses, costs to organize the Fund, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) from exceeding 0.68% of the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average daily net assets until March 1, 2024. In addition, the Adviser may receive from the Fund the difference between the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) and the expense cap to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee reductions or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the date of the recoupment if at any point Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) are below the expense cap (i) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (ii) at the time of the recoupment. This Agreement may be terminated: (i) by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Trust”), for any reason at any time; or (ii) by the Adviser, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, effective as of the close of business on March 1, 2024. This agreement will terminate automatically if the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is terminated. |
13
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same and the contractual agreement to limit expenses remains in effect until March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
$90 | $313 | $554 | $1,246 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund, was 104% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of small- and mid-cap companies. This investment policy may be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. The Fund considers small-and mid-cap companies to be those companies within the market capitalization range of the Russell 2500® Index at the time of initial purchase. While the market capitalization range of the Russell 2500® Index changes throughout the year, as of the most recent annual reconstitution of the index on December 31, 2022, the market capitalization range of the companies in the index was between $6.07 million and $20.36 billion. The equity securities in which the Fund invests are primarily common stocks, but may also include shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), and master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). The Fund generally invests in securities of domestic companies, but may also invest in equity securities of foreign companies and American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). In the event the Fund invests in foreign securities or ADRs, the Adviser expects that the Fund’s investment in such securities would normally represent less than 15% of the Fund’s assets.
The Fund invests in approximately 45-75 securities that are well diversified among market sectors. The Adviser utilizes a value style of investing to select securities for the Fund that it believes are undervalued, generally maintain high-quality characteristics, and offer an attractive opportunity for price appreciation coupled with downside risk limitation. Value investing focuses on companies with stocks that appear undervalued in light of factors such as the company’s earnings, book values, revenues and cash flow. Key metrics for evaluating the risk/return profile of an investment may include strong free cash flow, an improving return on equity, a strengthening balance sheet and, in the case of common equities, positive earnings surprises without a corresponding change in the stock price. The Adviser has disciplines in place that serve as sell signals, such as a security reaching a predetermined price target, a change to a company’s fundamentals that makes the risk/return profile unattractive, or a need to improve the overall risk/return profile of the Fund. The Adviser will not necessarily sell a security that has appreciated or depreciated outside the Fund’s target capitalization range.
14
Principal Risks
As with all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.
Equity Risk – Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund.
Small-and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk – The small- and mid-capitalization companies in which the Fund invests may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, investments in these small- and mid-sized companies may pose additional risks, including liquidity risk, because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.
Investment Style Risk – If the Adviser’s assessment of market conditions, or a company’s value or its prospects for exceeding earnings expectations is inaccurate, the Fund could suffer losses or produce poor performance relative to other funds. In addition, “value stocks” can continue to be undervalued by the market for long periods of time.
Market Risk – The prices of and the income generated by the Fund’s securities may decline in response to, among other things, investor sentiment, general economic and market conditions, regional or global instability, and currency and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, the impact of any military action, epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund.
REIT Risk – REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as the following: declines in property values; increases in property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; overbuilding; zoning changes; and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. REIT operating expenses are not reflected in the fee table and example in this Prospectus.
15
Energy Sector Risk – Issuers in energy-related industries can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels. Markets for various energy-related commodities can have significant volatility, and are subject to control or manipulation by large producers or purchasers. Companies in the energy sector may need to make substantial expenditures, and to incur significant amounts of debt, in order to maintain or expand their reserves. Oil and gas exploration and production can be significantly affected by natural disasters as well as changes in exchange rates, interest rates, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. These companies may be at risk for environmental damage claims. Issuers in the energy sector may also be impacted by changing investor and consumer preferences arising from the sector’s potential exposure to sustainability and environmental concerns.
Value Investing Risk – Investments in value stocks present the risk that a stock may decline in value or never reach the value the Adviser believes is its full market value. In addition, the Fund’s value investment style may go out of favor with investors.
Foreign Currency Risk – As a result of the Fund’s investments in securities or other investments denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies, the Fund will be subject to currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, in which case, the dollar value of an investment in the Fund would be adversely affected.
MLP Risk – MLPs are limited partnerships in which the ownership units are publicly traded. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to oil and gas industries or other natural resources, but they also may finance other projects. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry or industries, such as the energy industries, the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry or industries. Additional risks of investing in an MLP also include those involved in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation. For example, state law governing partnerships is often less restrictive than state law governing corporations. Accordingly, there may be fewer protections afforded to investors in a MLP than investors in a corporation. For example, investors in MLPs may have limited voting rights or be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of their investment. In addition, MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions which will have the effect of reducing the amount of income paid by the MLP to its investors.
Foreign Company Risk – Investing in foreign companies, including direct investments and through ADRs, which are traded on U.S. exchanges and represent an ownership interest in a foreign security, poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These risks will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. Securities of foreign companies may not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and foreign companies are generally not subject to the regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce income received from the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio. Foreign securities may also be more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers. In addition, periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may require the Fund to sell such investments at inopportune times, which could result in losses to the Fund. While ADRs provide an alternative to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their respective national markets and currencies, investments in ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.
ETF Risk – ETFs are pooled investment vehicles, such as registered investment companies and grantor trusts, whose shares are listed and traded on U.S. stock exchanges or otherwise traded in the over-the-counter market. To the extent that the Fund invests in ETFs, the Fund will be subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities in which the ETF invests, and the value of the Fund’s investment will fluctuate in response to the performance of the ETF’s holdings. ETFs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in ETFs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the ETFs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. Because the value of ETF shares depends on the demand in the market, shares may trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value and the Adviser may not be able to liquidate the Fund’s holdings at the most optimal time, which could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
16
Performance Information
The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Fund from year-to-year and by showing how the average annual returns for 1-year, 5-years, 10-years and since inception of the Fund compare with those of the Russell 2500® Value Index. The performance shown in the bar chart and table for periods prior to November 1, 2021 represents the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Westwood Quality SMidCap Fund, a series of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”). The Fund is the successor to the Predecessor Fund through a reorganization with the Fund on November 1, 2021. How the Fund and the Predecessor Fund have performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.westwoodfunds.com or by calling 1-877-FUND-WHG (1-877-386-3944).
Year | Return |
Annual Return 2013 | 33.80% |
Annual Return 2014 | 4.85% |
Annual Return 2015 | -3.18% |
Annual Return 2016 | 12.04% |
Annual Return 2017 | 10.39% |
Annual Return 2018 | -11.47% |
Annual Return 2019 | 29.40% |
Annual Return 2020 | 5.40% |
Annual Return 2021 | 21.31% |
Annual Return 2022 | -10.36% |
* | The Fund’s year-to-date return through December 31, 2022 was (10.36)%. |
Best Quarter | Worst Quarter |
22.59% | (30.79)% |
(12/31/2020) | (3/31/2020) |
17
Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2022
This table compares the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022 to those of an appropriate broad-based index.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).
WESTWOOD QUALITY SMIDCAP FUND – INSTITUTIONAL | 1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years | Inception
Date December 19, 2005 | ||||
Fund Returns Before Taxes | (10.36)% | 5.60% | 8.23% | |||||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions | (10.68)% | 3.10% | 5.91% | |||||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (5.90)% | 3.96% | 6.22% | |||||
Russell 2500 ® Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | (13.08)% | 4.75% | 8.93% |
Investment Adviser
Westwood Management Corp. is the Fund’s investment adviser.
Portfolio Managers
The Fund is managed by a portfolio team. The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are as follows:
Mr. Prashant Inamdar, CFA, Senior Vice President, Research Analyst, has managed the Fund since 2013.*
Mr. William Costello, CFA, Senior Vice President, Director of Equity Portfolios, has managed the Fund since 2018.*
Mr. Grant L. Taber, CFA, Senior Vice President, Research Analyst, has managed the Fund since 2008.*
Mr. Kyle Martin, CFA, Vice President, Research Analyst, has managed the Fund since 2021.*
* | Including managing the Predecessor Fund through its reorganization into the Fund on November 1, 2021. |
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to the “Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation” section of the Prospectus.
18
WESTWOOD QUALITY SMALLCAP FUND
Fund Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Westwood Quality SmallCap Fund (the “Fund” or “SmallCap Fund”) is to seek long-term capital appreciation.
Fund Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Institutional Shares of the Fund. You may be required to pay commissions and/or other forms of compensation to a broker for transactions in Institutional Shares, which are not reflected in the table or the example below. Shares of the Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Institutional Shares | ||
Management Fees | 0.85% | |
Other Expenses | 0.26% | |
Administrative Services Plan Fees | 0.20% | |
Other Operating Expenses | 0.06% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.11% | |
Less Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements1 | (0.12)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.99% |
1 | Westwood Management Corp. (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to reduce fees and reimburse expenses in order to keep Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Institutional Shares (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, Rule 12b-1 distribution fees (if any), administrative servicing fees (if any), borrowing expenses such as dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, Acquired Fund fees and expenses, costs to organize the Fund, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) from exceeding 0.79% of the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average daily net assets until March 1, 2024. In addition, the Adviser may receive from the Fund the difference between the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) and the expense cap to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee reductions or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the date of the recoupment if at any point Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) are below the expense cap (i) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (ii) at the time of the recoupment. This Agreement may be terminated: (i) by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Ultimus Managers Trust, for any reason at any time; or (ii) by the Adviser, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, effective as of the close of business on March 1, 2024. This agreement will terminate automatically if the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is terminated. |
19
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same and the contractual agreement to limit expenses remains in effect until March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
$101 | $341 | $600 | $1,341 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund, was 60% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of small-cap companies. This investment policy may be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders. The Fund considers small-cap companies to be those companies within the market capitalization range of the Russell 2000® Index at the time of initial purchase. While the market capitalization range of the Russell 2000® Index changes throughout the year, as of the most recent annual reconstitution of the index on December 31, 2022, the market capitalization range of the companies in the index was between $6.07 million and $7.93 billion. The equity securities in which the Fund invests are primarily common stocks, but may also include shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), and master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). The Fund generally invests in securities of domestic companies, but may also invest in equity securities of foreign companies and American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). In the event the Fund invests in foreign securities and ADRs, the Adviser expects that the Fund’s investment in such securities would normally represent less than 25% of the Fund’s assets.
The Fund invests in approximately 50-70 securities that are well diversified among market sectors. The Adviser utilizes a value style of investing to select securities for the Fund that it believes are undervalued, generally maintain high quality characteristics, and offer an attractive opportunity for price appreciation coupled with downside risk limitation. Value investing focuses on companies with stocks that appear undervalued in light of factors such as the company’s earnings, book values, revenues and cash flow. The Fund considers quality characteristics from a quantitative perspective, such as free cash flow generation, attractive returns on capital, and conservative balance sheets. Additionally, from a qualitative perspective, quality characteristics include strong management teams, durable competitive advantages, and reasonable growth prospects. Key metrics for evaluating the risk/return profile of an investment may include strong free cash flow, an improving return on equity, a strengthening balance sheet and, in the case of common equities, positive earnings surprises without a corresponding change in the stock price. The Adviser has disciplines in place that serve as sell signals, such as a security reaching a predetermined price target, a change to a company’s fundamentals that makes the risk/return profile unattractive, or a need to improve the overall risk/return profile of the Fund. The Adviser will not necessarily sell a security that has appreciated or depreciated outside the Fund’s target capitalization range.
20
Principal Risks
As with all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.
Equity Risk – Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund.
Small-Capitalization Company Risk – The small-capitalization companies in which the Fund invests may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, investments in these small-sized companies may pose additional risks, including liquidity risk, because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.
Investment Style Risk –If the Adviser’s assessment of market conditions, or a company’s value or its prospects for exceeding earnings expectations is inaccurate, the Fund could suffer losses or produce poor performance relative to other funds. In addition, “value stocks” can continue to be undervalued by the market for long periods of time.
Market Risk – The prices of and the income generated by the Fund’s securities may decline in response to, among other things, investor sentiment, general economic and market conditions, regional or global instability, and currency and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, the impact of any military action, epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund.
REIT Risk – REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as the following: declines in property values; increases in property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; overbuilding; zoning changes; and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. REIT operating expenses are not reflected in the fee table and example in this Prospectus.
21
MLP Risk – MLPs are limited partnerships in which the ownership units are publicly traded. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to oil and gas industries or other natural resources, but they also may finance other projects. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry or industries, such as the energy industries, the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry or industries. Additional risks of investing in an MLP also include those involved in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation. For example, state law governing partnerships is often less restrictive than state law governing corporations. Accordingly, there may be fewer protections afforded to investors in a MLP than investors in a corporation. For example, investors in MLPs may have limited voting rights or be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of their investment. In addition, MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions which will have the effect of reducing the amount of income paid by the MLP to its investors.
Energy Sector Risk – Issuers in energy-related industries can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels. Markets for various energy-related commodities can have significant volatility, and are subject to control or manipulation by large producers or purchasers. Companies in the energy sector may need to make substantial expenditures, and to incur significant amounts of debt, in order to maintain or expand their reserves. Oil and gas exploration and production can be significantly affected by natural disasters as well as changes in exchange rates, interest rates, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. These companies may be at risk for environmental damage claims. Issuers in the energy sector may also be impacted by changing investor and consumer preferences arising from the sector’s potential exposure to sustainability and environmental concerns.
Value Investing Risk – Investments in value stocks present the risk that a stock may decline in value or never reach the value the Adviser believes is its full market value. In addition, the Fund’s value investment style may go out of favor with investors.
Foreign Company Risk – Investing in foreign companies, including direct investments and through ADRs, which are traded on U.S. exchanges and represent an ownership interest in a foreign security, poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These risks will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. Securities of foreign companies may not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and foreign companies are generally not subject to the regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce income received from the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio. Foreign securities may also be more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers. In addition, periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may require the Fund to sell such investments at inopportune times, which could result in losses to the Fund. While ADRs provide an alternative to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their respective national markets and currencies, investments in ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.
Foreign Currency Risk – As a result of the Fund’s investments in securities or other investments denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies, the Fund will be subject to currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, in which case, the dollar value of an investment in the Fund would be adversely affected.
ETF Risk – ETFs are pooled investment vehicles, such as registered investment companies and grantor trusts, whose shares are listed and traded on U.S. stock exchanges or otherwise traded in the over-the-counter market. To the extent that the Fund invests in ETFs, the Fund will be subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities in which the ETF invests, and the value of the Fund’s investment will fluctuate in response to the performance of the ETF’s holdings. ETFs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in ETFs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the ETFs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. Because the value of ETF shares depends on the demand in the market, shares may trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value and the Adviser may not be able to liquidate the Fund’s holdings at the most optimal time, which could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
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Performance Information
The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Fund from year-to-year and by showing how the average annual returns for 1-year, 5-years, 10-years and since inception of the Fund compare with those of the Russell 2000® Value Index. The performance shown in the bar chart and table for period priors to November 1, 2021 represents the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Westwood Quality SmallCap Fund, a series of the Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”). The Fund is the successor to the Predecessor Fund through a reorganization with the Fund on November 1, 2021. How the Fund and Predecessor Fund have performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.westwoodfunds.com or by calling 1-877-FUND-WHG (1-877-386-3944).
Year | Return |
Annual Return 2013 | 49.39% |
Annual Return 2014 | 6.05% |
Annual Return 2015 | -5.94% |
Annual Return 2016 | 28.33% |
Annual Return 2017 | 12.36% |
Annual Return 2018 | -14.16% |
Annual Return 2019 | 27.13% |
Annual Return 2020 | 2.16% |
Annual Return 2021 | 27.93% |
Annual Return 2022 | -12.46% |
* | The Fund’s year-to-date return through December 31, 2022 was (12.46)%. |
Best Quarter | Worst Quarter |
25.98% | (32.64)% |
(12/31/2020) | (3/31/2020) |
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Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2022
This table compares the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022 to those of an appropriate broad-based index.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).
WESTWOOD QUALITY SMALLCAP FUND – INSTITUTIONAL |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years | Inception
Date April 2, 2007 | ||||
Fund Returns Before Taxes | (12.46)% | 4.54% | 10.37% | |||||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions | (13.18)% | 3.60% | 9.17% | |||||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (6.83)% | 3.35% | 8.19% | |||||
Russell 2000® Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | (14.48)% | 4.13% | 8.48% |
Investment Adviser
Westwood Management Corp. is the Fund’s investment adviser.
Portfolio Managers
The Fund is managed by a portfolio team. The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are as follows:
Mr. William Costello, CFA, Senior Vice President, Director of Equity Portfolios, has managed the Fund since 2010.*
Mr. Matthew Lockridge, Senior Vice President, Head of US Value, has managed the Fund since 2010.*
Mr. Frederic G. Rowsey, CFA, Vice President, Research Analyst, has managed the Fund since 2013.*
* | Including managing the Predecessor Fund through its reorganization into the Fund on November 1, 2021. |
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to the “Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation” section of the Prospectus.
24
WESTWOOD QUALITY ALLCAP FUND
Fund Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Westwood Quality AllCap Fund (the “Fund” or the “AllCap Fund”) is to seek long-term capital appreciation.
Fund Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Institutional Shares of the Fund. You may be required to pay commissions and/or other forms of compensation to a broker for transactions in Institutional Shares, which are not reflected in the table or the example below. Shares of the Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Institutional Shares | ||
Management Fees | 0.45% | |
Other Expenses | 0.68% | |
Administrative Services Plan Fees1 | 0.20% | |
Other Operating Expenses | 0.48% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.13% | |
Less Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements2 | (0.48)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.65% |
1 | Reflects the maximum Administrative Services Plan Fee. The AllCap Fund did not pay any Administrative Services Plan Fees for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. |
2 | Westwood Management Corp. (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to reduce fees and reimburse expenses in order to keep Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Institutional Shares (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, Rule 12b-1 distribution fees (if any), administrative servicing fees (if any), borrowing expenses such as dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, cost to organize the Fund, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) from exceeding 0.45% of the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average daily net assets until March 1, 2024. In addition, the Adviser may receive from the Fund the difference between the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) and the expense cap to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee reductions or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the date of the recoupment if at any point Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) are below the expense cap (i) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (ii) at the time of the recoupment. This Agreement may be terminated: (i) by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Trust”), for any reason at any time; or (ii) by the Adviser, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, effective as of the close of business on March 1, 2024. This agreement will terminate automatically if the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is terminated. |
25
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same, and the contractual agreement to limit expenses remains in effect only until March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
$66 | $311 | $576 | $1,332 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund was 101% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities of companies which the Adviser believes are undervalued in relation to the broader market, employ superior business models compared to their competition, and possess strong balance sheets and free cash flow. Generally, the universe of securities from which the Adviser selects investments will encompass companies of all market capitalizations greater than $100 million at the time of purchase. The equity securities in which the Fund invests are primarily common stocks, public real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), and master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). The Fund’s investments in REITs include commercial property REITs and residential mortgage REITs. The Fund’s investments in MLPs will primarily be within the broad energy sector and include MLPs in transportation and shipping, storage, processing, refining, marketing, exploration, production, and mining.
Under normal conditions, the Fund invests in approximately 50-80 securities that are well-diversified among market sectors. The Adviser utilizes a value style of investing to select equity securities for the Fund that it believes are undervalued, generally maintain high-quality characteristics, and offer an attractive opportunity for price appreciation coupled with downside risk limitation. Value investing focuses on companies with stocks that appear undervalued in light of factors such as the company’s earnings, book values, revenues and cash flow. Key metrics for evaluating the risk/return profile of an investment may include strong free cash flow, an improving return on equity, a strengthening balance sheet and, in the case of common equities, positive earnings surprises without a corresponding change in the stock price. As the Adviser constructs the Fund’s portfolio, it does not have set allocations for common stocks, REITs, or MLPs, nor does it focus on any particular industry or sector. Sector weights are a residual of bottom-up portfolio construction and are limited to 25% to any one sector on an absolute basis as a component of the inherent risk controls embedded in the process. As the Adviser evaluates each investment opportunity, it applies the same value investing criteria regardless of the security type and constructs the portfolio by selecting those securities with the most attractive value factors described above regardless of security type, sector, or industry. The Adviser has disciplines in place that serve as sell signals, such as a security reaching a predetermined price target or a change to a company’s fundamentals that negatively impacts the original investment thesis. The Adviser will not necessarily sell a security that has depreciated below the stated market capitalization defined above.
26
Principal Risks
As with all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.
Equity Risk – Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund.
● | Large-Capitalization Company Risk – The large-capitalization companies in which the Fund invests may lag the performance of smaller capitalization companies because large-capitalization companies may experience slower rates of growth than smaller capitalization companies and may not respond as quickly to market changes and opportunities. |
● | Small- and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk – The small- and mid-capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, investments in these small- and mid-sized companies may pose additional risks, including liquidity risk, because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. |
Investment Style Risk – If the Adviser’s assessment of market conditions, or a company’s value or its prospects for exceeding earnings expectations is inaccurate, the Fund could suffer losses or produce poor performance relative to other funds. In addition, “value stocks” can continue to be undervalued by the market for long periods of time.
Market Risk – The prices of and the income generated by the Fund’s securities may decline in response to, among other things, investor sentiment, general economic and market conditions, regional or global instability, and currency and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, the impact of any military action, epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund.
27
REIT Risk – REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as the following: declines in property values; increases in property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; overbuilding; zoning changes; and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. REIT operating expenses are not reflected in the fee table and example in this Prospectus.
MLP Risk – MLPs are limited partnerships in which the ownership units are publicly traded. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to oil and gas industries or other natural resources, but they also may finance other projects. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry or industries, such as the energy industries, the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry or industries. Additional risks of investing in an MLP also include those involved in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation. For example, state law governing partnerships is often less restrictive than state law governing corporations. Accordingly, there may be fewer protections afforded to investors in a MLP than investors in a corporation. For example, investors in MLPs may have limited voting rights or be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of their investment. In addition, MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions which will have the effect of reducing the amount of income paid by the MLP to its investors.
Energy companies are affected by worldwide energy prices and costs related to energy production. These companies may have significant operations in areas at risk for natural disasters, social unrest and environmental damage. These companies may also be at risk for increased government regulation and intervention, energy conservation efforts, litigation and negative publicity and perception.
Energy Sector Risk – Issuers in energy-related industries can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels. Markets for various energy-related commodities can have significant volatility, and are subject to control or manipulation by large producers or purchasers. Companies in the energy sector may need to make substantial expenditures, and to incur significant amounts of debt, in order to maintain or expand their reserves. Oil and gas exploration and production can be significantly affected by natural disasters as well as changes in exchange rates, interest rates, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. These companies may be at risk for environmental damage claims. Issuers in the energy sector may also be impacted by changing investor and consumer preferences arising from the sector’s potential exposure to sustainability and environmental concerns.
Value Investing Risk – Investments in value stocks present the risk that a stock may decline in value or never reach the value the Adviser believes is its full market value. In addition, the Fund’s value investment style may go out of favor with investors.
Management Style Risk – The portfolio manager’s method of security selection may not be successful and the Fund may underperform relative to other mutual funds that employ similar investment strategies. In addition, the Adviser may select investments that fail to perform as anticipated.
New Fund Risk – The Fund was formed in 2021 and has a limited operating history. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy or growing to an economically viable size.
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Performance Information
The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Fund from year-to-year and by showing how the average annual returns for 1-year and since inception of the Fund compare with those of the Russell 3000® Value Index. How the Fund has performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.westwoodfunds.com or by calling 1-877-FUND-WHG (1-877-386-3944).
Year | Return |
Annual Return 2022 | -3.75% |
* | The Fund’s year-to-date return through December 31, 2022 was (3.75)%. |
Best Quarter | Worst Quarter |
14.68% | (10.88)% |
(12/31/2022) | (6/30/2022) |
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Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2022
This table compares the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022 to those of an appropriate broad-based index.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).
WESTWOOD QUALITY ALLCAP FUND – INSTITUTIONAL | 1 Year | Since
Inception
(September 24, 2021) | ||
Fund Returns Before Taxes | (3.75)% | 2.74% | ||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions | (4.13)% | 2.31% | ||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (1.95)% | 2.06% | ||
Russell 3000® Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | (7.98)% | (0.83)% |
For information about related performance, please see the “Related Performance Data of the Adviser” section of the Prospectus.
Investment Adviser
Westwood Management Corp. is the Fund’s investment adviser.
Portfolio Managers
The Fund is managed by a portfolio team. The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are as follows:
Grant Taber, CFA, Senior Vice President, Research Analyst, has managed the Fund since its inception in 2021.
Michael Wall, Vice President, Research Analyst, has managed the Fund since its inception in 2021.
Ms. Lauren Hill, CFA, Senior Vice President, Research Analyst & Portfolio Manager, has managed the Fund since February 28, 2022.
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to the “Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation” section of the Prospectus.
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WESTWOOD TOTAL RETURN FUND
Fund Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Westwood Total Return Fund (the “Fund” or “Total Return Fund”) seeks to provide total return, through a combination of current income and capital appreciation.
Fund Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Institutional Shares of the Fund. You may be required to pay commissions and/or other forms of compensation to a broker for transactions in Institutional Shares, which are not reflected in the table or the example below. Shares of the Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Institutional Shares | |
Management Fees1 | 0.59% |
Other Expenses | 0.13% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.72% |
Less Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements2 | (0.08)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.64% |
1 | Management Fees consist of a base fee at an annualized rate of 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, and a positive or negative performance adjustment of up to an annualized rate of 0.20% based on the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ performance relative to the Blended 60/40 S&P 500® Index/Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index plus 1.00%, resulting in a minimum total fee of 0.30% and a maximum total fee of 0.70%. |
2 | Westwood Management Corp. (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to reduce fees and reimburse expenses in order to keep Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Institutional Shares (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, Rule 12b-1 distribution fees (if any), administrative servicing fee (if any), borrowing expenses such as dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, Acquired Fund fees and expenses, costs to organize the Fund, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) from exceeding 0.75% of the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average daily net assets until terminated by the Fund’s shareholders. Additionally, the Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce fees and reimburse expenses in order to keep Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Institutional Shares (excluding Management Fees, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, Rule 12b-1 distribution fees (if any), administrative servicing fee (if any), borrowing expenses such as dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, Acquired Fund fees and expenses, costs to organize the Fund, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) from exceeding 0.05% of the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average daily net assets until March 1, 2024. In addition, the Adviser may receive from the Fund the difference between the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) and the expense cap to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee reductions or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the date of the recoupment if at any point Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) are below the expense cap (i) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (ii) at the time of the recoupment. This Agreement may be terminated: (i) by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Trust”), for any reason at any time; or (ii) by the Adviser, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, effective as of the close of business on March 1, 2024. This agreement will terminate automatically if the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is terminated. |
31
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same and the contractual agreement to limit expenses remains in effect until March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
$65 | $222 | $393 | $887 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund was 63% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund has significant flexibility to achieve its investment objective and invests in a broad range of securities, including debt and equity securities in the U.S. and other markets throughout the world, both developed and emerging. “Emerging markets” include countries in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, and other countries that the Fund considers to be equivalent to those in that index based on their level of economic development or the size and experience of their securities markets. There is no limit on the number of countries in which the Fund may invest, and the Fund may focus its investments in a single country or a small group of countries. As attractive investments across asset classes and strategies arise, the Adviser attempts to capture these opportunities and has wide latitude to allocate the Fund’s assets among asset classes. The Adviser buys and sells securities and investments for the Fund based on the Adviser’s view of issuer fundamentals, global economics, sectors and overall portfolio construction, taking into account risk/return analyses and relative value considerations.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 60% of its net assets in securities of U.S. issuers. U.S. issuers include the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities. In addition, a company is considered by the Fund to be a U.S. issuer if: (i) at least 50% of the company’s assets are located in the U.S.; (ii) at least 50% of the company’s revenue is generated in the U.S.; (iii) the company is organized or maintains its principal place of business in the U.S.; or (iv) the company’s securities are traded principally in the U.S.
The Fund seeks to achieve a neutral allocation of 60% of its total assets in equity securities and 40% of its total assets in debt securities. The Adviser’s bottom-up investment process and top-down macroeconomic views will drive tactical allocation decisions by overweighting/underweighting stocks and bonds to outperform the benchmark.
32
The Fund may invest up to 50% of its total assets in debt securities, including corporate bonds, mortgage-backed, mortgage-related and asset-backed securities, inflation-linked securities (including Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (“TIPS”)), bank loan assignments and participations (“Loans”). The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in Loans. The Fund may invest in debt securities with any maturity, duration or credit quality, including securities rated below investment grade or, if unrated, deemed by the Adviser to be of comparable quality (“junk bonds”).
The Fund may purchase or sell mortgage-backed securities on a delayed delivery or forward commitment basis through the “to-be-announced” (“TBA”) market. With TBA transactions, the particular securities to be delivered are not identified at the trade date but the delivered securities must meet specified terms and standards. The Fund would generally enter into TBA transactions with the intention of taking possession of the underlying mortgage-backed securities. However, in an effort to obtain underlying mortgage securities on more preferable terms or to enhance returns, the Fund may extend the settlement by entering into dollar roll transactions in which the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities and simultaneously agrees to purchase substantially similar securities on a future date.
The Fund may invest up to 70% of its total assets in equity securities, including common stocks, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in REITs. In addition to investments in equity securities, the Fund may also invest up to 50% of its total assets in preferred stocks and convertible securities that have characteristics of both equity and debt securities. The Fund may invest in equity securities, preferred stocks and convertible securities of companies of any market capitalization.
In addition to direct investments in securities, derivatives, which are instruments that have a value based on another instrument, exchange rate or index, may be used as substitutes for securities in which the Fund can invest. The Fund may use futures contracts, foreign currency transactions, options and swaps to help manage duration, sector and yield curve exposure and credit and spread volatility. The Fund may also use such derivatives to manage equity, country, regional and currency exposure, to increase income or gain to the Fund, for hedging and for risk management. The Fund may hedge its non-dollar investments back to the U.S. dollar through the use of foreign currency derivatives, including forward foreign currency contracts and currency futures, but may not always do so. In addition to hedging non-dollar investments, the Fund may use such derivatives to increase income and gain to the Fund and/or as part of its risk management process by establishing or adjusting exposure to particular foreign securities, markets or currencies.
Principal Risks
As with all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.
Equity Risk – Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response.
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Fixed Income Risk – Fixed income securities are subject to a number of risks, including credit and interest rate risks. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or obligor will not make timely payments of principal and interest. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The Fund is subject to greater levels of credit risk to the extent it holds below investment grade debt securities, or “junk bonds.” Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of a fixed income security will fall when interest rates rise. In general, the longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a fixed income security, the more likely its value will decline.
Convertible Securities Risk – The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates (with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline) and the credit standing of the issuer. The price of a convertible security will also normally vary in some proportion to changes in the price of the underlying common stock because of the conversion or exercise feature.
Corporate Bond Risk – Corporate bonds respond to economic developments, especially changes in interest rates, as well as perceptions of the creditworthiness and business prospects of individual issuers.
High Yield Bond Risk – High yield bonds (often called “junk bonds”) are debt securities rated below investment grade. Junk bonds are speculative, involve greater risks of default, downgrade, or price declines and are more volatile and tend to be less liquid than investment-grade securities. Companies issuing high yield bonds are less financially strong, are more likely to encounter financial difficulties, and are more vulnerable to adverse market events and negative sentiments than companies with higher credit ratings.
Small-and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk – The small- and mid-capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, investments in these small- and mid-sized companies may pose additional risks, including liquidity risk, because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.
REIT Risk – REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as the following: declines in property values; increases in property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; overbuilding; zoning changes; and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. REIT operating expenses are not reflected in the fee table and example in this Prospectus.
Large-Capitalization Company Risk – The large capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may lag the performance of smaller capitalization companies because large capitalization companies may experience slower rates of growth than smaller capitalization companies and may not respond as quickly to market changes and opportunities.
U.S. Government Securities Risk – The Fund’s investment in U.S. government obligations may include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, or its agencies or instrumentalities. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so. In addition, U.S. government securities are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates.
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Preferred Stock Risk – Preferred stocks are sensitive to interest rate changes, and are also subject to equity risk, which is the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. The rights of preferred stocks on the distribution of a company’s assets in the event of a liquidation are generally subordinate to the rights associated with a company’s debt securities.
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk – Mortgage-backed securities are affected by, among other things, interest rate changes and the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are also subject to the risk that underlying borrowers will be unable to meet their obligations.
Inflation-Linked Securities Risk – The value of inflation-linked securities is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates (the market rate of interest less the anticipated rate of inflation). Real interest rates change over time as a result of many factors, such as currency exchange rates, central bank monetary policies and general economic conditions. In general, the price of an inflation-linked security tends to decline when real interest rates increase. Unlike conventional bonds, the principal and interest payments of inflation-protected securities such as TIPS are adjusted periodically to a specified rate of inflation (e.g. the Consumer Price Index (the “CPI”)). There can be no assurance that the inflation index used will accurately measure the actual rate of inflation. These securities may lose value in the event that the actual rate of inflation is different than the rate of the inflation index. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of TIPS. For bonds that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.
Foreign Securities Risk – Investing in foreign securities, including direct investments and through ADRs, which are traded on exchanges and represent an ownership interest in a foreign security, poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These risks will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. Securities of foreign companies may not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and foreign companies are generally not subject to the regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce income received from the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio. Foreign securities may also be more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers. In addition, periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may require the Fund to sell such investments at inopportune times, which could result in losses to the Fund. While ADRs provide an alternative to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their respective national markets and currencies, investments in ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.
Foreign Currency Risk – As a result of the Fund’s investments in securities or other investments denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies, the Fund will be subject to currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, in which case, the dollar value of an investment in the Fund would be adversely affected.
Emerging Markets Securities Risk – The Fund’s investments in emerging markets securities are considered speculative and subject to heightened risks in addition to the general risks of investing in foreign securities. Unlike more established markets, emerging markets may have governments that are less stable, markets that are less liquid and economies that are less developed. In addition, the securities markets of emerging market countries may consist of companies with smaller market capitalizations and may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; and possible restrictions on repatriation of investment income and capital. Furthermore, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales, and future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization or creation of government monopolies.
Asset-Backed Securities Risk – Payment of principal and interest on asset-backed securities is dependent largely on the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities, and asset-backed securities may not have the benefit of any security interest in the related assets.
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Liquidity Risk – Certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like. The Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash, or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on Fund management or performance.
Derivatives Risk – The Fund’s use of futures contracts, forward contracts, options and swaps is subject to market risk, leverage risk, correlation risk, hedging risk and liquidity risk. Market risk is the risk that the market value of an investment may move up and down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Leverage risk is the risk that the use of leverage may amplify the effects of market volatility on the Fund’s share price and may also cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations. Correlation risk is the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly or at all with the underlying asset, rate or index. Hedging risk is the risk that derivative instruments used for hedging purposes may also limit any potential gain that may result from the increase in value of the hedged asset. To the extent that the Fund engages in hedging strategies, there can be no assurance that such strategy will be effective or that there will be a hedge in place at any given time. Liquidity risk is described elsewhere in this section. The Fund’s use of forwards and swaps is also subject to credit risk and valuation risk. Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a derivative contract will default or otherwise become unable to honor a financial obligation. Valuation risk is the risk that the derivative may be difficult to value. Each of these risks could cause the Fund to lose more than the principal amount invested in a derivative instrument.
Bank Loans Risk – Investments in bank loans (through both assignments and participations) are generally subject to the same risks as investments in other types of debt instruments, including, in many cases, investments in junk bonds. There may be limited public information available regarding bank loans and bank loans may be difficult to value. If the Fund holds a bank loan through another financial institution, or relies on a financial institution to administer the loan, its receipt of principal and interest on the loan may be subject to the credit risk of that financial institution. It is possible that any collateral securing a loan may be insufficient or unavailable to the Fund, and that the Fund’s rights to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or insolvency laws. In addition, the secondary market for bank loans may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads, and extended trade settlement periods, which may cause the Fund to be unable to realize the full value of its investment in a bank loan.
Bank loans may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws.
Geographic Focus Risk – To the extent that it focuses its investments in a particular country or geographic region, the Fund may be more susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within that country or geographic region. As a result, the Fund may be subject to greater price volatility and risk of loss than a fund holding more geographically diverse investments.
TBA/Dollar Roll Risk – Although the securities that are delivered in TBA transactions must meet certain standards, there is a risk that the actual securities received by the Fund may be less favorable than what was anticipated when entering into the transaction. Default by or bankruptcy of a counterparty to a TBA transaction would expose the Fund to possible loss because of adverse market action, expenses or delays in connection with the purchase or sale of the pools of mortgage pass-through securities specified in the TBA transaction. Whether or not the Fund takes delivery of the securities at the termination date of a TBA transaction, it will nonetheless be exposed to changes in the value of the underlying investments during the term of the agreement. Also, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and transaction costs are increased when the Fund enters into dollar roll transactions.
Market Risk – The prices of and the income generated by the Fund’s securities may decline in response to, among other things, investor sentiment, general economic and market conditions, regional or global instability, and currency and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, the impact of any military action, epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund.
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Performance Information
The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Fund from year-to-year and by showing how the average annual returns for 1-year, 5-years, 10-years, and since inception of the Fund compare with those of the S&P 500® Index, Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, and the Blended 60/40 S&P 500® Index. The performance shown in bar chart and table for periods prior to November 1, 2021 represents the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Westwood Total Return Fund, a series of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”). The Fund is the successor to the Predecessor Fund through a reorganization with the Fund on November 1, 2021. In addition, the Predecessor Fund acquired the assets and assumed the historical performance of another fund (the “Initial Predecessor Fund”) on February 5, 2011. The performance shown in the bar chart and table for periods prior to that date represents the performance of the Initial Predecessor Fund. How the Fund, the Predecessor Fund and Initial Predecessor have performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Prior to November 1, 2019, the Predecessor Fund employed different investment strategies. Therefore, the past performance shown for periods prior to November 1, 2019 may have differed had the Fund’s current investment strategy been in effect. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.westwoodfunds.com or by calling 1-877-FUND-WHG (1-877-386-3944).
Year | Return |
Annual Return 2013 | 31.05% |
Annual Return 2014 | 11.52% |
Annual Return 2015 | -2.28% |
Annual Return 2016 | 9.05% |
Annual Return 2017 | 12.76% |
Annual Return 2018 | -6.11% |
Annual Return 2019 | 30.13% |
Annual Return 2020 | 23.49% |
Annual Return 2021 | 13.00% |
Annual Return 2022 | -12.82% |
* | The Fund’s year-to-date return through December 31, 2022 was (12.82)%. |
Best Quarter | Worst Quarter |
16.05% | (12.67)% |
(06/30/2020) | (06/30/2022) |
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Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2022
This table compares the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022 to those of an appropriate broad-based index and additional indexes, including a blended benchmark that represents the investment strategy of the Fund.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).
WESTWOOD TOTAL RETURN FUND – INSTITUTIONAL |
|
1 Year | |
5 Years | |
10 Years | |
Inception
Date June 28, 2006 |
Fund Returns Before Taxes | (12.82)% | 8.25% | 10.07% | |||||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions | (13.59)% | 3.70% | 6.33% | |||||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (7.40)% | 5.30% | 7.11% | |||||
S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 7.66% | 9.42% | 12.56% | |||||
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | (2.71)% | 0.02% | 1.06% | |||||
Blended 60/40 S&P 500® Index/Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | (15.79)% | 5.96% | 8.08% |
Investment Adviser
Westwood Management Corp. is the Fund’s investment adviser.
Portfolio Manager
The Fund is managed by a portfolio team. The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are as follows:
Mr. Adrian Helfert, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Multi-Asset Portfolios, has managed the Fund since 2019.*
Mr. Ben Chittenden, Vice President and Research Analyst, has managed the Fund since February 28, 2022.
* | Including managing the Predecessor Fund through its reorganization into the Fund on November 1, 2021. |
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to the “Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation” section of the Prospectus.
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WESTWOOD INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND
Fund Investment Objectives
The primary investment objective of the Westwood Income Opportunity Fund (the “Fund” or “Income Opportunity Fund”) is to provide current income. A secondary investment objective of the Fund is to provide the opportunity for long-term capital appreciation.
Fund Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Institutional Shares of the Fund. You may be required to pay commissions and/or other forms of compensation to a broker for transactions in Institutional Shares, which are not reflected in the table or the example below. Shares of the Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Institutional Shares | ||
Management Fees1 | 0.65% | |
Other Expenses | 0.17% | |
Administrative Services Plan Fees1 | 0.10% | |
Other Operating Expenses | 0.07% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2 | 0.82% | |
Less Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements2 | 0.00% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.82% |
1 | The expense information in this table has been restated to reflect the reduction in the management fees and the implementation of Administrative Service Plan Fees, effective November 30, 2022. |
2 | “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses” and “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements” will not correlate to the ratio of expenses to the average net assets in the Fund’s Financial Highlights, which reflect the operating expenses of the Fund and do not include “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses”. |
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Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same and the contractual agreement to limit expenses remains in effect until March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
$84 | $262 | $455 | $1,014 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund was 81% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund seeks to meet its investment objectives by investing generally more than 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in dividend-paying and/or interest-bearing securities. By utilizing primarily income-producing securities from diverse asset classes, the Fund also seeks to maintain a lower volatility profile than traditional equity-only products. The Fund aims to invest in securities of companies with a strong and improving cash flow sufficient to support a sustainable or rising income stream for investors. In selecting securities for the Fund, the Adviser chooses among a diversified group of primarily income-producing asset classes. Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities and warrants. Fixed income securities may include bonds and other debt securities, and money market instruments. Other types of income-producing securities may include interests in master limited partnerships (“MLPs”), enhanced equipment trust certificates (“EETCs”) and equipment trust certificates (“ETCs”), securities of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). EETCs and ETCs are types of asset-backed securities that generally represent undivided fractional interests in a trust whose assets consist of a pool of equipment retail installment contracts or leased equipment. The Fund generally invests in securities of domestic companies, but may also invest in securities of foreign companies and American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). In the event the Fund invests in foreign securities and ADRs, the Adviser expects that the Fund’s investments in such securities would normally represent less than 25% of the Fund’s assets.
The Fund is permitted to invest in companies of any capitalization range. The Fund’s fixed income investments are, in the aggregate, of investment grade (i.e., those rated in one of the three highest rating categories by a rating agency), but may at times include securities rated below investment grade (high yield or “junk” bonds) and unrated securities.
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In addition to direct investments in securities, derivatives, which are instruments that have a value based on another instrument, exchange rate or index, may be used as substitutes for securities in which the Fund can invest. The Fund may use futures contracts, foreign currency transactions, options and swaps to help manage duration, sector and yield curve exposure and credit and spread volatility. The Fund may also use such derivatives to manage equity, country, regional and currency exposure, to increase income or gain to the Fund, for hedging and for risk management. The Fund may hedge its non-dollar investments back to the U.S. dollar through the use of foreign currency derivatives, including forward foreign currency contracts and currency futures, but may not always do so. In addition to hedging non-dollar investments, the Fund may use such derivatives to increase income and gain to the Fund and/or as part of its risk management process by establishing or adjusting exposure to particular foreign securities, markets or currencies.
The Fund seeks to provide a higher level of current income than that offered by traditional fixed income products such as U.S. government bonds and money market securities. The Adviser’s investment process incorporates relative value analysis among capital instruments, as well as among asset classes, to determine where downside potential can be limited to achieve the goal of generating an attractive level of current income along with capital appreciation. Key metrics for evaluating the risk/return profile of an investment may include strong free cash flow, an improving return on equity, a strengthening balance sheet and, in the case of common equities, positive earnings surprises without a corresponding change in the stock price. The Adviser has disciplines in place that serve as sell signals, such as a security reaching a predetermined price target, a change to a company’s fundamentals that makes the risk/return profile unattractive, or a need to improve the overall risk/return profile of the Fund.
The Fund invests across various asset classes, sectors and securities, and, from time to time, will engage in frequent trading.
Principal Risks
As with all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.
Equity Risk – Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response.
Large-Capitalization Company Risk – The large capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may lag the performance of smaller capitalization companies because large capitalization companies may experience slower rates of growth than smaller capitalization companies and may not respond as quickly to market changes and opportunities.
Small-and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk – The small- and mid-capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, investments in these small- and mid-sized companies may pose additional risks, including liquidity risk, because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.
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REIT Risk – REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as the following: declines in property values; increases in property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; overbuilding; zoning changes; and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. REIT operating expenses are not reflected in the fee table and example in this Prospectus.
MLP Risk – MLPs are limited partnerships in which the ownership units are publicly traded. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to oil and gas industries or other natural resources, but they also may finance other projects. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry or industries, such as the energy industries, the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry or industries. Additional risks of investing in an MLP also include those involved in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation. For example, state law governing partnerships is often less restrictive than state law governing corporations. Accordingly, there may be fewer protections afforded to investors in a MLP than investors in a corporation. For example, investors in MLPs may have limited voting rights or be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of their investment. In addition, MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions which will have the effect of reducing the amount of income paid by the MLP to its investors.
Energy Sector Risk – Issuers in energy-related industries can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels. Markets for various energy-related commodities can have significant volatility, and are subject to control or manipulation by large producers or purchasers. Companies in the energy sector may need to make substantial expenditures, and to incur significant amounts of debt, in order to maintain or expand their reserves. Oil and gas exploration and production can be significantly affected by natural disasters as well as changes in exchange rates, interest rates, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. These companies may be at risk for environmental damage claims. Issuers in the energy sector may also be impacted by changing investor and consumer preferences arising from the sector’s potential exposure to sustainability and environmental concerns.
Convertible Securities Risk – The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates (with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline) and the credit standing of the issuer. The price of a convertible security will also normally vary in some proportion to changes in the price of the underlying common stock because of the conversion or exercise feature.
High Yield Bond Risk – High yield bonds (often called “junk bonds”) are debt securities rated below investment grade. Junk bonds are speculative, involve greater risks of default, downgrade, or price declines and are more volatile and tend to be less liquid than investment-grade securities. Companies issuing high yield bonds are less financially strong, are more likely to encounter financial difficulties, and are more vulnerable to adverse market events and negative sentiments than companies with higher credit ratings.
Fixed Income Risk – Fixed income securities are subject to a number of risks, including credit and interest rate risks. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or obligor will not make timely payments of principal and interest. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The Fund is subject to greater levels of credit risk to the extent it holds below investment grade debt securities, or “junk bonds.” Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of a fixed income security will fall when interest rates rise. In general, the longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a fixed income security, the more likely its value will decline.
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Foreign Company Risk – Investing in foreign companies, including direct investments and through ADRs, which are traded on U.S. exchanges and represent an ownership interest in a foreign security, poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These risks will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. Securities of foreign companies may not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and foreign companies are generally not subject to the regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce income received from the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio. Foreign securities may also be more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers. In addition, periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may require the Fund to sell such investments at inopportune times, which could result in losses to the Fund. While ADRs provide an alternative to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their respective national markets and currencies, investments in ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.
Micro-Capitalization Company Risk – Micro-capitalization companies may be newly formed or in the early stages of development with limited product lines, markets or financial resources. Therefore, micro-capitalization companies may be less financially secure than large-, mid- and small- capitalization companies and may be more vulnerable to key personnel losses due to reliance on a smaller number of management personnel. In addition, there may be less public information available about these companies. Micro-cap stock prices may be more volatile than large-, mid- and small- capitalization companies and such stocks may be more thinly traded and thus difficult for the Fund to buy and sell in the market.
ETF Risk – ETFs are pooled investment vehicles, such as registered investment companies and grantor trusts, whose shares are listed and traded on U.S. stock exchanges or otherwise traded in the over-the-counter market. To the extent that the Fund invests in ETFs, the Fund will be subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities in which the ETF invests, and the value of the Fund’s investment will fluctuate in response to the performance of the ETF’s holdings. ETFs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in ETFs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the ETFs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. Because the value of ETF shares depends on the demand in the market, shares may trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value and the Adviser may not be able to liquidate the Fund’s holdings at the most optimal time, which could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Foreign Currency Risk – As a result of the Fund’s investments in securities or other investments denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies, the Fund will be subject to currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, in which case, the dollar value of an investment in the Fund would be adversely affected.
Warrants Risk – Warrants in which the Fund may invest are instruments that entitle the holder to buy an equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time. Warrants may be more speculative than other types of investments. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and an investment in a warrant may therefore create greater potential for capital loss than an investment in the underlying security. A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.
Liquidity Risk – Certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like. The Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash, or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on Fund management or performance.
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Derivatives Risk – The Fund’s use of futures contracts, forward contracts, options and swaps is subject to market risk, leverage risk, correlation risk, hedging risk and liquidity risk. Market risk is the risk that the market value of an investment may move up and down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Leverage risk is the risk that the use of leverage may amplify the effects of market volatility on the Fund’s share price and may also cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations. Correlation risk is the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly or at all with the underlying asset, rate or index. Hedging risk is the risk that derivative instruments used for hedging purposes may also limit any potential gain that may result from the increase in value of the hedged asset. To the extent that the Fund engages in hedging strategies, there can be no assurance that such strategy will be effective or that there will be a hedge in place at any given time. Liquidity risk is described elsewhere in this section. The Fund’s use of forwards and swaps is also subject to credit risk and valuation risk. Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a derivative contract will default or otherwise become unable to honor a financial obligation. Valuation risk is the risk that the derivative may be difficult to value. Each of these risks could cause the Fund to lose more than the principal amount invested in a derivative instrument.
ETC and EETC Risk – ETCs are typically issued by railroads, airlines or other transportation firms, and the proceeds of those certificates are used to purchase equipment, such as railroad cars, airplanes or other equipment, which in turn serve as collateral for the related issue of certificates. The equipment subject to a trust generally is leased by a railroad, airline or other business, and rental payments provide the projected cash flow for the repayment of ETCs. EETCs are similar to ETCs, except that the security has been divided into two or more classes, each with different payment priorities and asset claims. Holders of ETCs and EETCs must look to the collateral securing the certificates, and any guarantee provided by the lessee or any parent corporation for the payment of lease amounts, in the case of default in the payment of principal and interest on the certificates. ETCs and EETCs are subject to the risk that the lessee or payee defaults on its payments, and risks related to potential declines in the value of the equipment that serves as collateral for the issue. During periods of deteriorating economic conditions, such as recessions, defaults on payments generally increase, sometimes dramatically.
LIBOR Replacement Risk – The elimination of the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) may adversely affect the interest rates on, and value of, certain Fund investments for which the value is tied to LIBOR. Over the last several years global regulators have indicated an intent to phase out the use of LIBOR. The administrator of LIBOR ceased publication of most LIBOR settings on a representative basis at the end of 2021 and will cease publication of the U.S. dollar LIBOR settings on a representative basis after June 30, 2023. There remains uncertainty regarding the future of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate. Alternatives to LIBOR are established or in development in most major currencies, including the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), which the U.S. Federal Reserve has announced will replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates. Questions around liquidity impacted by these rates, and how to appropriately adjust these rates at the time of transition, remain a concern for the Fund. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR on the Fund until new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products, instruments and contracts are commercially accepted.
Market Risk – The prices of and the income generated by the Fund’s securities may decline in response to, among other things, investor sentiment, general economic and market conditions, regional or global instability, and currency and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, the impact of any military action, epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund.
Frequent Trading Risk. The Fund’s frequent trading strategy will result in high portfolio turnover and may be more likely to result in realized capital gains that must be distributed to shareholders as taxable income and in increased brokerage and other transaction costs.
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Performance Information
The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Fund from year-to-year and by showing how the average annual returns for 1-year, 5-years, 10-years and since inception of the Fund compare with those of the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, the S&P 500® Index, and the Blended 60/40 Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index/S&P 500® Index. The performance shown in bar chart and table for periods prior to November 1, 2021 represents the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Westwood Income Opportunity Fund, a series of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”). The Fund is the successor to the Predecessor Fund through a reorganization with the Fund on November 1, 2021. How the Fund and the Predecessor Fund have performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.westwoodfunds.com or by calling 1-877-FUND-WHG (1-877-386-3944).
Year | Return |
Annual Return 2013 | 14.49% |
Annual Return 2014 | 9.10% |
Annual Return 2015 | -2.57% |
Annual Return 2016 | 6.66% |
Annual Return 2017 | 10.96% |
Annual Return 2018 | -4.87% |
Annual Return 2019 | 17.67% |
Annual Return 2020 | 10.81% |
Annual Return 2021 | 8.51% |
Annual Return 2022 | -12.80% |
* | The Fund’s year-to-date return through December 31, 2022 was (12.80)%. |
Best Quarter | Worst Quarter |
13.16% | (12.99)% |
(6/30/2020) | (3/31/2020) |
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Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2022
This table compares the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022 to those of an appropriate broad-based index and additional indexes, including a blended benchmark that represents the investment strategy of the Fund.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).
WESTWOOD INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND – INSTITUTIONAL |
|
1 Year | |
5 Years | |
10 Years | |
Inception
Date December 19, 2005 |
Fund Returns Before Taxes | (12.80)% | 3.25% | 5.39% | |||||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions | (13.67)% | 0.42% | 3.64% | |||||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (7.40)% | 2.13% | 4.04% | |||||
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | (2.71)% | 0.02% | 1.06% | |||||
S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 7.66% | 9.42% | 12.56% | |||||
Blended 60/40 Bloomberg U.S.Aggregate Bond Index/S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | (14.76)% | 4.07% | 5.78% |
Investment Adviser
Westwood Management Corp. is the Fund’s investment adviser.
Portfolio Managers
The Fund is managed by a portfolio team. The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are as follows:
Mr. Scott Barnard, CFA, Vice President, has managed the Fund since 2020.*
Mr. Adrian Helfert, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Multi-Asset Portfolios, has managed the Fund since 2019.*
* | Including managing the Predecessor Fund through its reorganization into the Fund on November 1, 2021. |
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to the “Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation” section of the Prospectus.
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WESTWOOD HIGH INCOME FUND
Fund Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Westwood High Income Fund (the “Fund” or “High Income Fund”) seeks to maximize total return through a high level of current income and capital appreciation.
Fund Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Institutional Shares of the Fund. You may be required to pay commissions and/or other forms of compensation to a broker for transactions in Institutional Shares, which are not reflected in the table or the example below. Shares of the Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Institutional Shares | ||
Management Fees1 | 0.70% | |
Other Expenses | 0.36% | |
Administrative Services Plan Fees | 0.19% | |
Other Operating Expenses | 0.17% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.06% | |
Less Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements2 | (0.07)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.99% |
1 | Management Fees consist of a base fee at an annualized rate of 0.38% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, and a positive or negative performance adjustment of up to an annualized rate of 0.32% based on the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ performance relative to the Blended 80/20 Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index/S&P 500® Index plus 1.00%, resulting in a minimum total fee of 0.06% and a maximum total fee of 0.70%. | |
2 | Westwood Management Corp. (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to reduce fees and reimburse expenses in order to keep Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Institutional Shares (excluding Management Fees, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, Rule 12b-1 distribution fees (if any), administrative servicing fee (if any), borrowing expenses such as dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, Acquired Fund fees and expenses, costs to organize the Fund, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) from exceeding 0.10% of the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average daily net assets until March 1, 2024. In addition, the Adviser may receive from the Fund the difference between the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) and the expense cap to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee reductions or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the date of the recoupment if at any point Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) are below the expense cap (i) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (ii) at the time of the recoupment. This Agreement may be terminated: (i) by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Trust”), for any reason at any time; or (ii) by the Adviser, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, effective as of the close of business on March 1, 2024. This agreement will terminate automatically if the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is terminated. |
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Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same and the contractual agreement to limit expenses remains in effect until March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
$101 | $330 | $578 | $1,288 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund was 62% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund has flexibility to achieve its investment objective and invests in a broad range of income-producing securities, including debt and equity securities in the U.S. and other markets throughout the world, both developed and emerging. “Emerging markets” include countries in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, and other countries that the Fund considers to be equivalent to those in that index based on their level of economic development or the size and experience of their securities markets. There is no limit on the number of countries in which the Fund may invest, and the Fund may focus its investments in a single country or a small group of countries. As attractive investments across asset classes and strategies arise, the Adviser attempts to capture these opportunities and has latitude to allocate the Fund’s assets among asset classes. The Adviser buys and sells securities and investments for the Fund based on the Adviser’s view of issuer fundamentals, global economics, sectors and overall portfolio construction, taking into account risk/return analyses and relative value considerations.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in securities of U.S. issuers. U.S. issuers include the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities. In addition, a company is considered by the Fund to be a U.S. issuer if: (i) at least 50% of the company’s assets are located in the U.S.; (ii) at least 50% of the company’s revenue is generated in the U.S.; (iii) the company is organized or maintains its principal place of business in the U.S.; or (iv) the company’s securities are traded principally in the U.S.
The Fund seeks to achieve a neutral allocation of 80% of its total assets in debt securities and 20% of its total assets in equity securities. The Adviser’s bottom-up investment process and top-down macroeconomic views will drive tactical allocation decisions by overweighting/underweighting stocks and bonds to outperform the benchmark.
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The Fund may invest up to 100% of its total assets in debt securities, including corporate bonds, mortgage-backed, mortgage-related and asset-backed securities (including collateralized mortgage obligations), inflation-linked securities (including Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (“TIPS”)), bank loan assignments and participations (“Loans”). The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in Loans. The Fund may invest in debt securities with any maturity, duration or credit quality, including securities rated below investment grade or, if unrated, deemed by the Adviser to be of comparable quality (“junk bonds”). The Fund currently expects to invest no more than 70% of its total assets in junk bonds.
The Fund may purchase or sell mortgage-backed securities on a delayed delivery or forward commitment basis through the “to-be-announced” (“TBA”) market. With TBA transactions, the particular securities to be delivered are not identified at the trade date but the delivered securities must meet specified terms and standards. The Fund would generally enter into TBA transactions with the intention of taking possession of the underlying mortgage-backed securities. However, in an effort to obtain underlying mortgage securities on more preferable terms or to enhance returns, the Fund may extend the settlement by entering into dollar roll transactions in which the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities and simultaneously agrees to purchase substantially similar securities on a future date.
The Fund may invest up to 30% of its total assets in equity securities, including common stocks, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in REITs. In addition to investments in equity securities, the Fund may also invest up to 50% of its total assets in preferred stocks and convertible securities that have characteristics of both equity and debt securities. The Fund may invest in equity securities, preferred stocks and convertible securities of companies of any market capitalization.
In addition to direct investments in securities, derivatives, which are instruments that have a value based on another instrument, exchange rate or index, may be used as substitutes for securities in which the Fund can invest. The Fund may use futures contracts, foreign currency transactions, options and swaps to help manage duration, sector and yield curve exposure and credit and spread volatility. The Fund may also use such derivatives to manage equity, country, regional and currency exposure, to increase income or gain to the Fund, for hedging and for risk management. The Fund may hedge its non-dollar investments back to the U.S. dollar through the use of foreign currency derivatives, including forward foreign currency contracts and currency futures, but may not always do so. In addition to hedging non-dollar investments, the Fund may use such derivatives to increase income and gain to the Fund and/or as part of its risk management process by establishing or adjusting exposure to particular foreign securities, markets or currencies.
As a result of the Fund’s investment style, the Fund, from time to time, will engage in frequent trading.
Principal Risks
As with all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.
High Yield Bond Risk – High yield bonds (often called “junk bonds”) are debt securities rated below investment grade. Junk bonds are speculative, involve greater risks of default, downgrade, or price declines and are more volatile and tend to be less liquid than investment-grade securities. Companies issuing high yield bonds are less financially strong, are more likely to encounter financial difficulties, and are more vulnerable to adverse market events and negative sentiments than companies with higher credit ratings.
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Fixed Income Risk – Fixed income securities are subject to a number of risks, including credit and interest rate risks. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or obligor will not make timely payments of principal and interest. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The Fund is subject to greater levels of credit risk to the extent it holds below investment grade debt securities, or “junk bonds.” Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of a fixed income security will fall when interest rates rise. In general, the longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a fixed income security, the more likely its value will decline.
Corporate Bond Risk – Corporate bonds respond to economic developments, especially changes in interest rates, as well as perceptions of the creditworthiness and business prospects of individual issuers.
Equity Risk – Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response.
Convertible Securities Risk – The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates (with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline) and the credit standing of the issuer. The price of a convertible security will also normally vary in some proportion to changes in the price of the underlying common stock because of the conversion or exercise feature.
REIT Risk – REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as the following: declines in property values; increases in property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; overbuilding; zoning changes; and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. REIT operating expenses are not reflected in the fee table and example in this Prospectus.
Preferred Stock Risk – Preferred stocks are sensitive to interest rate changes, and are also subject to equity risk, which is the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. The rights of preferred stocks on the distribution of a company’s assets in the event of a liquidation are generally subordinate to the rights associated with a company’s debt securities.
Large-Capitalization Company Risk – The large capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may lag the performance of smaller capitalization companies because large capitalization companies may experience slower rates of growth than smaller capitalization companies and may not respond as quickly to market changes and opportunities.
Small-and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk – The small- and mid-capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, investments in these small- and mid-sized companies may pose additional risks, including liquidity risk, because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.
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Foreign Securities Risk – Investing in foreign securities, including direct investments and through ADRs, which are traded on exchanges and represent an ownership interest in a foreign security, poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These risks will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. Securities of foreign companies may not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and foreign companies are generally not subject to the regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce income received from the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio. Foreign securities may also be more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers. In addition, periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may require the Fund to sell such investments at inopportune times, which could result in losses to the Fund. While ADRs provide an alternative to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their respective national markets and currencies, investments in ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.
Emerging Markets Securities Risk – The Fund’s investments in emerging markets securities are considered speculative and subject to heightened risks in addition to the general risks of investing in foreign securities. Unlike more established markets, emerging markets may have governments that are less stable, markets that are less liquid and economies that are less developed. In addition, the securities markets of emerging market countries may consist of companies with smaller market capitalizations and may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; and possible restrictions on repatriation of investment income and capital. Furthermore, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales, and future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization or creation of government monopolies.
Asset-Backed Securities Risk – Payment of principal and interest on asset-backed securities is dependent largely on the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities, and asset-backed securities may not have the benefit of any security interest in the related assets.
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk – Mortgage-backed securities are affected by, among other things, interest rate changes and the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are also subject to the risk that underlying borrowers will be unable to meet their obligations.
U.S. Government Securities Risk – The Fund’s investment in U.S. government obligations may include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government, or its agencies or instrumentalities. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so. In addition, U.S. government securities are not guaranteed against price movements due to changing interest rates.
Inflation-Linked Securities Risk – The value of inflation-linked securities is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates (the market rate of interest less the anticipated rate of inflation). Real interest rates change over time as a result of many factors, such as currency exchange rates, central bank monetary policies and general economic conditions. In general, the price of an inflation-linked security tends to decline when real interest rates increase. Unlike conventional bonds, the principal and interest payments of inflation-protected securities such as TIPS are adjusted periodically to a specified rate of inflation (e.g. the Consumer Price Index (the “CPI”)). There can be no assurance that the inflation index used will accurately measure the actual rate of inflation. These securities may lose value in the event that the actual rate of inflation is different than the rate of the inflation index. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of TIPS. For bonds that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.
Foreign Currency Risk – As a result of the Fund’s investments in securities or other investments denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies, the Fund will be subject to currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, in which case, the dollar value of an investment in the Fund would be adversely affected.
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Geographic Focus Risk – To the extent that it focuses its investments in a particular country or geographic region, the Fund may be more susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within that country or geographic region. As a result, the Fund may be subject to greater price volatility and risk of loss than a fund holding more geographically diverse investments.
Liquidity Risk – Certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like. The Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash, or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on Fund management or performance.
Derivatives Risk – The Fund’s use of futures contracts, forward contracts, options and swaps is subject to market risk, leverage risk, correlation risk, hedging risk and liquidity risk. Market risk is the risk that the market value of an investment may move up and down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Leverage risk is the risk that the use of leverage may amplify the effects of market volatility on the Fund’s share price and may also cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations. Correlation risk is the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly or at all with the underlying asset, rate or index. Hedging risk is the risk that derivative instruments used for hedging purposes may also limit any potential gain that may result from the increase in value of the hedged asset. To the extent that the Fund engages in hedging strategies, there can be no assurance that such strategy will be effective or that there will be a hedge in place at any given time. Liquidity risk is described elsewhere in this section. The Fund’s use of forwards and swaps is also subject to credit risk and valuation risk. Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a derivative contract will default or otherwise become unable to honor a financial obligation. Valuation risk is the risk that the derivative may be difficult to value. Each of these risks could cause the Fund to lose more than the principal amount invested in a derivative instrument.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations Risk – Collateralized mortgage obligations exhibit similar risks to those of mortgage-backed securities but also present certain special risks. Collateralized mortgage obligations are created by dividing the principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages into several revenue streams (tranches) with different priority rights to portions of the underlying mortgage payments. Collateralized mortgage obligation tranches may be specially structured in a manner that provides a variety of investment characteristics, such as yield, effective maturity and interest rate sensitivity. As market conditions change, however, particularly during periods of rapid or unanticipated changes in interest rates, the ability of a collateralized mortgage obligation tranche to provide the anticipated investment characteristics and performance may be significantly reduced. These changes may result in volatility in the market value, and in some instances reduced liquidity, of the collateralized mortgage obligation tranche.
TBA/Dollar Roll Risk – Although the securities that are delivered in TBA transactions must meet certain standards, there is a risk that the actual securities received by the Fund may be less favorable than what was anticipated when entering into the transaction. Default by or bankruptcy of a counterparty to a TBA transaction would expose the Fund to possible loss because of adverse market action, expenses or delays in connection with the purchase or sale of the pools of mortgage pass-through securities specified in the TBA transaction. Whether or not the Fund takes delivery of the securities at the termination date of a TBA transaction, it will nonetheless be exposed to changes in the value of the underlying investments during the term of the agreement. Also, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and transaction costs are increased when the Fund enters into dollar roll transactions.
Bank Loans Risk – Investments in bank loans (through both assignments and participations) are generally subject to the same risks as investments in other types of debt instruments, including, in many cases, investments in junk bonds. There may be limited public information available regarding bank loans and bank loans may be difficult to value. If the Fund holds a bank loan through another financial institution, or relies on a financial institution to administer the loan, its receipt of principal and interest on the loan may be subject to the credit risk of that financial institution. It is possible that any collateral securing a loan may be insufficient or unavailable to the Fund, and that the Fund’s rights to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or insolvency laws. In addition, the secondary market for bank loans may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads, and extended trade settlement periods, which may cause the Fund to be unable to realize the full value of its investment in a bank loan.
Bank loans may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws.
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Market Risk – The prices of and the income generated by the Fund’s securities may decline in response to, among other things, investor sentiment, general economic and market conditions, regional or global instability, and currency and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, the impact of any military action, epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund.
Performance Information
The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Fund from year-to-year and by showing how the average annual returns for 1-year, 5-years, 10-years and since inception of the Fund compare with those of the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, the S&P 500® Index, and the Blended 60/40 Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index/S&P 500® Index. The performance shown in bar chart and table for periods prior to November 1, 2021 represents the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Westwood High Income Fund, a series of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”). The Fund is the successor to the Predecessor Fund through a reorganization with the Fund on November 1, 2021. Prior to August 31, 2019, the Predecessor Fund had a sub-adviser and, prior to November 1, 2019, the Predecessor Fund employed a different investment strategy. Therefore, the past performance shown for periods prior to August 31, 2019 may have differed if the Predecessor Fund had not had a sub-adviser and the Fund’s current investment strategy had been in effect. How the Fund and the Predecessor Fund have performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.westwoodfunds.com or by calling 1-877-FUND-WHG (1-877-386-3944).
Year | Return |
Annual Return 2013 | 5.15% |
Annual Return 2014 | -1.11% |
Annual Return 2015 | -1.25% |
Annual Return 2016 | 7.60% |
Annual Return 2017 | 4.20% |
Annual Return 2018 | 0.36% |
Annual Return 2019 | 9.45% |
Annual Return 2020 | 14.88% |
Annual Return 2021 | 7.24% |
Annual Return 2022 | -11.11% |
* | The Fund’s year-to-date return through December 31, 2022 was (11.11)%. |
Best Quarter | Worst Quarter |
12.59% | (10.88)% |
(6/30/2020) | (3/31/2020) |
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Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2022
This table compares the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022 to those of an appropriate broad-based index and additional indexes, including a blended benchmark that represents the investment strategy of the Fund.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).
WESTWOOD HIGH INCOME FUND – INSTITUTIONAL |
|
1 Year | |
5 Years | |
10 Years | |
Inception
Date December 28, 2011 |
Fund Returns Before Taxes | (11.11)% | 3.77% | 3.31% | |||||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions | (12.66)% | 2.04% | 1.46% | |||||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (6.47)% | 2.19% | 1.70% | |||||
Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | (2.71)% | 0.02% | 1.06% | |||||
S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 7.66% | 9.42% | 12.56% | |||||
Blended 80/20 Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index/S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | (13.84)% | 2.09% | 3.44% |
Investment Adviser
Westwood Management Corp. is the Fund’s investment adviser.
Portfolio Managers
The Fund is managed by a portfolio team. The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are as follows:
Mr. Adrian Helfert, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Multi-Asset Portfolios, has managed the Fund since 2019.*
Mr. Scott Barnard, CFA, Vice President, has managed the Fund since 2020.*
Mr. Hussein Adatia, Vice President, has managed the Fund since 2020.*
* | Including managing the Predecessor Fund through its reorganization into the Fund on November 1, 2021. |
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to the “Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation” section of the Prospectus.
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WESTWOOD ALTERNATIVE INCOME FUND
Fund Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Westwood Alternative Income Fund (the “Fund” or “Alternative Income Fund”) seeks to provide absolute returns through a combination of current income and capital appreciation with low correlation to equity and fixed income markets.
Fund Fees and Expenses
These tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Institutional Shares of the Fund. You may be required to pay commissions and/or other forms of compensation to a broker for transactions in Institutional Shares, which are not reflected in the table or the example below. Shares of the Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investments)
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if shares redeemed have been held for less than 30 days) | 1.00% |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Institutional Shares | ||
Management Fees1 | 0.21% | |
Other Expenses | 0.28% | |
Administrative Services Plan Fees | 0.15% | |
Other Operating Expenses | 0.13% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.49% | |
Less Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements2 | (0.14)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.35% |
1 | Management Fees consist of a base fee at an annualized rate of 0.53% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, and a positive or negative performance adjustment of up to an annualized rate of 0.32% based on the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ performance relative to the FTSE 1-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index plus 2.00%, resulting in a minimum total fee of 0.21% and a maximum total fee of 0.85%. | |
2 | Westwood Management Corp. (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to waive its Management Fee at an annual rate in the amount of 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets until March 1, 2024 (the “Management Fee Waiver Agreement”). The Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce fees and reimburse expenses in order to keep Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Institutional Shares (excluding Management Fees, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, Rule 12b-1 distribution fees (if any), administrative servicing fee (if any), borrowing expenses such as dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, Acquired Fund fees and expenses, costs to organize the Fund, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) from exceeding 0.00% of the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average daily net assets until March 1, 2024. In addition, the Adviser may receive from the Fund the difference between the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) and the expense cap to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee reductions or expense reimbursements (other than Management Fee waivers pursuant to the Management Fee Waiver Agreement) made during the rolling three-year period preceding the date of the recoupment if at any point Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) are below the expense cap (i) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (ii) at the time of the recoupment. This Agreement may be terminated: (i) by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Trust”), for any reason at any time; or (ii) by the Adviser, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, effective as of the close of business on March 1, 2024. This agreement will terminate automatically if the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is terminated. |
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Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same and the contractual agreements to limit expenses remain in effect until March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
$32 | $128 | $233 | $542 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual Fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund was 128% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund employs an absolute return strategy, which means that the Fund seeks to earn a positive total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation in all market conditions, by maintaining a portfolio that is designed to have low volatility and low correlations with equity and fixed income markets over a full market cycle.
In seeking to achieve its goals, the Fund invests primarily in income producing convertible securities. Convertible securities include, but are not limited to, corporate bonds, debentures, notes or preferred stocks and their hybrids that can be converted into (exchanged for) common stock or other securities, such as warrants or options, which provide an opportunity for equity participation. Once a convertible security converts to common stock, the Fund would be an equity owner of the particular company as a common stockholder. The Fund may also invest in equity securities and non-convertible fixed income securities, and may invest in securities of any market capitalization, maturity, duration or credit quality, including securities rated below investment grade or, if unrated, deemed by the Adviser to be of comparable quality (“junk bonds”). The Fund may invest in foreign companies in both developed and emerging markets.
The Fund may seek to exploit certain arbitrage opportunities by, for example, selling common stocks or bonds short against positions in which the Fund has invested in convertible securities, or establishing short positions in convertible securities with long positions in the corresponding common stock or bond. When the Fund sells a security short, it is selling a security it does not own. The Fund may invest in derivative instruments, such as futures contracts, forward contracts, options and swaps (including credit default swaps) to seek to hedge risks such as issuer, equity market, credit, interest rate and foreign currency risks, or enhance the returns of the Fund. The Fund may also seek to generate income from option premiums by writing (selling) call and put options on individual securities, broad-based securities indexes or exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). The Adviser seeks to identify undervalued convertible securities by utilizing quantitative tools and fundamental research to assess a security’s income characteristics, liquidity, credit quality, volatility and equity value. The Adviser seeks to invest in companies with strong business models, quality management, and favorable financial conditions. The Adviser will consider selling a convertible security when it believes that the security is no longer undervalued, or there are unfavorable changes in the fundamentals of the underlying company or the structure of the convertible security. The Fund may buy and sell securities frequently, which could result in a high portfolio turnover rate.
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When the Adviser believes that market conditions are unfavorable for profitable investing, or is otherwise unable to locate attractive investment opportunities, it may increase the Fund’s investments in cash or money market instruments to protect the Fund’s assets and maintain liquidity. When the Fund’s investments in cash or money market instruments increase, it may not participate in market advances or declines to the same extent that it would if the Fund remained more fully invested in equity and fixed income securities.
The Fund invests across various asset classes, sectors and securities, and, from time to time, will engage in frequent trading.
As a result of the Fund’s investment style, the Fund, from time to time, will engage in frequent trading.
Principal Risks
As with all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.
Convertible Securities Risk – The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates (with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline) and the credit standing of the issuer. The price of a convertible security will also normally vary in some proportion to changes in the price of the underlying common stock because of the conversion or exercise feature. Convertible securities may be subordinate to other debt securities issued by the same issuer. Issuers of convertible securities are often not as strong financially as issuers with higher credit ratings. Convertible securities typically provide yields lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Their values may be more volatile than those of non-convertible securities, reflecting changes in the values of the securities into which they are convertible.
High Yield Bond Risk – High yield bonds (often called “junk bonds”) are debt securities rated below investment grade. Junk bonds are speculative, involve greater risks of default, downgrade, or price declines and are more volatile and tend to be less liquid than investment-grade securities. Companies issuing high yield bonds are less financially strong, are more likely to encounter financial difficulties, and are more vulnerable to adverse market events and negative sentiments than companies with higher credit ratings.
Fixed Income Risk – Fixed income securities are subject to a number of risks, including credit and interest rate risks. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or obligor will not make timely payments of principal and interest. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The Fund is subject to greater levels of credit risk to the extent it holds below investment grade debt securities, or “junk bonds.” Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of a fixed income security will fall when interest rates rise. In general, the longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a fixed income security, the more likely its value will decline.
Emerging Markets Securities Risk – The Fund’s investments in emerging markets securities are considered speculative and subject to heightened risks in addition to the general risks of investing in foreign securities. Unlike more established markets, emerging markets may have governments that are less stable, markets that are less liquid and economies that are less developed. In addition, the securities markets of emerging market countries may consist of companies with smaller market capitalizations and may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; and possible restrictions on repatriation of investment income and capital. Furthermore, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales, and future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization or creation of government monopolies.
Foreign Securities Risk – Investing in foreign securities poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These risks will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. Securities of foreign companies may not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and foreign companies are generally not subject to
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the regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce income received from the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio. Foreign securities may also be more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers. In addition, periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may require the Fund to sell such investments at inopportune times, which could result in losses to the Fund.
Derivatives Risk – The Fund’s use of futures contracts, forward contracts, options and swaps is subject to market risk, leverage risk, correlation risk, hedging risk and liquidity risk. Market risk is the risk that the market value of an investment may move up and down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Leverage risk is the risk that the use of leverage may amplify the effects of market volatility on the Fund’s share price and may also cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations. Correlation risk is the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly or at all with the underlying asset, rate or index. Hedging risk is the risk that derivative instruments used for hedging purposes may also limit any potential gain that may result from the increase in value of the hedged asset. To the extent that the Fund engages in hedging strategies, there can be no assurance that such strategy will be effective or that there will be a hedge in place at any given time. Liquidity risk is described elsewhere in this section. The Fund’s use of forwards and swaps is also subject to credit risk and valuation risk. Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a derivative contract will default or otherwise become unable to honor a financial obligation. Valuation risk is the risk that the derivative may be difficult to value. Each of these risks could cause the Fund to lose more than the principal amount invested in a derivative instrument.
Short Sales Risk – A short sale involves the sale of a security that the Fund does not own in the expectation of purchasing the same security (or a security exchangeable therefore) at a later date at a lower price. Short sales expose the Fund to the risk that it will be required to buy the security sold short (also known as “covering” the short position) at a time when the security has appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. Investment in short sales may also cause the Fund to incur expenses related to borrowing securities. Reinvesting proceeds received from short selling may create leverage which can amplify the effects of market volatility on the Fund and, therefore, the Fund’s share price. Theoretically, uncovered short sales have the potential to expose the Fund to unlimited losses.
Equity Risk – Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response.
Warrants Risk – Warrants are instruments that entitle the holder to buy an equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time. Warrants may be more speculative than other types of investments. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and an investment in a warrant may therefore create greater potential for capital loss than an investment in the underlying security. A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.
Liquidity Risk – Certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like. The Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash, or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on Fund management or performance.
Small-and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk – The small- and mid-capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, investments in these small- and mid-sized companies may pose additional risks, including liquidity risk, because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.
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Large-Capitalization Company Risk – The large capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may lag the performance of smaller capitalization companies because large capitalization companies may experience slower rates of growth than smaller capitalization companies and may not respond as quickly to market changes and opportunities.
Absolute Return Strategy Risk – The Fund’s absolute return strategy may cause the Fund to underperform compared to equity or fixed income markets or other mutual funds that do not utilize an absolute return strategy. For example, in rising markets, the Fund’s short positions may significantly impact the Fund’s overall performance and cause the Fund to underperform or sustain losses. Periodic underperformance is to be expected and is a result of the Fund’s overall hedging techniques employed for the absolute return strategy. Additionally, there is a risk that the Adviser will be unable to construct a portfolio that limits the Fund’s exposure to market movements, and as a result, the Fund’s performance may reflect general market movements.
Foreign Currency Risk – As a result of the Fund’s investments in securities or other investments denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies, the Fund will be subject to currency risk. Currency risk is the risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, in which case, the dollar value of an investment in the Fund would be adversely affected.
Preferred Stock Risk – Preferred stocks are sensitive to interest rate changes, and are also subject to equity risk, which is the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. The rights of preferred stocks on the distribution of a company’s assets in the event of a liquidation are generally subordinate to the rights associated with a company’s debt securities.
Regional Focus Risk – To the extent that it focuses its investments in a particular geographic region, the Fund may be more susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within that region. As a result, the Fund may be subject to greater price volatility and risk of loss than a fund holding more geographically diverse investments.
Portfolio Turnover Risk – Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently. Such a strategy often involves higher expenses, including brokerage commissions, and may increase the amount of capital gains (in particular, short-term gains) realized by the Fund. Shareholders may pay tax on such capital gains.
ETF Risk – ETFs are pooled investment vehicles, such as registered investment companies and grantor trusts, whose shares are listed and traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges or otherwise traded in the over-the-counter market. To the extent that the Fund invests in ETFs, the Fund will be subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities in which the ETF invests, and the value of the Fund’s investment will fluctuate in response to the performance of the ETF’s holdings. ETFs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in ETFs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the ETFs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. Because the value of ETF shares depends on the demand in the market, shares may trade at a discount or premium to their net asset value (“NAV”) and the Adviser may not be able to liquidate the Fund’s holdings at the most optimal time, which could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Money Market Instruments Risk – The value of money market instruments may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the credit ratings of the investments. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. A money market fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the fund, and there should be no expectation that the sponsor will provide financial support to the fund at any time. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for the Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit the Fund from redeeming shares when the Adviser would otherwise redeem shares. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
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Market Risk – The prices of and the income generated by the Fund’s securities may decline in response to, among other things, investor sentiment, general economic and market conditions, regional or global instability, and currency and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, the impact of any military action, epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund.
Frequent Trading Risk - The Fund’s frequent trading strategy will result in high portfolio turnover and may be more likely to result in realized capital gains that must be distributed to shareholders as taxable income and in increased brokerage and other transaction costs.
Quantitative Security Selection Risk - The Adviser uses a quantitative model as a part of the Fund’s investment strategy, and its processes and securities selection could be adversely affected if it relies on erroneous or outdated data. In addition, securities selected using the quantitative model could perform differently from the financial markets as a whole as a result of the characteristics used in the analysis, the weight placed on each characteristic, and changes in the characteristic’s historical trends.
Performance Information
The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Fund from year-to-year and by showing how the average annual returns for 1-year, 5-years, and since inception of the Fund compare with those of the FTSE 1-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. The performance shown in bar chart and table for periods prior to November 1, 2021 represents the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Westwood Alternative Income Fund, a series of The Advisors’ Inner Circle Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”). The Fund is the successor to the Predecessor Fund through a reorganization with the Fund on November 1, 2021. How the Fund and the Predecessor Fund have performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.westwoodfunds.com or by calling 1-877-FUND-WHG (1-877-386-3944).
Year | Return |
Annual Return 2016 | 5.23% |
Annual Return 2017 | 0.59% |
Annual Return 2018 | 0.42% |
Annual Return 2019 | 8.37% |
Annual Return 2020 | 7.47% |
Annual Return 2021 | 3.07% |
Annual Return 2022 | -1.22% |
* | The Fund’s year-to-date return through December 31, 2022 was (1.22)%. |
Best Quarter | Worst Quarter |
3.48% | (2.76)% |
(6/30/2016) | (3/31/2020) |
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Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2022
This table compares the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022 to those of an appropriate broad-based index.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).
WESTWOOD ALTERNATIVE INCOME FUND – INSTITUTIONAL |
|
1 Year | |
5 Years | |
Since
Inception (May 1, 2015) |
Fund Returns Before Taxes | (1.22)% | 3.55% | 3.07% | |||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions | (7.13)% | 1.51% | 1.39% | |||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (0.73)% | 1.89% | 1.66% | |||
FTSE 1-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 1.48% | 1.20% | 0.91% |
Investment Adviser
Westwood Management Corp. is the Fund’s investment adviser.
Portfolio Managers
The Fund is managed by a portfolio team. The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are as follows:
Mr. Adrian Helfert, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Multi-Asset Portfolios, has managed the Fund since 2020.*
Mr. Christopher Hartman, Vice President Portfolio Manager of the Multi-Asset Portfolios, has managed the Fund since 2021.*
* | Including managing the Predecessor Fund through its reorganization into the Fund on November 1, 2021. |
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to the “Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation” section of the Prospectus.
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WESTWOOD SMALLCAP GROWTH FUND
Fund Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Westwood SmallCap Growth Fund (the “Fund” or the “SmallCap Growth Fund”) seeks to achieve long-term capital growth.
Fund Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Institutional Shares of the Fund. You may be required to pay commissions and/or other forms of compensation to a broker for transactions in Institutional Shares, which are not reflected in the table or the example below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Institutional Shares | ||
Management Fees | 0.55% | |
Other Expenses | 1.02% | |
Administrative Services Plan Fees | 0.20% | |
Other Operating Expenses | 0.82% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.57% | |
Less Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements1 | (0.82)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Reductions and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.75% |
1 | Westwood Management Corp. (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to reduce fees and reimburse expenses in order to keep Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Institutional Shares ((excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, Rule 12b-1 distribution fees (if any), administrative servicing fees (if any), borrowing expenses such as dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, costs to organize the Fund, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and extraordinary expenses (collectively, “excluded expenses”)) from exceeding 0.55% of the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average daily net assets until March 1, 2024. In addition, the Adviser may receive from the Fund the difference between the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) and the expense cap to recoup all or a portion of its prior fee reductions or expense reimbursements made during the rolling three-year period preceding the date of the recoupment if at any point Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (not including excluded expenses) are below the expense cap (i) at the time of the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement and (ii) at the time of the recoupment. This Agreement may be terminated: (i) by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Ultimus Managers Trust (the “Trust”), for any reason at any time; or (ii) by the Adviser, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Trust, effective as of the close of business on March 1, 2024. This agreement will terminate automatically if the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Adviser is terminated. |
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Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same, and the contractual agreement to limit expenses remains in effect only until March 1, 2024. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
$77 | $415 | $778 | $1,798 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the portfolio turnover rate of the Fund was 860% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of small-capitalization companies, which the Fund defines as those companies within the market capitalization range of the Russell 2000® Index at the time of initial purchase. While the market capitalization range of the Russell 2000® Index changes throughout the year, as of the most recent annual reconstitution of the index on December 31, 2022, the market capitalization range of the companies in the index was between $6.07 million and $7.93 billion. The equity securities in which the Fund invests are primarily common stocks, shares of public real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), and master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). The Fund’s investments in REITs include commercial property REITs and residential mortgage REITs. The Fund’s investments in MLPs will primarily be within the broad energy sector and include MLPs in transportation and shipping, storage, processing, refining, marketing, exploration, production, and mining.
The Fund will invest in small-cap companies that the Adviser believes present attractive opportunities for growth, based on the Adviser’s application of sound economic theory and its assessment of companies’ fundamental attributes. The Adviser utilizes an investment process that combines both quantitative and fundamental approaches to identify securities. The Fund will select companies to buy and sell, based on fundamental attributes such as earnings, book value, and cash flow relative to other securities in the index. As the Adviser constructs the Fund’s portfolio, it does not have set allocations for common stocks, REITs, or MLPs, but does generally aim to be sector neutral versus the Russell 2000® Growth Index. As the Adviser evaluates each investment opportunity, it applies the same investing criteria regardless of the security type and constructs the portfolio by selecting those securities with the most attractive factors described above regardless of security type. The portfolio will be constructed by determining the weight of each security using a combination of its quantitative and fundamental assessment of the attractiveness of the security, including liquidity as part of the Adviser’s security selection process. The Fund generally intends to focus on active selection in the Russell 2000® Growth Index.
The Fund may sell securities to, among other things, secure gains, limit losses, redeploy assets when the Adviser identifies promising opportunities, or manage cash levels in the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund will not necessarily sell a security that appreciated or depreciated outside the Fund’s target capitalization range defined above.
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Principal Risks
As with all mutual funds, there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. A Fund share is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency. The principal risk factors affecting shareholders’ investments in the Fund are set forth below.
Equity Risk – Since it purchases equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. In addition, the impact of any epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund.
● | Small-Capitalization Company Risk – The small-capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, investments in these small-sized companies may pose additional risks, including liquidity risk, because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange. |
Investment Styles Risk – If the Adviser’s assessment of market conditions, or a company’s value or its prospects for exceeding earnings expectations is inaccurate, the Fund could suffer losses or produce poor performance relative to other funds. In addition, “value stocks” can continue to be undervalued by the market for long periods of time. The Fund also pursues, in part, a “growth style” of investing, meaning that the Fund invests in equity securities of companies that the Adviser believes will increase their earnings at a certain rate that is generally higher than the rate expected for non-growth companies. If a growth company does not meet these expectations, the price of its stock may decline significantly, even if it has increased earnings. Many growth companies do not pay dividends. Companies that do not pay dividends often have greater stock price declines during market downturns. Over time, a growth investing style may go in and out of favor, and when out of favor, may cause the Fund to underperform other equity funds that use differing investing styles.
Growth Investing Risk – Growth stocks tend to be more expensive relative to the issuing company’s earnings or assets compared with other types of stocks, reflecting investors’ expectations of future earnings and assets. As a result, they tend to be more sensitive to changes in, or investors’ expectations of, the issuing company’s earnings and can therefore be more volatile.
Market Risk – The prices of and the income generated by the Fund’s securities may decline in response to, among other things, investor sentiment, general economic and market conditions, regional or global instability, and currency and interest rate fluctuations. In addition, the impact of any military action, epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund.
Management Style Risk – The portfolio manager’s method of security selection may not be successful and the Fund may underperform relative to other mutual funds that employ similar investment strategies. In addition, the Adviser may select investments that fail to perform as anticipated.
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MLP Risk – MLPs are limited partnerships in which the ownership units are publicly traded. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to oil and gas industries or other natural resources, but they also may finance other projects. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry or industries, such as the energy industries, the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry or industries. Additional risks of investing in an MLP also include those involved in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation. For example, state law governing partnerships is often less restrictive than state law governing corporations. Accordingly, there may be fewer protections afforded to investors in a MLP than investors in a corporation. For example, investors in MLPs may have limited voting rights or be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of their investment. In addition, MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions which will have the effect of reducing the amount of income paid by the MLP to its investors.
Energy companies are affected by worldwide energy prices and costs related to energy production. These companies may have significant operations in areas at risk for natural disasters, social unrest and environmental damage. These companies may also be at risk for increased government regulation and intervention, energy conservation efforts, litigation and negative publicity and perception.
Energy Sector Risk – Issuers in energy-related industries can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels. Markets for various energy-related commodities can have significant volatility, and are subject to control or manipulation by large producers or purchasers. Companies in the energy sector may need to make substantial expenditures, and to incur significant amounts of debt, in order to maintain or expand their reserves. Oil and gas exploration and production can be significantly affected by natural disasters as well as changes in exchange rates, interest rates, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. These companies may be at risk for environmental damage claims. Issuers in the energy sector may also be impacted by changing investor and consumer preferences arising from the sector’s potential exposure to sustainability and environmental concerns.
REIT Risk – REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as the following: declines in property values; increases in property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; overbuilding; zoning changes; and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. REIT operating expenses are not reflected in the fee table and example in this Prospectus.
Value Investing Risk – Investments in value stocks present the risk that a stock may decline in value or never reach the value the Adviser believes is its full market value. In addition, the Fund’s value investment style may go out of favor with investors.
New Fund Risk – The Fund was formed in 2021 and has a limited operating history. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy or growing to an economically viable size.
Frequent Trading Risk – The Fund’s frequent trading strategy will result in high portfolio turnover and may be more likely to result in realized capital gains that must be distributed to shareholders as taxable income and in increased brokerage and other transaction costs.
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Performance Information
The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Fund from year-to-year and by showing how the average annual returns for 1-year and since inception of the Fund compare with those of the Russell 2000® Growth Index. How the Fund has performed in the past (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on the Fund’s website at www.westwoodfunds.com or by calling 1-877-FUND-WHG (1-877-386-3944).
Year | Return |
Annual Return 2022 | -24.38% |
* | The Fund’s year-to-date return through December 31, 2022 was (24.38)%. |
Best Quarter | Worst Quarter |
3.53% | (13.22)% |
(12/31/2022) | (6/30/2022) |
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Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2022
This table compares the Fund’s Institutional Shares’ average annual total returns for the periods ended December 31, 2022 to those of an appropriate broad-based index.
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).
WESTWOOD SMALLCAP GROWTH FUND – INSTITUTIONAL | 1 Year | Since
Inception (September 24, 2021) | ||
Fund Returns Before Taxes | (24.38)% | (18.53)% | ||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions | (24.53)% | (18.74)% | ||
Fund Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (14.41)% | (14.09)% | ||
Russell 2000® Value Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) | (26.36)% | (21.67)% |
Investment Adviser
Westwood Management Corp. is the Fund’s investment adviser.
Portfolio Manager
The professional primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund is as follows:
Mr. Adrian Helfert, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Multi-Asset Portfolios, has managed the Fund since its inception in 2021.
For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to the “Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation” section of the Prospectus.
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Summary Information about the Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares, Taxes and Financial Intermediary Compensation
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
To purchase Institutional Shares of a Fund for the first time, you must invest at least $100,000. There is no minimum for subsequent investments.
Institutional Shares of the Funds are offered exclusively to:
● | certain retirement plans established for the benefit of employees and former employees of the Adviser or its affiliates; | |
● | defined benefit retirement plans, endowments or foundations; | |
● | banks and trust companies or law firms acting as trustee or manager for trust accounts; | |
● | investors who purchase shares through asset-based fee programs available through financial intermediaries; | |
● | insurance companies; and | |
● | Institutional Shares shareholders purchasing Institutional Shares through the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions. |
If you own your shares directly, you may redeem your shares on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open for business by contacting the Funds directly by mail at Westwood Funds, 4221 N. 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, NE 68022 or telephone at 1-877-FUND-WHG (1-877-386-3944).
If you own your shares through an account with a broker or other institution, contact that broker or institution to redeem your shares. Your broker or institution may charge a fee for its services in addition to the fees charged by the Funds.
Tax Information
Each Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA, in which case your distribution will be taxed when withdrawn from the tax-deferred account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Funds through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Funds and their related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Funds over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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More Information about Risks
Investing in each Fund involves risk and there is no guarantee that each Fund will achieve its goals. The Adviser’s judgments about the markets, the economy, or companies may not anticipate actual market movements, economic conditions or company performance, and these judgments may affect the return on your investment. In fact, no matter how good of a job the Adviser does, you could lose money on your investment in a Fund, just as you could with similar investments.
The value of your investment in a Fund is based on the value of the securities the Fund holds. These prices change daily due to economic and other events that affect particular companies and other issuers. These price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or lesser depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which they trade. Although each Fund is diversified, the effect on the Fund of a change in the value of a single security will depend on the size of the position within the Fund.
The following is a list of principal risks (“X”) and some non-principal risks (“NP”) that may apply to your investment in a Fund, followed by a description of each risk. Unless otherwise noted, in this section, references to a single Fund apply equally to all applicable Funds. Further information about each Fund’s investment risks is available in the Funds’ Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”):
Risks | Value Fund | MidCap Fund | SMidCap Fund | SmallCap Fund | AllCap Fund | Total Return Fund | Income
Opportunity Fund |
High Income Fund | Alternative
Income Fund |
SmallCap Growth Fund |
Absolute Return Strategy Risk | X | |||||||||
Asset-Backed Securities Risk | X | X | ||||||||
Bank Loans Risk | X | X | ||||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations Risk | X | |||||||||
Convertible Securities Risk | NP | NP | X | X | X | X | NP | |||
Corporate Bond Risk | X | X | ||||||||
Derivatives Risk | NP | NP | X | X | X | X | NP | |||
Emerging Markets Securities Risk | NP | NP | X | X | X | NP | ||||
Energy Sector Risk | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
Equipment Trust Certificates (“ETCs”) and Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (“EETCs”) Risk | X | |||||||||
Equity Risk | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
ETF Risk | NP | X | X | NP | X | X | NP |
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Risks | Value Fund | MidCap Fund | SMidCap Fund | SmallCap Fund | AllCap Fund | Total Return Fund | Income
Opportunity Fund |
High Income Fund | Alternative
Income Fund |
SmallCap Growth Fund |
Fixed Income Risk | X | X | X | X | ||||||
Foreign Company Risk | X | X | X | X | ||||||
Foreign Currency Risk | X | NP | X | X | NP | X | X | X | X | NP |
Foreign Securities Risk | NP | NP | X | X | X | NP | ||||
Frequent Trading Risk | X | X | X | |||||||
Geographic Focus Risk | X | X | ||||||||
Growth Investing Risk | X | |||||||||
High Yield (“Junk”) Bond Risk | X | X | X | X | ||||||
Inflation-Linked Securities Risk | X | X | ||||||||
Investment Style Risk | X | X | X | X | X | |||||
Investment Style Risk (SmallCap Growth Fund) | X | |||||||||
Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) | NP | NP | NP | |||||||
Large-Capitalization Company Risk | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||
LIBOR Replacement Risk | X | |||||||||
Liquidity Risk | X | X | X | X | ||||||
Management Style Risk | X | X | X | |||||||
Market Risk | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Micro-Capitalization Company Risk | X | |||||||||
Mid-Capitalization Company Risk | X | |||||||||
MLP Risk | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
Additional Information Related to Taxation of MLPs | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||
Money Market Instruments Risk | NP | NP | X | NP | ||||||
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk | X | X |
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Risks | Value Fund | MidCap Fund | SMidCap Fund | SmallCap Fund | AllCap Fund | Total Return Fund | Income
Opportunity Fund |
High Income Fund | Alternative
Income Fund |
SmallCap Growth Fund |
New Fund Risk | X | X | X | |||||||
Portfolio Turnover Risk | X | |||||||||
Preferred Stock Risk | NP | NP | X | X | X | NP | ||||
Quantitative Model Risk | NP | |||||||||
Quantitative Security Selection Risk | X | |||||||||
Regional Focus Risk | X | |||||||||
REIT Risk | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
Royalty Trust Risk | NP | NP |
NP | |||||||
Short Sales Risk | X | |||||||||
Small-Capitalization Company Risk | X | X | ||||||||
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||
TBA/Dollar Roll Risk | X | X | ||||||||
U.S. Government Securities Risk | X | X | ||||||||
Value Investing Risk | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||
Warrants Risk | NP | NP | X | X | NP |
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Absolute Return Strategy Risk – The Fund’s absolute return strategy may cause the Fund to underperform compared to equity or fixed income markets or other mutual funds that do not utilize an absolute return strategy. For example, in rising markets, the Fund’s short positions may significantly impact the Fund’s overall performance and cause the Fund to underperform or sustain losses. Periodic underperformance is to be expected and is a result of the Fund’s overall hedging techniques employed for the absolute return strategy. Additionally, there is a risk that the Adviser will be unable to construct a portfolio that limits the Fund’s exposure to market movements, and as a result, the Fund’s performance may reflect general market movements.
Asset-Backed Securities Risk – Asset-backed securities are securities backed by non-mortgage assets such as company receivables, truck and auto loans, leases and credit card receivables. Asset-backed securities may be issued as pass-through certificates, which represent undivided fractional ownership interests in the underlying pools of assets. Therefore, repayment depends largely on the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities. Asset-backed securities entail prepayment risk, which may vary depending on the type of asset, but is generally less than the prepayment risk associated with mortgage-backed securities. Asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable in quality to mortgage assets. If the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, a Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the security. In the event of a default, a Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed.
Bank Loans Risk – Bank loans are arranged through private negotiations between a company and one or more financial institutions (lenders). Investments in bank loans are generally subject to the same risks as investments in other types of debt instruments, including, in many cases, investments in junk bonds. This means bank loans are subject to greater credit risks than other investments, including a greater possibility that the borrower will be adversely affected by changes in market or economic conditions and may default or enter bankruptcy. Bank loans made in connection with highly leveraged transactions, including operating loans, leveraged buyout loans, leveraged capitalization loans and other types of acquisition financing, are subject to greater credit risks than other types of bank loans. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain reliable information about and value any bank loan.
A Fund may invest in bank loans in the form of participations in the loans (participations) and assignments of all or a portion of the loans from third parties (assignments). In connection with purchasing participations, a Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the participation. When a Fund purchases assignments from lenders, the Fund will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan. The Fund may have difficulty disposing of bank loans because, in certain cases, the market for such instruments is not highly liquid. The lack of a highly liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on the value of such instruments and on the Fund’s ability to dispose of the bank loan in response to a specific economic event, such as deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. Furthermore, transactions in many loans settle on a delayed basis, and the Fund may not receive the proceeds from the sale of a loan for a substantial period of time after the sale. As a result, those proceeds will not be available to make additional investments or to meet the Fund’s redemption obligations.
Bank loans may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as a Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws.
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Collateralized Mortgage Obligations Risk – Collateralized mortgage obligations exhibit similar risks to those of mortgage-backed securities but also present certain special risks. Collateralized mortgage obligations are created by dividing the principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages into several revenue streams (tranches) with different priority rights to portions of the underlying mortgage payments. Collateralized mortgage obligation tranches may be specially structured in a manner that provides a variety of investment characteristics, such as yield, effective maturity and interest rate sensitivity. As market conditions change, however, particularly during periods of rapid or unanticipated changes in interest rates, the ability of a collateralized mortgage obligation tranche to provide the anticipated investment characteristics and performance may be significantly reduced. These changes may result in volatility in the market value, and in some instances reduced liquidity, of the collateralized mortgage obligation tranche.
Convertible Securities Risk – Convertible securities are fixed income securities, preferred stocks or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for common stock of the issuer (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at either a stated price or a stated rate. The market values of convertible securities may decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, increase as interest rates decline. A convertible security’s market value, however, tends to reflect the market price of the common stock of the issuing company when that stock price approaches or is greater than the convertible security’s “conversion price.” The conversion price is defined as the predetermined price at which the convertible security could be exchanged for the associated stock. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, the price of the convertible security tends to be influenced more by the yield of the convertible security. Thus, it may not decline in price to the same extent as the underlying common stock. In the event of a liquidation of the issuing company, holders of convertible securities may be paid before the company’s common stockholders but after holders of any senior debt obligations of the company. Consequently, the issuer’s convertible securities generally entail less risk than its common stock but more risk than its debt obligations. Convertible securities may be subordinate to other debt securities issued by the same issuer. Issuers of convertible securities are often not as strong financially as issuers with higher credit ratings. Convertible securities typically provide yields lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Their values may be more volatile than those of non-convertible securities, reflecting changes in the values of the securities into which they are convertible.
Corporate Bond Risk – Corporate bonds respond to economic developments, especially changes in interest rates, as well as perceptions of the creditworthiness and business prospects of individual issuers. Investments in corporate bonds are also subject to the same risks as fixed income securities.
Derivatives Risk – The Fund’s use of futures contracts, forward contracts, options and swaps is subject to derivatives risk. Derivatives are often more volatile than other investments and may magnify a Fund’s gains or losses. There are various factors that affect a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective(s) with derivatives. Successful use of a derivative depends upon the degree to which prices of the underlying assets correlate with price movements in the derivatives the Fund buys or sells. The Fund could be negatively affected if the change in market value of its securities fails to correlate perfectly or at all with the values of the derivatives it purchased or sold. The lack of a liquid secondary market for a derivative may prevent the Fund from closing its derivative positions and could adversely impact its ability to achieve its investment objective(s) or to realize profits or limit losses. Since derivatives may be purchased for a fraction of their value, a relatively small price movement in a derivative may result in an immediate and substantial loss or gain to the Fund. Derivatives are often more volatile than other investments and the Fund may lose more in a derivative than it originally invested in it. Additionally, some derivative instruments are subject to counterparty risk, meaning that the party that issues the derivative may experience a significant credit event and may be unwilling or unable to make timely settlement payments or otherwise honor its obligations.
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Forward Contracts. A forward contract involves a negotiated obligation to purchase or sell a specific security or currency at a future date (with or without delivery required), which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. Forward contracts are not traded on exchanges; rather, a bank or dealer will act as agent or as principal in order to make or take future delivery of a specified lot of a particular security or currency for a Fund’s account. Risks associated with forwards may include: (i) an imperfect correlation between the movement in prices of forward contracts and the securities or currencies underlying them; (ii) an illiquid market for forwards; (iii) difficulty in obtaining an accurate value for the forwards; and (iv) the risk that the counterparty to the forward contract will default or otherwise fail to honor its obligation. Because forwards require only a small initial investment in the form of a deposit or margin, they also involve a high degree of leverage.
Futures Contracts. Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security or asset at a specified future time and at a specified price. Because futures require only a small initial investment in the form of a deposit or margin, they involve a high degree of leverage. Accordingly, the fluctuation of the value of futures in relation to the underlying assets upon which they are based is magnified. Thus, a Fund may experience losses that exceed losses experienced by funds that do not use futures contracts. There may be imperfect correlation, or even no correlation, between price movements of a futures contract and price movements of investments for which futures are used as a substitute, or which futures are intended to hedge. Such lack of correlation may be due to factors unrelated to the value of the investments being substituted or hedged, such as speculative or other pressures on the markets in which these instruments are traded.
While futures contracts are generally liquid instruments, under certain market conditions they may become illiquid. For example, futures exchanges may impose daily or intra-day price change limits and/or limit the volume of trading. Additionally, government regulation may further reduce liquidity through similar trading restrictions. As a result, a Fund may be unable to close out its futures contracts at a time that is advantageous.
Options. Options involve the payment or receipt of a premium by the investor and the corresponding right or obligation, as the case may be, to either purchase or sell the underlying instrument for a specific price at a certain time or during a certain period. Purchasing options involves the risk that the underlying instrument will not change price in the manner expected, so that the investor loses its premium. Selling options involves potentially greater risk because the investor is exposed to the extent of the actual price movement in the underlying instrument rather than only the premium payment received (which could result in a potentially unlimited loss). If a Fund writes a “covered” call option (i.e., a call option on a security in which the Fund holds a long position), the Fund may not participate fully in a rise in market value of the underlying security. If a Fund writes a “covered” put option (i.e., a put option on a security in which the Fund holds a short position), the Fund may not participate fully in a decline in market value of the underlying security. Over-the-counter options also involve counterparty risk.
Swaps. In a swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns, differentials in rates of return or some other amount earned or realized on the “notional amount” of predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. Swaps can involve greater risks than direct investment in securities, because swaps may be leveraged and are subject to counterparty risk and valuation risk. Swaps may also be considered illiquid. It may not be possible for a Fund to liquidate a swap position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses.
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A credit default swap enables a Fund to buy or sell protection against a defined credit event of an issuer. The buyer of a credit default swap is generally obligated to pay the seller a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract in return for a contingent payment upon the occurrence of a credit event with respect to an underlying reference obligation. A Fund may also invest in credit default swap indexes, which are designed to track representative segments of the credit default swap market and provide investors with exposure to specific baskets of issuers. Credit default swaps and credit default swap indexes are subject to the general risks of swaps described above.
Emerging Markets Securities Risk – The Fund’s investments in emerging markets securities are considered speculative and subject to heightened risks in addition to the general risks of investing in foreign securities. Unlike more established markets, emerging markets may have governments that are less stable, markets that are less liquid and economies that are less developed. In addition, the securities markets of emerging market countries may consist of companies with smaller market capitalizations and may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; and possible restrictions on repatriation of investment income and capital. Furthermore, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales, and future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization or creation of government monopolies.
Energy Sector Risk – Issuers in energy-related industries can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels caused by geopolitical events, energy conservation or use of alternative fuel sources, the success of exploration projects, weather or meteorological events, taxes, increased governmental or environmental regulation, resource depletion, rising interest rates, declines in domestic or foreign production, accidents or catastrophic events, or terrorist threats or attacks, among others. Markets for various energy-related commodities can have significant volatility, and are subject to control or manipulation by large producers or purchasers. Companies in the energy sector may need to make substantial expenditures, and to incur significant amounts of debt, in order to maintain or expand their reserves through exploration of new sources of supply, through the development of existing sources, through acquisitions, or through long-term contracts to acquire reserves. Factors adversely affecting producers, refiners, distributors, or others in the energy sector may affect adversely companies that service or supply those entities, either because demand for those services or products is curtailed, or those services or products come under price pressure. Issuers in the energy sector may also be impacted by changing investor and consumer preferences arising from the sector’s potential exposure to sustainability and environmental concerns.
Equipment Trust Certificates (“ETCs”) and Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (“EETCs”) Risk – ETCs are typically issued by railroads, airlines or other transportation firms, and the proceeds of those certificates are used to purchase equipment, such as railroad cars, airplanes or other equipment, which in turn serve as collateral for the related issue of certificates. The equipment subject to a trust generally is leased by a railroad, airline or other business, and rental payments provide the projected cash flow for the repayment of ETCs. EETCs are similar to ETCs, except that the security has been divided into two or more classes, each with different payment priorities and asset claims. Holders of ETCs and EETCs must look to the collateral securing the certificates, and any guarantee provided by the lessee or any parent corporation for the payment of lease amounts, in the case of default in the payment of principal and interest on the certificates. ETCs and EETCs are subject to the risk that the lessee or payee defaults on its payments, and risks related to potential declines in the value of the equipment that serves as collateral for the issue. During periods of deteriorating economic conditions, such as recessions, defaults on payments generally increase, sometimes dramatically.
Equity Risk – Equity securities include public and privately issued equity securities, common and preferred stocks, warrants, rights to subscribe to common stock, convertible securities, interests in master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) and royalty trusts, shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), as well as shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) that attempt to track the price movement of equity indices. Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. Preferred stock provides a fixed dividend that is paid before any dividends are paid to common stock holders, and which takes precedence over
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common stock in the event of a liquidation. Like common stock, preferred stocks represent partial ownership in a company, although preferred stock shareholders do not enjoy any of the voting rights of common stockholders. Also, unlike common stock, a preferred stock pays a fixed dividend that does not fluctuate, although the company does not have to pay this dividend if it lacks the financial ability to do so. Investments in equity securities in general are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of securities convertible into equity securities, such as warrants or convertible debt, is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the credit quality of the issuer and any call provision. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a Fund invests will cause the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) to fluctuate. Investments in equity securities, in general, are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. For example, the outbreak of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, has resulted in significant disruptions to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies, sectors, industries, interest rates and investor sentiment. The U.S. Federal Reserve and the U.S. government have taken numerous measures to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to stimulate the U.S. economy. The ultimate effects of these and other efforts that may be taken may not be known for some time. Economies and financial markets throughout the world have become interconnected which increases the possibility that economic, financial or political events in one country, sector or region could have potentially adverse effects on global economies or markets. Even investments in high quality or “blue chip” stocks can be negatively impacted by poor overall market and economic conditions. COVID-19 also lead to production cutbacks for many companies and coupled with changes in consumer spending fueled by government stimulus, created a supply/demand imbalance and resulted in higher inflation. Inflation negatively affected the prices of higher growth companies (longer duration assets) and benefited higher dividend-paying equities (lower duration assets). Any such impact could adversely affect the value and liquidity of a Fund’s investments, limit severely a Fund’s investment opportunity set, impact a Fund’s ability to satisfy redemption requests, and negatively impact a Fund’s performance. In addition, the outbreak of COVID-19 or similar infectious diseases, and measures taken to mitigate their effects, could result in disruptions to the services provided to a Fund by its service providers, leading to operational delays and failures and additional investment losses. An investment in a portfolio of equity securities may be more suitable for long-term investors who can bear the risk of these share price fluctuations.
ETF Risk – ETFs are pooled investment vehicles, such as registered investment companies and grantor trusts, whose shares are listed and traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges or otherwise traded in the over-the-counter market. To the extent that a Fund invests in ETFs, the Fund will be subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities in which the ETF invests, and the value of the Fund’s investment will fluctuate in response to the performance of the ETF’s holdings. ETFs typically incur fees that are separate from those of a Fund. Accordingly, a Fund’s investments in ETFs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the ETFs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses.
Because the value of ETF shares depends on the demand in the market, shares may trade at a discount or premium to their NAV and the Adviser may not be able to liquidate a Fund’s holdings at the most optimal time, which could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
Fixed Income Risk – The market values of fixed income investments change in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of rising interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income securities generally decrease. This risk may be heightened given the likelihood of increases in interest rates in the future as the U.S. Federal Reserve continues to increase the federal funds rate after a period of historically low rate. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market value fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. During periods of falling interest rates, certain debt obligations with high interest rates may be prepaid (or “called”) by the issuer prior to maturity, and during periods of rising interest rates, certain debt obligations with low interest rates may be extended beyond maturity. A rise in interest rates may also increase volatility and reduce liquidity in the fixed income markets, and result in a decline in the value of the fixed income investments held by the Fund. In addition, reductions in dealer market-making capacity as a result of structural or regulatory changes could further decrease liquidity and/or increase volatility in the fixed income markets. As a result of these market conditions, a Fund’s value may fluctuate and/or a Fund may experience increased redemptions from shareholders, which may impact a Fund’s liquidity or force a Fund to sell securities into a declining or illiquid market.
In addition to these risks, fixed income securities may be subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that an issuer will be unable or unwilling to make timely payments of either principal or interest.
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Foreign Company Risk – Investing in foreign companies, including direct investments and through ADRs, which are traded on U.S. exchanges and represent an ownership interest in a foreign security, poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These risks will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. Securities of foreign companies may not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and foreign companies are generally not subject to the regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce income received from the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio. Foreign securities may also be more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers. In addition, periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may require the Fund to sell such investments at inopportune times, which could result in losses to the Fund. While ADRs provide an alternative to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their respective national markets and currencies, investments in ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.
Foreign Currency Risk – Because non-U.S. securities are usually denominated in currencies other than the dollar, the value of a Fund’s portfolio may be influenced by currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations. The currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by the Fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.
Foreign Securities Risk – Investing in foreign securities, including direct investments and through ADRs, which are traded on exchanges and represent an ownership interest in a foreign security, poses additional risks since political and economic events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These risks will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. Securities of foreign companies may not be registered with the SEC and foreign companies are generally not subject to the regulatory controls imposed on U.S. issuers and, as a consequence, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign securities than is available about domestic securities. Income from foreign securities owned by the Fund may be reduced by a withholding tax at the source, which tax would reduce income received from the securities comprising the Fund’s portfolio. Foreign securities may also be more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers. In addition, periodic U.S. Government restrictions on investments in issuers from certain foreign countries may require the Fund to sell such investments at inopportune times, which could result in losses to the Fund. While ADRs provide an alternative to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their respective national markets and currencies, investments in ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, such as individual country risk, currency exchange risk, volatility risk, inflation risk, and liquidity risk
Frequent Trading Risk The Fund’s frequent trading strategy will result in high portfolio turnover and may be more likely to result in realized capital gains that must be distributed to shareholders as taxable income. High turnover may also cause the Fund to pay more brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which may detract from performance. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and the amount of brokerage commissions it pays will vary over time-based on market conditions.
Geographic Focus Risk – To the extent that it focuses its investments in a particular country or geographic region, a Fund may be more susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within that country or geographic region. As a result, the Fund may be subject to greater price volatility and risk of loss than a fund holding more geographically diverse investments.
Growth Investing Risk – Growth stocks tend to be more expensive relative to the issuing company’s earnings or assets compared with other types of stocks, reflecting investors’ expectations of future earnings and assets. As a result, they tend to be more sensitive to changes in, or investors’ expectations of, the issuing company’s earnings and can therefore be more volatile.
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High Yield (“Junk”) Bond Risk – High yield, or “junk,” bonds are highly speculative securities that are usually issued by smaller, less creditworthy and/or highly leveraged (indebted) companies. Compared with investment-grade bonds, high yield bonds are considered to carry a greater degree of risk and are considered to be less likely to make payments of interest and principal. In particular, lower-quality high yield bonds (rated CCC, CC, C, or unrated securities judged to be of comparable quality) are subject to a greater degree of credit risk than higher-quality high yield bonds and may be near default. High yield bonds rated D are in default. Market developments and the financial and business conditions of the corporation issuing these securities generally influence their price and liquidity more than changes in interest rates, when compared to investment-grade debt securities.
Inflation-Linked Securities Risk – The value of inflation-linked securities is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates (the market rate of interest less the anticipated rate of inflation). Real interest rates change over time as a result of many factors, such as currency exchange rates, central bank monetary policies and general economic conditions. In general, the price of an inflation-linked security tends to decrease when real interest rates increase and can increase when real interest rates decrease. Interest payments on inflation-linked securities are unpredictable and will fluctuate as the principal and interest are adjusted for inflation. Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-linked debt security will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though a Fund will not receive the principal until maturity. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of TIPS. For bonds that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.
There can also be no assurance that the inflation index used will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. A Fund’s investments in inflation-linked securities may lose value in the event that the actual rate of inflation is different than the rate of the inflation index. In addition, inflation-linked securities are subject to the risk that the CPI or other relevant pricing index may be discontinued, fundamentally altered in a manner materially adverse to the interests of an investor in the securities, altered by legislation or Executive Order in a materially adverse manner to the interests of an investor in the securities or substituted with an alternative index.
Investment Style Risk – The Fund pursues, at least in part, a “value style” of investing. Value investing focuses on companies with stocks that appear undervalued in light of factors such as the company’s earnings, book value, revenues or cash flow. If the Adviser’s assessment of market conditions, or a company’s value or its prospects for exceeding earnings expectations is inaccurate, the Fund could suffer losses or produce poor performance relative to other funds. In addition, “value stocks” can continue to be undervalued by the market for long periods of time.
Investment Style Risk (SmallCap Growth Fund) – The Fund pursues, at least in part, a “value style” of investing. Value investing focuses on companies with stocks that appear undervalued in light of factors such as the company’s earnings, book value, revenues or cash flow. If the Adviser’s assessment of market conditions, or a company’s value or its prospects for exceeding earnings expectations is inaccurate, the Fund could suffer losses or produce poor performance relative to other funds. In addition, “value stocks” can continue to be undervalued by the market for long periods of time. The Fund pursues, in part, a “growth style” of investing, meaning that the Fund invests in equity securities of companies that the Adviser believes will increase their earnings at a certain rate that is generally higher than the rate expected for non-growth companies. If a growth company does not meet these expectations, the price of its stock may decline significantly, even if it has increased earnings. Many growth companies do not pay dividends. Companies that do not pay dividends often have greater stock price declines during market downturns. Over time, a growth investing style may go in and out of favor, and when out of favor, may cause the Fund to underperform other equity funds that use differing investing styles.
Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) – The Fund may invest in securities offered in initial public offerings (IPOs) are subject to many of the same risks of investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations and often to a heightened degree. Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and information about the companies may be available for very limited periods. In addition, the prices of securities sold in IPOs may be highly volatile. At any particular time or from time to time, a fund may not be able to invest in securities issued in IPOs, or invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion (if any) of the securities being offered in an IPO may be made available to a fund. There is no assurance that any particular IPO will be successful, or that any gains will be sustainable. Investors should not rely on past gains attributable to IPOs as an indication of future performance.
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Large-Capitalization Company Risk – Large-capitalization companies are those above $5 billion capitalization value at the time of purchase. The large-capitalization companies in which a Fund may invest may lag the performance of smaller capitalization companies because large-capitalization companies may experience slower rates of growth than smaller capitalization companies and may not respond as quickly to market changes and opportunities.
LIBOR Replacement Risk – The elimination of the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) may adversely affect the interest rates on, and value of, certain Fund investments for which the value is tied to LIBOR. Such investments may include bank loans, derivatives, floating rate securities, and other assets or liabilities tied to LIBOR. Over the last several years global regulators have indicated an intent to phase out the use of LIBOR. The administrator of LIBOR ceased publication of most LIBOR settings on a representative basis at the end of 2021 and will cease publication of the U.S. dollar LIBOR settings on a representative basis after June 30, 2023. There remains uncertainty regarding the future of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate. Alternatives to LIBOR are established or in development in most major currencies, including the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), which the U.S. Federal Reserve has announced will replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates. There remains uncertainty regarding the future of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserve’s Alternative Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), which will replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates. Questions around liquidity impacted by these rates, and how to appropriately adjust these rates at the time of transition, remain a concern for the Funds. The effect of any changes to, or discontinuation of, LIBOR on the Funds will vary depending on, among other things, (1) existing fallback or termination provisions in individual contracts and (2) whether, how, and when industry participants develop and adopt new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products and instruments. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR on the Funds until new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products, instruments and contracts are commercially accepted.
Liquidity Risk – Certain investments and types of investments are subject to restrictions on resale, may trade in the over-the-counter market or in limited volume, or may not have an active trading market. In addition, at times all or a large portion of segments of the market may not have an active trading market due to adverse market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical and other conditions, including investors trying to sell large quantities of a particular investment or type of investment, or lack of market makers or other buyers for a particular investment or type of investment. At times, all or a significant portion of a market may not have an active trading market. Without an active trading market where frequent and large purchase and sale transactions of a security occur without significantly affecting the price of that security, it may be difficult to value and impossible to sell these investments, and a Fund may have to sell such an investment at a price or time that is not advantageous in order to meet redemptions or other cash needs. The price of illiquid securities may be more volatile than more liquid investments.
Management Style Risk – The portfolio manager’s method of security selection may not be successful and the Fund may underperform relative to other mutual funds that employ similar investment strategies. In addition, the Adviser may select investments that fail to perform as anticipated. The ability of the Fund to meet its investment objective is directly related to the success of the Adviser’s investment process and there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of a particular investment for the Fund will be correct or produce the desired results.
Market Risk – The risk that the market value of an investment may move up and down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. A Fund’s NAV per share will fluctuate with the market prices of its portfolio securities. Market risk may affect a single issuer, an industry, a sector or the equity or bond market as a whole. Markets for securities in which a Fund invests may decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, economic or other developments that may cause broad changes in market value, public perceptions concerning these developments, and adverse investor sentiment or publicity. Similarly, the impact of any military action, epidemic, pandemic or natural disaster, or widespread fear that such events may occur, could negatively affect the global
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economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial performance of individual companies and sectors, and the markets in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund’s performance and cause losses on your investment in the Fund. Recent examples include pandemic risks related to COVID-19 and aggressive measures taken worldwide in response by governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines of large populations, and by businesses, including changes to operations and reducing staff. The duration and lastion impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is unclear and may not be fully known for some time. Likewise, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 caused increased volatility in various financial markets, the lasting impact of which may not be fully know for some time. .
Micro-Capitalization Company Risk – Micro-capitalization companies are those with a capitalization range of the Russell Microcap Index, and while the market capitalization range of the Russell Microcap Index changes throughout the year, as of the most recent annual reconstitution of the index on December 31, 2022, the market capitalization range of the companies in the index was between $3.96 million and $5.10 billion. Therefore, micro-capitalization companies may be less financially secure than large-, mid- and small-capitalization companies and may be more vulnerable to key personnel losses due to reliance on a smaller number of management personnel. In addition, there may be less public information available about these companies. Micro-cap stock prices may be more volatile than large-, mid- and small-capitalization companies and such stocks may be more thinly traded and thus difficult for the Fund to buy and sell in the market.
Mid-Capitalization Company Risk – Mid-capitalization companies are those with a capitalization range of the Russell Midcap® Index, and while the market capitalization range of the Russell Midcap® Index changes throughout the year, as of the most recent annual reconstitution of the index on December 31, 2022, the market capitalization range of the companies in the index was between $652.98 million and $52.82 billion. The mid-capitalization companies in which the Fund may invest may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, investments in these mid-sized companies may pose additional risks, including liquidity risk, because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.
MLP Risk – MLPs are limited partnerships in which the ownership units are publicly traded. MLPs often own several properties or businesses (or own interests) that are related to oil and gas industries or other natural resources, but they also may finance other projects. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry or industries, such as the energy industries, the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry or industries. Additional risks of investing in an MLP also include those involved in investing in a partnership as opposed to a corporation. For example, state law governing partnerships is often less restrictive than state law governing corporations. Accordingly, there may be fewer protections afforded to investors in an MLP than investors in a corporation; for example, investors in MLPs may have limited voting rights or be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of their investment. In addition, MLPs may be subject to state taxation in certain jurisdictions which will have the effect of reducing the amount of income paid by the MLP to its investors. A Fund’s investment in MLPs may result in the layering of expenses, such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the MLPs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. MLP operating expenses are not reflected in the fee tables and examples in this Prospectus. MLPs may be negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or miliary actions. As with other serious economic disruptions, government authorities and regulators have responded to this crisis with significant government regulation and intervention, including quarantines, travel restrictions, temporary business closures and other similar protective actions. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the volume of products sold, the level of services provided by midstream companies and the supply and demand for hydrocarbon products. In addition, the disruption of a company’s operations due to labor constraints or a supply disruption of required maintenance items can negatively affect MLPs, which could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investment in MLPs and negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Likewise, the Russion invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 caused increased volatility in various financial markets. In response to the invasion, government authorities and regulators imposed sanctions on Russia that ultimately affected the global economy. The continuation of this conflict and corresponding sanctions could adversely affect the Fund.
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Additional Information Related to Taxation of MLPs – MLPs generally do not pay U.S. federal income tax at the partnership level. Rather, each partner in an MLP is allocated a share of the MLP’s income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses. A change in current tax law, or a change in the underlying business mix of a given MLP, could result in an MLP being treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which would result in such MLP being required to pay U.S. federal income tax on its taxable income. The classification of an MLP as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes would have the effect of reducing the amount of cash available for distribution by the MLP. Thus, if any of the MLPs owned by the Fund were treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it could result in a reduction in the value of your investment in the Fund and lower income.
If an MLP is treated as a partnership, then for each tax year, the MLP will allocate its net profits and net losses (and corresponding tax items) to its partners in accordance with its partnership agreement. The allocation occurs whether or not the MLP makes a distribution to its partners. Each partner in the MLP reports its share of the tax items on its income tax return. If an MLP makes a cash distribution to a partner, then the partner recognizes no income from the distribution if the amount of the distribution is equal to or less than the partner’s adjusted tax basis in its ownership interest. Any cash distributed in excess of the partner’s adjusted tax basis is taxed as capital gain. A partner’s adjusted tax basis in its MLP interest is the value of its initial contribution to the MLP, plus annual allocations of income and any additional capital contributions made by a partner to the MLP, minus annual allocations of losses and deductions and any distributions to the partners. In general, any gain or loss from the sale of an ownership interest in an MLP is capital gain or loss. However, some of the gain may be ordinary income if the MLP holds certain ordinary income producing assets, such as depreciable tangible personal property and certain contracts.
Unlike direct investments in MLPs, income and losses from the Fund’s investments in MLPs will not directly flow through to the personal tax returns of shareholders. Rather, the Fund will report distributions from its investments, including MLPs, made to shareholders annually on Form 1099. If additional information becomes available regarding the characterization of a distribution after 1099s have been printed and mailed, it may be necessary to provide shareholders with a corrected 1099.
Money Market Instruments Risk - The value of money market instruments may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the credit ratings of the investments. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency. A money market fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the fund, and there should be no expectation that the sponsor will provide financial support to the fund at any time. Certain money market funds float their NAV while others seek to preserve the value of investments at a stable NAV (typically, $1.00 per share). An investment in a money market fund, even an investment in a fund seeking to maintain a stable NAV per share, is not guaranteed and it is possible for a Fund to lose money by investing in these and other types of money market funds. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent a Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts the Fund redeems from the money market fund (i.e., impose a liquidity fee). These measures may result in an investment loss or prohibit a Fund from redeeming shares when the Adviser would otherwise redeem shares. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk – Mortgage-backed securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage-backed security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase, exacerbating its decrease in market price. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage-backed securities may not gain as much in market value because of the expectation of additional mortgage prepayments, which must be reinvested at lower interest rates.
New Fund Risk – The Fund was formed in 2021 and has a limited operating history. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy or growing to an economically viable.
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Portfolio Turnover Risk – Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities frequently. Such a strategy often involves higher expenses, including brokerage commissions, and may increase the amount of capital gains (in particular, short-term gains) realized by the Fund. Shareholders may pay tax on such capital gains.
Preferred Stock Risk – The Fund may invest in preferred stocks. Preferred stocks are sensitive to interest rate changes, and are also subject to equity risk, which is the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. The rights of preferred stocks on the distribution of a company’s assets in the event of a liquidation are generally subordinate to the rights associated with a company’s debt securities.
Quantitative Model Risk – Some aspects of the Fund’s strategy rely on quantitative models and the analysis of specific metrics in constructing the Fund’s portfolio. The impact of these metrics on a stock’s performance can be difficult to predict, and stocks that previously possessed certain desirable quantitative characteristics may not continue to demonstrate those same characteristics in the future. In addition, relying on quantitative models entails the risk that the models themselves may be limited or incorrect, that the data on which the models rely may be incorrect or incomplete, and that the Adviser may not be successful in selecting companies for investment or determining the weighting of particular stocks in the Fund’s portfolio. Any of these factors could cause the Fund to underperform funds with similar strategies that do not select stocks based on quantitative analysis.
Quantitative Security Selection Risk The Adviser uses a quantitative model as a part of the Fund’s investment strategy, and its processes could be adversely affected if erroneous or outdated data is utilized. In addition, securities selected using a quantitative model could perform differently from the financial markets as a whole as a result of the characteristics used in the analysis, the weight placed on each characteristic, and changes in the characteristic’s historical trends. The factors used in such analyses may not be predictive of a security’s value, and its effectiveness can change over time. These changes may not be reflected in the quantitative model. In addition, data for some issuers may be less available and/or less current than data for issuers in other markets.
Regional Focus Risk – To the extent that the Fund focuses its investments in a particular geographic region, the Fund may be more susceptible to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within that region. As a result, the Fund may be subject to greater price volatility and risk of loss than a fund holding more geographically diverse investments.
REIT Risk – REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as the following: declines in property values; increases in property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; overbuilding; zoning changes; and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those of the Funds. Accordingly, a Fund’s investments in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. REIT operating expenses are not reflected in the fee tables and examples in this Prospectus.
Some REITs may have limited diversification and may be subject to risks inherent in financing a limited number of properties. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions, and may be subject to defaults by borrowers and to self-liquidations. In addition, a REIT may be affected by its failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or its failure to maintain exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). REITs have been and may continue to be negatively affected by the COVID pandemic. As with other serious economic disruptions, government authorities and regulators are responding to this crisis with significant political, fiscal and monetary policy changes, including moratoriums on rents and evictions. Further, the COVID pandemic has weakened the financial condition of many tenants that could result in tenants seeking the protection of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, which could result in the rejection and termination of leases and thereby causing a reduction in rent payments. Lower rental income as a result of any of these situations can negatively affect a REIT, which could adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investment in the REIT and negatively impact the Fund’s performance.
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Royalty Trust Risk – The Fund may invest in royalty trusts. A royalty trust generally acquires an interest in natural resource companies and distributes the income it receives to the investors of the royalty trust. A sustained decline in demand for crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products could adversely affect income and royalty trust revenues and cash flows. Factors that could lead to a decrease in market demand include a recession or other adverse economic conditions, an increase in the market price of the underlying commodity, higher taxes or other regulatory actions that increase costs, or a shift in consumer demand for such products. A rising interest rate environment could adversely impact the performance of royalty trusts. Rising interest rates could limit the capital appreciation of royalty trusts because of the increased availability of alternative investments at more competitive yields. The Fund’s investment in royalty trusts may result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the royalty trusts’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. Royalty trust operating expenses are not reflected in the fee table and example in the Prospectus.
Short Sales Risk – Short sales are transactions in which a Fund sells a security it does not own. The Fund must borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. The Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed by purchasing the security at the market price at the time of replacement. The price at such time may be higher or lower than the price at which the security was sold by the Fund. If the underlying security goes down in price between the time the Fund sells the security and buys it back, the Fund will realize a gain on the transaction. Conversely, if the underlying security goes up in price during the period, the Fund will realize a loss on the transaction. Because the market price of the security sold short could increase without limit, the Fund could be subject to an unlimited loss. The risk of such price increases is the principal risk of engaging in short sales.
In addition, a Fund’s investment performance may suffer if the Fund is required to close out a short position earlier than it had intended. This would occur if the securities lender required the Fund to deliver the securities the Fund borrowed and the Fund was unable to borrow the securities from another securities lender or otherwise obtain the security by other means. Moreover, a Fund may be subject to expenses related to short sales that are not typically associated with investing in securities directly, such as costs of borrowing and margin account maintenance costs associated with the Fund’s open short positions. These expenses negatively impact the performance of the Fund. For example, when a Fund short sells an equity security that pays a dividend, it is obligated to pay the dividend on the security it has sold. Furthermore, a Fund may be required to pay a premium or interest to the lender of the security. The forgoing types of short sale expenses are sometimes referred to as the “negative cost of carry,” and will tend to cause the Fund to lose money on a short sale even in instances where the price of the underlying security sold short does not change over the duration of the short sale. A Fund is also required to segregate other assets on its books to cover its obligation to return the security to the lender which means that those other assets may not be available to meet the Fund’s needs for immediate cash or other liquidity.
Small-Capitalization Company Risk – The small-capitalization companies in which the Fund invests may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, investments in these small-sized companies may pose additional risks, including liquidity risk, because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.
Small-and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk – Small-capitalization companies are those with a capitalization range of the Russell 2000® Index, and while the market capitalization range of the Russell 2000® Index changes throughout the year, as of the most recent annual reconstitution of the index on December 31, 2022, the market capitalization range of the companies in the index was between $6.07 million and $7.93 billion. Small-and mid-capitalization companies are those with a capitalization range of the Russell 2500® Index, and while the market capitalization range of the Russell 2500® Index changes throughout the year, as of the most recent annual reconstitution of the index on December 31, 2022, the market capitalization range of the companies in the index was between $6.07 million and $20.36 billion. The small- and mid-capitalization companies in which a Fund may invest may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies. In particular, investments in these small- and mid-sized companies may pose additional risks, including liquidity risk, because these companies tend to have limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and may depend upon a relatively small management group. Therefore, small- and mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than those of larger companies. These securities may be traded over-the-counter or listed on an exchange.