JULY 29
PROSPECTUS
MetWest AlphaTrak 500 Fund
(M Share: MWATX)
MetWest Corporate Bond Fund
(I Share: MWCBX; M Share: MWCSX)
MetWest ESG Securitized Fund
(I Share: MWESX; M Share: MWERX)
MetWest Flexible Income Fund
(I Share: MWFEX; M Share: MWFSX)
MetWest Floating Rate Income Fund
(I Share: MWFLX; M Share: MWFRX; Plan Share: MWFPX)
MetWest High Yield Bond Fund
(I Share: MWHIX; M Share: MWHYX)
MetWest Intermediate Bond Fund
(I Share: MWIIX; M Share: MWIMX)
MetWest Investment Grade Credit Fund
(I Share: MWIGX; M Share: MWISX)
MetWest Low Duration Bond Fund
(I Share: MWLIX; M Share: MWLDX; Admin Share: MWLNX)
MetWest Opportunistic High Income Credit Fund
(I Share: MWOPX; M Share: MWORX)
MetWest Strategic Income Fund
(I Share: MWSIX; M Share: MWSTX)
MetWest Total Return Bond Fund
(I Share: MWTIX; I-2 Share: MWTTX; M Share: MWTRX; Admin
Share: MWTNX; Plan Share: MWTSX)
MetWest Ultra Short Bond Fund
(I Share: MWUIX; M Share: MWUSX)
MetWest Unconstrained Bond Fund
(I Share: MWCIX; M Share: MWCRX; Plan Share: MWCPX)
Metropolitan West Asset
Management, LLC
Investment Adviser
As with all mutual funds,
the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved
these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
MW-FUNDP_0722
1
Metropolitan
West AlphaTrak 500 Fund
Investment
Objective
The
AlphaTrak 500 Fund seeks to achieve a total return that exceeds the total return
of the S&P 500 Index.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
The
table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold
and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage
commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected
in the tables and examples below.
Shareholder
Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)
None.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the
value of your investment)
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M Class |
Management
Fees1 |
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0.40% |
Distribution
(12b-1) Fees |
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0.00% |
Other
Expenses |
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0.30% |
Shareholder
Servicing Expenses2 |
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0.05% |
Acquired
Fund Fees and Expenses |
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0.02% |
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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0.72% |
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement3 |
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(0.25)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement |
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0.47% |
1 |
Effective
February 1, 2022, the management fee paid to Metropolitan West Asset
Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) for providing services to the Fund is
0.40% of average daily net assets of the Fund. Prior to this date, the
management fee consisted of a basic fee at an annual rate of 0.35% of the
Fund’s average net assets and a positive or negative performance
adjustment of up to an annual rate of 0.35% (applied to the average assets
for the rolling 3-month performance period), resulting in a total minimum
fee of 0% and a total maximum fee of 0.70%. The average monthly management
fee for the year ended March 31, 2022 was 0.10% (annual
rate). |
2 |
The
Fund is authorized to compensate broker-dealers and other third-party
intermediaries up to 0.10% (10 basis points) of the M Class assets
serviced by those intermediaries for shareholder
services. |
3 |
The
Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce advisory fees and/or reimburse
expenses, including distribution expenses, to limit the Fund’s total
annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage
commissions, short sale dividend expenses, acquired fund fees and
expenses, and any expenses incurred in connection with any merger or
reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) to the net
expenses shown in the table for the applicable share class. The Adviser
may recoup reduced fees and expenses only within three years of the waiver
or reimbursement, provided that the recoupment does not cause the Fund’s
annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense
limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver
and/ |
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or expense reimbursement
or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment.
This contract will remain in place until July 31,
2023. Although it does not expect to do so, the Board of
Trustees is permitted to terminate that contract sooner in its discretion
with written notice to the
Adviser. |
Example
This
example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses
remain the same. The cost for the Fund reflects the net expenses of the Fund
that result from the contractual expense limitation in the first year only
(through July 31, 2023). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower,
based on these assumptions your costs would be:
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1 Year |
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3 Years |
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5 Years |
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10 Years |
Class M |
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$48 |
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$205 |
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$376 |
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$871 |
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
94% of the average value of its
portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies
The
Fund is an enhanced S&P 500 Index fund that combines a fixed-income
portfolio with non-leveraged investments in S&P 500 Index futures. The
Adviser actively manages the fixed-income portfolio in an effort to produce an
investment return that, when combined with the Fund’s return on the S&P 500
Index futures, will exceed the total return of the S&P 500 Index. The Fund
may also use S&P 500 swap contracts or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that
track the S&P 500 Index together or in lieu of the S&P 500 Index
futures. The Fund is not designed for investors that are sensitive to taxable
gains.
The
Fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, in S&P
500 Index futures contracts with a contractual or “notional” value substantially
equal to the
1
Fund’s
total assets and in fixed-income securities. The Fund typically makes margin
deposits with futures commission merchants with a total value equal to
approximately 4% to 5% of the notional value of the futures contracts and
invests the rest of its assets in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income
securities of varying maturities issued by domestic and foreign corporations,
mortgage-related issuers and governments. The portfolio duration is up to three
years and the dollar-weighted average maturity is up to five years. Under normal
circumstances, at least 85% of the Fund’s fixed income investments are
securities rated at least investment grade or unrated securities determined by
the Adviser to be of comparable quality. Up to 15% of the Fund’s fixed income
investments may be invested in securities rated below investment grade (commonly
known as “junk bonds”).
The
Fund invests in the U.S. and abroad, including emerging markets. The Fund may
invest up to 15% of its assets in securities of foreign issuers that are
not denominated in U.S. dollars. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its assets in
emerging market securities.
The
Fund’s investments typically include bonds, notes, mortgage-related and
asset-backed securities (including collateralized debt obligations, which in
turn include collateralized bond obligations and collateralized loan
obligations), bank loans, U.S. and non-U.S. money market securities, swaps
(including credit default swaps), futures, options, private placements,
defaulted debt securities and restricted securities. The Fund’s investments may
have interest rates that are fixed, variable or
floating.
The
Fund may normally borrow or sell securities short up to 25% of the value of its
total assets.
Principal
Risks
Because
the Fund holds securities with fluctuating market prices, the value of the
Fund’s shares will vary as its portfolio securities increase or decrease in
value. Therefore, the value of your investment in the Fund could go down as well
as up. You can lose money by
investing in the Fund.
The
principal risks affecting the Fund that can cause a decline in value are:
• |
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Debt Securities Risk: the risk that the
value of a debt security may increase or decrease as a result of various
factors, including changes in interest rates, actual or perceived
inability or unwillingness of issuers to make principal or interest
payments, market fluctuations and illiquidity in the debt securities
market. |
• |
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Market Risk: the risk that returns from
the securities in which the Fund invests may underperform returns from the
general securities markets or other types of
securities. |
• |
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Credit Risk: the risk that an issuer may
default in the payment of principal and/or interest on a
security. |
• |
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Inflation Risk: the risk that the value
of the Fund’s investments may not keep up with price increases from
inflation. |
• |
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Issuer Risk: the risk that the value of a
security may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer such as
management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the
issuer’s goods or services. |
• |
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Interest Rate Risk: the risk that debt
securities may decline in value because of changes in interest
rates. |
• |
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Price Volatility Risk: the risk that the
value of the Fund’s investment portfolio will change as the prices of its
investments go up or
down. |
• |
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Liquidity Risk: the risk that lack of a
ready market or restrictions on resale may limit the ability of the Fund
to sell a security at an advantageous time or price. In addition, the
Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the Adviser,
may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical
trading volume for that security, which can make it difficult for the Fund
to dispose of the position at an advantageous time or price. Over recent
years, the fixed-income markets have grown more than the ability of
dealers to make markets, which can further constrain liquidity and
increase the volatility of portfolio valuations. High levels of
redemptions in bond funds in response to market conditions could cause
greater losses as a result. Regulations such as the Volcker Rule or future
regulations may further constrain the ability of market participants to
create liquidity, particularly in times of increased market volatility.
The liquidity of the Fund’s assets may change over
time. |
• |
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Valuation Risk: the risk that the
portfolio instruments may be sold at prices different from the values
established by the Fund, particularly for investments that trade in low
volume, in volatile markets or over the counter or that are fair
valued. |
• |
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ETFs and Other Investment Companies Risk:
the risk that investments by the Fund in the shares of other investment
companies, including ETFs, are subject to the risks associated with such
investment companies’ portfolio securities. Accordingly, the Fund’s
investment in shares of another investment company will fluctuate based on
the performance of such investment company’s portfolio securities.
Further, Fund shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of
the expenses of any investment company in which the Fund invests, in
addition to paying the Fund’s
expenses. |
2
• |
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Derivatives Risk: the risk of investing
in derivative instruments, which includes liquidity, interest rate,
market, credit and management risks as well as risks related to mispricing
or improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not
correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, reference rate or index,
and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested. These
investments can create investment leverage and may create additional risks
that may subject the Fund to greater volatility and less liquidity than
investments in more traditional
securities. |
• |
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Leverage Risk: the risk that leverage may
result from certain transactions, including the use of derivatives and
borrowing. This may impair the Fund’s liquidity, cause it to liquidate
positions at an unfavorable time, increase its volatility or otherwise
cause it not to achieve its intended result. To the extent required by
applicable law or regulation, the Fund will reduce leverage risk by either
segregating an equal amount of liquid assets or “covering” the
transactions that introduce such
risk. |
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Counterparty Risk: the risk that the
other party to a contract, such as a derivatives contract, may not fulfill
its contractual obligations. |
• |
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Futures Contracts Risk: the risk of
investing in futures contracts, which includes (1) the imperfect
correlation between a futures contract and the change in market value of
the underlying instrument held by the Fund; (2) a high degree of
leverage because of the low collateral deposits normally involved in
futures trading; (3) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a
futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract
when desired; (4) losses caused by unanticipated market movements,
which are potentially unlimited; and (5) the inability of the Fund to
execute a trade because of the maximum permissible price movements
exchanges may impose on futures
contracts. |
• |
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Swap Agreements Risk: the risk of
investing in swaps, which, in addition to risks applicable to derivatives
generally, includes: (1) the inability to assign a swap contract
without the consent of the counterparty; (2) potential default of the
counterparty to a swap for those not traded through a central
counterparty; (3) absence of a liquid secondary market for any
particular swap at any time; and (4) possible inability of the Fund
to close out a swap transaction at a time that otherwise would be
favorable for it to do so. |
• |
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Junk Bond Risk: the risk that junk bonds
have a higher degree of default risk and may be less liquid and subject to
greater price volatility than investment grade
bonds. |
• |
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Below Investment Grade Mortgage-Backed
Securities Risk: the Fund’s investments in residential
mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) and commercial mortgage-backed
securities (“CMBS”) that are rated below investment grade generally carry
greater liquidity risk than their investment grade counterparts.
Historically, the markets for such below investment grade securities, and
for below investment grade asset-backed securities in general, have been
characterized at times by less liquidity than the market for analogous
investment grade securities, particularly during the financial crisis of
2007 and 2008. |
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Prepayment Risk: the risk that in times
of declining interest rates, the Fund’s higher yielding securities may be
prepaid and the Fund may have to replace them with securities having a
lower yield. |
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Extension Risk: the risk that in times of
rising interest rates, borrowers may pay off their debt obligations more
slowly, causing securities considered short- or intermediate-term to
become longer-term securities that fluctuate more widely in response to
changes in interest rates than shorter term
securities. |
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Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk: the risk
of investing in mortgage-backed securities, including prepayment risk and
extension risk. Mortgage-backed securities react differently to changes in
interest rates than other bonds, and some mortgage-backed securities are
not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
government. |
• |
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Asset-Backed Securities Risk: the risk of
investing in asset-backed securities, including the risk of loss as a
result of the impairment of the value of the underlying financial assets,
prepayment risk and extension risk. Issuers of asset-backed securities may
have limited ability to enforce the security interest in the underlying
assets, and credit enhancements provided to support the asset-backed
securities, if any, may be inadequate to protect investors in the event of
default. |
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Foreign Investing Risk: the risk that
Fund share prices will fluctuate with market conditions, currency exchange
rates and the economic and political climates of the foreign countries in
which the Fund invests or has exposure. Investments in foreign securities
may involve greater risks than investing in U.S. securities due to, among
other factors, less publicly available information, less stringent and
less uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, less
liquid and more volatile markets, higher transaction and custody costs,
additional taxes, less investor protection, delayed or less frequent
settlement, political or social instability, civil unrest, acts of
terrorism, regional economic volatility, and the imposition of sanctions,
confiscations, |
3
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trade
restrictions (including tariffs) and other government restrictions by the
United States and/or other governments. In addition, Russia’s recent
military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to additional,
sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other
countries against Russia. Russia’s military incursion and the resulting
sanctions could adversely affect global energy and financial markets and
thus could affect the value of the Fund’s
investments. |
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Emerging Markets Risk: the risk of
investing in emerging market countries, which is substantial due to, among
other factors, higher brokerage costs in certain countries; different
accounting standards; thinner trading markets as compared to those in
developed countries; less publicly available and reliable information
about issuers as compared to developed markets; the possibility of
currency transfer restrictions; and the risk of expropriation,
nationalization or other adverse political, economic or social
developments. |
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Sovereign Debt Risk: the risk that
investments in debt obligations of sovereign governments may lose value
due to the government entity’s unwillingness or inability to repay
principal and interest when due in accordance with the terms of the debt
or otherwise in a timely manner. The Fund may have limited (or no)
recourse in the event of a default because bankruptcy, moratorium and
other similar laws applicable to issuers of sovereign debt obligations may
be substantially different from those applicable to private issuers and
any recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant
country. |
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Unrated Securities Risk: the risk that
unrated securities may be less liquid than comparable rated securities,
and the risk that the Adviser may not accurately evaluate the security’s
comparative credit rating. |
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Distressed and Defaulted Securities Risk:
the risk that the repayment of defaulted securities and obligations of
distressed issuers is subject to significant
uncertainties. |
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Portfolio Management Risk: the risk that
an investment strategy may fail to produce the intended
results. |
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Securities Selection Risk: the risk that
the securities held by the Fund may underperform those held by other funds
investing in the same asset class or those included in benchmarks that are
representative of the same asset class because of the portfolio managers’
choice of securities. |
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Public Health Emergency Risk: the risk
that pandemics and other public health emergencies, including outbreaks of
infectious diseases such as the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus
(“COVID-19”), can result, and in
the |
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case
of COVID-19 has resulted and may continue to result, in market volatility
and disruption, and materially and adversely impact economic conditions in
ways that cannot be predicted, all of which could result in substantial
investment losses. The ultimate impact of COVID-19, including new variants
of the underlying virus, or other health emergencies on global economic
conditions and businesses is impossible to predict accurately. Ongoing and
potential additional material adverse economic effects of indeterminate
duration and severity are possible. The resulting adverse impact on the
value of an investment in the Fund could be significant and prolonged.
Other public health emergencies that may arise in the future could have
similar or other unforeseen
effects. |
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LIBOR Risk: the risk associated with the
transition away from LIBOR, which is used extensively in the U.S. and
globally as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various commercial and
financial contracts, including corporate bonds and other fixed income
securities. The use of LIBOR began being phased at the end of 2021;
however, the publication of 1-month, 3-month and 6-month USD LIBOR has
been extended until June 2023. Although the transition process away from
LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, there remains uncertainty
regarding the impact on the Fund of the transition to a new reference
rate. |
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U.S. Treasury Obligations Risk: the risk
that the value of U.S. Treasury obligations may decline as a result of
changes in interest rates, certain political events in the U.S., and
strained relations with certain foreign
countries. |
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U.S. Government Securities Risk: the risk
that debt securities issued or guaranteed by certain U.S. government
agencies, instrumentalities, and sponsored enterprises are not supported
by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and as a result,
investments in securities or obligations issued by such entities involve
credit risk greater than investments in other types of U.S. government
securities. |
• |
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Money Market/Short-Term Securities Risk:
To the extent the Fund holds cash or invests in money market or short-term
securities, the Fund may be less likely to achieve its investment
objective. In addition, it is possible that the Fund’s investments in
these instruments could lose
money. |
Please
see “Principal Risks” and “Other Risks” for a more detailed description of the
risks of investing in the Fund.
Your investment in the Fund is not
a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency, entity, or
person.
4
Performance
Information
The following
bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year.
The table compares the average annual total returns of the Fund to a broad-based
securities market index. Total returns would have been lower if
certain fees and expenses had not been waived or reimbursed. The inception date
of Class M shares is June 29,
1998. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will
perform in the future. Updated performance information for the
Fund is available on our website at www.tcw.com or
by calling (800) 241-4671.
AlphaTrak
500 Fund – Class M Shares
Annual
Total Returns for Years Ended 12/31
Year-to-Date Total Return of Class M Shares
as of June 30,
2022: -21.94%
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Highest: |
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22.50 |
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(quarter ended
June 30, 2020) |
Lowest: |
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-21.66 |
% |
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(quarter ended
March 31,
2020) |
Average
Annual Total Returns
(For
Periods Ended December 31, 2021)
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Share Class |
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1 Year |
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5 Years |
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10 Years |
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Since Inception |
M – Before
Taxes |
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28.00% |
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18.11% |
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17.82% |
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8.55% |
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-
After Taxes on Distributions |
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18.53% |
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14.75% |
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15.85% |
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5.94% |
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-
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
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19.41% |
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13.45% |
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14.41% |
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5.63% |
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S&P
500 Index |
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28.71% |
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18.46% |
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16.54% |
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8.29% |
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After-tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ
from those shown. 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. In some cases, returns after
taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may be higher than returns before
taxes because the calculations assume that the investor received a tax deduction
for any loss incurred on the sale of the
shares.
Investment
Adviser
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC.
Portfolio
Managers
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Name |
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Experience with the Fund |
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Primary Title with Investment Adviser |
Stephen M. Kane,
CFA |
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25 Years |
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Founding Partner and Generalist
Portfolio Manager |
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Bryan
T. Whalen, CFA |
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Since December 2021 |
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Generalist
Portfolio Manager |
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Bret
R. Barker |
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Since December 2021 |
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Managing
Director |
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Ruben
Hovhannisyan |
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Since December 2021 |
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Managing
Director |
Other
Important Information Regarding Fund Shares
For
more information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and
payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries, please turn to
the “Summary of Other Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” at
page 81 of this prospectus.
5
Metropolitan
West Corporate Bond Fund
Investment
Objective
The
Corporate Bond Fund seeks to maximize long-term total
return.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
The
table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold
and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage
commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries which are not reflected
in the tables and examples below.
Shareholder
Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)
None.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the
value of your investment)
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M Class |
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I Class |
Management
Fees |
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0.40% |
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0.40% |
Distribution
(12b-1) Fees |
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0.25% |
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None |
Other
Expenses |
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2.08% |
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2.00% |
Shareholder
Servicing Expenses1 |
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0.08% |
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0.04% |
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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2.73% |
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2.40% |
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement2 |
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(1.98)% |
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(1.90)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement |
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0.75% |
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0.50% |
1 |
The
Fund is authorized to compensate broker-dealers and other third-party
intermediaries up to 0.10% (10 basis points) of the M Class assets
serviced by those intermediaries for shareholder
services. |
2 |
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to
reduce advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, including distribution
expenses, to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding
interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses,
acquired fund fees and expenses, and any expenses incurred in connection
with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as
litigation) to the net expenses shown in the table for the applicable
share class. The Adviser may recoup reduced fees and expenses only within
three years of the waiver or reimbursement, provided that the recoupment
does not cause the Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of
(i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver
and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect
at the time of recoupment. This contract will remain in place until
July 31,
2023. Although it does not expect to do so, the Board of
Trustees is permitted to terminate that contract sooner in its discretion
with written notice to the
Adviser. |
Example
This
example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses
remain the same. The cost for the Fund reflects the net expenses of the Fund
that result from the contractual expense limitation in the first year only
(through July 31, 2023). 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 |
Class M |
|
$77 |
|
$659 |
|
$1,268 |
|
$2,915 |
Class I |
|
$51 |
|
$566 |
|
$1,108 |
|
$2,590 |
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
148% of the average value of its
portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies
The
Fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least
80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in a
diversified portfolio of corporate debt instruments of varying maturities issued
by U.S. and foreign corporations domiciled in developed market and emerging
market countries. The market value of any corporate debt derivatives will count
toward the 80% level specified above. In addition to corporate debt instruments,
the Fund may also invest its assets in other fixed income securities issued by
various U.S. and foreign public or private entities, including government bonds,
municipal securities, securities issued by government agencies, mortgage-related
and asset-backed securities (including collateralized debt obligations, which in
turn include collateralized bond obligations and collateralized loan
obligations), and U.S. and non-U.S. money market securities.
The
assets held in the Fund may have interest rates that are fixed, variable or
floating and can include private placements
6
and
restricted securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80%
of its total assets (measured at the time of investment) in investment
grade fixed income securities or unrated securities determined by the Adviser to
be of comparable quality. The emerging market fixed-income securities in which
the Fund may invest are not subject to any minimum credit quality standards, so
long as the value of those investments does not cause the Fund to exceed its
limit on investments in securities rated below investment grade (commonly known
as “junk bonds”).
The
Fund may invest in securities of any maturity, and there is no limit on the
weighted average maturity of the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund does not have a
duration target. However, under normal circumstances, the average portfolio
duration varies from three to nine years. Duration is a measure of the
expected life of a fixed income security that is used to determine the
sensitivity of a security to changes in interest
rates.
The
Fund may sell securities and other instruments short provided that not more than
331/3% of its net assets
is held as collateral for those transactions. Derivatives are used in an effort
to hedge investments, for risk management or to increase income or gains for the
Fund. The types of derivative instruments in which the Fund will principally
invest are currency and other futures, forward contracts, options, and swap
agreements (typically interest-rate swaps, index-linked swaps, total return
swaps and credit default swaps).
Under
normal circumstances, the majority of the Fund’s investments are denominated in
U.S. dollars. However, the Fund has the flexibility to allocate up to 20% of its
assets to securities denominated in foreign currencies. The Fund reserves
the right to hedge its exposure to foreign currencies to reduce the risk of loss
from fluctuations in currency exchange rates, but is under no obligation to do
so under any circumstances.
The
Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in a combination of convertible
bonds, preferred stock, and common stock of domestic and foreign
companies.
Principal
Risks
Because
the Fund holds securities with fluctuating market prices, the value of the
Fund’s shares will vary as its portfolio securities increase or decrease in
value. Therefore, the value of your investment in the Fund could go down as well
as up. You can lose money by
investing in the Fund.
The
principal risks affecting the Fund that can cause a decline in value
are:
• |
|
Debt Securities Risk: the risk that the
value of a debt security may increase or decrease as a result of various
factors, including changes in interest rates, actual or perceived
inability or unwillingness of issuers to make principal or interest
payments, market fluctuations and illiquidity in the debt securities
market. |
• |
|
Market Risk: the risk that returns
from the securities in which the Fund invests may underperform returns
from the general securities markets or other types of
securities. |
• |
|
Interest Rate Risk: the risk that debt
securities may decline in value because of changes in interest
rates. |
• |
|
Credit Risk: the risk that an issuer
may default in the payment of principal and/or interest on a
security. |
• |
|
Inflation Risk: the risk that the value
of the Fund’s investments may not keep up with price increases from
inflation. |
• |
|
Issuer Risk: the risk that the value of a
security may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer such as
management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the
issuer’s goods or services. |
• |
|
Liquidity Risk: the risk that lack of a
ready market or restrictions on resale may limit the ability of the Fund
to sell a security at an advantageous time or price. In addition, the
Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the Adviser,
may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical
trading volume for that security, which can make it difficult for the Fund
to dispose of the position at an advantageous time or price. Over recent
years, the fixed-income markets have grown more than the ability of
dealers to make markets, which can further constrain liquidity and
increase the volatility of portfolio valuations. High levels of
redemptions in bond funds in response to market conditions could cause
greater losses as a result. Regulations such as the Volcker Rule or future
regulations may further constrain the ability of market participants to
create liquidity, particularly in times of increased market volatility.
The liquidity of the Fund’s assets may change over
time. |
• |
|
Price Volatility Risk: the risk that
the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio will change as the prices of
its investments go up or
down. |
• |
|
Valuation Risk: the risk that the
portfolio instruments may be sold at prices different from the values
established by the Fund, particularly for investments that trade in low
volume, in volatile markets or over the counter or that are fair
valued. |
7
• |
|
Securities Selection Risk: the risk
that the securities held by the Fund may underperform those held by other
funds investing in the same asset class or those included in benchmarks
that are representative of the same asset class because of the portfolio
managers’ choice of
securities. |
• |
|
Municipal Securities Risk: the risk of
investing in municipal securities, including that the issuers of municipal
securities may be unable to pay their obligations as they come due. The
values of municipal securities may fluctuate as a result of changes in the
cash flows generated by the revenue source or changes in the priority of
the municipal obligation to receive the cash flows generated by the
revenue source. Changes in federal tax laws or the activity of an issuer
may adversely affect the tax-exempt status of municipal securities, may
cause interest received and distributed to shareholders by the Fund to be
taxable and may result in a significant decline in the values of such
municipal securities. |
• |
|
Sovereign Debt Risk: the risk that
investments in debt obligations of sovereign governments may lose value
due to the government entity’s unwillingness or inability to repay
principal and interest when due in accordance with the terms of the debt
or otherwise in a timely manner. The Fund may have limited (or no)
recourse in the event of a default because bankruptcy, moratorium and
other similar laws applicable to issuers of sovereign debt obligations may
be substantially different from those applicable to private issuers and
any recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant
country. |
• |
|
Foreign Investing Risk: the risk
that Fund share prices will fluctuate with market conditions, currency
exchange rates and the economic and political climates of the foreign
countries in which the Fund invests or has exposure. Investments in
foreign securities may involve greater risks than investing in U.S.
securities due to, among other factors, less publicly available
information, less stringent and less uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards, less liquid and more volatile markets,
higher transaction and custody costs, additional taxes, less investor
protection, delayed or less frequent settlement, political or social
instability, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, regional economic
volatility, and the imposition of sanctions, confiscations, trade
restrictions (including tariffs) and other government restrictions by the
United States and/or other governments. In addition, Russia’s recent
military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to additional,
sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other
countries against Russia. Russia’s military incursion and the resulting
sanctions could |
|
|
adversely
affect global energy and financial markets and thus could affect the value
of the Fund’s
investments. |
• |
|
Emerging Markets Risk: the risk of
investing in emerging market countries, which is substantial due to, among
other factors, higher brokerage costs in certain countries; different
accounting standards; thinner trading markets as compared to those in
developed countries; less publicly available and reliable information
about issuers as compared to developed markets; the possibility of
currency transfer restrictions; and the risk of expropriation,
nationalization or other adverse political, economic or social
developments. |
• |
|
Futures Contracts Risk: the risk of
investing in futures contracts, which includes (1) the imperfect
correlation between a futures contract and the change in market value of
the underlying instrument held by the Fund; (2) a high degree of
leverage because of the low collateral deposits normally involved in
futures trading; (3) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a
futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract
when desired; (4) losses caused by unanticipated market movements,
which are potentially unlimited; and (5) the inability of the Fund to
execute a trade because of the maximum permissible price movements
exchanges may impose on futures
contracts. |
• |
|
Derivatives Risk: the risk of
investing in derivative instruments, which includes liquidity, interest
rate, market, credit and management risks as well as risks related to
mispricing or improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may
not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, reference rate or
index, and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested.
These investments can create investment leverage and may create additional
risks that may subject the Fund to greater volatility and less liquidity
than investments in more traditional
securities. |
• |
|
Swap Agreements Risk: the risk of
investing in swaps, which, in addition to risks applicable to derivatives
generally, includes: (1) the inability to assign a swap contract
without the consent of the counterparty; (2) potential default of the
counterparty to a swap for those not traded through a central
counterparty; (3) absence of a liquid secondary market for any
particular swap at any time; and (4) possible inability of the Fund
to close out a swap transaction at a time that otherwise would be
favorable for it to do so. |
• |
|
Counterparty Risk: the risk that the
other party to a contract, such as a derivatives contract, may not fulfill
its contractual
obligations. |
8
• |
|
Frequent Trading Risk: the risk that
frequent trading may lead to increased portfolio turnover and higher
transaction costs, which may reduce the Fund’s performance and may cause
higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders of the
Fund. |
• |
|
Junk Bond Risk: the risk that junk bonds
have a higher degree of default risk and may be less liquid and subject to
greater price volatility than investment grade
bonds. |
• |
|
Unrated Securities Risk: the risk that
unrated securities may be less liquid than comparable rated securities,
and the risk that the Adviser may not accurately evaluate the security’s
comparative credit rating. |
• |
|
Foreign Currency Risk: the risk that
foreign currencies may decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and
affect the Fund’s investments in foreign currencies, in securities that
are denominated, trade and/or receive revenues in foreign currencies, or
in derivatives that provide exposure to foreign
currencies. |
• |
|
Leverage Risk: the risk that
leverage may result from certain transactions, including the use of
derivatives and borrowing. This may impair the Fund’s liquidity, cause it
to liquidate positions at an unfavorable time, increase its volatility or
otherwise cause it not to achieve its intended result. To the extent
required by applicable law or regulation, the Fund will reduce leverage
risk by either segregating an equal amount of liquid assets or “covering”
the transactions that introduce such
risk. |
• |
|
Portfolio Management Risk: the risk
that an investment strategy may fail to produce the intended
results. |
• |
|
Public Health Emergency Risk: the risk
that pandemics and other public health emergencies, including outbreaks of
infectious diseases such as the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus
(“COVID-19”), can result, and in the case of COVID-19 has resulted and may
continue to result, in market volatility and disruption, and materially
and adversely impact economic conditions in ways that cannot be predicted,
all of which could result in substantial investment losses. The ultimate
impact of COVID-19, including new variants of the underlying virus, or
other health emergencies on global economic conditions and businesses is
impossible to predict accurately. Ongoing and potential additional
material adverse economic effects of indeterminate duration and severity
are possible. The resulting adverse impact on the value of an investment
in the Fund could be significant and prolonged. Other public health
emergencies that may arise in the future could have similar or other
unforeseen
effects. |
• |
|
LIBOR Risk: the risk associated with the
transition away from LIBOR, which is used extensively in the U.S. and
globally as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various commercial and
financial contracts, including corporate bonds and other fixed income
securities. The use of LIBOR began being phased out at the end of 2021;
however, the publication of 1-month, 3-month and 6-month USD LIBOR has
been extended until June 2023. Although the transition process away from
LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, there remains uncertainty
regarding the impact on the Fund of the transition to a new reference
rate. |
• |
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations Risk: the risk
that the value of U.S. Treasury obligations may decline as a result of
changes in interest rates, certain political events in the U.S., and
strained relations with certain foreign
countries. |
• |
|
U.S. Government Securities Risk: the risk
that debt securities issued or guaranteed by certain U.S. government
agencies, instrumentalities, and sponsored enterprises are not supported
by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and as a result,
investments in securities or obligations issued by such entities involve
credit risk greater than investments in other types of U.S. government
securities. |
Please
see “Principal Risks” and “Other Risks” for a more detailed description of the
risks of investing in the Fund.
Your investment in the Fund is not
a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency, entity, or
person.
Performance
Information
The following
bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year.
The bar chart shows performance of the Fund’s Class M shares. Class M
performance is lower than Class I performance because Class I has
lower expenses than Class M. The table compares the average annual total
returns of the Fund to a broad-based securities market index.
Total returns would have been lower if certain fees and expenses had not been
waived or reimbursed. The inception date of Class M shares and Class I
shares of the Fund is June 29,
2018.
The
Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an
indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated
performance information for the Fund is available on our website at
www.tcw.com or
by calling (800) 241-4671.
9
Corporate
Bond Fund – Class M Shares
Annual
Total Returns for Years Ended 12/31
Year-to-Date Total Return of Class M Shares
as of June 30,
2022: -14.17%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest: |
|
|
|
7.48% |
|
|
(quarter ended
June 30, 2020) |
Lowest: |
|
|
|
-4.14% |
|
|
(quarter ended
March 31,
2021) |
Average
Annual Total Returns
(For
Periods Ended December 31, 2021)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Class |
|
1 Year |
|
Since Inception |
M – Before Taxes |
|
|
|
-1.08% |
|
|
|
|
7.90% |
|
-
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
|
-2.08% |
|
|
|
|
5.54% |
|
-
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
|
-0.58% |
|
|
|
|
5.08% |
|
I – Before Taxes |
|
|
|
-0.84% |
|
|
|
|
8.17% |
|
Bloomberg
Barclays U.S. Corporate Index |
|
|
|
-1.04% |
|
|
|
|
6.69% |
|
After-tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ
from those shown. 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. In some cases, returns after
taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may be higher than returns before
taxes because the calculations assume that the investor received a tax deduction
for any loss incurred on the sale of the
shares.
Investment
Adviser
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC.
Portfolio
Managers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Experience with the Fund |
|
Primary Title with Investment Adviser |
Bryan T. Whalen,
CFA |
|
4 Years |
|
Generalist Portfolio Manager |
|
|
|
Jerry
Cudzil |
|
4 Years |
|
Managing
Director |
|
|
|
Tammy
Karp |
|
1 Year |
|
Managing Director |
|
|
|
Steven
J. Purdy |
|
Since December 2021 |
|
Managing
Director |
Other
Important Information Regarding Fund Shares
For
more information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and
payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries, please turn to
the “Summary of Other Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” at
page 81 of this prospectus.
10
Metropolitan
West ESG Securitized Fund
Investment
Objective
The
ESG Securitized Fund seeks to maximize current income and achieve above average
long-term total return.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
The
table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold
and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage
commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected
in the tables and examples below.
Shareholder
Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)
None.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the
value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M Class |
|
I Class |
Management
Fees |
|
0.40% |
|
0.40% |
Distribution
(12b-1) Fees |
|
0.25% |
|
None |
Other
Expenses1 |
|
1.51% |
|
1.41% |
Shareholder
Servicing Expenses2 |
|
0.10% |
|
0.01% |
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
2.16% |
|
1.81% |
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement3 |
|
(1.45)% |
|
(1.31)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
0.71% |
|
0.50% |
1 |
Other expenses are based on
estimates for the current fiscal
year. |
2 |
The
Fund is authorized to compensate broker-dealers and other third-party
intermediaries up to 0.10% (10 basis points) of the M Class and I
Class assets serviced by that intermediary for shareholder services.
|
3 |
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to
reduce advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, including distribution
expenses, to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding
interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses,
acquired fund fees and expenses, and any expenses incurred in connection
with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as
litigation) to the net expenses shown in the table for the applicable
share class. The Adviser may recoup reduced fees and expenses only within
three years of the waiver or reimbursement, provided that the recoupment
does not cause the Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of
(i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver
and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect
at the time of recoupment. This contract will remain in place until
July 31,
2023. Although it does not expect to do so, the Board of
Trustees is permitted to terminate that contract sooner in its discretion
with written notice to the Adviser.
|
Example
This
example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with
the cost of investing in other
mutual
funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time
periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those
periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year
and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The cost for the Fund
reflects the net expenses of the Fund that result from the contractual expense
limitation in the first year only (through July 31, 2023). 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 |
Class M |
|
$73 |
|
$536 |
|
$1,026 |
|
$2,378 |
Class I |
|
$51 |
|
$442 |
|
$857 |
|
$2,018 |
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
During the period from September 30, 2021 (commencement of operations) through
March 31, 2022, the Fund’s turnover rate was 276% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies
The
Fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least
80% of its net assets in debt securities issued by securitized vehicles and
similar instruments that the Adviser believes satisfy one or more of its
positive-screening environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) criteria to
support sustainable initiatives. A securitized vehicle typically issues debt
securities backed by assets it owns such as commercial or residential mortgage
loans, as well as other types of loans and assets. The Fund may also invest in
other types of real estate related debt, mortgage pass-through securities, as
well as floating, variable and fixed-rate securities. The Fund will invest in
securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or by any of its
agencies or instrumentalities and those issued by non-governmental entities, as
well as unguaranteed securities issued by private entities. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in securities
rated investment grade or unrated securities determined by the Adviser to be of
comparable quality. The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its assets in below
investment grade bonds (“junk bonds”), which are bonds rated below BBB- by Fitch
Ratings, Inc.
11
(“Fitch”),
below BBB- by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) and below Baa3 by Moody’s
Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or, if unrated, bonds deemed by the Fund’s
investment advisor to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest up to 15% of
its total assets (measured at the time of investment) in asset-backed and
mortgage-related securities rated below investment grade by Moody’s, S&P or
Fitch, or, if unrated, determined by the Adviser to be of comparable
quality.
In
determining whether to buy or sell investments, the portfolio management team
evaluates each investment idea based on, among other factors, the team’s view of
its current income potential, risk level, capital appreciation potential, and
how it fits within the Fund’s overall portfolio. The allocation of capital to
sectors and securities is driven primarily by the Adviser’s assessment of
relative value offered by each sector and security, respectively, with an
additional positive ESG screen to determine whether securities meet the
portfolio manager’s criteria to support sustainable
initiatives.
In
implementing its positive-screening ESG strategy, the Adviser evaluates
potential investments based on a number of factors, including, but not limited
to: support for affordable housing and community development, especially serving
low- and moderate-income individuals and communities; mortgage-backed securities
that support energy efficiency and broader “green” initiatives; certain
non-mortgage related asset-backed securities, such as collateralized loan
obligations with ESG-related exclusionary criteria; and commercial and consumer
secured and unsecured debt related to sustainable initiatives, such as solar
facilities. Governance review includes, but is not limited to, lending programs,
borrower education and disclosure, origination policies, servicing practices,
and securitization deal structure.
In
conducting its positive ESG screening process, the Adviser reviews for
environmental, social and/or sustainable features related to the underlying
security collateral and issuer programs, evidenced by marketing materials,
borrower underwriting criteria, loan tapes (electronic files that capture
lending product data from a financial firm’s internal systems), additional
issuer disclosures and clarification from engagement, as well as third-party
reports such as rating agency presales and second-party opinions where
applicable. Typically, there is significant disclosure around issuer lending
programs that offers insight into the environmental, social and/or sustainable
nature of a securitization, such as supporting energy-efficient property
improvements (environmental positive) and/or supporting affordable rental
housing access and availability (social positive). The Adviser will also engage
with issuers to obtain additional materials, clarification, and/or data points
to support the viability of
their
lending and securitization programs and/or confirm their compliance with
industry standards such as the International Capital Market Association (ICMA)
Green, Social and/or Sustainable bond principles. The Adviser will continue to
monitor the market for additional information sources as well as issuer
best-practices to enhance its diligence and positive screening
approach.
The
types of ESG securitized vehicles in which the Fund invests typically include,
but are not limited to: (i) agency mortgage-backed securities and private
label residential mortgage-backed securities that are collateralized by mortgage
loans originated to support energy-efficient home improvements or with a
financial inclusion component, focusing on promoting affordability and/or
lending to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities;
(ii) commercial mortgage-backed securities collateralized by certified
energy efficient commercial properties (usually LEED-certified but also
including alternative green building certifications such as BREEAM, NABERS, and
Energy Star) or by loans focused on promoting affordable rental housing,
typically through a landlord commitment and/or requirement to sustain
below-market rents in existing or new construction multifamily properties; and
(iii) asset-backed securities with an energy efficiency component, such as
lower-carbon transportation and green asset transportation. Other securities
considered for positive ESG screening include ESG collateralized loan
obligations that often also include investment restrictions in certain sectors
such as production and/or sale of weapons or tobacco-related products. The
investment analysis and liquidity of these securitized vehicles do not differ
materially from other forms of asset-backed securities the Adviser would
typically consider for its other registered funds, except for the addition of
the positive ESG screening
process.
As
ESG standards evolve, the Adviser may update the foregoing criteria to more
accurately reflect the portfolio management team’s understanding of ESG factors.
The
Adviser
may use issuer engagement, as necessary, to determine whether investments
support positive and sustainable environmental, social and governance
impact.
The
Fund’s investments are not limited to securities labeled “sustainable” or “ESG.”
An investment’s satisfaction of the ESG criteria described above is based on the
Adviser’s proprietary analysis and not that of a third party. There can be no
guarantee that an investment that passes the Adviser’s positive screening
process for ESG criteria will actually support sustainable initiatives. The Fund
may invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities that the Adviser does not
consider to be ESG investments.
12
Securities
or other instruments may be sold for a number of reasons, including when the
portfolio managers believe that (i) another security or instrument may
offer a better investment opportunity, (ii) there has been a deterioration
in the credit fundamentals of an issuer, (iii) an individual security or
instrument has reached its sell target, (iv) the portfolio should be
rebalanced for diversification or portfolio weighting purposes, or (v) the
security no longer meets the Adviser’s ESG
criteria.
Under
normal circumstances, the Fund’s portfolio duration is two to eight years and
the Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity ranges from two to fifteen years.
Duration is a measure of the expected life of a fixed income security that is
used to determine the sensitivity of a security to changes in interest
rates.
The
Fund invests in the U.S. and international securitized markets, including
securities denominated in foreign currencies. The Fund has the flexibility to
allocate up to 20% of its total assets to securities of foreign issues
denominated in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. The Fund reserves the right
to hedge its exposure to foreign currencies to reduce the risk of loss from
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, but is under no obligation to do so
under any circumstances. Up to 10% of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in
emerging markets and instruments that are economically tied to emerging market
countries. The Fund considers emerging market countries to include all of the
countries in the J.P. Morgan Emerging Market Bond Index (EMBI) Global
Diversified, the J.P. Morgan Corporate Emerging Market Bond Index (CEMBI) Broad
Diversified, the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (GBI-EM),
the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and the MSCI Frontier Markets Index. Instruments
considered to be economically tied to emerging market countries are
(i) those that are principally traded in an emerging market country, or
(ii) those that are issued by: (a) an issuer organized under the laws
of or maintaining a principal place of business in an emerging market country,
(b) an issuer that derives or is expected to derive 50% or more of its
total revenues, earnings or profits from business activity in an emerging market
country, or that maintains or is expected to maintain 50% or more of its
employees, assets, investments or operations in an emerging market country, or
(c) a governmental or quasi-governmental entity of an emerging market
country. The emerging market fixed-income securities in which the Fund may
invest are not subject to any minimum credit quality standards, so long as the
value of those investments does not cause the Fund to exceed its limits on
investments in securities rated below investment
grade.
The
Fund may sell securities and other instruments short provided that not more than
331/3% of its net assets
is held as collateral for those transactions. Derivatives are used in an effort
to hedge investments, for risk management, or to increase income or gains for
the Fund. The types of derivatives in which the Fund will principally invest are
options, futures, swap agreements and currency forwards, as well as:
(i) securitized instruments that isolate specific cash flows, such as
Principal only (PO) bonds or Interest only (IO) bonds; (ii) tiered index
bonds that reference a series of cash securitizations (such as CMBX, a
non-agency securitized index where the underlying assets are commercial
mortgage-backed securities), and (iii) TBAs (to-be-announced securities).
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to
achieve its primary investment
strategies.
Principal
Risks
Because
the Fund holds securities with fluctuating market prices, the value of the
Fund’s shares will vary as its portfolio securities increase or decrease in
value. Therefore, the value of your investment in the Fund could go down as well
as up. You can lose money by
investing in the Fund.
The
principal risks affecting the Fund that can cause a decline in value are:
• |
|
New Fund Risk: the risk that a new fund’s
performance may not represent how the fund is expected to or may perform
in the long term. In addition, new funds have limited operating histories
for investors to evaluate and new funds may not attract sufficient assets
to achieve investment and trading
efficiencies. |
• |
|
Debt Securities Risk: the risk that the
value of a debt security may increase or decrease as a result of various
factors, including changes in interest rates, actual or perceived
inability or unwillingness of issuers to make principal or interest
payments, market fluctuations and illiquidity in the debt securities
market. |
• |
|
Market Risk: the risk that returns
from the securities in which the Fund invests may underperform returns
from the general securities markets or other types of
securities. |
• |
|
Interest Rate Risk: the risk that
debt securities may decline in value because of changes in interest
rates. |
• |
|
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk: the risk
of investing in mortgage-backed securities, including prepayment risk and
extension risk. Mortgage-backed securities react differently to changes in
interest rates than other bonds, and some mortgage-backed securities are
not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
government. |
13
• |
|
Asset-Backed Securities Risk: the risk of
investing in asset-backed securities, including the risk of loss as a
result of the impairment of the value of the underlying financial assets,
prepayment risk and extension risk. Issuers of asset-backed securities may
have limited ability to enforce the security interest in the underlying
assets, and credit enhancements provided to support the asset-backed
securities, if any, may be inadequate to protect investors in the event of
default. |
• |
|
Prepayment Risk: the risk that in times
of declining interest rates, the Fund’s higher yielding securities may be
prepaid and the Fund may have to replace them with securities having a
lower yield. |
• |
|
Extension Risk: the risk that in times of
rising interest rates, borrowers may pay off their debt obligations more
slowly, causing securities considered short- or intermediate-term to
become longer-term securities that fluctuate more widely in response to
changes in interest rates than shorter-term
securities. |
• |
|
ESG Investing Risk: the risk that the
Fund’s ESG strategy may select or exclude securities of certain issuers
for non-financial reasons, and that the Fund’s performance will differ
from funds that do not utilize an ESG investing strategy. For example, the
application of this strategy could affect the Fund’s exposure to certain
sectors or types of investments, which could negatively impact the Fund’s
performance. ESG investing is qualitative and subjective by nature, and
there is no guarantee that the criteria used by the Adviser or any
judgment exercised by the Adviser will reflect the opinions of any
particular investor. Funds with ESG investment strategies are generally
suited for long-term rather than short-term
investors. |
|
There
are no universally agreed upon objective criteria for assessing ESG
factors for investments. Rather, these criteria tend to have many
subjective characteristics, can be difficult to analyze, and frequently
involve a balancing of numerous factors. ESG factors can vary over
different periods and can evolve over time. They may also be difficult to
apply consistently across different types of investments. For these
reasons, ESG standards may be aspirational and tend to be stated broadly
and applied flexibly. In addition, investors and others may disagree as to
whether a certain investment satisfies ESG standards given the absence of
mandated or generally accepted
criteria. |
• |
|
Below Investment Grade Mortgage-Backed
Securities Risk: the Fund’s investments in residential
mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) and commercial mortgage-backed
securities (“CMBS”) that are rated
below |
|
|
investment
grade generally carry greater liquidity risk than their investment grade
counterparts. Historically, the markets for such below investment grade
securities, and for below investment grade asset-backed securities in
general, have been characterized at times by less liquidity than the
market for analogous investment grade securities, particularly during the
financial crisis of 2007 and
2008. |
• |
|
Unrated Securities Risk: the risk that
unrated securities may be less liquid than comparable rated securities,
and the risk that the Adviser may not accurately evaluate the security’s
comparative credit rating. |
• |
|
Issuer Risk: the risk that the value of a
security may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer, such as
management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the
issuer’s goods or services. |
• |
|
Credit Risk: the risk that an issuer
may default in the payment of principal and/or interest on a
security. |
• |
|
Inflation Risk: the risk that the value
of the Fund’s investments may not keep up with price increases from
inflation. |
• |
|
Liquidity Risk: the risk that lack of a
ready market or restrictions on resale may limit the ability of the Fund
to sell a security at an advantageous time or price. In addition, the
Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the Adviser,
may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical
trading volume for that security, which can make it difficult for the Fund
to dispose of the position at an advantageous time or price. Over recent
years, the fixed-income markets have grown more than the ability of
dealers to make markets, which can further constrain liquidity and
increase the volatility of portfolio valuations. High levels of
redemptions in bond funds in response to market conditions could cause
greater losses as a result. Regulations such as the Volcker Rule or future
regulations may further constrain the ability of market participants to
create liquidity, particularly in times of increased market volatility.
The liquidity of the Fund’s assets may change over
time. |
• |
|
Valuation Risk: the risk that the
portfolio instruments may be sold at prices different from the values
established by the Fund, particularly for investments that trade in low
volume, in volatile markets or over the counter or that are fair
valued. |
• |
|
Price Volatility Risk: the risk that the
value of the Fund’s investment portfolio will change as the prices of its
investments go up or down. |
• |
|
Futures Contracts Risk: the risk of
investing in futures contracts, which includes (1) the imperfect
correlation between a futures contract and the change in market value of
the |
14
|
|
underlying
instrument held by the Fund; (2) a high degree of leverage because of
the low collateral deposits normally involved in futures trading;
(3) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures contract
and the resulting inability to close a futures contract when desired;
(4) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are
potentially unlimited; and (5) the inability of the Fund to execute a
trade because of the maximum permissible price movements exchanges may
impose on futures
contracts. |
• |
|
Derivatives Risk: the risk of
investing in derivative instruments, which includes liquidity, interest
rate, market, credit and management risks as well as risks related to
mispricing or improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may
not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, reference rate or
index, and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount
invested. These investments can create investment leverage and may create
additional risks that may subject the Fund to greater volatility and less
liquidity than investments in more traditional
securities. |
• |
|
Securities Selection Risk: the risk that
the securities held by the Fund may underperform those held by other funds
investing in the same asset class or included in benchmarks that are
representative of the same asset class because of the portfolio managers’
choice of securities. |
• |
|
Frequent Trading Risk: the risk that
frequent trading may lead to increased portfolio turnover and higher
transaction costs, which may reduce the Fund’s performance and may cause
higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders of the
Fund. |
• |
|
Leverage Risk: the risk that leverage may
result from certain transactions, including the use of derivatives and
borrowing. This may impair the Fund’s liquidity, cause it to liquidate
positions at an unfavorable time, increase its volatility or otherwise
cause it not to achieve its intended result. To the extent required by
applicable law or regulation, the Fund will reduce leverage risk by either
segregating an equal amount of liquid assets or “covering” the
transactions that introduce such
risk. |
• |
|
Swap Agreements Risk: the risk of
investing in swaps, which, in addition to risks applicable to derivatives
generally, includes: (1) the inability to assign a swap contract
without the consent of the counterparty; (2) potential default of the
counterparty to a swap for those not traded through a central
counterparty; (3) absence of a liquid secondary market for any
particular swap at any time; and (4) possible inability of the Fund
to close out a swap transaction at a time that otherwise would be
favorable for it to do
so. |
• |
|
Junk Bond Risk: the risk that junk bonds
have a higher degree of default risk and may be less liquid and subject to
greater price volatility than investment grade
bonds. |
• |
|
Foreign Investing Risk: the risk that
Fund share prices may fluctuate with market conditions, currency exchange
rates and the economic and political climates of the foreign countries in
which the Fund invests or has exposure. Investments in foreign securities
may involve greater risks than investing in U.S. securities due to, among
other factors, less publicly available information, less stringent and
less uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, less
liquid and more volatile markets, higher transaction and custody costs,
additional taxes, less investor protection, delayed or less frequent
settlement, political or social instability, civil unrest, acts of
terrorism, regional economic volatility, and the imposition of sanctions,
confiscations, trade restrictions (including tariffs) and other government
restrictions by the United States and/or other governments. In addition,
Russia’s recent military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead
to additional, sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union
and other countries against Russia. Russia’s military incursion and the
resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy and financial
markets and thus could affect the value of the Fund’s
investments. |
• |
|
Distressed and Defaulted Securities Risk:
the risk that the repayment of defaulted securities and obligations of
distressed issuers is subject to significant
uncertainties. |
• |
|
Counterparty Risk: the risk that the
other party to a contract, such as a derivatives contract, may not fulfill
its contractual obligations. |
• |
|
Portfolio Management Risk: the risk that
an investment strategy may fail to produce the intended
results. |
• |
|
Public Health Emergency Risk: the risk
that pandemics and other public health emergencies, including outbreaks of
infectious diseases such as the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus
(“COVID-19”), can result, and in the case of COVID-19 has resulted and may
continue to result, in market volatility and disruption, and materially
and adversely impact economic conditions in ways that cannot be predicted,
all of which could result in substantial investment losses. The ultimate
impact of COVID-19, including new variants of the underlying virus, or
other health emergencies on global economic conditions and businesses is
impossible to predict accurately. Ongoing and potential additional
material adverse economic effects of indeterminate duration and severity
are possible. The resulting adverse impact on the value of an investment
in the Fund could be significant and prolonged. Other
public |
15
|
|
health
emergencies that may arise in the future could have similar or other
unforeseen effects. |
• |
|
LIBOR Risk: the risk associated with the
transition away from LIBOR, which is used extensively in the U.S. and
globally as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various commercial and
financial contracts, including corporate bonds and other fixed income
securities. The use of LIBOR began being phased out at the end of 2021;
however, the publication of 1-month, 3-month and 6-month USD LIBOR has
been extended until June 2023. Although the transition process away from
LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, there remains uncertainty
regarding the impact on the Fund of the transition to a new reference
rate. |
• |
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations Risk: the risk
that the value of U.S. Treasury obligations may decline as a result of
changes in interest rates, certain political events in the U.S., and
strained relations with certain foreign
countries. |
• |
|
U.S. Government Securities Risk: the risk
that debt securities issued or guaranteed by certain U.S. government
agencies, instrumentalities, and sponsored enterprises are not supported
by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and as a result,
investments in their securities or obligations issued by such entities
involve credit risk greater than investments in other types of U.S.
government securities. |
Please
see “Principal Risks” and “Other Risks” for a more detailed description of the
risks of investing in the Fund.
Your investment in the Fund is not
a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency, entity, or
person.
Performance
Information
Investment results are not available because
the Fund has not been operational for at least one calendar
year. Updated performance information for the Fund is available
on our website at www.tcw.com or
by calling (800) 241-4671.
Investment
Adviser
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC.
Portfolio
Managers
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Experience with the Fund |
|
Primary Title with Investment Adviser |
Mitch
Flack |
|
September 2021 (inception of the Fund) |
|
Specialist
Portfolio Manager |
|
|
|
Stephen
M. Kane, CFA |
|
September
2021 (inception of the Fund) |
|
Founding Partner and Generalist Portfolio Manager |
|
|
|
Elizabeth
(Liza) Crawford |
|
September
2021 (inception of the Fund) |
|
Specialist
Portfolio Manager, Head of Securitized Research |
|
|
|
Harrison
Choi |
|
September
2021 (inception of the Fund) |
|
Specialist
Portfolio Manager, Head of Securitized
Trading |
Other
Important Information Regarding Fund Shares
For
more information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and
payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries, please turn to
the “Summary of Other Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” at
page 81 of this prospectus.
16
Metropolitan
West Flexible Income Fund
Investment
Objective
The Flexible Income Fund seeks
a high level of current income with a secondary objective
of long-term capital appreciation.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
The
table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold
and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage
commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected
in the tables and examples below.
Shareholder
Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)
None.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the
value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M Class |
|
I Class |
Management
Fees |
|
0.45% |
|
0.45% |
Distribution
(12b-1) Fees |
|
0.25% |
|
None |
Other
Expenses |
|
0.34% |
|
0.34% |
Shareholder
Servicing Expenses1 |
|
0.09% |
|
0.10% |
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
1.04% |
|
0.79% |
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement2 |
|
(0.24)% |
|
(0.24)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement |
|
0.80% |
|
0.55% |
1 |
The
Fund is authorized to compensate broker-dealers and other third-party
intermediaries up to 0.10% (10 basis points) of the M Class and I
Class assets serviced by that intermediary for shareholder
services. |
2 |
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to
reduce advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, including distribution
expenses, to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding
interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses,
acquired fund fees and expenses, and any expenses incurred in connection
with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as
litigation) to the net expenses shown in the table for the applicable
share class. The Adviser may recoup reduced fees and expenses only within
three years of the waiver or reimbursement, provided that the recoupment
does not cause the Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of
(i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver
and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect
at the time of recoupment. This contract will remain in place until
July 31,
2023. Although it does not expect to do so, the Board of
Trustees is permitted to terminate that contract sooner in its discretion
with written notice to the
Adviser. |
Example
This
example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses
remain the same. The cost for the Fund reflects the net expenses of the Fund
that result from the contractual expense limitation in the first year only
(through July 31, 2023). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower,
based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
3 Years |
|
5 Years |
|
10 Years |
Class M |
|
$82 |
|
$307 |
|
$551 |
|
$1,249 |
Class I |
|
$56 |
|
$228 |
|
$415 |
|
$956 |
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
210% of the average value of its
portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies
The
Fund pursues its objective by utilizing a flexible investment approach that
allocates investments across a range of global investment opportunities related
to credit, currencies and interest rates.
The
portfolio management team evaluates each investment idea based on, among other
factors, the team’s view of its current income potential, risk level, capital
appreciation potential, and how it fits within the Fund’s overall portfolio in
determining whether to buy or sell investments. The Adviser allocates the Fund’s
assets in response to, among other factors, changing market, financial,
economic, and political factors and events that the Fund’s portfolio managers
believe may affect the values of the Fund’s investments. The allocation of
capital to sectors and securities within each sector in the Fund is driven
primarily by the Adviser’s assessment of relative value offered by each sector
and security, respectively.
17
The
Adviser seeks to actively manage the Fund’s risks on an on-going basis to
mitigate the risks of excessive losses by the Fund’s portfolio overall. In
managing portfolio risk, the Adviser takes into consideration its view of the
following factors, among others: the potential relative performance of various
market sectors, security selection available within a given sector, the
risk/reward equation for different asset classes, liquidity conditions in
various market sectors, the shape of the yield curve and projections for changes
in the yield curve, potential fluctuations in the overall level of interest
rates, and current monetary and fiscal
policy.
To
satisfy its objective, the Fund has latitude to invest in a diversified mix of
fixed income securities across a wide array of sectors, the credit quality
spectrum and maturity profiles. The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at
least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in
fixed income securities and instruments that generate income. These investments
include securities issued in the U.S. and abroad by domestic and foreign
corporations and governments, including emerging markets. The Fund may invest in
both investment grade and high yield fixed income securities (commonly known as
“junk bonds”), subject to investing no more than 65% of its total assets
(measured at the time of investment) in securities rated below investment grade
(commonly known as “junk bonds”) by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”),
S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”), or unrated
securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable
quality.
The
Fund may invest in securities of any maturity, and there is no limit on the
weighted average maturity of the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund does not have a
duration target. However, under normal circumstances, the average portfolio
duration varies from zero to eight years. Duration is a measure of the
expected life of a fixed income security that is used to determine the
sensitivity of a security to changes in interest
rates.
Investments
in the Fund include various types of bonds and debt securities, including
corporate bonds, notes, mortgage-related and asset-backed securities (including
collateralized debt obligations, which in turn include collateralized bond
obligations and collateralized loan obligations), bank loans, municipal
securities, U.S. and non-U.S. money market securities, defaulted debt
securities, private placements and restricted securities. The Fund’s fixed
income investments may have interest rates that are fixed, variable or floating.
The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets (measured
at
the
time of investment) in asset-backed and mortgage-related securities rated below
investment grade by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, or, if unrated, determined by the
Adviser to be of comparable quality.
The
Fund may invest in foreign securities, and up to 50% of the Fund’s total assets
may be invested in emerging markets and instruments that are economically tied
to emerging market countries. The Fund considers emerging market countries to
include all of the countries in the J.P. Morgan Emerging Market Bond Index
(EMBI) Global Diversified, the J.P. Morgan Corporate Emerging Market Bond Index
(CEMBI) Broad Diversified, the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index-Emerging
Markets (GBI-EM), the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and the MSCI Frontier Markets
Index. Instruments considered to be economically tied to emerging market
countries are (i) those that are principally traded in an emerging market
country, or (ii) those that are issued by: (a) an issuer organized
under the laws of or maintaining a principal place of business in an emerging
market country, (b) an issuer that derives or is expected to derive 50% or
more of its total revenues, earnings or profits from business activity in an
emerging market country, or that maintains or is expected to maintain 50% or
more of its employees, assets, investments or operations in an emerging market
country, or (c) a governmental or quasi-governmental entity of an emerging
market country. The emerging market fixed-income securities in which the Fund
may invest are not subject to any minimum credit quality standards, so long as
the value of those investments does not cause the Fund to exceed its limits on
investments in securities rated below investment
grade.
The
Fund normally limits its foreign currency exposure (from non-U.S.
dollar-denominated securities or currencies) to 40% of its total
assets. The Fund reserves the right to hedge its exposure to foreign
currencies to reduce the risk of loss from fluctuations in currency exchange
rates, but is under no obligation to do so under any
circumstances.
The
Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in a combination of convertible
bonds, preferred stock, and common stock of domestic and foreign
companies.
The
Fund may sell securities and other instruments short provided that not more than
331/3% of its net assets
is held as collateral for those transactions. Derivatives are used in an effort
to hedge investments, for risk management or to increase income or gains for the
Fund. The types of derivative instruments in which the Fund will principally
invest are,
18
primarily
currency and other futures, forward contracts, options, and swap agreements
(typically interest rate swaps, index-linked swaps, total return swaps and
credit default swaps). The Fund may engage in active and frequent
trading of portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment
strategies.
Principal
Risks
Because
the Fund holds securities with fluctuating market prices, the value of the
Fund’s shares will vary as its portfolio securities increase or decrease in
value. Therefore, the value of your investment in the Fund could go down as well
as up. You can lose money by
investing in the Fund.
The
principal risks affecting the Fund that can cause a decline in value are:
• |
|
Debt Securities Risk: the risk that the
value of a debt security may increase or decrease as a result of various
factors, including changes in interest rates, actual or perceived
inability or unwillingness of issuers to make principal or interest
payments, market fluctuations and illiquidity in the debt securities
market. |
• |
|
Liquidity Risk: the risk that lack of a
ready market or restrictions on resale may limit the ability of the Fund
to sell a security at an advantageous time or price. In addition, the
Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the Adviser,
may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical
trading volume for that security, which can make it difficult for the Fund
to dispose of the position at an advantageous time or price. Although the
Fund is normally able to sell loans within seven days, a substantial
portion of the loans held by the Fund will also experience delayed
settlement beyond that period, which can impair the ability of the Fund to
pay redemptions or to re-invest proceeds, or may require the Fund to
borrow to meet redemptions. Over recent years, the fixed-income markets
have grown more than the ability of dealers to make markets, which can
further constrain liquidity and increase the volatility of portfolio
valuations. High levels of redemptions in bond funds in response to market
conditions could cause greater losses as a result. Regulations such as the
Volcker Rule or future regulations may further constrain the ability of
market participants to create liquidity, particularly in times of
increased market volatility. The liquidity of the Fund’s assets may change
over time. |
• |
|
Price Volatility Risk: the risk that
the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio will change as the prices of
its investments go up or
down. |
• |
|
Valuation Risk: the risk that the
portfolio instruments may be sold at prices different from the values
established by the Fund, particularly for investments that trade in low
volume, in volatile markets or over the counter or that are fair
valued. |
• |
|
Junk Bond Risk: the risk that junk bonds
have a higher degree of default risk and may be less liquid and subject to
greater price volatility than investment grade
securities. |
• |
|
Below Investment Grade Mortgage-Backed
Securities Risk: the Fund’s investments in residential
mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) and commercial mortgage-backed
securities (“CMBS”) that are rated below investment grade generally carry
greater liquidity risk than their investment grade counterparts.
Historically, the markets for such below investment grade securities, and
for below investment grade asset-backed securities in general, have been
characterized at times by less liquidity than the market for analogous
investment grade securities, particularly during the financial crisis of
2007 and 2008. Although the market for below investment grade
mortgage-backed securities has improved and become more transparent, the
asset class remains complicated. Changes in market and regulatory
conditions could adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments
in below investment grade mortgage-backed securities or the ability of the
Fund to sell these securities, thereby adversely impacting the value of
your investment. These risks may be magnified in an environment of rising
interest rates or in other circumstances where investor redemptions from
fixed income mutual funds may be higher than normal, causing increased
supply in the market due to selling
activity. |
• |
|
Unrated Securities Risk: the risk that
unrated securities may be less liquid than comparable rated securities,
and the risk that the Adviser may not accurately evaluate the security’s
comparative credit rating. This risk is greater for high yield securities,
because the analysis of creditworthiness of issuers of high yield
securities may be more complex than for issuers of investment grade
securities. |
• |
|
Credit Risk: the risk that an issuer may
default in the payment of principal and/or interest on a security. This
risk is greater for high yield securities, which are considered
speculative and are subject to greater risk of loss than investment grade
securities, particularly in deteriorating economic
conditions. |
• |
|
Inflation Risk: the risk that the value
of the Fund’s investments may not keep up with price increases from
inflation. |
• |
|
Issuer Risk: the risk that the value of a
security may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer such as
management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the
issuer’s goods or
services. |
19
• |
|
Interest Rate Risk: the risk that
investments held by the Fund may decline in value because of changes in
interest rates. |
• |
|
Market Risk: the risk that returns
from the securities in which the Fund invests may underperform returns
from the general securities markets or other types of
securities. |
• |
|
Emerging Markets Risk: the risk of
investing in emerging market countries, which is substantial due to, among
other factors, higher brokerage costs in certain countries; different
accounting standards; thinner trading markets as compared to those in
developed countries; less publicly available and reliable information
about issuers as compared to developed markets; the possibility of
currency transfer restrictions; and the risk of expropriation,
nationalization or other adverse political, economic or social
developments. |
• |
|
Mezzanine Securities Risk: the risk of
investing in mezzanine securities, which generally are rated below
investment grade or are unrated and present many of the same risks as
senior loans, second lien loans and non-investment grade bonds. Mezzanine
securities present additional risks because they typically are the most
subordinated debt obligation in an issuer’s capital structure and are
often unsecured. Mezzanine securities are also expected to be a highly
illiquid investment. |
• |
|
Prepayment Risk: the risk that in
times of declining interest rates, the Fund’s higher yielding securities
may be prepaid and the Fund may have to replace them with securities
having a lower yield. |
• |
|
Extension Risk: the risk that in
times of rising interest rates, borrowers may pay off their debt
obligations more slowly, causing securities considered short- or
intermediate-term to become longer-term securities that fluctuate more
widely in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term
securities. |
• |
|
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk: in
addition to the risks discussed above under “Below Investment Grade
Mortgage-Backed Securities,” the risk of investing in mortgage-backed
securities, including prepayment risk and extension risk. Mortgage-backed
securities react differently to changes in interest rates than other
bonds, and some mortgage-backed securities are not backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S.
government. |
• |
|
Asset-Backed Securities Risk: the risk of
investing in asset-backed securities, including the risk of loss as a
result of the impairment of the value of the underlying financial assets,
prepayment risk and extension risk. Issuers of asset-backed securities may
have limited ability to
enforce |
|
the
security interest in the underlying assets, and credit enhancements
provided to support the asset-backed securities, if any, may be inadequate
to protect investors in the event of
default. |
• |
|
Foreign Investing Risk: the risk
that the value of Fund shares will fluctuate with market conditions,
currency exchange rates and the economic and political climates of the
foreign countries in which the Fund invests or has exposure. Investments
in foreign securities may involve greater risks than investing in U.S.
securities due to, among other factors, less publicly available
information, less stringent and less uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards, less liquid and more volatile markets,
higher transaction and custody costs, additional taxes, less investor
protection, delayed or less frequent settlement, political or social
instability, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, regional economic
volatility, and the imposition of sanctions, confiscations, trade
restrictions (including tariffs) and other government restrictions by the
United States and/or other governments. In addition, Russia’s recent
military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to additional,
sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other
countries against Russia. Russia’s military incursion and the resulting
sanctions could adversely affect global energy and financial markets and
thus could affect the value of the Fund’s
investments. |
• |
|
Derivatives Risk: the risk of
investing in derivative instruments, which includes liquidity, interest
rate, market, credit and management risks as well as risks related to
mispricing or improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may
not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, reference rate or
index, and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested.
These investments can create investment leverage and may create additional
risks that may subject the Fund to greater volatility and less liquidity
than investments in more traditional
securities. |
• |
|
Futures Contracts Risk: the risk of
investing in futures contracts, which includes (1) the imperfect
correlation between a futures contract and the change in market value of
the underlying instrument held by the Fund; (2) a high degree of
leverage because of the low collateral deposits normally involved in
futures trading; (3) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a
futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract
when desired; (4) losses caused by unanticipated market movements,
which are potentially unlimited; and (5) the inability of the Fund to
execute a trade because of the maximum permissible price movements
exchanges may impose on futures
contracts. |
20
• |
|
Bank Loan Risk: the risk of investing in
corporate loans made by commercial banks and other financial institutions
or institutional investors to companies that need capital to grow or
restructure, which includes interest rate risk, liquidity risk and
prepayment risk. The Fund may also be subject to the credit risk of other
financial institutions and the risks associated with insufficient
collateral securing a bank loan, limited available public information
about a bank loan, delayed settlement, and less protection for holders of
bank loans as compared to holders of registered
securities. |
• |
|
Securities Selection Risk: the risk
that the securities held by the Fund may underperform those held by other
funds investing in the same asset class or those included in benchmarks
that are representative of the same asset class because of the portfolio
managers’ choice of
securities. |
• |
|
Distressed and Defaulted Securities Risk:
the risk that the repayment of defaulted securities and obligations of
distressed issuers is subject to significant
uncertainties. |
• |
|
Equity Risk: the risk that stocks and
other equity securities generally fluctuate in value more than bonds and
may decline in value over short or extended periods as a result of changes
in a company’s financial condition or in overall market, economic and
political conditions. |
• |
|
Municipal Securities Risk: the risk of
investing in municipal securities, including that the issuers of municipal
securities may be unable to pay their obligations as they come due. The
values of municipal securities may fluctuate as a result of changes in the
cash flows generated by the revenue source or changes in the priority of
the municipal obligation to receive the cash flows generated by the
revenue source. Changes in federal tax laws or the activity of an issuer
may adversely affect the tax-exempt status of municipal securities, may
cause interest received and distributed to shareholders by the Fund to be
taxable and may result in a significant decline in the values of such
municipal securities. |
• |
|
Sovereign Debt Risk: the risk that
investments in debt obligations of sovereign governments may lose value
due to the government entity’s unwillingness or inability to repay
principal and interest when due in accordance with the terms of the debt
or otherwise in a timely manner. The Fund may have limited (or no)
recourse in the event of a default because bankruptcy, moratorium and
other similar laws applicable to issuers of sovereign debt obligations may
be substantially different from those applicable to private issuers and
any recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant
country. |
• |
|
Swap Agreements Risk: the risk of
investing in swaps, which, in addition to risks applicable to derivatives
generally, includes: (1) the inability to assign a swap contract
without the consent of the counterparty; (2) potential default of the
counterparty to a swap for those not traded through a central
counterparty; (3) absence of a liquid secondary market for any
particular swap at any time; and (4) possible inability of the Fund
to close out a swap transaction at a time that otherwise would be
favorable for it to do so. |
• |
|
Frequent Trading Risk: the risk that
frequent trading will lead to increased portfolio turnover and higher
transaction costs, which may reduce the Fund’s performance and may cause
higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders in the
Fund. |
• |
|
Money Market/Short-Term Securities Risk:
To the extent the Fund holds cash or invests in money market or short-term
securities, the Fund may be less likely to achieve its investment
objective. In addition, it is possible that the Fund’s investments in
these instruments could lose
money. |
• |
|
Leverage Risk: the risk that
leverage may result from certain transactions, including the use of
derivatives and borrowing. This may impair the Fund’s liquidity, cause it
to liquidate positions at an unfavorable time, increase its volatility or
otherwise cause it not to achieve its intended result. To the extent
required by applicable law or regulation, the Fund will reduce leverage
risk by either segregating an equal amount of liquid assets or “covering”
the transactions that introduce such
risk. |
• |
|
Foreign Currency Risk: the risk that
foreign currencies may decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and
affect the Fund’s investments in foreign currencies, in securities that
are denominated, trade and/or receive revenues in foreign currencies, or
in derivatives that provide exposure to foreign
currencies. |
• |
|
Counterparty Risk: the risk that the
other party to a contract, such as a derivatives contract, may not fulfill
its contractual obligations. |
• |
|
Portfolio Management Risk: the risk
that an investment strategy may fail to produce the intended
results. |
• |
|
Public Health Emergency Risk: the risk
that pandemics and other public health emergencies, including outbreaks of
infectious diseases such as the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus
(“COVID-19”), can result, and in the case of COVID-19 has resulted and may
continue to result, in market volatility and disruption, and materially
and adversely impact economic conditions in ways that
cannot |
21
|
|
be
predicted, all of which could result in substantial investment losses. The
ultimate impact of COVID-19, including new variants of the underlying
virus, or other health emergencies on global economic conditions and
businesses is impossible to predict accurately. Ongoing and potential
additional material adverse economic effects of indeterminate duration and
severity are possible. The resulting adverse impact on the value of an
investment in the Fund could be significant and prolonged. Other public
health emergencies that may arise in the future could have similar or
other unforeseen
effects. |
• |
|
LIBOR Risk: the risk associated with the
transition away from LIBOR, which is used extensively in the U.S. and
globally as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various commercial and
financial contracts, including corporate bonds and other fixed income
securities. The use of LIBOR began being phased out at the end of 2021;
however, the publication of 1-month, 3-month and 6-month USD LIBOR has
been extended until June 2023. Although the transition process away from
LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, there remains uncertainty
regarding the impact on the Fund of the transition to a new reference
rate. |
• |
|
U.S. Government Securities Risk: the risk
that debt securities issued or guaranteed by certain U.S. government
agencies, instrumentalities, and sponsored enterprises are not supported
by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and as a result,
investments in securities or obligations issued by such entities involve
credit risk greater than investments in other types of U.S. government
securities. |
• |
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations Risk: the risk
that the value of U.S. Treasury obligations may decline as a result of
changes in interest rates, certain political events in the U.S., and
strained relations with certain foreign
countries. |
Please see “Principal Risks” and “Other Risks”
for a more detailed description of the risks of investing in the
Fund.
Your investment in the Fund is not
a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency, entity, or
person.
Performance
Information
The following bar
chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.
The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The bar
chart shows performance of the Fund’s Class M
shares.
Class M performance is
lower than Class I performance because Class I has lower expenses than
Class M. The table compares the average annual total returns of the Fund to
a broad-based securities market index. Total returns would
have been lower if certain fees and expenses had not been waived or reimbursed.
The inception date of Class M shares and Class I shares of the Fund is
November 30,
2018.
The
Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an
indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated
performance information for the Fund is available on our website at
www.tcw.com or
by calling (800) 241-4671.
Flexible
Income Fund – Class M Shares
Annual
Total Returns for Years Ended 12/31
Year-to-Date Total Return of Class M Shares
as of June 30,
2022: -8.79%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest: |
|
|
|
8.79% |
|
|
(quarter ended
March 31, 2019) |
Lowest: |
|
|
|
-0.51% |
|
|
(quarter ended
December 31,
2021) |
Average
Annual Total Returns
(For Periods Ended
December 31, 2021)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Class |
|
1 Year |
|
Since Inception |
M – Before Taxes |
|
|
|
1.98% |
|
|
|
|
10.70% |
|
-
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
|
-1.59% |
|
|
|
|
5.30% |
|
-
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
|
1.22% |
|
|
|
|
5.91% |
|
I – Before Taxes |
|
|
|
2.23% |
|
|
|
|
10.85% |
|
Bloomberg
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index |
|
|
|
-1.54% |
|
|
|
|
5.27% |
|
After-tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ
from those shown. After-tax returns
shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through
tax-deferred
22
arrangements, such as 401(k)
plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases, returns after
taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may be higher than returns before
taxes because the calculations assume that the investor received a tax deduction
for any loss incurred on the sale of the
shares.
Investment
Adviser
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC.
Portfolio
Managers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Experience with the Fund |
|
Primary Title with Investment Adviser |
Laird
Landmann |
|
3 Years |
|
Founding Partner and Generalist
Portfolio Manager |
|
|
|
Stephen
M. Kane, CFA |
|
3 Years |
|
Founding Partner and Generalist Portfolio Manager |
|
|
|
Bryan
T. Whalen, CFA |
|
3 Years |
|
Generalist Portfolio Manager |
Other
Important Information Regarding Fund Shares
For
more information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and
payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries, please turn to
the “Summary of Other Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” at
page 81 of this prospectus.
23
Metropolitan
West Floating Rate Income Fund
Investment
Objective
The Floating Rate Income Fund
(the “Fund”) seeks primarily to maximize current income,
with a secondary objective of long-term capital
appreciation.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
The
table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold
and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage
commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected
in the tables and examples below.
Shareholder
Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)
None.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the
value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M Class |
|
I Class |
|
Plan Class |
Management
Fees |
|
0.55% |
|
0.55% |
|
0.55% |
Distribution
(12b-1) Fees |
|
0.25% |
|
None |
|
None |
Other
Expenses |
|
0.20% |
|
0.14% |
|
0.10% |
Shareholder
Servicing Expenses2 |
|
0.10% |
|
0.04% |
|
0.00% |
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
1.00% |
|
0.69% |
|
0.65% |
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement3 |
|
(0.10)% |
|
(0.00)% |
|
(0.05)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement |
|
0.90% |
|
0.69% |
|
0.60% |
1 |
The
Fund is authorized to compensate broker-dealers and other third-party
intermediaries up to 0.10% (10 basis points) of the M and I Class
assets serviced by those intermediaries for shareholder
services. |
2 |
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to
reduce advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, including distribution
expenses, to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding
interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, swap
interest expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, and any expenses
incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary
expenses such as litigation), to 0.90% for M Class, 0.70% for I
Class and 0.60% for Plan Class. The Adviser may recoup reduced fees
and expenses only within three years of the waiver or reimbursement,
provided that the recoupment does not cause the Fund’s annual expense
ratio to exceed |
|
the lesser of
(i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver
and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect
at the time of recoupment. This contract will remain in place until
July 31,
2023, and the Adviser may not terminate the contract
before that date. Although it does not expect to do so, the Board of
Trustees is permitted to terminate this contract sooner in its discretion
with written notice to the
Adviser. |
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 cost for the Fund reflects the net
expenses of the Fund that result from the contractual expense limitation in the
first year only (through July 31, 2023). The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses
remain the same. 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 |
Class M |
|
$92 |
|
$308 |
|
$543 |
|
$1,216 |
Class I |
|
$70 |
|
$221 |
|
$384 |
|
$859 |
Plan Class |
|
$61 |
|
$203 |
|
$357 |
|
$806 |
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 may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
49% of the average value of its
portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies
The
Fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least
80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in floating
rate investments and in investments that are the economic equivalent of floating
rate investments. These economically equivalent investments may include, but are
not limited to, any combination of the following items: (i) senior secured
floating rate loans or debt; (ii) second lien or other subordinated
or
24
unsecured
floating rate loans or debt; (iii) fixed-rate loans or debt, such as
corporate bonds, preferred securities, convertible securities, mezzanine
investments, collateralized loan obligations, senior loans, second lien loans,
structured products and U.S. government debt securities, with respect to which
the Fund has entered into derivative instruments that have the effect of
converting the fixed-rate interest payments into floating-rate interest
payments; and (iv) written credit derivatives, which would give the Fund
exposure to the credit of a single issuer or an index. The market value of
written credit derivatives would count toward the 80% test specified above. The
Fund may also purchase, without limitation, participations or assignments in
senior floating rate loans or second lien floating rate loans. Debt instruments
include convertible or preferred securities that produce
income.
The
portfolio managers may consider many factors in purchasing and selling
investments for the Fund, such as a fundamental analysis of the issuer, the
credit quality of the issuer and collateral for the investment, capital
structure, leverage, operating results for the issuer and the business outlook
for the issuer, industry or broader
economy.
The
Fund’s investments may have any credit quality without limitation, including
investments rated below investment grade (commonly known as “junk bonds”). Under
normal circumstances, a substantial portion of the Fund’s portfolio consists of
leveraged loans rated below investment grade or
unrated.
The
Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment
purposes, in fixed income securities with respect to which the Fund has not
entered into derivative instruments to effectively convert the fixed-rate
interest payments into floating-rate interest payments. Those fixed income
securities may include, but are not limited to, corporate bonds, preferred
securities, convertible securities, mezzanine investments, collateralized loan
obligations, senior loans, second lien loans, structured products and U.S.
government debt securities.
The
Fund’s portfolio securities may have any duration or
maturity.
The
Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers, including issuers located in
emerging markets. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of
its net assets in loans and other securities of U.S. issuers or issuers with
their primary operations, assets or management activities in the U.S. (including
limited purpose controlled affiliates outside of the U.S. that borrow or issue
securities primarily for the bene-
fit
of their U.S. parent companies or affiliates). The Fund may invest up to 20% of
its assets in securities of foreign issuers. Investments in securities of
foreign issuers that are not denominated in U.S. dollars are limited to a
maximum of 20% of the Fund’s assets. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets
in emerging market securities.
Up
to 15% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in illiquid
securities.
The
Fund may also invest in companies whose financial condition is uncertain, where
the borrower has defaulted in the payment of interest or principal or in the
performance of its covenants or agreements, or that may be involved in
bankruptcy proceedings, reorganizations or financial
restructurings.
The
Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in common stocks or other equity
securities. In addition, the Fund may acquire and hold those securities (or
rights to acquire such securities) in unit offerings with fixed income
securities, in connection with an amendment, waiver, conversion or exchange of
fixed income securities, in connection with the bankruptcy or workout of a
distressed fixed income security, or upon the exercise of a right or warrant
obtained on account of a fixed income
security.
The
Fund may use derivatives for hedging purposes, but is not required to do so, as
well as to increase the total return on its portfolio investments. The types of
derivative instruments in which the Fund will principally invest are options or
futures on a security or an index of securities, options on futures, credit
default swaps, and interest rate or foreign currency derivatives, including
swaps and forward contracts.
The
Fund may sell securities and other instruments short provided that not more than
15% of its net assets are held as collateral for those
transactions.
Principal
Risks
Because
the Fund holds securities with fluctuating market prices, the value of the
Fund’s shares will vary as its portfolio holdings increase or decrease in value.
Therefore, the value of your investment in the Fund could go down as well as up.
You can lose money by
investing in the Fund.
The
principal risks affecting the Fund that can cause a decline in value are:
• |
|
Debt Securities Risk: the risk that the
value of a debt security may increase or decrease as a result of various
factors, |
25
|
|
including
changes in interest rates, actual or perceived inability or unwillingness
of issuers to make principal or interest payments, market fluctuations and
illiquidity in the debt securities
market. |
• |
|
Market Risk: the risk that returns from
the investments held by the Fund may underperform returns from the general
securities markets or other types of
securities. |
• |
|
Credit Risk: the risk that an issuer may
default in the payment of principal and/or interest on a
security. |
• |
|
Inflation Risk: the risk that the value
of the Fund’s investments may not keep up with price increases from
inflation. |
• |
|
Issuer Risk: the risk that the value of a
security may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer such as
management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the
issuer’s goods or services. |
• |
|
Liquidity Risk: the risk that lack of a
ready market or restrictions on resale may limit the ability of the Fund
to sell a security at an advantageous time or price. In addition, the
Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the Adviser,
may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical
trading volume for that security, which can make it difficult for the Fund
to dispose of the position at an advantageous time or price. Although the
Fund is normally able to sell loans within seven days, a substantial
portion of the loans held by the Fund may also experience delayed
settlement beyond that period, which can impair the ability of the Fund to
pay redemptions or to re-invest proceeds, or may require the Fund to
borrow to meet redemptions. Over recent years, the fixed-income markets
have grown more than the ability of dealers to make markets, which can
further constrain liquidity and increase the volatility of portfolio
valuations. High levels of redemptions in bond funds in response to market
conditions could cause greater losses as a result. Regulations such as the
Volcker Rule or future regulations may further constrain the ability of
market participants to create liquidity, particularly in times of
increased market volatility. The liquidity of the Fund’s assets may change
over time. |
• |
|
Valuation Risk: the risk that the
portfolio instruments may be sold at prices different from the values
established by the Fund, particularly for investments that trade in low
volume, in volatile markets or over the counter or that are fair
valued. |
• |
|
Bank Loan Risk: the risk of investing in
corporate loans made by commercial banks and other financial institutions
or institutional investors to companies that need capital to grow or
restructure, which includes interest rate risk, liquidity risk and
prepayment risk. The Fund may also
be |
|
|
subject
to the credit risk of other financial institutions and the risks
associated with insufficient collateral securing a bank loan, limited
available public information about a bank loan, delayed settlement, and
less protection for holders of bank loans as compared to holders of
registered securities. |
• |
|
Senior Loan Risk: the risk of investing
in senior loans, which may be greater than the risk of investing in other
types of securities, as a result of, among other factors, less readily
available, reliable information about most senior loans than is the case
for many other types of securities; possible loss of significant value
before a default occurs; possible decline in value or illiquidity of
collateral; and lack of an active trading market for certain senior
loans. |
• |
|
Second Lien Loan Risk: the risk of
investing in second lien loans, which generally are subject to similar
risks as those associated with investments in senior loans as well as the
additional risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing
the loan or debt, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments
after giving effect to the senior secured obligations of the
borrower. |
• |
|
Mezzanine Securities Risk: the risk of
investing in mezzanine securities, which generally are rated below
investment grade or are unrated and present many of the same risks as
senior loans, second lien loans and non-investment grade bonds. Mezzanine
securities present additional risks because they typically are the most
subordinated debt obligation in an issuer’s capital structure and are
often unsecured. Mezzanine securities are also expected to be a highly
illiquid investment. |
• |
|
Junk Bond Risk: the risk that junk bonds
have a higher degree of default risk and may be less liquid and subject to
greater price volatility than investment grade
bonds. |
• |
|
Unrated Securities Risk: the risk that
unrated securities may be less liquid than comparable rated securities,
and the risk that the Adviser may not accurately evaluate the security’s
comparative credit rating. |
• |
|
Distressed and Defaulted Securities Risk:
the risk that the repayment of defaulted securities and obligations of
distressed issuers is subject to significant
uncertainties. |
• |
|
Prepayment Risk: the risk that in times
of declining interest rates, the Fund’s higher yielding securities may be
prepaid and the Fund may have to replace them with securities having a
lower yield. |
• |
|
Securities Selection Risk: the risk
that the securities held by the Fund may underperform those held by other
funds investing in the same asset class or those included
in |
26
|
|
benchmarks
that are representative of the same asset class because of the portfolio
managers’ choice of
securities. |
• |
|
Price Volatility Risk: the risk that
the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio will change as the prices of
its investments go up or
down. |
• |
|
Interest Rate Risk: the risk that
investments held by the Fund may decline in value because of changes in
interest rates. |
• |
|
Derivatives Risk: the risk of investing
in derivative instruments, which includes liquidity, interest rate,
market, credit and management risks as well as risks related to mispricing
or improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not
correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, reference rate or index,
and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested. These
investments can create investment leverage and may create additional risks
that may subject the Fund to greater volatility and less liquidity than
investments in more traditional
securities. |
• |
|
Swap Agreements Risk: the risk of
investing in swaps, which, in addition to risks applicable to derivatives
generally, includes: (1) the inability to assign a swap contract
without the consent of the counterparty; (2) potential default of the
counterparty to a swap for those not traded through a central
counterparty; (3) absence of a liquid secondary market for any
particular swap at any time; and (4) possible inability of the Fund
to close out a swap transaction at a time that otherwise would be
favorable for it to do so. |
• |
|
Futures Contracts Risk: the risk of
investing in futures contracts, which includes (1) the imperfect
correlation between a futures contract and the change in market value of
the underlying instrument held by the Fund; (2) a high degree of
leverage because of the low collateral deposits normally involved in
futures trading; (3) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a
futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract
when desired; (4) losses caused by unanticipated market movements,
which are potentially unlimited; and (5) the inability of the Fund to
execute a trade because of the maximum permissible price movements
exchanges may impose on futures
contracts. |
• |
|
Counterparty Risk: the risk that the
other party to a contract, such as a derivatives contract, may not fulfill
its contractual obligations. |
• |
|
Foreign Investing Risk: the risk that
Fund share prices will fluctuate with market conditions, currency exchange
rates and the economic and political climates of the foreign countries in
which the Fund invests or has exposure. Investments in foreign securities
may involve greater
risks |
|
|
than
investing in U.S. securities due to, among other factors, less publicly
available information, less stringent and less uniform accounting,
auditing and financial reporting standards, less liquid and more volatile
markets, higher transaction and custody costs, additional taxes, less
investor protection, delayed or less frequent settlement, political or
social instability, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, regional economic
volatility, and the imposition of sanctions, confiscations, trade
restrictions (including tariffs) and other government restrictions by the
United States and/or other governments. In addition, Russia’s recent
military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to additional,
sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other
countries against Russia. Russia’s military incursion and the resulting
sanctions could adversely affect global energy and financial markets and
thus could affect the value of the Fund’s
investments. |
• |
|
Emerging Markets Risk: the risk of
investing in emerging market countries, which is substantial due to, among
other factors, higher brokerage costs in certain countries; different
accounting standards; thinner trading markets as compared to those in
developed countries; less publicly available and reliable information
about issuers as compared to developed markets; the possibility of
currency transfer restrictions; and the risk of expropriation,
nationalization or other adverse political, economic or social
developments. |
• |
|
Equity Risk: the risk that stocks and
other equity securities generally fluctuate in value more than bonds and
may decline in value over short or extended periods as a result of changes
in a company’s financial condition or in overall market, economic and
political conditions. |
• |
|
Leverage Risk: the risk that leverage may
result from certain transactions, including the use of derivatives and
borrowing. This may impair the Fund’s liquidity, cause it to liquidate
positions at an unfavorable time, increase its volatility or otherwise
cause it not to achieve its intended result. To the extent required by
applicable law or regulation, the Fund will reduce leverage risk either by
segregating an equal amount of liquid assets or by “covering” the
transactions that introduce such
risk. |
• |
|
Portfolio Management Risk: the risk that
an investment strategy may fail to produce the intended
results. |
• |
|
Public Health Emergency Risk: the risk
that pandemics and other public health emergencies, including outbreaks of
infectious diseases such as the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus
(“COVID-19”), can result, and in the case of COVID-19 has resulted and may
continue to result, in market volatility and disruption, and materially
and |
27
|
|
adversely
impact economic conditions in ways that cannot be predicted, all of which
could result in substantial investment losses. The ultimate impact of
COVID-19, including new variants of the underlying virus, or other health
emergencies on global economic conditions and businesses is impossible to
predict accurately. Ongoing and potential additional material adverse
economic effects of indeterminate duration and severity are possible. The
resulting adverse impact on the value of an investment in the Fund could
be significant and prolonged. Other public health emergencies that may
arise in the future could have similar or other unforeseen
effects. |
• |
|
LIBOR Risk: the risk associated with the
transition away from LIBOR, which is used extensively in the U.S. and
globally as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various commercial and
financial contracts, including corporate bonds and other fixed income
securities. The use of LIBOR began being phased out at the end of 2021;
however, the publication of 1-month, 3-month and 6-month USD LIBOR has
been extended until June 2023. Although the transition process away from
LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, there remains uncertainty
regarding the impact on the Fund of the transition to a new reference
rate. |
• |
|
U.S. Government Securities Risk: the risk
that debt securities issued or guaranteed by certain U.S. government
agencies, instrumentalities, and sponsored enterprises are not supported
by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and as a result
investments in securities or obligations issued by such entities involve
credit risk greater than investments in other types of U.S. government
securities. |
Please
see “Principal Risks” and “Other Risks” for a more detailed description of the
risks of investing in the Fund.
Your investment in the Fund is not
a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency, entity, or
person.
Performance
Information
The following bar
chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.
The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year. The bar
chart shows performance of the Fund’s Class M shares. Class M
performance is lower than Class I and Plan Class performance because
Class I and Plan Class have lower expenses than Class M. The
table compares the average annual total returns of the Fund to a broad-based
securities
market index.
Total returns would have been lower if certain fees and expenses had not been
waived or reimbursed. The inception date of Class M shares and Class I
shares of the Fund is June 28,
2013. The
inception date for the Plan Class shares is January 29, 2021.
The
Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an
indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated
performance information for the Fund is available on our website at
www.tcw.com or
by calling (800) 241-4671.
Floating
Rate Income Fund – Class M
Shares
Annual
Total Returns for Years Ended 12/31
Year-to-Date Total Return of Class M Shares
as of June 30,
2022: -5.38%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest: |
|
|
|
6.99% |
|
|
(quarter ended
June 30, 2020) |
Lowest: |
|
|
|
-8.90% |
|
|
(quarter ended
March 31,
2020) |
Average
Annual Total Returns
(For
Periods Ended December 31, 2021)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Class |
|
1 Year |
|
5 Years |
|
Since Inception |
M
– Before Taxes |
|
|
|
3.30% |
|
|
|
|
3.43% |
|
|
|
|
3.57% |
|
-
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
|
2.07% |
|
|
|
|
1.88% |
|
|
|
|
2.02% |
|
-
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
|
1.94% |
|
|
|
|
1.94% |
|
|
|
|
2.04% |
|
I
– Before Taxes |
|
|
|
3.51% |
|
|
|
|
3.66% |
|
|
|
|
3.78% |
|
Plan
Class – Before Taxes |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
S&P/LSTA
Leveraged Loan Index |
|
|
|
5.20% |
|
|
|
|
4.26% |
|
|
|
|
4.11% |
|
After-tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ
from those shown. 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. After-tax returns are shown
for only Class M Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will
vary. In some cases,
returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund
shares
28
may be higher than returns
before taxes because the calculations assume that the investor received a tax
deduction for any loss incurred on the sale of the
shares.
Investment
Adviser
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC.
Portfolio
Managers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Experience with the Fund |
|
Primary Title with Investment Adviser |
Drew
Sweeney |
|
2 Years |
|
Managing
Director |
|
|
|
Laird
Landmann |
|
8 Years |
|
Founding Partner and Generalist
Portfolio Manager |
|
|
|
Jerry
Cudzil |
|
8 Years |
|
Managing Director |
|
|
|
Steven
Purdy |
|
1 Year |
|
Managing
Director |
|
|
|
Kenneth
Toshima |
|
Since July 2022 |
|
Managing
Director |
Other
Important Information Regarding Fund Shares
For
more information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and
payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries, please turn to
the “Summary of Other Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” at
page 81 of this prospectus.
29
Metropolitan
West High Yield Bond Fund
Investment
Objective
The
High Yield Bond Fund seeks to maximize long-term total return consistent with
preservation of capital.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
The
table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold
and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage
commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected
in the tables and examples below.
Shareholder
Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)
None.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the
value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M Class |
|
I Class |
Management
Fees |
|
0.50% |
|
0.50% |
Distribution
(12b-1) Fees |
|
0.25% |
|
None |
Other
Expenses |
|
0.15% |
|
0.11% |
Shareholder
Servicing Expenses1 |
|
0.09% |
|
0.06% |
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
0.90% |
|
0.61% |
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement2 |
|
(0.05)% |
|
(0.01)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement |
|
0.85% |
|
0.60% |
1 |
The
Fund is authorized to compensate broker-dealers and other third-party
intermediaries up to 0.10% (10 basis points) of the M and I Class
assets serviced by those intermediaries for shareholder
services. |
2 |
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to
reduce advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, including distribution
expenses, to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding
interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, swap
interest expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, and any expenses
incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary
expenses such as litigation) to the net expenses shown in the table for
the applicable class. The Adviser may recoup reduced fees and expenses
only within three years of the waiver or reimbursement, provided that the
recoupment does not cause the Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the
lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that
fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense
limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. This contract will remain
in place until July 31,
2023. Although it does not expect to do so, the Board of
Trustees is permitted to terminate that contract sooner in its discretion
with written notice to the
Adviser. |
Example
This
example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses
remain the same. The cost for the Fund reflects the net expenses of the Fund
that result from the contractual expense limitation in the first year only
(through July 31, 2023). 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 |
Class M |
|
$87 |
|
$282 |
|
$494 |
|
$1,103 |
Class I |
|
$61 |
|
$194 |
|
$339 |
|
$761 |
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
117% of the average value of its
portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies
The
Fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least
80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in high
yield bonds (commonly known as “junk bonds”), which are bonds rated below
investment grade or unrated bonds determined by the Adviser to be of comparable
quality. The remainder of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in investment
grade securities rated by one of the nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations or, if unrated, determined by the Adviser to be of comparable
quality.
Under
normal circumstances, the Fund’s portfolio duration is two to eight years and
the Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity ranges from two to fifteen years.
Duration is a measure of the expected life of a fixed income security that is
used to determine the sensitivity of a security to changes in interest rates.
The Fund invests in the U.S. and abroad, including emerging markets, and may
purchase securities of
30
varying
maturities issued by domestic and foreign corporations and governments. The
Adviser focuses the Fund’s portfolio holdings in areas of the bond market that
the Adviser believes to be relatively undervalued, based on its analysis of
quality, sector, coupon or maturity, and that the Adviser believes offer
attractive prospective risk-adjusted returns compared to other segments of the
bond market. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in foreign securities
that are denominated in U.S. dollars. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its
assets in securities of foreign issuers that are not denominated in U.S.
dollars. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in emerging market
securities.
The
Fund’s investments include various types of bonds and debt securities, including
corporate bonds, mezzanine investments, swaps (including credit default swaps),
currency futures and options, bank loans, preferred stock, mortgage-related and
asset-backed securities (including collateralized debt obligations, which in
turn include collateralized bond obligations and collateralized loan
obligations), foreign securities, U.S. Treasuries and agency securities, private
placements, defaulted debt securities and restricted securities, cash and cash
equivalents; and common stocks or other equity securities, such as warrants. The
Fund’s fixed income investments may have interest rates that are fixed, variable
or floating.
Derivatives
are used in an effort to hedge investments, for risk management, or to increase
income or gains for the Fund. The Fund may also seek to obtain market exposure
to the securities in which it invests by entering into a series of purchase and
sale contracts or by using other investment techniques such as reverse
repurchase agreements. The Fund may normally borrow or short sell up to 331/3% of the value of its total
assets. The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of
portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment
strategies.
Principal
Risks
Because
the Fund holds securities with fluctuating market prices, the value of the
Fund’s shares will vary as its portfolio securities increase or decrease in
value. Therefore, the value of your investment in the Fund could go down as well
as up. You can lose money by
investing in the Fund.
The
principal risks affecting the Fund that can cause a decline in value are:
• |
|
Debt Securities Risk: the risk that the
value of a debt security may increase or decrease as a result of various
factors, |
|
|
including
changes in interest rates, actual or perceived inability or unwillingness
of issuers to make principal or interest payments, market fluctuations and
illiquidity in the debt securities
market. |
• |
|
Market Risk: the risk that returns
from the securities in which the Fund invests may underperform returns
from the general securities markets or other types of
securities. |
• |
|
Junk Bond Risk: the risk that junk bonds
have a higher degree of default risk and may be less liquid and subject to
greater price volatility than investment grade
bonds. |
• |
|
Credit Risk: the risk that an issuer may
default in the payment of principal and/or interest on a
security. |
• |
|
Inflation Risk: the risk that the value
of the Fund’s investments may not keep up with price increases from
inflation. |
• |
|
Issuer Risk: the risk that the value of a
security may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer such as
management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the
issuer’s goods or services. |
• |
|
Mezzanine Securities Risk: the risk of
investing in mezzanine securities, which generally are rated below
investment grade or are unrated and present many of the same risks as
senior loans, second lien loans and non-investment grade bonds. Mezzanine
securities present additional risks because they typically are the most
subordinated debt obligation in an issuer’s capital structure and are
often unsecured. Mezzanine securities are also expected to be a highly
illiquid investment. |
• |
|
Unrated Securities Risk: the risk that
unrated securities may be less liquid than comparable rated securities,
and the risk that the Adviser may not accurately evaluate the security’s
comparative credit rating. |
• |
|
Distressed and Defaulted Securities Risk:
the risk that the repayment of defaulted securities and obligations of
distressed issuers is subject to significant
uncertainties. |
• |
|
Liquidity Risk: the risk that lack of a
ready market or restrictions on resale may limit the ability of the Fund
to sell a security at an advantageous time or price. In addition, the
Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the Adviser,
may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical
trading volume for that security, which can make it difficult for the Fund
to dispose of the position at an advantageous time or price. Although the
Fund is normally able to sell loans within seven days, a substantial
portion of the loans held by the Fund may also experience delayed
settlement beyond that period, which can impair the ability of the Fund to
pay redemptions or to re-invest proceeds, or may require the Fund to
borrow to meet redemptions. Over recent years, the
fixed-income |
31
|
|
markets
have grown more than the ability of dealers to make markets, which can
further constrain liquidity and increase the volatility of portfolio
valuations. High levels of redemptions in bond funds in response to market
conditions could cause greater losses as a result. Regulations such as the
Volcker Rule or future regulations may further constrain the ability of
market participants to create liquidity, particularly in times of
increased market volatility. The liquidity of the Fund’s assets may change
over time. |
• |
|
Valuation Risk: the risk that the
portfolio instruments may be sold at prices different from the values
established by the Fund, particularly for investments that trade in low
volume, in volatile markets or over the counter or that are fair
valued. |
• |
|
Price Volatility Risk: the risk that the
value of the Fund’s investment portfolio will change as the prices of its
investments go up or down. |
• |
|
Bank Loan Risk: the risk of investing in
corporate loans made by commercial banks and other financial institutions
or institutional investors to companies that need capital to grow or
restructure, which includes interest rate risk, liquidity risk and
prepayment risk. The Fund may also be subject to the credit risk of other
financial institutions and the risks associated with insufficient
collateral securing a bank loan, limited available public information
about a bank loan, delayed settlement, and less protection for holders of
bank loans as compared to holders of registered
securities. |
• |
|
Interest Rate Risk: the risk that debt
securities may decline in value because of changes in interest
rates. |
• |
|
Futures Contracts Risk: the risk of
investing in futures contracts, which includes (1) the imperfect
correlation between a futures contract and the change in market value of
the underlying instrument held by the Fund; (2) a high degree of
leverage because of the low collateral deposits normally involved in
futures trading; (3) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a
futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract
when desired; (4) losses caused by unanticipated market movements,
which are potentially unlimited; and (5) the inability of the Fund to
execute a trade because of the maximum permissible price movements
exchanges may impose on futures
contracts. |
• |
|
Securities Selection Risk: the risk
that the securities held by the Fund may underperform those held by other
funds investing in the same asset class or those included in benchmarks
that are representative of the same asset class because of the portfolio
managers’ choice of
securities. |
• |
|
Frequent Trading Risk: the risk that
frequent trading may lead to increased portfolio turnover and higher
transaction costs, which may reduce the Fund’s performance and may cause
higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders of the
Fund. |
• |
|
Foreign Investing Risk: the risk that
Fund share prices will fluctuate with market conditions, currency exchange
rates and the economic and political climates of the foreign countries in
which the Fund invests or has exposure. Investments in foreign securities
may involve greater risks than investing in U.S. securities due to, among
other factors, less publicly available information, less stringent and
less uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, less
liquid and more volatile markets, higher transaction and custody costs,
additional taxes, less investor protection, delayed or less frequent
settlement, political or social instability, civil unrest, acts of
terrorism, regional economic volatility, and the imposition of sanctions,
confiscations, trade restrictions (including tariffs) and other government
restrictions by the United States and/or other governments. In addition,
Russia’s recent military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead
to additional, sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union
and other countries against Russia. Russia’s military incursion and the
resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy and financial
markets and thus could affect the value of the Fund’s
investments. |
• |
|
Derivatives Risk: the risk of
investing in derivative instruments, which includes liquidity, interest
rate, market, credit and management risks as well as risks related to
mispricing or improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may
not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, reference rate or
index, and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested.
These investments can create investment leverage and may create additional
risks that may subject the Fund to greater volatility and less liquidity
than investments in more traditional
securities. |
• |
|
Swap Agreements Risk: the risk of
investing in swaps, which, in addition to risks applicable to derivatives
generally, includes: (1) the inability to assign a swap contract
without the consent of the counterparty; (2) potential default of the
counterparty to a swap for those not traded through a central
counterparty; (3) absence of a liquid secondary market for any
particular swap at any time; and (4) possible inability of the Fund
to close out a swap transaction at a time that otherwise would be
favorable for it to do
so. |
32
• |
|
Emerging Markets Risk: the risk of
investing in emerging market countries, which is substantial due to, among
other factors, higher brokerage costs in certain countries; different
accounting standards; thinner trading markets as compared to those in
developed countries; less publicly available and reliable information
about issuers as compared to developed markets; the possibility of
currency transfer restrictions; and the risk of expropriation,
nationalization or other adverse political, economic or social
developments. |
• |
|
Portfolio Management Risk: the risk
that an investment strategy may fail to produce the intended
results. |
• |
|
Prepayment Risk: the risk that in
times of declining interest rates, the Fund’s higher yielding securities
may be prepaid and the Fund may have to replace them with securities
having a lower yield. |
• |
|
Leverage Risk: the risk that
leverage may result from certain transactions, including the use of
derivatives and borrowing. This may impair the Fund’s liquidity, cause it
to liquidate positions at an unfavorable time, increase its volatility or
otherwise cause it not to achieve its intended result. To the extent
required by applicable law or regulation, the Fund will reduce leverage
risk by either segregating an equal amount of liquid assets or “covering”
the transactions that introduce such
risk. |
• |
|
Counterparty Risk: the risk that the
other party to a contract, such as a derivatives contract, may not fulfill
its contractual obligations. |
• |
|
Public Health Emergency Risk: the risk
that pandemics and other public health emergencies, including outbreaks of
infectious diseases such as the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus
(“COVID-19”), can result, and in the case of COVID-19 has resulted and may
continue to result, in market volatility and disruption, and materially
and adversely impact economic conditions in ways that cannot be predicted,
all of which could result in substantial investment losses. The ultimate
impact of COVID-19, including new variants of the underlying virus, or
other health emergencies on global economic conditions and businesses is
impossible to predict accurately. Ongoing and potential additional
material adverse economic effects of indeterminate duration and severity
are possible. The resulting adverse impact on the value of an investment
in the Fund could be significant and prolonged. Other public health
emergencies that may arise in the future could have similar or other
unforeseen effects. |
• |
|
LIBOR Risk: the risk associated with the
transition away from LIBOR, which is used extensively in the U.S.
and |
|
|
globally
as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various commercial and financial
contracts, including corporate bonds and other fixed income securities.
The use of LIBOR began being phased out at the end of 2021; however, the
publication of 1-month, 3-month and 6-month USD LIBOR has been extended
until June 2023. Although the transition process away from LIBOR has
become increasingly well-defined, there remains uncertainty regarding the
impact on the Fund of the transition to a new reference
rate. |
Please
see “Principal Risks” and “Other Risks” for a more detailed description of the
risks of investing in the Fund.
Your investment in the Fund is not
a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency, entity, or
person.
Performance
Information
The following
bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year.
The bar chart shows performance of the Fund’s Class M shares. Class M
performance is lower than Class I performance because Class I has
lower expenses than Class M. The table compares the average annual total
returns of the Fund to a broad-based securities market index.
Total returns would have been lower if certain fees and expenses had not been
waived or reimbursed. The inception dates of Class M shares and
Class I shares of the Fund are September 30,
2002 and March 31, 2003,
respectively. The
Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an
indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated
performance information for the Fund is available on our website at
www.tcw.com or
by calling (800) 241-4671.
High
Yield Bond Fund – Class M Shares
Annual
Total Returns for Years Ended 12/31
Year-to-Date Total Return of Class M Shares
as of June 30,
2022: -14.10%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest: |
|
|
|
8.60% |
|
|
(quarter ended June 30, 2020) |
Lowest: |
|
|
|
-5.70% |
|
|
(quarter ended
March 31,
2020) |
33
Average
Annual Total Returns
(For
Periods Ended December 31, 2021)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Class |
|
1 Year |
|
5 Years |
|
10 Years |
|
Since Inception |
M – Before
Taxes |
|
|
|
3.35% |
|
|
|
|
6.28% |
|
|
|
|
5.77% |
|
|
|
|
7.99% |
|
-
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
|
1.93% |
|
|
|
|
4.64% |
|
|
|
|
3.75% |
|
|
|
|
5.18% |
|
-
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
|
1.97% |
|
|
|
|
4.11% |
|
|
|
|
3.56% |
|
|
|
|
5.11% |
|
I
– Before Taxes |
|
|
|
3.61% |
|
|
|
|
6.55% |
|
|
|
|
6.04% |
|
|
|
|
7.49% |
|
Barclays
Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield Index – 2% Issuer Cap |
|
|
|
5.26% |
|
|
|
|
6.27% |
|
|
|
|
6.81% |
|
|
|
|
8.56% |
|
After-tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ
from those shown. 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. After-tax returns are shown
for only Class M Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will
vary. In some cases, returns after
taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may be higher than returns before
taxes because the calculations assume that the investor received a tax deduction
for any loss incurred on the sale of the
shares.
Investment
Adviser
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC.
Portfolio
Managers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Experience with the Fund |
|
Primary Title with Investment Adviser |
Jerry
Cudzil |
|
2 Years |
|
Managing
Director |
|
|
|
Stephen
M. Kane, CFA |
|
19 Years |
|
Founding Partner and Generalist
Portfolio Manager |
|
|
|
Laird
Landmann |
|
19 Years |
|
Founding
Partner and Generalist Portfolio Manager |
|
|
|
Steven
J. Purdy |
|
2 Years |
|
Managing
Director |
|
|
|
Brian
Gelfand |
|
Since July 2022 |
|
Senior Vice
President |
Other
Important Information Regarding Fund Shares
For
more information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and
payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries, please turn to
the “Summary of Other Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” at
page 81 of this prospectus.
34
Metropolitan
West Intermediate Bond Fund
Investment
Objective
The
Intermediate Bond Fund seeks to maximize current income, consistent with
preservation of capital.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
The
table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold
and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage
commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected
in the tables and examples below.
Shareholder
Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)
None.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the
value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M Class |
|
I Class |
Management
Fees |
|
0.35% |
|
0.35% |
Distribution
(12b-1) Fees |
|
0.21% |
|
None |
Other
Expenses |
|
0.14% |
|
0.12% |
Shareholder
Servicing Expenses1 |
|
0.09% |
|
0.07% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
0.70% |
|
0.47% |
1 |
The
Fund is authorized to compensate broker-dealers and other third-party
intermediaries up to 0.10% (10 basis points) of the M and I Class
assets serviced by those intermediaries for shareholder
services. |
2 |
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to
reduce advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, including distribution
expenses, to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding
interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, swap
interest expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, and any expenses
incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary
expenses such as litigation) to the net expenses shown in the table for
the applicable class. The Adviser may recoup reduced fees and expenses
only within three years of the waiver or reimbursement, provided that the
recoupment does not cause the Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the
lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that
fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense
limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. This contract will remain
in place until July 31,
2023. Although it does not expect to do so, the Board of
Trustees is permitted to terminate that contract sooner in its discretion
with written notice to the
Adviser. |
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. 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 |
Class M |
|
$72 |
|
$224 |
|
$390 |
|
$871 |
Class I |
|
$48 |
|
$151 |
|
$263 |
|
$591 |
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
399% of the average value of its
portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies
The
Fund pursues its objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least
90% of its net assets in fixed-income securities rated investment grade or
unrated securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. Up to
10% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in securities rated below
investment grade (commonly known as “junk bonds”) or unrated securities
determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund also invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any
borrowings for investment purposes, in fixed income securities it regards as
bonds. A bond is a security or instrument having one or more of the following
characteristics: a fixed-income security, a security issued at a discount to its
face value, a security that pays interest or a security with a stated principal
amount that requires repayment of some or all of that principal amount to the
holder of the security. The term “bond” is interpreted broadly by the Adviser as
an instrument or security evidencing a promise to pay some amount rather than
evidencing the corporate ownership of equity, unless that equity represents an
indirect or derivative interest in one or more bonds. Under normal
circumstances, the Fund’s portfolio duration is one to six years and the Fund’s
dollar-weighted average maturity ranges from three to seven years. Duration is a
measure of the expected life of a fixed income security that is used to
determine the sensitivity of a security to changes in interest
rates.
35
The
Fund invests in the U.S. and abroad, including emerging markets, and may
purchase securities of varying maturities issued by domestic and foreign
corporations and governments. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in
foreign securities that are denominated in U.S. dollars. The Fund may invest up
to 15% of its assets in securities of foreign issuers that are not
denominated in U.S. dollars. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in
emerging market securities.
The
Fund’s investments include various types of bonds and debt securities, including
corporate bonds, notes, mortgage-related and asset-backed securities (including
collateralized debt obligations, which in turn include collateralized bond
obligations and collateralized loan obligations), bank loans, U.S. and non-U.S.
money market securities, swaps (including credit default swaps), futures,
municipal securities, options, defaulted debt securities, private placements and
restricted securities. The Fund’s fixed income investments may have interest
rates that are fixed, variable or
floating.
Derivatives
are used in an effort to hedge investments, for risk management, or to increase
income or gains for the Fund. The Fund may also seek to obtain market exposure
to the securities in which it invests by entering into a series of purchase and
sale contracts or by using other investment techniques such as reverse
repurchase agreements. The Fund may engage in active and frequent
trading of portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment
strategies.
The
Fund may normally short sell up to 25% of the value of its total
assets.
Principal
Risks
Because
the Fund holds securities with fluctuating market prices, the value of the
Fund’s shares will vary as its portfolio securities increase or decrease in
value. Therefore, the value of your investment in the Fund could go down as well
as up. You can lose money by
investing in the Fund.
The
principal risks affecting the Fund that can cause a decline in value are:
• |
|
Debt Securities Risk: the risk that the
value of a debt security may increase or decrease as a result of various
factors, including changes in interest rates, actual or perceived
inability or unwillingness of issuers to make principal or interest
payments, market fluctuations and illiquidity in the debt securities
market. |
• |
|
Market Risk: the risk that returns
from the securities in which the Fund invests may underperform returns
from the |
|
general
securities markets or other types of
securities. |
• |
|
Interest Rate Risk: the risk that debt
securities may decline in value because of changes in interest
rates. |
• |
|
Credit Risk: the risk that an issuer may
default in the payment of principal and/or interest on a
security. |
• |
|
Inflation Risk: the risk that the value
of the Fund’s investments may not keep up with price increases from
inflation. |
• |
|
Issuer Risk: the risk that the value of a
security may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer such as
management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the
issuer’s goods or services. |
• |
|
Prepayment Risk: the risk that in
times of declining interest rates, the Fund’s higher yielding securities
may be prepaid and the Fund may have to replace them with securities
having a lower yield. |
• |
|
Extension Risk: the risk that in
times of rising interest rates, borrowers may pay off their debt
obligations more slowly, causing securities considered short- or
intermediate-term to become longer-term securities that fluctuate more
widely in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term
securities. |
• |
|
Asset-Backed Securities Risk: the risk of
investing in asset-backed securities, including the risk of loss as a
result of the impairment of the value of the underlying financial assets,
prepayment risk and extension risk. Issuers of asset-backed securities may
have limited ability to enforce the security interest in the underlying
assets, and credit enhancements provided to support the asset-backed
securities, if any, may be inadequate to protect investors in the event of
default. |
• |
|
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk: the risk
of investing in mortgage-backed securities, including prepayment risk and
extension risk. Mortgage-backed securities react differently to changes in
interest rates than other bonds, and some mortgage-backed securities are
not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
government. |
• |
|
Price Volatility Risk: the risk that the
value of the Fund’s investment portfolio will change as the prices of its
investments go up or down. |
• |
|
Below Investment Grade Mortgage-Backed
Securities Risk: the Fund’s investments in residential
mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) and commercial mortgage-backed
securities (“CMBS”) that are rated below investment grade generally carry
greater liquidity risk than their investment grade counterparts.
Historically, the markets for such below investment grade securities, and
for below investment grade asset-backed securities
in |
36
|
general,
have been characterized at times by less liquidity than the market for
analogous investment grade securities, particularly during the financial
crisis of 2007 and 2008. |
• |
|
Sovereign Debt Risk: the risk that
investments in debt obligations of sovereign governments may lose value
due to the government entity’s unwillingness or inability to repay
principal and interest when due in accordance with the terms of the debt
or otherwise in a timely manner. The Fund may have limited (or no)
recourse in the event of a default because bankruptcy, moratorium and
other similar laws applicable to issuers of sovereign debt obligations may
be substantially different from those applicable to private issuers and
any recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant
country. |
• |
|
Municipal Securities Risk: the risk of
investing in municipal securities, including that the issuers of municipal
securities may be unable to pay their obligations as they come due. The
values of municipal securities may fluctuate as a result of changes in the
cash flows generated by the revenue source or changes in the priority of
the municipal obligation to receive the cash flows generated by the
revenue source. Changes in federal tax laws or the activity of an issuer
may adversely affect the tax-exempt status of municipal securities, may
cause interest received and distributed to shareholders by the Fund to be
taxable and may result in a significant decline in the values of such
municipal securities. |
• |
|
Junk Bond Risk: the risk that junk bonds
have a higher degree of default risk and may be less liquid and subject to
greater price volatility than investment grade
securities. |
• |
|
Futures Contracts Risk: the risk of
investing in futures contracts, which includes (1) the imperfect
correlation between a futures contract and the change in market value of
the underlying instrument held by the Fund; (2) a high degree of
leverage because of the low collateral deposits normally involved in
futures trading; (3) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a
futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract
when desired; (4) losses caused by unanticipated market movements,
which are potentially unlimited; and (5) the inability of the Fund to
execute a trade because of the maximum permissible price movements
exchanges may impose on futures
contracts. |
• |
|
Securities Selection Risk: the risk that
the securities held by the Fund may underperform those held by other funds
investing in the same asset class or those included in benchmarks that are
representative of the same asset class because of the portfolio managers’
choice of securities. |
• |
|
Frequent Trading Risk: the risk that
frequent trading may lead to increased portfolio turnover and higher
transaction |
|
|
costs,
which may reduce the Fund’s performance and may cause higher levels of
current tax liability to shareholders of the
Fund. |
• |
|
Foreign Investing Risk: the risk that
Fund share prices will fluctuate with market conditions, currency exchange
rates and the economic and political climates of the foreign countries in
which the Fund invests or has exposure. Investments in foreign securities
may involve greater risks than investing in U.S. securities due to, among
other factors, less publicly available information, less stringent and
less uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, less
liquid and more volatile markets, higher transaction and custody costs,
additional taxes, less investor protection, delayed or less frequent
settlement, political or social instability, civil unrest, acts of
terrorism, regional economic volatility, and the imposition of sanctions,
confiscations, trade restrictions (including tariffs) and other government
restrictions by the United States and/or other governments. In addition,
Russia’s recent military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead
to additional, sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union
and other countries against Russia. Russia’s military incursion and the
resulting sanctions could adversely affect global energy and financial
markets and thus could affect the value of the Fund’s
investments. |
• |
|
Derivatives Risk: the risk of
investing in derivative instruments, which includes liquidity, interest
rate, market, credit and management risks as well as risks related to
mispricing or improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may
not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, reference rate or
index, and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested.
These investments can create investment leverage and may create additional
risks that may subject the Fund to greater volatility and less liquidity
than investments in more traditional
securities. |
• |
|
Swap Agreements Risk: the risk of
investing in swaps, which, in addition to risks applicable to derivatives
generally, includes: (1) the inability to assign a swap contract
without the consent of the counterparty; (2) potential default of the
counterparty to a swap for those not traded through a central
counterparty; (3) absence of a liquid secondary market for any
particular swap at any time; and (4) possible inability of the Fund
to close out a swap transaction at a time that otherwise would be
favorable for it to do so. |
• |
|
Emerging Markets Risk: the risk of
investing in emerging market countries, which is substantial due to, among
other factors, higher brokerage costs in certain countries;
different |
37
|
|
accounting
standards; thinner trading markets as compared to those in developed
countries; less publicly available and reliable information about issuers
as compared to developed markets; the possibility of currency transfer
restrictions; and the risk of expropriation, nationalization or other
adverse political, economic or social
developments. |
• |
|
Unrated Securities Risk: the risk that
unrated securities may be less liquid than comparable rated securities,
and the risk that the Adviser may not accurately evaluate the security’s
comparative credit rating. |
• |
|
Valuation Risk: the risk that the
portfolio instruments may be sold at prices different from the values
established by the Fund, particularly for investments that trade in low
volume, in volatile markets or over the counter or that are fair
valued. |
• |
|
Liquidity Risk: the risk that lack of a
ready market or restrictions on resale may limit the ability of the Fund
to sell a security at an advantageous time or price. In addition, the
Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the Adviser,
may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical
trading volume for that security, which can make it difficult for the Fund
to dispose of the position at an advantageous time or price. Over recent
years, the fixed-income markets have grown more than the ability of
dealers to make markets, which can further constrain liquidity and
increase the volatility of portfolio valuations. High levels of
redemptions in bond funds in response to market conditions could cause
greater losses as a result. Regulations such as the Volcker Rule or future
regulations may further constrain the ability of market participants to
create liquidity, particularly in times of increased market volatility.
The liquidity of the Fund’s assets may change over
time. |
• |
|
Counterparty Risk: the risk that the
other party to a contract, such as a derivatives contract, may not fulfill
its contractual
obligations. |
• |
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations Risk: the risk
that the value of U.S. treasury obligations may decline as a result of
changes in interest rates, certain political events in the U.S., and
strained relations with certain foreign
countries. |
• |
|
U.S. Government Securities Risk: the risk
that debt securities issued or guaranteed by certain U.S. government
agencies, instrumentalities, and sponsored enterprises are not supported
by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and as a result,
investments in securities or obligations issued by such entities involve
credit risk greater than investments in other types of U.S. government
securities. |
• |
|
Distressed and Defaulted Securities Risk:
the risk that the repayment of defaulted securities and obligations of
distressed issuers is subject to significant
uncertainties. |
• |
|
Leverage Risk: the risk that leverage may
result from certain transactions, including the use of derivatives and
borrowing. This may impair the Fund’s liquidity, cause it to liquidate
positions at an unfavorable time, increase its volatility or otherwise
cause it not to achieve its intended result. To the extent required by
applicable law or regulation, the Fund will reduce leverage risk by either
segregating an equal amount of liquid assets or “covering” the
transactions that introduce such
risk. |
• |
|
Portfolio Management Risk: the risk that
an investment strategy may fail to produce the intended
results. |
• |
|
Public Health Emergency Risk: the risk
that pandemics and other public health emergencies, including outbreaks of
infectious diseases such as the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus
(“COVID-19”), can result, and in the case of COVID-19 has resulted and may
continue to result, in market volatility and disruption, and materially
and adversely impact economic conditions in ways that cannot be predicted,
all of which could result in substantial investment losses. The ultimate
impact of COVID-19, including new variants of the underlying virus, or
other health emergencies on global economic conditions and businesses is
impossible to predict accurately. Ongoing and potential additional
material adverse economic effects of indeterminate duration and severity
are possible. The resulting adverse impact on the value of an investment
in the Fund could be significant and prolonged. Other public health
emergencies that may arise in the future could have similar or other
unforeseen effects. |
• |
|
LIBOR Risk: the risk associated with the
transition away from LIBOR, which is used extensively in the U.S. and
globally as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various commercial and
financial contracts, including corporate bonds and other fixed income
securities. The use of LIBOR began being phased out at the end of 2021;
however, the publication of 1-month, 3-month and 6-month USD LIBOR has
been extended until June 2023. Although the transition process away from
LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, there remains uncertainty
regarding the impact on the Fund of the transition to a new reference
rate. |
Please
see “Principal Risks” and “Other Risks” for a more detailed description of the
risks of investing in the Fund.
Your investment in
the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal
Deposit Insurance
38
Corporation or any other
government agency, entity, or
person.
Performance
Information
The following
bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year.
The bar chart shows performance of the Fund’s Class I shares. Class I
performance is higher than Class M performance because Class I has
lower expenses than Class M. The table compares the average annual total
returns of the Fund to a broad-based securities market index.
Total returns would have been lower if certain fees and expenses had not
been waived or reimbursed. The inception dates of Class I shares and
Class M shares of the Fund are June 28,
2002 and June 30, 2003,
respectively. The
Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an
indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated
performance information for Fund is available on our website at www.tcw.com or
by calling (800) 241-4671.
Intermediate
Bond Fund – Class I Shares
Annual
Total Returns for Years Ended 12/31
Year-to-Date Total Return of Class I Shares
as of June 30,
2022: -7.47%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest: |
|
|
|
3.85% |
|
|
(quarter ended
June 30, 2020) |
Lowest: |
|
|
|
-1.87% |
|
|
(quarter ended
December 31,
2016) |
Average
Annual Total Returns
(For
Periods Ended December 31, 2021)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Class |
|
1 Year |
|
5 Years |
|
10 Years |
|
Since Inception |
I
– Before Taxes |
|
|
|
-1.17% |
|
|
|
|
3.18% |
|
|
|
|
3.12% |
|
|
|
|
4.86% |
|
-
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
|
-1.72% |
|
|
|
|
2.12% |
|
|
|
|
2.00% |
|
|
|
|
3.20% |
|
-
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
|
-0.64% |
|
|
|
|
2.00% |
|
|
|
|
1.94% |
|
|
|
|
3.15% |
|
M
– Before Taxes |
|
|
|
-1.39% |
|
|
|
|
2.95% |
|
|
|
|
2.89% |
|
|
|
|
4.06% |
|
Barclays
Capital Intermediate U.S. Government/ Credit Index |
|
|
|
-1.44% |
|
|
|
|
2.91% |
|
|
|
|
2.38% |
|
|
|
|
3.70% |
|
After-tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ
from those shown. 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. After-tax returns are shown
for only Class I Shares. After-tax returns for other classes will
vary. In some cases, returns after
taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may be higher than returns before
taxes because the calculations assume that the investor received a tax deduction
for any loss incurred on the sale of the
shares.
39
Investment
Adviser
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC.
Portfolio
Managers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Experience with the Fund |
|
Primary Title with Investment Adviser |
Stephen M. Kane,
CFA |
|
19 Years |
|
Founding Partner and Generalist
Portfolio Manager |
|
|
|
Laird
Landmann |
|
19 Years |
|
Founding
Partner and Generalist Portfolio Manager |
|
|
|
Bryan
T. Whalen, CFA |
|
18 Years |
|
Generalist
Portfolio Manager |
Other
Important Information Regarding Fund Shares
For
more information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and
payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries, please turn to
the “Summary of Other Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” at
page 81 of this prospectus.
40
Metropolitan
West Investment Grade Credit Fund
Investment
Objective
The
Investment Grade Credit Fund seeks to maximize long-term total
return.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
The
table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold
and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage
commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected
in the tables and examples below.
Shareholder
Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)
None.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the
value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M Class |
|
I Class |
Management
Fees |
|
0.35% |
|
0.35% |
Distribution
(12b-1) Fees |
|
0.25% |
|
None |
Other
Expenses |
|
1.56% |
|
1.52% |
Shareholder
Servicing Expenses1 |
|
0.06% |
|
0.05% |
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
2.16% |
|
1.87% |
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement1 |
|
(1.46)% |
|
(1.38)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement |
|
0.70% |
|
0.49% |
1 |
The
Fund is authorized to compensate broker-dealers and other third-party
intermediaries up to 0.10% (10 basis points) of the M Class and I
Class assets serviced by that intermediary for shareholder
services. |
2 |
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to
reduce advisory fees and/or reimburse expenses, including distribution
expenses, to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding
interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses,
acquired fund fees and expenses, and any expenses incurred in connection
with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as
litigation) to the net expenses shown in the table for the applicable
share class. The Adviser may recoup reduced fees and expenses only within
three years of the waiver or reimbursement, provided that the recoupment
does not cause the Fund’s annual expense ratio to exceed the lesser of
(i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver
and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect
at the time of recoupment. This contract will remain in place until
July 31,
2023. Although it does not expect to do so, the Board of
Trustees is permitted to terminate that contract sooner in its discretion
with written notice to the
Adviser. |
Example
This
example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses
remain the same. The cost for the Fund reflects the net expenses of the Fund
that result from the contractual expense limitation in the first year only
(through July 31, 2023). 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 |
Class M |
|
$72 |
|
$535 |
|
$1,025 |
|
$2,378 |
Class I |
|
$50 |
|
$453 |
|
$882 |
|
$2,077 |
Portfolio
Turnover
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.
During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
345% of the average value of its
portfolio.
Principal
Investment Strategies
The
Fund pursues its objective by utilizing a flexible investment approach that
allocates investments across a range of fixed income sectors. Satisfying the
Fund’s objective would require it to achieve positive total returns over a full
market cycle, i.e., a period of time
generally understood to be contained between two consecutive periods of
heightened default activity within the global fixed income markets. Total return
includes income and capital gains.
The
Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 90% of its net assets in
investment grade fixed income securities or unrated securities determined by the
Adviser to be of comparable quality. Up to 10% of the Fund’s net assets may be
invested in securities rated below investment grade (commonly known as “junk
bonds”) or unrated securities determined by the Adviser to be of comparable
quality. The emerging market fixed-income securities in which the Fund may
invest are not subject to any minimum credit
quality
41
standards,
so long as the value of those investments does not cause the Fund to exceed its
limit on investments in securities rated below investment
grade.
The
Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets, plus
any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities and instruments it regards
as bonds in the U.S. and abroad, including emerging markets, and may purchase
securities of varying maturities issued by domestic and foreign corporations and
governments. A bond is a security or instrument having one or more of the
following characteristics: a fixed-income security, a security issued at a
discount to its face value, a security that pays interest or a security with a
stated principal amount that requires repayment of some or all of that principal
amount to the holder of the security. The term “bond” is interpreted broadly by
the Adviser as an instrument or security evidencing a promise to pay some amount
rather than evidencing the corporate ownership of equity, unless that equity
represents an indirect or derivative interest in one or more bonds. Bonds for
this purpose also include bank loans and instruments that are intended to
provide one or more of the characteristics of a direct investment in one or more
bonds. The Adviser focuses the Fund’s portfolio holdings in areas of the bond
market that the Adviser believes to be relatively undervalued, based on its
analysis of quality, sector, coupon or maturity, and that the Adviser believes
offer attractive prospective risk-adjusted returns compared to other segments of
the bond market.
The
portfolio management team evaluates each investment idea based on the team’s
view of, among other factors, its potential total return, its risk level and how
it fits within the Fund’s overall portfolio in determining whether to buy or
sell investments. The Adviser allocates the Fund’s assets in response to, among
other considerations, changing market, financial, economic, and political
factors and events that the Fund’s portfolio managers believe may affect the
values of the Fund’s investments. The allocation of capital to sectors and
securities within each sector in the Fund is driven primarily by the Adviser’s
assessment of relative value offered by each sector and security,
respectively.
The
Adviser seeks to actively manage the Fund’s risks on an on-going basis to
mitigate the risks of excessive losses by the portfolio overall. In managing
portfolio risk, the Adviser takes into consideration its view of the following
factors, among others: the potential relative performance of various market
sectors, security selection available within a given sector, the risk/reward
equation for different asset classes, liquidity conditions in various market
sectors, the shape of the yield curve and projections for changes in the yield
curve, potential
fluctuations
in the overall level of interest rates, and current monetary and fiscal
policy.
The
Fund may invest in securities of any maturity, and there is no limit on the
weighted average maturity of the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund does not have a
duration target. However, under normal circumstances, the average portfolio
duration varies from two to eight years. Duration is a measure of the
expected life of a fixed income security that is used to determine the
sensitivity of a security to changes in interest
rates.
The
Fund’s investments include various types of bonds and debt securities, including
corporate bonds, notes, mortgage-related and asset-backed securities (including
collateralized debt obligations, which in turn include collateralized bond
obligations and collateralized loan obligations), bank loans, municipal
securities, U.S. and non-U.S. money market securities, private placements and
restricted securities. The Fund’s fixed income investments may have interest
rates that are fixed, variable or
floating.
The
Fund may sell securities and other instruments short provided that not more than
331/3% of its net assets
is held as collateral for those transactions. Derivatives are used in an effort
to hedge investments, for risk management or to increase income or gains for the
Fund. The types of derivative instruments in which the Fund will principally
invest are currency and other futures, forward contracts, options, and swap
agreements (typically interest-rate swaps, index-linked swaps, total return
swaps and credit default swaps).
Under
normal circumstances, the majority of the Fund’s investments are denominated in
U.S. dollars. However, the Fund has the flexibility to allocate up to 20% of its
assets to securities denominated in foreign currencies. The Fund reserves
the right to hedge its exposure to foreign currencies to reduce the risk of loss
from fluctuations in currency exchange rates, but is under no obligation to do
so under any circumstances.
The
Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in a combination of convertible
bonds, preferred stock, and common stock of domestic and foreign
companies.
42
Principal
Risks
Because
the Fund holds securities with fluctuating market prices, the value of the
Fund’s shares will vary as its portfolio securities increase or decrease in
value. Therefore, the value of your investment in the Fund could go down as well
as up. You can lose money by
investing in the Fund.
The
principal risks affecting the Fund that can cause a decline in value are:
• |
|
Debt Securities Risk: the risk that the
value of a debt security may increase or decrease as a result of various
factors, including changes in interest rates, actual or perceived
inability or unwillingness of issuers to make principal or interest
payments, market fluctuations and illiquidity in the debt securities
market. |
• |
|
Market Risk: the risk that returns
from the securities in which the Fund invests may underperform returns
from the general securities markets or other types of
securities. |
• |
|
Interest Rate Risk: the risk that debt
securities may decline in value because of changes in interest
rates. |
• |
|
Credit Risk: the risk that an issuer may
default in the payment of principal and/or interest on a
security. |
• |
|
Inflation Risk: the risk that the value
of the Fund’s investments may not keep up with price increases from
inflation. |
• |
|
Issuer Risk: the risk that the value of a
security value may decline for reasons directly related to the issuer,
such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for
the issuer’s goods or
services. |
• |
|
Price Volatility Risk: the risk that
the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio will change as the prices of
its investments go up or down. |
• |
|
Prepayment Risk: the risk that in times
of declining interest rates, the Fund’s higher yielding securities may be
prepaid and the Fund may have to replace them with securities having a
lower yield. |
• |
|
Extension Risk: the risk that in times of
rising interest rates, borrowers may pay off their debt obligations more
slowly, causing securities considered short- or intermediate-term to
become longer-term securities that fluctuate more widely in response to
changes in interest rates than shorter-term
securities. |
• |
|
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk: the risk
of investing in mortgage-backed securities, including prepayment risk and
extension risk. Mortgage-backed securities react differently to changes in
interest rates than other bonds, and some mortgage-backed securities are
not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
government. |
• |
|
Asset-Backed Securities Risk: the risk of
investing in asset-backed securities, including the risk of loss as a
result of the impairment of the value of the underlying financial assets,
prepayment risk and extension risk. Issuers of asset-backed securities may
have limited ability to enforce the security interest in the underlying
assets, and credit enhancements provided to support the asset-backed
securities, if any, may be inadequate to protect investors in the event of
default. |
• |
|
Frequent Trading Risk: the risk that
frequent trading may lead to increased portfolio turnover and higher
transaction costs, which may reduce the Fund’s performance and may cause
higher levels of current tax liability to shareholders of the
Fund. |
• |
|
Municipal Securities Risk: the risk of
investing in municipal securities, including that the issuers of municipal
securities may be unable to pay their obligations as they come due. The
values of municipal securities may fluctuate as a result of changes in the
cash flows generated by the revenue source or changes in the priority of
the municipal obligation to receive the cash flows generated by the
revenue source. Changes in federal tax laws or the activity of an issuer
may adversely affect the tax-exempt status of municipal securities, may
cause interest received and distributed to shareholders by the Fund to be
taxable and may result in a significant decline in the values of such
municipal securities. |
• |
|
Foreign Investing Risk: the risk
that Fund share prices will fluctuate with market conditions, currency
exchange rates and the economic and political climates of the foreign
countries in which the Fund invests or has exposure. Investments in
foreign securities may involve greater risks than investing in U.S.
securities due to, among other factors, less publicly available
information, less stringent and less uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards, less liquid and more volatile markets,
higher transaction and custody costs, additional taxes, less investor
protection, delayed or less frequent settlement, political or social
instability, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, regional economic
volatility, and the imposition of sanctions, confiscations, trade
restrictions (including tariffs) and other government restrictions by the
United States and/or other governments. In addition, Russia’s recent
military incursions in Ukraine have led to, and may lead to additional,
sanctions being levied by the United States, European Union and other
countries against Russia. Russia’s military incursion and the resulting
sanctions could adversely affect global energy and financial markets and
thus could affect the value of the Fund’s
investments. |
43
• |
|
Emerging Markets Risk: the risk of
investing in emerging market countries, which is substantial due to, among
other factors, higher brokerage costs in certain countries; different
accounting standards; thinner trading markets as compared to those in
developed countries; less publicly available and reliable information
about issuers as compared to developed markets; the possibility of
currency transfer restrictions; and the risk of expropriation,
nationalization or other adverse political, economic or social
developments. |
• |
|
Sovereign Debt Risk: the risk that
investments in debt obligations of sovereign governments may lose value
due to the government entity’s unwillingness or inability to repay
principal and interest when due in accordance with the terms of the debt
or otherwise in a timely manner. The Fund may have limited (or no)
recourse in the event of a default because bankruptcy, moratorium and
other similar laws applicable to issuers of sovereign debt obligations may
be substantially different from those applicable to private issuers and
any recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant
country. |
• |
|
Futures Contracts Risk: the risk of
investing in futures contracts, which includes (1) the imperfect
correlation between a futures contract and the change in market value of
the underlying instrument held by the Fund; (2) a high degree of
leverage because of the low collateral deposits normally involved in
futures trading; (3) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a
futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract
when desired; (4) losses caused by unanticipated market movements,
which are potentially unlimited; and (5) the inability of the Fund to
execute a trade because of the maximum permissible price movements
exchanges may impose on futures
contracts. |
• |
|
Unrated Securities Risk: the risk that
unrated securities may be less liquid than comparable rated securities,
and the risk that the Adviser may not accurately evaluate the security’s
comparative credit rating. |
• |
|
Securities Selection Risk: the risk
that the securities held by the Fund may underperform those held by other
funds investing in the same asset class or those included in benchmarks
that are representative of the same asset class because of the portfolio
managers’ choice of
securities. |
• |
|
Derivatives Risk: the risk of
investing in derivative instruments, which includes liquidity, interest
rate, market, credit and management risks as well as risks related to
mispricing or improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may
not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, reference rate or
index, and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested.
These |
|
|
investments
can create investment leverage and may create additional risks that may
subject the Fund to greater volatility and less liquidity than investments
in more traditional
securities. |
• |
|
Swap Agreements Risk: the risk of
investing in swaps, which, in addition to risks applicable to derivatives
generally, includes: (1) the inability to assign a swap contract
without the consent of the counterparty; (2) potential default of the
counterparty to a swap for those not traded through a central
counterparty; (3) absence of a liquid secondary market for any
particular swap at any time; and (4) possible inability of the Fund
to close out a swap transaction at a time that otherwise would be
favorable for it to do
so. |
• |
|
Liquidity Risk: the risk that lack of a
ready market or restrictions on resale may limit the ability of the Fund
to sell a security at an advantageous time or price. In addition, the
Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the Adviser,
may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical
trading volume for that security, which can make it difficult for the Fund
to dispose of the position at an advantageous time or price. Over recent
years, the fixed-income markets have grown more than the ability of
dealers to make markets, which can further constrain liquidity and
increase the volatility of portfolio valuations. High levels of
redemptions in bond funds in response to market conditions could cause
greater losses as a result. Regulations such as the Volcker Rule or future
regulations may further constrain the ability of market participants to
create liquidity, particularly in times of increased market volatility.
The liquidity of the Fund’s assets may change over
time. |
• |
|
Valuation Risk: the risk that the
portfolio instruments may be sold at prices different from the values
established by the Fund, particularly for investments that trade in low
volume, in volatile markets or over the counter or that are fair
valued. |
• |
|
Leverage Risk: the risk that
leverage may result from certain transactions, including the use of
derivatives and borrowing. This may impair the Fund’s liquidity, cause it
to liquidate positions at an unfavorable time, increase its volatility or
otherwise cause it not to achieve its intended result. If required by
applicable law or regulation, the Fund will reduce leverage risk by either
segregating an equal amount of liquid assets or “covering” the
transactions that introduce such
risk. |
• |
|
U.S. Government Securities Risk: the risk
that debt securities issued or guaranteed by certain U.S. government
agencies, instrumentalities, and sponsored enterprises
are |
44
|
|
not
supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and as a
result, investments in securities or obligations issued by such entities
involve credit risk greater than investments in other types of U.S.
government securities. |
• |
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations Risk: the risk
that the value of U.S. Treasury obligations may decline as a result of
changes in interest rates, certain political events in the U.S., and
strained relations with certain foreign
countries. |
• |
|
Counterparty Risk: the risk that the
other party to a contract, such as a derivatives contract, may not fulfill
its contractual obligations. |
• |
|
Portfolio Management Risk: the risk
that an investment strategy may fail to produce the intended
results. |
• |
|
Foreign Currency Risk: the risk that
foreign currencies may decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and
affect the Fund’s investments in foreign currencies, in securities that
are denominated, trade and/or receive revenues in foreign currencies, or
in derivatives that provide exposure to foreign
currencies. |
• |
|
Public Health Emergency Risk: the risk
that pandemics and other public health emergencies, including outbreaks of
infectious diseases such as the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus
(“COVID-19”), can result, and in the case of COVID-19 has resulted and may
continue to result, in market volatility and disruption, and materially
and adversely impact economic conditions in ways that cannot be predicted,
all of which could result in substantial investment losses. The ultimate
impact of COVID-19, including new variants of the underlying virus, or
other health emergencies on global economic conditions and businesses is
impossible to predict accurately. Ongoing and potential additional
material adverse economic effects of indeterminate duration and severity
are possible. The resulting adverse impact on the value of an investment
in the Fund could be significant and prolonged. Other public health
emergencies that may arise in the future could have similar or other
unforeseen effects. |
• |
|
LIBOR Risk: the risk associated with the
transition away from LIBOR, which is used extensively in the U.S. and
globally as a “benchmark” or “reference rate” for various commercial and
financial contracts, including corporate bonds and other fixed income
securities. The use of LIBOR began being phased out at the end of 2021;
however, the publication of 1-month, 3-month and 6-month USD LIBOR has
been extended until June 2023. Although the transition process away from
LIBOR has become increasingly well-defined, there remains uncertainty
regarding the impact on the Fund of the transition to a new reference
rate. |
Please
see “Principal Risks” and “Other Risks” for a more detailed description of the
risks of investing in the Fund.
Your investment in the Fund is not
a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency, entity, or
person.
Performance
Information
The following
bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the
Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year.
The bar chart shows performance of the Fund’s Class I shares. Class I
performance is higher than Class M performance because Class I has
lower expenses than Class M. The table compares the average annual total
returns of the Fund to a broad-based securities market index.
Total returns would have been lower if certain fees and expenses had not
been waived or reimbursed. The inception dates of Class I shares and
Class M shares of the Fund are June 29,
2019.
The
Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an
indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated
performance information for Fund is available on our website at www.tcw.com or
by calling (800) 241-4671.
Investment
Grade Credit Fund – Class M Shares
Annual
Total Returns for Years Ended 12/31
Year-to-Date Total Return of Class M Shares
as of June 30,
2022: -9.39%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest: |
|
|
|
5.56% |
|
|
(quarter ended
June 30, 2020) |
Lowest: |
|
|
|
-1.10% |
|
|
(quarter ended
March 31,
2021) |
45
Average
Annual Total Returns
(For
Periods Ended December 31, 2021)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Class |
|
1 Year |
|
Since Inception |
M
– Before Taxes |
|
|
|
-0.61% |
|
|
|
|
6.32% |
|
M
– After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
|
-2.49% |
|
|
|
|
2.98% |
|
M
– After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
|
-0.36% |
|
|
|
|
3.44% |
|
I
– Before Taxes |
|
|
|
-0.40% |
|
|
|
|
6.54% |
|
Bloomberg
Barclays U.S. Intermediate Credit Index |
|
|
|
-1.03% |
|
|
|
|
4.78% |
|
After-tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ
from those shown. 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. In some cases, returns after
taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may be higher than returns before
taxes because the calculations assume that the investor received a tax deduction
for any loss incurred on the sale of the
shares.
Investment
Adviser
Metropolitan
West Asset Management, LLC.
Portfolio
Managers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Experience with the Fund |
|
Primary Title with Investment Adviser |
Laird
Landmann |
|
3 Years |
|
Founding Partner and
Generalist Portfolio Manager |
|
|
|
Stephen
M. Kane, CFA |
|
3 Years |
|
Founding Partner and Generalist Portfolio
Manager |
|
|
|
Bryan
T. Whalen, CFA |
|
3 Years |
|
Generalist Portfolio Manager |
Other
Important Information Regarding Fund Shares
For
more information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, tax information, and
payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries, please turn to
the “Summary of Other Important Information Regarding Fund Shares” at
page 81 of this prospectus.
46
Metropolitan
West Low Duration Bond Fund
Investment
Objective
The
Low Duration Bond Fund seeks to maximize current income, consistent with
preservation of capital.
Fees
and Expenses of the Fund
The
table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold
and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage
commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected
in the tables and examples below.
Shareholder
Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)
None.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the
value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M Class |
|
I Class |
|
Administrative Class |
Management
Fees |
|
0.30% |
|
0.30% |
|
0.30% |
Distribution
(12b-1) Fees |
|
0.19% |
|
None |
|
0.19% |
Other
Expenses |
|
0.13% |
|
0.11% |
|
0.23% |
Shareholder
Servicing Expenses1 |
|
0.10% |
|
0.08% |
|
0.20% |
Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses |
|
0.62% |
|
0.41% |
|
0.72% |
1 |
Shareholder
Servicing Expenses for the Administrative Class Shares includes up to
0.20% charged under the Shareholder Servicing Plan. The Fund is authorized
to compensate broker-dealers and other third-party intermediaries up to
0.10% (10 basis points) of the M and I Class assets serviced by those
intermediaries for shareholder
services. |
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. 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 |
Class M |
|
$63 |
|
$199 |
|
|