STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SEI CATHOLIC VALUES TRUST
Catholic Values Equity Fund
Ticker Symbols: Class F—CAVAX, Class Y—CAVYX
Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund
Ticker Symbols: Class F—CFVAX, Class Y—CFVYX
Administrator:
SEI Investments Global Funds Services
Distributor:
SEI Investments Distribution Co.
Adviser:
SEI Investments Management Corporation
Sub-Advisers:
Brandywine Global
Investment Management, LLC
Copeland Capital Management, LLC
Fred Alger
Management, LLC
Income Research + Management
Jupiter Asset
Management
Lazard Asset Management LLC
Leeward Investments,
LLC
Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC
Western Asset Management Company,
LLC
Western Asset Management Company Limited
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It is intended to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of SEI Catholic Values Trust (the "Trust") and should be read in conjunction with the Trust's Class F and Class Y shares prospectuses (the "Prospectuses"), each dated June 30, 2024. The Prospectuses may be obtained upon request and without charge by writing the Trust's distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co., at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, or by calling 1-800-342-5734.
June 30, 2024
SEI-F-190 (06/24)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GLOSSARY OF TERMS |
S-1 |
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THE TRUST |
S-3 |
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES |
S-3 |
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DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS AND RISK FACTORS |
S-5 |
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American Depositary Receipts |
S-6 |
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Asset-Backed Securities |
S-6 |
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Catholic Values/Socially Responsible Investing Risk |
S-8 |
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Commercial Paper |
S-8 |
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Construction Loans |
S-8 |
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Credit Linked Notes |
S-9 |
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Current Market Conditions Risk |
S-9 |
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Demand Instruments |
S-9 |
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Distressed Securities |
S-10 |
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Dollar Rolls |
S-10 |
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Equity-Linked Warrants |
S-10 |
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Equity Securities |
S-10 |
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Eurobonds |
S-12 |
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Exchange Traded Products ("ETPs") |
S-12 |
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Fixed Income Securities |
S-13 |
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Foreign Securities and Emerging and Frontier Markets |
S-15 |
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Forward Foreign Currency Contracts |
S-20 |
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Futures Contracts and Options on Futures |
S-23 |
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Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") Securities |
S-24 |
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High Yield Foreign Sovereign Debt Securities |
S-24 |
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Illiquid Securities |
S-25 |
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Interfund Lending and Borrowing Arrangements |
S-25 |
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Investment Companies |
S-25 |
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Loan Participations and Assignments |
S-27 |
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Money Market Securities |
S-27 |
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Mortgage-Backed Securities |
S-27 |
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Mortgage Dollar Rolls |
S-30 |
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Municipal Securities |
S-31 |
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Obligations of Domestic Banks, Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks |
S-31 |
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Obligations of Supranational Entities |
S-32 |
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Options |
S-32 |
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Participation Notes ("P-Notes") |
S-34 |
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Pay-In-Kind Bonds |
S-34 |
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Privatizations |
S-34 |
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Put Transactions |
S-34 |
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Quantitative Investing |
S-35 |
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Real Estate Investment Trusts ("REITs") |
S-35 |
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Real Estate Operating Companies ("REOCs") |
S-36 |
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Receipts |
S-36 |
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Repurchase Agreements |
S-36 |
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Restricted Securities |
S-36 |
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Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Sale-Buybacks |
S-37 |
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Risks of Cyber Attacks |
S-37 |
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Senior Loans and Bank Loans |
S-38 |
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Sovereign Debt |
S-39 |
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Structured Securities |
S-39 |
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Swaps, Caps, Floors, Collars and Swaptions |
S-39 |
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U.S. Government Securities |
S-41 |
Variable and Floating Rate Instruments |
S-43 |
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When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities |
S-43 |
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Yankee Obligations |
S-43 |
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Zero Coupon Securities |
S-43 |
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INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS |
S-44 |
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THE ADMINISTRATOR AND TRANSFER AGENT |
S-46 |
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THE ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISERS |
S-48 |
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DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING |
S-69 |
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SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITY |
S-70 |
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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST |
S-70 |
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PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES |
S-78 |
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PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES |
S-79 |
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TAXES |
S-80 |
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PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS |
S-87 |
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DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION |
S-90 |
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DESCRIPTION OF SHARES |
S-90 |
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LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES' LIABILITY |
S-91 |
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CODES OF ETHICS |
S-91 |
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VOTING |
S-91 |
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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES |
S-92 |
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SOCIAL INVESTMENT SERVICES |
S-92 |
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CUSTODIANS |
S-93 |
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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
S-93 |
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LEGAL COUNSEL |
S-93 |
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DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS |
A-1 |
June 30, 2024
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The following terms are used throughout this SAI, and have the meanings set forth below. Because the following is a combined glossary of terms used for all the SEI Funds, certain terms below may not apply to your fund. Any terms used but not defined herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the applicable Fund's prospectus or as otherwise defined in this SAI.
Term |
Definition |
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1933 Act |
Securities Act of 1933, as amended |
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1940 Act |
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended |
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ADRs |
American Depositary Receipts |
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ARMS |
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities |
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BHCA |
Bank-Holding Company Act |
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Bank Loan
Rate |
The rate of
interest that would be charged by a bank for short-term borrowings |
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Board |
The Trust's Board of Trustees |
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CATS |
Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities |
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CDOs |
Collateralized Debt Obligations |
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CDRs |
Continental Depositary Receipts |
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CFTC |
Commodities Futures Trading Commission |
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CLCs |
Construction Loan Certificates |
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CLOs |
Collateralized Loan Obligations |
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CMBS |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities |
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CMOs |
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations |
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Code |
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended |
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Confidential
Information |
Material, non-public information |
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Dodd-Frank
Act |
Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protections Act |
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EDRs |
European Depositary Receipts |
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ETFs |
Exchange-Traded Funds |
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ETNs |
Exchange-Traded Notes |
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ETPs |
Exchange-Traded Products |
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EU |
European Union |
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Fannie Mae |
Federal National Mortgage Association |
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FHA |
Federal Housing Administration |
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Freddie Mac |
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation |
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GDRs |
Global Depositary Receipts |
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GNMA |
Government National Mortgage Association |
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IFA |
Insurance Funding Agreement |
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IO |
Interest-Only Security |
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IRS |
Internal Revenue Service |
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Liquidity Fund |
SEI Liquidity Fund, LP |
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LYONs |
Liquid Yield Option Notes |
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MiFID II |
Directive
2014/61/EU on markets in financial instruments and Regulation 600/2014/EU on markets in financial instruments |
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MLPs |
Master Limited Partnerships |
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Moody's |
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. |
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NAV |
Net Asset Value |
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NDFs |
Non-Deliverable Forwards |
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NRSRO |
Nationally
Recognized Statistical Rating Organization |
S-1
Term |
Definition |
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OTC |
Over-the-Counter |
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PAC Bonds |
Planned Amortization Class CMOs |
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PIPEs |
Private Investments in Public Equity |
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PLC |
Permanent Loan Certificate |
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P-Notes |
Participation Notes |
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PO |
Principal-Only Security |
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Program |
SEI Funds' interfund lending program |
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QFII |
Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor |
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QPTPs |
Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships |
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REITs |
Real Estate Investment Trusts |
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REMIC Certificates |
REMIC pass-through certificates |
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REMICs |
Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits |
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REOCs |
Real Estate Operating Companies |
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Repo Rate |
rate of interest
for an investment in overnight repurchase agreements |
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RIC |
Regulated Investment Company |
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S&P |
Standard & Poor's Rating Group |
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SEC |
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |
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SEI Funds |
The existing or
future investment companies registered under the 1940 Act that are advised by SIMC |
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SOFR |
Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
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STRIPS |
Separately Traded
Registered Interest and Principal Securities |
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Subsidiary |
A wholly-owned
subsidiary organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands |
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TIGRs |
Treasury Investment Growth Receipts |
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TRs |
Treasury Receipts |
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UK |
United Kingdom |
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World Bank |
International Bank
of Reconstruction and Development |
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Yankees |
Yankee Obligations |
S-2
THE TRUST
SEI Catholic Values Trust (the "Trust") is an open-end management investment company that offers shares of diversified portfolios. The Trust was established as a Delaware statutory trust pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated December 8, 2014. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series ("portfolios") of units of beneficial interest ("shares") and separate classes of shares of such portfolios. Shareholders may purchase shares in certain portfolios through separate classes. Class F and Class Y may be offered, which may provide for variations in transfer agent fees, shareholder servicing fees, administrative servicing fees, dividends and certain voting rights. Except for differences among the classes pertaining to shareholder servicing, administrative servicing, distribution, voting rights, dividends and transfer agent expenses, each share of each portfolio represents an equal proportionate interest in that portfolio with each other share of that portfolio.
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") relates to the following portfolios: Catholic Values Equity Fund and Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund (each, a "Fund" and, together, the "Funds"), including all classes of the Funds.
The investment adviser to the Funds, SEI Investments Management Corporation, is herein referred to as "SIMC" or the "Adviser," and the investment sub-advisers are each a "Sub-Adviser" and, together, the "Sub-Advisers".
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
CATHOLIC VALUES EQUITY FUND—The Catholic Values Equity Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation. Dividend income, if any, will be incidental. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund's net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in a diversified portfolio of common stocks of companies that the Fund's portfolio managers believe have long-term growth potential.
The Fund seeks to make investment decisions consistent with the principles of the Catholic Church with respect to a range of social and moral concerns that may include: protecting human life; promoting human dignity; reducing arms production; pursuing economic justice; protecting the environment, and encouraging corporate responsibility. This will be accomplished through the reliance on the principles contained in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' ("USCCB") Socially Responsible Investing Guidelines ("Guidelines"). Potential investments for the Fund are first selected for financial soundness and then evaluated according to the Fund's social criteria. SIMC has retained a third party environmental, social, and governance research firm to compile a list of restricted securities, using principles contained in the Guidelines, in which the Fund will not be permitted to invest. The Fund will not invest in issuers identified through this process. SIMC reserves the right to modify the criteria from time to time to maintain alignment with evolving Catholic social and moral positions.
The Fund invests in common stocks and other equity securities, which may include preferred stocks, warrants, participation notes and depositary receipts. The Fund invests primarily in securities of domestic companies, but may also, to a lesser extent, invest in securities of foreign companies, which may include companies in emerging markets. The Fund generally invests in larger companies, although it may purchase securities of companies of any size, including small companies. The Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") or equity swaps to obtain exposure to the equity market during high volume periods of investment into the Fund.
SIMC seeks to enhance performance and reduce market risk by strategically allocating the Fund's assets among multiple sub-advisers (each, a Sub-Adviser and collectively, the Sub-Advisers). The allocation is made based on the Adviser's desire to achieve performance objectives while keeping appropriate balance among differing investment styles and philosophies offered by the Sub-Advisers, including growth-oriented, value-oriented, stability-oriented, momentum-oriented, quality-oriented and/or blended approaches to selecting investments. Growth-oriented managers generally select stocks they believe have attractive growth and appreciation potential in light of such characteristics as revenue and earnings growth, expectations from professional financial research analysts and momentum, while stability-oriented managers generally select
S-3
stocks they believe have sustainable competitive advantages, less economic sensitivity and/or less volatility, and value-oriented managers generally select stocks they believe are attractively valued in light of fundamental characteristics such as assets, capital structure, earnings, and/or cash flows. Quality-oriented managers generally identify businesses that possess quality management teams, favorable industry dynamics and attractive or improving financials and seek to invest in companies that are trading at meaningful discounts relative to intrinsic value by identifying such companies before quality is evident in their financials. Momentum-oriented managers generally select securities that are rising in value and that they believe will continue to rise and sell such investments when they have peaked.
The Fund implements its views on the Guidelines through the use of Sub-Advisers that invest directly and a designated Sub-Adviser that acts as an overlay manager and implements the portfolio recommendations of the other Sub-Advisers. Such other Sub-Advisers provide a model portfolio to the Fund on an ongoing basis that represents their recommendations as to the securities to be purchased, sold or retained by the Fund. The overlay manager constructs a portfolio for the Fund that represents the aggregation of the model portfolios, with the weighting of each Sub-Adviser's model in the total portfolio determined by the Adviser. The overlay manager implements the portfolio consistent with that represented by the aggregation of the model portfolios, but also has the authority to vary from such aggregation: (i) to conform the Fund's securities transactions by avoiding issuers identified as not aligning with the Guidelines; (ii) to favor, consistent with the Guidelines, securities of companies that are more highly ranked with respect to environmental, social and governance ("ESG") criteria (e.g., company business models, corporate governance policies, relationships with stakeholders, and history of controversies) than other companies in the Fund's portfolio; (iii) to seek to achieve lower volatility; and (iv) to a lesser extent, manage risks, seek trading cost efficiencies or efficient tax management. In addition to acting as overlay manager, the overlay manager may also manage a portion of the Fund's portfolio, as determined by the Adviser.
The Fund may sell a security when it becomes substantially overvalued or is experiencing deteriorating fundamentals, as a result of changes in portfolio strategy or to help the overlay manager meet the Fund's investment strategies.
CATHOLIC VALUES FIXED INCOME FUND—The Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund's investment objective is a high level of current income with preservation of capital. Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund's net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) will be invested in a diversified portfolio of bonds and other debt obligations of varying maturities, which may include floating rate and variable rate securities. Due to its investment strategy, the Fund may buy and sell securities and other instruments frequently.
The Fund seeks to make investment decisions consistent with the principles of the Catholic Church with respect to a range of social and moral concerns that may include: protecting human life; promoting human dignity; reducing arms production; pursuing economic justice; protecting the environment, and encouraging corporate responsibility. This will be accomplished through the reliance on the principles contained in the USCCB Guidelines. Potential investments for the Fund are first selected for financial soundness and then evaluated according to the Fund's social criteria. SIMC has retained a third party environmental, social, and governance research firm to compile a list of restricted securities, using principles contained in the Guidelines, in which the Fund will not be permitted to invest. The Fund will not invest in issuers identified through this process. SIMC reserves the right to modify the criteria from time to time to maintain alignment with evolving Catholic social and moral positions.
The Fund invests in corporate bonds. The Fund also invests in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), which are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, and the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac"), which are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. The Fund may also invest in bonds of international corporations or foreign governments. In addition, the Fund invests in mortgage-backed (including residential mortgage-backed securities and to-be-announced mortgage-backed securities) and asset-backed securities. The Fund will engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities.
S-4
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest a significant portion of its assets in bonds that are rated within the four highest credit rating categories assigned by independent rating agencies, and the Fund will attempt to maintain an overall credit quality rating of A or higher. The Fund may invest in unrated equivalents that may be considered to be investment grade. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in bonds that are rated below investment grade (those rated BB+, B and CCC) (junk bonds). The Fund may also invest a portion of its assets in bank loans, which are, generally, non-investment grade (junk bond) floating rate instruments. The Fund may invest in bank loans in the form of participations in the loans (participations) and assignments of all or a portion of the loans from third parties (assignments).
Up to 20% of the Fund's net assets may be invested in commercial paper within the two highest rating categories of independent rating agencies. The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in the fixed-income securities of foreign issuers in any country, including developed or emerging markets. Foreign securities are selected on an individual basis without regard to any defined allocation among countries or geographic regions.
The Fund may also invest in futures contracts, forward contracts, and options for speculative or hedging purposes. Futures contracts, forward contracts, and options may be used to synthetically obtain exposure to securities or baskets of securities. These derivatives may also be used to mitigate the Fund's overall level of risk and/or the Fund's risk to particular types of securities, currencies or market segments. The Sub-Advisers may also engage in currency transactions using futures and foreign currency forward contracts either to seek to hedge the Fund's currency exposure or to enhance the Fund's returns. The Fund may take long and short positions in foreign currencies in excess of the value of the Fund's assets denominated in a particular currency or when the Fund does not own assets denominated in that currency.
The Adviser seeks to enhance performance and reduce market risk by strategically allocating the Fund's assets among multiple Sub-Advisers. The allocation is made based on the Adviser's desire for balance among differing investment styles and philosophies offered by the Sub-Advisers.
While each Sub-Adviser chooses securities of different types and maturities, the Fund, in the aggregate, generally will have a dollar-weighted average duration that is consistent with that of the broad U.S. fixed income market, as represented by the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Duration is a measure of the expected life of a fixed income security that is used to determine the sensitivity of a security's price to changes in interest rates. For example, if a fixed income security has a five-year duration, it will decrease in value by 5% if interest rates rise 1% and increase in value by 5% if interest rates fall 1%. Fixed income instruments with higher duration typically have higher risk and higher volatility. The dollar-weighted average duration of the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index varies significantly over time, but as of March 31, 2024 it was 6.21 years.
Investments for the Fund, both foreign and domestic, are selected based on the following criteria:
• the use of interest-rate and yield-curve analyses;
• the use of credit analyses, which indicate a security's rating and payment of interest and principal at maturity; and
• use of the above disciplines to invest in high-yield bonds and fixed-income securities issued by foreign and domestic governments and companies.
The remainder of the Fund's assets may be held in cash or cash equivalents.
A Sub-Adviser may sell a security when it becomes substantially overvalued or is experiencing deteriorating fundamentals, or as a result of changes in portfolio strategy. A security may also be sold and replaced with one that presents a better value.
DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS AND RISK FACTORS
The following are descriptions of the permitted investments and investment practices of the Funds, including those discussed in the applicable Prospectus and the Funds' "Investment Objectives and Policies" section of this SAI and the associated risk factors. A Fund may purchase any of these instruments and/or engage
S-5
in any of these investment practices if, in the opinion of SIMC or the Sub-Advisers, such investments or investment practices will be advantageous to the Fund. A Fund is free to reduce or eliminate its activity in any of these areas. An adviser may invest in any of the following instruments or engage in any of the following investment practices unless such investment or activity is inconsistent with or is not permitted by a Fund's stated investment policies, including those stated below. There is no assurance that any of these strategies or any other strategies and methods of investment available to a Fund will result in the achievement of the Fund's investment objective.
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS—ADRs, as well as other "hybrid" forms of ADRs, including EDRs, CDRs and GDRs, are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer. Depositary receipts may be sponsored or unsponsored. These certificates are issued by depositary banks and generally trade on an established market in the United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer's home country. The depositary bank may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate actions. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities.
Investments in the securities of foreign issuers may subject a Fund to investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Such risks include future adverse political and economic developments, possible imposition of withholding taxes on income, possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of foreign deposits, possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source or greater fluctuation in value due to changes in exchange rates. Foreign issuers of securities often engage in business practices different from those of domestic issuers of similar securities, and there may be less information publicly available about foreign issuers. In addition, foreign issuers are, generally, subject to less government supervision and regulation and different accounting treatment than are those in the United States.
Although the two types of depositary receipt facilities (unsponsored and sponsored) are similar, there are differences regarding a holder's rights and obligations and the practices of market participants. A depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by (or acquiescence of) the underlying issuer. Typically, however, the depositary requests a letter of non-objection from the underlying issuer prior to establishing the facility. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of the facility. The depositary usually charges fees upon the deposit and withdrawal of the underlying securities, the conversion of dividends into U.S. dollars or other currency, the disposition of non-cash distributions and the performance of other services. The depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the underlying issuer or to pass through voting rights to depositary receipt holders with respect to the underlying securities.
Sponsored depositary receipt facilities are created in generally the same manner as unsponsored facilities, except that sponsored depositary receipts are established jointly by a depositary and the underlying issuer through a deposit agreement. The deposit agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities of the underlying issuer, the depositary and the depositary receipt holders. With sponsored facilities, the underlying issuer typically bears some of the costs of the depositary receipts (such as dividend payment fees of the depositary), although most sponsored depositary receipt holders may bear costs such as deposit and withdrawal fees. Depositaries of most sponsored depositary receipts agree to distribute notices of shareholder meetings, voting instructions and other shareholder communications and information to the depositary receipt holders at the underlying issuer's request.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES—Asset-backed securities are securities that are backed primarily by the cash flows of a discrete pool of fixed or revolving receivables or other financial assets that by their terms convert into cash within a finite time period. Asset-backed securities include mortgage-backed securities, but the term is more commonly used to refer to securities supported by non-mortgage assets such as auto loans, motor vehicle leases, student loans, credit card receivables, floorplan receivables, equipment leases and peer-to-peer loans. The assets are removed from any potential bankruptcy estate of an operating company through the true sale of the assets to an issuer that is a special purpose entity, and the issuer obtains a perfected security interest
S-6
in the assets. Payments of principal of and interest on asset-backed securities rely entirely on the performance of the underlying assets. Asset-backed securities are generally not insured or guaranteed by the related sponsor or any other entity and therefore, if the assets or sources of funds available to the issuer are insufficient to pay those securities, the Funds will incur losses. In addition, asset-backed securities entail prepayment risk that may vary depending on the type of asset, but is generally less than the prepayment risk associated with mortgage-backed securities. Additional risks related to collateralized risk obligations, CLOs and mortgage-backed securities are described below.
Losses may be greater for asset-backed securities that are issued as "pass-through certificates" rather than as debt securities, because those types of certificates only represent a beneficial ownership interest in the related assets and their payment is based primarily on collections actually received. For asset-backed securities as a whole, if a securitization issuer defaults on its payment obligations due to losses or shortfalls on the assets held by the issuer, a sale or liquidation of the assets may not be sufficient to support payments on the securities and the Funds, as securityholders, may suffer a loss.
Recent changes in legislation, together with uncertainty about the nature and timing of regulations that will be promulgated to implement such legislation, has created uncertainty in the credit and other financial markets and other unknown risks. The Dodd-Frank Act, for example, imposes a new regulatory framework on the U.S. financial services industry and the consumer credit markets in general. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and similar measures to re-regulate the credit markets and, in particular, the structured finance markets, the manner in which asset-backed securities are issued and structured has been altered and the reporting obligations of the issuers of such securities may be significantly increased or may become costlier. The value or liquidity of any asset-backed securities held or acquired by the Funds may be adversely affected as a result of these changes.
In particular, the implementation of Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act (and related regulations) prohibiting certain banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading (the so-called Volcker Rule) and of Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Act (and related regulations) requiring the "sponsor" of a securitization to retain no less than 5% of the credit risk of the assets collateralizing the asset-backed securities, could have a negative effect on the marketability and liquidity of asset-backed securities (including mortgage-backed securities and CDOs and CLOs), whether in the primary issuance or in secondary trading. It is possible that the risk retention rules may reduce the number of new issuances of private-label mortgage backed securities or the number of collateral managers active in the CDO and CLO markets, which also may result in fewer new issue securities. A contraction or reduced liquidity in the asset-backed, CDO or CLO markets could reduce opportunities for the Funds to sell their securities and might adversely affect the management flexibility of the Funds in relation to the respective portfolios.
In addition to the changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC adopted rules in August 2014 that substantially revise "Regulation AB" (the SEC's principal source of rules for asset-backed securities) and other rules governing the offering process, disclosure and reporting for asset-backed securities issued in registered transactions. Among other things, those rules require enhanced disclosure of asset-level information at the time of the securitization and on an ongoing basis. Certain elements of proposed Regulation AB remain outstanding, including the proposal that issuers of structured finance products offered privately provide the same initial and ongoing information as would be required if the offering were public. It is not clear when or whether any of the proposed revisions to Regulation AB that remain outstanding will be adopted, how those standards will be implemented, or what effect those standards will have on securitization transactions. The rules may, for example, have the effect of impeding new issuances and reducing the availability of investments for the Funds, or adversely affecting the market value of legacy securities that do not conform with the new rules.
There is a limited secondary market for asset-backed securities. Consequently, it may be difficult for the Funds to sell or realize profits on those securities at favorable times or for favorable prices.
CDO and CLO securities are non-recourse obligations of their issuer payable solely from the related underlying collateral or its proceeds. Therefore, as a holder of CDOs and CLOs, the Funds must rely only on distributions on the underlying collateral or related proceeds for payment. If distributions on the underlying
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collateral are insufficient to make payments on the CDO or CLO securities, no other assets will be available for payment of the deficiency. As a result, the amount and timing of interest and principal payments in respect of CDO and CLO securities will depend on the performance and characteristics of the related underlying collateral.
Recent legislation, such as the Dodd-Frank Act, together with uncertainty about the nature and timing of regulations that will be promulgated to implement such legislation, may continue to create uncertainty in the credit and other financial markets. Given that all applicable final implementing rules and regulations have not yet been published or are not yet in effect, the potential impact of these actions on CDOs and CLOs owned by the Funds is unknown. If existing transactions are not exempted from the new rules or regulations, compliance with those rules and regulations could impose significant costs on the issuers of CDOs and CLOs and ultimately adversely impact the holders (including the Funds) of those types of securities.
CATHOLIC VALUES/SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING RISK—Each Fund considers the Guidelines and may choose not to purchase, or may sell, otherwise profitable investments in companies which have been identified as being in conflict with the Guidelines. This means that the Funds may underperform other similar mutual funds that do not consider the Guidelines when making investment decisions. With respect to the Catholic Values Equity Fund, there is also a risk that the Fund will underperform other similar mutual funds that do not consider other socially responsible investing principles in their investing.
COMMERCIAL PAPER—Commercial paper is the term used to designate unsecured short-term promissory notes issued by corporations and other entities to finance short-term credit needs. Commercial paper is usually sold on a discount basis and has a maturity at the time of issuance generally not exceeding 270 days. The value of commercial paper may be affected by changes in the credit rating or financial condition of the issuing entities. The value of commercial paper will tend to fall when interest rates rise and rise when interest rates fall.
CONSTRUCTION LOANS—In general, construction loans are mortgages on multifamily homes that are insured by the FHA under various federal programs of the National Housing Act of 1934 and its amendments. Several FHA programs have evolved to insure the construction financing and permanent mortgage financing on multifamily residences, nursing homes, elderly residential facilities and health care units. Project loans typically trade in two forms: either as FHA-insured or GNMA insured pass-through securities. In this case, a qualified issuer issues the pass-through securities while holding the underlying mortgage loans as collateral. Regardless of form, all projects are government-guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the FHA insurance fund. The credit backing of all FHA and GNMA projects derives from the FHA insurance fund, so projects issued in either form enjoy the full faith and credit backing of the U.S. Government.
Most project pools consist of one large mortgage loan rather than numerous smaller mortgages, as is typically the case with agency single-family mortgage securities. As such, prepayments on projects are driven by the incentives most mortgagors have to refinance and are very project-specific in nature. However, to qualify for certain government programs, many project securities contain specific prepayment restrictions and penalties.
Under multifamily insurance programs, the government insures the construction financing of projects as well as the permanent mortgage financing on the completed structures. This is unlike the single-family mortgage market, in which the government only insures mortgages on completed homes. Investors purchase new projects by committing to fund construction costs on a monthly basis until the project is built. Upon project completion, an investor's construction loan commitments are converted into a proportionate share of the final permanent project mortgage loan. The construction financing portion of a project trades in the secondary market as an insured CLC. When the project is completed, the investor exchanges all the monthly CLCs for an insured PLC. The PLC is an insured pass-through security backed by the final mortgage on the completed property. As such, PLCs typically have a thirty-five to forty year maturity, depending on the type of final project. There are vastly more PLCs than CLCs in the market, owing to the long economic lives of the project structures. While neither CLCs nor PLCs are as liquid as agency single-family mortgage securities, both are traded on the secondary market and would generally not be considered illiquid. The benefit to owning these securities is a relatively high yield combined with significant prepayment protection, which generally makes these types of securities more attractive when prepayments are expected to be high in the mortgage market. CLCs typically offer a higher yield due to the fact that they are somewhat more administratively burdensome.
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CREDIT-LINKED NOTES—Credit-linked notes and similarly structured products typically are issued by a limited purpose trust or other vehicle that, in turn, enters into a credit protection agreement or invests in a derivative instrument or basket of derivative instruments, such as credit default swaps or interest rate swaps, to obtain exposure to certain fixed-income markets or to remain fully invested when more traditional income producing securities are not available. Additional information about derivatives and the risks associated with them is provided under "Swaps, Caps, Floors, Collars and Swaptions." Like an investment in a bond, an investment in credit-linked notes represents the right to receive periodic income payments (in the form of distributions) and payment of principal at the end of the term of the security. However, these payments are conditioned on the issuer's receipt of payments from, and the issuer's potential obligations to, the counterparties to certain credit protection agreements or derivative instruments entered into by the issuer of the credit-linked note. For example, the issuer may sell one or more credit default swaps entitling the issuer to receive a stream of payments over the term of the swap agreements provided that no event of default has occurred with respect to the referenced debt obligation upon which the swap is based. If a default occurs, the stream of payments may stop and the issuer would be obligated to pay the counterparty the par (or other agreed upon value) of the referenced debt obligation. An investor holding a credit-linked note generally receives a fixed or floating coupon and the note's par value upon maturity, unless the referenced creditor defaults or declares bankruptcy, in which case the investor receives the amount recovered. In effect, investors holding credit-linked notes receive a higher yield in exchange for assuming the risk of a specified credit event.
CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS RISK—Current market conditions risk is the risk that a particular investment, or shares of the Funds in general, may fall in value due to current market conditions. As a means to fight inflation, which remains at elevated levels, the Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have raised interest rates and expect to continue to do so, and the Federal Reserve has announced that it intends to reverse previously implemented quantitative easing. U.S. regulators have proposed several changes to market and issuer regulations that could directly impact the Funds, and any regulatory changes could adversely impact the Funds' ability to achieve its investment strategies or make certain investments. Recent and potential future bank failures could result in disruption to the broader banking industry or markets generally and reduce confidence in financial institutions and the economy as a whole, which may also heighten market volatility and reduce liquidity. The ongoing adversarial political climate in the United States, as well as political and diplomatic events both domestic and abroad, have and may continue to have an adverse impact on the U.S. regulatory landscape, markets and investor behavior, which could have a negative impact on the Funds' investments and operations. Other unexpected political, regulatory and diplomatic events within the U.S. and abroad may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy. For example, ongoing armed conflicts between Russia and Ukraine in Europe and among Israel, Hamas and other militant groups in the Middle East, have caused and could continue to cause significant market disruptions and volatility within the markets in Russia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. The hostilities and sanctions resulting from those hostilities have and could continue to have a significant impact on certain Fund investments as well as Fund performance and liquidity. The economies of the United States and its trading partners, as well as the financial markets generally, may be adversely impacted by trade disputes and other matters. If geopolitical conflicts develop or worsen, economies, markets and individual securities may be adversely affected, and the value of the Funds' assets may go down. The COVID-19 global pandemic, or any future public health crisis, and the ensuing policies enacted by governments and central banks have caused and may continue to cause significant volatility and uncertainty in global financial markets, negatively impacting global growth prospects. While vaccines have been developed, there is no guarantee that vaccines will be effective against emerging future variants of the disease. As this global pandemic illustrated, such events may affect certain geographic regions, countries, sectors and industries more significantly than others. Advancements in technology may also adversely impact markets and the overall performance of the Funds. For instance, the economy may be significantly impacted by the advanced development and increased regulation of artificial intelligence. These events, and any other future events, may adversely affect the prices and liquidity of the Funds' portfolio investments and could result in disruptions in the trading markets.
DEMAND INSTRUMENTS—Certain instruments may entail a demand feature that permits the holder to demand payment of the principal amount of the instrument. Demand instruments may include variable amount
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master demand notes. Demand instruments with demand notice periods exceeding seven days are considered to be illiquid securities. Additional information about illiquid securities is provided under "Illiquid Securities" below.
DISTRESSED SECURITIES—Distressed securities are securities of issuers that are in transition, out of favor, financially leveraged or troubled or potentially troubled, and may be, or have recently been, involved in major strategic actions, restructurings, bankruptcy, reorganization or liquidation. Distressed securities are considered risky investments, although they may also offer the potential for correspondingly high returns.
Such issuers' securities may be considered speculative, and the ability of such issuers to pay their debts on schedule could be affected by adverse interest rate movements, changes in the general economic climate, economic factors affecting a particular industry or specific developments within such issuers.
DOLLAR ROLLS—Dollar rolls are transactions in which securities (usually mortgage-backed securities) are sold for delivery in the current month and the seller simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar securities on a specified future date. The difference between the sale price and the purchase price (plus any interest earned on the cash proceeds of the sale) is netted against the interest income foregone on the securities sold to arrive at an implied borrowing rate. Alternatively, the sale and purchase transactions can be executed at the same price, with a Fund being paid a fee as consideration for entering into the commitment to purchase. Dollar rolls may be renewed prior to cash settlement and may initially involve only a firm commitment agreement by a Fund to buy a security. If the broker-dealer to whom a Fund sells the security becomes insolvent, the Fund's right to repurchase the security may be restricted. Other risks involved in entering into dollar rolls include the risk that the value of the security may change adversely over the term of the dollar roll and that the security a Fund is required to repurchase may be worth less than the security that the Fund originally held.
A Fund must comply with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act with respect to its dollar roll transactions, which are considered Derivative Transactions under the Rule.
EQUITY-LINKED WARRANTS—Equity-linked warrants provide a way for investors to access markets where entry is difficult and time consuming due to regulation. Typically, a broker issues warrants to an investor and then purchases shares in the local market and issues a call warrant hedged on the underlying holding. If the investor exercises his call and closes his position, the shares are sold and the warrant is redeemed with the proceeds.
Each warrant represents one share of the underlying stock. Therefore, the price, performance and liquidity of the warrant are all directly linked to the underlying stock. The warrant can be redeemed for 100% of the value of the underlying stock (less transaction costs). As American-style warrants, they can be exercised at any time. The warrants are U.S. dollar-denominated and priced daily on several international stock exchanges.
There are risks associated with equity-linked warrants. The investor will bear the full counterparty risk to the issuing broker; however, SIMC or a Sub-Adviser may select to mitigate this risk by only purchasing from issuers with high credit ratings. Equity-linked warrants also have a longer settlement period because they go through the same registration process as the underlying shares (about three weeks) and during this time the shares cannot be sold. There is currently no active trading market for equity-linked warrants. Certain issuers of such warrants may be deemed to be "investment companies" as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, a Fund's investment in such warrants may be limited by certain investment restrictions contained in the 1940 Act.
EQUITY SECURITIES—Equity securities represent ownership interests in a company and include common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants to acquire common stock and securities convertible into common stock.
In general, investments in equity securities are subject to market risks, which may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Fluctuations in the value of equity securities in which a Fund invests will cause the NAV of the Fund to fluctuate. The Funds purchase and sell equity securities in various ways, including through recognized foreign exchanges, registered exchanges in the United States or the OTC market. Equity securities are described in more detail below:
Common Stock. Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.
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Preferred Stock. Preferred stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has precedence over common stock in the payment of dividends. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock. A Fund may purchase preferred stock of all ratings as well as unrated stock.
Warrants. Warrants are instruments that entitle the holder to buy an equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time. Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.
Convertible Securities. Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stocks or other securities that may be converted or exchanged by the holder or by the issuer into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption or conversion, the Fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party.
Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stocks. Convertible securities generally provide yields that are higher than the underlying common stocks, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at a price above their "conversion value," which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stocks and interest rates. When the underlying common stocks decline in value, convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities. However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the underlying common stocks rise in value, the value of convertible securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time, however, the difference between the market value of convertible securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the same extent as the value of the underlying common stocks. Because convertible securities may also be interest rate sensitive, their value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk and are often lower-quality securities. The Funds that invest in convertible securities may purchase convertible securities of all ratings, as well as unrated securities.
Small and Medium Capitalization Issuers. Investing in equity securities of small and medium capitalization companies often involves greater risk than is customarily associated with investments in larger capitalization companies. This increased risk may be due to the greater business risks of smaller size, limited markets and financial resources, narrow product lines and the frequent lack of depth of management associated with small and medium capitalization companies. The securities of small and medium capitalization companies typically have lower trading volumes than large capitalization companies and consequently are often less liquid. Such securities may also have less market stability and may be subject to more severe, abrupt or erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.
Initial Public Offerings. Certain Funds may purchase securities of companies that are offered pursuant to an IPO. An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public in the primary market, typically to raise additional capital. Like all equity securities, IPO securities are subject to market risk and liquidity risk, but those risks may be heightened for IPO securities. The market value of IPO securities may fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market for the security, unseasoned trading of the security, the small number of shares available for trading, limited information about the issuer, and aberrational trading
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activity and market interest surrounding the IPO. There is also the possibility of losses resulting from the difference between the issue price and potential diminished value of the security once it is traded in the secondary market. In addition, the purchase of IPO securities may involve high transaction costs. Investments in foreign IPOs may be subject to additional risks due to, among other things, political, social and economic developments abroad, currency movements and different legal, regulatory, tax, accounting and audit environment. The Funds' investment in IPO securities may have a significant positive or negative impact on the Funds' performance and may result in significant capital gains.
EUROBONDS—A Eurobond is a fixed income security denominated in U.S. dollars or another currency and sold to investors outside of the country whose currency is used. Eurobonds may be issued by government or corporate issuers and are typically underwritten by banks and brokerage firms from numerous countries. Although Eurobonds typically pay principal and interest in Eurodollars or U.S. dollars held in banks outside of the United States, they may pay principal and interest in other currencies.
EXCHANGE-TRADED PRODUCTS—Certain Funds may directly purchase shares of or interests in ETPs (including ETFs, ETNs and exchange-traded commodity pools). A Fund will only invest in ETPs to the extent consistent with its investment objectives, policies, strategies and limitations.
The risks of owning interests of ETPs generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities or other instruments that the ETP is designed to track. The shares of certain ETPs may trade at a premium or discount to their intrinsic value (i.e., the market value may differ from the NAV of an ETP's shares). For example, supply and demand for shares of an ETF or market disruptions may cause the market price of the ETF to deviate from the value of the ETF's investments, which may be emphasized in less liquid markets. The value of an ETN may also differ from the valuation of its reference market or instrument due to changes in the issuer's credit rating. By investing in an ETP, a Fund indirectly bears the proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the ETP in addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund and its shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund's operations. Because certain ETPs may have a significant portion of their assets exposed directly or indirectly to commodities or commodity-linked instruments, developments affecting commodities may have a disproportionate impact on such ETPs and may subject the ETPs to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.
ETFs. ETFs are investment companies that are registered under the 1940 Act as open-end funds or unit investment trusts. ETFs are actively traded on national securities exchanges and are generally based on specific domestic and foreign market indexes. An "index-based ETF" seeks to track the performance of an index by holding in its portfolio either the contents of the index or a representative sample of the securities in the index. Because ETFs are based on an underlying basket of stocks or an index, they are subject to the same market fluctuations as these types of securities in volatile market swings.
ETNs. ETNs are generally senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities issued by a sponsor. ETNs are designed to provide investors with a different way to gain exposure to the returns of market benchmarks, particularly those in the natural resource and commodity markets. An ETN's returns are based on the performance of a market index minus fees and expenses. ETNs are not equity investments or investment companies, but they do share some characteristics with those investment vehicles. As with equities, ETNs can be shorted, and as with ETFs and index funds, ETNs are designed to track the total return performance of a benchmark index. Like ETFs, ETNs are traded on an exchange and can be bought and sold on the listed exchange. However, unlike an ETF, an ETN can be held until the ETN's maturity, at which time the issuer will pay a return linked to the performance of the market index to which the ETN is linked minus certain fees. Unlike regular bonds, ETNs do not make periodic interest payments, and principal is not protected. The market value of an ETN is determined by supply and demand, the current performance of the market index to which the ETN is linked and the credit rating of the ETN issuer.
The market value of ETN shares may differ from their NAV. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETN shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities/commodities/instruments underlying the index that the
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ETN seeks to track. The value of an ETN may also change due to a change in the issuer's credit rating. As a result, there may be times when an ETN share trades at a premium or discount to its NAV.
Certain ETNs may not produce qualifying income for purposes of the Qualifying Income Test (as defined below in the section titled "Taxes"), which must be met in order for a Fund to maintain its status as a RIC under the Code. The Funds intend to monitor such investments to ensure that any non-qualifying income does not exceed permissible limits, but the Funds may not be able to accurately predict the non-qualifying income from these investments (see more information in the "Taxes" section of this SAI).
Exchange-Traded Commodity Pools. Exchange-traded commodity pools are similar to ETFs in some ways, but are not structured as registered investment companies. Shares of exchange-traded commodity pools trade on an exchange and are registered under the 1933 Act. Unlike mutual funds, exchange-traded commodity pools generally will not distribute dividends to shareholders. There is a risk that the changes in the price of an exchange-traded commodity pool's shares on the exchange will not closely track the changes in the price of the underlying commodity or index that the pool is designed to track. This could happen if the price of shares does not correlate closely with the pool's NAV, the changes in the pool's NAV do not correlate closely with the changes in the price of the pool's benchmark, or the changes in the benchmark do not correlate closely with the changes in the cash or spot price of the commodity that the benchmark is designed to track. Exchange-traded commodity pools are often used as a means of investing indirectly in a particular commodity or group of commodities, and there are risks involved in such investments. Commodity prices are inherently volatile, and the market value of a commodity may be influenced by many unpredictable factors which interrelate in complex ways, such that the effect of one factor may offset or enhance the effect of another. Supply and demand for certain commodities tends to be particularly concentrated. Commodity markets are subject to temporary distortions or other disruptions due to various factors, including periodic illiquidity in the markets for certain positions, the participation of speculators, and government regulation and intervention. In addition, U.S. futures exchanges and some foreign exchanges have regulations that limit the amount of fluctuation in some futures contract prices that may occur during a single business day. These and other risks and hazards that are inherent in a commodity or group of commodities may cause the price of that commodity or group of commodities to fluctuate widely, which will, in turn, affect the price of the exchange-traded commodity pool that invests in that commodity or group of commodities. The regulation of commodity interest transactions in the United States is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to ongoing modification by governmental and judicial action. Considerable regulatory attention has been focused on non-traditional investment pools that are publicly distributed in the United States. There is a possibility of future regulatory changes within the United States altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in exchange-traded commodity pools or the ability of an exchange-traded commodity pool to continue to implement its investment strategy. In addition, various national governments outside of the United States have expressed concern regarding the disruptive effects of speculative trading in the commodities markets and the need to regulate the derivatives markets in general. The effect of any future regulatory change on exchange-traded commodity pools is impossible to predict, but could be substantial and adverse.
Exchange-traded commodity pools generally do not produce qualifying income for purposes of the Qualifying Income Test (as defined below in the section titled "Taxes"), which must be met in order for a Fund to maintain its status as a RIC under the Code. The Funds intend to monitor such investments to ensure that any non-qualifying income does not exceed permissible limits, but the Funds may not be able to accurately predict the non-qualifying income from these investments (see more information in the "Taxes" section of this SAI).
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES—Fixed income securities consist primarily of debt obligations issued by governments, corporations, municipalities and other borrowers, but may also include structured securities that provide for participation interests in debt obligations. The market value of the fixed income securities in which a Fund invests will change in response to interest rate changes and other factors. During periods of falling interest rates, the value of outstanding fixed income securities generally rises. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of such securities generally declines. Moreover, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, the prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. Changes by recognized agencies in the rating of any
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fixed income security and in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal also affect the value of these investments. Changes in the value of these securities will not necessarily affect cash income derived from these securities, but will affect a Fund's NAV.
Securities held by a Fund that are guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities guarantee only the payment of principal and interest and do not guarantee the yield or value of the securities or the yield or value of the Fund's shares.
There is a risk that the current interest rate on floating and variable rate instruments may not accurately reflect existing market interest rates.
Additional information regarding fixed income securities is described below:
Duration. Duration is a measure of the expected life of a fixed income security that is used to determine the sensitivity of a security's price to changes in interest rates. For example, if a fixed income security has a five-year duration, it will decrease in value by approximately 5% if interest rates rise 1% and increase in value by approximately 5% if interest rates fall 1%. Fixed income instruments with longer duration typically have higher risk and higher volatility. Longer-term fixed income securities in which a portfolio may invest are more volatile than shorter-term fixed income securities. A portfolio with a longer average portfolio duration is typically more sensitive to changes in interest rates than a portfolio with a shorter average portfolio duration.
Investment Grade Fixed Income Securities. Fixed income securities are considered investment grade if they are rated in one of the four highest rating categories by a NRSRO, or, if not rated, are determined to be of comparable quality by SIMC or a Sub-Adviser, as applicable. See "Appendix A-Description of Ratings" for a description of the bond rating categories of several NRSROs. Ratings of each NRSRO represent its opinion of the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market risk, of bonds and other fixed income securities it undertakes to rate at the time of issuance. Ratings are not absolute standards of quality and may not reflect changes in an issuer's creditworthiness. Securities rated Baa3 or higher by Moody's or BBB- or higher by S&P are considered by those rating agencies to be "investment grade" securities, although securities rated Baa3 or BBB- lack outstanding investment characteristics and have speculative characteristics. Although issuers of bonds rated BBB by S&P are considered to have adequate capacity to meet their financial commitments, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and principal for debt in this category than debt in higher-rated categories. In the event a security owned by a Fund is downgraded below investment grade, SIMC or a Sub-Adviser, as applicable, will review the situation and take appropriate action with regard to the security.
Lower-Rated Securities. Lower-rated bonds or non-investment grade bonds are commonly referred to as "junk bonds" or high yield/high-risk securities. Lower-rated securities are defined as securities rated below the fourth highest rating category by an NRSRO. Such obligations are speculative and may be in default.
Fixed income securities are subject to the risk of an issuer's ability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligation (known as "credit risk") and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as interest rate sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (known as "market risk"). Lower-rated or unrated (i.e., high yield) securities are more likely to react to developments affecting market and credit risk than are more highly rated securities, which primarily react to movements in the general level of interest rates. Yields and market values of high yield securities will fluctuate over time, reflecting not only changing interest rates but also the market's perception of credit quality and the outlook for economic growth. When economic conditions appear to be deteriorating, medium- to lower-rated securities may decline in value due to heightened concern over credit quality, regardless of prevailing interest rates.
Investors should carefully consider the relative risks of investing in high yield securities and understand that such securities are not generally meant for short-term investing.
Adverse economic developments can disrupt the market for high yield securities and severely affect the ability of issuers, especially highly leveraged issuers, to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity, which may lead to a higher incidence of default on such securities. In addition, the secondary
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market for high yield securities may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities. As a result, it may be more difficult for a Fund to sell these securities, or a Fund may only be able to sell the securities at prices lower than if such securities were highly liquid. Furthermore, a Fund may experience difficulty in valuing certain high yield securities at certain times. Under these circumstances, prices realized upon the sale of such lower-rated or unrated securities may be less than the prices used in calculating the Fund's NAV. Prices for high yield securities may also be affected by legislative and regulatory developments.
Lower-rated or unrated fixed income obligations also present risks based on payment expectations. If an issuer calls the obligations for redemption, a Fund may have to replace the security with a lower-yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. If a Fund experiences unexpected net redemptions, it may be forced to sell its higher-rated securities, resulting in a decline in the overall credit quality of the Fund's investment portfolio and increasing the Fund's exposure to the risks of high yield securities.
A Fund may invest in securities rated as low as "C" by Moody's or "D" by S&P and may invest in unrated securities that are of comparable quality as "junk bonds."
Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes. Lower-rated bonds are very sensitive to adverse economic changes and corporate developments. During an economic downturn, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that would adversely affect their ability to service their principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals and to obtain additional financing. If the issuer of a bond defaulted on its obligations to pay interest or principal or entered into bankruptcy proceedings, a Fund may incur losses or expenses in seeking recovery of amounts owed to it. In addition, periods of economic uncertainty and change can be expected to result in increased volatility of market prices of high-yield, high-risk bonds and a Fund's NAV.
Payment Expectations. High-yield, high-risk bonds may contain redemption or call provisions. If an issuer exercised these provisions in a declining interest rate market, a Fund would have to replace the security with a lower-yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors. Conversely, a high-yield, high-risk bond's value may decrease in a rising interest rate market, as will the value of a Fund's assets. If a Fund experiences significant unexpected net redemptions, it may be forced to sell high-yield, high-risk bonds without regard to their investment merits, thereby decreasing the asset base upon which expenses can be spread and possibly reducing the Fund's rate of return.
Liquidity and Valuation. There may be little trading in the secondary market for particular bonds, which may adversely affect a Fund's ability to value accurately or dispose of such bonds. Adverse publicity and investor perception, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and liquidity of high-yield, high-risk bonds, especially in a thin market.
Taxes. A Fund may purchase debt securities (such as zero coupon or pay-in-kind securities) that contain original issue discount. Original issue discount that accretes in a taxable year is treated as earned by a Fund and is therefore subject to the distribution requirements applicable to RICs under Subchapter M of the Code. Because the original issue discount earned by a Fund in a taxable year may not be represented by cash income, the Fund may have to dispose of other securities and use the proceeds to make distributions to shareholders.
FOREIGN SECURITIES AND EMERGING AND FRONTIER MARKETS—Foreign securities are securities issued by non-U.S. issuers. Investments in foreign securities may subject a Fund to investment risks that differ in some respects from those related to investments in securities of U.S. issuers. Such risks include future adverse political and economic developments, possible imposition of withholding taxes on income, possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of foreign deposits, possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source or greater fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates. Foreign issuers of securities often engage in business practices that differ from those of domestic issuers of similar securities, and there may be less information publicly available about foreign issuers. In addition, foreign issuers are, generally, subject to less government supervision and regulation and different accounting treatment than those in the United States. Foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks.
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The value of a Fund's investments denominated in foreign currencies will depend on the relative strengths of those currencies and the U.S. dollar, and a Fund may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in the exchange rates or exchange or currency control regulations between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates may also affect the value of dividends and interest earned, gains and losses realized on the sale of securities and net investment income and gains, if any, to be distributed to shareholders by a Fund. Such investments may also entail higher custodial fees and sales commissions than domestic investments.
A Fund's investments in emerging and frontier markets can be considered speculative and therefore may offer higher potential for gains and losses than investments in developed markets. With respect to an emerging market country, there may be a greater potential for nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political changes, government regulation, social instability or diplomatic developments (including war), which could adversely affect the economies of such countries or investments in such countries. "Frontier market countries" are a subset of emerging market countries with even smaller national economies, so these risks may be magnified further. The economies of emerging and frontier countries are generally heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange or currency controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.
The economies of frontier market countries tend to be less correlated to global economic cycles than the economies of more developed countries and their markets have lower trading volumes and may exhibit greater price volatility and illiquidity. A small number of large investments in these markets may affect these markets to a greater degree than more developed markets. Frontier market countries may also be affected by government activities to a greater degree than more developed countries. For example, the governments of frontier market countries may exercise substantial influence within the private sector or subject investments to government approval, and governments of other countries may impose or negotiate trade barriers, exchange controls, adjustments to relative currency values and other measures that adversely affect a frontier market country. Governments of other countries may also impose sanctions or embargoes on frontier market countries. Although all of these risks are generally heightened with respect to frontier market countries, they also apply to emerging market countries.
In addition to the risks of investing in debt securities of emerging and frontier markets, a Fund's investment in government or government-related securities of emerging and frontier market countries and restructured debt instruments in emerging and frontier markets are subject to special risks, including the inability or unwillingness to repay principal and interest, requests to reschedule or restructure outstanding debt and requests to extend additional loan amounts. A Fund may have limited recourse in the event of default on such debt instruments.
Growing tensions, including trade disputes, between the United States and other nations, or among foreign powers, and possible diplomatic, trade or other sanctions could adversely impact the global economy, financial markets and the Funds. The strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies may, among other things, adversely affect the Funds' investments denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have, and the duration of those effects.
Investments in the United Kingdom—On January 31, 2020, the UK officially withdrew from the EU (commonly known as "Brexit"). Following a transition period, the United Kingdom's post-Brexit trade agreement with the European union passed into law in December 2020, became effective on a provisional basis on January 1, 2021, and formally entered into force on May 1, 2021.
The impact of Brexit on the UK, the EU and global markets remains unclear and will depend largely upon the UK's ability to negotiate favorable terms with the EU with respect to trade and market access. Brexit may also impact each of these markets should it lead to the creation of divergent national laws and regulations that produce new legal regimes and unpredictable tax consequences. As a result of the uncertain consequences of Brexit, the economies of the UK and EU as well as the broader global economy could be significantly impacted,
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which may result in increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth on markets in the UK, EU and globally that could potentially have an adverse effect on the value of a Fund's investments.
Investments in China—China is an emerging market, and as a result, investments in securities of companies organized and listed in China may be subject to liquidity constraints and significantly higher volatility, from time to time, than investments in securities of more developed markets. China may be subject to considerable government intervention and varying degrees of economic, political and social instability. These factors may result in, among other things, a greater risk of stock market, interest rate, and currency fluctuations, as well as inflation. Accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards in China are different from U.S. standards and, therefore, disclosure of certain material information may not be made, may be less available, or may be less reliable. It may also be difficult or impossible for the Fund to obtain or enforce a judgment in a Chinese court. In addition, periodically there may be restrictions on investments in Chinese companies. For example, Executive Orders have been issued prohibiting U.S. persons from purchasing or investing in publicly-traded securities of certain companies identified by the U.S. Government because of their ties to the Chinese military or China's surveillance technology sector. These restrictions have also applied to instruments that are derivative of, or are designed to provide investment exposure to, those companies. The universe of affected securities can change from time to time. As a result of an increase in the number of investors looking to sell such securities, or because of an inability to participate in an investment that the Adviser or a Sub-Adviser otherwise believes is attractive, a Fund may incur losses. Certain investments that are or become designated as prohibited investments may have less liquidity as a result of such designation and the market price of such prohibited investments may decline, potentially causing losses to a Fund. In addition, the market for securities and other investments of other Chinese-based issuers may also be negatively impacted, resulting in reduced liquidity and price declines.
Investments in the China A-Shares. A Fund may invest in PRC A-Shares through the Stock Connect subject to any applicable regulatory limits. The Stock Connect is a securities trading and clearing linked program developed by HKEx, the HKSCC, SSE, SZSE and ChinaClear with the aim of achieving mutual stock market access between PRC and Hong Kong. This program allows foreign investors to trade certain SSE-listed or SZSE-listed PRC A-Shares through their Hong Kong based brokers. All Hong Kong and overseas investors in the Stock Connect will trade and settle SSE or SZSE securities in the CNH only. A Fund will be exposed to any fluctuation in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and CNH in respect of such investments.
By seeking to invest in the domestic securities markets of the PRC via the Stock Connect a Fund is subject to the following additional risks:
General Risks. The relevant regulations are relatively untested and subject to change. There is no certainty as to how they will be applied, which could adversely affect a Fund. The program requires the use of new information technology systems which may be subject to operational risk due to the program's cross-border nature. If the relevant systems fail to function properly, trading in both Hong Kong and PRC markets through the program could be disrupted.
Stock Connect will only operate on days when both the PRC and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banks in both markets are open on the corresponding settlement days. There may be occasions when it is a normal trading day for the PRC market but the Stock Connect is not trading. As a result, a Fund may be subject to the risk of price fluctuations in PRC A-Shares when the Fund cannot carry out any PRC A-Shares trading.
Clearing and Settlement Risk. HKSCC and ChinaClear have established the clearing links and each will become a participant of each other to facilitate clearing and settlement of cross-boundary trades. For cross-boundary trades initiated in a market, the clearing house of that market will on one hand clear and settle with its own clearing participants and on the other hand undertake to fulfill the clearing and settlement obligations of its clearing participants with the counterparty clearing house.
Legal/Beneficial Ownership. Where securities are held in custody on a cross-border basis there are specific legal and beneficial ownership risks linked to the compulsory requirements of the local central securities depositaries, HKSCC and ChinaClear.
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As in other emerging markets, the legislative framework is only beginning to develop the concept of legal/formal ownership and of beneficial ownership or interest in securities. In addition, HKSCC, as nominee holder, does not guarantee the title to Stock Connect securities held through it and is under no obligation to enforce title or other rights associated with ownership on behalf of beneficial owners. Consequently, the courts may consider that any nominee or custodian as registered holder of Stock Connect securities would have full ownership thereof, and that those Stock Connect securities would form part of the pool of assets of such entity available for distribution to creditors of such entities and/or that a beneficial owner may have no rights whatsoever in respect thereof. Consequently, neither a Fund nor its custodian can ensure that the Fund's ownership of these securities or title thereto is assured.
To the extent that HKSCC is deemed to be performing safekeeping functions with respect to assets held through it, it should be noted that a Fund and its custodian will have no legal relationship with HKSCC and no direct legal recourse against HKSCC in the event that the Fund suffers losses resulting from the performance or insolvency of HKSCC. In the event that the Fund suffers losses due to the negligence, or willful default, or insolvency of HKSCC, the Fund may not be able to institute legal proceedings, file any proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding or take any similar action. In the event of the insolvency of HKSCC, the Fund may not have any proprietary interest in the PRC A-Shares traded through the Stock Connect program and may be an unsecured general creditor in respect of any claim the Fund may have in respect of them. Consequently, the value of the Fund's investment in PRC A-Shares and the amount of its income and gains could be adversely affected.
In the event ChinaClear defaults, HKSCC's liabilities under its market contracts with clearing participants may be limited to assisting clearing participants with claims. It is anticipated that HKSCC will act in good faith to seek recovery of the outstanding stocks and monies from ChinaClear through available legal channels or the liquidation of ChinaClear. Regardless, the process of recovery could be delayed and a Fund may not fully recover its losses or its Stock Connect securities.
Operational Risk. The HKSCC provides clearing, settlement, nominee functions and other related services in respect of trades executed by Hong Kong market participants. PRC regulations which include certain restrictions on selling and buying will apply to all market participants. In the case of a sale, pre-delivery of shares to the broker is required, increasing counterparty risk. As a result, a Fund may not be able to purchase and/or dispose of holdings of PRC A-Shares in a timely manner.
Quota Limitations. The Stock Connect program is subject to daily quota limitations which may restrict a Fund's ability to invest in PRC A-Shares through the program on a timely basis.
Investor Compensation. A Fund will not benefit from the China Securities Investor Protection Fund in mainland China. The China Securities Investor Protection Fund is established to pay compensation to investors in the event that a securities company in mainland China is subject to compulsory regulatory measures (such as dissolution, closure, bankruptcy, and administrative takeover by the China Securities Regulatory Commission). Because the Fund is carrying out trading of PRC A-Shares through securities brokers in Hong Kong, but not mainland China brokers, it is not protected by the China Securities Investor Protection Fund.
That said, if the Fund suffers losses due to default matters of its securities brokers in Hong Kong in relation to the investment of PRC A-Shares through the Stock Connect program, it would be compensated by Hong Kong's Investor Compensation Fund.
Tax within the PRC. Uncertainties in the PRC tax rules governing taxation of income and gains from investments in PRC securities could result in unexpected tax liabilities for a Fund. A Fund's investments in securities, including A-Shares, issued by PRC companies may cause the Fund to become subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by the PRC.
If a Fund were considered to be a tax resident enterprise of the PRC, it would be subject to PRC corporate income tax at the rate of 25% on its worldwide taxable income. If a Fund were considered to be a non-tax resident enterprise with a "permanent establishment" in the PRC, it would be subject to PRC corporate income tax on the profits attributable to the permanent establishment. SIMC and the Funds' Sub-Advisers intend to
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operate the Funds in a manner that will prevent them from being treated as tax resident enterprises of the PRC and from having a permanent establishment in the PRC. It is possible, however, that the PRC could disagree with that conclusion, or that changes in PRC tax law could affect the PRC corporate income tax status of a Fund.
Unless reduced or exempted by the applicable tax treaties, the PRC generally imposes withholding income tax at the rate of 10% on dividends, premiums, interest and capital gains originating in the PRC and paid to a company that is not a resident of the PRC for tax purposes and that has no permanent establishment in China. The State Administration of Taxation has confirmed the application to a QFII of the withholding income tax on dividends, premiums and interest. Effective as of November 17, 2014, Chinese authorities issued two circulars (Caishui [2014] 79 and Caishui [2014] 81) clarifying the corporate income tax policy of China with respect to QFIIs and Renminbi QFIIs and investments through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect. In addition, Chinese authorities issued Caishui [2016] 127 which took effect on December 5, 2016, to clarify the corporate income tax policy of China with respect to investments through the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect (The two parallel regimes of QFII and RQFII have been combined with a unified set of rules applicable to all QFIIs and Renminbi QFIIs by the Chinese regulators since May 2020, referred to as "Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI)"). Pursuant to the circulars, each Fund is expected to be temporarily exempt from withholding tax on capital gains out of trading in A-Shares, but the dividends derived from China A-shares by foreign investors is subject to a 10% withholding income tax. Because there is no indication how long the temporary exemption will remain in effect, the Funds may be subject to such withholding tax in the future. If in the future China begins applying tax rules regarding the taxation of income from A-Shares investment to QFIs or investments through the Stock Connect, and/or begins collecting capital gains taxes on such investments, a Fund could be subject to withholding tax liability if the Fund determines that such liability cannot be reduced or eliminated by applicable tax treaties. The negative impact of any such tax liability on a Fund's return could be substantial.
SIMC, the Funds' Sub-Advisers or a Fund may also potentially be subject to PRC value added tax at the rate of 6% on capital gains derived from trading of A-Shares and interest income (if any). Existing guidance provides a value added tax exemption for overseas investors in respect of their gains derived from trading of PRC securities through Stock Connect. Because there is no indication how long the temporary exemption will remain in effect, the Funds may be subject to such value added tax in the future. In addition, urban maintenance and construction tax (currently at rates ranging from 1% to 7%), educational surcharge (currently at the rate of 3%) and local educational surcharge (currently at the rate of 2%) (collectively, the "surtaxes") are imposed based on value added tax liabilities, so if SIMC, the Funds' Sub-Advisers or a Fund were liable for value added tax it would also be required to pay the applicable surtaxes.
The PRC rules for taxation of QFIs are evolving, and the tax regulations to be issued by the PRC State Administration of Taxation and/or PRC Ministry of Finance to clarify the subject matter may apply retrospectively, even if such rules are adverse to a Fund and its shareholders.
Investments in Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs"). In seeking exposure to Chinese companies, a Fund may invest in VIE structures. VIE structures can vary, but generally consist of a U.S.-listed company with contractual arrangements, through one or more wholly-owned special purpose vehicles, with a Chinese company that ultimately provides the U.S.-listed company with contractual rights to exercise control over and obtain economic benefits from the Chinese company. Although the U.S.-listed company in a VIE structure has no equity ownership in the underlying Chinese company, the VIE contractual arrangements permit the VIE structure to consolidate its financial statements with those of the underlying Chinese company. The VIE structure enables foreign investors, such as a Fund, to obtain investment exposure similar to that of an equity owner in a Chinese company in situations in which the Chinese government has restricted the non-Chinese ownership of such company. As a result, an investment in a VIE structure subjects a Fund to the risks associated with the underlying Chinese company. In its efforts to monitor, regulate and/or control foreign investment and participation in the ownership and operation of Chinese companies, including in particular those within the technology, telecommunications and education industries, the Chinese government may intervene or seek to control the operations, structure, or ownership of Chinese companies, including VIEs, to the disadvantage of foreign investors, such as a Fund. Intervention by the Chinese government with respect to a VIE could significantly and adversely affect the Chinese company's performance or the enforceability of the company's contractual arrangements with the VIE and thus, the value of a Fund's investment in the VIE. In addition to the risk of government intervention, a
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Fund's investment in a VIE structure is subject to the risk that the underlying Chinese company (or its officers, directors, or Chinese equity owners) may breach the contractual arrangements with the other entities in the VIE structure, or that Chinese law changes in a way that affects the enforceability of these arrangements, or those contracts are otherwise not enforceable under Chinese law, in which case a Fund may suffer significant losses on its VIE investments with little or no recourse available.
Investments in Russia—Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, significantly amplifying already existing geopolitical tensions. Russia's actions and the resulting responses by the United States and other countries could increase volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets and adversely affect regional and global economies. The United States and other countries have imposed broad-ranging economic sanctions on Russia, certain Russian individuals, banking entities and corporations, and Belarus as a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and may impose sanctions on other countries that provide military or economic support to Russia. The extent and duration of Russia's military actions or future escalation of such hostilities, and the extent and impact of the resulting sanctions (including any retaliatory actions or countermeasures that may be taken by those subject to sanctions, including cyber-attacks) are impossible to predict, but could result in significant market disruptions, including in certain industries or sectors, such as the oil and natural gas markets, and may negatively affect global supply chains, inflation and global growth. These and any related events could have a significant impact on a Fund's performance and the value of the Fund's investments, even though the Fund does not have direct exposure to Russian issuers or issuers in other countries affected by the invasion.
Investments in the Middle East—Armed conflict between Israel and Hamas and other militant groups in the Middle East and related events could cause significant market disruptions and volatility. These events and other similar events could negatively affect a Fund's performance.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS—A forward foreign currency contract involves a negotiated obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date or range of future dates (with or without delivery required), which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are generally traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large, commercial banks) and their customers. A forward foreign currency contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades.
Forward contracts generally may not be liquidated prior to the stated maturity date, although the parties to a contract may agree to enter into a second offsetting transaction with the same maturity, thereby fixing each party's profit or loss on the two transactions. Nevertheless, each position must still be maintained to maturity unless the parties separately agree on an earlier settlement date. As a result, a party to a forward contract must be prepared to perform its obligations under each such contract in full. Parties to a forward contract may also separately agree to extend the contract by "rolling" it over prior to the originally scheduled settlement date. A Fund may use forward contracts for cash equitization purposes, which allows a Fund to invest consistent with its investment strategy while managing daily cash flows, including significant client inflows and outflows.
The Funds may use currency instruments as part of a hedging strategy, as described below.
Transaction Hedging. Transaction hedging is entering into a currency transaction with respect to specific assets or liabilities of a Fund, which will generally arise in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities or the receipt of income therefrom. A Fund may enter into transaction hedging out of a desire to preserve the U.S. dollar price of a security when it enters into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a foreign currency. A Fund may be able to protect itself against possible losses resulting from changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies during the period between the date the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received by entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, of the amount of the foreign currency involved in the underlying security transactions.
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Position Hedging. A Fund may sell a non-U.S. currency and purchase U.S. currency to reduce exposure to the non-U.S. currency (called "position hedging"). A Fund may use position hedging when SIMC or a Sub-Adviser reasonably believes that the currency of a particular foreign country may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar. A Fund may enter into a forward foreign currency contract to sell, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of its portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency. The forward foreign currency contract amount and the value of the portfolio securities involved may not have a perfect correlation because the future value of the securities hedged will change as a consequence of the market between the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures.
Cross Hedges. A Fund may also cross-hedge currencies by entering into transactions to purchase or sell one or more currencies that are expected to decline in value relative to other currencies to which the Fund has, or in which the Fund expects to have, portfolio exposure.
Proxy Hedges. Proxy hedging is often used when the currency to which a Fund's portfolio is exposed is difficult to hedge or to hedge against the U.S. dollar. Proxy hedging entails entering into a forward contract to sell a currency whose changes in value are generally considered to be linked to a currency or currencies in which some or all of a Fund's portfolio securities are, or are expected to be denominated, and to buy U.S. dollars. The amount of the contract would not exceed the value of the Fund's securities denominated in linked currencies.
In addition to the hedging transactions described above, the Funds may also engage in currency transactions in an attempt to take advantage of certain inefficiencies in the currency exchange market, to increase their exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one currency to another.
Unless consistent with and permitted by its stated investment policies, a Fund will not enter into a transaction to hedge currency exposure to an extent greater, after netting all transactions intended wholly or partially to offset other transactions, than the aggregate market value (at the time of entering into the transaction) of the securities held in its portfolio that are denominated or generally quoted in or currently convertible into such currency, other than with respect to proxy hedging, described above. If consistent with and permitted by its stated investment policies, a Fund may take long and short positions in foreign currencies in excess of the value of the Fund's assets denominated in a particular currency or when the Fund does not own assets denominated in that currency. Certain Funds may engage in currency transactions for hedging purposes as well as to enhance the Fund's returns.
A non-deliverable forward transaction is a transaction that represents an agreement between a Fund and a counterparty (usually a commercial bank) to buy or sell a specified (notional) amount of a particular currency at an agreed-upon foreign exchange rate on an agreed upon future date. The non-deliverable forward transaction position is closed using a fixing rate, as defined by the central bank in the country of the currency being traded, that is generally publicly stated within one or two days prior to the settlement date. Unlike other currency transactions, there is no physical delivery of the currency on the settlement of a non-deliverable forward transaction. Rather, a Fund and the counterparty agree to net the settlement by making a payment in U.S. dollars or another fully convertible currency that represents any differential between the foreign exchange rate agreed upon at the inception of the non-deliverable forward agreement and the actual exchange rate on the agreed-upon future date. Thus, the actual gain or loss of a given non-deliverable forward transaction is calculated by multiplying the transaction's notional amount by the difference between the agreed-upon forward exchange rate and the actual exchange rate when the transaction is completed. Although forward foreign currency transactions are exempt from the definition of "swap" under the Commodity Exchange Act, non-deliverable forward transactions are not, and, thus, are subject to the CFTC's regulatory framework applicable to swaps.
The ability to establish and close out positions on currency futures contracts is subject to the maintenance of a liquid market, which may not always be available. An option on a currency provides the purchaser, or "holder," with the right, but not the obligation, to purchase, in the case of a "call" option, or sell, in the case of a "put" option, a stated quantity of the underlying currency at a fixed exchange rate up to a stated expiration date (or, in the case of certain options, on such date). The holder generally pays a nonrefundable fee for the option, referred to as the "premium," but cannot lose more than this amount, plus related transaction costs. Thus, where a Fund is a holder of options contracts, such losses will be limited in absolute amount. In contrast
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to a forward contract, an option imposes a binding obligation only on the seller, or "writer." If the holder exercises the option, the writer is obligated to complete the transaction in the underlying currency. An option generally becomes worthless to the holder when it expires. In addition, in the context of an exchange-traded option, the writer is often required to deposit initial margin and may be required to increase the margin on deposit if the market moves against the writer's position. Options on currencies may be purchased in the OTC market between commercial entities dealing directly with each other as principals. In purchasing an OTC currency option, the holder is subject to the risk of default by the writer and, for this reason, purchasers of options on currencies may require writers to post collateral or other forms of performance assurance.
Buyers and sellers of currency futures contracts are subject to the same risks that apply to the use of futures contracts generally, which are described elsewhere in this SAI. Further, settlement of a currency futures contract for the purchase of most currencies must occur at a bank based in the issuing nation, which may subject a Fund to additional risk.
Risks. Currency transactions are subject to risks that are different from those of other portfolio transactions. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate based on factors extrinsic to that country's economy. Although forward foreign currency contracts and currency futures tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, at the same time they may limit any potential gain which might result should the value of such currency increase. Because currency control is of great importance to the issuing governments and influences economic planning and policy, purchase and sales of currency and related instruments can be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations or exchange restrictions imposed by governments. These can result in losses to a Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive currency or funds in the settlement of obligations and could also cause hedges it has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting in full currency exposure as well as incurring transaction costs. Buyers and sellers of currency futures are subject to the same risks that apply to the use of futures generally. Further, settlement of a currency futures contract for the purchase of most currencies must occur at a bank based in the issuing nation. The ability to establish and close out positions on currency futures contracts is subject to the maintenance of a liquid market, which may not always be available.
The Funds may take active positions in currencies, which involve different techniques and risk analyses than the Funds' purchase of securities. Active investment in currencies may subject the Funds to additional risks, and the value of the Funds' investments may fluctuate in response to broader macroeconomic risks than if the Funds invested only in fixed income securities. The Funds may take long and short positions in foreign currencies in excess of the value of the Funds' assets denominated in a particular currency or when the Funds do not own assets denominated in that currency. If a Fund enters into currency transactions when it does not own assets denominated in that currency, the Fund's volatility may increase and losses on such transactions will not be offset by increases in the value of the Fund's assets.
Currency hedging involves some of the same risks and considerations as other transactions with similar instruments. Currency transactions can result in losses to a Fund if the currency being hedged fluctuates in value to a degree in a direction that is not anticipated. Furthermore, there is a risk that the perceived linkage between various currencies may not be present or may not be present during the particular time that a Fund is engaging in proxy hedging. Suitable hedging transactions may not be available in all circumstances. Hedging transactions may also eliminate any chance for a Fund to benefit from favorable fluctuations in relevant foreign currencies.
Risks associated with entering into forward foreign currency contracts include the possibility that the market for forward foreign currency contracts may be limited with respect to certain currencies and, upon a contract's maturity, the inability of a Fund to negotiate with the dealer to enter into an offsetting transaction. As mentioned above, forward foreign currency contracts may be closed out only by the parties entering into an offsetting contract. This creates settlement risk in forward foreign currency contracts, which is the risk of loss when one party to the forward foreign currency contract delivers the currency it sold but does not receive the corresponding amount of the currency it bought. Settlement risk arises in deliverable forward foreign currency contracts where the parties have not arranged to use a mechanism for payment-versus-payment settlement, such as an escrow arrangement. In addition, the correlation between movements in the prices of those contracts
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and movements in the price of the currency hedged or used for cover will not be perfect. There is no assurance an active forward foreign currency contract market will always exist. These factors will restrict a Fund's ability to hedge against the risk of devaluation of currencies in which the Fund holds a substantial quantity of securities and are unrelated to the qualitative rating that may be assigned to any particular security. In addition, if a currency devaluation is generally anticipated, the Fund may not be able to contract to sell currency at a price above the devaluation level it anticipates. The successful use of forward foreign currency contracts as a hedging technique draws upon special skills and experience with respect to these instruments and usually depends on the ability of SIMC or a Sub-Adviser to forecast interest rate and currency exchange rate movements correctly. Should interest or exchange rates move in an unexpected manner, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of forward foreign currency contracts or may realize losses and thus be in a worse position than if those strategies had not been used. Many forward foreign currency contracts are subject to no daily price fluctuation limits so adverse market movements could continue with respect to those contracts to an unlimited extent over a period of time.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS—Futures contracts (also called "futures") provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific security at a specified future time and at a specified price. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in exchange for a premium, to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. An index futures contract is a bilateral agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the index value at the close of trading of the contract and the price at which the futures contract is originally struck. No physical delivery of the securities comprising the index is made, and generally contracts are closed out prior to the expiration date of the contract.
A Fund may also invest in Treasury futures, interest rate futures, interest rate swaps, and interest rate swap futures. A Treasury futures contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell Treasury securities at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. The sale of a Treasury futures contract creates an obligation by the Fund to deliver the amount of certain types of Treasury securities called for in the contract at a specified future time for a specified price. A purchase of a Treasury futures contract creates an obligation by the Fund to take delivery of an amount of securities at a specified future time at a specific price. Interest rate futures can be sold as an offset against the effect of expected interest rate increases and purchased as an offset against the effect of expected interest rate declines. Interest rate swaps are an agreement between two parties where one stream of future interest rate payments is exchanged for another based on a specified principal amount. Interest rate swaps often exchange a fixed payment for a floating payment that is linked to a particular interest rate. Interest rate swap futures are instruments that provide a way to gain swap exposure and the structure features of a futures contract in a single instrument. Swap futures are futures contracts on interest rate swaps that enable purchasers to cash settle at a future date at the price determined by the benchmark rate at the end of a fixed period.
A Fund will reduce the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures contract by only entering into futures contracts that are traded on national futures exchanges regulated by the CFTC (generally, futures must be traded on such exchanges). Subject to their permitted investment strategies, certain Funds may use futures contracts and related options for either hedging purposes or risk management purposes, or to gain exposure to currencies, as well as to enhance the Fund's returns. Instances in which a Fund may use futures contracts and related options for risk management purposes include: (i) attempting to offset changes in the value of securities held or expected to be acquired or be disposed of; (ii) attempting to minimize fluctuations in foreign currencies; (iii) attempting to gain exposure to a particular market, index or instrument; or (iv) other risk management purposes. A Fund may use futures contracts for cash equitization purposes, which allows a Fund to invest consistent with its investment strategy while managing daily cash flows, including significant client inflows and outflows.
There are significant risks associated with a Fund's use of futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including: (i) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on SIMC or a Sub-Adviser's ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (ii) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by
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a Fund and the prices of futures and options on futures; (iii) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or option; (iv) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange; and (v) government regulations or exchange requirements may restrict trading in futures contracts and options on futures contracts. In addition, some strategies reduce a Fund's exposure to price fluctuations, while others tend to increase its market exposure.
GOVERNMENT NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION SECURITIES—Certain Funds may invest in securities issued by GNMA, a wholly owned U.S. Government corporation that guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest. However, any premiums paid to purchase these instruments are not subject to GNMA guarantees.
GNMA securities represent ownership in a pool of federally insured mortgage loans. GNMA certificates consist of underlying mortgages with a maximum maturity of 30 years. However, due to scheduled and unscheduled principal payments, GNMA certificates have a shorter average maturity and, therefore, less principal volatility than a comparable 30-year mortgage-backed bond. Because prepayment rates vary widely, it is not possible to accurately predict the average maturity of a particular GNMA pool. The scheduled monthly interest and principal payments relating to mortgages in the pool will be "passed through" to investors. GNMA securities differ from conventional bonds in that principal is paid back to the certificate holders over the life of the loan rather than at maturity. As a result, a Fund will receive monthly scheduled payments of principal and interest. In addition, a Fund may receive unscheduled principal payments representing prepayments on the underlying mortgages. Any prepayments will be reinvested at the then-prevailing interest rate.
Although GNMA certificates may offer yields higher than those available from other types of U.S. Government securities, GNMA certificates may be less effective than other types of securities as a means of "locking in" attractive long-term rates because of the prepayment feature. The market value and interest yield of these instruments can vary due to market interest rate fluctuations and early prepayments of underlying mortgages. Due to this prepayment feature, GNMA certificates tend not to increase in value as much as most other debt securities when interest rates decline.
HIGH YIELD FOREIGN SOVEREIGN DEBT SECURITIES—Investing in fixed and floating rate high yield foreign sovereign debt securities will expose a Fund to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social or economic changes in the countries that issue the securities. The ability of a foreign sovereign obligor to make timely payments on its external debt obligations will also be strongly influenced by the obligor's balance of payments, including export performance, its access to international credits and investments, fluctuations in interest rates and the extent of its foreign reserves. Countries such as those in which a Fund may invest have historically experienced, and may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange rate or trade difficulties and extreme poverty and unemployment. Many of these countries are also characterized by political uncertainty or instability. Additional factors that may influence the ability or willingness to service debt include, but are not limited to, a country's cash flow situation, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of its debt service burden to the economy as a whole and its government's policy towards the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other international agencies. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities or whose economy depends on certain strategic imports could be vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices of these commodities or imports. To the extent that a country receives payment for its exports in currencies other than U.S. dollars, its ability to make debt payments denominated in U.S. dollars could be adversely affected. If a foreign sovereign obligor cannot generate sufficient earnings from foreign trade to service its external debt, it may need to depend on continuing loans and aid from foreign governments, commercial banks and multilateral organizations and inflows of foreign investment. The commitment on the part of these foreign governments, multilateral organizations and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on the government's implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of its obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties' commitments to lend funds, which may further impair the obligor's ability or willingness to timely service its debts.
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ILLIQUID SECURITIES—Illiquid securities are investments that cannot be sold or disposed of in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. If, subsequent to purchase, a security held by a Fund becomes illiquid, the Fund may continue to hold the security. Because of their illiquid nature, illiquid securities must be priced at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Despite such good faith efforts to determine fair value prices, a Fund's illiquid securities are subject to the risk that the security's fair value price may differ from the actual price that the Fund may ultimately realize upon its sale or disposition. Difficulty in selling illiquid securities may result in a loss or may be costly to a Fund. Under the supervision of the Board, SIMC or the Sub-Adviser, as applicable, determines the liquidity of a Fund's investments. In determining the liquidity of a Fund's investments, SIMC or the Sub-Adviser, as applicable, may consider various factors, including: (i) the frequency and volume of trades and quotations; (ii) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace; (iii) dealer undertakings to make a market; and (iv) the nature of the security and the market in which it trades (including any demand, put or tender features, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, any letters of credit or other credit enhancement features, any ratings, the number of holders, the method of soliciting offers, the time required to dispose of the security, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and obligations of the security).
INTERFUND LENDING AND BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS—The SEC has granted an exemption that permits the Funds to participate in the Program with the SEI Funds. The Program allows the SEI Funds to lend money to and borrow money from each other for temporary or emergency purposes. Participation in the Program is voluntary for both borrowing and lending funds. Interfund loans may be made only when the rate of interest to be charged is more favorable to the lending fund than the Repo Rate and more favorable to the borrowing fund than the Bank Loan Rate. The Bank Loan Rate will be determined using a formula approved by the SEI Funds' Board of Trustees. The interest rate imposed on interfund loans is the average of the Repo Rate and the Bank Loan Rate.
All interfund loans and borrowings must comply with the conditions set forth in the exemption, which are designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all participating funds. Each Fund's participation in the Program must be consistent with its investment policies and limitations and is subject to certain percentage limitations. SIMC administers the Program according to procedures approved by the SEI Funds' Board of Trustees. In addition, the Program is subject to oversight and periodic review by the SEI Funds' Board of Trustees.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES—Securities of other investment companies, including shares of closed-end investment companies, unit investment trusts, open-end investment companies and REITs, represent interests in professionally managed portfolios that may invest in various types of instruments. Investing in other investment companies involves substantially the same risks as investing directly in the underlying instruments, but may involve additional expenses at the investment company-level, such as portfolio management fees and operating expenses. When a Fund invests in an affiliated or unaffiliated investment company, it will bear a pro rata portion of the investment company's expenses in addition to directly bearing the expenses associated with its own operations. Certain types of investment companies, such as closed-end investment companies, issue a fixed number of shares that trade on a stock exchange or over-the-counter at a premium or a discount to their NAV. Others are continuously offered at NAV, but may also be traded in the secondary market at a premium or discount to their NAV.
Because of restrictions on direct investment by U.S. entities in certain countries, investment in other investment companies may be the most practical or the only manner in which an international and global fund can invest in the securities markets of those countries. A Fund also may be subject to adverse tax consequences to the extent it invests in the stock of a foreign issuer that constitutes a "passive foreign investment company."
Generally, federal securities laws limit the extent to which investment companies can invest in securities of other investment companies, subject to certain statutory, regulatory and other exceptions. For example an investment company is generally prohibited under Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act from acquiring the securities of another investment company if, as a result of such acquisition: (i) the acquiring investment company would own more than 3% of the total voting stock of the other company; (ii) securities issued by any one investment company represent more than 5% of the acquiring investment company's total assets; or (iii) securities (other than treasury stock) issued by all investment companies represent more than 10% of the
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total assets of the acquiring investment company, subject to certain statutory, regulatory or other exceptions. Pursuant to Rule 12d1-1 under the 1940 Act and the conditions set forth therein, a Fund may invest in one or more affiliated or unaffiliated investment companies that operate in compliance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, in excess of the limits of Section 12(d)(1)(A). A Fund may invest in investment companies managed by SIMC or the Fund's Sub-Adviser to the extent permitted by any rule or regulation of the SEC or any order or interpretation thereunder. A Fund may invest in such Rule 2a-7 compliant investment companies for cash management purposes, including as discussed in the "Securities Lending" section below, and to serve as collateral for derivatives positions.
In addition, Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act permits an investment company to invest in other investment companies beyond the statutory limits of Section 12(d)(1)(A), subject to certain conditions. An investment company that is an acquired fund of a registered investment company in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, generally will not be permitted to invest in shares of other investment companies beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1)(A), other than in the limited circumstances set forth in Rule 12d1-4.
A Fund may invest in other investment companies, including those managed by an adviser, to the extent permitted by any rule or regulation of the SEC or any order or interpretation thereunder. Pursuant to Rule 12d1-1 under the 1940 Act, the Funds may invest in one or more affiliated or unaffiliated investment companies that comply with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act (to the extent required by Rule 12d1-1 under the 1940 Act) in excess of the limits of Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act.
A Fund may invest in Rule 2a-7 compliant investment companies for cash management purposes and to serve as collateral for derivatives positions.
Exchange-Traded Funds. ETFs are investment companies that are registered under the 1940 Act as open-end funds or unit investment trusts. ETFs are actively traded on national securities exchanges and are generally based on specific domestic and foreign market indexes. An index-based ETF seeks to track the performance of an index by holding in its portfolio either the contents of the index or a representative sample of the securities in the index. Because ETFs are based on an underlying basket of stocks or an index, they are subject to the same market fluctuations as these types of securities in volatile market swings.
Leveraged ETFs contain all of the risks that non-leveraged ETFs present. Additionally, to the extent a Fund invests in ETFs that achieve leveraged exposure to their underlying indexes through the use of derivative instruments, the Fund will indirectly be subject to leverage risk and other risks associated with derivatives and will be subject to the requirements of Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act. The more these ETFs invest in derivative instruments that give rise to leverage, the more this leverage will magnify any losses on those investments. Because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of an ETF's portfolio securities or other investments, leverage will cause the value of an ETF's shares to be more volatile than if the ETF did not use leverage. A leveraged ETF will engage in transactions and purchase instruments that give rise to forms of leverage, including, among others, the use of reverse repurchase agreements and other borrowings, the investment of collateral from loans of portfolio securities, the use of when issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment transactions or short sales. Certain types of leveraging transactions, such as short sales that are not "against the box," could theoretically be subject to unlimited losses in cases where a leveraged ETF, for any reason, is unable to close out the transaction. In addition, to the extent a leveraged ETF borrows money, interest costs on such borrowed money may not be recovered by any appreciation of the securities purchased with the borrowed funds and could exceed the ETF's investment income, resulting in greater losses. Such ETFs often "reset" daily, meaning that they are designed to achieve their stated objectives on a daily basis. Due to the effect of compounding, their performance over longer periods of time can differ significantly from the performance (or inverse of the performance) of their underlying index or benchmark during the same period of time, which may be enhanced during the periods of increased market volatility. Consequently, leveraged ETFs may not be suitable as long-term investments.
Leveraged inverse ETFs contain all of the risks that regular ETFs present. Additionally, to the extent a Fund invests in ETFs that seek to provide investment results that match a negative multiple of the performance of an underlying index, the Fund will indirectly be subject to the risk that the performance of such ETF will fall as the
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performance of that ETF's benchmark rises-a result that is the opposite from traditional mutual funds. Leveraged inverse ETFs contain all of the risks that regular ETFs present, but also pose all of the risks associated with other leveraged ETFs as well as other inverse ETFs. These investment vehicles may be extremely volatile and can potentially expose an investing Fund to theoretically unlimited losses.
An investment company may invest in ETFs in excess of the limitations prescribed by Section 12(d)(1)(A), provided that such investment company otherwise complies with certain conditions imposed through Rule 12d1-4.
Certain ETFs that in general do not register as investment companies under the 1940 Act may not produce qualifying income for purposes of the "Qualifying Income Test" or the shares of such ETFs may not be considered "securities" for purposes of the "Asset Test" (as defined below under the heading "Taxes"), which must be met in order for a Fund to maintain its status as a RIC under the Code. If one or more ETFs generate more non-qualifying income for purposes of the Qualifying Income Test or if a Fund is not considered to be holding sufficient amounts of "securities" than SIMC or the Funds' Sub-Advisers expect, it could cause a Fund to inadvertently fail the Qualifying Income Test or Asset Test, thereby causing the Fund to inadvertently fail to qualify as a RIC under the Code, unless certain relief provisions (described in more detail under the heading "Taxes") are available to the Fund.
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS—Loan participations are interests in loans to corporations or governments that are administered by the lending bank or agent for a syndicate of lending banks and sold by the lending bank, financial institution or syndicate member (so-called "intermediary bank"). In a loan participation, the borrower will be deemed to be the issuer of the participation interest, except to the extent that a Fund derives its rights from the intermediary bank. Because the intermediary bank does not guarantee a loan participation in any way, a loan participation is subject to the credit risks generally associated with the underlying borrower. In the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the borrower, a loan participation may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by such borrower as a result of improper conduct by the intermediary bank. In addition, in the event the underlying borrower fails to pay principal and interest when due, a Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the Fund had purchased a direct obligation of such borrower. Under the terms of a loan participation, a Fund may be regarded as a creditor of the intermediary bank (rather than of the underlying borrower), so that the Fund may also be subject to the risk that the intermediary bank may become insolvent.
Loan assignments are investments in assignments of all or a portion of certain loans from third parties. When a Fund purchases assignments from lenders, it will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan. Because assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and assignors, however, the rights and obligations acquired by the Fund may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender. Loan participations and assignments may be considered liquid, as determined by SIMC or the Funds' Sub-Advisers based on criteria approved by the Board.
MONEY MARKET SECURITIES—Money market securities include: (i) short-term U.S. Government securities; (ii) custodial receipts evidencing separately traded interest and principal components of securities issued by the U.S. Treasury; (iii) commercial paper determined by SIMC or a Sub-Adviser to be of the highest short-term credit quality at the time of purchase; (iv) short-term bank obligations (certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances) of U.S. commercial banks with assets of at least $1 billion as of the end of their most recent fiscal year; and (v) repurchase agreements involving such securities. For a description of ratings, see Appendix A to this SAI.
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES—Mortgage-backed securities are a class of asset-backed securities representing an interest in a pool or pools of whole mortgage loans (which may be residential mortgage loans or commercial mortgage loans). Mortgage-backed securities held or acquired by the Funds could include (i) obligations guaranteed by federal agencies of the U.S. Government, such as GNMA, which are backed by the "full faith and credit" of the United States, (ii) securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which are not backed by the "full faith and credit" of the United States but are guaranteed by the U.S. Government as to timely payment of principal and interest, (iii) securities (commonly referred to as "private-label RMBS") issued
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by private issuers that represent an interest in or are collateralized by whole residential mortgage loans without a government guarantee and (iv) CMBS, which are multi-class or pass-through securities backed by a mortgage loan or a pool of mortgage loans secured by commercial property such as industrial and warehouse properties, office buildings, retail space and shopping malls, multifamily properties and cooperative apartments. Because private-label RMBS and CMBS are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, those securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancement. There can be no assurance, however, that credit enhancements will support full payment to the Funds of the principal and interest on such obligations. In addition, changes in the credit quality of the entity that provides credit enhancement could cause losses to the Funds and affect their share prices.
A Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities in the form of debt or in the form of "pass-through" certificates. Pass-through certificates, which represent the beneficial ownership interests in the related mortgage loans, differ from debt securities, which generally provide for periodic fixed payments of interest on and principal of the related notes. Mortgage pass-through securities provide for monthly payments that are a "pass-through" of the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans, net of any fees and expenses owed to the servicers of the mortgage loans and other transaction parties that receive payment from collections on the mortgage loans.
The performance of mortgage loans and, in turn, the mortgage-backed securities acquired by a Fund, is influenced by a wide variety of economic, geographic, social and other factors, including general economic conditions, the level of prevailing interest rates, the unemployment rate, the availability of alternative financing and homeowner behavior. Beginning in late 2006, delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures on residential and commercial mortgage loans increased significantly, and they may again increase in the future. In addition, beginning in late 2006, numerous originators and servicers of residential mortgage loans experienced serious financial difficulties and, in many cases, went out of business or were liquidated in bankruptcy proceedings. Those difficulties resulted, in part, from declining markets for their mortgage loans as well as from claims for repurchases of mortgage loans previously sold under provisions that require repurchase in the event of early payment defaults or for breaches of representations and warranties regarding loan characteristics.
Since mid-2007, the residential mortgage market has been subject to extensive litigation and legislative and regulatory scrutiny. The result has been extensive reform legislation and regulations including with respect to loan underwriting, mortgage loan servicing, foreclosure practices and timing, loan modifications, enhanced disclosure and reporting obligations and risk retention. Numerous laws, regulations and rules related to residential mortgage loans generally, and foreclosure actions particularly, have been proposed or enacted by federal, state and local governmental authorities, which may result in delays in the foreclosure process, reduced payments by borrowers, modification of the original terms of mortgage loans, permanent forgiveness of debt, increased prepayments due to the availability of government-sponsored refinancing initiatives and/or increased reimbursable servicing expenses. Any of these factors could result in delays and reductions in distributions to residential mortgage-backed securities and may reduce the amount of investment proceeds to which a Fund would be entitled.
The conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the current uncertainty regarding the future status of these organizations may also adversely affect the mortgage market and the value of mortgage-related assets. It remains unclear to what extent the ability of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to act as the primary sources of liquidity in the residential mortgage markets, both by purchasing mortgage loans for their own portfolios and by guaranteeing mortgage-backed securities, may be curtailed. Legislators have repeatedly unveiled various plans to reduce and reform the role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the mortgage market and, possibly, wind down both institutions. Although it is unclear whether, and if so how, those plans may be implemented or how long any such wind-down or reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, if implemented, would take, a reduction in the ability of mortgage loan originators to access Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to sell their mortgage loans may adversely affect the financial condition of mortgage loan originators. In addition, any decline in the value of agency securities may affect the value of residential mortgage-backed securities as a whole.
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Since March 13, 2020, there have been a number of government initiatives applicable to federally backed mortgage loans in response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, including foreclosure and eviction moratoria, mortgage forbearance and loan modifications for borrowers and renters experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19.
Although the effects of COVID-19 have decreased on a relative basis, it is difficult to predict how the government initiatives relating to COVID-19 may affect the federally backed mortgage market, the U.S. mortgage market as a whole and the price of securities relating to the mortgage markets, and in turn, the Funds' investments. However, high forbearance rates create a real possibility of billions of dollars of loan servicers' obligations to advance payment to investors in securities backed by mortgages in the absence of borrower payments on the underlying loans. Accordingly, the Funds cannot predict with certainty the extent to which these or similar initiatives in the future may adversely impact the value of the Funds' investments in securities issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and in investments in securities in the U.S. mortgage industry as a whole.
The rate and aggregate amount of distributions on mortgage-backed securities, and therefore the average lives of those securities and the yields realized by a Fund, will be sensitive to the rate of prepayments (including liquidations) and modifications of the related mortgage loans, any losses and shortfalls on the related mortgage loans allocable to the tranches held by a Fund and the manner in which principal payments on the related mortgage loans are allocated among the various tranches in the particular securitization transaction. Furthermore, mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to those changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the mortgage loans. Among other factors, a significant amount of defaults, rapid prepayments or prepayment interest shortfalls may erode amounts available for distributions to a Fund. The timing of changes in the rate of prepayments of the mortgage loans may significantly affect the Funds' actual yield to maturity, even if the average rate of principal payments is consistent with a Fund's expectations. If prepayments of mortgage loans occur at a rate faster than that anticipated by a Fund, payments of interest on the mortgage-backed securities could be significantly less than anticipated. Similarly, if the number of mortgage loans that are modified is larger than that anticipated by a Fund, payments of principal and interest on the mortgage-backed securities could be significantly less than anticipated.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. CMOs are securities collateralized by mortgages, mortgage pass-throughs, mortgage pay-through bonds (bonds representing an interest in a pool of mortgages where the cash flow generated from the mortgage collateral pool is dedicated to bond repayment) and mortgage-backed bonds (general obligations of the issuers payable out of the issuers' general funds and additionally secured by a first lien on a pool of single family detached properties). To the extent a Fund invests in CMOs, the Fund typically will seek to invest in CMOs rated in one of the two highest categories by S&P or Moody's. Many CMOs are issued with a number of classes or series that have different expected maturities. Investors purchasing such CMOs are credited with their portion of the scheduled payments of interest and principal on the underlying mortgages plus all unscheduled prepayments of principal based on a predetermined priority schedule. Accordingly, the CMOs in the longer maturity series are less likely than other mortgage pass-through securities to be prepaid prior to their stated maturity. Although some of the mortgages underlying CMOs may be supported by various types of insurance and some CMOs may be backed by GNMA certificates or other mortgage pass-through securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities, the CMOs themselves are not generally guaranteed.
Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits. REMICs are private entities formed for the purpose of holding a fixed pool of mortgages secured by interests in real property. REMIC Certificates issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC trust consisting principally of mortgage loans or Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or GNMA-guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates. For Freddie Mac REMIC Certificates, Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest. GNMA REMIC Certificates are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
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Parallel Pay Securities; Planned Amortization Class CMOs. Parallel pay CMOs and REMICs are structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the stated maturity date or final distribution date of each class, which must be retired by its stated maturity date or final distribution date but may be retired earlier. PAC Bonds generally require payments of a specified amount of principal on each payment date. PAC Bonds are always parallel pay CMOs, with the required principal payment on such securities having the highest priority after interest has been paid to all classes.
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities. ARMS are a form of pass-through security representing interests in pools of mortgage loans whose interest rates are adjusted from time to time. The adjustments are usually determined in accordance with a predetermined interest rate index and may be subject to certain limits. Although the value of ARMS, like other debt securities, generally varies inversely with changes in market interest rates (increasing in value during periods of declining interest rates and decreasing in value during periods of increasing interest rates), the value of ARMS should generally be more resistant to price swings than other debt securities because the interest rates of ARMS move with market interest rates. The adjustable rate feature of ARMS will not, however, eliminate fluctuations in the prices of ARMS, particularly during periods of extreme fluctuations in interest rates. Also, because many adjustable rate mortgages only reset on an annual basis, it can be expected that the prices of ARMS will fluctuate to the extent that changes in prevailing interest rates are not immediately reflected in the interest rates payable on the underlying adjustable rate mortgages.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are securities that are created when a U.S. Government agency or a financial institution separates the interest and principal components of a mortgage-backed security and sells them as individual securities. The holder of the PO receives the principal payments made by the underlying mortgage-backed security, while the holder of the IO receives interest payments from the same underlying security. The prices of stripped mortgage-backed securities may be particularly affected by changes in interest rates. As interest rates fall, prepayment rates tend to increase, which tends to reduce prices of IOs and increase prices of POs. Rising interest rates can have the opposite effect.
Estimated Average Life. Due to the possibility of prepayments of the underlying mortgage instruments, mortgage-backed securities generally do not have a known maturity. In the absence of a known maturity, market participants generally refer to an "average life estimate." An average life estimate is a function of an assumption regarding anticipated prepayment patterns and is based upon current interest rates, current conditions in the relevant housing markets and other factors. The assumption is necessarily subjective, and thus different market participants can produce different average life estimates with regard to the same security. There can be no assurance that the estimated average life will be a security's actual average life.
MORTGAGE DOLLAR ROLLS—Mortgage dollar rolls, or "covered rolls," are transactions in which a Fund sells securities (usually mortgage-backed securities) and simultaneously contracts to repurchase, typically in 30 or 60 days, substantially similar, but not identical, securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, a Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on such securities. A Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the "drop"), as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. At the end of the roll commitment period, a Fund may or may not take delivery of the securities it has contracted to purchase. Mortgage dollar rolls may be renewed prior to cash settlement and initially may involve only a firm commitment agreement by the Fund to buy a security. A "covered roll" is a specific type of mortgage dollar roll for which there is an offsetting cash position or cash equivalent securities position that matures on or before the forward settlement date of the mortgage dollar roll transaction. As used herein, the term "mortgage dollar roll" refers to mortgage dollar rolls that are not "covered rolls." If the broker-dealer to whom a Fund sells the security becomes insolvent, the Fund's right to repurchase the security may be restricted. Other risks involved in entering into mortgage dollar rolls include the risk that the value of the security may change adversely over the term of the mortgage dollar roll and that the security a Fund is required to repurchase may be worth less than the security that the Fund originally held.
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MUNICIPAL SECURITIES—Municipal securities consist of: (i) debt obligations issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to be used for various public facilities, refunding outstanding obligations, general operating expenses and lending such funds to other public institutions and facilities, and (ii) certain private activity and industrial development bonds issued by or on behalf of public authorities to obtain funds to provide for the construction, equipment, repair or improvement of privately operated facilities. Additional information regarding municipal securities is described below:
Municipal Bonds. Municipal bonds are debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes. Municipal bonds include general obligation bonds, revenue or special obligation bonds, private activity and industrial development bonds, moral obligation bonds and participation interests in municipal bonds. General obligation bonds are backed by the taxing power of the issuing municipality. Revenue bonds are backed by the revenues of a project or facility, such as tolls from a toll bridge. Certificates of participation represent an interest in an underlying obligation or commitment, such as an obligation issued in connection with a leasing arrangement. The payment of principal and interest on private activity and industrial development bonds is generally dependent solely on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property so financed as security for such payment. A Fund may purchase private activity or industrial development bonds if, in the opinion of counsel for the issuers, the interest paid is exempt from federal income tax. Municipal bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately-owned or operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports, parking, sewage or solid waste disposal facilities and certain other facilities. The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real and personal property so financed as security for such payment. Moral obligation bonds are normally issued by special purpose authorities. Moral obligation bonds are not backed by the full faith and credit of the state, but are generally backed by the agreement of the issuing authority to request appropriations from the state legislative body.
Municipal Leases. Municipal leases are instruments, or participations in instruments, issued in connection with lease obligations or installment purchase contract obligations of municipalities (so-called "municipal lease obligations"). Although municipal lease obligations do not constitute general obligations of the issuing municipality, a lease obligation may be backed by the municipality's covenant to budget for, appropriate funds for and make the payments due under the lease obligation. However, certain lease obligations contain "non-appropriation" clauses, which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose in the relevant years. Municipal lease obligations are a form of financing, and the market for such obligations is still developing. Municipal leases will be treated as liquid only if they satisfy criteria set forth in guidelines established by the Board, and there can be no assurance that a market will exist or continue to exist for any municipal lease obligation. Information regarding illiquid securities is provided under the section "Illiquid Securities" above.
Municipal Notes. Municipal notes consist of general obligation notes, tax anticipation notes (notes sold to finance working capital needs of the issuer in anticipation of receiving taxes on a future date), revenue anticipation notes (notes sold to provide needed cash prior to receipt of expected non-tax revenues from a specific source), bond anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, certificates of indebtedness, demand notes and construction loan notes. The maturities of the instruments at the time of issue will generally range from three months to one year.
SIMC and/or the Sub-Adviser, as applicable, may rely on the opinion of the issuer's counsel, which is rendered at the time the security is issued, to determine whether the security is fit, with respect to its validity and tax status, to be purchased by a Fund. SIMC, the Sub-Advisers and the Funds do not guarantee this opinion is correct, and there is no assurance that the IRS will agree with such counsel's opinion.
OBLIGATIONS OF DOMESTIC BANKS, FOREIGN BANKS AND FOREIGN BRANCHES OF U.S. BANKS—Investments in bank obligations include obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches
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of domestic banks. Such investments in domestic branches of foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks may involve risks that are different from investments in securities of domestic branches of U.S. banks. These risks may include future unfavorable political and economic developments, possible withholding taxes on interest income, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, or other governmental restrictions that might affect the payment of principal or interest on the securities held by a Fund. Additionally, these institutions may be subject to less stringent reserve requirements and to different accounting, auditing, reporting and recordkeeping requirements than those applicable to domestic branches of U.S. banks. Bank obligations include the following:
Bankers' Acceptances. Bankers' acceptances are bills of exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank. Corporations use bankers' acceptances to finance the shipment and storage of goods and to furnish dollar exchange. Maturities are generally six months or less.
Bank Notes. Bank notes are notes used to represent debt obligations issued by banks in large denominations.
Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are interest-bearing instruments with a specific maturity. They are issued by banks and savings and loan institutions in exchange for the deposit of funds and can normally be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Certificates of deposit with penalties for early withdrawal will be considered illiquid. Additional information about illiquid securities is provided under the section "Illiquid Securities" above.
Time Deposits. Time deposits are non-negotiable receipts issued by a bank in exchange for the deposit of funds. Like a certificate of deposit, a time deposit earns a specified rate of interest over a definite period of time; however, it cannot be traded in the secondary market. Time deposits with a withdrawal penalty or that mature in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid. Additional information about illiquid securities is provided under the section "Illiquid Securities" above.
OBLIGATIONS OF SUPRANATIONAL ENTITIES—Supranational entities are entities established through the joint participation of several governments, including the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Economic Community, the European Investment Bank and the Nordic Investment Bank. The governmental members, or "stockholders," usually make initial capital contributions to the supranational entity and, in many cases, are committed to make additional capital contributions if the supranational entity is unable to repay its borrowings. There is no guarantee that one or more stockholders of a supranational entity will continue to make any necessary additional capital contributions. If such contributions are not made, the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities, and a Fund may lose money on such investments. Obligations of supranational entities may be purchased by the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund. Currently, the Fund intends to invest only in obligations issued or guaranteed by the Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, European Coal and Steel Community, European Economic Community, European Investment Bank and the Nordic Investment Bank.
OPTIONS—A Fund may purchase and write put and call options on indexes and enter into related closing transactions. A put option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying security at any time during the option period, or for certain types of options, at the conclusion of the option period or only at certain times during the option period. A call option on a security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer of the option the obligation to sell, the underlying security at any time during the option period, or for certain types of options, at the conclusion of the option period or only at certain times during the option period. The premium paid to the writer is the consideration for undertaking the obligations under the option contract.
A Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies (traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges or OTC markets) to manage its exposure to exchange rates.
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Put and call options on indexes are similar to options on securities except that options on an index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the underlying index is greater than (or less than, in the case of puts) the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option, expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified number. Thus, unlike options on individual securities, all settlements are in cash, and gain or loss depends on price movements in the particular market represented by the index generally rather than the price movements in individual securities. Options on indexes may, depending on circumstances, involve greater risk than options on securities. Because stock index options are settled in cash, when a Fund writes a call on an index it may not be able to provide in advance for its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying securities.
Each Fund may trade put and call options on securities, securities indexes and currencies, as SIMC or a Sub-Adviser determines is appropriate in seeking to achieve the Fund's investment objective, unless otherwise restricted by the Fund's investment limitations.
The initial purchase (sale) of an option contract is an "opening transaction." In order to close out an option position, a Fund may enter into a "closing transaction," which is simply the sale (purchase) of an option contract on the same security with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option contract originally opened. If a Fund is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction with respect to an option it has written, it will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or the Fund delivers the security upon exercise.
A Fund may purchase put and call options on securities for any lawful purpose, including to protect against a decline in the market value of the securities in its portfolio or to anticipate an increase in the market value of securities that the Fund may seek to purchase in the future. A Fund purchasing put and call options pays a premium for such options. If price movements in the underlying securities are such that exercise of the options would not be profitable for the Fund, loss of the premium paid may be offset by an increase in the value of the Fund's securities or by a decrease in the cost of the acquisition of securities by the Fund.
A Fund may write (i.e., sell) "covered" call options on securities for any lawful purpose, including as a means of increasing the yield on its assets and as a means of providing limited protection against decreases in its market value. Certain Funds may engage in a covered call option writing (selling) program in an attempt to generate additional income or provide a partial hedge to another position of the Fund. A call option is "covered" if the Fund either owns the underlying instrument or has an absolute and immediate right (such as a call with the same or a later expiration date) to acquire that instrument. The underlying instruments of such covered call options may consist of individual equity securities, pools of equity securities, ETFs or indexes.
The writing of covered call options is a more conservative investment technique than writing of naked or uncovered options, but capable of enhancing the Fund's total return. When a Fund writes a covered call option, it profits from the premium paid by the buyer but gives up the opportunity to profit from an increase in the value of the underlying security above the exercise price. At the same time, the Fund retains the risk of loss from a decline in the value of the underlying security during the option period. Although the Fund may terminate its obligation by executing a closing purchase transaction, the cost of effecting such a transaction may be greater than the premium received upon its sale, resulting in a loss to the Fund. If such an option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain equal to the premium received. Such a gain may be offset or exceeded by a decline in the market value of the underlying security during the option period. If an option is exercised, the exercise price, the premium received and the market value of the underlying security determine the gain or loss realized by the Fund.
When a Fund writes an option, if the underlying securities do not increase or decrease, as applicable, to a price level that would make the exercise of the option profitable to the holder thereof, the option will generally expire without being exercised and the Fund will realize as profit the premium received for such option. When a call option of which a Fund is the writer is exercised, the Fund will be required to sell the underlying securities to the option holder at the strike price and will not participate in any increase in the price of such securities above the strike price. When a put option of which a Fund is the writer is exercised, the Fund will be required to purchase the underlying securities at a price in excess of the market value of such securities.
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A Fund may purchase and write options on an exchange or OTC. OTC options differ from exchange-traded options in several respects. They are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation or futures commission merchant, and therefore entail the risk of non-performance by the dealer. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities and for a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than are available for exchange-traded options. Because OTC options are not traded on an exchange, pricing is normally done by reference to information from a market maker. It is the SEC's position that OTC options are generally illiquid. The market value of an option generally reflects the market price of an underlying security. Other principal factors affecting market value include supply and demand, interest rates, the pricing volatility of the underlying security and the time remaining until the expiration date.
Risks. Risks associated with options transactions include: (i) the success of a hedging strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in markets and movements in interest rates; (ii) there may be an imperfect correlation between the movement in prices of options and the securities underlying them; (iii) there may not be a liquid secondary market for options; and (iv) though a Fund will receive a premium when it writes covered call options, it may not participate fully in a rise in the market value of the underlying security.
PARTICIPATION NOTES—P-Notes are participation interest notes that are issued by banks or broker-dealers and are designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying equity, debt, currency or market. When purchasing a P-Note, the posting of margin is not required because the full cost of the P-Note (plus commission) is paid at the time of purchase. When the P-Note matures, the issuer will pay to, or receive from, the purchaser the difference between the minimal value of the underlying instrument at the time of purchase and that instrument's value at maturity. Investments in P-Notes involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the underlying foreign companies or foreign securities markets that they seek to replicate.
In addition, there can be no assurance that the trading price of P-Notes will equal the underlying value of the foreign companies or foreign securities markets that they seek to replicate. The holder of a P-Note that is linked to a particular underlying security is entitled to receive any dividends paid in connection with an underlying security or instrument. However, the holder of a P-Note does not receive voting rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying security or instrument. P-Notes are generally traded OTC. P-Notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them and the counterparty. There is also counterparty risk associated with these investments because the Fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such counterparty and has no rights under a P-Note against the issuer of the underlying security. In addition, a Fund will incur transaction costs as a result of investment in P-Notes.
PAY-IN-KIND BONDS—Pay-in-kind bonds are securities that, at the issuer's option, pay interest in either cash or additional securities for a specified period. Pay-in-kind bonds, like zero coupon bonds, are designed to give an issuer flexibility in managing cash flow. Pay-in-kind bonds are expected to reflect the market value of the underlying debt plus an amount representing accrued interest since the last payment.
Pay-in-kind bonds are usually less volatile than zero coupon bonds, but more volatile than cash pay securities.
PRIVATIZATIONS—Privatizations are foreign government programs for selling all or part of the interests in government owned or controlled enterprises. The ability of a U.S. entity to participate in privatizations in certain foreign countries may be limited by local law, or the terms on which a Fund may be permitted to participate may be less advantageous than those applicable for local investors. There can be no assurance that foreign governments will continue to sell their interests in companies currently owned or controlled by them or that privatization programs will be successful.
PUT TRANSACTIONS—A Fund may purchase securities at a price that would result in a yield to maturity lower than generally offered by the seller at the time of purchase when the Fund can simultaneously acquire the right to sell the securities back to the seller, the issuer or a third party (the "writer") at an agreed-upon price at any time during a stated period or on a certain date. Such a right is generally denoted as a "standby
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commitment" or a "put." The purpose of engaging in transactions involving puts is to maintain flexibility and liquidity to permit a Fund to meet redemptions and remain as fully invested as possible in municipal securities. The right to put the securities depends on the writer's ability to pay for the securities at the time the put is exercised. A Fund would limit its put transactions to institutions that SIMC or a Sub-Adviser believes present minimum credit risks, and SIMC or a Sub-Adviser would use its best efforts to initially determine and continue to monitor the financial strength of the sellers of the options by evaluating their financial statements and such other information as is available in the marketplace. It may, however, be difficult to monitor the financial strength of the writers because adequate current financial information may not be available. In the event that any writer is unable to honor a put for financial reasons, a Fund would be a general creditor (i.e., on a parity with all other unsecured creditors) of the writer. Furthermore, particular provisions of the contract between a Fund and the writer may excuse the writer from repurchasing the securities; for example, a change in the published rating of the underlying municipal securities or any similar event that has an adverse effect on the issuer's credit or a provision in the contract that the put will not be exercised except in certain special cases, such as to maintain Fund liquidity. A Fund could, however, at any time sell the underlying portfolio security in the open market or wait until the portfolio security matures, at which time it should realize the full par value of the security.
The securities purchased subject to a put may be sold to third persons at any time, even though the put is outstanding, but the put itself, unless it is an integral part of the security as originally issued, may not be marketable or otherwise assignable. Therefore, the put would have value only to that particular Fund. Sale of the securities to third parties or lapse of time with the put unexercised may terminate the right to put the securities. Prior to the expiration of any put option, a Fund could seek to negotiate terms for the extension of such an option. If such a renewal cannot be negotiated on terms satisfactory to the Fund, the Fund could, of course, sell the portfolio security. The maturity of the underlying security will generally be different from that of the put. For the purpose of determining the "maturity" of securities purchased subject to an option to put, and for the purpose of determining the dollar-weighted average maturity of a Fund including such securities, the Fund will consider "maturity" to be the first date on which it has the right to demand payment from the writer of the put (although the final maturity of the security is later than such date).
QUANTITATIVE INVESTING—A quantitative investment style generally involves the use of computers to implement a systematic or rules-based approach to selecting investments based on specific measurable factors. Due to the significant role technology plays in such strategies, they carry the risk of unintended or unrecognized issues or flaws in the design, coding, implementation or maintenance of the computer programs or technology used in the development and implementation of the quantitative strategy. These issues or flaws, which can be difficult to identify, may result in the implementation of a portfolio that is different from that which was intended, and could negatively impact investment returns. Such risks should be viewed as an inherent element of investing in an investment strategy that relies heavily upon quantitative models and computerization.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS—REITs are entities that invest primarily in commercial real estate or real estate-related loans. A U.S. REIT is not taxed on income distributed to its shareholders or unitholders if it complies with certain requirements under the Code relating to its organization, ownership, assets and income, as well as with a requirement that it distribute to its shareholders or unitholders at least 90% of its taxable income for each taxable year. Generally, REITs can be classified as Equity REITs, Mortgage REITs and Hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive their income primarily from rents and capital gains from appreciation realized through property sales. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive their income primarily from interest payments. Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both Equity and Mortgage REITs. By investing in REITs indirectly through a Fund, shareholders will bear not only the proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of underlying REITs.
A Fund may be subject to certain risks associated with the direct investments of REITs. REITs may be affected by changes in the value of their underlying properties and by defaults by borrowers or tenants. Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of the credit extended. Furthermore, REITs are dependent on specialized management skills. Some REITs may have limited diversification and may be subject to risks inherent in financing
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a limited number of properties. REITs generally depend on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders and may be subject to defaults by borrowers and to self-liquidations. In addition, a U.S. REIT may be affected by its failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code or its failure to maintain exemption from registration under the 1940 Act.
REAL ESTATE OPERATING COMPANIES—REOCs are real estate companies that engage in the development, management or financing of real estate. Typically, REOCs provide services such as property management, property development, facilities management and real estate financing. REOCs are publicly traded corporations that have not elected to be taxed as REITs. The three primary reasons for such an election are: (i) availability of tax loss carryforwards, (ii) operation in non-REIT-qualifying lines of business, and (iii) the ability to retain earnings.
RECEIPTS—Receipts are interests in separately traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. Government obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. Government obligations into a special account at a custodian bank. The custodian holds the interest and principal payments for the benefit of the registered owners of the certificates or receipts. The custodian arranges for the issuance of the certificates or receipts evidencing ownership and maintains the register. Receipts include TRs, TIGRs, LYONs and CATS. LYONs, TIGRs and CATS are interests in private proprietary accounts, while TRs and STRIPS (see "U.S. Treasury Obligations" below) are interests in accounts sponsored by the U.S. Treasury. Receipts are sold as zero coupon securities, which means that they are sold at a substantial discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal. This discount is accreted over the life of the security, and such accretion will constitute the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes. For tax purposes, original issue discount that accretes in a taxable year is treated as earned by a Fund and therefore is subject to the distribution requirements applicable to RICs under Subchapter M of the Code. Because of these features, such securities may be subject to greater interest rate volatility than interest paying fixed income securities.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS—A repurchase agreement is an agreement in which one party sells securities to another party in return for cash, with an agreement to repurchase equivalent securities at an agreed-upon price and on an agreed-upon future date. A Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with financial institutions. The Funds follow certain procedures designed to minimize the risks inherent in such agreements. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with large, well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions deemed creditworthy by SIMC or a Sub-Adviser. The repurchase agreements entered into by a Fund will provide that the underlying collateral at all times shall have a value at least equal to 102% of the resale price stated in the agreement at all times. SIMC and the applicable Sub-Advisers monitor compliance with this requirement as well as the ongoing financial condition and creditworthiness of the counterparty.
Under all repurchase agreements entered into by a Fund, the Fund's custodian or its agent must take possession of the underlying collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, a Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of a Fund's right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase are less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. A Fund may enter into "tri-party" repurchase agreements. In "tri-party" repurchase agreements, an unaffiliated third party custodian maintains accounts to hold collateral for the Fund and its counterparties and, therefore, the Fund may be subject to the credit risk of those custodians. At times, the investments of a Fund in repurchase agreements may be substantial when, in the view of SIMC or the Sub-Adviser(s), liquidity or other considerations so warrant.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES—Restricted securities are securities that may not be sold freely to the public without registration under the 1933 Act or an exemption from registration. Restricted securities, including securities eligible for re-sale under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act, that are determined to be liquid are not subject to a Fund's limitation on investing in illiquid securities. The determination of whether a restricted security is illiquid is to be made by SIMC or a Sub-Adviser pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board. Under these guidelines, SIMC or a Sub-Adviser will consider the frequency of trades and quotes for the security, the number of dealers in, and potential purchasers for, the security, dealer undertakings to make a market in the security,
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and the nature of the security and of the marketplace trades. In purchasing such restricted securities, SIMC and each Sub-Adviser intends to purchase securities that are exempt from registration under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act and Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper issued in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act, including, but not limited to, Rules 506(b) or 506(c) under Regulation D.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS AND SALE-BUYBACKS—Reverse repurchase agreements are transactions in which a Fund sells portfolio securities to financial institutions, such as banks and broker-dealers, and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed-upon date and price that is higher than the original sale price. Reverse repurchase agreements are similar to a fully collateralized borrowing by a Fund. Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act permits a Fund to enter into reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions, notwithstanding the limitation on the issuance of senior securities in Section 18 of the 1940 Act. The Rule permits a Fund to elect whether to treat a reverse repurchase agreement as a borrowing, subject to the asset coverage requirements of Section 18 of the Act, or as a Derivative Transactions under Rule 18f-4. The Funds have elected to treat all reverse repurchase agreements as Derivative Transactions.
Reverse repurchase agreements involve risks. Reverse repurchase agreements are a form of leverage, and the use of reverse repurchase agreements by a Fund may increase the Fund's volatility. Reverse repurchase agreements are also subject to the risk that the other party to the reverse repurchase agreement will be unable or unwilling to complete the transaction as scheduled, which may result in losses to a Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements also involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by a Fund may decline below the price at which it is obligated to repurchase the securities. In addition, when a Fund invests the proceeds it receives in a reverse repurchase transaction, there is a risk that those investments may decline in value. In this circumstance, the Fund could be required to sell other investments in order to meet its obligations to repurchase the securities.
In a sale-buyback transaction, a Fund sells an underlying security for settlement at a later date. A sale-buyback is similar to a reverse repurchase agreement, except that in a sale-buyback the counterparty who purchases the security is entitled to receive any principal or interest payments made on the underlying security pending settlement of the Fund's repurchase of the underlying security.
RISKS OF CYBER-ATTACKS—As with any entity that conducts business through electronic means in the modern marketplace, the Funds, and their service providers, may be susceptible to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized monitoring, release, misuse, loss, destruction or corruption of confidential information, unauthorized access to relevant systems, compromises to networks or devices that the Funds and their service providers use to service the Funds' operations, ransomware, operational disruption or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Funds and their service providers, or various other forms of cyber security breaches. Cyber-attacks affecting a Fund, SIMC or any of the Sub-Advisers, a Fund's distributor, custodian, transfer agent, or any other of a Fund's intermediaries or service providers may adversely impact the Fund and its shareholders, potentially resulting in, among other things, financial losses or the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund's ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. The Funds may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes designed to mitigate or prevent the risk of cyber-attacks. Such costs may be ongoing because threats of cyber-attacks are constantly evolving as cyber attackers become more sophisticated and their techniques become more complex. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers of securities in which a Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund's investment in such companies to lose value. There can be no assurance that the Funds, the Funds' service providers, or the issuers of the securities in which the Funds invest will not suffer losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches in the future. A Fund may also experience losses due to systems failures or inadequate system back-up or procedures at the brokerage firm(s) carrying the Fund's positions.
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SENIOR LOANS AND BANK LOANS—Senior loans and bank loans typically are arranged through private negotiations between a borrower and several financial institutions or a group of lenders which are represented by one or more lenders acting as agent. The agent is often a commercial bank that originates the loan and invites other parties to join the lending syndicate. The agent will be primarily responsible for negotiating the loan agreement and will have responsibility for the documentation and ongoing administration of the loan on behalf of the lenders after completion of the loan transaction. The Funds can invest in a senior loan or bank loan either as a direct lender or through an assignment or participation.
When a Fund acts as a direct lender, it will have a direct contractual relationship with the borrower and may participate in structuring the loan, may enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement and may have voting, consent and set-off rights under the loan agreement.
Loan assignments are investments in all or a portion of certain senior loans or bank loans purchased from the lenders or from other third parties. The purchaser of an assignment typically will acquire direct rights against the borrower under the loan. Although the purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the assigning lender under the loan agreement, because assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and assignors, or other third parties whose interests are being assigned, the rights and obligations acquired by a Fund may differ from and be more limited than those held by the assigning lender.
A holder of a loan participation typically has only a contractual right with the seller of the participation and not with the borrower or any other entities interpositioned between the seller of the participation and the borrower. As such, the purchaser of a loan participation assumes the credit risk of the seller of the participation, and any intermediary entities between the seller and the borrower, in addition to the credit risk of the borrower. When a Fund holds a loan participation, it will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and fees to which it may be entitled only from the seller of the participation and only upon receipt of the seller of such payments from the borrower or from any intermediary parties between the seller and the borrower. Additionally, a Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, will have no voting, consent or set-off rights under the loan agreement and may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the loan although lenders that sell participations generally are required to distribute liquidation proceeds received by them pro rata among the holders of such participations. In the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the borrower, a loan participation may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by the borrower as a result of improper conduct by the seller or intermediary. If the borrower fails to pay principal and interest when due, a Fund may be subject to greater delays, expenses and risks than those that would have been involved if a Fund had purchased a direct obligation of such borrower.
Direct loans, assignments and loan participations may be considered liquid, as determined by the Adviser based on criteria approved by the Board.
SIMC or a Sub-Adviser may from time to time have the opportunity to receive Confidential Information about the borrower, including financial information and related documentation regarding the borrower that is not publicly available. Pursuant to applicable policies and procedures, SIMC or a Sub-Adviser may (but is not required to) seek to avoid receipt of Confidential Information from the borrower so as to avoid possible restrictions on its ability to purchase and sell investments on behalf of a Fund and other clients to which such Confidential Information relates (e.g., publicly traded securities issued by the borrower). In such circumstances, a Fund (and other clients of SIMC or a Sub-Adviser) may be disadvantaged in comparison to other investors, including with respect to the price the Fund pays or receives when it buys or sells a bank loan. Further, SIMC or a Sub-Adviser's abilities to assess the desirability of proposed consents, waivers or amendments with respect to certain bank loans may be compromised if it is not privy to available Confidential Information. SIMC or a Sub-Adviser may also determine to receive such Confidential Information in certain circumstances under its applicable policies and procedures. If SIMC or a Sub-Adviser intentionally or unintentionally comes into possession of Confidential Information, it may be unable, potentially for a substantial period of time, to purchase or sell publicly traded securities to which such Confidential Information relates.
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SOVEREIGN DEBT—The cost of servicing external debt will also generally be adversely affected by rising international interest rates because many external debt obligations bear interest at rates that are adjusted based upon international interest rates. The ability to service external debt will also depend on the level of the relevant government's international currency reserves and its access to a foreign exchange. Currency devaluations may affect the ability of a sovereign obligor to obtain sufficient foreign exchange to service its external debt.
As a result of the foregoing or other factors, a governmental obligor may default on its obligations. If such an event occurs, a Fund may have limited legal recourse against the issuer and/or guarantor. Remedies must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself, and the ability of the holder of foreign sovereign debt securities to obtain recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant country. In addition, no assurance can be given that the holders of commercial bank debt will not contest payments to the holders of other foreign sovereign debt obligations in the event of default under their commercial bank loan agreements.
STRUCTURED SECURITIES—Certain Funds may invest a portion of their assets in entities organized and operated solely for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of sovereign debt obligations of emerging market issuers. This type of restructuring involves the deposit with, or purchase by, an entity, such as a corporation or trust, of specified instruments (such as commercial bank loans or Brady Bonds) and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of securities ("Structured Securities") backed by, or representing interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued Structured Securities to create securities with different investment characteristics, such as varying maturities, payment priorities and interest rate provisions, and the extent of the payments made with respect to Structured Securities is dependent on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments. Because Structured Securities of the type in which the Funds anticipate they will invest typically involve no credit enhancement, their credit risk will generally be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments. A Fund is permitted to invest in a class of Structured Securities that is either subordinated or unsubordinated to the right of payment of another class. Subordinated Structured Securities typically have higher yields and present greater risks than unsubordinated Structured Securities. Structured Securities are typically sold in private placement transactions, and there currently is no active trading market for Structured Securities. Certain issuers of such Structured Securities may be deemed to be "investment companies" as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, a Fund's investment in such securities may be limited by certain investment restrictions contained in the 1940 Act.
SWAPS, CAPS, FLOORS, COLLARS AND SWAPTIONS—Swaps are centrally-cleared or OTC derivative products in which two parties agree to exchange payment streams calculated by reference to an underlying asset, such as a rate, index, instrument or securities (referred to as the "underlying") and a predetermined amount (referred to as the "notional amount"). The underlying for a swap may be an interest rate (fixed or floating), a currency exchange rate, a commodity price index, a security, group of securities or a securities index, a combination of any of these, or various other rates, securities, instruments, assets or indexes. Swap agreements generally do not involve the delivery of the underlying or principal, and a party's obligations are generally equal to only the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the swap agreement.
A great deal of flexibility is possible in the way swaps may be structured. For example, in a simple fixed-to-floating interest rate swap, one party makes payments equivalent to a fixed interest rate, and the other party makes payments calculated with reference to a specified floating interest rate, such as SOFR or the prime rate. In a currency swap, the parties generally enter into an agreement to pay interest streams in one currency based on a specified rate in exchange for receiving interest streams denominated in another currency. Currency swaps may involve initial and final exchanges of the currency that correspond to the agreed upon notional amount. The use of currency swaps is a highly specialized activity which involves special investment techniques and risks, including settlement risk, non-business day risk, the risk that trading hours may not align, and the risk of market disruptions and restrictions due to government action or other factors.
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A Fund may engage in simple or more complex swap transactions involving a wide variety of underlying assets for various reasons. For example, a Fund may enter into a swap (i) to gain exposure to investments (such as an index of securities in a market) or currencies without actually purchasing those stocks or currencies; (ii) to make an investment without owning or taking physical custody of securities or currencies in circumstances in which direct investment is restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise impracticable; (iii) to hedge an existing position; (iv) to obtain a particular desired return at a lower cost to the Fund than if it had invested directly in an instrument that yielded the desired return; or (v) for various other reasons.
Certain Funds may enter into credit default swaps as a buyer or a seller. The buyer in a credit default contract is obligated to pay the seller a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided no event of default has occurred. If an event of default occurs, the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value ("par value") of the underlying in exchange for the underlying. If a Fund is a buyer and no event of default occurs, the Fund will have made a stream of payments to the seller without having benefited from the default protection it purchased. However, if an event of default occurs, the Fund, as a buyer, will receive the full notional value of the underlying that may have little or no value following default. As a seller, a Fund receives a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the contract, provided there is no default. If an event of default occurs, the Fund would be obligated to pay the notional value of the underlying in return for the receipt of the underlying. The value of the underlying received by the Fund, coupled with the periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Fund. Credit default swaps involve different risks than if a Fund invests in the underlying directly. For example, credit default swaps would increase credit risk by providing the Fund with exposure to both the issuer of the referenced obligation (typically a debt obligation) and the counterparty to the credit default swap. Credit default swaps may in some cases be illiquid. Furthermore, the definition of a "credit event" triggering the seller's payment obligations under a credit default swap may not encompass all of the circumstances in which the buyer may suffer credit-related losses on an obligation of a referenced entity.
The Funds may enter into total return swap agreements. Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based on the change in market value of underlying assets, which may include a specified security, basket of securities, defined portfolios of bonds, loans and mortgages, or securities indexes during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or market.
Total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to a Fund's portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Total return swaps are a mechanism for the user to accept the economic benefits of asset ownership without utilizing the balance sheet. The other leg of the swap is spread to reflect the non-balance sheet nature of the product. Total return swaps can be designed with any underlying asset agreed between two parties. Typically, no notional amounts are exchanged with total return swaps. Total return swap agreements entail the risk that a party will default on its payment obligations to the Fund thereunder. Swap agreements also entail the risk that a Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty. Generally, a Fund will enter into total return swaps on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). Fully funded total return swaps have economic and risk characteristics similar to credit-linked notes, which are described above.
Caps, floors, collars and swaptions are privately-negotiated option-based derivative products. Like a put or call option, the buyer of a cap or floor pays a premium to the writer. In exchange for that premium, the buyer receives the right to a payment equal to the differential if the specified index or rate rises above (in the case of a cap) or falls below (in the case of a floor) a pre-determined strike level. Like swaps, obligations under caps and floors are calculated based upon an agreed notional amount, and, like most swaps (other than foreign currency swaps), the entire notional amount is not exchanged. A collar is a combination product in which one party buys a cap from and sells a floor to another party. Swaptions give the holder the right to enter into a swap. A Fund may use one or more of these derivative products in addition to or in lieu of a swap involving a similar rate or index.
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Under current market practice, swaps, caps, collars and floors between the same two parties are generally documented under a "master agreement." In some cases, options and forward contracts between the parties may also be governed by the same master agreement. In the event of a default, amounts owed under all transactions entered into under, or covered by, the same master agreement would be netted, and only a single payment would be made.
Generally, a Fund would calculate the obligations of the swap agreements' counterparties on a "net basis." Consequently, a Fund's current obligation (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each counterparty to the swap agreement (the "net amount"). A Fund's current obligation under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owed to the Fund).
The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents using standardized swap agreements. As a result, the use of swaps has become more prevalent in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments that are also traded in OTC markets.
Swaps and other derivatives involve risks. One significant risk in a swap, cap, floor, collar or swaption is the volatility of the specific interest rate, currency or other underlying that determines the amount of payments due to and from a Fund. This is true whether these derivative products are used to create additional risk exposure for a Fund or to hedge, or manage, existing risk exposure. If under a swap, cap, floor, collar or swaption agreement a Fund is obligated to make a payment to the counterparty, the Fund must be prepared to make the payment when due. A Fund could suffer losses with respect to such an agreement if the Fund is unable to terminate the agreement or reduce its exposure through offsetting transactions. Further, the risks of caps, floors and collars, like put and call options, may be unlimited for the seller if the cap or floor is not hedged or covered, but is limited for the buyer.
Because under swap, cap, floor, collar and swaption agreements a counterparty may be obligated to make payments to a Fund, these derivative products are subject to risks related to the counterparty's creditworthiness, in addition to other risks discussed in this SAI. If a counterparty defaults, a Fund's risk of loss will consist of any payments that the Fund is entitled to receive from the counterparty under the agreement (this may not be true for currency swaps that require the delivery of the entire notional amount of one designated currency in exchange for the other). Upon default by a counterparty, however, a Fund may have contractual remedies under the swap agreement.
A Fund will enter into swaps only with counterparties that SIMC or a Sub-Adviser believes to be creditworthy.
The swap market is a relatively new market for which regulations are still being developed. The Dodd-Frank Act has substantially altered and increased the regulation of swaps. Swaps are broadly defined in the Dodd-Frank Act, CFTC rules and SEC rules, and also include commodity options and NDFs. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act divided the regulation of swaps between commodity swaps (such as swaps on interest rates, currencies, physical commodities, broad based stock indexes, and broad based credit default swap indexes), regulated by the CFTC, and security based swaps (such as equity swaps and single name credit default swaps), regulated by the SEC. The CFTC will determine which categories of swaps will be required to be traded on regulated exchange-like platforms, such as swap execution facilities, and which will be required to be centrally cleared. Cleared swaps must be cleared through futures commission merchants registered with the CFTC, and such futures commission merchants will be required to collect margin from customers for such cleared swaps. Additionally, all swaps are subject to reporting to a swap data repository. Dealers in swaps are required to register with the CFTC as swap dealers and are required to comply with extensive regulations regarding their external and internal business conduct practices, regulatory capital requirements, and rules regarding the holding of counterparty collateral.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES—Examples of types of U.S. Government obligations in which a Fund may invest include U.S. Treasury obligations and the obligations of U.S. Government agencies or U.S. Government
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sponsored entities such as Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Farm Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, the FHA, the Farmers Home Administration, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Small Business Administration, Fannie Mae, GNMA, the General Services Administration, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the Central Bank for Cooperatives, Freddie Mac, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Maritime Administration and other similar agencies. Whether backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury or not, U.S. Government securities are not guaranteed against price movements due to fluctuating interest rates.
If the total public debt of the U.S. Government as a percentage of gross domestic product reaches high levels as a result of combating financial downturn or otherwise, such high levels of debt may create certain systemic risks if sound debt management practices are not implemented. A high national debt level may increase market pressures to meet government funding needs, which may increase borrowing costs and cause a government to issue additional debt, thereby increasing the risk of refinancing. A high national debt also raises concerns that a government may be unable or unwilling to repay the principal or interest on its debt when due. Unsustainable debt levels can decline the valuation of currencies, can prevent a government from implementing effective counter-cyclical fiscal policy during economic downturns, and can contribute to market volatility.
An increase in national debt levels may also necessitate the need for the U.S. Congress to negotiate adjustments to the statutory debt ceiling to increase the cap on the amount the U.S. Government is permitted to borrow to meet its existing obligations and finance current budget deficits. Future downgrades could increase volatility in domestic and foreign financial markets, result in higher interest rates, lower prices of U.S. Treasury securities and increase the costs of different kinds of debt. Any controversy or ongoing uncertainty regarding statutory debt ceiling negotiations may impact the U.S. long-term sovereign credit rating and may cause market uncertainty. As a result, market prices and yields of securities supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government may be adversely affected. Although remote, it is at least theoretically possible that under certain scenarios the U.S. Government could default on its debt, including U.S. Treasury securities.
Receipts. Receipts are interests in separately-traded interest and principal component parts of U.S. Government obligations that are issued by banks or brokerage firms and are created by depositing U.S. Government obligations into a special account at a custodian bank. The custodian holds the interest and principal payments for the benefit of the registered owners of the certificates or receipts. The custodian arranges for the issuance of the certificates or receipts evidencing ownership and maintains the register. TRs and STRIPS are interests in accounts sponsored by the U.S. Treasury. Receipts are sold as zero coupon securities, which means that they are sold at a substantial discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal.
U.S. Treasury Obligations. U.S. Treasury obligations consist of bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and separately traded interest and principal component parts of such obligations that are transferable through the federal book-entry systems known as STRIPS and TRs.
U.S. Government Zero Coupon Securities. STRIPS and receipts are sold as zero coupon securities; that is, fixed income securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons. Zero coupon securities are sold at a (usually substantial) discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal. The amount of this discount is accreted over the life of the security, and the accretion constitutes the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes. Because of these features, the market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of securities that have similar maturity but that pay interest periodically. Zero coupon securities are likely to respond to a greater degree to interest rate changes than are non-zero coupon securities with similar maturities and credit qualities.
U.S. Government Agencies. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. Government are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (e.g., Treasury bills, notes and bonds, and securities guaranteed by GNMA), others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (e.g., obligations of Federal Home Loan Banks), while still others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality (e.g., obligations of Fannie Mae). Guarantees of principal by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government may be a guarantee of payment at the maturity of the obligation so that, in the event of a
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default prior to maturity, there might not be a market and thus no means of realizing on the obligation prior to maturity. Guarantees as to the timely payment of principal and interest neither extend to the value or yield of these securities nor to the value of a Fund's shares.
VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS—Certain obligations may carry variable or floating rates of interest and may involve a conditional or unconditional demand feature. Such instruments bear interest at rates that are not fixed, but that vary with changes in specified market rates or indexes. The interest rates on these securities may be reset daily, weekly, quarterly, or some other reset period. There is a risk that the current interest rate on such obligations may not accurately reflect existing market interest rates. A demand instrument with a demand notice exceeding seven days may be considered illiquid if there is no secondary market for such security.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES—When-issued and delayed delivery basis, including "TBA" (to be announced) basis, transactions involve the purchase of an instrument with payment and delivery taking place in the future. Delivery of and payment for these securities may occur a month or more after the date of the purchase commitment. A TBA transaction is a method of trading mortgage-backed securities. In a TBA transaction, the buyer and seller agree upon general trade parameters such as agency, settlement date, par amount and price. The actual pools delivered generally are determined two days prior to the settlement date. The interest rate realized on these securities is fixed as of the purchase date, and no interest accrues to a Fund before settlement. These securities are subject to market fluctuation due to changes in market interest rates, and it is possible that the market value of these securities at the time of settlement could be higher or lower than the purchase price if the general level of interest rates has changed. Although a Fund will generally purchase securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis with the intention of actually acquiring securities for its portfolio, the Fund may dispose of a when-issued security or forward commitment prior to settlement if SIMC or a Sub-Adviser deems it appropriate. Rule 18f-4 under 1940 Act permits a Fund to enter into when-issued or delayed delivery basis securities notwithstanding the limitation on the issuance of senior securities in Section 18 of the 1940 Act, provided that the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction and the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date. If a when-issued or delayed delivery basis security does not satisfy those requirements, the Fund would need to comply with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act with respect to its when issued or delayed delivery transactions, which are considered Derivative Transactions under the Rule.
YANKEE OBLIGATIONS—Yankees are U.S. dollar-denominated instruments of foreign issuers who either register with the SEC or issue securities under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act. These obligations consist of debt securities (including preferred or preference stock of non-governmental issuers), certificates of deposit, fixed time deposits and bankers' acceptances issued by foreign banks, and debt obligations of foreign governments or their subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, international agencies and supranational entities. Some securities issued by foreign governments or their subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the foreign government.
The Yankees selected for a Fund will adhere to the same quality standards as those utilized for the selection of domestic debt obligations.
ZERO COUPON SECURITIES—Zero coupon securities are securities that are sold at a discount to par value and securities on which interest payments are not made during the life of the security. Upon maturity, the holder is entitled to receive the par value of the security. Although interest payments are not made on such securities, holders of such securities are deemed to have received "phantom income" annually. Because a Fund will distribute its "phantom income" to shareholders, to the extent that shareholders elect to receive dividends in cash rather than reinvesting such dividends in additional shares, a Fund will have fewer assets with which to purchase income producing securities. Pay-in-kind securities pay interest in either cash or additional securities, at the issuer's option, for a specified period. Pay-in-kind bonds, like zero coupon bonds, are designed to give an issuer flexibility in managing cash flow. Pay-in-kind bonds are expected to reflect the market value of the underlying debt plus an amount representing accrued interest since the last payment. Pay-in-kind bonds are usually less volatile than zero coupon bonds, but more volatile than cash pay securities. Pay-in-kind securities
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are securities that have interest payable by delivery of additional securities. Upon maturity, the holder is entitled to receive the aggregate par value of the securities. Deferred payment securities are securities that remain zero coupon securities until a predetermined date, at which time the stated coupon rate becomes effective and interest becomes payable at regular intervals.
Zero coupon, pay-in-kind and deferred payment securities may be subject to greater fluctuation in value and lesser liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities paying cash interest at regular interest payment periods. STRIPS and receipts (TRs, TIGRs, LYONs and CATS) are sold as zero coupon securities; that is, fixed income securities that have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons. Zero coupon securities are sold at a (usually substantial) discount and redeemed at face value at their maturity date without interim cash payments of interest or principal. The amount of this discount is accreted over the life of the security, and the accretion constitutes the income earned on the security for both accounting and tax purposes. Because of these features, the market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the market prices of securities that have similar maturities but that pay interest periodically. Zero coupon securities are likely to respond to a greater degree to interest rate changes than are non-zero coupon securities with similar maturities and credit qualities.
Corporate zero coupon securities are: (i) notes or debentures that do not pay current interest and are issued at substantial discounts from par value; or (ii) notes or debentures that pay no current interest until a stated date one or more years into the future, after which date the issuer is obligated to pay interest until maturity, usually at a higher rate than if interest were payable from the date of issuance, and may also make interest payments in kind (e.g., with identical zero coupon securities). Such corporate zero coupon securities, in addition to the risks identified above, are subject to the risk of the issuer's failure to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. A Fund must accrete the discount or interest on high-yield bonds structured as zero coupon securities as income even though it does not receive a corresponding cash interest payment until the security's maturity or payment date. For tax purposes, original issue discount that accretes in a taxable year is treated as earned by a Fund and therefore is subject to the distribution requirements applicable to the RICs under Subchapter M of the Code. A Fund may have to dispose of its securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash or may have to leverage itself by borrowing cash to satisfy distribution requirements. A Fund accrues income with respect to the securities prior to the receipt of cash payments.
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
The following are fundamental and non-fundamental policies of the Funds. The following percentage limitations (except for the limitation on borrowing and illiquid investments) will apply at the time of the purchase of a security and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs immediately after or as a result of a purchase of such security.
Fundamental Policies
The following investment restrictions are considered fundamental, which means that they may only be changed by the vote of a majority of a Fund's outstanding shares, which as used herein and in the Prospectuses, means the lesser of: (1) 67% of a Fund's outstanding shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of a Fund's outstanding shares. The percentage restrictions described below are applicable only at the time of investment and require no action by the Funds as a result of subsequent changes in value of the investments or the size of a Fund.
Each Fund may not:
1. Purchase securities which would cause more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the time of such purchase to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal activities in the same industry. For purposes of this limitation, U.S. Government securities are not considered members of any industry.
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2. Borrow money or issue senior securities (as defined under the 1940 Act), except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
3. With respect to 75% of the Fund's total assets, purchase securities of any one issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its instrumentalities) if, as a result, (a) more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or (b) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.
4. Make loans except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.
5. Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in REITs, securities or other instruments backed by real estate, including mortgage loans, or securities of companies that engage in real estate business or invest or deal in real estate or interests therein).
6. Underwrite securities issued by any other person, except to the extent that the purchase of securities and later disposition of such securities in accordance with the Fund's investment program may be deemed an underwriting.
7. Purchase or sell commodities except that the Fund may enter into futures contracts and related options, forward investing contracts and other similar instruments.
Non-Fundamental Policies
The Funds have adopted the following non-fundamental restrictions. These non-fundamental restrictions may be changed by the Board, without shareholder approval, in compliance with applicable law and regulatory policy.
1. A Fund shall not invest in companies for purposes of exercising control or management.
2. A Fund shall not purchase securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions and provided that margin payments in connection with futures contracts and options shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.
3. A Fund shall not sell securities short, unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short, and provided that transactions in futures contracts and options are not deemed to constitute selling short.
4. A Fund shall not purchase any security while borrowings representing more than 5% of the Fund's total assets are outstanding.
5. A Fund will invest no more than 15% of the value of its net assets in illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements with remaining maturities in excess of seven days, time deposits with maturities in excess of seven days and other securities which are not readily marketable.
When valuing derivative instruments for the purpose of determining compliance with its 80% test, each Fund will use the market value, if available, or otherwise the fair market value, of such derivative instrument. The Catholic Values Equity Fund will consider only those convertible securities that are immediately convertible and actually in the money as equity securities for purposes of determining compliance with its 80% test.
The following descriptions of the 1940 Act may assist shareholders in understanding the above policies and restrictions.
Diversification. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified investment management company, as to 75% of its total assets, may not purchase securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
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Government, its agents or instrumentalities or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the issuer's outstanding voting securities would be held by the fund.
Concentration. The SEC has presently defined concentration as investing 25% or more of an investment company's net assets in an industry or group of industries, with certain exceptions. For the purpose of a Fund's concentration policy, the Fund may classify and re-classify companies in a particular industry and define and re-define industries in any reasonable manner, consistent with SEC and SEC staff guidance.
Borrowing. The 1940 Act presently allows a fund to borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 33 and 1/3% of its total assets, including the amount borrowed (not including temporary borrowings not in excess of 5% of its total assets). In accordance with Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, when a fund engages in reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions, the fund may either (i) maintain asset coverage of at least 300% with respect to such transactions and any other borrowings in the aggregate, or (ii) treat such transactions as "derivative transactions" and comply with Rule 18f-4 with respect to such transactions. Transactions that are treated as derivatives for purposes of Rule 18f-4, shall not be regarded as borrowings for the purposes of a fund's investment limitations.
Senior Securities. Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by a fund evidencing indebtedness. The 1940 Act generally prohibits funds from issuing senior securities, although certain transactions are not treated as senior securities, such as certain borrowings, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements and standby commitments, with appropriate earmarking or segregation of assets to cover such obligation, or if the transaction is structured to otherwise comply with applicable regulations under the 1940 Act. At the time a Fund enters into such a transaction, it may earmark on the books of the Fund or place in a segregated account cash or liquid securities having a value equal to the mark-to-market value of the Fund's obligation, and, upon doing so, will subsequently monitor the account to ensure that such equivalent value is maintained. Alternatively, a Fund may consider certain transactions as "derivative transactions," in accordance with applicable regulation.
Lending. Under the 1940 Act, a fund may only make loans if expressly permitted by its investment policies.
Underwriting. Under the 1940 Act, underwriting securities involves a fund purchasing securities directly from an issuer for the purpose of selling (distributing) them or participating in any such activity either directly or indirectly. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified fund may not make any commitment as underwriter, if immediately thereafter the amount of its outstanding underwriting commitments, plus the value of its investments in securities of issuers (other than investment companies) of which it owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities, exceeds 25% of the value of its total assets.
Real Estate and Commodities. The 1940 Act does not directly restrict an investment company's ability to invest in real estate or commodities, but does require that every investment company have a fundamental investment policy governing such investments.
THE ADMINISTRATOR AND TRANSFER AGENT
General. SEI Investments Global Funds Services (the "Administrator"), a Delaware statutory trust, has its principal business offices at One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. The Administrator also serves as the transfer agent for the Funds (the "Transfer Agent"). SIMC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SEI Investments Company ("SEI"), is the owner of all beneficial interest in the Administrator and Transfer Agent. SEI and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including the Administrator, are leading providers of fund evaluation services, trust accounting systems, and brokerage and information services to financial institutions, institutional investors, and money managers. The Administrator and its affiliates also serve as administrator or sub-administrator to other mutual funds.
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Administration Agreement with the Trust. The Trust and the Administrator have entered into an administration and transfer agency agreement ("the Administration Agreement"). Under the Administration Agreement, the Administrator provides the Trust with administrative and transfer agency services or employs certain other parties, including its affiliates, who provide such services. Such services generally include, but are not limited to:
• maintaining books and records related to a Fund's cash and position reconciliations, and portfolio transactions;
• preparation of financial statements and other reports for the Funds;
• calculating the NAV of the Funds in accordance with the Funds' valuation policies and procedures;
• tracking income and expense accruals and processing disbursements to vendors and service providers;
• providing performance, financial and expense information for registration statements and board materials;
• providing certain tax monitoring and reporting;
• providing space, equipment, personnel and facilities;
• maintaining share transfer records;
• reviewing account opening documents and subscription and redemption requests;
• calculating and distributing required ordinary income and capital gains distributions; and
• providing anti-money laundering program services.
The Administration Agreement provides that the Administrator shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the matters to which the Administration Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Administrator in the performance of its duties or from the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder.
The Administration Agreement shall remain effective for the initial term of the Agreement and each renewal term thereof unless earlier terminated: (a) by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust on not less than 60 days' written notice to the Administrator; or (b) by the Administrator on not less than 90 days' written notice to the Trust.
Administration Fees. For its administrative services, the Administrator receives a fee, which is calculated based upon the average daily net assets of each Fund and paid monthly by the Trust. The annual rates are as set forth in the charts below:
For the Catholic Values Equity Fund:
Administration Fee |
|||||||
on the first $1.5 billion of Assets; |
0.30 |
% |
|||||
on the next $500 million of Assets; |
0.26 |
% |
|||||
on the next $500 million of Assets; |
0.21 |
% |
|||||
on the next $500 million of Assets; |
0.17 |
% |
|||||
on Assets over $3 billion. |
0.12 |
% |
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For the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund:
Administration Fee |
|||||||
on the first $1.5 billion of Assets; |
0.20 |
% |
|||||
on the next $500 million of Assets; |
0.1775 |
% |
|||||
on the next $500 million of Assets; |
0.1550 |
% |
|||||
on the next $500 million of Assets; |
0.1325 |
% |
|||||
on Assets over $3 billion. |
0.110 |
% |
For each Fund, the following table shows: (i) the dollar amount of fees paid to the Administrator by each Fund; and (ii) the dollar amount of the Administrator's voluntary fee waivers and/or reimbursements for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2022 and 2023 and for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2024.
Administration
Fees Paid (000) |
Administration Fees Waived or Reimbursed (000) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fund |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Catholic Values Equity Fund |
$ |
1,029 |
$ |
931 |
$ |
974 |
$ |
137 |
$ |
138 |
$ |
127 |
|||||||||||||||
Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund |
$ |
372 |
$ |
349 |
$ |
369 |
$ |
113 |
$ |
95 |
$ |
138 |
THE ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISERS
General. SIMC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SEI (NASDAQ: SEIC), a leading global provider of outsourced asset management, investment processing and investment operations solutions. The principal business address of SIMC and SEI is One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. SEI was founded in 1968, and is a leading provider of investment solutions to banks, institutional investors, investment advisers and insurance companies. SIMC had approximately $197.57 billion in assets as of March 31, 2024.
Manager of Managers Structure. SIMC is the investment adviser to each of the Funds and operates as a "manager of managers." SIMC and the Trust have obtained an exemptive order from the SEC that permits SIMC, with the approval of the Trust's Board, to hire, retain or terminate sub-advisers unaffiliated with SIMC for the Funds without submitting the sub-advisory agreements to a vote of the Funds' shareholders. Among other things, the exemptive relief permits the disclosure of only the aggregate amount payable by SIMC under all such sub-advisory agreements. The Funds will notify shareholders in the event of any addition or change in the identity of their sub-advisers.
Subject to Board review, SIMC allocates and, when appropriate, reallocates the Funds' assets to the Sub-Advisers, monitors and evaluates the Sub-Advisers' performance and oversees Sub-Adviser compliance with the Funds' investment objectives, policies and restrictions. SIMC has the ultimate responsibility for the investment performance of the Funds due to its responsibility to oversee Sub-Advisers and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement.
Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements. The Trust and SIMC have entered into an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement"). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, SIMC oversees the investment advisory services provided to the Funds and may manage the cash portion of the Funds' assets. Pursuant to separate sub-advisory agreements (the "Sub-Advisory Agreements" and, together with the Advisory Agreement, the "Investment Advisory Agreements") with SIMC, and under the supervision of SIMC and the Board, one or more Sub-Advisers are responsible for the day-to-day investment management of all or a discrete portion of the assets of the Funds. The Sub-Advisers are also responsible for managing their employees who provide services to the Funds.
Each Advisory Agreement sets forth a standard of care, pursuant to which the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, is responsible for performing services to the Funds, and also includes liability and indemnification provisions.
The continuance of each Investment Advisory Agreement after the first two (2) years must be specifically approved at least annually: (i) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund or by the Trustees; and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to such Investment Advisory Agreement or
S-48
"interested persons" of any party thereto, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Each Investment Advisory Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or, with respect to a Fund, by a majority of the outstanding shares of that Fund, on not less than 30 days' nor more than 60 days' written notice to SIMC or the Fund's Sub-Adviser, as applicable, or by SIMC or the Fund's Sub-Adviser, as applicable, on 90 days' written notice to the Trust.
In accordance with a separate exemptive order that the Trust and SIMC have obtained from the SEC, the Board may approve a new sub-advisory agreement or a material amendment to an existing sub-advisory agreement at a meeting that is not in person, subject to certain conditions, including that the Trustees are able to participate in the meeting using a means of communication that allows them to hear each other simultaneously during the meeting.
Advisory and Sub-Advisory Fees. For these advisory services, SIMC receives a fee, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at the annual rates set forth in the table below (shown as a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund). SIMC then pays the Sub-Advisers out of its contractual advisory fee for sub-advisory services provided to the Funds. The rates paid to each Sub-Adviser vary. The aggregate sub-advisory fees paid by SIMC for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2024 are set forth below as a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund.
Fund Name |
Contractual Advisory Fee |
Aggregate Sub-Advisory Fees Paid |
|||||||||
Catholic Values Equity Fund |
0.60 |
% |
0.27 |
% |
|||||||
Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund |
0.35 |
% |
0.14 |
% |
SIMC pays each Sub-Adviser a fee out of its advisory fee. Sub-Advisory fees are based on a percentage of the average daily net assets managed by the applicable Sub-Adviser.
For the fiscal years ended February 28, 2022 and 2023 and for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2024, the following tables show: (i) the contractual advisory fees that SIMC is entitled to receive from each Fund; (ii) the dollar amount of SIMC's contractual and voluntary fee waivers; (iii) the dollar amount of fees paid to the Sub-Advisers by SIMC; and (iv) the dollar amount of the fees retained by SIMC.
For the fiscal year ended February 29, 2024:
Fund Name |
Contractual Advisory Fees (000) |
Advisory Fees
Waived (000) |
Sub-Advisory Fees
Paid (000) |
Advisory Fees
Retained by SIMC (000) |
|||||||||||||||
Catholic Values Equity Fund |
$ |
1,947 |
$ |
593 |
$ |
865 |
$ |
489 |
|||||||||||
Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund |
$ |
646 |
$ |
95 |
$ |
263 |
$ |
288 |
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2023:
Fund Name |
Contractual Advisory Fees (000) |
Advisory Fees
Waived (000) |
Sub-Advisory Fees
Paid (000) |
Advisory Fees
Retained by SIMC (000) |
|||||||||||||||
Catholic Values Equity Fund |
$ |
1,862 |
$ |
567 |
$ |
748 |
$ |
547 |
|||||||||||
Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund |
$ |
611 |
$ |
87 |
$ |
227 |
$ |
297 |
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2022:
Fund Name |
Contractual Advisory Fees (000) |
Advisory Fees
Waived (000) |
Sub-Advisory Fees
Paid (000) |
Advisory Fees
Retained by SIMC (000) |
|||||||||||||||
Catholic Values Equity Fund |
$ |
2,058 |
$ |
627 |
$ |
808 |
$ |
623 |
|||||||||||
Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund |
$ |
651 |
$ |
93 |
$ |
242 |
$ |
316 |
S-49
The Sub-Advisers
BRANDYWINE GLOBAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC—Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC ("Brandywine Global") serves as a Sub-Adviser to a portion of the assets of the Catholic Values Equity Fund. Brandywine, founded in 1986, is a specialist investment manager of Franklin Templeton, we retain full control over investments, hiring, and compensation.
COPELAND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC—Copeland Capital Management, LLC ("Copeland") serves as a Sub-Adviser to a portion of the assets of the Catholic Values Equity Fund. Copeland was founded in 2005 and is 100% employee owned.
FRED ALGER MANAGEMENT, LLC—Fred Alger Management, LLC ("Alger") serves as a Sub-Adviser to a portion of the assets of the Catholic Values Equity Fund. Alger has been in the business of providing investment advisory services since 1964 and as of February 29, 2024 had approximately $23.7 billion in assets under management. Alger is directly owned by Alger Group Holdings, LLC ("AGH"), a financial services holding company. AGH and Alger are indirectly controlled by Hilary M. Alger, Nicole D. Alger and Alexandra D. Alger, who own approximately 99% of the voting rights of Alger Associates, Inc., the parent company of AGH.
INCOME RESEARCH + MANAGEMENT—Income Research + Management ("IR+M") serves as a Sub-Adviser to a portion of the assets of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund. IR+M is a Massachusetts business trust founded in 1987. IR+M was incorporated as Income Research + Management, Inc. from inception through December 2003. In December 2003, Income Research + Management, Inc. merged into IR&M Holdings LLC, and IR&M Holdings LLC merged into IR&M Holdings Business Trust. In January 2004, IR&M Holdings Business Trust changed its name to Income Research + Management. IR+M has been 100% privately owned since its inception in 1987 and remains so today.
JUPITER ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED—Jupiter Asset Management Limited ("Jupiter") serves as a Sub-Adviser to a portion of the assets of the Catholic Values Equity Fund. Founded over 35 years ago in 1985, Jupiter's principal activity has been, and remains, investment management. In 2010, Jupiter Fund Management ("JFM") plc was listed on the London Stock Exchange as a FTSE 250 business.
LAZARD ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC—Lazard Asset Management LLC ("Lazard") serves as a Sub-Adviser to a portion of the assets of the Catholic Values Equity Fund. Lazard is a Delaware limited liability company. It is a subsidiary of Lazard Frères & Co. LLC, a New York limited liability company with one member, Lazard Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. Interests of Lazard Group LLC are held by Lazard Inc., a United States C-corporation with shares that are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
LEEWARD INVESTMENTS, LLC—Leeward Investments, LLC ("Leeward") serves as a Sub-Adviser to a portion of the assets of the Catholic Values Equity Fund. Leeward is a manager-managed limited liability company that is 100% employee-owned.
PARAMETRIC PORTFOLIO ASSOCIATES LLC—Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC ("Parametric") serves as a Sub-Adviser to a portion of the assets of the Catholic Values Equity Fund. Parametric is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, a publicly held company that is traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the ticker symbol MS. Parametric is a part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, the asset management division of Morgan Stanley.
Parametric is owned directly by Eaton Vance Acquisitions LLC, a privately held subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC—Western Asset Management Company, LLC ("Western Asset") serves as a Sub-Adviser to a portion of the assets of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund. Western Asset operates within a group of coordinated sister companies located in various jurisdictions, and the Firm is headquartered in Pasadena, California. Western Asset is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE: BEN], a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton in over 165 countries. Western Asset was founded in 1971 and specializes in the management of fixed income funds.
S-50
WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED—Western Asset Management Company Limited ("Western Asset Limited") serves as a Sub-Adviser to a portion of the assets of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund. Western Asset Limited operates within a group of coordinated sister companies located in various jurisdictions, and the Firm is headquartered in Pasadena, California. Western Asset Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE: BEN], a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton in over 165 countries.
Portfolio Management
SIMC
Compensation. SIMC compensates each portfolio manager for his or her management of the Catholic Values Equity and Catholic Values Fixed Income Funds. Each portfolio manager's and investment analyst's compensation consists of a fixed annual salary, plus a discretionary annual bonus determined generally as follows.
Portfolio manager compensation is a combination of both Fund performance and SEI Investments Company ("SEI") performance. A majority of each portfolio manager's compensation is determined by the performance of the Funds for which the portfolio manager is responsible for over both a short-term and long-term time horizon. A final factor is a discretionary component, which is based upon a qualitative review of the portfolio managers and their team.
With respect to the bonus, twenty percent of each portfolio manager's compensation is tied to the corporate performance of SEI (SIMC's ultimate parent company), as measured by the earnings per share earned for a particular year. This percentage is set at the discretion of SEI and not SIMC.
The remaining percentage is based upon each Fund's performance (pre-tax) versus its respective benchmark over a one and three year period.
Ownership of Fund Shares. As of February 29, 2024, the portfolio managers beneficially owned shares of the Funds they manage, as follows:
Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range
of Fund Shares |
||||||
Richard A. Bamford |
None |
||||||
Jason Collins |
None |
||||||
David L. Hintz, CFA |
None |
||||||
Nilay Shah |
None |
||||||
Anthony Karaminas, CFA |
None |
Other Accounts. As of March 31, 2024, in addition to the Catholic Values Equity and Catholic Values Fixed Income Funds, the portfolio managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, approximately as follows:
Registered
Investment Companies |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Richard A. Bamford |
27 |
$ |
38,763.84 |
2 |
$ |
384.57 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
||||||||||||||||||
Jason Collins |
34 |
$ |
45,696.94 |
17 |
$ |
5,738.63 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
||||||||||||||||||
David L. Hintz, CFA |
29 |
$ |
31,211.84 |
8 |
$ |
3,964.21 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
||||||||||||||||||
Nilay Shah |
4 |
$ |
11,742.70 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
||||||||||||||||||
Anthony Karaminas, CFA |
37 |
$ |
48,920.86 |
1 |
$ |
6.17 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
No account listed above is subject to a performance-based advisory fee.
Conflicts of Interest. The portfolio managers' management of registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles or other accounts may give rise to actual or potential conflicts of interest in connection with their day-to-day management of the Catholic Values Equity and Catholic Values Fixed Income
S-51
Funds' investments. The other accounts might have similar investment objectives as the Catholic Values Equity and Catholic Values Fixed Income Funds or hold, purchase or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased or sold by the Catholic Values Equity and Catholic Values Fixed Income Funds.
Although the portfolio managers' management of the other accounts may give rise to the following potential conflicts of interest, SIMC does not believe that the conflicts, if any, are material or, to the extent any such conflicts are material, SIMC believes that it has designed policies and procedures that reasonably manage such conflicts in an appropriate way.
Knowledge of the Timing and Size of Fund Trades. A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio managers' day-to-day management of the Catholic Values Equity and Catholic Values Fixed Income Funds. Because of their positions with the Catholic Values Equity and Catholic Values Fixed Income Funds, the portfolio managers know the size, timing and possible market impact of Catholic Values Equity Fund and Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund trades. It is theoretically possible that the portfolio managers could use this information to the advantage of the other accounts and to the possible detriment of the Catholic Values Equity and Catholic Values Fixed Income Funds. However, SIMC has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis over time.
Investment Opportunities. A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio managers' management of the Catholic Values Equity and Catholic Values Fixed Income Funds and the other accounts, which, in theory, may allow them to allocate investment opportunities in a way that favors the other accounts over the Catholic Values Equity and Catholic Values Fixed Income Funds. This conflict of interest may be exacerbated to the extent that SIMC or the portfolio managers receive, or expect to receive, greater compensation from their management of the other accounts than the Catholic Values Equity and Catholic Values Fixed Income Funds. Notwithstanding this theoretical conflict of interest, it is SIMC's policy to manage each account based on its investment objectives and related restrictions and, as discussed above, SIMC has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis over time and in a manner consistent with each account's investment objectives and related restrictions. For example, although the portfolio managers may buy for other accounts securities that differ in identity or quantity from securities bought for the Catholic Values Equity and Catholic Values Fixed Income Funds, such an approach might not be suitable for the Catholic Values Equity and Catholic Values Fixed Income Funds given their investment objectives and related restrictions.
Brandywine Global
Compensation. SIMC pays Brandywine Global a fee based on the assets under management of the Catholic Values Equity Fund as set forth in the investment sub-advisory agreement between Brandywine Global and SIMC. Brandywine Global pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues and other resources, including the sub-advisory fees earned with respect to the Catholic Values Equity Fund. The following information relates to the period ended April 30, 2024.
Portfolio managers, analysts and traders earn a base salary and bonus tied to investment performance. The performance bonus is awarded based on peer group outperformance on a one-quarter, one-year, three-year and five-year basis. The performance calculation is weighted to place more emphasis on longer-term outperformance, and less emphasis on the short-term. This emphasis on long term performance, in addition to quarterly oversight of the investment committee, serves as a mechanism to deter excessive risk-taking.
Investment professionals also receive a second quarterly bonus based on the profitability of their product group. Each investment team at Brandywine Global manages its own P&L and retains the bulk of its profits at the end of each quarter. The portion that is not retained is shared with the other investment teams in an effort to smooth income and to promote cross-team fertilization and cooperation. Brandywine Global has found that this form of compensation aligns the interests of investment professionals and clients and leads to accountability and low-turnover among Brandywine Global's staff. In essence, the portfolio management teams own all of the residual profits of Brandywine Global, which the firm believes leads to responsibility, accountability, and low turnover of people.
S-52
Ownership of Fund Shares. As of April 30, 2024, Brandywine Global's portfolio managers did not beneficially own any shares of the Catholic Values Equity Fund.
Other Accounts. As of April 30, 2024, in addition to the Catholic Values Equity Fund, Brandywine Global's portfolio managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:
Registered
Investment Companies |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Patrick S. Kaser, CFA |
1 |
$ |
178 |
5 |
$ |
416 |
20 |
$ |
2,834 |
||||||||||||||||||
0 |
$ |
0 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
2 |
* |
$ |
242 |
||||||||||||||||||
James J. Clarke |
1 |
$ |
178 |
12 |
$ |
901 |
22 |
$ |
2,936 |
||||||||||||||||||
0 |
$ |
0 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
2 |
* |
$ |
242 |
||||||||||||||||||
Celia R. Hoopes, CFA |
1 |
$ |
178 |
5 |
$ |
416 |
20 |
$ |
2,834 |
||||||||||||||||||
0 |
$ |
0 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
2 |
* |
$ |
242 |
* These accounts, which are a subset of the accounts in the preceding row, are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.
Conflicts of Interest. Brandywine Global's portfolio managers' management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with their management of the Catholic Values Equity Fund's investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts include other investment company accounts and separately managed accounts. The other accounts might have similar investment objectives as the Catholic Values Equity Fund or hold, purchase or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased or sold by the Catholic Values Equity Fund. Potential conflicts may include, for example, conflicts between investment strategies and conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities. Another potential conflict could include each portfolio manager's knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of a fund's trade, whereby a portfolio manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of a fund. Additionally, the simultaneous management of client accounts that pay performance-based fees alongside client accounts that only pay an asset-based fee may create a conflict of interest as the portfolio managers may have an incentive to favor client accounts with the potential to receive greater fees. While the portfolio managers' management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest, Brandywine Global does not believe that the conflicts, if any, are material or, to the extent any such conflicts are material, Brandywine Global believes that it has designed policies and procedures to manage those conflicts in an appropriate way.
Copeland
Compensation. SIMC pays Copeland a fee based on the assets under management of the Catholic Values Equity Fund as set forth in an investment sub-advisory agreement between Copeland and SIMC. Copeland pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues and other resources, including the sub-advisory fees earned with respect to the Catholic Values Equity Fund. The following information relates to the period ended February 29, 2024.
There are three components used to evaluate Copeland's analysts and portfolio managers. Each of Copeland's portfolio managers also has sector specific research responsibilities so the process is the same for all. The firm begins by comparing their recommendations to their sector as a whole as well as to the firm's dividend growth universe within each sector. Because Copeland's investment process is collaborative the firm also includes the performance of each strategy to its respective benchmark and the performance of the firm as a whole in its evaluation of each analyst and portfolio manager. Every member of the investment team is compensated in three ways: 1) equity ownership of the firm; 2) base salary; and 3) bonuses related to performance of recommendations within each sector for each sector specific analyst, strategy performance relative to benchmarks for each lead Portfolio Manager and overall firm level performance for each of its strategies.
S-53
Bonus compensation can vary year-to-year but can represent 100% to 150% of base compensation on the high end. Equity units are issued on a more long-term basis and can vary greatly from year to year. Equity is granted with long-term vesting schedules. Copeland is trying to encourage a culture of ownership and accountability. Copeland's compensation structure is purposefully designed to allow outstanding performance to be rewarded, but also encourages a collaborative approach in that everyone has an interest in not just seeing their sector do well, but also the strategy and the firm as a whole.
Ownership of Fund Shares. As of February 29, 2024, Copeland's portfolio managers did not beneficially own any shares of the Catholic Values Equity Fund.
Other Accounts. As of February 29, 2024, in addition to the Catholic Values Equity Fund, Copeland's portfolio managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:
Registered
Investment Companies |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager† |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Mark W. Giovanniello, CFA |
6 |
$ |
714 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
2,562 |
$ |
4,128 |
||||||||||||||||||
Eric C. Brown, CFA |
6 |
$ |
714 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
2,562 |
$ |
4,128 |
||||||||||||||||||
David McGonigle, CFA |
6 |
$ |
714 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
2,562 |
$ |
4,128 |
||||||||||||||||||
Jeffrey Walkenhorst, CFA |
6 |
$ |
714 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
2,562 |
$ |
4,128 |
† Copeland utilizes a team-based approach to portfolio management, and each of the portfolio managers listed above are jointly responsible for the management of a portion of the accounts listed in each category.
None of the accounts listed above are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.
Conflicts of Interest. The portfolio managers may manage numerous accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include registered investment companies, other types of pooled accounts (e.g., collective investment funds), and separate accounts (i.e., accounts managed on behalf of individuals or public or private institutions). The portfolio managers make investment decisions for each account based on the investment objectives and policies and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that portfolio.
When the portfolio managers have responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. For instance, Copeland may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Catholic Values Equity Fund, or it may receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts. In those instances, the portfolio managers may have an incentive to favor the higher and/or performance-based fee accounts over the Catholic Values Equity Fund. Copeland has adopted policies and procedures designed to address these potential material conflicts. For instance, Copeland utilizes a system for allocating investment opportunities among portfolios that is designed to provide a fair and equitable allocation.
The portfolio manager's compensation is based upon their ownership share of the profits, if any, of Copeland.
To address and manage these potential conflicts of interest, Copeland has adopted compliance policies and procedures to allocate investment opportunities and to ensure that each of their clients is treated on a fair and equitable basis.
Fred Alger
Compensation. SIMC pays Alger a fee based on the assets under management of the Catholic Values Equity Fund as set forth in an investment sub-advisory agreement between Alger and SIMC. Alger pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues and other resources, including the sub-advisory fees earned
S-54
with respect to the Catholic Values Equity Fund. The following information relates to the period ended February 29, 2024:
An Alger portfolio manager's compensation generally consists of salary and an annual cash bonus. In addition, portfolio managers are eligible for health and retirement benefits available to all Alger employees, including a 401(k) plan sponsored by Alger. A portfolio manager's base salary is typically a function of the portfolio manager's experience (with consideration given to type, investment style and size of investment portfolios previously managed), education, industry knowledge and the individual's performance in his or her role. Base salaries will grow over time for Alger's superior employees, rewarding their performance and contributions to the firm.
Cash bonus may be a significant portion of an individual's compensation and can vary from year to year. The annual bonus considers various factors, including:
• the firm's overall financial results and profitability;
• the firm's collective investment management performance;
• an individual's adherence to Alger's investment process, generating investment ideas and overall performance of the firm's clients' portfolios (both relative and absolute);
• qualitative assessment of an individual's performance with respect to Alger's standards; and
• the individual's leadership contribution within the firm.
While the benchmarks and peer groups used in determining a portfolio manager's compensation may change from time to time, Alger may refer to benchmarks, such as those provided by Russell Investments and S&P Global Ratings, and peer groups, such as those provided by Lipper Inc. and Morningstar Inc. that are widely-recognized by the investment industry.
Alger has implemented a profit participation plan ("PPP") that gives key personnel the opportunity to have equity-like participation in the long-term growth and profitability of the firm. Members of the firm are eligible to receive awards annually in the PPP. The PPP reinforces the portfolio managers' commitment to generating superior investment performance for the firm's clients. The awards are invested in Alger mutual funds and have a four year vesting schedule. The total award earned can increase or decrease with the firm's investment and earnings results over the four year period.
Additionally, the Alger Partners Plan provides key investment and non-investment executives with phantom equity that allows participants pro-rata rights to growth in the firm's book value, dividend payments and participation in any significant corporate transactions (e.g. partial sale, initial public offering, merger, etc.). The firm does not have a limit on the overall percentage of the firm's value it will convey through this program. Participation in this program is determined annually.
Ownership of Fund Shares. As of February 29, 2024, Alger's portfolio managers did not beneficially own any shares of the Catholic Values Equity Fund.
Other Accounts. As of February 29, 2024, in addition to the Catholic Values Equity Fund, Alger's portfolio managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:
Registered
Investment Companies |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Patrick Kelly, CFA |
5 |
$ |
9,313 |
7 |
$ |
1,185 |
44 |
$ |
2,900 |
||||||||||||||||||
0 |
$ |
0 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
1 |
* |
$ |
283 |
||||||||||||||||||
Dr. Ankur Crawford |
5 |
$ |
9,313 |
7 |
$ |
1,185 |
44 |
$ |
2,900 |
||||||||||||||||||
0 |
$ |
0 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
1 |
* |
$ |
283 |
* These accounts, which are a subset of the accounts in the preceding row, are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.
S-55
Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts can emerge due to how Alger manages client accounts and allocates investment opportunities. To treat all clients reasonably in light of all factors relevant to managing an account, aggregated trades will generally be allocated pro rata among the accounts whenever possible. There are exceptions to this practice, however. Some of these exceptions include periods of unusual market conditions, the availability of certain investments, and differing account guidelines, objectives and time horizons. Additionally, while Alger will aggregate trades on behalf of similarly situated clients, there are instances when Alger places a trade ahead of, or contemporaneously with, trades for another account. In such cases, market impact, liquidity constraints, or other factors could result in the second account receiving less favorable trading results. The costs of implementing trades could be increased or the other account could otherwise be disadvantaged.
If Alger believes that the purchase or sale of a security is in the best interest of more than one client/proprietary account, it has the option (but is not obligated) to aggregate these orders. When trades are aggregated, prevailing trading activity frequently may make impossible the receipt of the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities purchased or sold. When this occurs, the various prices are generally averaged, and a participating account will be charged or credited with the average price. Thus, the effect of the aggregation may operate on some occasions to the disadvantage of an individual account. Alger maintains policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to deal equitably with conflicts of interest that may arise when orders are aggregated.
Alger is under common ownership with Fred Alger & Company, LLC ("FAC"), a registered broker-dealer. FAC serves as the principal underwriter for the U.S. registered mutual funds and ETFs advised by Alger, as a placement agent for certain private funds managed by Alger and its affiliates, and as a broker-dealer for U.S. listed equity securities trades placed on behalf of certain clients of Alger, and provides distribution support to certain foreign affiliates. FAC does not conduct public brokerage business and substantially all of its transactions are for those Alger clients who authorize Alger to use FAC as a broker, provided that relevant regulations that govern their accounts allow it. FAC does not act as principal in any client trade nor does it underwrite the offering of securities (except as the principal underwriter for certain U.S. registered mutual funds and ETFs advised by Alger). On a regular basis, Alger evaluates whether the commissions, rates and fees charged by FAC are commercially reasonable. Certain employees and officers of Alger serve as registered representatives and principals of FAC.
Consistent with the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Alger will sometimes select brokers that charge higher commissions to provide brokerage and research services than would be charged by brokers providing trade execution services only. This benefits Alger because it does not have to pay for the research, products, or services. Such benefit gives Alger an incentive to select a broker-dealer based on its interest in receiving the research products or services rather than on its clients' interest in receiving the most favorable execution.
To address and manage these potential conflicts of interest, Alger has adopted compliance policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to deal equitably with these and other conflicts of interest.
IR+M
Compensation. SIMC pays IR+M a fee based on the assets under management of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund as set forth in an investment sub-advisory agreement between IR+M and SIMC. IR+M pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues and other resources, including the sub-advisory fees earned with respect to the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund. The following information relates to the period ended February 29, 2024.
Compensation is one component of IR+M's total rewards package. IR+M invests in its employees by offering them tangible rewards—like competitive compensation and medical benefits as well as attractive retirement benefits, vacation time, unlimited sick time, floating holidays, and tuition and certification reimbursement. Equally important are IR+M's intangible benefits. IR+M's status as an employee-owned firm allows IR+M to maintain its unique culture of collaboration and collegiality. This environment provides individuals access to senior leaders, and IR+M is committed to helping individuals grow their careers at IR+M through IR+M's learning and development opportunities.
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Specific to compensation, all employees, including all members of IR+M's Investment Team, are compensated with a competitive salary plus bonus. IR+M's bonus pool is dictated by IR+M's ability to achieve its annual goals, which includes the profitability of IR+M. An individual's bonus is based on the employee's overall contribution to IR+M's and their team's success. IR+M's goal is to have collaborative high-performing teams that deliver for IR+M's clients, not to incentivize individual contributions over results. The qualitative drivers of bonus decisions are the beliefs represented in IR+M's Core Values: Invested, Respectful, Positive, and Motivated.
Portfolio Managers are evaluated based upon factors such as team contribution, input to risk management and the overall investment management process, contributions to client service, and contributions to firm culture. For Analysts and Traders, evaluations are based upon factors including team contribution, quality of research within assigned sectors and the broader market, input to risk management and the overall investment management process, and contributions to firm culture.
Portfolio manager compensation is neither based on the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund's pre- or after- tax performance nor determined by the value of the assets in the portfolios.
Ownership of Fund Shares. As of February 29, 2024, IR+M's portfolio managers did not beneficially own any shares of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund.
Other Accounts. As of February 29, 2024, in addition to the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund, IR+M's portfolio managers were responsible for day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:
Registered
Investment Companies |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager† |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Bill O'Malley, CFA |
6 |
$ |
4,482 |
25 |
$ |
13,761 |
747 |
$ |
96,978 |
||||||||||||||||||
Jake Remley, CFA |
6 |
$ |
4,482 |
25 |
$ |
13,761 |
747 |
$ |
96,978 |
||||||||||||||||||
Jim Gubitosi, CFA |
6 |
$ |
4,482 |
25 |
$ |
13,761 |
747 |
$ |
96,978 |
† IR+M utilizes a team-based approach to portfolio management, and each of the portfolio managers listed above are jointly responsible for the management of a portion of the accounts listed in each category.
None of the accounts listed above are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.
Conflicts of Interest. IR+M's management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with its management of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund's investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts might have similar investment objectives as the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund or hold, purchase, or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased or sold by the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund. IR+M does not believe that these conflicts, if any, are material or, to the extent any such conflicts are material, IR+M believes that it has designed policies and procedures to manage those conflicts in an appropriate way.
A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of IR+M's portfolio managers' day-to-day management of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund. Because of their positions with the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund, the portfolio managers know the size, timing, and possible market impact of Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund trades. It is theoretically possible that IR+M's portfolio managers could use this information to the advantage of other accounts they manage and to the possible detriment of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund. However, IR+M has adopted policies and procedures believed to be reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis over time.
A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of IR+M's portfolio managers' management of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund and other accounts, which, in theory, may allow them to allocate investment opportunities in a way that favors other accounts over the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund. This conflict of interest may be exacerbated to the extent that IR+M or its portfolio managers receive, or expect to receive, greater compensation from their management of certain other accounts, that have higher base fee rates or incentives fees, than from the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund. Notwithstanding this theoretical conflict of
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interest, it is IR+M's policy to manage each account based on its investment objectives and related restrictions and, as discussed above, IR+M has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis over time and in a manner consistent with each account's investment objectives and related restrictions. For example, while IR+M's portfolio managers may buy for other accounts securities that differ in identity or quantity from securities bought for the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund, such securities might not be suitable for the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund given their investment objectives and related restrictions.
Jupiter
Compensation. SIMC pays Jupiter a fee based on the assets under management of the Catholic Values Equity Fund as set forth in an investment sub-advisory agreement between Jupiter and SIMC. Jupiter pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues and other resources, including the sub-advisory fees earned with respect to the Catholic Values Equity Fund. The following information relates to the period ended March 31, 2024.
Jupiter's approach to remuneration is designed to ensure that Jupiter Fund Management plc and all of its subsidiary companies ("the Group") has a robust governance framework which is in line with the Group's risk appetite, and which supports the Group's business objectives and values. Jupiter aims to deliver value for money to its clients through active fund management that delivers long-term investment outperformance, after all fees. Jupiter has a strong focus on variable compensation, which ensures that decisions on pay are driven by the achievement of sustainable long-term performance including corporate and investment performance, and that fixed costs are contained. Risk is an important factor in the performance review process and is taken account of in the measurement of individuals' performance.
The composition of the elements within an individual's overall remuneration is the result of the function and performance of the individual, including alignment with the Group's risk tolerances, market competitiveness and overall profitability. The Group's total compensation approach comprises fixed and variable compensation.
Fixed compensation includes base salary, which reflects the individual's skills, the size and scope of their role, and the market rate for the role at comparator companies and benefits. The same range and level of benefits is available to all UK employees regardless of seniority.
Variable compensation is awarded annually and is dependent on individual and corporate performance based on achievement of strategic and personal objectives. The variable compensation pool (from which annual bonuses are paid) is based on Jupiter's profits, ensuring that any bonuses are affordable and aligned to Jupiter's success. All employees are considered for a performance based discretionary bonus. The entitlement to variable compensation is not guaranteed and the Committee and/or Board of Directors of the local entity may withhold the payment of bonuses entirely or partly when performance criteria are not met.
For investment management staff, various quantitative and qualitative factors are applied when assessing individual performance so that remuneration is aligned to client outcomes. Investment Management bonus pools are generally aligned to revenues and performance against appropriate peer groups or benchmarks over 1, 3 and 5 years.
A portion of any discretionary bonus will be subject to deferral, vesting annually over 3 years; the deferral will be wherever possible into units of the fund that generated the bonus and Jupiter shares. The amount of deferral will be set by the Remuneration Committee and reflect Jupiter's regulatory requirements, risk profile and corporate objectives.
Deferred compensation may be forfeited in certain cases such as for misconduct or resignation pursuant to the terms of the relevant plan rules. Malus and clawback provisions also exist and shall apply within the plan rules.
Ownership of Fund Shares. As of March 31, 2024, Jupiter's portfolio managers did not beneficially own any shares of the Catholic Values Equity Fund.
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Other Accounts. As of March 31, 2024, in addition to the Catholic Values Equity Fund, Jupiter's portfolio managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:
Registered
Investment Companies |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager† |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Dermot Murphy |
3 |
$ |
1,947.5 |
2 |
$ |
1,741.1 |
5 |
$ |
350.0 |
||||||||||||||||||
Ben Whitmore |
2 |
$ |
1,892.7 |
4 |
$ |
5,835.3 |
7 |
$ |
2,880.5 |
None of the accounts listed above are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.
Please note Dermot Murphy and Ben Whitmore are co-managers for the Jupiter Global Value Equity Fund.
Conflicts of Interest. A conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio manager being responsible for multiple accounts, including the Catholic Values Equity Fund which may have different investment guidelines and objectives. In addition to the Catholic Values Equity Fund, these accounts may include accounts of registered investment companies, private pooled investment vehicles and other accounts. In particular, this conflict of interest may arise as a result of Jupiter's management of the Catholic Values Equity Fund and other accounts, which, in theory, may allow Jupiter to allocate investment opportunities in a way that favors other accounts over the Catholic Values Equity Fund. This conflict of interest may be exacerbated to the extent that Jupiter or the portfolio manager receive, or expect to receive, greater compensation from their management of the other accounts (some of which receive both a management and incentive fee) than the Catholic Values Equity Fund. Jupiter (or its members, employees and affiliates) may give advice or take action with respect to the other accounts that differs from the advice given with respect to the Catholic Values Equity Fund. To the extent a particular investment is suitable for both the Catholic Values Equity Fund and the other accounts, such investments will be allocated between the Catholic Values Equity Fund and the other accounts in a manner that Jupiter determines is fair and equitable under the circumstances to all clients, including the Catholic Values Equity Fund.
To address and manage these potential conflicts of interest, Jupiter has adopted compliance policies and procedures to allocate investment opportunities and to ensure that each of their clients is treated on a fair and equitable basis.
Lazard
Compensation. SIMC pays Lazard a fee based on the assets under management of the Catholic Values Equity Fund as set forth in an investment sub-advisory agreement between Lazard and SIMC. Lazard pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues and other resources, including the sub-advisory fees earned with respect to the Catholic Values Equity Fund. The following information relates to the period ended February 29, 2024.
Lazard compensates portfolio managers by a competitive salary and bonus structure, which is determined both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Salary and bonus are paid in cash, stock and restricted interests in funds managed by Lazard or its affiliates. Portfolio managers are compensated on the performance of the aggregate group of portfolios managed by the teams of which they are a member rather than for a specific fund or account. Various factors are considered in the determination of a portfolio manager's compensation. All of the portfolios managed by a portfolio manager are comprehensively evaluated to determine his or her positive and consistent performance contribution over time. Further factors include the amount of assets in the portfolios as well as qualitative aspects that reinforce Lazard's investment philosophy.
Total compensation is generally not fixed, but rather is based on the following factors: (i) leadership, teamwork and commitment, (ii) maintenance of current knowledge and opinions on companies owned in the portfolio; (iii) generation and development of new investment ideas, including the quality of security analysis and identification of appreciation catalysts; (iv) ability and willingness to develop and share ideas on a team
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basis; and (v) the performance results of the portfolios managed by the investment teams of which the portfolio manager is a member.
Variable bonus is based on the portfolio manager's quantitative performance as measured by his or her ability to make investment decisions that contribute to the pre-tax absolute and relative returns of the accounts managed by the teams of which the portfolio manager is a member, by comparison of each account to a predetermined benchmark (generally as set forth in the prospectus or other governing document) over the current fiscal year and the longer-term performance of such account, as well as performance of the account relative to peers. In addition, the portfolio manager's bonus can be influenced by subjective measurement of the manager's ability to help others make investment decisions.
A portion of a portfolio manager's variable bonus is awarded under a deferred compensation arrangement pursuant to which the portfolio manager may allocate certain amounts awarded among certain accounts in shares that vest in two to three years. Certain portfolio managers' bonus compensation may be tied to a fixed percentage of revenue or assets generated by the accounts managed by such portfolio management teams.
Ownership of Fund Shares. As of February 29, 2024, Lazard's portfolio managers did not beneficially own any shares of the Catholic Values Equity Fund.
Other Accounts. As of February 29, 2024, in addition to the Catholic Values Equity Fund, Lazard's portfolio managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:
Registered
Investment Companies |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Louis Florentin-Lee |
11 |
$ |
33,384 |
19 |
$ |
4,729 |
110 |
$ |
9,116 |
||||||||||||||||||
2 |
* |
$ |
22,564 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
2 |
* |
$ |
146 |
|||||||||||||||||
Barnaby Wilson, CFA |
6 |
$ |
1,746 |
18 |
$ |
4,509 |
44 |
$ |
4,140 |
||||||||||||||||||
0 |
$ |
0 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
2 |
* |
$ |
146 |
||||||||||||||||||
Robert Failla, CFA |
2 |
$ |
1,590 |
4 |
$ |
255 |
7 |
$ |
94 |
* These accounts, which are a subset of the accounts in the preceding row, are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.
Conflicts of Interest. Although the potential for conflicts of interest exist when an investment adviser and portfolio managers manage other accounts that invest in securities in which Catholic Values Equity Fund may invest or that may pursue a strategy similar to the Catholic Values Equity Fund's investment strategies implemented by Lazard (collectively, "Similar Accounts"), Lazard has procedures in place that are designed to ensure that all accounts are treated fairly and that the Catholic Values Equity Fund is not disadvantaged, including procedures regarding trade allocations and "conflicting trades" (e.g., long and short positions in the same or similar securities). In addition, the Catholic Values Equity Fund is subject to different regulations than certain of the Similar Accounts, and, consequently, may not be permitted to engage in all the investment techniques or transactions, or to engage in such techniques or transactions to the same degree, as the Similar Accounts.
Potential conflicts of interest may arise because of Lazard's management of the Catholic Values Equity Fund and Similar Accounts, including the following:
1. Similar Accounts may have investment objectives, strategies and risks that differ from those of the Catholic Values Equity Fund. In addition, the Catholic Values Equity Fund is a registered investment company, subject to different regulations than certain of the Similar Accounts and, consequently, may not be permitted to invest in the same securities, exercise rights to exchange or convert securities or engage in all the investment techniques or transactions, or to invest, exercise or engage to the same degree, as the Similar Accounts. For these or other reasons, the portfolio managers may purchase different securities for the Catholic Values Equity Fund and the corresponding Similar Accounts, and the performance of securities purchased for the Catholic Values Equity Fund may vary from the performance of securities purchased for Similar Accounts, perhaps materially.
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2. Conflicts of interest may arise with both the aggregation and allocation of securities transactions and allocation of limited investment opportunities. Lazard may be perceived as causing accounts it manages to participate in an offering to increase Lazard's overall allocation of securities in that offering, or to increase Lazard's ability to participate in future offerings by the same underwriter or issuer. Allocations of bunched trades, particularly trade orders that were only partially filled due to limited availability, and allocation of investment opportunities generally, could raise a potential conflict of interest, as Lazard may have an incentive to allocate securities that are expected to increase in value to preferred accounts. Initial public offerings, in particular, are frequently of very limited availability. A potential conflict of interest may be perceived to arise if transactions in one account closely follow related transactions in a different account, such as when a purchase increases the value of securities previously purchased by the other account, or when a sale in one account lowers the sale price received in a sale by a second account.
3. Portfolio managers may be perceived to have a conflict of interest because of the large number of Similar Accounts, in addition to the Catholic Values Equity Fund, that they are managing on behalf of Lazard. Although Lazard does not track each individual portfolio manager's time dedicated to each account, Lazard periodically reviews each portfolio manager's overall responsibilities to ensure that he or she is able to allocate the necessary time and resources to effectively manage the Catholic Values Equity Fund. As illustrated in the table above, most of the portfolio managers manage a significant number of Similar Accounts (10 or more) in addition to the Catholic Values Equity Fund.
4. Generally, Lazard and/or its portfolio managers have investments in Similar Accounts. This could be viewed as creating a potential conflict of interest, since certain of the portfolio managers do not invest in the Catholic Values Equity Fund.
5. The portfolio managers noted with an * in the table above manage Similar Accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account, which could give the portfolio managers and Lazard an incentive to favor such Similar Accounts over the Catholic Values Equity Fund.
6. Portfolio managers may place transactions on behalf of Similar Accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made for the Catholic Values Equity Fund, which could have the potential to adversely impact the Catholic Values Equity Fund, depending on market conditions. In addition, if the Catholic Values Equity Fund's investment in an issuer is at a different level of the issuer's capital structure than an investment in the issuer by Similar Accounts, in the event of credit deterioration of the issuer, there may be a conflict of interest between the Catholic Values Equity Fund's and such Similar Accounts' investments in the issuer. If Lazard sells securities short, including on behalf of a Similar Account, it may be seen as harmful to the performance of the Catholic Values Equity Fund to the extent it invests "long" in the same or similar securities whose market values fall as a result of short-selling activities.
7. Investment decisions are made independently from those of the Similar Accounts. If, however, such Similar Accounts desire to invest in, or dispose of, the same securities as the Catholic Values Equity Fund, available investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated equitably to each. In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position obtained for or disposed of by the Catholic Values Equity Fund or the price paid or received by the Catholic Values Equity Fund.
8. Under Lazard's trade allocation procedures applicable to domestic and foreign initial and secondary public offerings and Rule 144A transactions (collectively herein a "Limited Offering"), Lazard will generally allocate Limited Offering shares among client accounts, including the Catholic Values Equity Fund, pro rata based upon the aggregate asset size (excluding leverage) of the account. Lazard may also allocate Limited Offering shares on a random basis, as selected electronically, or other basis. It is often difficult for the Investment Manager to obtain a sufficient number of Limited Offering shares to provide a full allocation to each account. Lazard's allocation procedures are designed to allocate Limited Offering securities in a fair and equitable manner.
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Leeward
Compensation. SIMC pays Leeward a fee based on the assets under management of the Catholic Values Equity Fund as set forth in an investment sub-advisory agreement between Leeward and SIMC. Leeward pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues and other resources, including the sub-advisory fees earned with respect to the Catholic Values Equity Fund. The following information relates to the period ended February 29, 2024
Leeward believes in aligning investment team compensation with overall client outcomes. Portfolio managers and other investment team members at Leeward are compensated through a combination of base salary, incentive bonus and equity ownership. Leeward's base salaries are competitive within the industry. Leeward's incentive bonus plan for these investment personnel is a revenue-share model based on strategy performance relative to a peer group universe of institutional managers. Incentive bonuses are not calculated on specific client or specific fund assets. Investment team members are also equity owners at Leeward, which further aligns investment team incentives with client success.
Ownership of Fund Shares. As of February 29, 2024, Leeward's portfolio managers did not beneficially own any shares of the Catholic Values Equity Fund.
Other Accounts. As of February 29, 2024, Leeward's portfolio managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:
Registered
Investment Companies |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
R. Todd Vingers, CFA |
6 |
$ |
1,333.8 |
20 |
$ |
652.6 |
32 |
$ |
896.0 |
||||||||||||||||||
Jay C. Willadsen, CFA |
6 |
$ |
1,333.8 |
20 |
$ |
652.6 |
32 |
$ |
896.0 |
No account listed above is subject to a performance-based advisory fee.
Conflicts of Interest. Leeward's portfolio managers are often responsible for managing one or more funds as well as other accounts, including proprietary accounts, separate accounts and other pooled investment vehicles. A portfolio manager may also manage a separate account or other pooled investment vehicle which may have materially higher fee arrangements than the Catholic Values Equity Fund and may also have a performance-based fee. The side-by-side management of these funds may raise potential conflicts of interest relating to the allocation of investment opportunities and the aggregation and allocation of trades. Leeward has fiduciary responsibility to manage all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. It seeks to provide best execution of all securities transactions and aggregate and then allocate securities to client accounts in a fair and timely manner. Similarly, trading in securities by Leeward personnel for their own accounts potentially could conflict with the interest of clients. Leeward has policies and procedures in place to detect, monitor and resolve these and other potential conflicts of interest that are inherent to its business as a registered investment adviser.
Leeward's Compliance Office is responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring and enforcing a system of compliance policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to assure that day-to-day business activities are conducted in compliance with the Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act (where applicable) and the internal policies and procedures applicable to Leeward's investment advisory business. The goal of Leeward's Code of Ethics and Leeward's policies, procedures and organizational structure is to establish standards and corresponding processes that put the interests of Leeward's clients first; ensure that no client or account is favored over another; and identify and disclose conflicts of interest as they relate to personal interests of individuals in Leeward and/or completing interests of clients that could occur as the result of relationship size or fee structure.
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Parametric
Compensation. SIMC pays Parametric a fee based on the assets under management of the Catholic Values Equity Fund as set forth in an investment sub-advisory agreement between Parametric and SIMC. Parametric pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues and other resources, including the sub-advisory fees earned with respect to the Catholic Values Equity Fund. The following information relates to the period ended February 29, 2024.
Compensation Structure. Parametric believes that its compensation packages, which are described below, are adequate to attract and retain high-caliber professional employees. Please note that compensation for investment professionals is not based directly on investment performance or assets managed, but rather on the overall performance of responsibilities. In this way, the interests of portfolio managers are aligned with the interests of investors without providing incentive to take undue or insufficient investment risk. It also removes a potential motivation for fraud. Parametric is a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. Violations of Parametric's or Morgan Stanley's policies would be a contributing factor when evaluating an employee's discretionary bonus.
Compensation of Parametric employees has the following components:
• Base salary
• Discretionary bonus;
° This bonus may be paid in cash, or for those who meet the eligibility for deferred compensation, may be paid in a combination of cash and deferred awards that may include Morgan Stanley restricted stock and Deferred Cash awards.
° Deferred awards vest after 3 years.
Parametric employees also receive certain retirement, health and welfare insurance, and other benefits that are broadly available to Morgan Stanley employees. Compensation of employees is reviewed on an annual basis. Considerations for adjustments in base salary and bonus decisions are typically paid and/or put into effect at, or shortly after, the firm's fiscal year-end.
The firm also maintains the following arrangements:
• Employment contracts for key investment professionals and senior leadership.
• Notice and Non-Solicit agreements for Managing Directors and Executive Directors of the company.
Method to Determine Compensation. Parametric seeks to compensate investment professionals commensurate with responsibilities and performance while remaining competitive with other firms within the investment management industry.
Compensation is also influenced by the operating performance of Parametric and Morgan Stanley. While the salaries of investment professionals are comparatively fixed, variable compensation in the form of bonuses may fluctuate from year-to-year, based on changes in financial performance and other factors. Parametric also offers opportunities to move within the organization, as well as incentives to grow within the organization by promotion.
Additionally, Parametric participates in compensation surveys that benchmark salaries against other firms in the industry. This data is reviewed, along with a number of other factors, so that compensation remains competitive with other firms in the industry.
Ownership of Fund Shares. As of February 29, 2024, Parametric's portfolio managers did not beneficially own any shares of the Catholic Values Equity Fund.
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Other Accounts. As of February 29, 2024, in addition to the Catholic Values Equity Fund, Parametric's portfolio managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:
Registered
Investment Companies |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in billions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in billions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in billions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Paul Bouchey |
19 |
$ |
18.24 |
5 |
$ |
0.53 |
91,943 |
$ |
243.72 |
||||||||||||||||||
Thomas Seto |
66 |
$ |
37.06 |
7 |
$ |
0.67 |
91,996 |
$ |
246.5 |
||||||||||||||||||
James Reber |
42 |
$ |
18.77 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
91,936 |
$ |
243.55 |
None of the accounts listed above are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.
Please note that at Parametric, accounts are managed on a team basis. Paul Bouchey, James Reber and Thomas Seto are responsible for the management of the Catholic Values Equity Fund in accordance with the guidelines and restrictions as defined in the prospectuses. Under their supervision and direction are portfolio management teams consisting of Senior Portfolio Managers and Portfolio Managers, who are tasked with the day-to-day management of accounts.
Conflicts of Interest. Parametric is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, a global financial institution that provides a broad spectrum of investment banking and financial services. Parametric and its affiliates advise other clients and investment funds with a wide variety of investment objectives that may in some instances overlap or conflict with the Funds' investment objectives and present conflicts of interest. Parametric may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities among the Funds and other clients. Parametric may have incentives to favor one account over another, such as if one client pays higher management fees. Additionally, Parametric and its affiliates may invest their own assets in an investment opportunity that falls within the Funds' investment objectives, which may reduce the number of investment opportunities available to the Fund. To seek to reduce potential conflicts of interest and to attempt to allocate such investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, Parametric has implemented allocation policies and procedures. These policies and procedures are intended to give all clients of Parametric, including the Funds, fair access to investment opportunities consistent with the requirements of organizational documents, investment strategies, applicable laws and regulations, and the fiduciary duty of Parametric.
Parametric and its affiliates may invest in different classes of securities of the same issuer. As a result, Parametric and its affiliates, at times, will seek to satisfy fiduciary obligations to certain clients owning one class of securities of a particular issuer by pursuing or enforcing right on behalf of those clients with respect to such class of securities, and those activities may have an adverse effect on another client which owns a different class of securities of such issuer. For example, if one client holds debt securities of an issuer and another client holds equity securities of the same issuer, if the issuer experiences financial or operational challenges, Parametric and its affiliates may seek a liquidation of the issuer on behalf of the client that holds the debt securities, whereas the client holding the equity securities may benefit from a reorganization of the issuer. Thus, in such situations, the actions taken by Parametric or its affiliates on behalf of one client can negatively impact securities held by another client. In addition, Parametric or its affiliates may invest in or advise a company that is or becomes a competitor of a company held by the Funds. Such investment could create a conflict between the Funds on the one hand, and Parametric and its affiliates and their clients on the other hand.
Parametric and its affiliates may give advice and recommend securities to other clients and their own accounts which may differ from advice given to, or securities recommended be bought for, the Fund even though such other clients' investment objectives may be similar to those of the Fund. Additionally, certain securities or instruments may be held in some client accounts, including the Funds but not in others, or client accounts may have different levels of holdings in certain securities or instruments. In addition, Parametric and its affiliates manage long and short portfolios. The simultaneous management of long and short portfolios creates conflicts of interest in that a short sale activity could adversely affect the market value of long positions in one or more portfolios (and vice versa). Parametric and its affiliates maintain separate trading desks that operate independently of each other and do not share information with each other. These desks may compete against
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each other when implementing buy and sell transactions, possibly causing certain accounts of Parametric and its affiliates to pay more or receive less for a security than other client accounts.
Parametric and its affiliates may from time-to-time receive confidential or material non-public information regarding an investment and may be limited in its ability to utilize such information or to transact in such securities, potentially adversely affecting the Funds. Parametric and its affiliates may be precluded from sharing such information with each other or with its investment team. In addition, Parametric may, in certain instances, be required to aggregate its holdings with its affiliates, potentially causing Parametric to refrain from making investments due to position limit restrictions. Parametric and its affiliates have sought to limit the impact of these potential restrictions by establishing certain information barriers and other policies which limit the sharing of information between different groups within Morgan Stanley.
In the course of its business, Morgan Stanley engages in activities where Morgan Stanley's interest or the interests of its clients may conflict with the interests of Parametric's clients, including the Funds. Morgan Stanley engages in investment banking and broker-dealer activities. This may create conflicts of interests between those activities and the Funds. For example, Morgan Stanley's provision of financial advice to issuers of securities held by the Funds regarding matters such as mergers, acquisitions, restructurings or financings may impact the price of such securities. Morgan Stanley will also publish research and analysis which may impact the price of securities held by the Funds. Activities conducted by Morgan Stanley may affect Parametric's ability to transact in certain securities from time-to-time.
All of the transactions and activities described above involve the potential for conflicts of interest between Parametric, its affiliates, and their clients. The Advisers Act, 1940 Act and ERISA impose certain requirements designed to decrease the possibility of conflicts of interest between an adviser and its clients. In some cases, transactions may be permitted subject to fulfillment of certain conditions. Certain other transactions may be prohibited. Parametric has instituted policies and procedures, including a code of ethics, designed to prevent conflicts of interest from arising and, when they do arise, to ensure that it effects transactions for clients in a manner that is consistent with its fiduciary duty to its clients and in accordance with applicable law. Parametric seeks to ensure that potential or actual conflicts of interest are appropriately resolved taking into consideration the overriding best interests of the client. For more information about these and other conflicts of interest of Parametric, please see Parametric's Form ADV Part 2A.
Western Asset
Compensation. SIMC pays Western Asset a fee based on the assets under management of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund as set forth in an investment sub-advisory agreement between Western Asset and SIMC. Western Asset pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues and other resources, including the sub-advisory fees earned with respect to the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund. The following information relates to the period ended February 29, 2024.
At Western Asset, one compensation methodology covers all products and functional areas, including portfolio managers. The firm's philosophy is to reward its employees through total compensation. Total compensation is reflective of the external market value for skills, experience, ability to produce results and the performance of one's group and the firm as a whole.
Discretionary bonuses make up the variable component of total compensation. These are structured to reward sector specialists for contributions to the firm as well as relative performance of their specific portfolios/product and are determined by the professional's job function and performance as measured by a formal review process.
For portfolio managers, the formal review process includes a thorough review of portfolios they were assigned to lead or with which they were otherwise involved and includes not only investment performance, but maintaining a detailed knowledge of client portfolio objectives and guidelines, monitoring of risks and performance for adherence to these parameters, execution of asset allocation consistent with current firm and portfolio strategy, and communication with clients. In reviewing investment performance, one-, three- and
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five-year annualized returns are measured against appropriate market peer groups and to each fund's benchmark index.
Ownership of Fund Shares. As of February 29, 2024, Western Asset's portfolio managers did not beneficially own any shares of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund.
Other Accounts. As of February 29, 2024, in addition to the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund, Western Asset's portfolio managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:
Registered
Investment Companies |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
S. Kenneth Leech |
89 |
$ |
125,007 |
69 |
$ |
32,134 |
262 |
$ |
100,375 |
||||||||||||||||||
0 |
$ |
0 |
1 |
* |
$ |
106.5 |
8 |
* |
$ |
6,358 |
|||||||||||||||||
Mark S. Lindbloom |
28 |
$ |
49,198 |
38 |
$ |
15,160 |
208 |
$ |
63,620 |
||||||||||||||||||
0 |
$ |
0 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
4 |
* |
$ |
1,897 |
||||||||||||||||||
Frederick R. Marki,
CFA |
26 |
$ |
46,279 |
26 |
$ |
13,313 |
194 |
$ |
60,877 |
||||||||||||||||||
0 |
$ |
0 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
4 |
* |
$ |
1,897 |
||||||||||||||||||
Julien A.
Scholnick, CFA |
25 |
$ |
48,141 |
23 |
$ |
12,274 |
202 |
$ |
73,595 |
||||||||||||||||||
0 |
$ |
0 |
0 |
$ |
0 |
4 |
* |
$ |
1,897 |
||||||||||||||||||
Michael C.
Buchanan, CFA |
36 |
$ |
17,190 |
263 |
$ |
50,558 |
563 |
$ |
165,835 |
||||||||||||||||||
0 |
$ |
0 |
23 |
* |
$ |
2,611 |
19 |
* |
$ |
10,215 |
* These accounts, which are a subset of the accounts in the preceding row, are subject to a performance-based advisory fee.
Conflicts of Interest. Potential conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the management of multiple accounts (including accounts managed in a personal capacity). Western Asset has adopted compliance policies and procedures to address a wide range of potential conflicts of interest that could directly impact the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund. These could include potential conflicts of interest related to the knowledge and timing of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund's trades, investment opportunities and broker selection. Portfolio managers may be privy to the size, timing and possible market impact of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund's trades.
It is possible that an investment opportunity may be suitable for both a portfolio and other accounts managed by a portfolio manager, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for both the portfolio and the other accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by a portfolio and another account. A conflict may arise where a portfolio manager may have an incentive to treat an account preferentially as compared to a portfolio because the account pays a performance-based fee or the portfolio manager, Western Asset or an affiliate has an interest in the account. Western Asset has adopted procedures for allocation of portfolio transactions and investment opportunities across multiple client accounts on a fair and equitable basis over time. All eligible accounts that can participate in a trade share the same price on a pro-rata allocation basis to ensure that no conflict of interest occurs. Trades are allocated among similarly managed accounts to maintain consistency of portfolio strategy, taking into account cash availability, investment restrictions and guidelines and portfolio composition versus strategy.
With respect to securities transactions, Western Asset determines which broker or dealer to use to execute each order, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts (such as pooled investment vehicles that are not registered investment companies and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), Western Asset may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or dealers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker or dealer.
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In these cases, trades for a portfolio in a particular security may be placed separately from, rather than aggregated with, such other accounts. Having separate transactions with respect to a security may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the possible detriment of a portfolio or the other account(s) involved. Additionally, the management of multiple portfolios and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each portfolio and/or other account. Western Asset's team approach to portfolio management and block trading approach works to limit this potential risk.
Western Asset also maintains a gift and entertainment policy to address the potential for a business contact to give gifts or host entertainment events that may influence the business judgment of an employee. Employees are permitted to retain gifts of only a nominal value and are required to make reimbursement for entertainment events above a certain value. All gifts (except those of a de minimus value) and entertainment events that are given or sponsored by a business contact are required to be reported in a gift and entertainment log, which is reviewed on a regular basis for possible issues.
Employees of Western Asset have access to transactions and holdings information regarding client accounts and Western Asset's overall trading activities. This information represents a potential conflict of interest because employees may take advantage of this information as they trade in their personal accounts. Accordingly, Western Asset maintains a Code of Ethics that is compliant with Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act to address personal trading. In addition, the Code of Ethics seeks to establish broader principles of good conduct and fiduciary responsibility in all aspects of Western Asset's business. The Code of Ethics is administered by the Legal & Compliance Department and monitored through Western Asset's compliance monitoring program.
Western Asset may also face other potential conflicts of interest with respect to managing client assets, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist. The firm also maintains a compliance monitoring program and engages independent auditors to conduct a SSAE 16/ISAE 3402 audit on an annual basis. These steps help to ensure that potential conflicts of interest have been addressed.
Western Asset Limited
Compensation. SIMC pays Western Asset Limited a fee based on the assets under management of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund as set forth in an investment sub-advisory agreement between Western Asset Limited and SIMC. Western Asset Limited pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues and other resources, including the sub-advisory fees earned with respect to the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund. The following information relates to the period ended February 29, 2024.
At Western Asset Limited, one compensation methodology covers all products and functional areas, including portfolio managers. The firm's philosophy is to reward its employees through total compensation. Total compensation is reflective of the external market value for skills, experience, ability to produce results and the performance of one's group and the firm as a whole.
Discretionary bonuses make up the variable component of total compensation. These are structured to reward sector specialists for contributions to the firm as well as relative performance of their specific portfolios/product and are determined by the professional's job function and performance as measured by a formal review process.
For portfolio managers, the formal review process includes a thorough review of portfolios they were assigned to lead or with which they were otherwise involved and includes not only investment performance, but maintaining a detailed knowledge of client portfolio objectives and guidelines, monitoring of risks and performance for adherence to these parameters, execution of asset allocation consistent with current firm and portfolio strategy and communication with clients. In reviewing investment performance, one-, three- and five-year annualized returns are measured against appropriate market peer groups and to each fund's benchmark index.
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Ownership of Fund Shares. As of February 29, 2024, Western Asset Limited's portfolio manager did not beneficially own any shares of the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund.
Other Accounts. As of February 29, 2024, in addition to the Catholic Values Fixed Income Fund, Western Asset Limited's portfolio manager was responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:
Registered
Investment Companies |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Manager |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets (in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
S. Kenneth Leech |
89 |
$ |
125,007 |
69 |
$ |
32,134 |
262 |