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PROSPECTUS |
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Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund |
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Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund |
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Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund |
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Oberweis International Opportunities Fund |
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Oberweis China Opportunities Fund |
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Oberweis Emerging Markets Fund |
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The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved of these securities or passed on the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. oberweisfunds.com
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Table of Contents
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i
The Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund’s investment objective is to maximize capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
|
|
INVESTOR
|
INSTITUTIONAL
|
|
Redemption Fee as a percentage of amount redeemed within 90 calendar days of purchase |
|
|
|
Exchange Fee as a percentage of amount exchanged within 90 calendar days of purchase |
|
|
|
| ||
|
Management Fees |
% |
% |
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees |
% |
% |
|
Other Expenses |
% |
% |
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
The example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
1 YEAR |
3 YEARS |
5 YEARS |
10 YEARS | |||||
|
Investor Class |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ | ||||
|
Institutional Class |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
1
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s
performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover
rate was
The Fund seeks to invest in up-and-coming companies which OAM believes have the potential for increasing profitability and accelerating growth. The Fund seeks to invest in equity securities that typically exhibit the following characteristics:
Under-Appreciated Revenue and Earnings Growth — potential for revenue and/or earnings growth in excess of consensus expectations.
Timely Catalyst — a recent positive earnings release or an earnings surprise that tangibly and quantitatively begins to confirm that consensus analyst expectations are too low.
Inflection Point of Change — a business that is experiencing change — often from a new product, a new management team or a regulatory change — as these changes can drive unexpected or underestimated growth. A significant gap generally exists between OAM’s forecasts and consensus analyst expectations.
Limited Analyst Coverage — a company not widely followed by other analysts to maximize the chances of finding misunderstood situations.
2
Sustainability — a sustainable business with a competitive position driven by niche market leadership, intellectual capital or unique manufacturing processes. Put another way, a reasonable barrier to competitive entry.
Operating Leverage — profitable and scalable business model, which tends to generate rising net profits margins as revenue growth accelerates.
Valuation — undervalued based on OAM’s growth forecasts and historical valuation metrics afforded the company and/or peers.
The Fund is designed for long-term investors who seek growth of capital and who can tolerate the greater risks associated with seeking maximum capital appreciation. Investment in common stocks, particularly in common stocks of relatively small companies with high growth potential, can be volatile. The value of the Fund’s shares will go up and down due to movement of the overall stock market or of the value of the individual securities held by the Fund. The value of each security held by the Fund may decline in response to conditions affecting the general economy; political, social, or economic instability at the local, regional, or global level; pandemics, epidemics and other similar circumstances in one or more countries or regions; and currency and interest rate fluctuations. Because of this volatility, we recommend that you invest in the Fund as a long-term investment only, and only for a portion of your investment portfolio, not for all of it. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s objective will be met.
Small-sized Company Risk
The Fund is subject to small company risk. Although the Fund seeks to reduce risk by investing in a diversified portfolio, you must realize that investing in smaller, and often newer, companies involves greater risk than there usually is with investing in larger, more established companies. Smaller and newer companies often have limited product lines, markets, management personnel, research and/or financial resources. The securities of small companies, which may be thinly capitalized, may not be as marketable as those of larger companies. Therefore the securities of these smaller, newer companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than the securities of larger companies or the market averages in general.
Risks Associated with Non-U.S. Companies
Investments by the Fund in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain additional investment risks different from those of U.S. issuers. These risks include: possibility of political or economic instability of the country of issue, possibility of disruption to international trade patterns, possibility of currency risk, possibility of currency exchange controls, imposition of foreign withholding taxes, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits or assets, and adoption of adverse foreign government trade restrictions. There may be less publicly available information about a non-U.S. company than about a
3
U.S. company. Sometimes non-U.S. companies are subject to different accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements than U.S. companies. There is generally less government regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies abroad than in the U.S., which may result in less transparency with respect to a company’s operations. The absence of negotiated brokerage in certain countries may result in higher brokerage fees.
Equity Securities Risk
Equity securities are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value. The equity securities held by the Fund may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. This may occur because of factors affecting securities markets generally, or a particular company.
Emerging Market Risks
In addition to the risks associated with non-U.S. companies in developing or emerging markets, there is a possibility of expropriation, nationalization, confiscatory taxation or diplomatic developments that could affect investments in those countries. In addition, political and economic structures in emerging markets countries may be new and developing rapidly, which may cause instability. Emerging markets countries are also more likely to experience high levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluations, which could hurt their economies and securities markets.
Equity-linked Certificates Risk
Equity-linked certificates (also called Participatory Notes) are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign equity securities or the basket foreign securities they are linked to. Upon the maturity of the certificate, the holder generally receives a return of principal based on the capital appreciation of the linked security. If the linked security declines in value, the certificate may return a lower amount at maturity. The trading price of an equity-linked certificate also depends on the value of the linked security. Equity-linked certificates involve further risks associated with:
• purchases and sales of certificates, including the possibility that exchange rate fluctuations may negatively affect the value of a certificate,
• the credit quality of the certificate’s issuer and/or guarantor, and
• liquidity risks and restrictions on transferability.
Ratings of issuers or guarantors of equity-linked certificates refer only to the issuer or guarantor’s creditworthiness. They provide no indication of the potential risks of the linked securities.
Currency Risk
Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or
4
perceived changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. The Fund may incur currency conversion costs (being the spread between buying and selling of the currency) and subject to exchange rate fluctuation risks in any such currency conversion, which may adversely affect the market value of the Fund’s investments.
Technology Sector Risk
Information technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. Like other technology companies, information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. The products of information technology companies may face product obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market.
Companies in the information technology sector are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. Finally, while all companies may be susceptible to network security breaches, certain companies in the information technology sector may be particular targets of hacking and potential theft of proprietary or consumer information or disruptions in service, which could have a material adverse effect on their businesses. These risks are heightened for information technology companies in foreign markets.
Investment Style Risk
There is no assurance that the common stocks of companies selected using OAM’s investment criteria will achieve long-term growth in market value.
Portfolio Turnover Risk
In the past, the Fund has experienced high rates of portfolio turnover, which results in above average transaction costs and the payment by shareholders of taxes on above-average amounts of realized investment gains, including net short-term capital gains, which are taxed as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes when distributed.
5
The
table compares the Fund’s average annual returns for the periods indicated to
broad-based securities market index. The table also shows returns on a before
and after tax basis.
Oberweis Global Opportunities Fund
|
1 YEAR |
5 YEARS |
10 YEARS | |
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Investor Class |
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6
MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser
Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM”)
Portfolio Manager
James W. Oberweis, President, has been the portfolio manager of the Fund since 2001.
For important information about buying and selling Fund shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, see “Information About the Funds” on page 39.
7
The Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund’s investment objective is to maximize capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Investor Class shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
|
INVESTOR
|
INSTITUTIONAL
| |||||
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| ||||
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Redemption Fee as a percentage of amount redeemed within 90 calendar days of purchase |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
Exchange Fee as a percentage of amount exchanged within 90 calendar days of purchase |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
|
| |||||
|
Management Fees |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
Other Expenses |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
% |
|
% | ||
The example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
1 YEAR |
3 YEARS |
5 YEARS |
10 YEARS | |||||
|
Investor Class |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ | ||||
|
Institutional Class |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
8
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s
performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover
rate was
The Fund seeks to invest in up-and-coming companies which OAM believes have the potential for increasing profitability and accelerating growth. The Fund primarily invests in companies headquartered in the United States. The Fund seeks to invest in equity securities that typically exhibit the following characteristics:
Under-Appreciated Revenue and Earnings Growth — potential for revenue and/or earnings growth in excess of consensus expectations.
Timely Catalyst — a recent positive earnings release or an earnings surprise that tangibly and quantitatively begins to confirm that consensus analyst expectations are too low.
Inflection Point of Change — a business that is experiencing change — often from a new product, a new management team or a regulatory change — as these changes can drive unexpected or underestimated growth. A significant gap generally exists between OAM’s forecasts and consensus analyst expectations.
Limited Analyst Coverage — a company not widely followed by other analysts to maximize the chances of finding misunderstood situations.
Sustainability — a sustainable business with a competitive position driven by niche market leadership, intellectual capital or unique manufacturing processes. Put another way, a reasonable barrier to competitive entry.
Operating Leverage — profitable and scalable business model, which tends to generate rising net profits margins as revenue growth accelerates.
Valuation — undervalued based on OAM’s growth forecasts and historical valuation metrics afforded the company and/or peers.
9
The Fund is designed for long-term investors who seek growth of capital and who can tolerate the greater risks associated with seeking maximum capital appreciation. Investment in common stocks, particularly in common stocks of small companies with high growth potential, can be volatile. The value of the Fund’s shares will go up and down due to movement of the overall stock market or of the value of the individual securities held by the Fund. The price of each security held by the Fund may decline in response to conditions affecting the general economy; political, social, or economic instability at the local, regional, or global level; pandemics, epidemics and other similar circumstances in one or more countries or regions; and currency and interest rate fluctuations. Because of this volatility, we recommend that you invest in the Fund as a long-term investment only, and only for a portion of your investment portfolio, not for all of it. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s objective will be met.
Small-sized Company Risk
The Fund is subject to small company risk. Although the Fund seeks to reduce risk by investing in a diversified portfolio, you must realize that investing in smaller, and often newer, companies involves greater risk than there usually is with investing in larger, more established companies. Smaller and newer companies often have limited product lines, markets, management personnel, research and/or financial resources. The securities of small companies, which may be thinly capitalized, may not be as marketable as those of larger companies. Therefore the securities of these smaller, newer companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than the securities of larger companies or the market averages in general.
Equity Securities Risk
Equity securities are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value. The equity securities held by the Fund may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. This may occur because of factors affecting securities markets generally, or a particular company.
Micro-Cap Risk
Small-sized company risk is intensified for the Fund. The prices of micro-cap companies are generally more volatile and their markets are less liquid relative to larger companies. An investment in the Fund may involve considerably more risk of loss and its returns may differ significantly from funds investing in larger companies.
10
Investment Style Risk
There is no assurance that the common stocks of companies selected using OAM’s investment criteria will achieve long-term growth in market value.
Portfolio Turnover Risk
In the past, the Fund has experienced high rates of portfolio turnover, which results in above average transaction costs and the payment by shareholders of taxes on above-average amounts of realized investment gains, including net short-term capital gains, which are taxed as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes when distributed.
The
table compares the Fund’s average annual returns for the periods indicated to
broad-based securities market index. The table also shows returns on a before
and after tax basis.
11
Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund
|
1 YEAR |
5 YEARS |
10 YEARS | |
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Investor Class |
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( |
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( |
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( |
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( |
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( |
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MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser
Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM”)
Portfolio Managers
James W. Oberweis, President, has been the portfolio manager of the Fund since 2001.
Kenneth S. Farsalas, Portfolio Manager, has been a co-portfolio manager of the Fund since 2015.
For important information about buying and selling Fund shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, see “Information About the Funds” on page 39.
12
The Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund’s investment objective is to maximize capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
|
|
INVESTOR
|
INSTITUTIONAL
|
|
Redemption Fee as a percentage of amount redeemed within 90 calendar days of purchase |
|
|
|
Exchange Fee as a percentage of amount exchanged within 90 calendar days of purchase |
|
|
|
| ||
|
Management Fees |
% |
% |
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees |
% |
% |
|
Other Expenses |
% |
% |
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses1 |
|
|
|
Expense Reimbursement |
()% |
()% |
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement |
|
|
1
The example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end
13
of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
1 YEAR |
3 YEARS |
5 YEARS |
10 YEARS | |||||
|
Investor Class |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ | ||||
|
Institutional Class |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s
performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover
rate was
The Fund seeks to invest in those companies which OAM considers to have above-average long-term growth potential. OAM selects companies which meet this criteria based on, among other things, fundamental analysis of individual securities. OAM’s fundamental analysis entails an evaluation of an individual company’s future growth prospects. OAM’s evaluation may be based on, among other things, financial statement analysis, stock valuation in relation to OAM’s estimate of future earnings, evaluation of competitive product or service offerings, future research and development pipeline and management interviews. OAM may actively trade the Fund’s portfolio, and as a result, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be high.
The Fund primarily invests in companies headquartered in the United States. The Fund seeks to invest in equity securities that typically exhibit the following characteristics:
Under-Appreciated Revenue and Earnings Growth — potential for revenue and/or earnings growth in excess of consensus expectations.
Timely Catalyst — a recent positive earnings release or an earnings surprise that tangibly and quantitatively begins to confirm that consensus analyst expectations are too low.
Inflection Point of Change — a business that is experiencing change — often from a new product, a new management team or a regulatory change — as these changes can drive unexpected or underestimated growth. A significant gap generally exists between OAM’s forecasts and consensus analyst expectations.
14
Limited Analyst Coverage — a company not widely followed by other analysts to maximize the chances of finding misunderstood situations.
Sustainability — a sustainable business with a competitive position driven by niche market leadership, intellectual capital or unique manufacturing processes. Put another way, a reasonable barrier to competitive entry.
Operating Leverage — profitable and scalable business model, which tends to generate rising net profits margins as revenue growth accelerates.
Valuation — undervalued based on OAM’s growth forecasts and historical valuation metrics afforded the company and/or peers.
The Fund is designed for long-term investors who seek growth of capital and who can tolerate the greater risks associated with seeking maximum capital appreciation.
Investment in common stocks, particularly in common stocks of small companies with high growth potential, can be volatile. The value of the Fund’s shares will go up and down due to movement of the overall stock market or of the value of the individual securities held by the Fund. The value of each security held by the Fund may decline in response to conditions affecting the general economy; political, social, or economic instability at the local, regional, or global level; pandemics, epidemics and other similar circumstances in one or more countries or regions; and currency and interest rate fluctuations. Because of this volatility, we recommend that you invest in the Fund as a long-term investment only, and only for a portion of your investment portfolio, not for all of it. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s objective will be met.
Equity Securities Risk
Equity securities are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value. The equity securities held by the Fund may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. This may occur because of factors affecting securities markets generally, or a particular company.
Small-sized Company Risk
The Fund is subject to small company risk. Although the Fund seeks to reduce risk by investing in a diversified portfolio, you must realize that investing in smaller, and often newer, companies involves greater risk than there usually is with investing in larger, more established companies. Smaller and newer companies often have limited product lines, markets, management personnel, research and/or financial resources.
15
The securities of small companies, which may be thinly capitalized, may not be as marketable as those of larger companies. Therefore the securities of these smaller, newer companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than the securities of larger companies or the market averages in general.
Portfolio Turnover Risk
In the past, the Fund has experienced high rates of portfolio turnover, which results in above average transaction costs and the payment by shareholders of taxes on above-average amounts of realized investment gains, including net short-term capital gains, which are taxed as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes when distributed.
The
table compares the Fund’s average annual returns for the periods indicated to a
broad-based securities market index. The table also shows returns on a before
and after tax basis.
16
Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund
|
1 YEAR |
5 YEARS |
10 YEARS | |
|
Investor Class |
|||
|
|
( |
|
|
|
|
( |
|
|
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( |
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|
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( |
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( |
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|
MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser
Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM”)
Portfolio Managers
James W. Oberweis, President, has been the portfolio manager of the Fund since 2001.
Kenneth S. Farsalas, Portfolio Manager, has been a co-portfolio manager of the Fund since 2009.
For important information about buying and selling Fund shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, see “Information About the Funds” on page 39.
17
The Oberweis International Opportunities Fund’s investment objective is to maximize long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
|
|
INVESTOR
| ||
|
Redemption Fee as a percentage of amount redeemed within 90 calendar days of purchase |
|
% | |
|
Exchange Fee as a percentage of amount exchanged within 90 calendar days of purchase |
|
% | |
|
|
| ||
|
Management Fees |
|
% | |
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees |
|
% | |
|
Other Expenses |
|
% | |
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses1 |
|
% | |
|
Expense Reimbursement |
( |
)% | |
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement |
|
% | |
1
The example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of
investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in
the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at
the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be: One Year: $
18
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s
performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover
rate was
The Fund invests principally in the common stocks of companies that the Fund’s investment adviser, Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM”), believes have the potential for significant long-term growth in market value. The Fund may invest in Chinese securities acquired through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect.
The Fund seeks to invest in those companies which OAM considers to have above-average long-term growth potential. OAM selects companies which meet this criteria based on, among other things, fundamental analysis of individual securities. OAM’s fundamental analysis entails an evaluation of an individual company’s future growth prospects. OAM’s evaluation may be based on, among other things, financial statement analysis, stock valuation in relation to OAM’s estimate of future earnings, evaluation of competitive product or service offerings, future research and development pipeline and management interviews. OAM may actively trade the Fund’s portfolio, and as a result, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be high. There are no restrictions on the capitalization of companies whose securities the Fund may buy; however, the Fund generally invests in the stocks of smaller companies (generally companies with a market capitalization of less than $5 billion). The Fund may also invest in securities of countries in developed and developing (or emerging) markets. The Fund generally will invest less than 25% of its assets in securities of countries in emerging markets.
The Fund seeks to invest in equity securities that typically exhibit the following characteristics:
Under-Appreciated Revenue and Earnings Growth — potential for revenue and/or earnings growth in excess of consensus expectations.
Timely Catalyst — a recent positive earnings release or an earnings surprise that tangibly and quantitatively begins to confirm that consensus analyst expectations are too low.
19
Inflection Point of Change — a business that is experiencing change — often from a new product, a new management team or a regulatory change — as these changes can drive unexpected or underestimated growth. A significant gap generally exists between OAM’s forecasts and consensus analyst expectations.
Limited Analyst Coverage — a company not widely followed by other analysts to maximize the chances of finding misunderstood situations.
Sustainability — a sustainable business with a competitive position driven by niche market leadership, intellectual capital or unique manufacturing processes. Put another way, a reasonable barrier to competitive entry.
Operating Leverage — profitable and scalable business model, which tends to generate rising net profits margins as revenue growth accelerates.
Valuation — undervalued based on OAM’s growth forecasts and historical valuation metrics afforded the company and/or peers.
The Fund is designed for long-term investors who seek growth of capital and who can tolerate the greater risks associated with seeking maximum capital appreciation. Investment in common stocks, particularly in common stocks of small- and medium-sized companies with high growth potential, can be volatile. The value of the Fund’s shares will go up and down due to movement of the overall stock market or of the value of the individual securities held by the Fund. The value of each security held by the Fund may decline in response to conditions affecting the general economy; political, social, or economic instability at the local, regional, or global level; pandemics, epidemics and other similar circumstances in one or more countries or regions; and currency and interest rate fluctuations. Because of this volatility, we recommend that you invest in the Fund as a long-term investment only, and only for a portion of your investment portfolio, not for all of it. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s objective will be met.
Small-sized Company Risk
The Fund is subject to small company risk, because although there are no restrictions on the capitalization of companies whose securities the Fund may buy, the Fund generally invests in small-sized companies. Although the Fund seeks to reduce risk by investing in a diversified portfolio, you must realize that investing in smaller, and often newer, companies involves greater risk than there usually is with investing in larger, more established companies. Smaller and newer companies often have limited product lines, markets, management personnel, research and/or financial resources. The securities of small companies, which may be thinly capitalized, may not be as marketable as those of larger companies. Therefore the securities of these smaller, newer companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than the securities of larger companies or the market averages in general.
20
Equity Securities Risk
Equity securities are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value. The equity securities held by the Fund may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. This may occur because of factors affecting securities markets generally, or a particular company.
Risks Associated with Non-U.S. Companies
Investments by the Fund in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain additional investment risks different from those of U.S. issuers. These risks include: possibility of political or economic instability of the country of issue, possibility of disruption to international trade patterns, possibility of currency risk, possibility of currency exchange controls, imposition of foreign withholding taxes, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits or assets, and adoption of adverse foreign government trade restrictions. There may be less publicly available information about a non-U.S. company than about a U.S. company. Sometimes non-U.S. companies are subject to different accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements than U.S. companies. There is generally less government regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies abroad than in the U.S., which may result in less transparency with respect to a company’s operations. The absence of negotiated brokerage in certain countries may result in higher brokerage fees.
Emerging Market Risks
In addition to the risks associated with non-U.S. companies in developing or emerging markets, there is a possibility of expropriation, nationalization, confiscatory taxation or diplomatic developments that could affect investments in those countries. In addition, political and economic structures in emerging markets countries may be new and developing rapidly, which may cause instability. Emerging markets countries are also more likely to experience high levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluations, which could hurt their economies and securities markets.
Currency Risk
Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. The Fund may incur currency conversion costs (being the spread between buying and selling of the currency) and subject to exchange rate fluctuation risks in any such currency conversion, which may adversely affect the market value of the Fund’s investments.
21
Technology Sector Risk
Information technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. Like other technology companies, information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. The products of information technology companies may face product obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market.
Companies in the information technology sector are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. Finally, while all companies may be susceptible to network security breaches, certain companies in the information technology sector may be particular targets of hacking and potential theft of proprietary or consumer information or disruptions in service, which could have a material adverse effect on their businesses. These risks are heightened for information technology companies in foreign markets.
Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk
Because companies in the consumer discretionary sector manufacture products and provide discretionary services directly to the consumer, the success of these companies is tied closely to the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rates, competition and consumer confidence. Success depends heavily on disposable household income and consumer spending. Changes in demographics and consumer tastes also can affect the demand for, and success of, consumer discretionary products in the marketplace.
Portfolio Turnover Risk
In the past, the Fund has experienced high rates of portfolio turnover, which results in above average transaction costs and the payment by shareholders of taxes on above-average amounts of realized investment gains, including net short-term capital gains, which are taxed as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes when distributed.
22
The
table compares the Fund’s average annual returns for the periods indicated to a
broad-based securities market index. The table also shows returns on a before
and after tax basis.
Oberweis International Opportunities Fund
|
1 YEAR |
5 YEARS |
10 YEARS | |
|
|
( |
()% |
|
|
|
( |
( |
|
|
|
( |
()% |
|
|
|
( |
% |
|
23
MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser
Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM”)
Portfolio Manager
Ralf A. Scherschmidt, Portfolio Manager, since inception of the Fund.
For important information about buying and selling Fund shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, see “Information About the Funds” on page 39.
24
The Oberweis China Opportunities Fund’s investment objective is to maximize long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
|
|
INVESTOR
|
INSTITUTIONAL
| ||||
|
Redemption Fee as a percentage of amount redeemed within 90 calendar days of purchase |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
Exchange Fee as a percentage of amount exchanged within 90 calendar days of purchase |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
|
| |||||
|
Management Fees |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
Other Expenses |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
% |
|
% | ||
The example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
1 YEAR |
3 YEARS |
5 YEARS |
10 YEARS | |||||
|
Investor Class |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ | ||||
|
Institutional Class |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the
25
Example,
affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s
portfolio turnover rate was
The Fund invests principally in the common stocks of companies that the Fund’s investment adviser, Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM”), and sub-adviser, Oberweis Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited (the “Sub-Adviser”), believe have the potential for significant long-term growth in market value. The Fund may invest in Chinese securities acquired through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect, as well as equity-linked certificates (also called Participatory Notes) which are expected to provide the fund exposure to certain classes of shares traded in foreign markets which would otherwise not be available to the Fund. The Fund may invest in equity-linked certificates issued and/or guaranteed by counterparties rated A or better by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s Corporation or issued and/or guaranteed by counterparties deemed to be of similar quality by OAM. Equity-linked certificates are derivative securities generally issued by banks or broker-dealers that are linked to the performance of an underlying foreign security. The Fund may invest in equity-linked certificates linked to the performance of foreign securities in countries in which the Fund may invest, including but not limited to China. For purposes of the Fund’s 80% investment policy, equity-linked certificates linked to the performance of China securities are considered China securities.
The Fund seeks to invest in those companies which OAM and the Sub-Adviser consider to have above-average long-term growth potential. OAM and the Sub-Adviser select companies which meet this criteria based on, among other things, fundamental analysis of individual securities. OAM and the Sub-Adviser’s fundamental analysis entails an evaluation of an individual company’s future growth prospects. OAM and the Sub-Adviser’s evaluation may be based on, among other things, financial statement analysis, stock valuation in relation to the OAM and the Sub-Adviser’s estimate of future earnings, evaluation of competitive product or service offerings, future research and development pipeline and management interviews.
OAM and the Sub-Adviser may actively trade the Fund’s portfolio, and as a result, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be high. There are no restrictions on the capitalization of companies whose securities the Fund may buy.
The Fund seeks to invest in equity securities that typically exhibit the following characteristics:
Under-Appreciated Revenue and Earnings Growth — potential for revenue and/or earnings growth in excess of consensus expectations.
Timely Catalyst — a recent positive earnings release or an earnings surprise that tangibly and quantitatively begins to confirm that consensus analyst expectations are too low.
26
Inflection Point of Change — a business that is experiencing change — often from a new product, a new management team or a regulatory change — as these changes can drive unexpected or underestimated growth. A significant gap generally exists between OAM’s forecasts and consensus analyst expectations.
Limited Analyst Coverage — a company not widely followed by other analysts to maximize the chances of finding misunderstood situations.
Sustainability — a sustainable business with a competitive position driven by niche market leadership, intellectual capital or unique manufacturing processes. Put another way, a reasonable barrier to competitive entry.
Operating Leverage — profitable and scalable business model, which tends to generate rising net profits margins as revenue growth accelerates.
Valuation — undervalued based on OAM’s growth forecasts and historical valuation metrics afforded the company and/or peers.
The Fund is designed for long-term investors who seek growth of capital and who can tolerate the greater risks associated with seeking maximum capital appreciation. Investment in common stocks, particularly in common stocks of small- and medium-sized companies with high growth potential, can be volatile. The value of the Fund’s shares will go up and down due to movement of the overall stock market or of the value of the individual securities held by the Fund. The value of each security held by the Fund may decline in response to conditions affecting the general economy; political, social, or economic instability at the local, regional, or global level; pandemics, epidemics and other similar circumstances in one or more countries or regions; and currency and interest rate fluctuations. Because of this volatility, we recommend that you invest in the Fund as a long-term investment only, and only for a portion of your investment portfolio, not for all of it. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s objective will be met.
Equity Securities Risk
Equity securities are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value. The equity securities held by the Fund may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. This may occur because of factors affecting securities markets generally, or a particular company.
27
Risks Associated with Non-U.S. Companies
Investments by the Fund in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain additional investment risks different from those of U.S. issuers. These risks include: possibility of political or economic instability of the country of issue, possibility of disruption to international trade patterns, possibility of currency risk, possibility of currency exchange controls, imposition of foreign withholding taxes, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits or assets, and adoption of adverse foreign government trade restrictions. There may be less publicly available information about a non-U.S. company than about a U.S. company. Sometimes non-U.S. companies are subject to different accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements than U.S. companies. There is generally less government regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies abroad than in the U.S., which may result in less transparency with respect to a company’s operations. The absence of negotiated brokerage in certain countries may result in higher brokerage fees.
Emerging Market Risks
In addition to the risks associated with non-U.S. companies in developing or emerging markets, there is a possibility of expropriation, nationalization, confiscatory taxation or diplomatic developments that could affect investments in those countries. In addition, political and economic structures in emerging markets countries may be new and developing rapidly, which may cause instability. Emerging markets countries are also more likely to experience high levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluations, which could hurt their economies and securities markets.
Risks Associated with Chinese Companies
The Chinese economy is generally considered an emerging and volatile market. A small number of companies represent a large portion of the China market as a whole, and prices for securities of these companies may be very sensitive to adverse political, economic, or regulatory developments in China and other Asian countries, and may experience significant losses in such conditions. China’s central government has historically exercised substantial control over the Chinese economy through administrative regulation and/or state ownership.
Despite economic reforms that have resulted in less direct central and local government control over Chinese businesses, actions of the Chinese central and local government authorities continue to have a substantial effect on economic conditions in China. These activities, which may include central planning, partial state ownership of or government actions designed to substantially influence certain Chinese industries, market sectors or particular Chinese companies, may adversely affect the public and private sector companies in which a Fund invests. Government actions may also affect the economic prospects for, and the market prices and liquidity of, the securities of China companies and the payments of dividends and interest by China companies. In addition, currency fluctuations, monetary policies, competition, social instability or political unrest may adversely affect economic growth in China. The Chinese economy and Chinese companies may also be adversely affected by regional security threats, as well as adverse developments in Chinese trade policies, or in trade policies toward China by countries that are trading partners with China. The occurrence of catastrophic events (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemic disease, acts of terrorism and other catastrophes) in Greater China could also have a negative impact on the value of Chinese securities.
28
Government Relationships Risk
While companies in Asia may be subject to limitations on their business relationships under applicable law, these laws may not be consistent with certain political and security concerns of the U.S. As a result, Asian companies may have material direct or indirect business relationships with governments that are considered state sponsors of terrorism by the U.S. government, or governments that otherwise have policies in conflict with the U.S. government (an “Adverse Government”). If the Fund invests in companies that have or develop a material business relationship with an Adverse Government, then the Fund will be subject to the risk that these companies’ reputation and price in the market will be adversely affected.
Equity-linked Certificates Risk
Equity-linked certificates (also called Participatory Notes) are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign equity securities or the basket foreign securities thy are linked to. Upon the maturity of the certificate, the holder generally receives a return of principal based on the capital appreciation of the linked security. If the linked security declines in value, the certificate may return a lower amount at maturity. The trading price of an equity-linked certificate also depends on the value of the linked security. Equity-linked certificates involve further risks associated with:
• purchases and sales of certificates, including the possibility that exchange rate fluctuations may negatively affect the value of a certificate,
• the credit quality of the certificate’s issuer and/or guarantor, and
• liquidity risks and restrictions on transferability.
Ratings of issuers or guarantors of equity-linked certificates refer only to the issuer or guarantor’s creditworthiness. They provide no indication of the potential risks of the linked securities.
RMB Currency Risk
The Fund may invest in Chinese securities acquired through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect (“China Connect Securities”) with Renminbi (“RMB”), the official currency of China. Similar to other foreign currencies, the exchange rate of the RMB may rise or fall. There is no guarantee that the RMB will not depreciate. The exchange rate of the RMB may be affected by, among other things, foreign exchange controls imposed by the mainland Chinese central government from time to time (for example, there are currently restrictions on the conversion of the RMB into other currencies). The Fund may have to convert the dollar into RMB when investing in Chinese Connect Securities and vice versa for any payments in RMB from transactions in the China Connect Securities. The Fund may incur currency conversion costs (being the spread between buying and selling of the RMB) and subject to exchange rate fluctuation risks in any such currency conversion, which may adversely affect the market value of China Connect Securities.
Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect Program (Stock Connect) Risk
China A-Shares listed and traded on certain Chinese stock exchanges through Stock Connect, a mutual market access program designed to, among other things, enable foreign investment in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) via brokers in Hong Kong, are subject to a number of restrictions imposed by Chinese securities regulations and
29
local exchange listing rules. Because Stock Connect was established in November 2014, developments are likely, which may restrict or otherwise affect the fund’s investments or returns. Furthermore, any changes in laws, regulations and policies of the China A-Shares market or rules in relation to Stock Connect may affect China A-Share prices. These risks are heightened by the underdeveloped state of the PRC’s investment and banking systems in general.
Geographic Concentration Risk
Investments in a single region, even though representing more than one country within the region, may be affected by common economic forces and other factors. This vulnerability to factors affecting China investments is significantly greater than it would be for a more geographically diversified fund, and may result in greater losses and volatility.
Portfolio Turnover Risk
In the past, the Fund has experienced high rates of portfolio turnover, which results in above average transaction costs and the payment by shareholders of taxes on above-average amounts of realized investment gains, including net short-term capital gains, which are taxed as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes when distributed.
The
table compares the Fund’s average annual returns for the periods indicated to
broad-based securities market index. The table also shows returns on a before
and after tax basis.
30
Oberweis China Opportunities Fund
|
1 YEAR |
5 YEARS |
10 YEARS | |
|
Investor Class |
|||
|
|
( |
( |
|
|
|
( |
( |
|
|
|
( |
()% |
|
|
|
( |
( |
|
|
|
( |
( |
|
MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser
Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM”)
Subadviser
Oberweis Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited
Portfolio Managers
James W. Oberweis, President, has managed the Fund since its inception.
Barry Wang, Portfolio Manager, has been a co-portfolio manager of the Fund since 2016.
For important information about buying and selling Fund shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, see “Information About the Funds” on page 39.
31
The Oberweis Emerging Markets Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to maximize long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
|
|
INVESTOR
|
INSTITUTIONAL
| ||||
|
Redemption Fee as a percentage of amount redeemed within 90 calendar days of purchase |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
Exchange Fee as a percentage of amount redeemed within 90 calendar days of purchase |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
|
| |||||
|
Management Fees |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
Other Expenses |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
% |
|
% | ||
|
Expense Reimbursement1 |
( |
)% |
( |
)% | ||
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement |
|
% |
|
% | ||
1
32
The example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
1 YEAR |
3 YEARS |
5 YEARS |
10 YEARS | |
|
Investor Class |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Institutional Class |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
The
Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
Annual Fund Operating Expense or in the Example, affect the Fund’s
performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover
rate was
The Fund invests principally in the common stocks of companies that the Fund’s investment adviser, Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM”), believes have the potential for significant long-term growth in market value. The Fund may invest in Chinese securities acquired through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect and may invest in equity-linked certificates (also called Participatory Notes). The Fund seeks to invest in those companies which OAM considers to have above-average long-term growth potential. OAM selects companies which meet this criteria based on, among other things, fundamental analysis of individual securities. OAM’s fundamental analysis entails an evaluation of an individual company’s future growth prospects. OAM’s evaluation may be based on, among other things, financial statement analysis, stock valuation in relation to OAM’s estimate of future earnings, evaluation of competitive product or service offerings, future research and development pipeline and management interviews. OAM may actively trade the Fund’s portfolio, and as a result, the
33
Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be high. There are no restrictions on the capitalization of companies whose securities the Fund may buy; however, the Fund generally invests in the stocks of small- and medium-size companies which OAM defines as those with a market capitalization of less than $5 billion or within the range of companies in the MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap Index, whichever is greater.
The Fund is designed for long-term investors who seek growth of capital and who can tolerate the greater risks associated with seeking maximum capital appreciation. Investment in common stocks, particularly in common stocks of small- and medium-sized companies, can be volatile. The value of the Fund’s shares will go up and down due to movement of the overall stock market or of the value of the individual securities held by the Fund. The value of each security held by the Fund may decline in response to conditions affecting the general economy; political, social, or economic instability at the local, regional, or global level; pandemics, epidemics and other similar circumstances in one or more countries or regions; and currency and interest rate fluctuations. Because of this volatility, we recommend that you invest in the Fund as a long-term investment only, and only for a portion of your investment portfolio, not for all of it. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s objective will be met.
Small-sized Company Risk
The Fund is subject to small company risk. Although the Fund seeks to reduce risk by investing in a diversified portfolio, you must realize that investing in smaller, and often newer, companies involves greater risk than there usually is with investing in larger, more established companies. Smaller and newer companies often have limited product lines, markets, management personnel, research and/or financial resources. The securities of small companies, which may be thinly capitalized, may not be as marketable as those of larger companies. Therefore the securities of these smaller, newer companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than the securities of larger companies or the market averages in general.
Risks Associated with Non-U.S. Companies
Investments by the Fund in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain additional investment risks different from those of U.S. issuers. These risks include: possibility of political or economic instability of the country of issue, possibility of disruption to international trade patterns, possibility of currency risk, possibility of currency exchange controls, imposition of foreign withholding taxes, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits or assets, and adoption of adverse foreign government trade restrictions. There may be less publicly available information about a non-U.S. company than about a U.S. company. Sometimes non-U.S. companies are subject to different accounting, auditing,
34
and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements than U.S. companies. There is generally less government regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies abroad than in the U.S., which may result in less transparency with respect to a company’s operations. The absence of negotiated brokerage in certain countries may result in higher brokerage fees.
Emerging Market Risks
In developing or emerging markets, there is a possibility of expropriation, nationalization, confiscatory taxation or diplomatic developments that could affect investments in those countries. In addition, political and economic structures in emerging markets countries may be new and developing rapidly, which may cause instability. Emerging markets countries are also more likely to experience high levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluations, which could hurt their economies and securities markets.
Equity-linked Certificates Risk
Equity-linked certificates (also called Participatory Notes) are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign equity securities or the basket foreign securities they are linked to. Upon the maturity of the certificate, the holder generally receives a return of principal based on the capital appreciation of the linked security. If the linked security declines in value, the certificate may return a lower amount at maturity. The trading price of an equity-linked certificate also depends on the value of the linked security. Equity-linked certificates involve further risks associated with:
• purchases and sales of certificates, including the possibility that exchange rate fluctuations may negatively affect the value of a certificate,
• the credit quality of the certificate’s issuer and/or guarantor, and
• liquidity risks and restrictions on transferability.
Ratings of issuers or guarantors of equity-linked certificates refer only to the issuer or guarantor’s creditworthiness. They provide no indication of the potential risks of the linked securities.
Currency Risk
Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. The Fund may incur currency conversion costs (being the spread between buying and selling of the currency) and subject to exchange rate fluctuation risks in any such currency conversion, which may adversely affect the market value of the Fund’s investments.
35
Equity Securities Risk
Equity securities are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value. The equity securities held by the Fund may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. This may occur because of factors affecting securities markets generally, or a particular company.
Management Risk
The Adviser’s reliance on its strategy and judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities and the tactical allocation among the Fund’s investments may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.
Market Risk
Overall equity and fixed income securities market risks affect the value of the Fund. Factors such as domestic economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities markets.
Technology Sector Risk
Information technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. Like other technology companies, information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. The products of information technology companies may face product obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market.
Companies in the information technology sector are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. Finally, while all companies may be susceptible to network security breaches, certain companies in the information technology sector may be particular targets of hacking and potential theft of proprietary or consumer information or disruptions in service, which could have a material adverse effect on their businesses. These risks are heightened for information technology companies in foreign markets.
Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk
Because companies in the consumer discretionary sector manufacture products and provide discretionary services directly to the consumer, the success of these companies is tied closely to the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rates, competition and consumer confidence. Success depends heavily on disposable household income and consumer spending. Changes in demographics and consumer tastes also can affect the demand for, and success of, consumer discretionary products in the marketplace.
36
Portfolio Turnover Risk
The Fund may experience high rates of portfolio turnover, which results in above-average transaction costs and the payment by shareholders of taxes on above-average amounts of realized investment gains, including net short-term capital gains which are taxed as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes when distributed.
The
table compares the Fund’s average annual returns for the periods indicated to
broad-based securities market index. The table also shows returns on a before
and after tax basis.
37
Oberweis Emerging Markets Fund
|
1 YEAR |
SINCE
| |
|
Investor Class |
||
|
|
( |
|
|
|
( |
|
|
|
( |
|
|
|
( |
|
|
|
( |
|
1
MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser
Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM” or the “Adviser”)
Portfolio Manager
Mark Weber, Portfolio Manager, since inception of the Fund.
For important information about buying and selling Fund shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, see “Information About the Funds” on page 39.
38
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS
Buying and Selling Fund Shares
Buying Investor Class Shares
The minimum initial investment is $1,000 ($500 for tax-advantaged retirement plans). You may reduce this $1,000 minimum initial investment by signing up for the Low Minimum Investment Plan. (See page 65 for details.) Additional purchases for all existing accounts must be in amounts of at least $100.
Buying Institutional Class Shares
The minimum initial investment is $1,000,000. There is no minimum for subsequent purchases. You may meet the minimum initial investment amount by aggregating multiple accounts with common ownership within a Fund, including individual and joint accounts, as well as accounts where you have beneficial ownership through acting as a custodian for a minor account or as a beneficiary to a trust account. In addition, if you invest in a Fund through a financial intermediary, the minimum initial investment requirement may be met if your financial intermediary aggregates investments of multiple clients to meet the minimum. There is no minimum initial investment requirement for omnibus retirement plans or wrap fee program assets held in an omnibus account with aggregate assets of $10 million or more. The Funds reserve the right to waive or modify these minimum initial investment requirements at any time.
Selling Shares
You may redeem shares of the Funds by mail, telephone, online at oberweisfunds.com or through your own securities broker/dealer or its designated agent or bank or other institution on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open.
Tax Information
Each Fund’s distributions are taxable as ordinary income or capital gains, unless your investment is in an IRA, 401(k) or other tax-advantaged investment plan (which may be taxable upon withdrawal).
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Funds through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Funds and their related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary to recommend the Funds over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s Web site for more information.
39
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, POLICIES AND RISKS
Investment Objectives of the Funds
Each of the Global Opportunities, Micro-Cap and Small-Cap Opportunities Fund’s investment objective is to maximize capital appreciation. Each of the International Opportunities, China Opportunities and the Emerging Markets Fund’s investment objective is to maximize long-term capital appreciation. The Funds are not designed for investors seeking income over capital appreciation. Income realized on the Funds’ investments is incidental to their objectives.
The Global Opportunities Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in the securities of relatively small companies, which, at the time of investment, have a market capitalization of less than or equal to $1.5 billion or are within the range of companies represented in the MSCI ACWI Small-Cap Index, whichever is greater.
The Micro-Cap Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in the securities of very small companies which, at the time of purchase, have a market capitalization of less than or equal to $600 million or are within the range of companies represented in the Russell Micro-Cap Growth Index, whichever is greater.
The Small-Cap Opportunities Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in the securities of small-cap companies. The investment adviser, Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM”), considers small-cap companies as those, at the time of investment, with a market capitalization of less than $5 billion or with a market capitalization within the range of the holdings of the Russell 2000 Index.
The International Opportunities Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in the securities of companies based outside the United States (as defined on page 18).
The China Opportunities Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in China securities (as defined on page 25).
The Emerging Markets Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in securities of companies in emerging markets (as defined on page 32).
Each Fund may change its 80% investment policy (as stated above) subject to approval by the Board of Trustees and at least 60 days’ prior notice to Fund shareholders.
Principal Investment Strategy of the Domestic Funds
Each of the Micro-Cap and Small-Cap Opportunities Funds (each, a “Domestic Fund” and collectively, the “Domestic Funds”) invest principally in the common stocks of companies that OAM believes have the potential for long-term growth in market value.
The Micro-Cap and Small-Cap Opportunities Funds seek to invest in those companies which OAM considers to have above-average long-term growth potential.
OAM selects companies for the Micro-Cap and Small-Cap Opportunities Funds which meet this criteria based on, among other things, fundamental analysis of individual securities. OAM’s fundamental analysis entails an evaluation of an individual company’s future growth prospects. OAM’s evaluation may be based on, among other things, financial statement
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analysis, stock valuation in relation to OAM’s estimate of future earnings, evaluation of competitive product or service offerings, future research and development pipeline and management interviews. The Funds primarily invest in companies headquartered in the United States. The Funds seek to invest in equity securities that typically exhibit the following characteristics:
Under-Appreciated Revenue and Earnings Growth — potential for revenue and/or earnings growth in excess of consensus expectations.
Timely Catalyst — a recent positive earnings release or an earnings surprise that tangibly and quantitatively begins to confirm that consensus analyst expectations are too low.
Inflection Point of Change — a business that is experiencing change — often from a new product, a new management team or a regulatory change — as these changes can drive unexpected or underestimated growth. A significant gap generally exists between OAM’s forecasts and consensus analyst expectations.
Limited Analyst Coverage — a company not widely followed by other analysts to maximize the chances of finding misunderstood situations.
Sustainability — a sustainable business with a competitive position driven by niche market leadership, intellectual capital or unique manufacturing processes. Put another way, a reasonable barrier to competitive entry.
Operating Leverage — profitable and scalable business model, which tends to generate rising net profits margins as revenue growth accelerates.
Valuation — undervalued based on OAM’s growth forecasts and historical valuation metrics afforded the company and/or peers.
Through the use of these screens, OAM attempts to actively monitor both the macro and micro drivers of perceived risk. Accordingly, the management team may adjust individual, industry, sector or other factor-related weights in an attempt to limit perceived downside risk. OAM may, from time to time based on its analysis of market signals, liquidate investment positions and hold the proceeds in other highly liquid obligations.
Although securities of a particular company may be eligible for purchase by more than one Fund, OAM may determine at any particular time to purchase a security for one Fund but not another.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Domestic Funds
The biggest risk is that the Funds’ returns may vary, and you could lose money by investing in the Funds. Because the Funds may invest substantially all of their assets in common stocks, the main risk is that the value of the stocks they hold might decrease in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. If this occurs, a Fund’s share price may also decrease.
The Funds primarily invest in equity securities with the objective of maximum capital appreciation. If you are considering investing in any of the Funds, remember that they are designed for long-term investors who seek growth of capital and who can tolerate the greater risks associated with seeking maximum capital appreciation. Investment in common stocks, particularly in common stocks of small- and medium-size companies with high growth potential, can be volatile. The value of the Funds’ shares will go up and down
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due to movement of the overall stock market or of the value of the individual securities held by the Funds. The value of each security held by a Fund may decline in response to conditions affecting the general economy; political, social, or economic instability at the local, regional, or global level; pandemics, epidemics and other similar circumstances in one or more countries or regions; and currency and interest rate fluctuations. Because of this volatility, we recommend that you invest in the Funds as a long-term investment only, and only for a portion of your investment portfolio, not for all of it. Each Fund discourages short-term trading in its shares. Dividends are expected to be minimal and there can be no assurance that a Fund’s objective will be met.
An investment in the Funds is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Equity Securities Risk
Equity securities are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value. The equity securities held by the Fund may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. This may occur because of factors affecting securities markets generally, or a particular company.
Small-sized Company Risk
The Small-Cap Opportunities Fund is subject to small company risk, and this risk is intensified for the Micro-Cap Fund. Although each Fund seeks to reduce risk by investing in a diversified portfolio, you must realize that investing in smaller, and often newer, companies involves greater risk than there usually is with investing in larger, more established companies. Smaller and newer companies often have limited product lines, markets, management personnel, research and/or financial resources. The securities of small companies, which may be thinly capitalized, may not be as marketable as those of larger companies. Therefore the securities of these smaller, newer companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than the securities of larger companies or the market averages in general.
Investment Style Risk
There is no assurance that the common stocks of companies selected using OAM’s investment criteria will achieve long-term growth in market value.
Principal Investment Strategy of the Global Opportunities Fund
The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in the securities of relatively small companies, which, at the time of investment, have a market capitalization of less than or equal to $1.5 billion or are within the range of companies represented in the MSCI ACWI Small-Cap Index, whichever is greater. The Fund invests principally in the common stocks of companies that the Fund’s investment adviser, Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM”), believes have the potential for significant long-term growth in market value. The Fund may invest without limit in U.S. and non-U.S. companies. The non-U.S. companies in which the Fund invests may be securities of companies in developed or developing (or emerging) markets, including Chinese securities acquired through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect. OAM anticipates that approximately 40 – 60% of the Fund’s assets, on average over time, will be invested in emerging growth companies outside the United States.
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The Fund seeks to invest in up-and-coming companies which OAM believes have the potential for increasing profitability and accelerating growth. The Fund seeks to invest in equity securities that typically exhibit the following characteristics:
Under-Appreciated Revenue and Earnings Growth — potential for revenue and/or earnings growth in excess of consensus expectations.
Timely Catalyst — a recent positive earnings release or an earnings surprise that tangibly and quantitatively begins to confirm that consensus analyst expectations are too low.
Inflection Point of Change — a business that is experiencing change — often from a new product, a new management team or a regulatory change — as these changes can drive unexpected or underestimated growth. A significant gap generally exists between OAM’s forecasts and consensus analyst expectations.
Limited Analyst Coverage — a company not widely followed by other analysts to maximize the chances of finding misunderstood situations.
Sustainability — a sustainable business with a competitive position driven by niche market leadership, intellectual capital or unique manufacturing processes. Put another way, a reasonable barrier to competitive entry.
Operating Leverage — profitable and scalable business model, which tends to generate rising net profits margins as revenue growth accelerates.
Valuation — undervalued based on OAM’s growth forecasts and historical valuation metrics afforded the company and/or peers.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Global Opportunities Fund
The biggest risk is that the Global Opportunities Fund’s returns may vary, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. Because the Fund may invest substantially all of its assets in common stocks, the main risk is that the value of the stocks they hold might decrease in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s share price may also decrease.
The Global Opportunities Fund primarily invests in equity securities with the objective of maximum capital appreciation. If you are considering investing in the Fund, remember that it is designed for long-term investors who seek growth of capital and who can tolerate the greater risks associated with seeking maximum capital appreciation. Investment in common stocks, particularly in common stocks of small- and medium-size companies with high growth potential, can be volatile. The value of each security held by the Fund may decline in response to conditions affecting the general economy; political, social, or economic instability at the local, regional, or global level; pandemics, epidemics and other similar circumstances in one or more countries or regions; and currency and interest rate fluctuations. The value of the Fund’s shares will go up and down due to movement of the overall stock market or of the value of the individual securities held by the Fund. Because of this volatility, we recommend that you invest in the Fund as a long-term investment only, and only for a portion of your investment portfolio, not for all of it. The Fund discourages short-term trading in its shares. Dividends are expected to be minimal and there can be no assurance that the Fund’s objective will be met.
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An investment in the Global Opportunities Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Small-sized Company Risk
Although the Fund seeks to reduce risk by investing in a diversified portfolio, you must realize that investing in smaller, and often newer, companies involves greater risk than there usually is with investing in larger, more established companies. Smaller and newer companies often have limited product lines, markets, management personnel, research and/or financial resources. The securities of small companies, which may be thinly capitalized, may not be as marketable as those of larger companies. Therefore the securities of these smaller, newer companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than the securities of larger companies or the market averages in general.
Risks Associated with Non-U.S. Companies
Investments by the Fund in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain additional investment risks different from those of U.S. issuers. These risks include: possibility of political or economic instability of the country of issue, possibility of disruption to international trade patterns, possibility of currency risk, possibility of currency exchange controls, imposition of foreign withholding taxes, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits or assets, and adoption of adverse foreign government trade restrictions. There may be less publicly available information about a non-U.S. company than about a U.S. company. Sometimes non-U.S. companies are subject to different accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards, practices, and requirements than U.S. companies. There is generally less government regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies abroad than in the U.S., which may result in less transparency with respect to a company’s operations. The absence of negotiated brokerage in certain countries may result in higher brokerage fees.
Emerging Market Risks
In addition to the risks associated with non-U.S. companies in developing or emerging markets, there is a possibility of expropriation, nationalization, confiscatory taxation or diplomatic developments that could affect investments in those countries. In addition, political and economic structures in emerging markets countries may be new and developing rapidly, which may cause instability. Emerging markets countries are also more likely to experience high levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluations, which could hurt their economies and securities markets.
Currency Risk
Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. The Fund may incur currency conversion
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costs (being the spread between buying and selling of the currency) and subject to exchange rate fluctuation risks in any such currency conversion, which may adversely affect the market value of the Fund’s investments.
Technology Sector Risk
Information technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. Like other technology companies, information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. The products of information technology companies may face product obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market.
Companies in the information technology sector are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. Finally, while all companies may be susceptible to network security breaches, certain companies in the information technology sector may be particular targets of hacking and potential theft of proprietary or consumer information or disruptions in service, which could have a material adverse effect on their businesses. These risks are heightened for information technology companies in foreign markets.
Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk
Because companies in the consumer discretionary sector manufacture products and provide discretionary services directly to the consumer, the success of these companies is tied closely to the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rates, competition and consumer confidence. Success depends heavily on disposable household income and consumer spending. Changes in demographics and consumer tastes also can affect the demand for, and success of, consumer discretionary products in the marketplace.
Investment Style Risk
There is no assurance that the common stocks of companies selected using OAM’s investment criteria will achieve long-term growth in market value.
Principal Investment Strategy of the International Funds
Each of the International Opportunities, China Opportunities and Emerging Markets Funds (each, an “International Fund” and collectively, the “International Funds”) invests principally in the common stocks of companies that OAM believes have the potential for significant long-term growth in market value.
The International Opportunities Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in the securities of companies based outside the United States.
The China Opportunities Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in China securities.
The Emerging Markets Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in securities of companies in emerging markets.
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Each International Fund seeks to invest in those companies which OAM considers to have above-average long-term growth potential. OAM selects companies which meet this criteria based on, among other things, fundamental analysis of individual securities. OAM’s fundamental analysis entails an evaluation of an individual company’s future growth prospects. OAM’s evaluation may be based on, among other things, financial statement analysis, stock valuation in relation to OAM’s estimate of future earnings, evaluation of competitive product or service offerings, future research and development pipeline and management interviews. The International Funds may invest in emerging markets and in Asian companies, including Chinese securities acquired through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect (“China Connect Securities”) with Renminbi (“RMB”), the official currency of China. OAM may actively trade the Funds’ portfolios, and as a result, the Funds’ portfolio turnover rates may be high. There are no restrictions on the capitalization of companies whose securities the Funds may buy; however, the Funds generally invest in the stocks of small- and mid-size companies which OAM generally defines as those with a market capitalization of less than $5 billion.
The International Opportunities and China Opportunities Funds seek to invest in equity securities that typically exhibit the following characteristics:
Under-Appreciated Revenue and Earnings Growth — potential for revenue and/or earnings growth in excess of consensus expectations.
Timely Catalyst — OAM looks for a recent positive earnings release or an earnings surprise that tangibly and quantitatively begins to confirm that consensus analyst expectations are too low.
Inflection Point of Change — a business that is experiencing change — often from a new product, a new management team or a regulatory change — as these changes can drive unexpected or underestimated growth. A significant gap generally exists between OAM’s forecasts and consensus analyst expectations.
Limited Analyst Coverage — a company not widely followed by other analysts to maximize the chances of finding misunderstood situations.
Sustainability — a sustainable business with a competitive position driven by niche market leadership, intellectual capital or unique manufacturing processes. Put another way, a reasonable barrier to competitive entry.
Operating Leverage — profitable and scalable business model, which tends to generate rising net profits margins as revenue growth accelerates.
Valuation — undervalued based on OAM’s growth forecasts and historical valuation metrics afforded the company and/or peers.
Although securities of a particular company may be eligible for purchase by more than one Fund, OAM may determine at any particular time to purchase a security for one Fund but not another.
Principal Risks of Investing in the International Funds
The biggest risk is that the Funds’ returns may vary, and you could lose money by investing in the Funds. Because the Funds may invest substantially all of their assets in common stocks, the main risk is that the value of the stocks they hold might decrease in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. If this occurs, a Fund’s share price may also decrease.
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The Funds primarily invest in equity securities with the objective of maximum capital appreciation. If you are considering investing in any of the Funds, remember that they are designed for long-term investors who seek growth of capital and who can tolerate the greater risks associated with seeking maximum capital appreciation. Investment in common stocks, particularly in common stocks of small- and medium-size companies with high growth potential, can be volatile. The value of the Funds’ shares will go up and down due to movement of the overall stock market or of the value of the individual securities held by the Funds. The value of each security held by the Fund may decline in response to conditions affecting the general economy; political, social, or economic instability at the local, regional, or global level; pandemics, epidemics and other similar circumstances in one or more countries or regions; and currency and interest rate fluctuations. Because of this volatility, we recommend that you invest in the Funds as a long-term investment only, and only for a portion of your investment portfolio, not for all of it. Each Fund discourages short-term trading in its shares. Dividends are expected to be minimal and there can be no assurance that a Fund’s objective will be met.
An investment in the Funds is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Small-sized Company Risk
Although each Fund seeks to reduce risk by investing in a diversified portfolio, you must realize that investing in smaller, and often newer, companies involves greater risk than there usually is with investing in larger, more established companies. Smaller and newer companies often have limited product lines, markets, management personnel, research and/or financial resources. The securities of small companies, which may be thinly capitalized, may not be as marketable as those of larger companies. Therefore the securities of these smaller, newer companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than the securities of larger companies or the market averages in general.
The Funds are subject to small-sized company risk, because although there are no restrictions on the capitalization of companies whose securities the Funds may buy, the Funds generally invest in small-sized companies.
Risks Associated with Non-U.S. Companies
Investments by the Funds in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain additional investment risks different from those of U.S. issuers. These risks include: possibility of political or economic instability of the country of issue, possibility of disruption to international trade patterns, possibility of currency risk, possibility of currency exchange controls, imposition of foreign withholding taxes, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits or assets, and adoption of adverse foreign government trade restrictions. There may be less publicly available information about a non-U.S. company than about a U.S. company. Sometimes non-U.S. companies are subject to different accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards, practices, and requirements than U.S. companies. There is generally less government regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies abroad than in the U.S., which may result in less transparency with respect to a company’s operations. The absence of negotiated brokerage in certain countries may result in higher brokerage fees.
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Emerging Market Risks
In addition to the risks associated with non-U.S. companies in developing or emerging markets, there is a possibility of expropriation, nationalization, confiscatory taxation or diplomatic developments that could affect investments in those countries. In addition, political and economic structures in emerging markets countries may be new and developing rapidly, which may cause instability. Emerging markets countries are also more likely to experience high levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluations, which could hurt their economies and securities markets.
Geographic Concentration in China (China Opportunities Fund)
The Chinese economy is generally considered an emerging and volatile market. A small number of companies represent a large portion of the China market as a whole, and prices for securities of these companies may be very sensitive to adverse political, economic, or regulatory developments in China and other Asian countries, and may experience significant losses in such conditions. China’s central government has historically exercised substantial control over the Chinese economy through administrative regulation and/or state ownership.
Despite economic reforms that have resulted in less direct central and local government control over Chinese businesses, actions of the Chinese central and local government authorities continue to have a substantial effect on economic conditions in China. These activities, which may include central planning, partial state ownership of or government actions designed to substantially influence certain Chinese industries, market sectors or particular Chinese companies, may adversely affect the public and private sector companies in which a Fund invests. Government actions may also affect the economic prospects for, and the market prices and liquidity of, the securities of China companies and the payments of dividends and interest by China companies. In addition, currency fluctuations, monetary policies, competition, social instability or political unrest may adversely affect economic growth in China. The Chinese economy and Chinese companies may also be adversely affected by regional security threats, as well as adverse developments in Chinese trade policies, or in trade policies toward China by countries that are trading partners with China. The occurrence of catastrophic events (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemic disease, acts of terrorism and other catastrophes) in Greater China could also have a negative impact on the value of Chinese securities.
Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect Programs (Stock Connect) Risk (China Opportunities Fund)
China A-Shares listed and traded on certain Chinese stock exchanges through Stock Connect, a mutual market access program designed to, among other things, enable foreign investment in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) via brokers in Hong Kong or Shenzhen, are subject to a number of restrictions imposed by Chinese securities regulations and local exchange listing rules. Because Stock Connect was initially established in November 2014, developments are likely, which may restrict or otherwise affect the fund’s investments or returns. Furthermore, any changes in laws, regulations and policies of the China A-Shares market or rules in relation to Stock Connect may affect China A-Share prices. These risks are heightened by the underdeveloped state of the PRC’s investment and banking systems in general.
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Currency Risk
Currency risk is the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of a fund’s investments. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which a fund’s investments are traded will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly for a number of reasons, including the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, actual or perceived changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad. The Fund may incur currency conversion costs (being the spread between buying and selling of the currency) and subject to exchange rate fluctuation risks in any such currency conversion, which may adversely affect the market value of the Fund’s investments.
Government Relationships Risk
While companies in Asia may be subject to limitations on their business relationships under applicable law, these laws may not be consistent with certain political and security concerns of the U.S. As a result, Asian companies may have material direct or indirect business relationships with governments that are considered state sponsors of terrorism by the U.S. government, or governments that otherwise have policies in conflict with the U.S. government (an “Adverse Government”). If a Fund invests in companies that have or develop a material business relationship with an Adverse Government, then the Fund will be subject to the risk that these companies’ reputation and price in the market will be adversely affected.
Other Investment Policies and Risks
Although each of the Funds may invest substantially all of its assets in common stocks, each Fund may also invest in convertible securities, preferred stocks, securities of foreign issuers (most of which, for the Oberweis Micro-Cap and the Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Funds, are traded on United States stock exchanges or listed on NASDAQ) and restricted securities. In addition, each Fund may establish and maintain reserves for temporary defensive purposes or to enable it to take advantage of buying opportunities. Each Fund’s reserves may be held in cash or invested in high quality money market instruments. The Funds may also lend their portfolio securities, write (sell) call options against investment positions and purchase put and call options.
Foreign Securities
Investments in foreign securities may involve greater risks than investments in domestic securities. Foreign securities tend to be more volatile than domestic securities due to a number of factors, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates; political, social or economic instability; and less stringent accounting, disclosure and financial reporting requirements in some countries. The International Funds primarily invest in foreign securities and the Global Opportunities Fund invests in foreign securities, and the associated risks of such investment are discussed in the Summary of the Global Opportunities and International Funds. While investment in foreign companies is not a current focus of the Domestic Funds, each Domestic Fund may invest to a limited extent in foreign equity and debt securities.
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Restricted Securities and Illiquid Securities
Each of the Domestic Funds and the Global Opportunities Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in securities that are not readily marketable. These include repurchase agreements with maturities of seven days or more, and securities of unseasoned issuers that have been in continuous operation for less than three years. Each Domestic Fund and the Global Opportunities Fund also may invest up to 5% of its total assets in securities where resale is legally or contractually restricted (all of which are collectively referred to as “restricted securities”); provided, however, that the Fund’s investments in illiquid securities do not exceed 15% of its net assets. Each of the International Funds may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities that are not readily marketable, including restricted securities and equity-linked certificates. The sale of restricted securities often takes more time than more liquid securities and may result in higher selling expenses. Also, a Fund may have to dispose of restricted securities at less desirable prices or at prices lower than the Fund valued the securities. A Fund may resell restricted securities to other institutions. If there is a dealer or institutional trading market in such securities, restricted securities and equity-linked certificates may be treated as exempt from each Fund’s limitation on illiquid securities.
Temporary Defensive Investments
To respond to adverse market, political or other conditions, a Fund’s cash or other similar investments may increase from time to time. When OAM temporarily increases a Fund’s cash position, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. Securities that the Funds may invest in as a means of receiving a return on idle cash include U.S. government obligations, certificates of deposit, commercial paper (rated prime 3 or better by Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or the equivalent), corporate debt securities (rated A or better by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s Corporation) and repurchase agreements.
When a Fund’s investments in cash or similar investments increase, it may not participate in market advances or declines to the same extent that it would if the Fund remained more fully invested in stocks.
Repurchase Agreements
As a means of earning income on idle cash, each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. This technique involves the purchase of a security by a Fund and a simultaneous agreement by the seller (generally a bank or dealer) to repurchase the security from the Fund at a specified date or upon demand. These securities involve the risk that the seller will fail to repurchase the security, as agreed. In that case, a Fund will bear the risk of market value fluctuations until the security can be sold and may encounter delays and incur costs in liquidating the security. A Fund cannot enter into repurchase agreements in excess of 25% of its total assets and each of the Domestic Funds and the Global Opportunities Fund cannot invest more than 5% of its total assets in repurchase agreements with maturities of seven days or more. Each of the International Funds cannot invest in repurchase agreements with maturities of seven days or more if, taken together with all other illiquid securities in the Fund’s portfolio, more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets would be invested in illiquid securities.
Lending of Fund Securities
To generate additional income, each Fund may lend its portfolio securities to qualified brokers/dealers or institutional investors. Such loans may not exceed 30% of the Fund’s total assets measured at the time of the most recent loan. For each loan, the borrower must maintain collateral at the Fund’s custodian with a value at least equal to 100% of the current market value of the security loaned.
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Convertible Securities
The Emerging Markets Fund may invest in convertible securities. The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, when interest rates rise, the price of a convertible security generally declines. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their price may change based on changes in the issuer’s financial condition. Because a convertible security derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock could impact the price of the convertible security.
FUND HOLDINGS
A description of the policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of each Fund’s investments is available in the Statement of Additional Information and on the Funds’ Web site at oberweisfunds.com.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
Investment Adviser
Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (“OAM”), 3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500, Lisle, Illinois, 60532, an investment adviser registered with the SEC, is the investment adviser to each of the Funds and is responsible for the day-to-day management of their investment portfolios and other business affairs of The Oberweis Funds and each of its Funds. OAM also offers investment advice to institutions and individual investors regarding a broad range of investment products. Certain OAM officers and employees serve as officers of the Funds.
OAM furnishes continuous advice and recommendations concerning the Funds’ investments. OAM also provides The Oberweis Funds with non-investment advisory management and administrative services necessary for the conduct of the Funds’ business. OAM furnishes the Funds with certain administrative, compliance and accounting services and provides information and certain administrative services for shareholders of the Funds. For the Domestic Funds and the Global Opportunities Fund, OAM provides these services under a management agreement, which is separate from the investment advisory agreement. For the International Funds, OAM provides these services under combined investment advisory and management agreements. OAM also provides office space and facilities for the management of the Funds and pays the salaries and fees of the Funds’ officers.
Oberweis Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited (the “Sub-Adviser”) serves as sub-adviser to the China Opportunities Fund pursuant to a contract with OAM. The Sub-Adviser, 2837, 28/F, AIA Central, No. 1, Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of OAM. The Sub-Adviser manages the composition of the portfolio and furnishes advice with respect to the China Opportunities Fund’s investments and strategies.
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