(13D ACTIVIST LOGO)

 

 

Class A: DDDAX
     
Class C: DDDCX
     
Class I: DDDIX

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

January 30, 2023

 

 

 

  Advised by:
  13D Management LLC
  152 West 57th Street
  29th Floor
  New York, NY 10019

 

 

www.13DActivistFund.com 1-877-4-13D-ACT
  (1-877-413-3228)

 

 

This Prospectus provides important information about the 13D Activist Fund (the “Fund”) that you should know before investing. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.

 

These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

FUND SUMMARY 1
Investment Objective 1
Fees and Expenses of the Fund 1
Principal Investment Strategies 1
Principal Investment Risks 2
Performance 4
Investment Adviser 4
Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager 4
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares 4
Tax Information 4
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries 4
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS 5
Investment Objective 5
Principal Investment Strategies 5
Temporary Investments 6
Principal Investment Risks 6
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure 7
Cybersecurity 8
MANAGEMENT 8
Investment Adviser 8
Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager 8
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED 9
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES 10
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES 13
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES 15
TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 16
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES 17
Distributor 17
Distribution (12b-1) and Shareholder Servicing Fees 17
Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries 17
Householding 17
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 18
PRIVACY NOTICE 21
Appendix A A-1

 

 

FUND SUMMARY

 

Investment Objective:

The Fund’s investment objective is capital appreciation.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund:

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. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on purchases of Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in the Fund. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in How to Purchase Shares on page 10 of the Fund’s Prospectus.

 

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
Class
A
Class
C
Class
I
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a % of offering price)
5.75% None None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a % of original purchase price)
1.00% 1.00% None
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on
Reinvested Dividends and other Distributions
None None None
Redemption Fee
(as a % of amount redeemed, if sold within 30 days)
None None None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a
percentage of the value of your investment)
     
Management Fees 1.50% 1.50% 1.50%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 0.25% 1.00% 0.00%
Other Expenses 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(1) 0.01% 0.01% 0.01%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(2) 1.76% 2.51% 1.51%

 

(1)Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect costs of investing in other investment companies. This is the amount indirectly paid by the Fund to an unaffiliated money market fund to manage the Fund’s cash.

 

(2)Total annual fund operating expenses do not correspond to the ratios of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

Example:

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based upon these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Class 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Class A $744 $1,097 $1,474 $2,529
Class C $254 $782 $1,335 $2,846
Class I $154 $477 $824 $1,802

 

Portfolio Turnover:

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 38% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Strategies:

13D Management LLC (the “Adviser”), seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by investing primarily in common stocks of U.S. companies of any market capitalization that are the target of shareholder activism. The Adviser defines an activist as an investor who holds more than 5% of a company’s shares and either (A) has a history of activist investing and/or (B) has publicly disclosed a catalyst for change such as seeking board seats, improving operations and/or corporate governance practices, approving a merger, spinning-off an operating division or selling a significant amount of company assets (such an investor being referred to herein as an “activist”). The Adviser derives its activist information primarily from legally mandated filings known as “13D” filings. Rules adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 require a shareholder that acquires more than 5% of a company’s shares to file a form with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) known as a Schedule 13D that discloses the investor’s identity and its intent to influence management. The Adviser reviews all material activist situations and makes investment decisions based on its knowledge of the activist investor involved, the industry, the shareholder base, the activist’s average cost, its strategy and the Adviser’s determination of the chance of success and potential impact on share price.

1

 

Environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) is a central part of the Fund’s investment process. The Adviser screens every SEC 13D filing (approximately 1,500 per year) and 13D Amendment (approximately 4,000 per year) and only selects situations where the shareholder will be improving or participating in corporate governance or otherwise influencing management. Accordingly, at least 75% of the Fund’s portfolio positions will have a shareholder representative on the board of directors who advocates for best-in-class corporate governance practices and a shareholder focused mentality. The Adviser does not only screen for companies with good corporate governance, because it believes there is more of a social benefit in identifying poor corporate governance companies and supporting a transition to good corporate governance. Implementing best corporate governance practices can range from completely changing corporate culture to replacing entrenched, conflicted and self-dealing management teams. It is the Adviser’s experience that it is the governance element that also leads to environmental and social improvements in the business practices of the Fund’s portfolio companies. Every portfolio position contains an engaged investor and most contain a shareholder representative on the board of directors. We believe these individuals are in a unique position to not only create economic value but also drive positive ESG improvement and we are in a unique position to communicate our ESG thesis, comments and ideas to these individuals. We refer to this as Active ESG (“AESG”).1

 

The Adviser uses the following selection guidelines to create and manage the Fund’s investment portfolio:

 

Selecting Investment Universe: Identify companies where an activist investor is involved.
   
Weighting Investments: Different weights will be given to each investment depending on the (i) type of activist intent stated, (ii) the activist involved, (iii) the industry involved, and (iv) the Adviser’s determination as to the chance of activist success.
   
Exiting Investments: Exiting an investment is an integral part of the investment strategy. Primary exit triggers are when: (i) the activist sells down its position so it holds less than 5%, (ii) the activist otherwise indicates that he is exiting the investment, (iii) the activist becomes a passive investor, and (iv) in the Adviser’s opinion, the activist catalyst has changed.

 

While the Adviser’s guidelines will define the trading horizon, this horizon may change based on other events. For example, an early exit of a Fund position may be warranted after the activist has attained most of its goals. The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest in fewer issuers than a diversified fund. The Adviser may engage in frequent buying and selling of securities in managing the Fund’s portfolio.

 

Principal Investment Risks:

As with all mutual funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value and performance.

 

Market and Geopolitical Risk: The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, international conflicts, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as terrorist attacks around the world, natural disasters, social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects. Any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the forced or voluntary closure of, or operational changes to, many retail and other businesses, had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your investment. Therefore, the Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates can have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments. In times of severe market disruptions you could lose your entire investment. The Adviser’s specialized research helps to mitigate this risk. In the event activists have a period of significant underperformance, the Funds may also experience a period of underperformance. The Adviser endeavors to address this risk through diversification across several activists, activist styles, and strategies.

 

 
1Active ESG (or AESG) investors are investors who actively engage with portfolio companies to induce change to better the environment, social aspects and/or governance. It is our experience that the way to truly create real ESG change is to invest with the ESG investors who have someone in the boardroom.

2

 

Equity Securities Risk: The prices of equity and preferred securities fluctuate based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The value of equity securities purchased by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in decline or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate.

 

ESG Risk: In seeking investor returns, the Adviser’s consideration of certain ESG factors in managing the Fund’s portfolio subjects it to a variety of risks, not all of which can be foreseen or quantified. When evaluating potential investment opportunities, in addition to financial return, an investment’s potential to achieve a positive social or environmental impact may be considered. Any determination about whether or not an investment has the potential to achieve a positive social or environmental impact will be made in the Adviser’s sole discretion. The determination about what constitutes a positive social impact is inherently subjective, and what the Adviser considers to be socially beneficial may not necessarily reflect the views of all prospective investors. In addition, it is possible that the investments in which the Fund invests are unable to obtain or realize the positive social or environmental impact that they seek to deliver.

 

Non-Diversification Risk: The Fund is a non-diversified investment company, which makes the value of the Fund’s shares more susceptible to certain risks than shares of a diversified investment company. The Fund has a greater potential to realize losses upon the occurrence of adverse events affecting a particular issuer.

 

Small and Medium Capitalization Stock Risk: The value of small or medium capitalization company stocks may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.

 

Conflicts of Interest Risk: The Adviser have conflicts of interest that could interfere with their management of the Fund. These conflicts, which are described in more detail in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). The principal owner of the Adviser also operates an institutional research firm which is under common control of the Adviser. The Adviser’s affiliate publishes reports on all material 13D filings to subscribers. The affiliate is not a registered investment adviser and the information contained in the reports is not organized or presented in a manner that suggests the holding, purchase or sale of any security. The subscribers to the reports are a variety of organizations including investment banks and law firms, many long/short hedge funds, large institutional investors, activist hedge funds, investor relations companies and proxy solicitors. Although the securities of companies described in the reports may be eligible for the Fund’s portfolio, the reports do not indicate whether or not securities of such companies will be bought or sold by the Fund. In addition, subscribers receive no nonpublic information regarding holdings of the Fund’s portfolio. However, subscribers may make their own investment decisions using information contained in the reports. If subscribers buy or sell securities that are described in the reports, this could negatively impact the price of securities bought or sold by the Fund.

 

Management Risk: The Adviser’s dependence on its activist strategy and objective judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect as there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s investment strategy will produce the desired results.

 

Regulatory Risk: Legal, tax, and regulatory developments may adversely affect the Fund. The regulatory environment for the Fund is evolving, and changes in the regulation of investment funds and other financial institutions or products, and their trading activities and capital markets, or a regulator’s disagreement with the Fund’s interpretation of the application of certain regulations, may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategy.

 

Shareholder Concentration Risk: The Fund is used as an investment in certain model portfolios or other asset allocation programs sponsored by financial intermediaries and may have a large percentage of its shares held in such programs. The Fund may experience large redemptions or large purchases if any of these programs reduce or increase their targeted allocations to the Fund. Other large investors also may have a significant ownership stake in the Fund. Large redemption or purchase activity could have adverse effects on performance to the extent that the Fund incurs additional costs or is required to sell securities, invest cash, or hold a relatively large amount of cash at times when it would not otherwise do so.

3

 

Performance:

The bar chart and performance table below show the variability of the Fund’s returns, which is some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows performance of the Fund’s Class I shares for each full calendar year since the Fund’s inception. Class A and Class C shares will be similar because they invest in the same portfolio of securities and underlying funds, but their performance will vary due to differences in fees. The performance table compares the performance of the Fund’s Class I, Class A and Class C shares over time to the performance of a broad-based securities market index. You should be aware that the Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) may not be an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available at no cost by visiting www.13DActivistFund.com or by calling 1-877-413-3228.

 

Class I Annual Total Return for Calendar Years Ended December 31

 

(BAR GRAPH)

 

Best Quarter 2nd Quarter 2020 29.98%
Worst Quarter 1st Quarter 2020 (30.25)%

 

Performance Table

Average Annual Total Returns

(For periods ended December 31, 2022)

 

  One
Year
Five
Years
Ten
Years
Class I shares return before taxes (17.51)% 5.23% 10.37%
Class I shares return after taxes on distributions (19.16)% 3.55% 9.11%
Class I shares return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares (9.14)% 3.99% 8.33%
Class A shares return before taxes with sales load (22.44)% 3.74% 9.44%
Class C shares return before taxes (18.30)% 4.19% 9.29%
Russell 2500 Total Return Index(1) (18.37)% 5.89% 10.03%

 

(1)The Russell 2500 is a broad index, featuring 2,500 stocks that cover the small- and mid-cap market capitalizations. It is a market cap-weighted index that includes the smallest 2,500 companies covered in the Russell 3000 universe of US-based listed equities. This index has been selected because it is more reflective of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. Investors cannot invest directly into the index.

 

After-tax returns were calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold shares of the Fund through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). After tax returns for Class A and Class C shares, which are not shown, will vary from Class I shares.

 

Investment Adviser: 13D Management LLC is the Fund’s investment adviser, (the “Adviser”).

 

Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager: Ken Squire, the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of the Adviser, has served the Fund as its Portfolio Manager since it commenced operations in 2011.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: You may purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading by written request, telephone or website. The minimum initial and subsequent investment in Class A and Class C shares is $2,500 and $500. The minimum initial investment in Class I shares is $1,000,000. Subsequent investment in Class I shares may be made in any amount.

 

Tax Information: Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund, whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash, are taxable to you at either ordinary income or capital gains tax rates unless you are investing through a tax-deferred plan such as an IRA or 401(k) plan.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund, its related companies and/or Adviser may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

4

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

 

Investment Objective: The Fund’s investment objective is capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

 

Principal Investment Strategies: The Adviser, 13D Management LLC, seeks to achieve the Fund’s investment objective by investing primarily in common stocks of U.S. companies of any market capitalization that are the target of shareholder activism. The Adviser defines an activist situation as one that holds more than 5% of a company’s shares and either (A) has a history of activist investing and/or (B) has a publicly disclosed catalyst for change such as seeking board seats, improving operations and/or corporate governance practices, approving a merger, spinning-off an operating division or selling a significant amount of company assets (such an investor being referred to herein as an “activist”). The Adviser derives its activist information primarily from legally mandated filings known as “13D” filings. Rules adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 require a shareholder that acquires more than 5% of a company’s shares to file a form with the SEC known as a Schedule 13D that discloses the investor’s identity and its intent to influence management. The Adviser reviews all material activist situations and makes investment decisions based on its knowledge of the activist investor involved, the industry, the shareholder base, the activist’s average cost, its strategy and the Adviser’s determination of the chance of success and potential impact on share price.

 

Environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) is a central part the Fund’s investment process. The Adviser screens every SEC 13D filing (approximately 1,500 per year) and 13D Amendment (approximately 4,000 per year) and only selects situations where the shareholder will be improving or participating in corporate governance or otherwise influencing management. Accordingly, at least 75% of the Fund’s portfolio positions will have a shareholder representative on the board of directors who advocates for best-in-class corporate governance practices and a shareholder focused mentality. The Adviser does not only screen for companies with good corporate governance, because it believes there is more of a social benefit in identifying poor corporate governance companies and supporting a transition to good corporate governance. Implementing best corporate governance practices can range from completely changing corporate culture to replacing entrenched, conflicted and self-dealing management teams. It is the Adviser’s experience that the governance element that may also lead to Environmental and Social improvements in the business practices of the Fund’s portfolio companies. Every portfolio position contains an engaged investor and most contain a shareholder representative on the board of directors. We believe these individuals are in a unique position to not only create economic value but also drive positive ESG improvement and we are in a unique position to communicate our ESG thesis, comments and ideas to these individuals. We refer to this as Active ESG (“AESG”)2.

 

The Adviser uses the following selection guidelines to create and manage the Fund’s investment portfolio:

 

Selecting the Investments: Identify companies where there is a material activist situation. The Adviser defines “material activist situations” as situations where companies are subject to the influence of an activist investor or any investor that has stated a real activist intent.

 

Weighing the Investments: Different weights will be given to each investment depending on, among other things, the type of activist intent stated, the activist involved and the industry. Investments will only be made in select material activist situations. Filings by activists that the Adviser has identified as “Tier 1” activists (based on their activist history and the Adviser’s opinion) may be given more weight than other activists. The Adviser’s view is informed by an ongoing analysis and will change over time as more and newer data becomes available. The Adviser’s assessment of the probability of success will be a key element in determining how much weight, if any, to give an investment.

 

Exiting Investments: When to exit the investment is an integral part of the investment strategy. The Adviser believes that because activists accrue 5% of their position before making a public filing, they often have an advantage in the “buy.” However, since an activist will have a large block, potentially a board seat and other legal and business restrictions, it may not be as nimble as the Fund when selling its position. The Adviser anticipates that the Fund will be able to sell down its position easier and faster than the activist, and thus, the Fund will have an advantage in the “sell.” Investments would be exited upon many different events.

 

(i)The Adviser activist sells its position, so it holds less than 5%, the activist sells its position entirely or the activist becomes a passive investor.

 

(ii)The Adviser may also elect to sell a security when a catalyst for which the investment is based changes.

 

(iii)The Adviser may also elect to sell a security or adjust a security’s weighting in the portfolio based on the recommendation of the portfolio manager to rebalance the portfolio to adjust exposures to specific holdings within the portfolio.

 

 
2Active ESG (or AESG) investors are investors who actively engage with portfolio companies to induce change to better the environment, social aspects and/or governance. It is our experience that the way to truly create real ESG change is to invest with the ESG investors who have someone in the boardroom.

5

 

While these guidelines will define the trading horizon, this horizon may change based on other events. For example, an early exit may be warranted after the activist has attained most of its goals, there has been a sufficient return on the investment, and there are other activist opportunities that offer a better return. The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in any one issuer than a diversified fund.

 

Temporary Investments: To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may invest 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities and money market instruments. These short-term debt securities and money market instruments include shares of money market mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements. While the Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve its investment objective will be limited. Furthermore, to the extent that the Fund invests in money market mutual funds for cash positions, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund pays its pro-rata portion of such money market funds’ advisory fees and operational fees. The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies.

 

Risks

 

An investment in the Fund entails substantial risks. You may lose part or all of your investment and/or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. An investment in the Fund should be viewed only as part of an overall investment program. No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment program will be successful. The following is a summary description of the principal risks of investing in the Fund.

 

The relative significance of the principal risks identified below, at any given time, will vary depending on the specific composition of the Fund’s investment portfolio from time to time and the allocation of the Fund’s assets among the various investment strategies, which may change frequently and/or significantly over time.

 

Principal Investment Risks:

 

Market and Geopolitical Risk: The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, international conflicts, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years, such as terrorist attacks around the world, natural disasters, social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. It is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects. Any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund. The current coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the forced or voluntary closure of, or operational changes to, many retail and other businesses, had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may impact your investment. Therefore, the Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market downturns. During a general market downturn, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates can have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments. In times of severe market disruptions you could lose your entire investment. The Adviser’s specialized research helps to mitigate this risk. In the event activists have a period of significant underperformance, the Funds may also experience a period of underperformance. The Adviser endeavors to address this risk through diversification across several activists, activist styles, and strategies.

 

Equity Securities Risk: Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The prices of equity securities will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equities. The value of equity securities purchased by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in decline or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. They may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or an increase in production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. In addition, they may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment.

 

ESG Risk: In seeking investor returns, the Adviser’s consideration of certain ESG factors in managing the Fund’s portfolio subjects it to a variety of risks, not all of which can be foreseen or quantified. When evaluating potential investment opportunities, in addition to financial return, an investment’s potential to achieve a positive social or environmental impact may be considered. Any determination about whether or not an investment has the potential to achieve a positive social or environmental impact will be made in the Adviser’s sole discretion. The determination about what constitutes a positive social impact is inherently subjective, and what the Adviser considers to be socially beneficial may not necessarily reflect the views of all prospective investors. In addition, it is possible that the investments in which the Fund invests are unable to obtain or realize the positive social or environmental impact that they seek to deliver.

6

 

Non-Diversification Risk: The Fund is a non-diversified investment company, which makes the value of the Fund’s shares more susceptible to certain risks than shares of a diversified investment company. The Fund has a greater potential to realize losses upon the occurrence of adverse events affecting a particular issuer. As a non-diversified fund, the Fund may invest greater than 5% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers. Because a relatively high percentage of the assets of the Fund may be invested in the securities of a limited number of issuers, the value of shares of the Fund may be more sensitive to any single economic, business, political or regulatory occurrence than the value of shares of a diversified investment company. This fluctuation, if significant, may affect the performance of the Fund.

 

Small and Medium Capitalization Stock Risk: The Adviser may invest in companies of all sizes, a portion of Fund’s assets may be invested in securities of companies with small to medium-sized market capitalizations, including growth stage companies. The value of small or medium capitalization company stocks may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market in general. These companies may have narrower markets, limited product lines, fewer financial resources, and they may be dependent on a limited management group. Investing in lesser-known, small and medium capitalization companies involves greater risk of volatility of the Fund’s net asset values than is customarily associated with larger, more established companies. Often smaller and medium capitalization companies and the industries in which they are focused are still evolving and, while this may offer better growth potential than larger, more established companies, it also may make them more sensitive to changing market conditions.

 

Conflicts of Interest Risk: The Adviser has conflicts of interest that could interfere with their management of the Fund. These conflicts, which are described in more detail in the SAI. The principal owner of the Adviser also operates an institutional research firm which firm is under common control of the Adviser. The Adviser’s affiliate publishes reports on all material 13D filings to subscribers. The affiliate is not an investment adviser and the information contained in the reports is not organized or presented in a manner that suggests the holding, purchase or sale of any security. The subscribers to the reports are a variety of organizations including investment banks and law firms, many long/short hedge funds, large institutional investors, activist hedge funds, investor relations companies and proxy solicitors. Although the securities of companies described in the reports may be eligible for the Fund portfolio, the reports do not indicate whether or not securities of such companies will be bought or sold by the Fund. In addition, subscribers receive no nonpublic information regarding holdings of the Fund’s portfolio. However, subscribers may make their own investment decisions using information contained in the reports. If subscribers buy or sell securities that are described in the reports, this could negatively impact the price of securities bought or sold by the Fund.

 

Shareholder Concentration Risk: Large purchase or redemption activity could have adverse effects on performance if the Fund were required to sell securities, invest cash, or hold a relatively large amount of cash at times when it would not otherwise do so. Large redemptions in the Fund may also result in higher levels of realized capital gains or losses with respect to the Fund’s portfolio securities, higher brokerage commissions and other transaction costs. The Fund may be used as an investment in certain model portfolios or other asset allocation programs sponsored by financial intermediaries. The Fund may have all or a large percentage of its shares owned by such programs or other large shareholders from time to time. Should such financial intermediary or other large shareholder change investment strategies or investment allocations such that fewer assets are invested in the Fund or the Fund is no longer used as an investment, the Fund could experience large redemptions of its shares, potentially requiring the Fund to dispose of its assets at disadvantageous prices.

 

Management Risk: The net asset value of the Fund changes daily based on the performance of the securities in which it invests. The ability of the Fund to meet its investment objective is directly related to the Adviser’s allocation of the Fund’s assets using its activist strategy. The Adviser’s objective judgments, based on investment strategy, about the attractiveness and potential appreciation of particular investments in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the adviser’s investment strategy will produce the desired results.

 

Regulatory Risk: Legal, tax, and regulatory developments may adversely affect the Fund. Securities and derivatives markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements enforced by the SEC, the CFTC, other regulators and self- regulatory organizations, and exchanges authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of market emergencies. The regulatory environment for the Fund is evolving, and changes in the regulation of investment funds, registered investment advisors, and their trading activities and capital markets, or a regulator’s disagreement with the Fund’s interpretation of the application of certain regulations, may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to pursue its investment strategy. Shareholders should understand that the Fund’s business is dynamic and is expected to change over time. Therefore, the Fund may be subject to new or additional regulatory constraints in the future. This Prospectus cannot address or anticipate every possible current or future regulation that may affect the Fund, the Adviser or the businesses of each. Such regulations may have a significant impact on shareholders or the operations of the Fund.

 

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure: A description of the Fund’s policies regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information. Fund reports portfolio holdings information as of each month-end to the SEC within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter by filing Form N-PORT with the SEC. Within 60 days after the end of the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters, the Fund will also publicly disclose in an exhibit to its Form N-PORT filing the Fund’s complete schedule of portfolio holdings as of the close of the period. The Fund also publicly discloses its complete portfolio holdings information for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year by filing Form N-CSR with the SEC. The Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports are made available on the Fund’s website, generally within 60 days after the end of each semi-annual period. The Fund may, from time to time, make available month-end portfolio holdings information on the website www.13DActivistFund.com. Shareholders may request portfolio holdings schedules at no charge by calling 1-877-413-3228.

7

 

Cybersecurity: The computer systems, networks and devices used by the Fund, the Adviser and its other service providers to carry out routine business operations employ a variety of protections designed to prevent damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and security breaches. Despite the various protections utilized by the Fund and its service providers, systems, networks, or devices potentially can be breached. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of a cybersecurity breach.

 

Cybersecurity breaches can include unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices; infection from computer viruses or other malicious software code; and attacks that shut down, disable, slow, or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, or website access or functionality. Cybersecurity breaches may cause disruptions and impact the Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses; interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV; impediments to trading; the inability of the Fund, the Adviser, and other service providers to transact business; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs; as well as the inadvertent release of confidential information.

 

Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity breaches affecting issuers of securities in which the Fund invests; counterparties with which the Fund engages in transactions; governmental and other regulatory authorities; exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and service providers for the Fund’s shareholders); and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred by these entities in order to prevent any cybersecurity breaches in the future.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

Investment Adviser: 13D Management LLC, located at 152 West 57th Street 29th Floor New York, NY 10019, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees (“Board”), the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs. The Adviser is responsible for selecting the Fund’s investments according to its investment objective, polices, and restrictions. The Adviser was established in 2010 for the purpose of advising the Fund and is a registered investment adviser with the SEC. The Adviser may also provide investment advisory services to private fund vehicles. As of September 30, 2022, the Adviser had total assets under management of approximately $197 million.

 

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement, Adviser receives a monthly advisory fee payment from the Fund that is equivalent to a fixed annualized percentage of 1.50% based on the Fund’s average daily net assets basis. The Adviser employs a unitary fee structure whereby it pays all operating expenses of the Fund, including fees payable to other service providers of the Fund, with the exception of certain brokerage fees and commissions, and such extraordinary or non-recurring expenses that may arise, including litigation to which the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) of the Northern Lights Fund Trust (the “Trust”) and officers with respect thereto. The Fund pays certain distribution expenses that it is authorized to pay pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board approval of the advisory agreement is available in the Fund’s semi-annual shareholder report dated March 31, 2022. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Adviser received an annual advisory fee equal to 1.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager: Ken Squire is the principal owner of the Adviser and has served as the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in in 2011. Mr. Squire is also the founder and principal owner of Investor Communications Network LLC, which operates 13D Monitor, an institutional research firm specializing in shareholder activism and corporate governance, and he has been a thought leader in those areas ever since. Through 13D Monitor, Mr. Squire has been providing research, analysis and insight on shareholder activism, corporate governance and ESG to many of the top institutional investors and corporate governance stakeholders in the United States. From 2007 until 2020, Mr. Squire wrote the weekly Activist Spotlight column for Barron’s and since 2020 he has been writing it for CNBC where he is an on-air contributor for shareholder activism and corporate governance. In 2010, Mr. Squire created the Active-Passive Investor Summit to bring the activist and passive investment worlds together to discuss topics in corporate governance. The conference has been held every year since then and has brought leading activists together on the same stage in front of many of the leading corporate governance and mutual fund executives. Prior to founding 13D Monitor in 2006, Mr. Squire was a private equity investor as a principal of LSC Investors and Crown Capital Group, where he worked on various investments in public and private companies, starting in 1997. Previously, Mr. Squire was an associate in the Corporate and Securities Department at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LLP in their New York law office from 1992 to 1997. Mr. Squire holds a B.S. with a concentration in finance from New York University’s Stern School and a J.D. from New York University (“NYU”) School of Law where he was an editor of the NYU Law Review.

 

Further information regarding the portfolio manager of the Fund, including compensation, other accounts managed, and ownership of securities in the Fund, is available in the SAI.

8

 

HOW SHARES ARE PRICED

 

The net asset value (“NAV”) and offering price (NAV plus any applicable sales charges) of each class of shares is determined as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), generally 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), on each day the NYSE is open for business. NAV is computed by determining, on a per class basis, the aggregate market value of all assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding ((assets-liabilities)/number of shares = NAV). The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NAV takes into account, on a per class basis, the expenses and fees of the Fund, including management, and distribution fees, which are accrued daily. The determination of NAV for a share class for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of shares, received by the Fund (or an authorized broker or agent, or its authorized designee) before the close of trading on the NYSE on that day.

 

Generally, the Fund’s securities traded on a securities exchange for which a last-quoted sales price is readily available, will be valued at the last quoted sales price as reported by the primary exchange on which the security is listed. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange on which the securities are listed. In the absence of a sale, equity securities traded on a securities exchange will be valued at the mean between the last bid and ask prices on the primary exchange. Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Securities that are not traded or dealt in any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter (“OTC”) market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the last bid and ask price on such OTC market. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity.

 

If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different from the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available. The Board has designed the Adviser as its “Valuation Designee” to execute these proceures. The Adviser may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews the execution of this process at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.

 

The Fund may use independent pricing services to assist in calculating the value of the Fund’s securities. In addition, market prices for foreign securities are not determined at the same time of day as the NAV for the Fund. In computing the NAV, the Fund values foreign securities held by the Fund at the latest closing price on the exchange in which they are traded immediately prior to closing of the NYSE. Prices of foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates. If events materially affecting the value of a security in the Fund’s portfolio, particularly foreign securities, occur after the close of trading on a foreign market but before the Fund prices its shares, the security will be valued at fair value. For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV, the Adviser may need to price the security using the Fund’s fair value pricing guidelines. Without a fair value price, short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of the Fund’s NAV by short -term traders. The determination of fair value involves subjective judgments. As a result, using fair value to price a security may result in a price materially different from the prices used by other mutual funds to determine net asset value, or from the price that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security.

 

With respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, the Fund’s NAV is calculated based upon the net asset values of those open-end management investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.

9

 

HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES

 

Share Classes: This Prospectus describes three classes of shares offered by the Fund: Class A, Class C and Class I. The Fund offers these three classes of shares so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs. Refer to the information below so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs. The main differences between each class are ongoing fees, sales charges and minimum investment amounts. Class A and Class C shares pay an annual fee of 0.25% and 1.00% for distribution expenses, respectively, pursuant to plans adopted under Rule 12b-1. Class I shares do not pay distribution fees. In choosing which class of shares to purchase, you should consider which will be most beneficial to you, given the amount of your purchase and the length of time you expect to hold the shares. Each class of shares in the Fund represents interest in the same portfolio of investments within the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to waive sales charges and investment minimums. All share classes may not be available for purchase in all states.

 

Class A Shares: Class A shares are offered at the public offering price, which is net asset value per share plus the applicable sales charge. The minimum initial investment in the Class A shares is $2,500 and the minimum subsequent investment is $500. The sales charge varies, depending on how much you invest. There are no sales charges on reinvested distributions. If you invest in more than one class of the Fund, you should notify the Fund of your combined Class A purchase amount in order to determine whether you qualify for a reduced sales charge. You can also qualify for a sales charge reduction or waiver through a right of accumulation or a letter of intent if you are a U.S. resident. See the discussions of “Right of Accumulation” and “Letter of Intent” below. The following sales charges apply to your purchases of Class A shares of the Fund:

 

Amount Invested Sales Charge as a %
of Offering Price(1)
Sales Charge as a %
of Amount Invested
Dealer
Reallowance(2)
Less than $50,000 5.75% 6.10% 5.00%
$50,000 but less than $100,000 4.75% 4.99% 4.00%
$100,000 to $249,999 3.75% 3.83% 3.25%
$250,000 to $499,999 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
$500,000 to $999,999 2.00% 2.04% 1.75%
$1,000,000 and above None None None

 

(1)Offering price includes the front-end sales load. The sales charge you pay may differ slightly from the amount set forth above because of rounding that occurs in the calculation used to determine your sales charge.

 

(2)Represents the amount of the sales charge retained by the selling broker-dealer.

 

The Adviser shall reimburse the Fund up to 1.00% in connection with commissions retained by authorized broker-dealers on purchases of Class A shares over $1 million. The commission rate is determined based on the purchase amount combined with the current market value of existing investments in Class A shares. Dealer reallowance is the amount of the sales charge paid to authorized broker-dealers for sale of fund shares.

 

As shown, investors that purchase $1,000,000 or more of Fund shares will not pay any initial sales charge on the purchase. However, purchases of $1,000,000 or more of Fund shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) on shares redeemed during the first 12 months after their purchase in the amount of the commissions paid on those shares redeemed.

 

You may be able to buy Class A Shares without a sales charge (i.e. “load-waived”) when you are:

 

reinvesting dividends or distributions,

 

participating in an investment advisory or agency commission program under which you pay a fee to an investment adviser or other firm for portfolio management or brokerage services,

 

exchanging an investment in Class A Shares of another fund for an investment in the Fund,

 

a current or former director or trustee of the Trust,

 

an employee (including the employee’s spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, and any independent of the employee, as defined in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code) of the Fund’s Adviser or its affiliates or of a broker-dealer authorized to sell shares of such funds,

 

purchasing shares through the Fund’s Adviser or friends and family of the Fund’s Adviser, or

 

purchasing shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer, investment adviser or financial institution) that has a special arrangement with the Fund.

 

Whether a sales charge waiver is available for your retirement plan or charitable account depends upon the policies and procedures of your intermediary. Please contact your financial adviser for further information.

10

 

Right of Accumulation: For the purposes of determining the applicable reduced sales charge, the right of accumulation allows you to include prior purchases of Class A shares of any Fund as part of your current investment as well as reinvested dividends. To qualify for this option, you must be either:

 

an individual,

 

an individual and spouse purchasing shares for your own account or trust or custodial accounts for your minor children, or

 

a fiduciary purchasing for any one trust, estate or fiduciary account, including employee benefit plans created under sections 401, 403 or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code, including related plans of the same employer.

 

If you plan to rely on this right of accumulation, you must notify the Fund’s distributor, Foreside Financial Services, LLC (“Distributor”) at the time of your purchase. You will need to give the distributor your account numbers. Existing holdings of family members or other related accounts of a shareholder may be combined for purposes of determining eligibility. If applicable, you will need to provide the account numbers of your spouse and your minor children as well as the ages of your minor children.

 

Letter of Intent: The letter of intent allows you to count all investments within a 13-month period in Class A shares of the Fund as if you were making them all at once for the purposes of calculating the applicable reduced sales charges. The minimum initial investment under a letter of intent is 5% of the total letter of intent amount. The letter of intent does not preclude the Fund from discontinuing sales of its shares. You may include a purchase not originally made pursuant to a letter of intent under a letter of intent entered into within 90 days of the original purchase. To determine the applicable sales charge reduction, you may also include (1) the cost of shares of the Fund which were previously purchased at a price including a front end sales charge during the 90-day period prior to the distributor receiving the letter of intent, and (2) the historical cost of shares of the Fund you currently own acquired in exchange for shares of Funds purchased during that period at a price including a front-end sales charge. You may combine purchases and exchanges by family members (limited to spouse and children, under the age of 21, living in the same household). You should retain any records necessary to substantiate historical costs because the Fund, the transfer agent and any financial intermediaries may not maintain this information. Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends are not aggregated to achieve the stated investment goal.

 

Class C Shares: Class C shares of the Fund are offered at their NAV without an initial sales charge. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund. Class C shares pay up to 1.00% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets as reimbursement or compensation for service and distribution-related activities with respect to the Fund and/or shareholder services. Over time, fees paid under this distribution and service plan will increase the cost of a Class C shareholder’s investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges.

 

Brokers may also receive distribution and/or shareholder service fees for Class C shares held for over a year.

 

If you redeem Class C shares within one year after purchase, you will be charged a CDSC of up to 1.00%. The charge will apply to the lesser of the original cost of the Class C shares being redeemed or the proceeds of your redemption and will be calculated without regard to any redemption fee. When you redeem Class C shares, the redemption order is processed so that the lowest CDSC is charged. Class C shares that are not subject to a CDSC are redeemed first. In addition, you will not be charged a CDSC when you redeem shares that you acquired through reinvestment of Fund dividends or capital gains. Any CDSC paid on the redemptions of Class C shares expressed as a percentage of the applicable redemption amount may be higher or lower than the charge described due to rounding.

 

The minimum initial investment in the Class C shares is $2,500 and the minimum subsequent investment is $500.

 

Class I Shares: Class I shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge and are not subject to 12b-1 distribution fees, but have a higher minimum initial investment than Class A and Class C shares. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund. Class I shares require a minimum initial investment of $1,000,000. Class I Shares may also be available on certain brokerage platforms. An investor transacting in Class I Shares through a broker acting as an agent for the investor may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker.

 

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Share Class: When deciding which class of shares of the Fund to purchase, you should consider your investment goals, present and future amounts you may invest in the Fund, and the length of time you intend to hold your shares. To help you make a determination as to which class of shares to buy, please refer back to the examples of the Fund’s expenses over time in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section in this Prospectus. You should consult with your financial adviser for advice with regard to which share class would be most appropriate for you.

 

Purchasing Shares: You may purchase shares of the Fund by sending a completed application form to the following address:

 

via Regular Mail:
13D Activist Fund
c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
P.O. Box 541150
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
or Overnight Mail:
13D Activist Fund
c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100
Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474

11

 

The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions, including the Fund, to adopt certain policies and programs to prevent money-laundering activities, including procedures to verify the identity of customers opening new accounts. As requested on the application, you should supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. Mailing addresses containing a P.O. Box will not be accepted. This information will assist the Fund in verifying your identity. Until such verification is made, the Fund may temporarily limit additional share purchases. In addition, the Fund may limit additional share purchases or close an account if it is unable to verify a shareholder’s identity. As required by law, the Fund may employ various procedures, such as comparing the information to fraud databases or requesting additional information or documentation from you, to ensure that the information supplied by you is correct.

 

Transactions through www.13DActivistFund.com: You may purchase the Fund’s shares and redeem the Fund’s shares through the website www.13DActivistFund.com. To establish internet transaction privileges you must enroll through the website. You automatically have the ability to establish internet transaction privileges unless you decline the privileges on your New Account Application or IRA Application. You will be required to enter into a user’s agreement through the website in order to enroll in these privileges. In order to conduct internet transactions, you must have telephone transaction privileges. To purchase shares through the website you must also have ACH instructions on your account.

 

Redemption proceeds may be sent to you by check to the address of record, or if your account has existing bank information, by wire or ACH. Only bank accounts held at domestic financial institutions that are ACH members can be used for transactions through the website. Transactions through the website are subject to the same minimums as other transaction methods.

 

You should be aware that the internet is an unsecured, unstable, unregulated and unpredictable environment. Your ability to use the website for transactions is dependent upon the internet and equipment, software, systems, data and services provided by various vendors and third parties. While the Fund and its service providers have established certain security procedures, the Fund, its Distributor and its transfer agent cannot assure you that trading information will be completely secure.

 

There may also be delays, malfunctions, or other inconveniences generally associated with this medium. There also may be times when the website is unavailable for Fund transactions or other purposes. Should this happen, you should consider purchasing or redeeming shares by another method. Neither the Fund or its transfer agent, Distributor or Adviser will be liable for any such delays or malfunctions or unauthorized interception or access to communications or account information.

 

Automatic Investment Plan: You may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts. You may elect to make subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at 1-877-413-3228 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan.

 

Purchase through Brokers: You may invest in the Fund through brokers or agents who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund’s Distributor. The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. Such brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Fund’s behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or its designee receives the order. The broker or agent may set their own initial and subsequent investment minimums. You may be charged a fee if you use a broker or agent to buy or redeem shares of the Fund. Finally, various servicing agents use procedures and impose restrictions that may be in addition to, or different from those applicable to investors purchasing shares directly from the Fund. You should carefully read the program materials provided to you by your servicing agent.

 

Purchase by Wire: If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at 1-877-413-3228 for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Fund’s designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds.

 

Automated Clearing House (ACH) Purchase: Current shareholders may purchase additional shares via Automated Clearing House (“ACH”). To have this option added to your account, please send a letter to the Fund requesting this option and supply a voided check for the bank account. Only bank accounts held at domestic institutions that are ACH members may be used for these transactions.

 

You may not use ACH transactions for your initial purchase of Fund shares unless opening the account online. ACH purchases will be effective at the closing price per share on the business day after the order is placed. The Fund may alter, modify or terminate this purchase option at any time.

 

Shares purchased by ACH will not be available for redemption until the transactions have cleared. Shares purchased via ACH transfer may take up to 15 days to clear.

12

 

Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts: You can open an account with a minimum initial investment of $2,500 in Class A or Class C shares. The minimum initial and subsequent investment in Class A and Class C shares is $2,500 and $500, respectively. The minimum initial investment in Class I shares is $1,000,000. Subsequent investment in Class I shares may be in any amount. There is no minimum investment requirement when you are buying shares by reinvesting dividends and distributions from the Fund. The Fund or the Adviser reserve the right to waive any investment minimum.

 

The Fund, however, reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any application to purchase shares. Applications will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a check drawn on a U.S. bank, thrift institutions, or credit union in U.S. funds for the full amount of the shares to be purchased. After you open an account, you may purchase additional shares by sending a check together with written instructions stating the name(s) on the account and the account number, to the above address. Make all checks payable to the Fund. The Fund will not accept payment in cash, including cashier’s checks or money orders. Also, to prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, U.S. Treasury checks, credit card checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares. Redemptions of Shares of the Fund purchased by check may be subject to a hold period until the check has been cleared by the issuing bank. To avoid such holding periods, Shares may be purchased through a broker or by wire, as described in this section.

 

Note: Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, the Fund’s transfer agent, will charge a $25 fee against a shareholder’s account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Fund, for any check or electronic payment returned to the transfer agent for insufficient funds.

 

When Order is Processed: All shares will be purchased at the NAV per share next determined after the Fund receives your application or request in good order. All requests received in good order by the Fund before the close of the NYSE, generally 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), will be processed on that same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m., or the close of the NYSE if earlier, will be processed on the next business day the Fund is open.

 

Good Order: When making a purchase request, make sure your request is in good order. “Good order” means your purchase request includes:

 

●     the name of the Fund,

 

●     the dollar amount of shares to be purchased,

 

●     a completed purchase application or investment stub, and

 

●     check payable to the “13D Activist Fund.”

 

Retirement Plans: You may purchase shares of the Fund for your individual retirement plans. Please call the Fund at 1-877-413-3228 for the most current listing and appropriate disclosure documentation on how to open a retirement account.

 

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

 

Redeeming Shares: The Fund typically expects that it will take up to 7 days following the receipt of your redemption request to pay out redemption proceeds by check or electronic transfer. The Fund typically expects to pay redemptions from cash, cash equivalents, proceeds from the sale of Fund shares, any lines of credit, and then from the sale of portfolio securities. These redemption payment methods will be used in regular and stressed market conditions. You may redeem all or any portion of the shares credited to your account by submitting a written request for redemption to:

 

via Regular Mail:
13D Activist Fund
c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
P.O. Box 541150
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
or Overnight Mail:
13D Activist Fund
c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100
Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474

 

Redemptions by Telephone: The telephone redemption privilege is automatically available to all new accounts. If you do not want the telephone redemption privilege, you must indicate this in the appropriate area on your account application or you must write to the Fund and instruct it to remove this privilege from your account. If you own an IRA, you will be asked whether or not the Fund should withhold federal income tax.

 

The proceeds will be sent by mail to the address designated on your account or wired directly to your existing account in a bank or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application. To redeem by telephone, call
1-877-413-3228. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of your telephone instructions.

13

 

During periods of high market activity, you may encounter higher than usual wait times. Please allow sufficient time to ensure that you will be able to complete your telephone transaction prior to market close. Neither the Fund nor its transfer agent will be held liable if you are unable to place your trade due to high call volume.

 

The Fund reserves the right to suspend the telephone redemption privileges with respect to your account if the name(s) or the address on the account has been changed within the previous 30 days. Neither the Fund, the transfer agent, nor their respective affiliates will be liable for complying with telephone instructions they reasonably believe to be genuine or for any loss, damage, cost or expenses in acting on such telephone instructions and you will be required to bear the risk of any such loss. The Fund or the transfer agent, or both, will employ reasonable procedures to determine that telephone instructions are genuine. If the Fund and/or the transfer agent do not employ these procedures, they may be liable to you for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. These procedures may include, among others, requiring forms of personal identification prior to acting upon telephone instructions, providing written confirmation of the transactions and/or tape recording telephone instructions.

 

Redemptions through Broker: If shares of the Fund are held by a broker-dealer, financial institution or other servicing agent, you must contact that servicing agent to redeem shares of the Fund. The servicing agent may charge a fee for this service.

 

Redemptions by Wire: You may request that your redemption proceeds be wired directly to your bank account. The Fund’s transfer agent imposes a $15 fee for each wire redemption and deducts the fee directly from your account. Your bank may also impose a fee for the incoming wire.

 

Systematic Withdrawal Plan: If your individual accounts, IRA or other qualified plan account have a current account value of at least $10,000, you may participate in the Fund’s Systematic Withdrawal Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money to your bank account from the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers. You may elect to make subsequent withdrawals by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established bank account. Please contact the Fund at 1-877-413-3228 for more information about the Fund’s Systematic Withdrawal Plan.

 

Transactions through www.13DActivistFund.com: You may redeem the Fund’s shares through the website www.13DActivistFund.com as more fully described above.

 

Redemptions in Kind: The Fund reserves the right to honor requests for redemption or repurchase orders by making payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities (“redemption in-kind”) if the amount is greater than (the lesser of) $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s assets. The securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued under the Fund’s net asset value procedures. The Fund expects that a redemption in- kind would be a pro rata allocation of the Fund’s portfolio (to the extent feasible). A shareholder will be exposed to market risk until these securities are converted to cash and may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.

 

When Redemptions are Sent: Once the Fund receives your redemption request in “good order” as described below, it will issue a check based on the next determined NAV following your redemption request. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of a request in “good order.” If you purchase shares using a check and soon after request a redemption, your redemption proceeds, which are payable at the next determined NAV following the receipt your redemption request in “good order”, as described below, will not be sent until the check used for your purchase has cleared your bank.

 

Good Order: Your redemption request will be processed if it is in “good order.” To be in good order, the following conditions must be satisfied:

 

●     The request should be in writing, unless redeeming by telephone, indicating the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed.

 

●     The request must identify your account number.

 

●     The request should be signed by you and any other person listed on the account, exactly as the shares are registered.

 

●     If you request that the redemption proceeds be sent to a person, bank or an address other than that of record or paid to someone other than the record owner(s), or if the address was changed within the last 30 days, or if the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000, the signature(s) on the request must be medallion signature guaranteed by an eligible signature guarantor.

14

 

When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees: If you wish to change the bank or brokerage account that you have designated on your account, you may do so at any time by writing to the Fund with your signature guaranteed. A medallion signature guarantee assures that a signature is genuine and protects you from unauthorized account transfers. You will need your signature guaranteed if:

 

you request a redemption to be made payable to a person not on record with the Fund;

 

you request that a redemption be mailed to an address other than that on record with the Fund;

 

the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000;

 

any redemption is transmitted by federal wire transfer to a bank other than the bank of record; or

 

your address was changed within 30 days of your redemption request.

 

Signatures may be guaranteed by any eligible guarantor institution (including banks, brokers and dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations). Further documentation will be required to change the designated account if shares are held by a corporation, fiduciary or other organization. A notary public cannot guarantee signatures.

 

Retirement Plans: If you own an IRA or other retirement plan, you must indicate on your redemption request whether the Fund should withhold federal income tax. Unless you elect in your redemption request that you do not want to have federal tax withheld, the redemption will be subject to withholding.

 

Low Balances: If at any time your account balance in the Fund falls below the account minimum, the Fund may notify you that, unless the account is brought up to at least the account minimum within 60 days of the notice; your account could be closed. After the notice period, the Fund may redeem all of your shares and close your account by sending you a check to the address of record. Your account will not be closed if the account balance drops below the account minimum due to a decline in NAV.

 

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

 

The Fund discourages and does not accommodate market timing. Frequent trading into and out of the Fund can harm all Fund shareholders by disrupting the Fund’s investment strategies, increasing Fund expenses, decreasing tax efficiency and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not intended for market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Accordingly, the Board has approved policies that seek to curb these disruptive activities while recognizing that shareholders may have a legitimate need to adjust their Fund investments as their financial needs or circumstances change.

 

The Fund currently uses several methods to reduce the risk of market timing and commits a staff to review, on a continuing basis, recent trading activity in order to identify trading activity that may be contrary to the Fund’s “Market Timing Trading Policy.” These methods include:

 

Rejecting or limiting specific purchase requests.

 

Rejecting purchase requests from certain investors.

 

Assessing a redemption fee for short-term trading.

 

Though these methods involve judgments that are inherently subjective and involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to make judgments and applications that are consistent with the interests of the Fund’s shareholders.

 

Based on the frequency of redemptions in your account, the Adviser or transfer agent may in its sole discretion determine that your trading activity is detrimental to the Fund as described in the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy and elect to reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future purchases or exchanges into the Fund.

 

The Fund reserves the right to reject or restrict purchase requests for any reason, particularly when the shareholder’s trading activity suggests that the shareholder may be engaged in market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser will be liable for any losses resulting from rejected purchase orders. The Adviser may also bar an investor who has violated these policies (and the investor’s financial adviser) from opening new accounts with the Fund.

15

 

Although the Fund attempts to limit disruptive trading activities, some investors use a variety of strategies to hide their identities and their trading practices. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to identify or limit these activities. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the Fund. Omnibus accounts are generally opened by financial institutions for the benefit of their clients and may consist of a significant number of client accounts. While the Fund will encourage financial intermediaries to apply the Fund’s Market Timing and Exchange Policy to their customers who invest indirectly in the Fund, the Fund is limited in its ability to monitor the trading activity or enforce the Fund’s Market Timing and Exchange Policy with respect to customers of financial intermediaries. For example, should it occur, the Fund may not be able to detect market timing that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or made difficult to identify in the omnibus accounts used by those intermediaries for aggregated purchases, exchanges and redemptions on behalf of all their customers. More specifically, unless the financial intermediaries have the ability to apply the Fund’s Market Timing and Exchange Policy to their customers through such methods as implementing short-term trading limitations or restrictions and monitoring trading activity for what might be market timing, the Fund may not be able to determine whether trading by customers of financial intermediaries is contrary to the Fund’s Market Timing and Exchange Policy. Brokers maintaining omnibus accounts with the Fund have agreed to provide shareholder transaction information to the extent known to the broker to the Fund upon request. If the Fund or its transfer agent or shareholder servicing agent suspects there is market timing activity in the account, the Fund will seek full cooperation from the service provider maintaining the account to identify the underlying participant. At the request of the Adviser, the service providers may take immediate action to stop any further short-term trading by such participants.

 

TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Any sale or exchange of the Fund’s shares may generate tax liability (unless you are a tax-exempt investor or your investment is in a qualified retirement account). When you redeem your shares you may realize a taxable gain or loss. This is measured by the difference between the proceeds of the sale and the tax basis for the shares you sold. (To aid in computing your tax basis, you generally should retain your account statements for the period that you hold shares in the Fund.)

 

The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains annually in December. Both distributions will be reinvested in shares of the Fund unless you elect to receive cash. Dividends from net investment income (including any excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) are taxable to investors as ordinary income, while distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of your holding period for the shares. Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash. Certain dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December will be taxed to shareholders as if received in December if they are paid during the following January. Each year the Fund will inform you of the amount and type of your distributions. IRAs and other qualified retirement plans are exempt from federal income taxation until retirement proceeds are paid out to the participant.

 

Your redemptions, including exchanges, may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment is the difference between the cost of your shares, including any sales charges, and the amount you receive when you sell them. The Fund must report to the IRS and furnish to shareholders the cost basis information for shares purchased and sold. The Fund has chosen average cost as its standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders, which means this is the method the Fund will use to determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing NAVs, and the entire position is not sold at one time. Shareholders may, however, choose a method other than the Fund’s standing method at the time of their purchase or upon sale of covered shares. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the best IRS-accepted cost basis method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about how cost basis reporting applies to them. Shareholders also should carefully review the cost basis information provided to them by the Fund and make any additional basis, holding period or other adjustments that are required when reporting these amounts on their federal income tax returns.

 

On the account application, you will be asked to certify that your social security number or taxpayer identification number is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the IRS. If you are subject to backup withholding or you did not certify your taxpayer identification number, the IRS requires the Fund to withhold a percentage of any dividend, redemption or exchange proceeds. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that does not include a certified social security or taxpayer identification number. If you do not have a social security number, you should indicate on the purchase form that your application to obtain a number is pending. The Fund is required to withhold taxes if a number is not delivered to the Fund within seven days.

 

This summary is not intended to be and should not be construed to be legal or tax advice. You should consult your own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences of owning the Fund’s shares.

16

 

DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES

 

Distributor: Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis. Foreside Financial Services, LLC (the “Distributor”), acts as the distributor in connection with the offering of Fund shares. The Distributor may enter into arrangements with banks, broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries through which investors may purchase or redeem shares. The Distributor is not affiliated with the Adviser or their affiliates.

 

Distribution (12b-1) and Shareholder Servicing Fees: The Trust, with respect to the Fund, has adopted the Trust’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plans for Class A and Class C shares (the “Plans”), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act which allows the Fund to pay the Fund’s Distributor an annual fee for distribution and shareholder servicing expenses of 0.25% and 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A and Class C shares, respectively. There is no distribution and shareholder servicing plan for Class I shares, so the Adviser incurs the distribution and shareholder servicing costs for Class I shares. Because Plan fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

 

The Fund’s Distributor and other entities are paid pursuant to the Plans for distribution and shareholder services provided and the expenses borne by the Distributor and others in the distribution of Fund shares, including the payment of commissions for sales of the shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of dealers and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses; printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with the offering of the Fund’s shares to other than current shareholders; and preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials. In addition, the Distributor or other entities may utilize fees paid pursuant to the Plan to compensate dealers or other entities for their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any un-reimbursed expenses.

 

You should be aware that if you hold your shares for a substantial period of time, you may indirectly pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge allowed by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) due to the recurring nature of distribution (12b-1) fees.

 

Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries: The Distributor, Adviser and their affiliates may each, at its own expense and out of its own assets including legitimate profits, provide additional cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund. Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others. These payments may be in addition to the Rule 12b-1 fees and any sales charges that are disclosed elsewhere in this Prospectus. These payments are generally made to financial intermediaries that provide shareholder or administrative services, or marketing support. Marketing support may include access to sales meetings, sales representatives and financial intermediary management representatives, inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or other sales programs. These payments also may be made as an expense reimbursement in cases where the financial intermediary provides shareholder services to Fund shareholders. The Distributor may, from time to time, provide promotional incentives, including reallowance and/or payment of up to the entire sales charge, to certain investment firms. Such incentives may, at the Distributor’s discretion, be limited to investment firms who allow their individual selling representatives to participate in such additional commissions.

 

Householding: To reduce expenses, the Fund will mail only one copy of the prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at 1-877-413-3228 on days the Fund is open for business or contact your financial institution. The Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.

17

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the period of the Fund’s operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information for each of the four years in the period ended September 30, 2022 has been derived from the financial statements audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, are included in the Fund’s September 30, 2022 Annual Report, which is available upon request. The financial highlights for the year ended September 30, 2018 for the Fund, was audited by other auditors.

 

Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each Year Presented

 

    Class A  
    For the     For the     For the     For the     For the  
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    September 30,
2022
    September 30,
2021
    September 30,
2020
    September 30,
2019
    September 30,
2018
 
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 28.24     $ 20.28     $ 20.35     $ 22.41     $ 19.98  
Activity from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income (loss) (1)     (0.19 )     (0.24 )     0.56       (0.07 )     (0.19 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency     (5.82 )     9.86       0.14       (1.02 )     2.99  
Total from investment operations     (6.01 )     9.62       0.70       (1.09 )     2.80  
Paid-in-Capital from redemption fees (1)                             0.00  (2) 
Less distributions from:                                        
Net investment income           (0.57 )                  
Net realized gains     (2.53 )     (1.09 )     (0.77 )     (0.97 )     (0.37 )
Total distributions     (2.53 )     (1.66 )     (0.77 )     (0.97 )     (0.37 )
Net asset value, end of year   $ 19.70     $ 28.24     $ 20.28     $ 20.35     $ 22.41  
Total return (3)     (23.50 )%     49.02 %     3.25 %     (4.78 )%     14.26 %
Net assets, end of year (000s)   $ 24,937     $ 31,549     $ 22,472     $ 41,925     $ 55,099  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets     1.75 %     1.75 %     1.75 %     1.75 %     1.75 %
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets     (0.75 )%     (0.89 )%     2.77 %     (0.37 )%     (0.86 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate     38 %     60 %     119 %     108 %     83 %

 

 

 

(1)Per share amounts calculated using average shares method, which appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(2)Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

 

(3)Total return shown excludes the effect of applicable sales load and redemption fees.

18

 

Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each Year Presented

 

    Class C  
    For the     For the     For the     For the     For the  
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    September 30,
2022
    September 30,
2021
    September 30,
2020
    September 30,
2019
    September 30,
2018
 
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 27.56     $ 19.82     $ 20.05     $ 22.25     $ 19.99  
Activity from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income (loss) (1)     (0.37 )     (0.42 )     0.35       (0.22 )     (0.35 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency     (5.63 )     9.63       0.19       (1.01 )     2.98  
Total from investment operations     (6.00 )     9.21       0.54       (1.23 )     2.63  
Paid-in-Capital from redemption fees (1)                             0.00  (2) 
Less distributions from:                                        
Net investment income           (0.38 )                  
Net realized gains     (2.53 )     (1.09 )     (0.77 )     (0.97 )     (0.37 )
Total distributions     (2.53 )     (1.47 )     (0.77 )     (0.97 )     (0.37 )
Net asset value, end of year   $ 19.03     $ 27.56     $ 19.82     $ 20.05     $ 22.25  
Total return (3)     (24.09 )%     47.88 %     2.47 %     (5.47 )%     13.39 %
Net assets, end of year (000s)   $ 10,895     $ 15,930     $ 12,015     $ 18,515     $ 26,351  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets     2.50 %     2.50 %     2.50 %     2.50 %     2.50 %
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets     (1.52 )%     (1.64 )%     1.77 %     (1.11 )%     (1.61 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate     38 %     60 %     119 %     108 %     83 %

 

 

 

(1)Per share amounts calculated using average shares method, which appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(2)Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

 

(3)Total return shown excludes the effect of applicable redemption fees.

19

 

Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each Year Presented

 

    Class I  
    For the     For the     For the     For the     For the  
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    September 30,
2022
    September 30,
2021
    September 30,
2020
    September 30,
2019
    September 30,
2018
 
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 29.00     $ 20.81     $ 20.81     $ 22.83     $ 20.30  
Activity from investment operations:                                        
Net investment income (loss) (1)     (0.13 )     (0.17 )     0.54       (0.02 )     (0.13 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency     (6.01 )     10.09       0.23       (1.03 )     3.03  
Total from investment operations     (6.14 )     9.92       0.77       (1.05 )     2.90  
Paid-in-Capital from redemption fees (1)                             0.00  (2)
Less distributions from:                                        
Net investment income           (0.64 )                  
Net realized gains     (2.53 )     (1.09 )     (0.77 )     (0.97 )     (0.37 )
Total distributions     (2.53 )     (1.73 )     (0.77 )     (0.97 )     (0.37 )
Net asset value, end of year   $ 20.33     $ 29.00     $ 20.81     $ 20.81     $ 22.83  
Total return (3)     (23.32 )%     49.32 %     3.52 %     (4.50 )%     14.53 %
Net assets, end of year (000s)   $ 143,101     $ 228,170     $ 152,494     $ 259,697     $ 309,486  
Ratio of expenses to average net assets     1.50 %     1.50 %     1.50 %     1.50 %     1.50 %
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets     (0.51 )%     (0.64 )%     2.62 %     (0.11 )%     (0.60 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate     38 %     60 %     119 %     108 %     83 %

 

 

 

(1)Per share amounts calculated using average shares method, which appropriately presents the per share data for the period.

 

(2)Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

 

(3)Total return shown excludes the effect of applicable redemption fees.

20

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

 

Rev. April 2021

 

FACTS WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why? Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some, but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depends on the product or service that you have with us. This information can include:

 

●     Social Security number and wire transfer instructions

 

●     account transactions and transaction history

 

●     investment experience and purchase history

 

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

 

How? All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Northern Lights Fund Trust chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share
your personal information:
Does Northern Lights Fund
Trust share information?
Can you limit
this sharing?
For our everyday business purposes - such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus. YES NO
For our marketing purposes - to offer our products and services to you. NO We don’t share
For joint marketing with other financial companies. NO We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your transactions and records. NO We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your credit worthiness. NO We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you NO We don’t share

 

QUESTIONS? Call 1-631-490-4300

21

 

What we do:
How does Northern Lights Fund Trust protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

 

Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

How does Northern Lights Fund Trust collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

●     open an account or deposit money

 

●     direct us to buy securities or direct us to sell your securities

 

●     seek advice about your investments

 

We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only:

 

●     sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness.

 

●     affiliates from using your information to market to you.

 

●     sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you.

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

 

Definitions
Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

    Northern Lights Fund Trust does not share with its affiliates.

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

●    Northern Lights Fund Trust does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

●    Northern Lights Fund Trust doesn’t jointly market.

22

 

Appendix A

Financial Intermediary Sales Charge Variations

 

The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts will depend on whether you purchase your Class A shares directly from the Fund or through a financial intermediary. Specific intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales charge waivers or CDSC waivers. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to notify the Fund or the shareholder’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge waivers or discounts. This Appendix will be updated based on information provided by the financial intermediaries. Neither the Fund, the Adviser nor the Distributor supervises the implementation of financial intermediary sales charge waivers, discounts, policies or procedures nor do they verify the intermediaries’ administration of such waivers, discounts, policies or procedures.

 

For waivers and discounts not available through a particular intermediary listed below, shareholders will have to purchase Class A shares directly from the Fund or through another intermediary to receive Fund imposed waivers or discounts. Please see How to Purchase Shares: Class A Shares starting on page 10 of this Prospectus for information about such waivers and discounts.

 

Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., & Raymond James affiliates (“Raymond James”)

 

Intermediary-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies.

 

The availability of certain initial or deferred sales charge waivers and discounts may depend on the particular financial intermediary or type of account through which you purchase or hold Fund shares.

 

Intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales load waivers or contingent deferred (back-end) sales load (“CDSC”) waivers, which are discussed below. In all instances, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to notify the fund or the purchaser’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge waivers or discounts. For waivers and discounts not available through a particular intermediary, shareholders will have to purchase fund shares directly from the fund or through another intermediary to receive these waivers or discounts.

 

Effective March 1, 2019, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Raymond James platform or account will be eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end sales load waivers on Class A shares available at Raymond James

 

Shares purchased in an investment advisory program.

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).

 

Employees and registered representatives of Raymond James or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Raymond James.

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement).

 

A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Class I shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Raymond James.

A-1

 

CDSC Waivers on Classes A, B and C shares available at Raymond James

 

Death or disability of the shareholder.

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s prospectus.

 

Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the fund’s prospectus.

 

Shares sold to pay Raymond James fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Raymond James.

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.

 

Front-end load discounts available at Raymond James: breakpoints, and/or rights of accumulation

 

Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.

 

Rights of accumulation which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Raymond James. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the rights of accumulation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“OPCO”)

 

Effective February 26, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an OPCO platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at OPCO

 

Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan

 

Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan

 

Shares purchased through a OPCO affiliated investment advisory program

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family)

 

Shares purchased form the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same amount, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).

 

A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Class A shares
(or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of OPCO

 

Employees and registered representatives of OPCO or its affiliates and their family members

 

Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment Adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this prospectus

A-2

 

CDSC Waivers on A, B and C Shares available at OPCO

 

Death or disability of the shareholder

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus

 

Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ as described in the prospectus

 

Shares sold to pay OPCO fees but only if the transaction is initiated by OPCO

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement

 

Front-end load Discounts Available at OPCO: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent

 

Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.

 

Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at OPCO. Eligible fund family assets not held at OPCO may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets

 

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

 

Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Morgan Stanley Wealth Management brokerage account will be eligible only for the following front-end sales charge waivers with respect to Class A shares, which may differ from and may be more limited than those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

 

Front-end Sales Charge Waivers on Class A Shares available at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans

 

Morgan Stanley employee and employee-related accounts according to MSSB’s account linking rules

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund

 

Shares purchased through a Morgan Stanley self-directed brokerage account

 

Class C (i.e., level-load) shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s share class conversion program

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within 90 days’ following the redemption, (ii) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge.

A-3

 

 

(13D ACTIVIST LOGO)

 

 

Adviser

13D Management LLC
152 West 57th Street, 29th Floor
New York, NY 10019

Distributor

Foreside Financial Services, LLC
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100
Portland, ME 04101

Independent
Registered Public
Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP
695 Town Center Drive, Suite 1000
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Legal Counsel Thompson Hine LLP
41 High Street, Suite 1700
Columbus, OH 43215
Custodian

U.S. Bank, N.A.
1555 N. River Center Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53212

Transfer Agent

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100
Elkhorn, NE 68022-3474

 

Additional information about the Fund is included in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information dated January 30, 2023 (the “SAI”). The SAI is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (i.e., legally made a part of this Prospectus). The SAI provides more details about the Fund’s policies and management. Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders. In the Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

 

To obtain a free copy of the SAI, the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, or other information about the Fund, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Fund, please call 1-877-413-3228 or visit www.13DActivistFund.com. You may also write to:

 

13D Activist Fund

c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

P.O. Box 541150

Omaha, Nebraska 68154

 

or over night

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474

 

Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

Investment Company Act File # 811-21720

 

 

 

(LOGO)

 

 

A Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust

 

Class A Shares: DDDAX

Class C Shares: DDDCX

class i shares: DDDIX

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

January 30, 2023

 

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the 13D Activist Fund (the “Fund”) dated January 30, 2023. The Fund’s Prospectus is hereby incorporated by reference, which means it is legally part of this SAI. The Fund’s audited financial statements and notes for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 are included in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders, and are incorporated by reference into this SAI. Copies of the Fund’s Prospectus, Annual or Semi-Annual Reports for the Fund may be obtained free of charge by contacting the Fund’s Transfer Agent, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474 or by calling toll-free 1-877-413-3228. You may also access these documents by visiting www.13DActivistFund.com.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

THE FUND 1
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS 2
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS 21
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 23
MANAGEMENT 24
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS 32
INVESTMENT ADVISER 33
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES 34
PORTFOLIO MANAGER 37
ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE 39
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 40
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 40
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES 42
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM 42
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES 42
TAX STATUS 46
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 51
LEGAL COUNSEL 51
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 51
APPENDIX A - Proxy Voting Policies and Procedure A-1

 

 

THE FUND

 

 

The 13D Activist Fund (the “Fund”) is a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust, a Delaware statutory trust organized on January 19, 2005 (the “Trust”). The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”).

 

The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges. Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote. In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation, to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares of the Fund are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights. Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.

 

The Fund is a non-diversified series of the Trust offering three classes of shares: Class A, Class C and Class I shares. Each share class represents an interest in the same assets of the Fund, has the same rights and is identical in all material respects except that (i) each class of shares may be subject to different investment minimums, (ii) each class of shares may bear different distribution fees; (iii) certain other class specific expenses will be borne solely by the class to which such expenses are attributable, including transfer agent fees attributable to a specific class of shares, printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials to current shareholders of a specific class, registration fees incurred by a specific class of shares, the expenses of administrative personnel and services required to support the shareholders of a specific class, litigation or other legal expenses relating to a class of shares, Trustees’ fees or expenses incurred as a result of issues relating to a specific class of shares and accounting fees and expenses relating to a specific class of shares and (iv) each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to its own distribution arrangements. The Board may classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes of shares at a future date.

 

13D Management LLC (the “Adviser”) is the Fund’s investment adviser. The Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies are more fully described here and in the Fund’s Prospectus. The Board may start other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.

 

Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Trustee will continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his/her earlier death, incapacity, resignation or removal. Shareholders can remove a Trustee to the extent provided by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, except insofar as the 1940 Act may require the election by shareholders. As a result, normally no annual or regular meetings of shareholders will be held unless matters arise requiring a vote of shareholders under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act.

1

 

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

The investment objective of the Fund and a description of its principal investment strategies are set forth under “Fund Summary” in the Prospectus. The following information presented in this SAI supplements the discussion of the Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and limitations in the Prospectus. The Fund’s investment objective is not “fundamental” and may be changed without the approval of a majority of its outstanding voting securities. Shareholders will be given at least 60 days’ notice of such a change.

 

The following information describes securities in which the Fund may invest and their related risks.

 

Equity Securities

 

Equity securities include common stock and securities convertible into common stocks, such as convertible bonds, warrants, rights and options. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors, including the activities and financial condition of individual companies, the business market in which individual companies compete and general market and economic conditions. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations can be significant.

 

Common Stock

 

Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company’s stock price.

 

The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed-income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market’s perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company’s worth.

 

Convertible Securities

 

The Fund may invest in convertible securities and non-investment grade convertible securities. Convertible securities include fixed income securities that may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer’s underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities may take the form of convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds or debentures, units consisting of “usable” bonds and warrants or a combination of the features of several of these securities. Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock.

 

Income Trusts

 

The Fund may invest in income trusts which are investment trusts that hold assets that are income producing. The income is passed on to the “unitholders.” Each income trust has an operating risk based on its underlying business. The term may also be used to designate a legal entity, capital structure and ownership vehicle for certain assets or businesses. Shares or “trust units” are traded on securities exchanges just like stocks. Income is passed on to the investors, called unitholders, through monthly or quarterly distributions. Historically, distributions have typically been higher than dividends on common stocks. The unitholders are the beneficiaries of a trust, and their units represent their right to participate in the income and capital of the trust. Income trusts generally invest funds in assets that provide a return to the trust and its

2

 

beneficiaries based on the cash flows of an underlying business. This return is often achieved through the acquisition by the trust of equity and debt instruments, royalty interests or real properties. The trust can receive interest, royalty or lease payments from an operating entity carrying on a business, as well as dividends and a return of capital.

 

Each income trust has an operating risk based on its underlying business; and, typically, the higher the yield, the higher the risk. They also have additional risk factors, including, but not limited to, poorer access to debt markets. Similar to a dividend paying stock, income trusts do not guarantee minimum distributions or even return of capital. If the business starts to lose money, the trust can reduce or even eliminate distributions; this is usually accompanied by sharp losses in a unit’s market value. Since the yield is one of the main attractions of income trusts, there is the risk that trust units will decline in value if interest rates offering in competing markets, such as in the cash/treasury market, increase. Interest rate risk is also present within the trusts themselves because they hold very long term capital assets (e.g. pipelines, power plants, etc.), and much of the excess distributable income is derived from a maturity (or duration) mismatch between the life of the asset, and the life of the financing associated with it.  In an increasing interest rate environment, not only does the attractiveness of trust distributions decrease, but quite possibly, the distributions may themselves decrease, leading to a double whammy of both declining yield and substantial loss of unitholder value. Because most income is passed on to unitholders, rather than reinvested in the business, in some cases, a trust can become a wasting asset unless more equity is issued. Because many income trusts pay out more than their net income, the unitholder equity (capital) may decline over time. To the extent that the value of the trust is driven by the deferral or reduction of tax, any change in government tax regulations to remove the benefit will reduce the value of the trusts. Generally, income trusts also carry the same risks as dividend paying stocks that are traded on stock markets.

 

Publicly Traded Partnerships

 

The Fund may invest in publicly traded partnerships (“PTPs”). PTPs are limited partnerships the interests in which (known as “units”) are traded on public exchanges, just like corporate stock. PTPs are limited partnerships that provide an investor with a direct interest in a group of assets (generally, oil and gas properties). PTP units typically trade publicly, like stock, and thus may provide the investor more liquidity than ordinary limited partnerships. PTPs are also called master limited partnerships and public limited partnerships. A limited partnership has one or more general partners (they may be individuals, corporations, partnerships or another entity) which manage the partnership, and limited partners, which provide capital to the partnership but have no role in its management. When an investor buys units in a PTP, he or she becomes a limited partner. PTPs are formed in several ways. A non-traded partnership may decide to go public. Several non-traded partnerships may “roll up” into a single PTP. A corporation may spin off a group of assets or part of its business into a PTP of which it is the general partner, either to realize what it believes to be the assets’ full value or as an alternative to issuing debt. A corporation may fully convert to a PTP, although since 1986 the tax consequences have made this an unappealing; or, a newly formed company may operate as a PTP from its inception.

 

There are different types of risks to investing in PTPs including regulatory risks and interest rate risks. Currently most partnerships enjoy pass through taxation of their income to partners, which avoids double taxation of earnings. If the government were to change PTP business tax structure, unitholders would not be able to enjoy the relatively high yields in the sector for long. In addition, PTP’s which charge government-regulated fees for transportation of oil and gas products through their pipelines are subject to unfavorable changes in government-approved rates and fees, which would affect a PTPs revenue stream negatively. PTPs also carry some interest rate risks. During increases in interest rates, PTPs may not produce decent returns to shareholders.

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts

 

The Fund may invest in securities of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). REITs are publicly traded corporations or trusts that specialize in acquiring, holding and managing residential, commercial or industrial real estate. A REIT is not taxed at the entity level on income distributed to its shareholders or unitholders if it distributes to shareholders or unitholders at least 95% of its taxable income for each taxable year and complies with regulatory requirements relating to its organization, ownership, assets and income.

 

REITs generally can be classified as “Equity REITs”, “Mortgage REITs” and “Hybrid REITs.” An Equity REIT invests the majority of its assets directly in real property and derives its income primarily from rents and from capital gains on real estate appreciation, which are realized through property sales. A Mortgage REIT invests the majority of its assets in

3

 

real estate mortgage loans and services its income primarily from interest payments. A Hybrid REIT combines the characteristics of an Equity REIT and a Mortgage REIT. Although the Fund can invest in all three kinds of REITs, its emphasis is expected to be on investments in Equity REITs.

 

Investments in the real estate industry involve particular risks. The real estate industry has been subject to substantial fluctuations and declines on a local, regional and national basis in the past and may continue to be in the future. Real property values and income from real property continue to be in the future. Real property values and income from real property may decline due to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, regulatory limitations on rents, changes in neighborhoods and in demographics, increases in market interest rates, or other factors. Factors such as these may adversely affect companies that own and operate real estate directly, companies that lend to such companies, and companies that service the real estate industry.

 

Investments in REITs also involve risks. Equity REITs will be affected by changes in the values of and income from the properties they own, while Mortgage REITs may be affected by the credit quality of the mortgage loans they hold. In addition, REITs are dependent on specialized management skills and on their ability to generate cash flow for operating purposes and to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders REITs may have limited diversification and are subject to risks associated with obtaining financing for real property, as well as to the risk of self-liquidation. REITs also can be adversely affected by their failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through treatment of their income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or their failure to maintain an exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. By investing in REITs indirectly through a Fund, a shareholder bears not only a proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also may indirectly bear similar expenses of some of the REITs in which it invests.

 

Warrants

 

The Fund may purchase or otherwise receive warrants. Warrants are options to purchase common stock at a specific price (usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging from less than one year to twenty years, or they may be perpetual. However, most warrants have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, a warrant is worthless if the market price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant’s exercise price during the life of the warrant. Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the optioned common stock.

 

Derivatives

 

Futures Contracts

 

A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g., units of a stock index) for a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time the contract is made. Brokerage fees are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. Entering into a contract to buy is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position. Entering into a contract to sell is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position.

 

Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price would be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures contract, and to maintain the Fund’s open positions in futures contracts, the Fund would be required to deposit with its custodian or futures broker in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, suitable money market instruments, or other liquid securities, known as “initial margin.” The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margins that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.

4

 

If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in underlying instrument or index in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Fund.

 

These subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” The Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.

 

Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the underlying instruments, in practice most futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical underlying instrument or index and the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is more, the Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract.

 

For example, one contract in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index is a contract to buy 25 pounds sterling multiplied by the level of the UK Financial Times 100 Share Index on a given future date. Settlement of a stock index futures contract may or may not be in the underlying instrument or index. If not in the underlying instrument or index, then settlement will be made in cash, equivalent over time to the difference between the contract price and the actual price of the underlying asset at the time the stock index futures contract expires.

 

Options on Futures Contracts

 

The Fund may purchase and sell options on the same types of futures in which it may invest. Options on futures are similar to options on underlying instruments except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by the delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.

 

Regulation as a Commodity Pool Operator

 

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has filed with the National Futures Association, a notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to the Fund’s operations. Accordingly, the Fund is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator.

 

Options On Securities

 

The Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.

5

 

A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security.

 

Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index or the Value Line Composite Index or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 100®. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the NYSE Arca Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index. Options on stock indices are currently traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the NASDAQ PHLX.

 

The Fund’s obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by the Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of such a liquidation purchase plus transactions costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have incurred a loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying instrument, until the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise. In such circumstances, the writer will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period.

 

If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option or a loss if it is less. If an option written by a Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold). If an option written by a Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.

 

Certain Risks Regarding Options. There are several risks associated with transactions in options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the

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Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

 

Successful use by the Fund of options on stock indices will be subject to the ability of the advisor to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, the Fund’s ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market decline, through transactions in put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by the Fund. Inasmuch as the Fund’s securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, the Fund bears the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indices. It is also possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and the Fund’s securities that would result in a loss on both such securities and the options on stock indices acquired by the Fund.

 

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based.

 

There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If the Fund was unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.

 

Dealer Options

 

The Fund may engage in transactions involving dealer options as well as exchange-traded options. Certain additional risks are specific to dealer options. While the Fund might look to a clearing corporation to exercise exchange-traded options, if the Fund were to purchase a dealer option it would need to rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if the option were exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by the Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction.

 

Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while dealer options may not. Consequently, the Fund may generally be able to realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes a dealer option, the Fund may generally be able to close out the option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to whom the Fund originally wrote the option. While the Fund will seek to enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and which are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will at any time be able to liquidate a dealer option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless the Fund, as a covered dealer call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option. With respect to options written by the Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to the Fund.

 

The SEC has taken the position that purchased dealer options are illiquid securities. The Fund may treat the cover used for written dealer options as liquid if the dealer agrees that the Fund may repurchase the dealer option it has written for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the dealer option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the maximum purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option. Accordingly, the Fund will treat dealer options as subject to the Fund’s limitation on illiquid securities. If the SEC changes its position on the liquidity of dealer options, the Fund will change its treatment of such instruments accordingly.

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Spread Transactions

 

The Fund may purchase covered spread options from securities dealers. These covered spread options are not presently exchange-listed or exchange-traded. The purchase of a spread option gives the Fund the right to put securities that it owns at a fixed dollar spread or fixed yield spread in relationship to another security that the Fund does not own, but which is used as a benchmark. The risk to the Fund, in addition to the risks of dealer options described above, is the cost of the premium paid as well as any transaction costs. The purchase of spread options will be used to protect the Fund against adverse changes in prevailing credit quality spreads, i.e., the yield spread between high quality and lower quality securities. This protection is provided only during the life of the spread options.

 

Swap Agreements

 

The Fund may enter into interest rate, index and currency exchange rate swap agreements in an attempt to obtain a particular desired return at a lower cost to the Fund than if it had invested directly in an instrument that yielded that desired return. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of returns) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. The “notional amount” of the swap agreement is only a fictive basis on which to calculate the obligations the parties to a swap agreement have agreed to exchange. The Fund’s obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). The Fund’s obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund).

 

Whether the Fund’s use of swap agreements enhance the Fund’s total return will depend on the Adviser’s ability correctly to predict whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Because they are two-party contracts and may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. The Fund’s Adviser will cause the Fund to enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that would be eligible for consideration as repurchase agreement counterparties under the Fund’s repurchase agreement guidelines. The swap market is a relatively new market and is largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

 

Certain swap agreements are exempt from most provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) and, therefore, are not regulated as futures or commodity option transactions under the CEA, pursuant to regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”). To qualify for this exemption, a swap agreement must be entered into by “eligible participants,” which include the following, provided the participants’ total assets exceed established levels: a bank or trust company, savings association or credit union, insurance company, investment company subject to regulation under the 1940 Act, commodity pool, corporation, partnership, proprietorship, organization, trust or other entity, employee benefit plan, governmental entity, broker-dealer, futures commission merchant, natural person, or regulated foreign person. To be eligible, natural persons and most other entities must have total assets exceeding $10 million; commodity pools and employees benefit plans must have assets exceeding $5 million. In addition, an eligible swap transaction must meet three conditions. First, the swap agreement may not be part of a fungible class of agreements that are standardized as to their material economic terms. Second, the creditworthiness of parties with actual or potential obligations under the swap agreement must be a material consideration in entering into or determining the terms of the swap agreement, including pricing, cost or credit enhancement terms. Third, swap agreements may not be entered into and traded on or through a multilateral transaction execution facility.

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Certain Investment Techniques and Derivatives Risks

 

When the Adviser of the Fund uses investment techniques such as margin, leverage and short sales, and forms of financial derivatives, such as options and futures, an investment in the Fund may be more volatile than investments in other mutual funds. Although the intention is to use such investment techniques and derivatives to minimize risk to the Fund, as well as for speculative purposes, there is the possibility that improper implementation of such techniques and derivative strategies or unusual market conditions could result in significant losses to the Fund. Derivatives are used to limit risk in the Fund or to enhance investment return and have a return tied to a formula based upon an interest rate, index, price of a security, or other measurement. Derivatives involve special risks, including: (1) the risk that interest rates, securities prices and currency markets will not move in the direction that a portfolio manager anticipates; (2) imperfect correlation between the price of derivative instruments and movements in the prices of the securities, interest rates or currencies being hedged; (3) the fact that skills needed to use these strategies are different than those needed to select portfolio securities; (4) the possible absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular instrument and possible exchange imposed price fluctuation limits, either of which may make it difficult or impossible to close out a position when desired; (5) the risk that adverse price movements in an instrument can result in a loss substantially greater than the Fund’s initial investment in that instrument (in some cases, the potential loss in unlimited); (6) particularly in the case of privately-negotiated instruments, the risk that the counterparty will not perform its obligations, or that penalties could be incurred for positions held less than the required minimum holding period, which could leave the Fund worse off than if it had not entered into the position; and (7) the inability to close out certain hedged positions to avoid adverse tax consequences. In addition, the use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes (that is, to seek to increase total return) is considered a speculative practice and may present an even greater risk of loss than when used for hedging purposes.

 

Fixed Income/ Debt/ Bond Securities

 

Yields on fixed income securities, which the Fund defines to include preferred stock, are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money market and other fixed income securities markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. An investment in the Fund will be subjected to risk even if all fixed income securities in the Fund’s portfolio are paid in full at maturity. All fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, can change in value when there is a change in interest rates or the issuer’s actual or perceived creditworthiness or ability to meet its obligations.

 

There is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. In other words, an increase in interest rates produces a decrease in market value. The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the market value of that security. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the markets’ perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of that issuer. Obligations of issuers of fixed income securities (including municipal securities) are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obligations of municipal issuers may become subject to laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures, or referenda extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of that issuer. The possibility exists, therefore, that, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its debt securities may become impaired.

 

The corporate debt securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate bonds and notes and short-term investments such as commercial paper and variable rate demand notes. Commercial paper (short-term promissory notes) is issued by companies to finance their or their affiliate’s current obligations and is frequently unsecured. Variable and floating rate demand notes are unsecured obligations redeemable upon not more than 30 days’ notice. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days’ notice. These obligations generally are not traded, nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid security.

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The Fund may invest in debt securities, including non-investment grade debt securities. The following describes some of the risks associated with fixed income debt securities:

 

Interest Rate Risk. Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a debt security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and mortgage securities can be more sensitive to interest rate changes although they usually offer higher yields to compensate investors for the greater risks. The longer the maturity of the security, the greater the impact a change in interest rates could have on the security’s price. In addition, short-term and long-term interest rates do not necessarily move in the same amount or the same direction. Short-term securities tend to react to changes in short-term interest rates and long-term securities tend to react to changes in long-term interest rates.

 

Credit Risk. Fixed income securities have speculative characteristics and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of those issuers to make principal or interest payments, as compared to issuers of more highly rated securities.

 

Extension Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund (such as mortgage-backed securities) later than expected. This may happen when there is a rise in interest rates. These events may lengthen the duration (i.e. interest rate sensitivity) and potentially reduce the value of these securities.

 

Prepayment Risk. Certain types of debt securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, have yield and maturity characteristics corresponding to underlying assets. Unlike traditional debt securities, which may pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity when the entire principal amount comes due, payments on certain mortgage-backed securities may include both interest and a partial payment of principal. Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, payments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing, or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans.

 

Securities subject to prepayment are less effective than other types of securities as a means of “locking in” attractive long-term interest rates. One reason is the need to reinvest prepayments of principal; another is the possibility of significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. These prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Fund.

 

At times, some of the mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest will have higher than market interest rates and therefore will be purchased at a premium above their par value. Prepayments may cause losses in securities purchased at a premium, as unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, will cause the Fund to experience a loss equal to any unamortized premium.

 

Certificates of Deposit and Bankers’ Acceptances

 

The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, which are considered to be short-term money market instruments.

 

Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Bankers’ acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as

10

 

an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.

 

Commercial Paper

 

The Fund may purchase commercial paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. It may secured by letters of credit, a surety bond or other forms of collateral. Commercial paper is usually repaid at maturity by the issuer from the proceeds of the issuance of new commercial paper. As a result, investment in commercial paper is subject to the risk the issuer cannot issue enough new commercial paper to satisfy its outstanding commercial paper, also known as rollover risk. Commercial paper may become illiquid or may suffer from reduced liquidity in certain circumstances. Like all fixed income securities, commercial paper prices are susceptible to fluctuations in interest rates. If interest rates rise, commercial paper prices will decline. The short-term nature of a commercial paper investment makes it less susceptible to interest rate risk than many other fixed income securities because interest rate risk typically increases as maturity lengths increase. Commercial paper tends to yield smaller returns than longer-term corporate debt because securities with shorter maturities typically have lower effective yields than those with longer maturities. As with all fixed income securities, there is a chance that the issuer will default on its commercial paper obligation.

 

Time Deposits and Variable Rate Notes

 

The Fund may invest in fixed time deposits, whether or not subject to withdrawal penalties.

 

Time deposits are issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the depositor on the date specified with respect to the deposit. Time deposits do not trade in the secondary market prior to maturity. However, some time deposits may be redeemable prior to maturity and may be subject to withdrawal penalties.

 

The commercial paper obligations, which the Fund may buy are unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a “Master Note”) permit the Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between the Fund as Lender, and the issuer, as borrower. It permits daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The Fund has the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus, there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes may be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Fund’s advisor will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Variable rate notes are subject to the Fund’s investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer on demand within seven days.

 

Insured Bank Obligations

 

The Fund may invest in insured bank obligations. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insures the deposits of federally insured banks and savings and loan associations (collectively referred to as “banks”) up to $250,000. The Fund may purchase bank obligations that are fully insured as to principal by the FDIC. Currently, to remain fully insured as to principal, these investments must be limited to $250,000 per bank; if the principal amount and accrued interest together exceed $250,000, the excess principal and accrued interest will not be insured. Insured bank obligations may have limited marketability.

 

High Yield Securities

 

The Fund may invest in high yield securities. High yield, high risk bonds are securities that are generally rated below investment grade by the primary rating agencies (BB+ or lower by S&P and Ba1 or lower by Moody’s). Other terms used

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to describe such securities include “lower rated bonds,” “non-investment grade bonds,” “below investment grade bonds,” and “junk bonds.” These securities are considered to be high-risk investments. The risks include the following:

 

Greater Risk of Loss. These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower rated securities will default than issuers of higher rated securities. Issuers of lower rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments.

 

Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes. The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher rated securities. Although non-investment grade securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn. For example, in 2000, 2001 and 2002, the default rate for high yield securities was significantly higher than in the prior or subsequent years.

 

Valuation Difficulties. It is often more difficult to value lower rated securities than higher rated securities. If an issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher rated securities.

 

Liquidity. There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, the Fund may be required to sell investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely when an issuer’s financial condition is deteriorating.

 

Credit Quality. Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.

 

New Legislation. Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds. As an example, in the late 1980’s, legislation required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on the Fund’s investments in lower rated securities.

 

High yield, high risk investments may include the following:

 

Straight fixed-income debt securities. These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable rate of interest payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may include features such as call provisions and sinking funds.

 

Zero-coupon debt securities. These bear no interest obligation but are issued at a discount from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire return equals the difference between their issue price and their maturity value.

 

Zero-fixed-coupon debt securities. These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to interest-bearing debt securities.

 

Pay-in-kind bonds. These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. These are bonds sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), usually to a relatively small number of institutional investors.

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Convertible Securities. These are bonds or preferred stock that may be converted to common stock.

 

Preferred Stock. These are stocks that generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation.

 

Loan Participations and Assignments. These are participations in, or assignments of all or a portion of loans to corporations or to governments, including governments of less developed countries.

 

Securities issued in connection with Reorganizations and Corporate Restructurings. In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its debt securities. The Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even if it does not invest in such securities.

 

Municipal Government Obligations

 

In general, municipal obligations are debt obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Municipal obligations generally include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes. Certain types of municipal obligations are issued in whole or in part to obtain funding for privately operated facilities or projects. Municipal obligations include general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial development bonds, notes and municipal lease obligations. Municipal obligations also include additional obligations, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax that may become available in the future as long as the Board of the Fund determines that an investment in any such type of obligation is consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives. Municipal obligations may be fully or partially backed by local government, the credit of a private issuer, current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets or domestic or foreign entities providing credit support such as letters of credit, guarantees or insurance.

 

Bonds and Notes. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of interest and principal. Revenue bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a project or facility or from the proceeds of a specified revenue source. Industrial development bonds are generally revenue bonds secured by payments from and the credit of private users. Municipal notes are issued to meet the short-term funding requirements of state, regional and local governments. Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, construction loan notes, short-term discount notes, tax-exempt commercial paper, demand notes and similar instruments.

 

Municipal Lease Obligations. Municipal lease obligations may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase or a conditional sales contract. They are issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire land, equipment and facilities, such as vehicles, telecommunications and computer equipment and other capital assets. The Fund may invest in underlying funds that purchase these lease obligations directly, or it may purchase participation interests in such lease obligations (See “Participation Interests” section). States have different requirements for issuing municipal debt and issuing municipal leases. Municipal leases are generally subject to greater risks than general obligation or revenue bonds because they usually contain a “non-appropriation” clause, which provides that the issuer is not obligated to make payments on the obligation in future years unless funds have been appropriated for this purpose each year. Such non-appropriation clauses are required to avoid the municipal lease obligations from being treated as debt for state debt restriction purposes. Accordingly, such obligations are subject to “non-appropriation” risk. Municipal leases may be secured by the underlying capital asset and it may be difficult to dispose of any such asset in the event of non-appropriation or other default.

 

United States Government Obligations

 

These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis. The Fund may also invest in Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“TIPS”). TIPS are special types of treasury bonds that were created in order to offer bond investors protection from inflation. The values of the TIPS are automatically adjusted to the inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”). If the CPI goes up by half a percent, the value of the bond (the TIPS) would also go up by half a percent. If the CPI falls, the value of the bond does not fall because the government guarantees that the original investment will stay the same. TIPS decline in value when real

13

 

interest rates rise. However, in certain interest rate environments, such as when real interest rates are rising faster than nominal interest rates, TIPS may experience greater losses than other fixed income securities with similar duration.

 

United States Government Agency Obligations

 

These consist of debt securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government, including the various types of instruments currently outstanding or which may be offered in the future. Agencies include, among others, the Federal Housing Administration, government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Farmer’s Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Maritime Administration, and General Services Administration. Instrumentalities include, for example, each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, the National Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), the Farm Credit Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), and the United States Postal Service. These securities are either: (i) backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government (e.g., United States Treasury Bills); (ii) guaranteed by the United States Treasury (e.g., GNMA mortgage-backed securities); (iii) supported by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s right to borrow from the United States Treasury (e.g., FNMA Discount Notes); or (iv) supported only by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s own credit (e.g., Tennessee Valley Association). On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Authority (the “FHFA”) announced that FNMA and FHLMC had been placed into conservatorship, a statutory process designed to stabilize a troubled institution with the objective of returning the entity to normal business operations. The U.S. Treasury Department and the FHFA at the same time established a secured lending facility and a Secured Stock Purchase Agreement with both FNMA and FHLMC to ensure that each entity had the ability to fulfill its financial obligations. The FHFA announced that it does not anticipate any disruption in pattern of payments or ongoing business operations of FNMA and FHLMC.

 

Government-related guarantors (i.e. not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

 

FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates (“PCs”), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC’s national portfolio. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. The Fund does not purchase interests or pools created by such non-governmental issuers Pools created by such nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers.

 

Mortgage Pass-Through Securities

 

Interests in pools of mortgage pass-through securities differ from other forms of debt securities (which normally provide periodic payments of interest in fixed amounts and the payment of principal in a lump sum at maturity or on specified call dates). Instead, mortgage pass-through securities provide monthly payments consisting of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the underlying residential mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Unscheduled payments of principal may be made if the underlying mortgage loans are repaid or refinanced or the underlying properties are foreclosed, thereby shortening the securities’ weighted average life. Some mortgage pass-through securities (such as securities guaranteed by GNMA) are described as “modified pass-through securities.”

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These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, on the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether the mortgagor actually makes the payment.

 

The principal governmental guarantor of mortgage pass-through securities is GNMA. GNMA is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities issued by lending institutions approved by GNMA (such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers) and backed by pools of mortgage loans. These mortgage loans are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. A “pool” or group of such mortgage loans is assembled and after being approved by GNMA, is offered to investors through securities dealers.

 

Government-related guarantors of mortgage pass-through securities (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury) include FNMA and FHLMC.

 

Resets. The interest rates paid on the adjustable-rate mortgage securities (“ARMs”) in which the Fund may invest generally are readjusted or reset at intervals of one year or less to an increment over some predetermined interest rate index. There are two main categories of indices: those based on U.S. Treasury securities and those derived from a calculated measure, such as a cost of funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Commonly utilized indices include the one-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury Note rates, the three-month Treasury Bill rate, the 180-day Treasury Bill rate, rates on longer-term Treasury securities, the National Median Cost of Funds, the one-month or three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the prime rate of a specific bank, or commercial paper rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity Treasury note rate, closely mirror changes in market interest rate levels. Others tend to lag changes in market rate levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile.

 

Caps and Floors. The underlying mortgages which collateralize the ARMs in which the Fund invests will frequently have caps and floors which limit the maximum amount by which the loan rate to the residential borrower may change up or down: (1) per reset or adjustment interval, and (2) over the life of the loan. Some residential mortgage loans restrict periodic adjustments by limiting changes in the borrower’s monthly principal and interest payments rather than limiting interest rate changes. These payment caps may result in negative amortization. The value of mortgage securities in which the Fund invests may be affected if market interest rates rise or fall faster and farther than the allowable caps or floors on the underlying residential mortgage loans. Additionally, even though the interest rates on the underlying residential mortgages are adjustable, amortization and prepayments may occur, thereby causing the effective maturities of the mortgage securities in which the Fund invests to be shorter than the maturities stated in the underlying mortgages.

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Fund defines preferred stock as form of fixed income security because it has similar features to other forms of fixed income securities. Preferred stocks are securities that have characteristics of both common stocks and corporate bonds. Preferred stocks may receive dividends but payment is not guaranteed as with a bond. These securities may be undervalued because of a lack of analyst coverage resulting in a high dividend yield or yield to maturity. The risks of preferred stocks include a lack of voting rights and the Fund’s Adviser may incorrectly analyze the security, resulting in a loss to the Fund. Furthermore, preferred stock dividends are not guaranteed and management can elect to forego the preferred dividend, resulting in a loss to the Fund. Preferred stock may also be convertible in the common stock of the issuer. Convertible securities may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer’s underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. A convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock. In general, preferred stocks generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation. The Fund may invest in preferred stock with any or no credit rating. Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to the debt securities of the issuer. Preferred stock market value may change based on changes in interest rates.

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Foreign Securities

 

The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) and other investment companies that hold a portfolio of foreign securities. Investing in securities of foreign companies and countries involves certain considerations and risks that are not typically associated with investing in U.S. government securities and securities of domestic companies. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a domestic one, and foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. There may also be less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than exists in the United States. Interest and dividends paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on such investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to the Fund by domestic companies or the U.S. government. There may be the possibility of expropriations, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. Finally, the establishment of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions could adversely affect the payment of obligations.

 

To the extent the Fund’s currency exchange transactions do not fully protect the Fund against adverse changes in currency exchange rates, decreases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund will invest relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding decrease in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets denominated in those currencies (and possibly a corresponding increase in the amount of securities required to be liquidated to meet distribution requirements). Conversely, increases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund invests relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding increase in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund’s assets (and possibly a corresponding decrease in the amount of securities to be liquidated).

 

Emerging Markets Securities. The Fund may purchase securities of emerging market issuers and ETFs and other closed end funds that invest in emerging market securities. Investing in emerging market securities imposes risks different from, or greater than, risks of investing in foreign developed countries. These risks include: smaller market capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; possible repatriation of investment income and capital. In addition, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales; future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or creation of government monopolies. The currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by the Fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.

 

Additional risks of emerging markets securities may include: greater social, economic and political uncertainty and instability; more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation; unavailability of currency hedging techniques; companies that are newly organized and small; differences in auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers; and less developed legal systems. In addition, emerging securities markets may have different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions. Settlement problems may cause a Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, or be delayed in disposing of a portfolio security. Such a delay could result in possible liability to a purchaser of the security.

 

Depositary Receipts. The Fund may invest in sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), which are receipts issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in U.S. securities markets. Unsponsored ADRs may be created without the participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights. Many of the risks described above regarding foreign securities apply to investments in ADRs.

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Illiquid and Restricted Securities

 

The Fund may invest in illiquid securities, although the Fund will not acquire any illiquid investments if immediately following the acquisition, the Fund would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments that are assets.

 

Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale (e.g., because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) and securities that are otherwise not readily marketable (e.g., because trading in the security is suspended or because market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers). Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or “restricted securities” and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Foreign securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid.

 

Restricted and other illiquid securities may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. The Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemption requests from shareholders. The Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

 

A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including foreign securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a “safe harbor” from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored by NASDAQ.

 

Under guidelines adopted by the Board, the Adviser may determine that particular Rule 144A securities, and commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, are liquid even though they are not registered. A determination of whether such a security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this determination, the Adviser will consider, as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and among other factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security (e.g., debt or equity, date of maturity, terms of dividend or interest payments, and other material terms) and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer); and (6) the rating of the security and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. In the case of commercial paper, the Adviser will also determine that the paper (1) is not traded flat or in default as to principal and interest, (2) is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two National Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”) or, if only one NRSRO rates the security, by that NRSRO, or, if the security is unrated, the Adviser determines that it is of equivalent quality, and (3) the Adviser’s decision takes into account all relevant factors of the trading market for the specific security.

 

Rule 144A securities and Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper that have been deemed liquid as described above will continue to be monitored by the Fund Adviser to determine if the security is no longer liquid as the result of changed conditions. Investing in Rule 144A securities or Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities if institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.

 

Investment Companies

 

The Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment companies. The Fund intends to limit their investments in accordance with applicable law or as permitted by Rule 12d1-4. Among other things, such law would limit these investments so that, as determined immediately after a securities purchase is made by the Fund: (a) not more than 5% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the securities of any one investment company (the “5% Limitation”); (b) not more than 10% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the aggregate in securities of investment companies as a

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group (the “10% Limitation”); (c) not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company will be owned by the Fund (the “3% Limitation”); and (d) not more than 10% of the outstanding voting stock of any one closed-end investment company will be owned by the Fund together with all other investment companies that have the same advisor. Under certain sets of conditions, different sets of restrictions may be applicable. As a shareholder of another investment company, the Fund would bear, along with other shareholders, its proportionate share of that investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory and other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations. Investment companies in which the Fund may invest may also impose a sales or distribution charge in connection with the purchase or redemption of their shares and other types of commissions or charges. Such charges will be payable by the Fund and, therefore, will be borne directly by the Fund’s shareholders.

 

To the extent applicable, the Fund intends to rely on Section 12(d)(1)(F) and Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act, which in conjunction with one another allow registered investment companies (such as the Fund) to exceed the 3%, 5% and 10% Limitation and the 10% Limitations, provided the aggregate sales loads any investor pays (i.e., the combined distribution expenses of both the acquiring fund and the acquired funds) do not exceed the limits on sales loads established by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) for funds of funds, and the registered investment company “mirror votes” any securities purchased pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F).

 

Investments in ETFs and mutual funds involve certain additional expenses and certain tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in such funds. The Fund intends to limit its investments in accordance with applicable law or as permitted by Rule 12d1-4. Among other things, such law would limit these investments so that, as determined immediately after a securities purchase is made by t Fund: (a) not more than 5% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the securities of any one investment company (the “5% Limitation”); (b) not more than 10% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the aggregate in securities of investment companies as a group (the “10% Limitation”); (c) not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company will be owned by the Fund (the 3% Limitation”); and (d) not more than 10% of the outstanding voting stock of any one closed-end investment company will be owned by the Fund together with all other investment companies that have the same advisor. Under certain sets of conditions, different sets of restrictions may be applicable. As a shareholder of another investment company, a Fund would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of that investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees. These expenses would be in addition to the advisory and other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operations. Investment companies in which a Fund may invest may also impose a sales or distribution charge in connection with the purchase or redemption of their Shares and other types of commissions or charges. Such charges will be payable by a Fund and, therefore, will be borne directly by Shareholders.

 

The Fund intends to rely on Section 12(d)(1)(F) and Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act which in conjunction with one another allow registered investment companies (such as the Funds) to exceed the 3%, 5% and 10% Limitation, provided the aggregate sales loads any investor pays (i.e., the combined distribution expenses of both the acquiring fund and the acquired funds) does not exceed the limits on sales loads established by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) for funds of funds, and the registered investment company “mirror votes” any securities purchased pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F).

 

Closed-End Investment Companies. The Fund may invest its assets in closed-end management investment companies (or “closed-end funds”), subject to the investment restrictions set forth above. Shares of closed-end funds are typically offered to the public in a one-time initial public offering by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission of between 4% or 6% of the initial public offering price. Such securities are then listed for trading on the NYSE, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (commonly known as “NASDAQ”) or, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as the Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market.

 

The Fund generally will purchase shares of closed-end funds only in the secondary market. The Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on such purchases similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market. The Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a closed-end fund in an initial public offering when, in the opinion of the Adviser, based on a consideration of the nature of the closed-end fund’s proposed investments, the prevailing market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they

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represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital. The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if the Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market. The shares of many closed-end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share that is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed-end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value but rather are subject to the principles of supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed-end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value.

 

The Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.

 

Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed-end fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.

 

Exchange Traded Funds. ETFs are generally passive funds that track their related index and have the flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and provide the investor with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, liquidity, margin capabilities, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts (UITs), which are unmanaged portfolios overseen by trustees and some ETFs may be grantor trusts. An ETF typically holds a portfolio of securities or contracts designed to track a particular market segment or index. Some examples of ETFs are Rydex SharesTM, ProShares®, SPDRs®, streetTRACKS, DIAMONDSSM, NASDAQ 100 Index Tracking StockSM (“QQQsSM”), and iShares®. The Fund expects to use EFT’s as part of its overall investment strategy and as part of its hedging strategy. To offset the risk of declining security prices, the Fund may invest in inverse ETFs. Inverse EFTs are funds designed to rise in price when stock prices are falling. Additionally, inverse EFT’s may employ leverage which magnifies the changes in the underlying stock index upon which they are based. Inverse ETF index funds seek to provide investment results that will match a certain percentage of the inverse of the performance of a specific benchmark on a daily basis. For example, if an inverse ETF’s current benchmark is 200% of the inverse of the Russell 2000 Index and the ETF meets its objective, the value of the ETF will tend to increase on a daily basis when the value of the underlying index decreases (e.g., if the Russell 2000 Index goes down 5% then the inverse ETF’s value should go up 10%). ETFs generally have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap “creation units” in block-multiples of 50,000 shares for in-kind securities and cash in the form of dividends. The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little as a single share during trading hours on the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds that are traded after hours once the net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated. ETFs share many similar risks with open-end and closed-end funds.

 

There is a risk that an ETF in which the Fund invests may terminate due to extraordinary events that may cause any of the service providers to the ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, to close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF. Also, because the ETFs in which the Fund intends to principally invest may be granted licenses by agreement to use the indices as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names, the ETFs may terminate if such license agreements are terminated. In addition, an ETF may terminate if its entire net asset value falls below a certain amount. Although the Fund believes that, in the event of the termination of an underlying ETF, it will be able to invest instead in shares of an alternate ETF tracking the same market index or another market index with the same general market, there is no guarantee that shares of an alternate ETF would be available for investment at that time. To the extent the Fund invests in a sector product, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with that sector.

 

The Fund could also purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or foreign market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of

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owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although lack of liquidity in an ETF could result in it being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities and ETFs have management fees that increase their costs versus the costs of owning the underlying securities directly.

 

ETFs are listed on national stock exchanges and are traded like stocks listed on an exchange. ETF shares may trade at a discount or a premium in market price if there is a limited market in such shares. Investments in ETFs are subject to brokerage and other trading costs, which could result in greater expenses to the Fund. ETFs also are subject to investment advisory and other expenses, which will be indirectly paid by the Fund. As a result, your cost of investing in the Fund will be higher than the cost of investing directly in ETFs and may be higher than other mutual funds that invest exclusively in stocks and bonds. You will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the ETFs in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses. Finally, because the value of ETF shares depends on the demand in the market, the Adviser may not be able to liquidate the Fund’s holdings at the most optimal time, adversely affecting the Fund’s performance.

 

ETFs may also include high beta index funds (“HBIFs”), which track an index by investing in leveraged instruments such as equity index swaps, futures contracts and options on securities, futures contracts, and stock indices. HBIFs are more volatile than the benchmark index they track and typically don’t invest directly in the securities included in the benchmark, or in the same proportion that those securities are represented in that benchmark. On a day-to-day basis, HBIFs will target a volatility that is a specific percentage of the volatility of the underlying index. HBIFs seek to provide investment results that will match a certain percentage greater than 100% of the performance of a specific benchmark on a daily basis. For example, if a HBIF’s current benchmark is 200% of the S&P 500 Index and it meets its objective, the value of the HBIF will tend to increase on a daily basis 200% of any increase in the underlying index (if the S&P 500 Index goes up 5% then the HBIF’s value should go up 10%). When the value of the underlying index declines, the value of the HBIF’s shares should also decrease on a daily basis by 200% of the value of any decrease in the underlying index (if the S&P 500 Index goes down 5% then the value of the HBIF should go down 10%).

 

Lending Portfolio Securities

 

For the purpose of achieving income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities or cash or cash equivalents (cash, U.S. Government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned, (2) the Fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of securities loaned, (3) the Fund will receive any interest or dividends received on the loaned securities, and (4) the aggregate value of the securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of the total assets of the Fund.

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement, an investor (such as the Fund) purchases a security (known as the “underlying security”) from a broker-dealer or bank. Any such dealer or bank must be deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. At that time, the bank or securities dealer agrees to repurchase the underlying security at a mutually agreed upon price on a designated future date. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at an agreed upon rate due to the Fund on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund generally will be unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying securities. Repurchase agreements must be “fully collateralized,” in that the market value of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) must at all times be equal to or greater than the repurchase price. Therefore, a repurchase agreement can be considered a loan collateralized by the underlying securities.

 

Repurchase agreements are generally for a short period of time, often less than a week, and will generally be used by the Fund to invest excess cash or as part of a temporary defensive strategy. Repurchase agreements that do not provide for payment within seven days will be treated as illiquid securities. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default by the seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses. These losses could result from: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security while the Fund is seeking to enforce its rights under the repurchase agreement; (b) possible reduced levels of income or lack of access to income during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

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When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements

 

The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis.

 

The Fund does not intend to engage in these transactions for speculative purposes but only in furtherance of its investment objectives. Because the Fund will segregate liquid assets to satisfy its purchase commitments in the manner described, the Fund’s liquidity and the ability of the Fund’s Adviser to manage them may be affected in the event the Fund’s forward commitments, commitments to purchase when-issued securities and delayed settlements ever exceeded 15% of the value of its net assets.

 

The Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis only with the intention of completing the transaction. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. In these cases, the Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss. When the Fund engages in when-issued, forward commitment and delayed settlement transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in the Fund incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price credited to be advantageous.

 

The market value of the securities underlying a when-issued purchase, forward commitment to purchase securities, or a delayed settlement and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value is taken into account when determining the market value of the Fund starting on the day the Fund agrees to purchase the securities. The Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until it has paid for and delivered on the settlement date.

 

Short Sales

 

The Fund may sell securities short. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own or have the right to acquire (or that it owns but does not wish to deliver) in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline.

 

When the Fund makes a short sale, the broker-dealer through which the short sale is made must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the party purchasing the security. The Fund is required to make a margin deposit in connection with such short sales; the Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and will often be obligated to pay over any dividends and accrued interest on borrowed securities.

 

If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund covers its short position, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.

 

To the extent the Fund sells securities short, it will provide collateral to the broker-dealer. A short sale is “against the box” to the extent the Fund contemporaneously owns or has the right to obtain at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short.

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

 

The Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment restrictions that may not be changed without approval by a “majority of the outstanding shares” of the Fund which, as used in this SAI, means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

1. Borrowing Money. The Fund will not borrow money, except: (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made.

21

 

2. Senior Securities. The Fund will not issue senior securities. This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund’s engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff.

 

3. Underwriting. The Fund will not act as underwriter of securities issued by other persons. This limitation is not applicable to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities (including restricted securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal securities laws.

 

4. Real Estate. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts).

 

5. Commodities. The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from purchasing or selling options or futures contracts, from investing in securities or other instruments backed by commodities or from investing in companies which are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities.

 

6. Loans. The Fund will not make loans to other persons, except: (a) by loaning portfolio securities; (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements; or (c) by purchasing privately offered debt securities. For purposes of this limitation, the term “loans” shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities.

 

7. Concentration. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in a particular industry or group of industries. This limitation is not applicable to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities or repurchase agreements with respect thereto.

 

THE FOLLOWING ARE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS OF THE FUND. THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS ARE DESIGNATED AS NON-FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE CHANGED BY THE BOARD WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS.

 

1. Pledging. The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in limitation (1) above. Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.

 

2. Borrowing. The Fund will not purchase any security while borrowings representing more than one third of its total assets are outstanding.

 

3. Margin Purchases. The Fund will not purchase securities or evidences of interest thereon on “margin.” This limitation is not applicable to short-term credit obtained by a Fund for the clearance of purchases and sales or redemption of securities, or to arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investment techniques.

 

4. Illiquid Investments. The Fund may invest in illiquid securities, although the Fund will not acquire any illiquid investments if, immediately following the acquisition, the Fund would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments that are asset.

 

If a restriction on the Fund’s investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund’s total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.

22

 

With respect to interpretations of the SEC or its staff described in fundamental restriction number 2 above, the SEC and its staff have identified various securities trading practices and derivative instruments used by mutual funds that give rise to potential senior security issues under Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act, which prohibits mutual funds from issuing senior securities. Under the 1940 Act, a mutual fund may borrow from a bank, provided that immediately after any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300%for all borrowings; or from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. However, rather than rigidly deeming all such practices outside of bank borrowing as impermissible forms of issuing a “senior security” under Section 18(f), the SEC and its staff through interpretive releases, including Investment Company Act Release No. 10666 (April 18, 1979), and no-action letters has developed an evolving series of methods by which a fund may address senior security issues. In particular, the common theme in this line of guidance has been to use methods of “covering” fund obligations that might otherwise create a senior security-type obligation by holding sufficient liquid assets that permit a fund to meet potential trading and derivative-related obligations. Thus, a potential Section 18(f) senior security limitation is not applicable to activities that might be deemed to involve a form of the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund’s engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff.

 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

 

The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that such disclosure is in the best interests of Fund shareholders.

 

The Fund’s portfolio holdings information is made publicly available in the shareholder reports filled with the SEC on an annual and semi-annual basis on Form N-CSR. The reports can be accessed electronically on www.13DActivistFund.com.

 

In addition, the Fund’s complete list of portfolio holdings, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, is made publicly available on Forms N-CSR and Form N-PORT within 60 days after the end of each quarter.

 

The Fund may also disclose its portfolio holdings by mailing a quarterly report to its shareholders and may, from time to time, make available the portfolio’s top ten holdings information on its website at www.13DActivistFund.com. The Fund’s top ten holdings are generally posted to the website within forty-five days of the end of each month and remain available until new information for the next month is posted.

 

The Fund may choose to make available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg earlier and more frequently on a confidential basis.

 

Under limited circumstances, as described below, the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their filing with the SEC on Form N-CSR or Form N-PORT. In each case, a determination has been made that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose and that the recipient, and personnel of each approved recipient, are subject to a duty to keep the information confidential and not trade on such information.

 

The Adviser. Personnel of the Fund’s Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing the Fund’s portfolio, may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for the Adviser to provide its management, administrative, and investment services to the Fund. As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of portfolio manager in the trading of such securities, Adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.

 

 

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC. Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC is the transfer agent, fund accountant and administrator for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.

 

U.S. Bank, N.A. U.S. Bank, N.A. is the custodian for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Fund.

23

 

Deloitte & Touche LLP. Deloitte & Touche LLP is the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of the Fund’s annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.

 

Counsel to the Trust and Counsel to the Independent Trustees. Counsel to the Trust, Counsel to the Independent Trustees and their respective personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with the review of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.

 

Derivatives Risk Consultant. The Trust has engaged a derivatives risk consultant (“Consultant”) to consult with the Board, and the Adviser regarding the effectiveness of derivatives risk management. The Consultant therefore may have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in order to provide such services to the Trust.

 

Additions to List of Approved Recipients. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities at any time or to any persons other than those described above. In such cases, the recipient must have a legitimate business need for the information and must be subject to a duty to keep the information confidential. There are no ongoing arrangements in place with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings. In no event shall the Fund, the Adviser or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings.

Compliance with Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer will report periodically to the Board with respect to compliance with the Fund’s portfolio holdings disclosure procedures, and from time to time will provide the Board any updates to the portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.

 

There is no assurance that the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.

 

MANAGEMENT

 

 

The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust’s By-laws (the “Governing Documents”), which have been filed with the SEC and are available upon request. The Board consists of six (6) individuals of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust and the Adviser (“Independent Trustees”). Pursuant to the Governing Documents of the Trust, the Trustees shall elect officers including a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Principal Executive Officer, a Principal Accounting Officer and a Chief Compliance Officer. The Board retains the power to conduct, operate and carry on the business of the Trust and has the power to incur and pay any expenses, which, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the Trust’s purposes. The Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust, when acting in such capacities, shall not be subject to any personal liability except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

The Trust is led by Anthony Hertl, an Independent Trustee, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since July 2013. The Board of Trustees is comprised of Mr. Hertl and five (5) additional Independent Trustees. Additionally, under certain 1940 Act governance guidelines that apply to the Trust, the Independent Trustees will meet in executive session, at least quarterly. Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at Board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, (c) execution and administration of Trust policies including (i) setting the agendas for Board meetings and (ii) providing information to Board members in advance of each Board meeting and between Board meetings. Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by its shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership. The Trust believes that its Chairman, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, its Funds and each shareholder.

24

 

Board Risk Oversight

 

The Board of Trustees has a standing independent Audit Committee with a separate chair, Mark H. Taylor. The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary. The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting risk within its area of responsibilities. Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.

 

Trustee Qualifications

 

Generally, the Trust believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills.

 

Anthony J. Hertl has over 20 years of business experience in the financial services industry and related fields including serving as chair of the finance committee for the Borough of Interlaken, New Jersey and Vice President-Finance and Administration of Marymount College, holds a Certified Public Accountant designation, serves or has served as a member of other mutual fund boards outside of the group of Funds managed by the Adviser (the “Fund Complex”) and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his years of service to this Board and other fund boards.

 

Gary W. Lanzen has over 20 years of business experience in the financial services industry, holds a Master’s degree in Education Administration, is a Certified Financial Planner, serves as a member of two other mutual fund boards outside of the Fund Complex and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his years of service to this Board and other mutual fund boards.

 

Mark H. Taylor holds PhD, Masters and Bachelors degrees in Accountancy, is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and has over 30 years of academic and professional experience in the accounting and auditing fields, all of which make him particularly qualified to chair the Trust’s Audit Committee. Dr. Taylor is the Director of the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy at the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida and is serving a three-year term as President of the American Accounting Association (AAA) commencing August 2022 (President-Elect 2022-2023, President 2023-2024; Past President 2024-2025). Dr. Taylor previously served as AAA Vice President-Finance, and as President of the Auditing Section of the AAA. Dr. Taylor serves as a member of three other mutual fund boards within the Northern Lights Fund Complex. He served a three-year term on the AICPA’s Auditing Standards Board (2010-2012) and previously completed a fellowship in the Professional Practice Group of the Office of the Chief Accountant at the headquarters of the United States Securities Exchange Commission. Dr. Taylor is a member of two research teams that have received grants from the Center for Audit Quality to study how accounting firms’ tone-at-the top messaging impacts audit performance and how auditors manage the process of auditing fair value measurements and other complex estimates in financial statements. Dr. Taylor has published extensively in leading academic accounting journals, has teaching interests in corporate governance and accounting policy as well as auditing and assurance services at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies operate.

 

John V. Palancia has over 30 years of business experience in financial services industry including serving as the Director of Futures Operations for Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. Mr. Palancia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He also possesses a strong understanding of risk management, balance sheet analysis and the regulatory framework under which regulated financial entities must operate based on service to Merrill Lynch. Additionally, he is well versed in the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate and serves as a member of three other fund boards.

 

Mark D. Gersten has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, having served in executive roles at AllianceBernstein LP and holding key industry positions at Prudential-Bache Securities and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. He also serves as a member of two other mutual fund boards outside of the Fund Complex. Mr. Gersten is a certified

25

 

public accountant and holds an MBA in accounting. Like other Trustees, his experience has given him a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies operate.

 

Mark S. Garbin has more than 30 years of experience in corporate balance sheet and income statement risk management for large asset managers, serving as Managing Principal of Coherent Capital Management LLC since 2007. Mr. Garbin has extensive derivatives experience and has provided consulting services to alternative asset managers. He is both a Chartered Financial Analyst and Professional Risk Manager charterholder and holds advanced degrees in international business. The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them each highly qualified.

 

The Trustees and the executive officers of the Trust are listed below with their present positions with the Trust and principal occupations over at least the last five years. The business address of each Trustee and Officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246. All correspondence to the Trustees and Officers should be directed to c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, P.O. Box 541150, Omaha, Nebraska 68154.

 

Independent Trustees

 

Name, Address
and Year of
Birth
Position/
Term of
Office*
Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios in

Fund
Complex**
Overseen by

Trustee

Other Directorships held by
Trustee During the Past Five Years

Mark Garbin

Born in 1951

Trustee

Since 2013

Managing Principal, Coherent Capital Management LLC
(since 2007).

1

Northern Lights Fund Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2013); Two Roads Shared Trust (since 2012); Forethought Variable Insurance Trust (since 2013); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2013); OHA Mortgage Strategies Fund (offshore), Ltd. (2014 - 2017); and Altegris KKR Commitments Master Fund (since 2014); Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund (since March 2018) and Independent Director OHA CLO Enhanced Equity II Genpar LLP

(since June 2021).

Mark D. Gersten
Born in 1950

Trustee

Since 2013

Independent Consultant
(since 2012).
1

Northern Lights Fund Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2013); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2013); Two Roads Shared Trust (since 2012); Altegris KKR Commitments Master Fund (since 2014); previously, Ramius Archview Credit and Distressed Fund (2015-2017); and Schroder Global Series Trust

(2012 to 2017).

26

 

Name, Address
and Year of
Birth
Position/
Term of
Office*
Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios in

Fund
Complex**
Overseen by

Trustee

Other Directorships held by
Trustee During the Past Five Years

Anthony J. Hertl

Born in 1950

Trustee

Since 2005; Chairman of the Board since 2013

Retired, previously held several positions in a major Wall Street firm including Capital Markets Controller, Director of Global Taxation, and CFO of the Specialty Finance Group. 1 Northern Lights Fund Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2005); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2006); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2010); Satuit Capital Management Trust (2007-2019).

Gary W. Lanzen

Born in 1954

Trustee

Since 2005

Retired (since 2012). Formerly, Founder, President, and Chief Investment Officer, Orizon Investment Counsel, Inc. (2000-2012). 1 Northern Lights Fund Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2005) Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2006); AdvisorOne Funds (since 2003); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2010); and previously, CLA Strategic Allocation Fund (2014-2015).

John V. Palancia

Born in 1954

Trustee

Since 2011

Retired (since 2011). Formerly, Director of Futures Operations, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. (1975-2011). 1 Northern Lights Fund Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2011); Northern Lights Fund Trust III (since February 2012); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2012) and Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2011).

27

 

Name, Address
and Year of
Birth
Position/
Term of
Office*
Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios in

Fund
Complex**
Overseen by

Trustee

Other Directorships held by
Trustee During the Past Five Years

Mark H. Taylor

Born in 1964

Trustee

Since 2007; Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2013

PhD (Accounting), CPA; Professor and Director, Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy, Muma College of Business, University of South Florida (2019 – present); Professor and Department of Accountancy Chair, Case Western Reserve University (2009-2019); President, American Accounting Association (AAA) commencing August 2022 (President-Elect 2022-2023, President 2023-2024; Past President 2024-2025). AAA Vice President-Finance (2017-2020); President, Auditing Section of the AAA; Member, AICPA Auditing Standards Board (2009-2012); Academic Fellow, Office of the Chief Accountant, United States Securities Exchange Commission (2005-2006); Center for Audit Quality research grants (2014, 2012).

1

Northern Lights Fund Trust (for series not affiliated with the Funds since 2007); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2010); Northern Lights Fund Trust III (since 2012); and Northern Lights Variable Trust

(since 2007).

28

 

Officers

 

Name and
Year of Birth
Position/
Term of
Office*
Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex**
Overseen by
Trustee
Other Directorships held by
Trustee During the Past Five Years
Kevin E. Wolf
Born in 1969

President, Principal

Executive Officer

Since June 2017

 

Executive Vice President, Head of Fund Administration, and Product; Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since 2020); Vice President of The Ultimus Group, LLC (since 2019); Executive Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2019-2020); President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2012-2019); Treasurer of the Trust
(2006-June 2017.
N/A N/A

Eric Kane

Born in 1981

Vice President

Since December 2022

Vice President and Senior Managing Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since 2022); Vice President and Managing Counsel, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (2020-2022); Vice President and Counsel, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2017-2020); Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2014- 2017). N/A N/A

James Colantino

Born in 1969

Treasurer, Principal

Accounting Officer

Since June 2017

Senior Vice President Fund Administration, Ultimus Fund Solutions (since 2020); Senior Vice President Fund Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2012-2020); Assistant Treasurer of the Trust (2006-June 2017).

 

N/A N/A
Stephanie Shearer
Born in 1979
Secretary
Since February 2017

Assistant Secretary of the Trust (2012-February 2017);

Associate Director, Ultimus Fund Solutions (since 2022); Manager of Legal Administration, Ultimus Fund Solutions (2020-2022); Manager of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2018-2020); Senior Paralegal, Gemini Fund Services, LLC

(2013 - 2018).

 

N/A N/A

29

 

Name and
Year of Birth
Position/
Term of
Office*
Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex**
Overseen by
Trustee
Other Directorships held by
Trustee During the Past Five Years
Michael J Nanosky Born in 1966

Chief Compliance Officer Since January 2021

 

Chief Compliance Officer, of the Trust (since January 2021); Vice President-Senior Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Solutions (since 2020); Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer for Williamsburg Investment Trust (2020-current); Senior Vice President- Chief Compliance Officer, PNC Funds (2014-2019). N/A N/A

 

*The term of office for each Trustee and officer listed above will continue indefinitely until the individual resigns or is removed.

 

**As of January 31, 2023, the Trust was comprised of 67 active portfolios managed by unaffiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the Funds in the Trust advised by the Fund’s Adviser. The Funds do not hold themselves out as related to any other series within the Trust that is not advised by the Fund’s Adviser.

 

Board Committees

 

Audit Committee

 

The Board has an Audit Committee that consists of all the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include: (i) recommending to the Board the selection, retention or termination of the Trust’s independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust’s financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust’s independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor’s independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management’s responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter. The Audit Committee is responsible for seeking and reviewing nominee candidates for consideration as Independent Trustees as is from time to time considered necessary or appropriate. The Audit Committee generally will not consider shareholder nominees. The Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing and setting Independent Trustee compensation from time to time when considered necessary or appropriate. During the past fiscal year, the Audit Committee held eleven meetings.

 

Compensation

 

Effective July 1, 2021, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust will receive a quarterly fee of $48,750, allocated among each of the various portfolios comprising the Trust and Northern Lights Variable Trust (together, the “Trusts”), a separate registrant that shares a common board with the Trust, for his attendance at the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, to be paid in advance of each calendar quarter, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred. In addition to which, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly fee of $13,750 and the Audit Committee Chairman receives a quarterly fee of $10,000.

 

Prior to July 1, 2021, each Trustee who was not affiliated with the Trusts or an investment adviser to any series of the Trusts received a quarterly fee of $46,250, allocated among each of the various portfolios comprising the Trusts. In

30

 

addition to the quarterly fees and reimbursements, the Chairman of the Board previously received a quarterly fee of $11,250 and the Audit Committee Chairman receives a quarterly fee of $8,750.

 

Additionally, in the event a meeting of the Board other than its regularly scheduled meetings (a “Special Meeting”) is required, each Independent Trustee will receive a fee of $2,500 per Special Meeting, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred, to be paid by the relevant series of the applicable Trust or its investment adviser depending on the circumstances necessitating the Special Meeting.

 

The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees received from the 13D Activist Fund during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. Each Independent Trustee attended all quarterly meetings during the period. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan.

 

Name and Position 13D Activist
Fund
Pension or Retirement
Benefits Accrued as
Part of Funds Expenses
Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement
Total Compensation
From Fund Complex*
Paid to Trustees
Anthony J. Hertl $2,841 None None $2,841
Gary Lanzen $2,392 None None $2,392
Mark H. Taylor $2,542 None None $2,542
John V. Palancia $2,392 None None $2,392
Mark D. Gersten $2,392 None None $2,392
Mark Garbin $2,392 None None $2,392

 

**The term “Fund Complex” includes the Northern Lights Fund Trust (“NLFT”), and Northern Lights Variable Trust (“NLVT”) that are advised by the adviser.

 

Trustee Ownership

 

The following table indicates the dollar range of equity securities that each Trustee beneficially owned in the Fund as of December 31, 2022.

 

Name of Trustee Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in
All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by
Trustee in Family of Investment Companies
Anthony J. Hertl None $50,001-$100,000
Gary Lanzen None None
John V. Palancia None None
Mark Taylor None None
Mark D. Gersten None $10,001-$50,000
Mark Garbin None $50,001-$100,000

 

Management Ownership

 

As of January 3, 2023, the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned less than 1.00% of the Fund’s outstanding shares and less than 1.00% of the Fund Complex’s outstanding shares.

31

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS

 

 

A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledged the existence of control.

 

As of January 3, 2023, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund:

 

Class A    
Name & Address Shares Percentage of Shares

UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES INC./UBS WM USA

OMNI ACCOUNT M/F

1000 HARBOR BLVD WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761

 

376,570

 

29.69%

 

     

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC ATTN: MUTUAL FUND OPS MANAGER

250 NICOLLET MALL, SUITE

1400

MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55401-1931

172,512 13.60%
     

CHARLES SCHWAB

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

211 MAIN STREET

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105

176,968

 

 

13.95%

 

     
Class C    
Name & Address Shares Percentage of Shares

UBS WM USA

OMNI ACCOUNT M/F

1000 HARBOR BLVD

WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761

 

402,744

 

66.27%

 

     

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

211 MAIN ST

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105

40,833 6.72%
     
Class I    
Name & Address Shares Percentage of Shares

UBS WM USA

OMNI ACCOUNT M/F

1000 HARBOR BLVD

WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761

 

2,096,781

 

28.78%

 

     

NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC

499 WASHINGTON BLVD

JERSEY CITY, NJ 07310

 

1,363,380

 

18.72%

     

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC/SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO

CUSTOMERS

ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS

211 MAIN STREET

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105

 

494,265

 

6.78%

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INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

 

13D Management LLC, 152 West 57th Street 29th Floor New York, NY 10019, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Subject to the supervision and direction of the Trustees, the Adviser manages the Fund’s securities and investments in accordance with the Fund’s stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions, makes investment decisions and places orders to purchase and sell securities on behalf of the Fund. The Adviser was established in 2010 for the purpose of advising the Fund and also manages private and commingled fund vehicles for institutions and/or high net worth individuals. The fee paid to the Adviser is governed by an investment advisory agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser.

 

Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, agrees to invest the assets of the Fund in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in the Fund’s current Prospectus and SAI, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser. The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to the Fund and, as such shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities here under, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by the Fund, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers. The Adviser also provides the Fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the Fund’s investments compensates all officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors or employees of the Adviser, and all personnel of the Fund or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities. The Advisory Agreement was approved by the Board, including by a majority of the Independent Trustees, at a meeting held on June 17, 2010, and renewed at a meeting held on November 15-16, 2022.

 

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the annual management fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets is 1.50%. The Adviser, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Trust, furnishes office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and executive personnel necessary for managing the assets of the Fund. This fee is a unitary fee and as such, all other operational fees payable to the Fund’s service providers are paid for by the Adviser, with the exception of taxes, borrowing expenses, brokerage commissions, fees and expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund invests and extraordinary expenses. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Fund paid $3,614,111 advisory fees. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, the Fund paid $3,782,729 advisory fees. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Fund paid $3,731,343 advisory fees.

 

The Advisory Agreement continued in effect for two years initially and thereafter continues from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty on 60 days’ written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of that Trust’s outstanding shares. The Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

 

Codes of Ethics

 

The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor have each adopted respective codes of ethics (each a “Code”) under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that govern the personal securities transactions of their board members, officers and employees who may have access to current trading information of the Trust. Under the Codes of ethics, the Trustees are permitted to invest in securities that may also be purchased by the Fund.

 

In addition, the Trust has adopted a separate code of ethics (the “Trust Code”) that applies only to the Trust’s executive officers to ensure that these officers promote professional conduct in the practice of corporate governance and management.

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The purpose behind these guidelines is to promote i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Trust files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Fund; iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rule and regulations; iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Trust Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Trust Code; and v) accountability for adherence to the Trust Code.

 

Proxy Voting Policies

 

The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Policies”) on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies of securities held by the Fund to the Adviser and responsibility for voting proxies of securities held by the Fund to the Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser’s Proxy Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a conflict of interest. A copy of the Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies is attached hereto as an Appendix.

 

More information. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Fund during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 will be available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at 1-877-413-3228; and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the Fund’s proxy voting policies and procedures are also available by calling 1-877-413-3228 and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.

 

DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES

 

 

Foreside Financial Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) is the distributor (also known as principal underwriter) of the shares of the Fund and is located at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). The Distributor is not affiliated with the Adviser or any other service provider for the Trust.

 

Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, the Distributor acts as the agent of the Trust in connection with the continuous offering of shares of the Fund. The Distributor continually distributes shares of the Fund on a best efforts basis. The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of Fund shares. The Distributor and its officers have no role in determining the investment policies or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Trust.

 

The Distributor may enter into agreements with selected broker-dealers, banks or other financial intermediaries for distribution of shares of the Fund. With respect to certain financial intermediaries and related fund “supermarket” platform arrangements, the Fund and/or the Adviser, rather than the Distributor, typically enters into such agreements. These financial intermediaries may charge a fee for their services and may receive shareholder service or other fees from parties other than the Distributor. These financial intermediaries may otherwise act as processing agents and are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase, redemption and other requests to the Funds.

 

Investors who purchase shares through financial intermediaries will be subject to the procedures of those intermediaries through which they purchase shares, which may include charges, investment minimums, cutoff times and other restrictions in addition to, or different from, those listed herein. Information concerning any charges or services will be provided to investors by the financial intermediary through which they purchase shares. Investors purchasing shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries should acquaint themselves with their financial intermediary’s procedures and should read the Prospectus in conjunction with any materials and information provided by their financial intermediary. The financial intermediary, and not its investors, will be the shareholder of record, although investors may have the right to vote shares depending upon their arrangement with the intermediary.

 

The Distributor does not receive compensation from the Fund for its distribution services except the distribution/service fees with respect to the shares of those classes for which a Rule 12b-1 plan is effective, as applicable. The Adviser pays the Distributor a fee for certain distribution-related services.

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The following table sets forth the total compensation received by the Distributor from the Fund during the fiscal period ended September 30, 2020:

 


Fund
Net Underwriting
Discounts and
Commissions
Compensation on
Redemptions and
Repurchases
Brokerage
Commissions
Other
Compensation
The 13D Activist Fund $0 $0 $0 $0

 

*The Distributor also receives 12b-1 fees from Fund as described under the following section entitled “Rule 12b-1 Plan”.

 

The following table sets forth the total compensation received by the Distributor from the Fund during the fiscal period ended September 30, 2021:

 


Fund
Net Underwriting
Discounts and
Commissions
Compensation on
Redemptions and
Repurchases
Brokerage
Commissions
Other
Compensation
The 13D Activist Fund $0 $0 $0 $0

 

*The Distributor also receives 12b-1 fees from Fund as described under the following section entitled “Rule 12b-1 Plan”.

 

The following table sets forth the total compensation received by the Distributor from the Fund during the fiscal period ended September 30, 2022:

 


Fund
Net Underwriting
Discounts and
Commissions
Compensation on
Redemptions and
Repurchases
Brokerage
Commissions
Other
Compensation
The 13D Activist Fund $0 $0 $0 $0

 

*The Distributor also receives 12b-1 fees from Fund as described under the following section entitled “Rule 12b-1 Plan”.

 

Rule 12b-1 Plan

 

The Trust, with respect to the Fund, has adopted the Trust’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plans for the Fund’s Class A and Class C shares (the “Plans”) pursuant to which the Fund is authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for providing account maintenance services under the respective Plans, a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% and 1.00%, of the average net assets of Class A and Class C shares, respectively. There is no distribution and shareholder servicing plan for Class I shares, so the Adviser incurs the distribution and shareholder servicing costs for Class I shares. Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals, as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon each share class’s average daily net assets during the preceding month and shall be calculated and accrued daily. The Fund may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board of the Trust and the Distributor. The Plans authorize payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others (“Recipients”) to provide these services and paying compensation for these services. The Fund may make other payments, such as contingent deferred sales charges imposed on certain redemptions of shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant to the Plans.

 

The services to be provided under the Plans by Recipients may include, but are not limited to, the following: assistance in the offering and sale of Class A and Class C shares and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective recipients; answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund; assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and in processing purchase and redemption transactions; making the Fund’s investment plan and shareholder services available; and providing such other information and services to investors in shares of the Fund as the Distributor or the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may reasonably request. The distribution services shall also include any advertising and marketing services provided by or

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arranged by the Distributor with respect to the Fund. The Adviser may be compensated by the Distributor for its distribution and marketing efforts.

 

The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to each of the Plans and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Further, the Distributor will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Distributor to Recipients.

 

The initial term of each Plan is one year and will continue in effect from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and do not have a direct or indirect financial interest in the Plans (“Rule 12b-1 Trustees”) by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plans. Each Plan may be terminated at any time by the Trust or the Fund by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund.

 

During the period ended September 30, 2020, the Fund paid $231,986 in distribution related fees pursuant to the Plans. For the fiscal period indicated below, distribution fees were allocated as follows:

 

Actual 12b-1 Expenditures Paid by Funds Shares
During the Fiscal Period Ended September 30, 2020
  Total Dollars Allocated
Advertising/Marketing None
Printing/Postage None
Payment to distributor None
Payment to dealers $198,374
Compensation to sales personnel None
Other 33,612
Total $231,986

 

During the period ended September 30, 2021, the Fund paid $264,744.17 in distribution related fees pursuant to the Plans. For the fiscal period indicated below, distribution fees were allocated as follows:

 

Actual 12b-1 Expenditures Paid by Funds Shares
During the Fiscal Period Ended September 30, 2021
  Total Dollars Allocated
Advertising/Marketing None
Printing/Postage None
Payment to distributor None
Payment to dealers $216,826
Compensation to sales personnel $37,486.17
Other None
Total $264,744.17

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During the period ended September 30, 2022, the Fund paid $226,516 in distribution related fees pursuant to the Plans. For the fiscal period indicated below, distribution fees were allocated as follows:

 

Actual 12b-1 Expenditures Paid by Funds Shares
During the Fiscal Period Ended September 30, 2022
  Total Dollars Allocated
Advertising/Marketing None
Printing/Postage None
Payment to distributor None
Payment to dealers $211,926
Compensation to sales personnel $14,590
Other None
Total $226,516

 

A Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Distributor’s compensation to be paid by the Fund, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the affected class of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). All material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on a Rule 12b-1 Plan. During the term of a Rule 12b-1 Plan, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees. The Distributor will preserve copies of the Rule 12b-1 Plan, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.

 

Any agreement related to the Plans will be in writing and provide that: (a) it may be terminated by the Trust or with respect to the Fund at any time upon sixty days’ written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the respective Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or Fund; (b) it will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act); and (c) it will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from the date of its execution or adoption only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement.

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

 

 

The following table lists the number and types of accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager in addition to those of the Fund and assets under management in those accounts as of September 30, 2022:

 

Total Other Accounts Managed

 

Portfolio
Manager
Registered
Investment
Company
Accounts
Assets
Managed
($ millions)
Pooled
Investment
Vehicle
Accounts
Assets
Managed
Other
Accounts
Assets
Managed
Ken Squire None None 1 $12,993,632 None N/A

 

Other Accounts Managed Subject to Performance-Based Fees

 

Portfolio
Manager
Registered
Investment
Company
Accounts
Assets
Managed
($ millions)
Pooled
Investment
Vehicle
Accounts
Assets
Managed
($ millions)
Other
Accounts
Assets
Managed
($ millions)
Ken Squire None N/A 1 $12,993,632 None N/A

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Conflicts of Interest

 

The Adviser and its affiliates will be subject to certain conflicts of interest with respect to the services provided to the Fund. Conflicts will arise primarily, but not exclusively, from the involvement of the Adviser in other activities that from time-to-time conflict with the activities of the Fund. The following descriptions are not, and are not intended to be, a complete list or explanation of all potential conflicts of interest that may arise.

 

The portfolio manager’s compensation plan can give rise to potential conflicts of interest. Managing and providing research to multiple funds/accounts can give rise to potential conflicts of interest if the accounts have different objectives, benchmarks, time horizons, and fees as the portfolio manager must allocate his time and investment ideas across multiple accounts. Securities selected for accounts other than the Fund could outperform the securities selected for the Fund.

 

Allocation of Investment Opportunities

 

The Adviser manages multiple funds and/or accounts (including those in which the Adviser, its affiliates and/or their personnel have an interest) that have investment objectives that are similar to the Fund and that seek to make or sell investments in the same securities or other instruments, sectors, or strategies as the Fund. If an investment opportunity is appropriate for the Fund and one or more other funds/ accounts for which the Adviser (or one of its affiliates) acts as investment adviser, the Adviser could be required to choose among the Fund and the other funds/accounts in allocating the investment opportunity. The Adviser will determine allocations of such opportunities in accordance with its compliance policies and procedures, which are governed by the principle of fair and equitable allocation, taking into account the relevant investment objectives, strategies, the relative sizes of the funds/accounts and amounts of capital available for investment, available capacity, liquidity needs, diversification considerations and other market risk factors, contractual restrictions and guidelines, tax and operational considerations, legal and regulatory factors, and similar factors. As such, strategies and investment opportunities may not be implemented in the same manner, or at all, for the Adviser’s clients, even if the strategy or investment opportunity is consistent with the objectives and strategies of the clients.

 

In addition, because it is typical for the Adviser to receive different fees from different funds/accounts that it manages, the Adviser faces a conflict of interest in making allocation decisions and may, for example, benefit by allocating the most attractive investment opportunities to higher fee funds/accounts. There can be no assurance that any conflict of interest the Adviser faces in making allocation decisions will be resolved in favor of the Fund or that the returns of any Fund investment will be equivalent or better than the returns obtained by the Adviser’s other clients participating in the same investment.

 

Conflicts Involving Other Adviser Clients

 

Investment activities by the Adviser, including the establishment of other funds and accounts (“Other Adviser Clients”) may give rise to additional conflicts of interest, including, without limitation, conflicts of interests between the Fund and Other Adviser Clients. The Adviser may give advice to, or make decisions for, Other Adviser Clients, which may differ from advice given to, or decisions made for, the Fund. The Fund, for example, may make (or continue to hold) an investment at the same time that one or more of the Other Adviser Clients is disposing of the same or a similar investment. In addition, the Fund may make an investment after one or more Other Adviser Clients has established a position in the same or a similar investment.

 

To the extent the Fund holds investments also held by Other Adviser Clients, conflicts of interest may arise between the Fund and such Other Adviser Client with respect to disposing of investments and exercising other rights. The Adviser may be required to take an action it believes would be beneficial to the Fund that may be adverse to an Other Adviser Client, or an action it believes would be beneficial to such Other Adviser Client that may be adverse to the Fund. The Fund and/or such Other Adviser Clients may also dispose of any such shared investment at different times and on different terms.

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Allocation of Time and Resources of Personnel

 

The Adviser (including those individuals performing services on their behalf) will devote to the Fund as much time as it deems necessary and appropriate to manage the Fund’s business. The Adviser is not restricted from forming additional investment funds or separately managed accounts, entering into other investment advisory relationships or engaging in other business activities, even if such activities are in competition with the Fund and/or involve substantial time and resources of the Adviser. The Adviser’s personnel are permitted to have outside business activities, including board service. These activities could be viewed as creating a conflict of interest in that the time and effort of the Adviser’s personnel will not be devoted exclusively to the business of the Fund, but will be allocated between the business of the Fund, the business of the Other Adviser Clients, other business and activities of Adviser and other business and activities of the relevant personnel.

 

Research Business

 

The Adviser is under common control with Investor Communications Network LLC (d/b/a, 13D Monitor and 13DMonitor.com) (“13D Monitor”), a qualitative and comprehensive institutional research firm specializing in shareholder activism and Schedule13D filings. 13D Monitor is not an investment adviser and the information contained in research reports is not organized or presented in a manner that suggests or recommends the holding, purchase, or sale of any security. Subscribers to 13D Monitor’s research reports are a variety of organizations including, among others, investment banks, law firms, long/short hedge funds, institutional investors, activist hedge funds, investor relations companies and proxy solicitors and proxy advisory firms. Although the securities of companies described in the reports may be eligible for the Fund, the reports do not indicate whether securities of such companies will be bought or sold for the Fund. Subscribers do not receive nonpublic information regarding holdings of any portfolio managed by the Adviser. Subscribers may make their own investment decisions using information contained in the reports. If subscribers buy or sell securities that are described in the reports, this could impact the price of securities bought or sold for the Funds.

 

Further, the Adviser and 13D Monitor engage in a significant degree of resource and research sharing activities, including the sharing of certain 13D Monitor personnel and technology infrastructure with the Adviser. While there are benefits from resource and technology sharing to the business of the Fund and the business of the Adviser, certain conflicts of interest may arise, including, the allocation of time of shared personnel.

 

Ownership

 

The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the portfolio manager in the Fund as of September 30, 2022.

 

Name of Portfolio Manger Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund
Ken Squire $500,001 - $1,000,000

 

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE

 

 

Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the portfolio managers, who are employees of the Adviser. The Adviser is authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed on behalf of the Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Fund or the Adviser for the Fund’s use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser may determine.

 

In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will take the following into consideration:

 

the best net price available;

 

the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer;

 

the size of and difficulty in executing the order; and

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the value of the expected contribution of the broker or dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis.

 

Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage, research and other services provided to the Fund. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. Some of the services received as the result of Fund transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than the Fund, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit the Fund. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Fund paid $525,602 in brokerage commissions. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, the Fund paid $220,203 in brokerage commissions. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Fund paid $307,757 in brokerage commissions.

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

 

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. The calculation excludes from both the numerator and the denominator securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by the Fund. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of the Fund’s portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 60%. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 38%.

 

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

 

Fund Administration, Fund Accounting and Transfer Agent Services

 

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“UFS”), which has its principal office at 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 110 Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022, serves as administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent for the Fund pursuant to a Fund Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Fund and the Adviser and subject to the supervision of the Board. UFS is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. UFS is an affiliate of the Distributor. UFS may also provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of UFS or its affiliates.

 

Effective February 1, 2019, NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC, the parent company of Gemini Fund Services, LLC and its affiliated companies including Northern Lights Distributors, LLC and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (collectively, the “Gemini Companies”), sold its interest in the Gemini Companies to a third party private equity firm that contemporaneously acquired Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (an independent mutual fund administration firm) and its affiliates (collectively, the “Ultimus Companies”). As a result of these separate transactions, the Gemini Companies and the Ultimus Companies are now indirectly owned through a common parent entity, The Ultimus Group, LLC.

 

The Agreement became effective on June 22, 2011 and remained in effect for two years from the applicable effective date for the Fund and has continued in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board. The Agreement is terminable by the Board or UFS on 90 days’ written notice and may be assigned by either party, provided that the Trust may not assign this agreement without the prior written consent of UFS. The Agreement provides that UFS shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to the Agreement.

 

Under the Agreement, UFS performs administrative services, including: (1) monitoring the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Trust by others service providers; (2) monitoring Fund holdings and operations for post-trade compliance with the Fund’s registration statement and applicable laws and rules; (3) preparing and coordinating the printing of semi-annual and annual financial statements; (4) preparing selected management reports for performance and compliance analyses; (5) preparing and disseminating materials for and attending and participating in meetings of the Board; (6) determining income and capital gains available for distribution and calculating distributions required to meet regulatory,

40

 

income, and excise tax requirements; (7) reviewing the Trust’s federal, state, and local tax returns as prepared and signed by the Trust’s independent public accountants; (8) preparing and maintaining the Trust’s operating expense budget to determine proper expense accruals to be charged to the Fund to calculate its daily net asset value; (9) assisting in and monitoring the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of amendments to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, periodic reports to the Trustees, shareholders and the SEC, notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2, proxy materials and reports to the SEC on Forms N-CEN, N-CSR, N-PORT and N-PX; (10) coordinating the Trust’s audits and examinations by assisting the Fund’s independent public accountants; (11) determining, in consultation with others, the jurisdictions in which shares of the Trust shall be registered or qualified for sale and facilitating such registration or qualification; (12) monitoring sales of shares and ensure that the shares are properly and duly registered with the SEC; (13) monitoring the calculation of performance data for the Fund; (14) preparing, or cause to be prepared, expense and financial reports; (15) preparing authorizations for the payment of Trust expenses and pay, from Trust assets, all bills of the Trust; (16) providing information typically supplied in the investment company industry to companies that track or report price, performance or other information with respect to investment companies; (17) upon request, assisting the Fund in the evaluation and selection of other service providers, such as independent public accountants, printers, EDGAR providers and proxy solicitors (such parties may be affiliates of UFS) and (18) performing other services, recordkeeping and assistance relating to the affairs of the Trust as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request. For the services rendered to the Fund by the Administrator, the Administrator is entitled to the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset-based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets for fund administration, fund accounting and transfer agency services. UFS is also entitled to reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses.

 

UFS also provides the Fund with accounting services, including: (i) daily computation of net asset value; (ii) maintenance of security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) production of the Fund’s listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintaining certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciling account information and balances among the Fund’s custodian and Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluating daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund.

 

UFS also acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to the Agreement. Under the agreement, UFS is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

 

The Adviser pays all fees for the administrative, fund accounting, transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent services provided to the Fund by UFS. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Adviser paid $298,843 for administrative, fund accounting, transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent services. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, the Adviser paid $261,103 for administrative, fund accounting, transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent services. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Adviser paid $318,481 for administrative, fund accounting, transfer, dividend disbursing and shareholder servicing agent services.

 

Custodian

 

U.S. Bank, N.A., (the “Custodian”), 1555 N. River Center Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a Custody Agreement by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian’s responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund’s cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund’s investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. The Fund may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets.

 

Compliance Services

 

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), 4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100, Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474, an affiliate of UFS, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust. NLCS’s compliance services consist primarily of reviewing and assessing the policies and procedures of the Trust and its service providers pertaining to compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Adviser pays the compliance service fee to NLCS. For the

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fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, the Adviser paid $13,892 for compliance services. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, the Adviser paid $30,461 for compliance services. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Adviser paid $33,188 for compliance services.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

 

 

Each share of beneficial interest of the Trust has one vote in the election of Trustees. Cumulative voting is not authorized for the Trust. This means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any Trustees.

 

Shareholders of the Trust and any other future series of the Trust will vote in the aggregate and not by series except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interest of the shareholders of a particular series. Matters such as ratification of the independent public accountants and election of Trustees are not subject to separate voting requirements and may be acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.

 

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. Each share has equal dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. There are no conversion or preemptive rights applicable to any shares of the Fund. All shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM

 

 

The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA Patriot Act”). To ensure compliance with this law, the Trust’s Program provides for the development of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program.

 

Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Fund’s Distributor and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reported suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA Patriot Act.

 

As a result of the Program, the Trust may be required to “freeze” the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.

 

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

 

 

Calculation of Share Price

 

As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading “Net Asset Value,” the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s shares, by class, is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund, by class.

 

Generally, the Fund’s domestic securities (including underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges) are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on such exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and as further described

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below. Securities that are not traded or dealt in any securities exchange (whether domestic or foreign) and for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available generally shall be valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask price on such over-the- counter market.

 

Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued at prices supplied by a pricing agent(s) based on broker or dealer supplied valuations or matrix pricing, a method of valuing securities by reference to the value of other securities with similar characteristics, such as rating, interest rate and maturity. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less may be generally valued at amortized cost. Exchange traded options; are valued at the last quoted sales price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the exchange on which such options are traded. Futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction. Swap agreements and other derivatives are generally valued daily based upon quotations from market makers or by a pricing service in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board.

 

Under certain circumstances, the Fund may use an independent pricing service to calculate the fair market value of foreign equity securities on a daily basis by applying valuation factors to the last sale price or the mean price as noted above. The fair market values supplied by the independent pricing service will generally reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or the value of other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities. The independent pricing service will also take into account the current relevant currency exchange rate. A security that is fair valued may be valued at a price higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures. Because foreign securities may trade on days when Fund shares are not priced, the value of securities held by the Fund can change on days when Fund shares cannot be redeemed or purchased. In the event that a foreign security’s market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable (for reasons other than because the foreign exchange on which it trades closed before the Fund’s calculation of NAV), the security will be valued at its fair market value as determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board as discussed below. Without fair valuation, it is possible that short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that it will prevent dilution of the Fund’s NAV by short-term traders. In addition, because the Fund may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign (non-U.S.) exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of these portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares.

 

Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the New York Stock Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares.

 

Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the “NYSE Close”) on each day that the NYSE is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally use pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the NYSE Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to the Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.

 

When market quotations are insufficient or not readily available, the Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or its designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.

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A Fund may hold securities, such as private placements, interests in commodity pools, other non-traded securities or temporarily illiquid securities, for which market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be unreliable. These securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board. The Board has designated the Adviser as its “Valuation Designee” to execute these procedures. The team may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm, valuation consultant or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.

 

Valuation Process. Fair value determinations are required for the following securities: (i) securities for which market quotations are insufficient or not readily available on a particular business day (including securities for which there is a short and temporary lapse in the provision of a price by the regular pricing source), (ii) securities for which, in the judgment of the Adviser, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument. Factors which may cause the Adviser to make such a judgment include, but are not limited to, the following: only a bid price or an asked price is available; the spread between bid and asked prices is substantial; the frequency of sales; the thinness of the market; the size of reported trades; and actions of the securities markets, such as the suspension or limitation of trading; (iii) securities determined to be illiquid; (iv) securities with respect to which an event that will affect the value thereof has occurred (a “significant event”) since the closing prices were established on the principal exchange on which they are traded, but prior to the Fund’s calculation of its net asset value. Specifically, interests in commodity pools or managed futures pools are valued on a daily basis by reference to the closing market prices of each futures contract or other asset held by a pool, as adjusted for pool expenses. Restricted or illiquid securities, such as private placements or non-traded securities are valued via inputs from the Adviser or valuation based upon the current bid for the security from two or more independent dealers or other parties reasonably familiar with the facts and circumstances of the security (who should take into consideration all relevant factors as may be appropriate under the circumstances). If the Adviser is unable to obtain a current bid from such independent dealers or other independent parties, the Adviser shall determine the fair value of such security using the following factors: (i) the type of security; (ii) the cost at date of purchase; (iii) the size and nature of the Fund’s holdings; (iv) the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase and subsequent thereto; (v) information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; (vi) the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition of the security and the existence of any registration rights; (vii) how the yield of the security compares to similar securities of companies of similar or equal creditworthiness; (viii) the level of recent trades of similar or comparable securities; (ix) the liquidity characteristics of the security; (x) current market conditions; and (xi) the market value of any securities into which the security is convertible or exchangeable.

 

Standards For Fair Value Determinations. As a general principle, the fair value of a security is the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to realize upon its current sale. The Trust has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820: Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). In accordance with ASC 820, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including such a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, developed based on the best information available under the circumstances.

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Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments relating to ASC 820. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs. (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

The Adviser takes into account the relevant factors and surrounding circumstances, which may include: (i) the nature and pricing history (if any) of the security; (ii) whether any dealer quotations for the security are available; (iii) possible valuation methodologies that could be used to determine the fair value of the security; (iv) the recommendation of a portfolio manager of the Fund with respect to the valuation of the security; (v) whether the same or similar securities are held by other funds managed by the Adviser or other funds and the method used to price the security in those funds; (vi) the extent to which the fair value to be determined for the security will result from the use of data or formulae produced by independent third parties and (vii) the liquidity or illiquidity of the market for the security.

 

Board Determination. The Board meets at least quarterly to consider the valuations provided by the Adviser and to ratify valuations made for the applicable securities. The Board considers the reports provided by the Adviser, including follow up studies of subsequent market-provided prices when available, in reviewing and determining in good faith the fair value of the applicable portfolio securities.

 

The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

 

Purchase of Shares

 

Orders for shares received by the Fund in good order prior to the close of business on the NYSE on each day during such periods that the NYSE is open for trading are priced at NAV per share computed as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE. Orders received in good order after the close of the NYSE, or on a day it is not open for trading, are priced at the close of such NYSE on the next day on which it is open for trading at the next determined NAV or offering price per share.

 

Notice to Texas Shareholders

 

Under section 72.1021(a) of the Texas Property Code, initial investors in a Fund who are Texas residents may designate a representative to receive notices of abandoned property in connection with Fund shares. Texas shareholders who wish to appoint a representative should notify the Trust’s Transfer Agent by writing to the address below to obtain a form for providing written notice to the Trust:

 

13D Activist Fund

c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC

P.O. Box 541150

Omaha, Nebraska 68154

or overnight to

4221 North 203rd Street, Suite 100

Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022-3474

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Redemption of Shares

 

The Fund will redeem all or any portion of a shareholder’s shares in the Fund when requested in accordance with the procedures set forth in the “Redemptions” section of the Prospectus. Under the 1940 Act, a shareholder’s right to redeem shares and to receive payment therefore may be suspended at times:

 

(a)when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings;

 

(b)when trading on that exchange is restricted for any reason;

 

(c)when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets, provided that applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or

 

(d)when the SEC by order permits a suspension of the right to redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption.

 

In case of suspension of the right of redemption, payment of a redemption request will be made based on the NAV next determined after the termination of the suspension.

 

The Fund may purchase shares of Underlying Funds which charge a redemption fee to shareholders (such as the Fund) that redeem shares of the Underlying Fund within a certain period of time (such as one year). The fee is payable to the Underlying Fund. Accordingly, if the Fund were to invest in an Underlying Fund and incur a redemption fee as a result of redeeming shares in such Underlying Fund, the Fund would bear such redemption fee. The Fund will not, however, invest in shares of an Underlying Fund that is sold with a contingent deferred sales load.

 

Supporting documents in addition to those listed under “Redemptions” in the Prospectus will be required from executors, administrators, Trustees, or if redemption is requested by someone other than the shareholder of record. Such documents include, but are not restricted to, stock powers, Trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor, certificates of corporate authority and r of tax required in some states when settling estates.

 

TAX STATUS

 

 

The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. All shareholders should consult a qualified tax advisor regarding their investment in the Fund.

 

The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, the Fund should not be subject to federal income or excise tax on its net investment income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Net investment income and net capital gain of the Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Code.

 

Net investment income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses. Net capital gain for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund. Capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010 may now be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Under previously enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains for only eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital losses, irrespective of the character of the original loss. Capital loss carryforwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carryforwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

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The Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income, any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, and any excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of net investment income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year, and no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.

 

To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must also (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, net income from certain publicly traded partnerships and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and (b) diversify its holding so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the market value of the Fund’s assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) any one issuer, two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships.

 

If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M in any fiscal year, it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such the Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations. Shareholders of the Fund generally would not be liable for income tax on the Fund’s net investment income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund’s net investment income or net realized capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund.

 

The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this tax.

 

The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Code.

 

Distributions of taxable net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. In most cases the Fund will hold shares in Underlying Funds for less than 12 months, such that its sales of such shares from time to time will not qualify as long-term capital gains for those investors who hold shares of the Fund in taxable accounts.

 

Distributions of net capital gain (“capital gain dividends”) generally are taxable to shareholders as short-term capital gain; regardless of the length of time the shares of the Trust have been held by such shareholders.

 

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.

 

Redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of

47

 

shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.

 

Distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional cash or shares. Shareholders electing to reinvest distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment date.

 

All distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain, whether received in shares or in cash, must be reported by each taxable shareholder on his or her federal income tax return. Dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month, if any, will be deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during January of the following year. Redemptions of shares may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.

 

Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law, or if the Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that withholding is required due to an incorrect TIN or a previous failure to report taxable interest or dividends. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.

 

Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements

 

Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution (“FFI”) or a non-financial foreign entity (“NFFE”) within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on: (a) income dividends paid by the Fund after June 30, 2014 and (b) certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares paid by the Fund after December 31, 2016. FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreement or other exemption, if it enters into a valid agreement with the IRS to, among other requirements, report required information about certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them. The Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of the Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.

 

Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements

 

To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, the Fund’s transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, straddles and foreign currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.

 

To the extent such investments are permissible, certain of the Fund’s hedging activities (including its transactions, if any, in foreign currencies or foreign currency-denominated instruments) are likely to produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If the Fund’s book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such excess book income will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits

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(including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If the Fund’s book income is less than taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

 

Investment by the Fund in certain “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”) could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the company’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company.

 

The Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings “to the market” as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed for the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

 

The Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.

 

Foreign Taxation

 

Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund’s taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will “pass through” for that year.

 

Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder’s U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of the Fund’s income will flow through to shareholders of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated debt securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. A shareholder may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of his or her proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. The foreign tax credit can be used to offset only 90% of the revised alternative minimum tax imposed on corporations and individuals and foreign taxes generally are not deductible in computing alternative minimum taxable income.

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Original Issue Discount and Pay-In-Kind Securities

 

Current federal tax law requires the holder of a U.S. Treasury or other fixed income zero coupon security to accrue as income each year a portion of the discount at which the security was purchased, even though the holder receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year. In addition, pay-in-kind securities will give rise to income, which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.

 

Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (“OID”) is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A portion of the OID includable in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities (including certain pay-in-kind securities) may be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

 

Some debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by a Fund may be treated as having acquisition discount, or OID in the case of certain types of debt securities. Generally, the Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or OID, in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

 

If the Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.

 

Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund’s shares.

 

A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each distribution. In January of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.

 

Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the application of federal, state and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.

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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

Deloitte & Touche LLP, located at 695 Town Center Drive, Suite 1000, Costa Mesa, California 92626, serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm providing services including (1) audit of annual financial statements, and (2) assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

 

Thompson Hine LLP, 41 South High Street, Suite 1700, Columbus, Ohio 43215, serves as the Trust’s legal counsel.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

The financial statements and report of the independent registered public accounting firm required to be included in this SAI are hereby incorporated by reference to the Annual Report for the Fund for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. You can obtain a copy of the Annual Report without charge by calling the Fund at 1-877-413-3228.

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APPENDIX A
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Proxy Voting Policies and Procedure

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has adopted Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, pursuant to which registered investment advisers that exercise voting authority over securities held in client portfolios are required to implement proxy voting policies and describe those policies to their clients.

 

13D Management LLC (the “Adviser” or “13D”) provides investment advisory services to an open-end registered investment company (“RIC Client”) and private investment funds (collectively, “Clients”) whose investment program primarily involves investing the Client assets in publicly traded securities. The Adviser has delegated authority to vote proxies relating to such securities on behalf of the Clients it manages.

 

The Adviser votes proxy proposals, amendments, consents or resolutions (collectively, “proxies”) in a prudent and diligent manner keeping in mind its fiduciary obligation and will base its voting decision on its reasonable judgment of what will serve the Client’s best financial interests and is in line with each Client’s investment objectives. The Adviser has established these written policies and procedures designed to ensure that proxies relating to shares owned by a Client to which 13D provides advice are voted in the best interest of such Client (the “Proxy Voting Policy”).

 

The Adviser’s Chief Investment Officer/Portfolio Manager is responsible for making all proxy voting decisions in accordance with the Proxy Voting Policy, and the monitoring of the effectiveness of the Proxy Voting Policy is the responsibility of the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”).

 

I.Guidelines for Voting Proxies

 

The Adviser invests Fund assets in companies it believes has the strongest activist catalyst, the Adviser generally expects to support the agenda and director nominees of the activist involved. However, we realize that there are many complexities to proxy votes, and we will vote against a proposal or recommendation of if we determine that such a vote is in the best interests of our Clients. We will generally vote proxies relating to Client securities in accordance with the following guidelines:

 

Generally, the Adviser will vote for routine corporate housekeeping proposals, including uncontested election of directors (where no corporate governance issues are implicated or withhold vote campaigns are instituted), selection of auditors, and increases in or reclassification of common stock.

 

Generally, the Adviser will vote against proposals that make it more difficult to replace members of the issuer’s board of directors, including proposals to stagger the board, cause management to be overrepresented on the board, introduce unequal voting rights, and create supermajority voting.

 

In certain circumstances, the Adviser may abstain from voting or affirmatively decide not to vote if the Adviser determines that abstaining or not voting is in the best interests of its Clients. In making such a determination, the Adviser will consider factors, including, but not limited to: (i) the relative costs and benefits associated with exercising the proxy; (ii) any legal restrictions on trading resulting from the exercise of a proxy; and (iii) whether the Client account has sold the underlying securities since the record date for the proxy.

 

With respect to the RIC Client, the Adviser may invest RIC Client assets Underlying Funds and is required by the 1940 Act to handle proxies received from Underlying Funds in a certain manner. Notwithstanding the guidelines provided in these procedures, the Adviser will, when applicable vote all RIC Client proxies received from the Underlying Funds in the same proportion that all shares of the Underlying Funds are voted, or in accordance with instructions received from fund shareholders, pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act.

 

II.Conflicts of Interest

 

The Adviser will endeavor to identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of the Adviser and its Clients. While it is impossible to anticipate all material conflicts of interest that could arise between the Adviser and its Clients in connection with proxy voting, portfolio management personnel should consult the CCO if they believe there is or become aware of a material conflict of interest with respect to a particular proxy vote. If a material conflict exists, the

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Adviser will determine the appropriate course of action which may include one or some of the following steps: (i) inform the Client of the material conflict and the Adviser’s voting decision; (ii) discuss the proxy vote with the Client; (iii) fully disclose the material facts regarding the conflict and seek the Client’s consent to vote the proxy as intended; and/or (iv) seek the recommendations of an independent third party. The Adviser will document the rationale for any course of action taken with respect to an identified conflict of interest. Such documentation will be maintained in accordance with the recordkeeping procedures.

 

With respect to ERISA clients whose advisory contract reserves the right to vote proxies when the Adviser has determined that a material conflict exists that affects its best judgment as a fiduciary to the ERISA client, the Adviser will (a) give the ERISA client the opportunity to vote the proxies in question themselves; or (b) follow designated special proxy voting procedures related to voting proxies pursuant to the terms of the investment management agreement with such ERISA clients (if any). The Adviser currently does not have any ERISA clients.

 

III.Voting Procedures

 

The Adviser may receive proxy materials from issuers, custodians, or broker-dealers through the mail in hard copy form or via email with respect to any securities held in Client accounts.

 

The Portfolio Manager is responsible for reviewing the proxy materials and the timely voting (or determining not to vote in appropriate cases) proxies relating to Client securities in accordance with this policy. The Portfolio Manager is authorized to consider voting recommendations and other information and analysis from service providers or other third parties. Where appropriate, the Portfolio Manager may consult with the CCO regarding decisions and completion of the proxy material. Decisions are based on a number of factors that may vary depending on a proxy’s subject matter, but are guided by the general policies described in this document. In addition, the Adviser may determine not to vote a proxy after consideration of the vote’s expected benefit to Clients and the cost of voting the proxy. In certain instances, the Adviser’s voting power may subject to any restrictions or guidelines issued by the Client (or in the case of an employee benefit plan, the plan’s trustee or other fiduciaries) and if so, the Portfolio Manager will vote in accordance with such guidelines.

 

After deciding to vote a proxy and determining how to vote the proxy, the Portfolio Manager will then submit the vote and make available completed copies of the proxy materials to the CCO.

 

IV.Disclosure to Clients

 

The Adviser will disclose in the Adviser Client’s Confidential Offering Memorandum and/or the Adviser’s Form ADV Part 2A (or other applicable offering document) that investors, by written request may obtain a copy of these policies and procedures and may request information on how the Adviser votes proxies relating to the Client’s portfolio. Upon request, such information will include, with respect to each voted proxy (1) the name of the issuer; (2) the proposal voted upon; and (3) how the Adviser voted the proxy; and (4) any other reasonable information a limited partner might request.

 

With respect to RIC Clients, the Adviser shall, or shall cause the RIC Client service provider to:

 

a)File the complete proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30 with the Securities Exchange Commission on an annual basis (no later than August 31 of each year) on Form N-PX.

 

b)Describe in the Client’s Statement of Additional Information the policies and procedures that it uses to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, including the procedures that the Adviser uses when a vote presents a conflict of interest between the Client and the Adviser, or their affiliates.

 

c)Disclose in the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and in the registration statement the methods by which shareholders may obtain information about the proxy voting policies and procedures and proxy voting record. Make available to shareholders, either on the fund’s website as soon as reasonably practicable or within three business days of any request by first class mail (or other means designed to equally ensure prompt delivery), the most recently filed report on Form N-PX.

 

d)Send a description of the proxy voting policies and procedures by first-class mail (or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery) within three business days of receipt of a request by a shareholder.

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V.Books and Records

 

The Adviser must maintain the following records relating to proxy voting in an easily accessible place for five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, with records for the first two years kept in the Adviser’s offices.

 

A copy of these proxy voting policies and procedures;

 

A copy of each proxy statement received by the Adviser regarding Client securities;

 

A record of each vote cast by the Adviser on behalf of a Client;

 

A copy of all memoranda or similar documents created by the Adviser that were material to making a decision on the voting of Client securities or that memorialize the basis for that decision; and

 

A copy of each written request by an investor for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of a Client, and a copy of any written response by the Adviser to any request (written or oral) by an investor for information on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of the Client.

 

The Adviser may satisfy the requirement to maintain copies of proxy statements received and a record of votes cast on behalf of the Clients by relying on third parties to make and retain, on behalf of the Adviser, a copy of such proxy statements and voting records, provided that the Adviser has obtained an undertaking from the third party to provide a copy of the proxy statements and voting records promptly upon request. The Adviser also may satisfy the requirement to maintain copies of proxy statements by relying on its ability to obtain a copy of a proxy statement from the SEC’s EDGAR system (to the extent that such proxy statements are available through the EDGAR system).

 

VI.Review

 

The CCO will review, no less frequently than annually, the adequacy of these policies and procedures to make sure they have been implemented effectively, including whether the policies and procedures continue to be reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of its Clients. As part of this review, the CCO or their designee, will review a sample of votes cast (including a sample of proxy votes related to proposals requiring more issuer-specific analysis (e.g., contested elections for directors)) to determine whether those votes were made in accordance with these policies and procedures. The CCO will also review the Adviser’s Client disclosures (e.g., the Adviser’s Form ADV and the Adviser’s offering materials, due diligence questionnaires and marketing materials) regarding its proxy voting policies and procedures.

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