As
filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on September
2, 2026
1933
Act File No. 333-88343
1940 Act File No. 811-09603
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
N-1A
| REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | ☒ |
| Pre-Effective Amendment No. | ☐ | |
| Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 | ☒ | |
| (Check appropriate box or boxes.) |
| and/or |
| REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | ☒ |
| Amendment No. 72 | ☒ |
| (Check appropriate box or boxes.) |
AMERICAN
BEACON SELECT FUNDS
(Exact Name of Registrant
as Specified in Charter)
220
East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200
Irving,
Texas 75039
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (817) 391-6100
Gregory
J. Stumm, President
220
East Las Colinas Boulevard
Suite
1200
Irving, Texas
75039
(Name and
Address of Agent for Service)
With
copies to:
Kathy
K. Ingber, Esq.
K&L
Gates LLP
1601
K Street, NW
Washington,
D.C. 20006-1600
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
| ☐ | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
| ☐ | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) |
| ☐ | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
| ☐ | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
| ☒ | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
| ☐ | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485 |
If appropriate, check the following box:
| ☐ | This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
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American Beacon |
PROSPECTUS
[XX XX, 2026]
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American Beacon CIFC Active CLO ETF |
MEZZ |
This Prospectus contains important information you should know about investing, including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference.
Fund shares are not individually redeemable. Fund shares are listed on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”).
As with all exchange-traded funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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American
Beacon |
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Investment Objectives
The Fund’s investment objectives are to seek current income with long-term capital appreciation as a secondary objective.
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.
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) | |
|
Management Fees |
0.45% |
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees1 |
0.00% |
|
Other Expenses2 |
0.00% |
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
0.45% |
| 1 | Pursuant to a Distribution Plan, the Fund may bear a Rule 12b-1 fee not to exceed 0.25% per year of the Fund’s average daily net assets. However, no such fee is currently paid by the Fund, and the Board of Trustees has not currently approved the commencement of any payments under the Distribution Plan. |
| 2 | Other Expenses are based on estimated expenses for the current fiscal year. |
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, whether you redeem or hold your shares, your costs would be:
|
1Year |
3 Years | |
|
$46 |
$144 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the Fund’s most recent fiscal year is not provided because the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”). A CLO is a trust or special purpose entity typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, second lien loans or other types of subordinate loans, and mezzanine loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans and including loans that may be covenant-lite. CLOs may also be collateralized by senior secured and unsecured corporate bonds. The cash flows from the CLO are generally split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in payment priority, risk and yield.
The Fund generally invests in investment grade CLO debt tranches but also has exposure to below-investment grade tranches, whether rated below investment grade at the time of purchase or downgraded to below investment grade after acquisition.
The Fund considers investment grade CLO debt to be rated BBB- or better by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P Global”) or Fitch Ratings Inc. (“Fitch”), Baa3 or better by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or, if unrated, to be of equivalent investment quality as determined by the sub-advisor. The Fund considers below investment grade CLO debt to be rated BB+ or lower by S&P Global or Fitch, Ba1 or lower by Moody’s, or, if unrated, to be of equivalent investment quality as determined by the sub-advisor. Below investment grade securities are commonly referred to as “junk” or high yield.
The Fund typically focuses its holdings on AA/Aa to BB+/Ba1 rated CLO debt tranches but during certain market conditions deemed unfavorable by the sub-advisor, it may increase exposure to AAA/Aaa rated tranches.
The Fund will invest predominantly in U.S. dollar-denominated CLO debt tranches but will have the ability to invest up to 25% in European CLO debt tranches subject to the ratings grade requirements mentioned above.
In selecting CLOs for investment by the Fund, the sub-advisor combines bottom-up fundamental analysis with top-down portfolio allocation and risk management. In particular, the sub-advisor seeks to leverage its experience and in-depth knowledge of underlying collateral portfolios and CLO structures to source CLO investments from either the primary market, as dealers bring CLOs to market, or in the secondary market. The sub-advisor utilizes a tiered screening process to identify investment opportunities, with a focus on relative value. The process typically entails analyzing four distinct layers to evaluate potential investments: (i) the collateral manager (review of experience, depth and stability of the credit and portfolio management teams, investment strategy and process and historical performance, among other factors), (ii) the underlying collateral portfolio (overlap analysis of the portfolio collateral versus the sub-advisor’s existing portfolios, a review of portfolio-wide key metrics and review of individual assets, among other factors), (iii) the transaction structure (analyzing hypothetical deal performance and the structure’s sensitivity to factors such as differing default rates, reinvestment yields, prepayment rates, interest rates and other macro/market variables, among other factors, and comparing key terms to past and present deals in the market), and (iv) CLO documents (as these documents are not standardized). During the screening process, the sub-advisor utilizes a technology suite which includes third-party analytics software and its own proprietary dashboard to screen and identify investment opportunities and attendant risks. Opportunities that have passed the screening process are submitted to the sub-advisor’s investment committee, which then analyzes and, once it has approved an investment decision, sets appropriate risk limits. The sub-advisor focuses on monitoring relative value and achieving maximum risk-adjusted returns on both new and existing investments.
Prospectus – Fund Summary1
The sub-advisor will consider selling an investment when a negative development is perceived to impact the investment or when the sub-advisor believes other investment opportunities may better optimize the relative value, risk and performance of the Fund’s strategy.
The Fund may invest cash balances in a government money market fund advised by the Manager, with respect to which the Manager receives a management fee.
Principal Risks
There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives, and you could lose part or all of your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not designed for investors who need an assured level of current income and is intended to be a long-term investment. The Fund is not a complete investment program and may not be appropriate for all investors. Investors should carefully consider their own investment goals and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund listed below are presented in alphabetical order and not in order of importance or potential exposure. Among other matters, this presentation is intended to facilitate your ability to find particular risks and compare them with the risks of other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
Collateralized
Loan Obligations (“CLOs”) Risk
The
risks of an investment in a CLO depend largely on the type of underlying collateral and the class or seniority of CLO in which the Fund
invests. The Fund
typically will invest
in CLOs collateralized by bank loans.
Therefore,
the CLOs in which the Fund invests will be subject to loan interests risk.
In addition, CLOs typically
are privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CLOs may be characterized
as illiquid securities.
The Fund’s investments in CLOs and other similarly structured investments may expose the Fund to heightened credit risk, interest
rate risk, liquidity risk,
market risk, and prepayment and extension risk. In addition to these risks, CLOs may also carry additional risks including, but not limited
to: (i) the possibility
that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the risk that the quality
of the collateral may decline
in value or default; (iii) the risk that the Fund may invest in CLOs that are subordinate to other classes; (iv) the risk that the complex
structure of the security
may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results; and (v)
the possibility that
the CLO’s manager may perform poorly. CLOs may charge management and other administrative fees, which are in addition to those of
the Fund. CLOs may
be difficult to value and may be highly leveraged, which could make them highly volatile. In addition to the other principal risks set
forth herein, the
Fund is indirectly subject to the following underlying risks of CLOs:
| ■ | “Covenant-Lite” Obligations Risk. CLOs may be collateralized by “covenant-lite” obligations. Covenant-lite obligations contain fewer maintenance covenants than other obligations, or no maintenance covenants at all, and may not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the financial performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached. The CLO’s exposure to losses on such investments may be increased, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle. |
| ■ | High-Yield Securities Risk. Exposure to high-yield, below investment-grade securities (which are commonly referred to as having “junk status”) generally involves significantly greater risks than an investment in investment grade securities. High-yield debt securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield and may fall in price when the economy is weak or expected to become weak. These securities also may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires. High-yield securities are considered to be speculative with respect to an issuer’s ability to pay interest and principal and carry a greater risk that the issuers of lower-rated securities will default on the timely payment of principal and interest. High-yield securities may experience greater price volatility and less liquidity than investment grade securities. Issuers of securities that are in default or have defaulted may fail to resume principal or interest payments, in which case the Fund may lose its entire investment. |
| ■ | Loan Interests Risk. In making investments in loans through CLOs, the Fund will depend primarily on the creditworthiness of the underlying borrowers for payment of principal and interest. The Fund will also rely on the CLO issuer to pursue appropriate remedies against a borrower in the event that the borrower defaults. CLOs collateralized by loans made to finance highly leveraged companies or transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. |
| ■ | Secured, Partially Secured and Unsecured Obligation Risk. Debt obligations may be secured, partially secured or unsecured. Interests in secured and partially-secured obligations have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured or partially-secured obligation would satisfy the borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. Furthermore, there is a risk that the value of any collateral securing an obligation in which a CLO has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the obligation. In the event the borrower defaults, a CLO’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Unsecured debt, including senior unsecured and subordinated debt, will not be secured by any collateral and will be effectively subordinated to a borrower’s secured indebtedness (to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness). With respect to unsecured obligations, the CLO lacks any collateral on which to foreclose to satisfy its claim in whole or in part. Such instruments generally have greater price volatility than that of fully secured holdings and may be less liquid. |
| ■ | Senior,
Mezzanine and Subordinated Obligation Risk.
CLOs may be collateralized by obligations that hold a senior position in the capital structure of the issuing
entity. Under normal circumstances, senior obligations have priority of claim ahead of other obligations of the borrower in the event
of liquidation. However,
senior obligations may be subject to structural subordination, and they may be subordinated to certain obligations of the borrower or
its subsidiaries (such
as payroll expenses). Certain senior obligations, typically senior bank loans, also include restrictive covenants that must be maintained
by the borrower. CLOs may be collateralized by subordinated or mezzanine obligations including second and lower lien loans and the mezzanine and equity (or “first loss”) tranches of CLO issues. Second lien loans are generally second in line in terms of repayment priority, and third lien loans, if applicable, would follow accordingly. Subordinated and mezzanine obligations are generally issued by entities whose capital structures have senior indebtedness ranking ahead of such obligations. The holders of subordinated and mezzanine obligations are generally more limited with respect to their rights to foreclose or exercise other rights of senior investors. In certain cases, no recovery may be available for such obligations. Due to their lower place in the borrower’s capital structure, and possible unsecured or partially secured status (See “Principal Risks—Collateralized Loan Obligations (“CLOs”) Risk—Secured, Partially Secured and Unsecured Obligation Risk”), subordinated and mezzanine obligations involve a higher degree of overall risk as compared to senior obligations of the same borrower, including credit, market, liquidity and interest rate risk, among others |
Counterparty
Risk
The Fund
is subject to the risk that a party or participant to a transaction, such as a broker, will be unwilling or unable to satisfy its obligation
to make timely principal,
interest or settlement payments or to otherwise honor its obligations to the Fund.
Credit
Risk
The Fund
is subject to the risk that the issuer, guarantor or insurer of an obligation, or the counterparty to a transaction, may fail, or become
less able or unwilling,
to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. Changes in the actual or perceived
creditworthiness of
an issuer, or a downgrade or default affecting any of the Fund’s securities, could affect the Fund’s performance. Generally,
the longer the maturity
and the lower the credit quality of a security, the more sensitive it is to credit risk.
Currency
Risk
The Fund
may have exposure to foreign currencies. Foreign currencies may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, may be affected unpredictably
by intervention, or
the failure to intervene, of the U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, and may be affected by currency controls or political
developments in the
U.S. or abroad. Foreign currencies may also decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and other currencies and thereby affect the Fund’s
investments.
2Prospectus – Fund Summary
Cybersecurity
and Operational Risk
Operational
risks arising from, among other problems, human errors, systems and technology disruptions or failures, or cybersecurity incidents may
negatively impact
the Fund, its service providers and third-party fund distribution platforms, including the ability of shareholders to transact in the
Fund’s shares, and result
in financial losses. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, shareholder data, or proprietary
information, or cause
the Fund or its service providers, as well as securities trading venues and their service providers, to suffer data corruption or lose
operational functionality.
Cybersecurity incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. It is not possible for the Fund or its service providers
to identify all of
the operational risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to completely eliminate or mitigate their occurrence
or effects. The Fund
cannot control the cybersecurity and operational plans and systems of its service providers, its counterparties or the issuers of securities
in which the Fund
invests. The issuers of the Fund’s investments are likely to be dependent on computers for their operations and require ready access
to their data and the internet
to conduct their business. Thus, cybersecurity incidents could also affect issuers of the Fund’s investments, leading to significant
loss of value.
Exchange-Traded
Funds (“ETFs”) Risk
As an ETF,
the Fund is subject to the following risks:
| ■ | Authorized Participants Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as authorized participants (i.e., large institutions that have entered into agreements with the distributor of the Fund’s shares and are authorized to transact in Creation Units (described below) with the Fund) (“Authorized Participants”). Only an Authorized Participant may transact in Creation Units directly with the Fund, and none of those Authorized Participants is obligated to engage in creation and/or redemption transactions. To the extent they exit the business or are otherwise unable to proceed in creation and redemption transactions with the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to create or redeem shares, then shares of the Fund may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to net asset value (“NAV”) and possibly face trading halts or delisting. Authorized Participant concentration risk may be heightened for ETFs that invest in securities or instruments that have lower trading volumes. |
| ■ | Cash Transactions Risk. Like other ETFs, the Fund sells and redeems its shares primarily in large blocks called “Creation Units” and only to Authorized Participants. Unlike many other ETFs, however, the Fund expects to effect its creations and redemptions at least partially or fully for cash, rather than in-kind securities. Thus, an investment in the Fund may be less tax-efficient than an investment in other ETFs as the Fund may recognize a capital gain that it could have avoided by making redemptions in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher capital gains distributions than ETFs that redeem in-kind. Further, paying redemption proceeds in cash rather than through in-kind delivery of portfolio securities may require the Fund to dispose of or sell portfolio investments to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds at an inopportune time. |
| ■ | Premium/Discount Risk. There may be times when the market price of the Fund’s shares is more than its NAV (at a premium) or less than its NAV (at a discount). As a result, shareholders of the Fund may pay more than NAV when purchasing shares and receive less than NAV when selling Fund shares. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines. In such market conditions, market or stop loss orders to sell Fund shares may be executed at prices well below NAV. |
| ■ | Secondary Market Trading Risk. Investors buying or selling shares in the secondary market will normally pay brokerage commissions, which are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors buying or selling relatively small amounts of shares. In addition, such investors may incur the cost of the “spread” also known as the bid-ask spread, which is the difference between what investors are willing to pay for Fund shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which they are willing to sell Fund shares (the “ask” price). The bid-ask spread varies over time based on, among other things, trading volume, market liquidity and market volatility. Trading in Fund shares may be halted by the Exchange (as defined below) because of market conditions or other reasons. If a trading halt occurs, a shareholder may temporarily be unable to purchase or sell shares of the Fund. In addition, although the Fund’s shares are listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares will develop or be maintained or that the Fund’s shares will continue to be listed. |
Foreign
Investing Risk
Non-U.S.
investments carry potential risks not associated with U.S. investments. Such risks may include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange
rate fluctuations,
(2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing, recordkeeping and financial reporting
standards, (5) greater
volatility, (6) different government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays
or failures in transaction
payment and settlement in some foreign markets. Additionally, trading in foreign markets generally involves higher transaction costs than
trading in U.S. markets.
The Fund’s investment in a foreign issuer may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and other
risks associated with
that country, including tariffs, trade disputes and sanctions. Global economic and financial markets have become increasingly interconnected
and conditions (including
recent volatility, terrorism, war and political instability) and events (including natural disasters) in one country, region or financial
market may adversely
impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.
Geographic
Concentration Risk
From
time to time, based on market or economic conditions, the Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in the securities of issuers
located in, or with
significant economic ties to, a single country or geographic region, which could increase the risk that economic, market, political, business,
regulatory, diplomatic,
social and environmental conditions in that particular country or geographic region may have a significant impact on the Fund’s
performance. Investing
in such a manner could cause the Fund’s performance to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diverse funds.
A decline in the economies
or financial markets of one country or region may adversely affect the economies or financial markets of another.
| ■ | European
Securities Risk. The
Fund’s performance may be affected by political, social and economic conditions in Europe, such as growth of economic output
(the gross national product of the countries in the region), the rate of inflation, the rate at which capital is reinvested into European
economies, the success
of governmental actions to reduce budget deficits, the resource self-sufficiency of European countries, the monetary exchange rates between
European countries,
and conflict between European countries. The European financial markets have experienced and may continue to experience volatility and
adverse trends due to concerns relating to economic downturns; rising government debt levels and the possible default on government debt;
national unemployment
in several European countries; public health crises; political unrest; economic sanctions; inflation; energy crises; and war and military
conflict, such as
the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A default or debt restructuring by any European country could adversely impact holders of that country’s
debt and sellers of
credit default swaps linked to that country’s creditworthiness, which may be located in other countries. Such a default or debt
restructuring could affect
exposures to European countries. In addition, issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations, and
financial markets have
experienced extreme volatility and declines in asset values and liquidity. These events have affected the exchange rate of the Euro and
may continue to significantly
affect European countries. Responses to financial problems by European governments, central banks, and others, including austerity measures and other reforms, may not produce the desired results, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or may have unintended consequences. The Fund makes investments in securities of issuers that are domiciled in member states of the European Union (the “EU”). The economies and markets of European countries are often closely connected and interdependent, and events in one country in Europe can have an adverse impact on other European countries. One or more countries may abandon the Euro and/or withdraw from the EU. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, could be significant and far-reaching. The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU could be an indication that one or more other countries may withdraw |
Prospectus – Fund Summary3
| from
the EU and/or abandon the Euro. These events and actions have affected, and may in the future affect, the value and exchange rate of the
Euro and may continue
to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-EU member states. The continuing effects on the economies of European countries of the Russia/Ukraine war and Russia’s response to sanctions imposed by the U.S., EU, UK and others, are impossible to predict, but have been and could continue to be significant. For example, exports in Eastern Europe have been disrupted for certain key commodities, pushing commodity prices to record highs. Also, both wholesale energy prices and energy prices charged to consumers in Europe have increased significantly. |
Interest
Rate Risk
Generally,
the value of investments with interest rate risk, such as fixed-income securities, will move in the opposite direction as movements in
interest rates. Factors
including central bank monetary policy, rising inflation rates, and changes in general economic conditions may cause interest rates to
rise, which could cause
the value of the Fund’s investments to decline. Interest rate increases, including significant or rapid increases, may result in
a decline in the value of bonds
held by the Fund, make issuers less willing or able to make principal and interest payments on fixed-income investments when due, lead
to heightened volatility
in the fixed-income markets and adversely affect the liquidity of certain fixed-income investments, any of which may result in substantial
losses to the Fund.
When interest rates
decline, issuers may prepay higher-yielding securities held by the Fund, resulting in the Fund reinvesting in securities with lower yields,
which may cause a decline in its income.
The prices of fixed-income securities are also affected by their durations. Fixed-income securities with longer durations
generally have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates than those with shorter durations. Rising interest rates may cause the
value of the Fund’s
investments with longer durations and terms to maturity to decline, which may adversely affect the value of the Fund. For example, if
a bond has a duration
of 8 years, a 1% increase
in interest rates could be expected to result in 8%
decrease in the value of the bond. Fluctuations in interest rates may also affect
the liquidity of fixed income securities and instruments held by the Fund.
Investment
Risk
An investment
in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government
agency. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by
investing in the Fund.
Liquidity
Risk
The Fund
is susceptible to the risk that certain investments held by the Fund may have limited marketability, be subject to restrictions on sale,
be difficult or impossible
to purchase or sell at favorable times or prices or become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse credit events that
may affect issuers
or guarantors of a security. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect the Fund’s value or prevent the Fund
from being able to take advantage
of other investment opportunities. Market prices for such instruments may be volatile. During periods of substantial market volatility,
an investment or even
an entire market segment may become illiquid, sometimes abruptly, which can adversely affect the Fund’s ability to limit losses.
The Fund could lose
money if it is unable to dispose of an investment at a time that is most beneficial to the Fund. The Fund may be required to dispose of
investments at unfavorable
times or prices to satisfy obligations, which may result in losses or may be costly to the Fund. Judgment plays a greater role
in pricing illiquid investments
than in investments with more active markets.
Market
Risk
The Fund
is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions
and other factors,
which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. The financial markets generally move in cycles, with periods of rising prices
followed by periods
of declining prices. The value of your investment may reflect these fluctuations. During a general downturn in the securities markets,
multiple asset classes
may decline in value simultaneously. Even when certain securities prices have generally increased over time, there have been periods of
price decreases during
those times, resulting in losses for investors, which are likely to occur again in the future.
Geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, trade disputes, pandemics, public health crises, natural disasters, and cybersecurity incidents, have led, and in the future may continue to lead, to general instability in world economies and markets and reduced liquidity in securities, which may negatively affect the value of your investment.
Policies established by the U.S. government and/or Federal Reserve and economic and political circumstances within the U.S. and abroad, such as inflation, changes in interest rates, recessions, changes in government leadership, a government’s inability to agree on a budget, high public debt, the threat or occurrence of a federal government shutdown and threats or the occurrence of a failure to increase the federal government’s debt limit, which could result in a default on the government’s obligations, may negatively affect investor and consumer confidence and may negatively impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree.
Markets and market participants are increasingly reliant upon public and proprietary data and systems. Data or technology malfunctions and inaccuracies may disrupt markets and lead to negative consequences for market participants like the Fund.
| ■ | Recent
Market Events Risk.
Both U.S. and international markets have experienced significant volatility in recent months and years. As a result of such volatility,
investment returns may fluctuate significantly. Moreover, during periods of significant volatility, the risks discussed herein associated
with an investment
in the Fund may be increased. National economies are substantially interconnected, as are global financial markets, which creates the
possibility that conditions
in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. However, the interconnectedness of economies
and/or markets may
be changing, which may impact such economies and markets in ways that cannot be foreseen at this time. Some countries, including the U.S., have adopted more protectionist trade policies, including trade tariffs and other trade barriers, which is a trend that appears to be continuing globally. The economies of all nations, including the U.S., are subject to the risks of slowing global economic growth, protectionist trade policies, inflationary pressures, limits imposed by international trade and security agreements, political or economic dysfunction, poor consumer sentiment, and reduced demand for goods due to fluctuating commodity prices and currency values, and these risks may create significant market volatility in ways that cannot be foreseen at the present time. These economic risks could have a negative impact on the Fund’s investments. The U.S. Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have started to lower interest rates, though economic or other factors could stop or reverse such changes. It is difficult to accurately predict the various economic and political factors that influence the pace at which interest rates might change, the timing, frequency or magnitude of any such changes in interest rates, or when such changes might stop or again reverse course. Changes in interest rates |
4Prospectus – Fund Summary
| could
lead to an economic slowdown in the U.S. and abroad, significant market volatility and reduced liquidity in certain sectors of the market. Tensions, war, or open conflict between nations, such as among the United States, Israel and Iran, between Russia and Ukraine, otherwise in the Middle East or in eastern Asia could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States and may contribute to increased volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets. The extent and duration of ongoing hostilities and related sanctions and the repercussions of such events cannot be predicted. Those events have presented and could continue to present material uncertainty and risk with respect to markets globally, including in the oil and gas markets and potentially other industries and sectors, and the performance of the Fund and its investments or operations could be negatively impacted. Advancements in technology, including advanced development and increased regulation of artificial intelligence, may adversely impact market movements and liquidity. As artificial intelligence is used more widely, which can occur relatively rapidly, the profitability and growth of certain issuers and industries may be negatively impacted in ways that cannot be foreseen and could adversely impact issuer and market performance. As a consequence, the Fund’s holdings and its overall performance could be negatively impacted. Global climate change may affect property and security values. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change in ways that cannot be foreseen. The impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences that may not be foreseen, may negatively impact certain issuers, industries and regions. |
Model
and Data Risk
Models
and data are used to screen potential investments for the Fund. When models or data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions
made in reliance thereon
expose the Fund to potential risks. Some of the models used by the
sub-advisor are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent
risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on
such models may depend
heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. There is no assurance that the models are complete, accurate,
or representative of
future market cycles, nor will they always be beneficial to the Fund if they are accurate. Additionally, programs may become outdated
or experience malfunctions
which may not be identified by the sub-advisor and therefore may also result in losses to the Fund. These models may negatively affect
Fund performance for
various other reasons, including human judgment, inaccuracy of historical data and non-quantitative factors (such as market or trading
system dysfunctions,
investor fear or overreaction). The use of artificial intelligence or other evolving or emerging technologies presents significant risks
and may exacerbate
the aforementioned risks.
New
Fund Risk
The
Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus. The current performance of the Fund may not represent how it is
expected to, or may,
perform in the long term if and when it becomes larger and has fully implemented its investment strategies. Investment positions may have
a disproportionate
impact (negative or positive) on the Fund’s performance. The Fund may also require a period of time before it is invested in securities
that meet its investment
objectives and policies and achieves a representative portfolio composition. Fund performance may be lower or higher during this “ramp-up”
period, and may also be more volatile, than would be the case after the Fund is fully invested. Similarly, the Fund’s investment
strategies may require
a longer period of time to show returns that are representative of the strategies. As a new ETF, the Fund may experience low trading volume
and wide bid-ask spreads.
Other
Investment Companies Risk
To
the extent that the Fund invests in shares of other registered investment companies, the Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses
charged by those investment
companies in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses. To the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies that
invest in equity securities,
fixed-income securities and/or foreign securities, or that track an index, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with the underlying
investments held by
the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject. The Fund will be subject to the risks associated
with investments in
those companies, including but not limited to the following:
| ■ | Government Money Market Funds Risk. Investments in government money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. |
Prepayment
and Extension Risk
Prepayment
and extension risk is the risk that a bond or other fixed-income security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called
or otherwise converted,
prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be prepaid as expected. Due to a
decline in interest
rates or excess cash flow into the issuer, a debt security may be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity.
If this occurs, no
additional interest will be paid on the investment. The Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in another investment at a lower rate,
may not benefit from
an increase in value that may result from declining interest rates, and may lose any premium it paid to acquire the security, any of which
could result in a
reduced yield to the Fund. The rate of prepayments tends to increase as interest rates fall, which could cause the average maturity of
the portfolio to shorten.
Conversely, extension risk is the risk that a decrease in prepayments may, as a result of higher interest rates or other factors, result
in the extension of
a security’s effective maturity, increase the risk of default or delayed payment, heighten interest rate risk and increase the potential
for a decline in an investment’s
price. In addition, as a consequence of a decrease in prepayments, the amount of principal available to the Fund for investment would
be reduced. Extensions
of obligations could cause the Fund to exhibit additional volatility and hold securities paying lower-than-market rates of interest. Either
case could hurt the
Fund’s performance.
Restricted
Securities Risk
Securities
not registered in the U.S. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or in non-U.S. markets pursuant
to similar regulations,
including “Section 4(a)(2)” securities and “Rule 144A” securities, are restricted as to their resale. Such securities
may not be listed on an exchange
and may have no active trading market. The prices of these securities may be more difficult to determine than publicly traded securities
and these securities
may involve heightened risk as compared to investments in securities of publicly traded companies. They may be more difficult to purchase
or sell at an advantageous
time or price because such securities may not be readily marketable in broad public markets or may have to be held for a certain time
period before they
can be resold. The Fund may not be able to sell a restricted security when the
sub-advisor considers it desirable to do so and/or may have to sell the
security at a lower price than the Fund believes is its fair market value. In addition, transaction costs may be higher for restricted
securities and the Fund may
receive only limited information regarding the issuer of a restricted security. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering restricted
securities for resale
and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration.
Securities
Selection Risk
Securities
selected for the Fund may not perform to expectations. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to its performance
index(es), or other
funds with similar investment objectives or strategies.
Unrated
Securities Risk
Because
the Fund may purchase securities that are not rated by any rating organization, the
sub-advisor, after assessing their credit quality, may internally assign
ratings to certain of those securities in categories similar to those of rating organizations. Unrated securities are subject to the risk
that the sub-advisor
Prospectus – Fund Summary5
may not accurately evaluate the security’s comparative credit rating. Some unrated securities may not have an active trading market or may be difficult to value, which means the Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price. Unrated securities may also be subject to greater liquidity risk and price volatility.
Valuation
Risk
Certain
of the Fund’s assets may be valued at a price different from the price at which they can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced
for investments that
are illiquid or may become illiquid, or securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility.
The valuation of the
Fund’s investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third party service
providers, such as
pricing services or accounting agents.
Variable
and Floating Rate Securities Risk
The
coupons on variable and floating-rate securities are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. A variable rate security
has a coupon that
is adjusted at pre-designated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the coupon is based. The coupon on
a floating rate security
is generally based on an interest rate, such as a money-market index, Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), or a Treasury
bill rate. Variable
and floating rate securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. As short-term interest rates decline, the coupons on variable
and floating-rate
securities typically decrease. Alternatively, during periods of rising short-term interest rates, the coupons on variable and floating-rate
securities typically
increase. Changes in the coupons of variable and floating-rate securities may lag behind changes in market rates or may have limits on
the maximum increases
in the coupon rates. The value of variable and floating-rate securities may decline if their coupons do not rise as much, or as quickly,
as interest rates in
general. Conversely, variable and floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. Certain types
of variable and floating rate
instruments may be subject to greater liquidity risk than other debt securities.
Fund Performance
Performance information for the Fund is not provided because the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus. Performance information will be available in the Prospectus after the Fund has been in operation for one full calendar year. When available, performance for the Fund can be accessed on the Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Management
The
Manager
The
Fund has retained American Beacon Advisors, Inc. to serve as its Manager.
Sub-Advisor
The
Fund’s investment sub-advisor is CIFC
Investment Management LLC.
Portfolio Managers
|
CIFC Investment Management LLC |
Matthew
Andrews |
Jay
Huang |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund is an exchange-traded fund. Individual Fund shares may only be purchased and sold on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer and may not be purchased or redeemed directly with the Fund. Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”). Shares may be purchased and redeemed from the Fund only in Creation Units of [XX,XXX] shares, or multiples thereof, at NAV. As a practical matter, only institutions and large investors, such as market makers or other large broker-dealers, purchase or redeem Creation Units. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the Fund on the Exchange. Individual shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other publicly traded securities through a broker-dealer on the Exchange. These transactions do not involve the Fund. The price of an individual Fund share is based on market prices, which may be different from its NAV. As a result, the Fund’s shares may trade at a price greater than the NAV (at a premium) or less than the NAV (at a discount). An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the Fund (“bid”) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the Fund (“ask”) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Most investors will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges when buying or selling shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer.
Recent information regarding the Fund, including its NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Fund’s website at [www.americanbeaconfunds.com/products/etfs/american-beacon-cifc-active-clo-etf/].
Tax Information
Dividends, and other distributions, if any, that you receive as a result of your investment in the Fund are subject to federal income tax and may also be subject to state and local income taxes, unless you are a tax-exempt entity or your account is tax-deferred, such as an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or a 401(k) plan (in which case you may be taxed later, upon the withdrawal of your investment from such account or 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 and the Fund’s distributor, Foreside Financial Services, LLC, or the Manager 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 individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Additional Information About the Fund
To help you better understand the Fund, this section provides a detailed discussion of the Fund’s investment policies, its principal strategies, its principal risks, and performance index. However, this Prospectus does not describe all of the Fund’s investment practices. Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined are defined in Appendix A. For additional information, please see the Fund’s SAI, which is available at www.americanbeaconfunds.com or by contacting us via telephone at 1-833-471-3562, by U.S. mail at the Fund’s Distributor, Foreside Financial Services, LLC, 190 Middle Street, Suite 301, Portland, Maine 04101, or by e-mail at americanbeaconfunds@ambeacon.com.
6Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund
Additional Information About Investment Policies and Strategies
Investment Objectives
The Fund’s investment objectives are to seek current income with long-term capital appreciation as a secondary objective.
The Fund’s investment objectives are “non-fundamental,” which means that they may be changed by the Fund’s Board without the approval of Fund shareholders.
80% Investment Policy
The Fund has a non-fundamental policy to invest under normal circumstances at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”).
If the Fund changes its 80% investment policy, a notice will be sent to shareholders at least 60 days in advance of the change and this prospectus will be supplemented.
Temporary Defensive Policy
The Fund may depart from its principal investment strategy by taking temporary defensive or interim positions in response to adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions. During these times, the Fund may not achieve its investment objectives.
Additional Information About the Management of the Fund
The Fund has retained American Beacon Advisors, Inc. to serve as its Manager. The Manager may allocate the assets of the Fund among different sub-advisors. The Manager provides or oversees the provision of all administrative, investment advisory and portfolio management services to the Fund. The Manager:
| ■ | develops overall investment strategies for the Fund, |
| ■ | selects and changes sub-advisors, |
| ■ | allocates assets among sub-advisors, |
| ■ | monitors and evaluates the sub-advisor’s investment performance, |
| ■ | monitors the sub-advisor’s compliance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions, |
| ■ | oversees the Fund’s securities lending activities and actions taken by the securities lending agent to the extent applicable, and |
| ■ | directs the investment of the portion of Fund assets that the sub-advisor determines should be allocated to short-term investments. |
The assets of the Fund are currently allocated by the Manager to one sub-advisor, CIFC Investment Management LLC (“CIFC”). CIFC has full discretion to purchase and sell securities for the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s objectives, policies, restrictions and more specific strategies provided by the Manager. The Manager oversees the sub-advisor but does not reassess individual security selections made by the sub-advisor for the Fund.
In the future, the Manager may allocate the Fund’s assets to a different sub-advisor, and/or to one or more additional sub-advisors. The Fund operates in a manager-of-managers structure. The Fund and the Manager have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Fund, subject to certain conditions and approval by the Board, to hire and replace sub-advisors, and materially amend agreements with sub-advisors, that are unaffiliated with the Manager without approval of the shareholders. In the future, the Fund and the Manager may rely on an SEC staff no-action letter, dated July 9, 2019, that would permit the Fund to expand its exemptive relief to hire and replace sub-advisors that are affiliated and unaffiliated with the Manager without shareholder approval, subject to approval by the Board and other conditions. The Manager has ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board, to oversee sub-advisors and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. The SEC order also exempts the Fund from disclosing the advisory fees paid by the Fund to individual sub-advisors in a multi-manager fund in various documents filed with the SEC and provided to shareholders. In the future, the Fund may rely on the SEC staff no-action letter to expand its exemptive relief to individual sub-advisors that are affiliated with the Manager. Under that no-action letter, the fees payable to sub-advisors unaffiliated with or partially-owned by the Manager or its parent company would be aggregated, and fees payable to sub-advisors that are wholly-owned by the Manager or its parent company, if any, would be aggregated with fees payable to the Manager. Whenever a sub-advisor change is proposed in reliance on the order, in order for the change to be implemented, the Board, including a majority of its “non-interested” trustees, must approve the change. In addition, the Fund is required to provide shareholders with certain information regarding any new sub-advisor within 90 days of the hiring of any new sub-advisor.
Additional Information About Investments
This section provides more detailed information regarding certain of the Fund’s principal investment strategies as well as information regarding the Fund’s strategy with respect to investment of cash balances.
Cash
Management
To
gain market exposure on cash balances held in anticipation of liquidity needs or to reduce market exposure in anticipation of liquidity
needs, the Fund may
utilize the following
investments:
| ■ | Government Money Market Funds. The Fund may invest cash balances in government money market funds that are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act, including a government money market fund advised by the Manager, with respect to which the Manager also receives a management fee. If the Fund invests in government money market funds, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, Fund shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses, including, for example, advisory and administrative fees of the government money market funds in which the Fund invests, such as advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable government money market funds advised by the Manager, in addition to the fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. Shareholders also would be exposed to the risks associated with government money market funds and the portfolio investments of such government money market funds, including the risk that a government money market fund’s yield will be lower than the return that the Fund would have received from other investments that provide liquidity. Investments in government money market funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. |
Collateralized
Loan Obligations
A
CLO is a type of structured credit instrument typically organized as a trust or other special purpose vehicle. The CLO issues debt and
equity interests and uses
the proceeds from this issuance to acquire a portfolio of loans. The underlying loans may be domestic and foreign senior secured loans,
or first priority loans;
however, a CLO may also include senior unsecured loans, second-lien and/or other types of subordinate loans, which may or may not be secured,
and mezzanine loans.
Some of these loans may be below investment grade or the equivalent, if unrated, and may be covenant-lite. CLOs may charge management
fees and administrative expenses. The portfolio of underlying loans is typically actively managed by the CLO manager for a fixed period
of time
Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund7
(“reinvestment period”). During the reinvestment period, the CLO manager may buy and sell individual loans to create trading gains or mitigate losses. The CLO portfolio will generally be required to adhere to certain diversification rules established by the CLO issuer to mitigate against the risk of concentrated defaults within a given industry or sector. After a specified period of time, the majority owner of equity interests in the CLO may seek to call the CLO’s outstanding debt or refinance its position. If not called or refinanced, when the reinvestment period ends, the CLO uses cash flows from the underlying loans to pay down the outstanding debt tranches and wind up the CLO’s operations.
Interests in CLOs are divided into two or more separate debt and equity tranches, each with a different credit rating and risk/return profile based upon its priority of claim on the cashflows produced by the underlying loan pool. Tranches are generally categorized as senior, mezzanine and subordinated/equity, according to their degree of credit risk. If there are defaults or the CLO’s collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches take precedence over those of mezzanine tranches, and scheduled payments to mezzanine tranches take precedence over those to subordinated/equity tranches. The riskiest portion is the residual or “equity” tranche, which bears some or all of the risk of defaults from the loans in the CLO and therefore is intended to protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since it is partially protected from defaults, the mezzanine and senior tranches of a CLO typically have higher ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. The ratings reflect both the credit quality of underlying collateral as well as how much protection a given tranche is afforded by tranches that are subordinate to it. CLOs are typically structured such that, after a specified period of time, the majority investor in the equity tranche can call (i.e., redeem) the security in full. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CLO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, fraud by the CLO, the illiquidity of CLO securities as well as aversion to CLO securities as a class.
Normally, CLOs are privately offered and sold, and thus are not registered under the securities laws. CLOs themselves, and the loan obligations underlying the CLOs, are typically subject to certain restrictions on transfer and sale, potentially making them less liquid than other types of securities. As a result, the Fund may characterize its investments in CLOs as illiquid, unless an active dealer market for a particular CLO allows the CLO to be purchased and sold in Rule 144A transactions.
The investments underlying the CLOs in which the Fund may invest include the following:
| ■ | Bank Loans and Senior Loans. Bank loans are fixed and floating rate loans, sometimes referred to as adjustable rate loans, arranged through private negotiations between a company and one or more financial institutions (lenders). The Fund may invest in senior loans, which hold a senior position in the capital structure of U.S. and foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities. Under normal circumstances, senior loans have priority of claim ahead of other obligations of a borrower in the event of liquidation. The proceeds of senior loans primarily are used to finance leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases, refinancings and internal growth and for other corporate purposes. Senior loans typically have rates of interest that are redetermined daily, monthly, quarterly or semi-annually by reference to a base lending rate, plus a premium or credit spread. Bank loans and senior loans may be collateralized or uncollateralized, and even collateralized loans may not be fully collateralized and the collateral may be unavailable or insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower. They typically pay interest at rates that float above, or are adjusted periodically based on, a benchmark that reflects current interest rates. Some of the loans in which the Fund may invest or obtain exposure to may be “covenant-lite” loans. Covenant-lite loans may contain fewer or no maintenance covenants compared to other loans and may not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached. |
| ■ | Corporate Debt and Other Fixed-Income Securities. Corporate debt securities are fixed-income securities issued by businesses to finance their operations. Corporate debt securities include bonds, notes, debentures and commercial paper issued by companies to investors with a promise to repay the principal amount invested at maturity, with the primary difference being their maturities and secured or unsecured status. The broad category of corporate debt securities includes debt issued by domestic or foreign companies of all kinds, including companies of all market capitalizations. Corporate debt may be rated investment grade or below investment grade and may carry fixed or floating rates of interest. Corporate bonds typically carry a set interest or coupon rate, while commercial paper is commonly issued at a discount to par with no coupon. The perceived ability of the company to meet its principal and interest payment obligations is referred to as its creditworthiness, and it may be supplemented by collateral securing the company’s obligations. Because of the wide range of types and maturities of corporate debt securities, as well as the range of creditworthiness of their issuers, corporate debt securities have widely varying potentials for return and risk profiles. For example, commercial paper issued by a large established domestic corporation that is rated investment grade may have a modest return on principal, but carries relatively limited risk. On the other hand, a long-term corporate note issued by a small foreign corporation from a developing market country that has not been rated may have the potential for relatively large returns on principal, but carries a relatively high degree of risk. Typically, the values of fixed-income securities change inversely with prevailing interest rates. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of higher-ranking senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of more junior securities. |
| ■ | High-Yield Bonds. High yield, non-investment grade bonds (also known as “junk bonds”) are low-quality, high-risk corporate bonds that generally offer a high level of current income. High yield bonds are considered speculative by rating organizations. For example, Moody’s, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch, Inc. rate them below Baa3, BBB- and BBB-, respectively. Please see “Appendix C Ratings Definitions” in the SAI for an explanation of the ratings applied to high yield bonds. High yield bonds are often issued as a result of corporate restructurings, such as leveraged buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, or other similar events. They may also be issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged firms, which are generally less able to make scheduled payments of interest and principal than more financially stable firms. Because of their low credit quality, high-yield bonds must pay higher interest to compensate investors for the substantial credit risk they assume. Lower-rated securities are subject to additional risks that may not be present with investments in higher-grade securities. Investors should consider carefully their ability to assume the risks associated with lower-rated securities before investing in the Fund. |
| ■ | Investment Grade Securities. Investment grade securities that the Fund may purchase, either as part of its principal investment strategy or to implement its temporary defensive policy, include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, as well as securities rated in one of the four highest rating categories by a rating organization rating that security (such as S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or Fitch, Inc.) or comparably rated by the sub-advisor if unrated by a rating organization. |
Currencies
The
Fund may have exposure to foreign currencies by using various instruments. In order to convert U.S. dollars into the currency needed
to buy a foreign security,
or to convert foreign currency received from the sale of a foreign security into U.S. dollars, the
Fund may enter into spot currency trades. In a spot trade,
the Fund agrees to
exchange one currency for another at the current exchange rate. Spot trades allow for prompt delivery and settlement at the rate prevailing
in the currency exchange market. Spot trades may increase or decrease the
Fund’s exposure to currency risks. The instruments in which the
Fund may invest
that provide exposure to foreign currencies include the following:
| ■ | Foreign Currency-Denominated Securities |
Illiquid
and Restricted Securities
Generally,
an illiquid asset is an asset that the
Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less
without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, as determined pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under
the Investment Company
Act or as otherwise permitted or required by SEC rules and interpretations. Historically, illiquid securities have included securities
that have not been registered
under the Securities Act, securities that are otherwise not readily marketable, and repurchase agreements having a remaining maturity
of longer than seven
calendar days. 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. These securities may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant
to an exemption from
registration. Rule 144A, under the Securities Act, permits the sale of certain unregistered securities to qualified institutional buyers.
To the
8Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund
extent privately placed securities held by the Fund qualify under Rule 144A and an institutional market develops for those securities, the Fund likely will be able to dispose of the securities without registering them under the Securities Act. To the extent that institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities, investing in Rule 144A securities could increase the level of the Fund’s illiquidity. The Manager or sub-advisor, as applicable, may determine that certain securities qualified for trading under Rule 144A are liquid. Regulation S under the Securities Act permits the sale abroad of securities that are not registered for sale in the United States and includes a provision for U.S. investors, such as the Fund, to purchase such unregistered securities if certain conditions are met. Securities sold in private placement offerings made in reliance on the “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Section 4(a)(2) securities”) are restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws, and generally are sold to institutional investors, such as the Fund, that agree they are purchasing the securities for investment and not with an intention to distribute to the public. Any resale by the purchaser must be pursuant to an exempt transaction and may be accomplished in accordance with Rule 144A. Section 4(a)(2) securities normally are resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or dealers that make a market in the Section 4(a)(2) securities, thus providing liquidity. The Manager and the applicable sub-advisor will carefully monitor the Fund’s investments in Section 4(a)(2) securities offered and sold under Rule 144A, focusing on such important factors, among others, as valuation, liquidity, and availability of information.
Other
Investment Companies
The
Fund, at times, may invest in shares of other investment companies. The
Fund may invest in securities of an investment company advised by the Manager and/or
a sub-advisor, with respect to which the Manager and/or sub-advisor also receives a management or advisory fee.
Investments in the securities of other investment
companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the
Fund becomes a shareholder
of that investment company. As a result, Fund shareholders indirectly will bear the
Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders
of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the
Fund’s own operations.
These other fees and expenses, if applicable, are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses
Table for the Fund
in this Prospectus. Investment in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s
portfolio securities.
| ■ | Government Money Market Funds. The Fund can invest free cash balances in registered open-end investment companies regulated as government money market funds under the Investment Company Act to provide liquidity or for defensive purposes. The Fund could invest in government money market funds rather than purchasing individual short-term investments. If the Fund invests in government money market funds, shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses, including for example, advisory and administrative fees, of the government money market funds in which the Fund invests, including advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable government money market funds advised by the Manager. Although a government money market fund is designed to be a relatively low risk investment, it is not free of risk. Despite the short maturities and high credit quality of a government money market fund’s investments, increases in interest rates and deteriorations in the credit quality of the instruments the government money market fund has purchased may reduce the government money market fund’s yield and can cause the price of a government money market security to decrease. In addition, a government money market fund is subject to the risk that the value of an investment may be eroded over time by inflation. |
Variable
and Floating Rate Securities
Variable
and floating rate securities are securities that pay interest at rates that adjust whenever a specified interest rate changes and/or that
reset on predetermined
dates (such as the last day of a month or a calendar quarter). The terms of such obligations typically provide that interest rates are
adjusted based upon
an interest or market rate adjustment as provided in the respective obligations. The adjustment intervals may be regular, and range from
daily up to annually,
or may be event-based, such as based on a change in the prime rate. Variable rate obligations typically provide for a specified periodic
adjustment in the
interest rate, while floating rate obligations typically have an interest rate which changes whenever there is a change in the external
interest or market rate.
Because of the interest rate adjustment feature, variable and floating rate securities provide the
Fund with a certain degree of protection against increases
in interest rates, although the
Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect
on the market value of variable and floating rate securities than on the market value of comparable fixed-rate obligations. Thus, investing
in variable and floating
rate securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed-rate securities.
Additional Information About Risks
The greatest risk of investing in an ETF is that its returns will fluctuate and you could lose money. The following section provides additional information regarding the Fund’s principal risk factors in light of its principal investment strategies. The principal risks of investing in the Fund listed below are presented in alphabetical order and not in order of importance or potential exposure. Among other matters, this presentation is intended to facilitate your ability to find particular risks and compare them with the risks of other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
Collateralized
Loan Obligations (“CLOs”)
Risk
The
risks of an investment in a CLO depend largely on the type of the collateral securities and the class of the instrument in which the
Fund invests. The
Fund typically
will invest in CLOs collateralized by bank loans. Therefore, the CLOs in which the
Fund invests will be subject to loan interests risk. The
Fund’s investments
in CLOs and other similarly structured investments may expose the
Fund to heightened credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, market risk and prepayment
and extension risk.
In addition to these risks, CLOs may carry additional risks including, but are not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions
from collateral securities
will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the risk that the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default;
(iii) the risk that
the Fund may invest
in CLOs that are subordinate to other classes; (iv) the risk that the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood
at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results; and (v) the possibility that CLO’s
manager may perform
poorly. CLOs may charge management and other administrative fees, which are in addition to those of the
Fund. CLOs can be difficult to value and
may be highly leveraged (which could make them highly volatile).
In addition, CLOs normally are privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CLOs may be characterized as illiquid securities and may have limited independent pricing transparency. The Fund’s interest in CLO securities may be less liquid than the loans held by the CLO itself; thus, it may be more difficult for the Fund to dispose of CLO securities than it would be for the Fund to dispose of loans if it held such loans directly. However, an active dealer market may exist for CLOs, allowing them to qualify for the Rule 144A “safe harbor” from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for transactions in such securities with qualified institutional buyers. The cash flows from a CLO are split into two or more portions, called tranches, each with a different yield and risk/return profile. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since they are partially protected from defaults, senior tranches from a CLO typically have higher ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CLO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CLO securities as a class. In addition to the other principal risks set forth herein, the Fund is indirectly subject to the following underlying risks of CLOs:
Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund9
| ■ | “Covenant-Lite” Obligations Risk. CLOs may be collateralized by “covenant-lite” obligations. Covenant-lite obligations contain fewer maintenance covenants than other obligations, or no maintenance covenants at all, and may not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached, which would allow the lender to restructure the loan or take other action intended to help mitigate losses. This may expose the CLO to greater credit risk associated with the borrower and reduce the CLO’s ability to restructure a problematic loan and mitigate potential loss. As a result, the CLO’s exposure to losses on such investments may be increased, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle, and the CLO may experience relatively greater difficulty or delays in enforcing its rights on its holdings of covenant-lite obligations than its holdings of loans or securities with financial maintenance covenants. |
| ■ | High-Yield Securities Risk. Exposure to high-yield securities (which are commonly referred to as having “junk status”) generally involves significantly greater risks of loss of your money than an investment in investment-grade securities. Compared with issuers of investment grade securities, issuers of high-yield securities are more likely to encounter financial difficulties and to be materially affected by these difficulties. High-yield debt securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield and may fall in price when the economy is weak or expected to become weak. These securities also may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires. High-yield securities are considered to be speculative with respect to an issuer’s ability to pay interest and principal and carry a greater risk that issuers of lower-rated securities will default on the timely payment of principal or interest. Rising interest rates may compound these difficulties and reduce an issuer’s ability to repay principal and interest obligations. Issuers of lower-rated securities also have a greater risk of default or bankruptcy. Issuers of securities that are in default or have defaulted may fail to resume principal or interest payments, in which case the Fund may lose its entire investment. Below-investment-grade securities may experience greater price volatility and less liquidity than investment-grade securities. |
| Lower-rated securities are subject to certain risks that may not be present with investments in higher-grade securities. The lower rating of certain high-yielding corporate income securities reflects a greater possibility that the financial condition of the issuer or adverse changes in general economic conditions may impair the ability of the issuer to pay income and principal. Changes by credit rating agencies in their ratings of a fixed-income security also may affect the value of these investments. However, allocating investments among securities of different issuers could reduce the risks of owning any such securities separately. The prices of these high-yield securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment-grade investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. During economic downturns or periods of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that adversely affects their ability to service principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals or to obtain additional financing, and the markets for their securities may be more volatile. If an issuer defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. Additionally, accruals of interest income for the Fund may have to be adjusted in the event of default. In the event of an issuer’s default, the Fund may write off prior income accruals for that issuer, resulting in a reduction in the Fund’s current dividend payment. Frequently, the higher yields of high-yielding securities may not reflect the value of the income stream that holders of such securities may expect, but rather the risk that such securities may lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of their issuer’s financial restructuring or default. | |
| The credit rating of a security may not accurately reflect the actual credit risk associated with such a security. The creditworthiness of issuers of these securities may be more complex to analyze than that of issuers of investment grade debt securities, and the overreliance on credit ratings may present additional risks. | |
| Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of such securities, especially in a thinly traded or illiquid market. To the extent the Fund owns or may acquire illiquid or restricted high-yield securities or unrated securities of comparable quality, these securities may involve special registration responsibilities, liabilities, costs, and liquidity and valuation difficulties. |
| ■ | Loan Interests Risk. In making investments in loans that are made by banks or other financial intermediaries to borrowers through CLOs, the Fund will depend primarily on the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest. The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid, and a CLO may have difficulty selling them. Unlike publicly traded common stocks which trade on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for loans, including bank loans and senior loans, to trade. Loans trade in an over-the-counter market, and confirmation and settlement, which are effected through standardized procedures and documentation, may take significantly longer than seven days to complete. The secondary market for floating rate loans also may be subject to irregular trading activity and wide bid/ask spreads. The lack of an active trading market for certain loans may impair the ability of a CLO to sell its loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may require the CLO to sell them at prices that are less than what the CLO regards as their fair market value, which would cause a material decline in the CLO’s price and may make it difficult to value such loans. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Restrictions on transfers in loan agreements, a lack of publicly available information and other factors may make bank loans more difficult to sell at an advantageous time or price than other types of securities or instruments. There may be less readily available information about loans. It may be difficult for a CLO issuer to obtain an accurate picture of a lending bank’s financial condition. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as a CLO, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. A CLO also may be in possession of material non-public information about a borrower as a result of its ownership of a loan instrument of such borrower. Because of prohibitions on trading in securities of issuers while in possession of such information, a CLO might be unable to enter into a transaction in a security of that borrower when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so. Any steps taken to ensure that a CLO does not receive material non-public information about a security may have the effect of causing the CLO to have less information than other investors about certain interests in which it seeks to invest. In addition, if a secured loan is foreclosed, a CLO would likely bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. |
| ■ | Secured, Partially Secured and Unsecured Obligation Risk. Debt obligations may be secured, partially secured or unsecured. Debt obligations that are secured with specific collateral of the borrower provide the holder with a claim on that collateral in the event that the borrower does not pay scheduled interest or principal that is senior to that held by any unsecured creditors, subordinated debt holders and stockholders of the borrower. Obligations that are fully secured offer the CLO more protection than a partially secured or unsecured obligation in the event of such non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. |
| Interests in secured obligations have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured obligation would satisfy the borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. Furthermore, there is a risk that the value of any collateral securing an obligation in which the CLO has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the obligation. In most loan agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In the event the borrower defaults, the CLO’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. In addition, the collateral securing the obligation may not be recognized for a variety of reasons, including the failure to make required filings by lenders, trustees or other responsible parties and, as a result, the CLO may not have priority over other creditors as anticipated. Further, in the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders, and the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the CLO has an interest. |
| If an obligation in which the CLO invests, such as a secured loan, is foreclosed, the CLO could become owner, in whole or in part, of any collateral, which could include, among other assets, real estate or other real or personal property, and as a creditor would likely bear its pro rata costs and liabilities associated with owning and holding or disposing of the collateral. The collateral may be difficult to sell, and the CLO would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while the CLO is holding it. |
| Some obligations in which the CLO may invest are only partially-secured or are unsecured. Unsecured debt, including senior unsecured and subordinated debt, will not be secured by any collateral, and will be effectively subordinated to a borrower’s secured indebtedness (to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness). With respect to unsecured obligations, the CLO lacks any collateral on which to foreclose to satisfy its claim in whole or in part. Such instruments generally have greater price volatility than that of fully secured holdings and may be less liquid. There is a possibility that originators will not be able to sell participations in unsecured bank loans. Because loan participations typically represent direct participation, together with other parties, in a loan to a corporate borrower, through which the CLO would become a part lender, difficulty on the part of originators in selling participations could limit the number of parties participating and create greater credit risk exposure for the holders of such loans. |
| ■ | Senior, Mezzanine and Subordinated Obligation Risk. CLOs may be collateralized by obligations that hold a senior position in the capital structure of the issuing entity. Under normal circumstances, senior obligations have priority of claim ahead of other obligations of the borrower in the event of liquidation. However, senior obligations may be subject to structural subordination, and they may be subordinated to certain obligations of the borrower or its subsidiaries (such as payroll expenses). Certain senior obligations, typically senior bank loans, also include restrictive covenants that must be maintained by the borrower.CLOs may be collateralized by subordinated or mezzanine obligations including second and lower lien loans and the mezzanine and equity (or “first loss”) tranches of CLO issues. Second lien loans are generally second in line in terms of repayment priority, and third lien loans, if applicable, would follow accordingly. Subordinated and mezzanine obligations are generally issued by entities whose capital structures have senior indebtedness ranking ahead of such obligations. The holders of subordinated and mezzanine obligations are generally more limited with respect to their rights to foreclose or exercise other rights of senior investors. In certain cases, no recovery may be available for such obligations. Due to their lower place in the borrower’s capital structure, and possible unsecured or partially secured status (See “Additional Information About Risks—Collateralized Loan Obligations (“CLOs”) Risk —Secured, Partially Secured and Unsecured Obligation Risk”), subordinated and mezzanine obligations involve a higher degree of overall risk as compared to senior obligations of the same borrower, including credit, market, liquidity and interest rate risk, among others. |
Counterparty
Risk
The Fund
is subject to the risk that a party or participant to a transaction, such as a broker or derivative counterparty, will be unwilling or
unable to satisfy its obligation
to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments or to otherwise honor its obligations to the
Fund. As a result, the
Fund may not recover its
investment or may only obtain a limited recovery, and any recovery may be delayed. Not all derivative transactions require a counterparty
to post collateral, which
may expose the Fund
to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.
10Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund
Credit
Risk
The Fund
is subject to the risk that the issuer, guarantor or insurer of an obligation, or the counterparty to a transaction, may fail, or become
less able or unwilling,
to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. There are varying degrees of
credit risk, depending
on the financial condition of an issuer, guarantor, or counterparty, as well as the terms of an obligation, which may be reflected in
the credit rating of
the issuer, guarantor, or counterparty. The
strategies utilized by the
sub-advisor require accurate and detailed credit analysis of issuers and there can be no assurance
that its analysis will be accurate or complete. The
Fund may be subject to substantial losses in the event of credit deterioration or bankruptcy of one or
more issuers in its portfolio. Financial strength and solvency of an issuer are the primary factors influencing credit risk. In addition,
inadequacy of collateral or
credit enhancement for a debt instrument may affect its credit risk. Credit risk may change over the life of an instrument and debt obligations
which are rated by
rating agencies may be subject to downgrade. The credit ratings of debt instruments and investments represent the rating agencies’
opinions regarding
their credit quality, are not a guarantee of future credit performance of such securities, are not a guarantee of quality and do not protect
against a decline
in the value of a security. Rating agencies attempt to evaluate the safety of the timely payment of principal and interest (or dividends)
and do not evaluate
the risks of fluctuations in market value. The ratings assigned to securities by rating agencies do not purport to fully reflect the true
risks of an investment.
A decline in the credit rating of an individual security held by the
Fund may have an adverse impact on its price and may make it difficult for the
Fund to sell it. Rating
agencies might not always change their credit rating on an issuer or security in a timely manner to reflect events that could affect the
issuer’s ability
to make timely payments on its obligations. Changes in the actual or perceived creditworthiness of an issuer, or a downgrade or default
affecting any of the
Fund’s securities, could affect the
Fund’s performance. Generally, the longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a security, the more
sensitive it is to credit risk.
Currency
Risk
The Fund
may have exposure to foreign currencies. Foreign currencies may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons,
including changes
in interest rates, may be affected unpredictably by intervention, or the failure to intervene, of the U.S. or foreign governments, central
banks, or supranational
entities such as the International Monetary Fund, and may be affected by the imposition of currency controls or political developments
in the U.S. or abroad.
As a result, the Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies may reduce the returns of the Fund. Foreign currencies may
decline in value relative to the
U.S. dollar and other currencies and thereby affect the Fund’s investments. In addition, changes in currency exchange rates
could adversely impact investment
gains or add to investment losses.
Cybersecurity
and Operational Risk
Operational
risks arising from, among other problems, human errors, systems and technology disruptions or failures, or cybersecurity incidents may
negatively impact
the Fund, its service
providers, and third-party fund distribution platforms, including the ability of shareholders to transact in the
Fund’s shares, and result
in financial losses. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, shareholder data, or proprietary
information, or cause
the Fund or its service
providers, as well as the securities trading venues and their service providers, to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Cybersecurity incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. A cybersecurity incident could, among other things,
result in the loss
or theft of shareholder data or funds, shareholders or service providers being unable to access electronic systems (also known as “denial
of services”), loss
or theft of proprietary information or financial data, the inability to process Fund transactions, interference with the
Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, impediments
to trading, physical damage to a computer or network system, or remediation costs associated with system repairs. The occurrence of any
of these problems
could result in a loss of information, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory scrutiny, penalties, fines, reputational
damage, additional
compliance requirements, and other consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the
Fund or its shareholders. Market events
also may occur at a pace that overloads current information technology and communication systems and processes of the Fund,
its service providers
or other market participants,
such as third-party distribution platforms, which could impact the ability of the Fund
to conduct operations or of shareholders to transact
the Fund’s shares.
The Manager, through its monitoring and oversight of Fund service providers, endeavors to determine that service providers take appropriate precautions to avoid or mitigate risks that could lead to problems discussed above. While the Manager has established business continuity plans and risk management systems seeking to address these problems, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, and it is not possible for the Manager, other Fund service providers, or third-party fund distribution platforms to identify all of the operational risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to completely eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. Recent geopolitical tensions may increase the scale and sophistication of deliberate attacks, particularly those from nation-states or from entities with nation-state backing. The Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems of its service providers, its counterparties, third-party fund distribution platforms, or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. The issuers of the Fund’s investments are likely to be dependent on computers for their operations and require ready access to their data and the internet to conduct their business. Thus, cybersecurity incidents could also affect issuers of the Fund’s investments, leading to significant loss of value.
Exchange-Traded
Funds (“ETFs”) Risk
As
an ETF, the Fund
is subject to the following risks:
| ■ | Authorized Participants Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as Authorized Participants. Only an Authorized Participant may transact in Creation Units directly with the Fund, and none of those Authorized Participants is obligated to engage in creation and/or redemption transactions. To the extent they exit the business or are otherwise unable to proceed in creation and redemption transactions with the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to create or redeem shares, then shares of the Fund may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts or delisting. Authorized Participant concentration risk may be heightened for ETFs, such as the Fund, that invest in securities issued by non-U.S. issuers or other securities or instruments that have lower trading volumes. |
| ■ | Cash Transactions Risk. Like other ETFs, the Fund sells and redeems its shares primarily in large blocks called Creation Units and only to Authorized Participants. Unlike many other ETFs, however, the Fund expects to effect its creations and redemptions at least partially or fully for cash, rather than in-kind securities. Other ETFs generally are able to make in-kind redemptions and avoid realizing gains in connection with redemption requests. Effecting redemptions for cash may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. Such dispositions may occur at an inopportune time, resulting in potential losses to the Fund or difficulties in meeting shareholder redemptions, and involve transaction costs. If the Fund recognizes gain on these sales, this generally will cause the Fund to recognize gain it might not otherwise have recognized if it were to distribute portfolio securities in-kind or to recognize such gain sooner than would otherwise have been required. The Fund generally intends to distribute these gains to shareholders to avoid being taxed on this gain at the Fund level and otherwise comply with the special tax rules that apply to it. This strategy may cause shareholders to be subject to tax on gains they would not otherwise be subject to, or at an earlier date than, if they had made an investment in another |
Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund11
| ETF. In addition, cash transactions may have to be carried out over several days if the securities market in which the Fund is trading is less liquid and may involve considerable transaction expenses and taxes. These brokerage fees and taxes, which will be higher than if the Fund sold and redeemed its shares principally in-kind, may be passed on to purchasers and redeemers of Creation Units in the form of creation and redemption transaction fees. However, the Fund has capped the total fees that may be charged in connection with the redemption of Creation Units at 2% of the value of the Creation Units redeemed. To the extent transaction and other costs associated with a redemption exceed that cap, those transaction costs will be borne by the Fund’s remaining shareholders. These factors may result in wider spreads between the bid and the offered prices of the Fund’s shares than for other ETFs. |
| ■ | Premium/Discount Risk. The NAV of the Fund’s shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s securities holdings. The market prices of Fund shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in the Fund’s NAV and supply and demand of shares on the secondary market. It cannot be predicted whether Fund shares will trade below their NAV (at a discount), at their NAV, or above their NAV (at a premium). As a result, shareholders of the Fund may pay more than NAV when purchasing shares and receive less than NAV when selling Fund shares. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines. In such market conditions, market or stop-loss orders to sell the Fund shares may be executed at market prices that are significantly below NAV. Price differences may be due, in part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for shares may be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of Fund shares may deviate significantly from the NAV of the shares during periods of market volatility or if the Fund’s holdings are or become more illiquid. Disruptions to creations and redemptions may result in trading prices that differ significantly from the Fund’s NAV. In addition, market prices of Fund shares may deviate significantly from the NAV if the number of Fund shares outstanding is smaller or if there is less active trading in Fund shares. Investors purchasing and selling Fund shares in the secondary market may not experience investment results consistent with those experienced by those creating and redeeming directly with the Fund. |
| ■ | Secondary Market Trading Risk. Investors buying or selling shares in the secondary market will normally pay brokerage commissions, which are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors buying or selling relatively small amounts of shares. In addition, such investors may incur the cost of the “spread” also known as the bid-ask spread, which is the difference between what investors are willing to pay for Fund shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which they are willing to sell Fund shares (the “ask” price). The bid-ask spread varies over time based on, among other things, trading volume, market liquidity and market volatility, and is generally lower if the Fund’s shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if the Fund’s shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Increased market volatility may cause increased bid-ask spreads. Shares of the Fund may trade in the secondary market at times when the Fund does not accept orders to purchase or redeem shares. At such times, shares may trade in the secondary market with more significant premiums or discounts than might be experienced at times when the Fund accepts purchase and redemption orders. Although Fund shares are listed for trading on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will develop or be maintained or that the Fund’s shares will continue to be listed. If the Fund is delisted, any resulting liquidation of the Fund could create transaction costs for the Fund and adverse federal income tax consequences for investors. Trading in Fund shares may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in shares is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged or that the shares will trade with any volume, or at all. Shares of the Fund, similar to shares of other issuers listed on a stock exchange, may be sold short and are therefore subject to the risk of increased volatility and price decreases associated with being sold short. In addition, trading activity in derivative products based on the Fund may lead to increased trading volume and volatility in the secondary market for the shares of the Fund. |
Foreign
Investing Risk
Non-U.S.
investments carry potential risks not associated with U.S. investments. Such risks may include, but are not limited to: (1) currency
exchange rate fluctuations,
(2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing, recordkeeping and financial reporting
standards, (5) greater
volatility; (6) different government regulation and supervision of foreign banks, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7)
delays in transaction
settlement in some foreign markets. Additionally, trading in foreign markets generally involves higher transaction costs than trading
in U.S. markets. There
may be very limited oversight of certain foreign banks or securities depositories that hold foreign securities and currency, and the laws
of certain countries
may limit the ability to recover such assets if a foreign bank, depository, or their agents goes bankrupt. In certain countries, legal
remedies available
to investors may be more limited than those available with respect to investments in the U.S. and investors may encounter difficulties
in enforcing contractual
obligations. Additionally, in certain markets, the
Fund may not receive timely payment for securities or other instruments it has delivered or receive delivery
of securities paid for and may be subject to increased risk that the counterparty will fail to make payments or delivery when due or default
completely. To the
extent the Fund invests
a significant portion of its assets in securities of a single country or region, it is more likely to be affected by events or
conditions of that country or region. The
Fund’s investment in a foreign issuer may subject the
Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and
other risks associated with that country, including tariffs, trade disputes or the imposition of economic and other sanctions by the U.S.
or another country against
a particular country, as well as competition from subsidized foreign competitors with lower production costs.
There may be restrictions on the flow of international capital, including the possible seizure or nationalization of the securities issued by non-U.S. issuers held by the Fund. In addition, the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities from certain of the countries may require advance government notification or authority, and if a deterioration occurs in a country’s balance of payments, the country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. The Fund also could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by the application to it of other restrictions on investment. Global economic and financial markets have become increasingly interconnected and conditions (including recent volatility, terrorism, war and political instability) and events (including natural disasters) in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.
Securities of issuers traded on foreign exchanges may be suspended, either by the issuers themselves, by an exchange or by governmental authorities. Trading suspensions may be applied from time to time to the securities of individual issuers for reasons specific to that issuer, or may be applied broadly by exchanges or governmental authorities in response to market events. In the event that the Fund holds material positions in such suspended securities, the Fund’s ability to liquidate its positions or provide liquidity to investors may be compromised and the Fund could incur significant losses.
Geographic
Concentration Risk
From
time to time, based on market or economic conditions, the
Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in the securities of issuers located in, or with
significant economic ties to, a single country or geographic region, which could increase the risk that economic, political, business,
regulatory, diplomatic,
social and environmental conditions in that particular country or geographic region may have a significant impact on the
Fund’s performance. Investing
in such a manner could cause the
Fund’s performance to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diverse funds. The economies
and financial markets of certain countries or regions can be highly interdependent. Therefore, a decline in the economies or financial
markets of one country
or region may adversely affect the economies or financial markets of another.
| ■ | European Securities Risk. The Fund’s performance may be affected by political, social and economic conditions in Europe, such as growth of economic output (the gross national product of the countries in the region), the rate of inflation, the rate at which capital is reinvested into European economies, the |
12Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund
| success
of governmental actions to reduce budget deficits, the resource self-sufficiency of European countries, interest rates in European countries,
monetary exchange
rates between European countries, and conflict between European countries. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members
of the European Union (“EU”) and many are also members of the Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU” or “Eurozone”).
European countries can
be significantly affected by the tight fiscal and monetary controls that the EMU imposes on its members and with which candidates for
EMU membership are
required to comply. While certain EU countries continue to use their own currency, Eurozone countries use the Euro as their currency. Changes in imports or exports, changes in governmental or EU regulations on trade, changes in the exchange rate of the Euro and the currencies of other EU countries which are not in the Eurozone, the threat of default or actual default by one or more EU member states on its sovereign debt, and/or an economic recession in one or more EU member states may have a significant adverse effect on the economies of other EU member states and their trading partners, including non-EU European countries. A breakup of the Eurozone, particularly a disorderly breakup, would pose special challenges for the financial markets and could lead to exchange controls and/or market closures. The economies and markets of European countries are often closely connected and interdependent, and events in one country in Europe can have an adverse impact on other European countries. The European financial markets have experienced and may continue to experience volatility and adverse trends due to concerns relating to economic downturns; rising government debt levels and the possible default on government debt; national unemployment in several European countries; public health crises; political unrest; economic sanctions; inflation; energy crises; the future of the Euro as a common currency; and war and military conflict, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These events have affected the exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect European countries. Responses to financial problems by European governments, central banks, and others, including austerity measures, interest rate rises and other reforms, may not produce the desired results, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or may have unintended consequences. Many European nations are susceptible to economic risks associated with high levels of debt. Non-governmental issuers, and even certain governments, have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts, and other issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations. A default or debt restructuring by any European country could adversely impact holders of that country’s debt and sellers of credit default swaps linked to that country’s creditworthiness, which may be located in other countries. Such a default or debt restructuring could affect exposures to other European countries and their companies as well. In addition, issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations, and financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and declines in asset values and liquidity. Furthermore, certain European countries have had to accept assistance from supranational agencies such as the International Monetary Fund, the European Stability Mechanism or others. There can be no assurance that any creditors or supranational agencies will continue to intervene or provide further assistance, and markets may react adversely to any expected reduction in the financial support provided by these creditors. The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the EU, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the EU and/or abandon the Euro. These events and actions have affected, and may in the future affect, the value and exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-EU member states. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. The national politics of European countries have been unpredictable and subject to influence by disruptive political groups and ideologies. European governments may be subject to change and such countries may experience social and political unrest. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. Russia’s war with Ukraine has negatively impacted European economic activity. The effects on the economies of European countries of the Russia/Ukraine war and Russia’s response to sanctions imposed by the U.S., the EU, UK and others are impossible to predict but have been and could continue to be significant and have a severe adverse impact on the region, including significant impacts on the regional, European, and global economies and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas. For example, exports in Eastern Europe have been disrupted for certain key commodities, pushing certain commodity prices to record highs. Also, both wholesale energy prices and energy prices charged to consumers in Europe have increased significantly. |
Interest
Rate Risk
Investments
in fixed-income securities that are influenced by interest rates are subject to interest rate risk. Generally, the value of investments
with interest rate
risk, such as fixed-income securities, will move in the opposite direction as movements in interest rates. For example, the value
of the Fund’s
fixed-income
Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund13
investments
typically will fall when interest rates rise. Factors including central bank monetary policy, rising inflation rates, and changes in general
economic conditions
may cause interest rates to rise, which could cause the value of the
Fund’s investments to decline.
Interest rate increases, including significant or rapid increases, may result
in a decline in the value of bonds held by the
Fund, make issuers less willing or able to make principal and interest payments on fixed-income investments
when due, lead to heightened volatility in the fixed-income markets and adversely affect the liquidity of certain fixed-income investments,
any of which may result
in substantial losses to the
Fund. When interest rates decline, issuers may prepay higher-yielding securities held by the
Fund, resulting in the
Fund reinvesting in
securities with lower yields, which may cause a decline in its income. The prices of fixed-income securities are
also affected by their durations.
Fixed-income securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile
than fixed-income
securities with shorter durations. Rising interest rates may cause the value of the
Fund’s investments in investments with longer durations and terms
to maturity to decline, which may adversely affect the value of the
Fund. For example, if a bond has a duration of eight
years, a 1% increase in interest rates
could be expected to result in an
8% decrease in the value of the bond. Yields of fixed-income securities will fluctuate over time. In addition, decreases in
fixed-income dealer market-making capacity may lead to lower trading volume, heightened volatility, wider bid-ask spreads, and less transparent
pricing in certain
fixed-income markets.
The
Fund may not be able to hedge against changes in interest rates or may choose not to do so for cost or other reasons. In addition, any
hedges may not work
as intended.
Investment
Risk
An investment
in the Fund
is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government
agency. The Fund
should not be relied upon as a complete investment program. The market price of the
Fund fluctuates, which means that when
you sell your shares of the
Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in the
Fund.
Liquidity
Risk
The Fund
is susceptible to the risk that certain investments held by the
Fund may have limited marketability, be subject to restrictions on sale, be difficult or impossible
to purchase or sell at favorable times or prices or become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse credit events that
may affect issuers
or guarantors of a security. Market prices for such instruments may be volatile. During periods of substantial market volatility, an investment
or even an entire
market segment may become illiquid, sometimes abruptly, which can adversely affect the
Fund’s ability to limit losses. When there is little or no active
trading market for specific types of securities, it can become more difficult to purchase or sell the securities at or near their perceived
value. As a result, the
Fund may have to lower the price on certain securities that it is trying to sell, sell other securities instead or forgo an investment
opportunity, any of which could
have a negative effect on Fund management or performance. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect the
Fund’s NAV or prevent the
Fund from being able
to take advantage of other investment opportunities. The
Fund could lose money if it is unable to dispose of an investment at a time that
is most beneficial to the
Fund. Judgment plays a greater role in pricing illiquid investments than in investments with more active markets.
Market
Risk
The Fund
is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions
and other factors,
which may negatively affect the
Fund’s performance. Even when securities markets perform well, there is no assurance that the investments held
by the Fund
will increase in value along with the broader market. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed-income securities,
although under certain
market conditions fixed-income securities may have comparable or greater price volatility. The financial markets generally move in cycles,
with periods of rising prices followed by periods of declining prices. The value of your investment may reflect these fluctuations. During
a general downturn
in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously. During times of market turmoil, investors tend
to look to the safety
of securities issued or backed by the U.S. Treasury, causing the prices of these securities to rise and the yields to decline. In some
cases, traditional market
participants have been less willing to make a market in some types of debt instruments, which has affected the liquidity of those instruments.
Reduced liquidity
in fixed-income and credit markets may negatively affect many issuers worldwide. Prices in many financial markets have increased significantly
over the last 10-15 years, but there have also been periods of adverse market and financial developments and cyclical change during that
timeframe, which have
resulted in unusually high levels of volatility in domestic and foreign financial markets that has caused losses for investors and may
occur again in the
future, particularly if markets enter a period of uncertainty or economic weakness. Periods of unusually high volatility in the financial
markets and restrictive
credit conditions, sometimes limited to a particular sector or geographic region, continue to recur. The value of a security may decline
due to adverse issuer-specific
conditions or general market conditions unrelated to a particular issuer, such as real or perceived adverse geopolitical, regulatory,
market, economic or
other developments that may cause broad changes in market value, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest,
currency or inflation rates, lack of liquidity in the markets, public perceptions concerning these developments or adverse market sentiment
generally. The value
of a security may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as tariffs, labor shortages or increased
production costs and
competitive conditions within an industry. Changes in the financial condition of a single issuer or market segment also can impact the
market as a whole.
Geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, pandemics, public health crises, natural disasters, and cybersecurity incidents, have led, and in the future may continue to lead, to general instability in world economies and markets and reduced liquidity in securities, which may negatively affect the value of your investment. Such market disruptions have caused, and may continue to cause, broad changes in market value, negative public perceptions concerning these developments, a reduction in the willingness and ability of some lenders to extend credit, difficulties for some borrowers in obtaining financing on attractive terms, if at all, and adverse investor sentiment or publicity. Changes in value may be temporary or may last for extended periods. Adverse market events may also lead to increased shareholder redemptions, which could cause the Fund to sell investments at an inopportune time to meet redemption requests by shareholders and may increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover, which could increase the costs that the Fund incurs and lower the Fund’s performance.
Policies established by the U.S. government and/or Federal Reserve and economic and political circumstances within the U.S. and abroad, such as inflation, changes in interest rates, recessions, changes in government leadership, a government’s inability to agree on a budget, high public debt, the threat or occurrence of a federal government shutdown and threats or the occurrence of a failure to increase the federal government’s debt limit, which could result in a default on the government’s obligations, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations. The imposition by the U.S. of tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries and reciprocal tariffs levied on U.S. goods by those countries also may lead to volatility and instability in domestic and foreign markets.
14Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund
Markets and market participants are increasingly reliant upon both publicly available and proprietary information data systems. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at large. In certain cases, an exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on either specific securities or even the entire market, which may result in the Fund being, among other things, unable to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments or accurately price its investments.
| ■ | Recent
Market Events Risk.
Both U.S. and international markets have experienced significant volatility in recent months and years. As a result of such volatility,
investment returns may fluctuate significantly. Moreover, during periods of significant volatility, the risks discussed herein associated
with an investment
in the Fund
may be increased. National economies are substantially interconnected, as are global financial markets, which creates the possibility
that conditions in
one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. However, the interconnectedness of economies and/or
markets may be changing, which may impact such economies and markets in ways that cannot be foreseen at this time. Some countries, including the U.S., have adopted more protectionist trade policies, including trade tariffs and other trade barriers, which is a trend that appears to be continuing globally. The economies of all nations, including the U.S., are subject to the risks of slowing global economic growth, protectionist trade policies, inflationary pressures, limits imposed by international trade and security agreements, political or economic dysfunction, poor consumer sentiment, and reduced demand for goods due to fluctuating commodity prices and currency values, and these risks may create significant market volatility in ways that cannot be foreseen at the present time. These economic risks could have a negative impact on the Fund’s investments. The U.S. has imposed or threatened to impose tariffs and other trade barriers on imports of certain categories of goods from Canada, Mexico, and European countries. The U.S. also has imposed or threatened to impose tariffs and other trade barriers on imports of certain categories of goods from China, has restricted sales of certain categories of goods to China, and has established barriers to investments in China. These countries have imposed or threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. If relations between the U.S. and these and other foreign countries do not improve or continue to deteriorate, markets and individual securities may be severely affected both regionally and globally, and the value of the Fund’s investments may go down. The U.S. Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks have started to lower interest rates, though economic or other factors could stop or reverse such changes. It is difficult to accurately predict the various economic and political factors that influence the pace at which interest rates might change, the timing, frequency or magnitude of any such changes in interest rates, or when such changes might stop or again reverse course. Changes in interest rates could lead to an economic slowdown in the U.S. and abroad, significant market volatility and reduced liquidity in certain sectors of the market. Deteriorating economic fundamentals may increase the risk of default or insolvency of particular issuers, negatively impact market value, increase market volatility, cause credit spreads to widen, reduce bank balance sheets and cause unexpected changes in interest rates. Any of these could cause an increase in market volatility, reduce liquidity across various sectors or markets or decrease confidence in the markets. Also, regulators have expressed concern that changes in interest rates may cause investors to sell fixed income securities faster than the market can absorb them, contributing to price volatility. Historical patterns of correlation among asset classes may break down in unanticipated ways during times of high volatility, disrupting investment programs and potentially causing losses. Tensions, war (including cyber warfare) or open conflict between nations, such as among the United States, Israel and Iran, between Russia and Ukraine, otherwise in the Middle East or in eastern Asia could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States and may contribute to increased volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets. The extent and duration of ongoing hostilities and related sanctions and the repercussions of such events, including the potential for cyber warfare, remain uncertain and cannot be predicted. Those events have presented and could continue to present material uncertainty and risk with respect to markets globally, including in the oil and gas markets and potentially other industries and sectors, and the performance of the Fund and its investments or operations could be negatively impacted whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries or regions directly affected. Regulators in the U.S. have adopted a number of changes to regulations involving the markets and issuers, some of which apply to the Fund. The full effect of such regulations is not currently known, and certain regulatory changes could limit the Fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategies or make certain investments, may make it more costly for the Fund to operate, and adversely impact performance. Additionally, it is possible such regulations could be further revised or rescinded, which creates material uncertainty regarding their impact to the Fund. Further, advancements in technology may also adversely impact market movements and liquidity. For example, the advanced development and increased regulation of artificial intelligence may impact the economy and the performance of the Fund. As artificial intelligence is used more widely, which can occur relatively rapidly, the profitability and growth of certain issuers and industries may be negatively impacted in ways that cannot be foreseen and could adversely impact issuer and market performance. As a consequence, the Fund’s holdings and its overall performance could be negatively impacted. High public debt in the U.S. and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and policymaking uncertainty. There is no assurance that the U.S. Congress will act to raise the nation’s debt ceiling; a failure to do so could cause market turmoil and substantial investment risks that cannot be fully predicted. Unexpected political, regulatory and diplomatic events within the U.S. and abroad may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy. China’s economy, which has been sustained through debt-financed spending on housing and infrastructure, appears to be experiencing a significant slowdown and growing at a lower rate than prior years. While the Chinese government appears to be taking measures to address these issues, due to the size of China’s economy, the resolution of these issues could impact a number of other countries. Certain illnesses spread rapidly and have the potential to significantly and adversely affect the global economy. The impact of epidemics and/or pandemics that may arise in the future could negatively affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global securities and commodities markets, including their liquidity, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time and could last for an extended period of time. Global climate change potentially may affect property and security values. Impacts from climate change may include significant risks to global financial assets and economic growth. A rise in sea levels, an increase in powerful storms and/or a climate-driven increase in sea levels or flooding could cause coastal properties to lose value or become unmarketable altogether. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change in ways that cannot be foreseen, including on the demand for and the development of goods and services and related production costs, and the impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences of regulation or business trends driven by climate change. Regulatory changes and divestment movements tied to concerns about climate change could adversely affect the value of certain land and the viability of industries whose activities or products are seen as accelerating climate change. Losses related to climate change could adversely affect, among others, corporate issuers and mortgage lenders, the value of mortgage-backed securities, the bonds of municipalities that depend on tax or other revenues and tourist dollars generated by affected properties, and insurers of the property and/or of corporate, municipal or mortgage-backed securities. |
Model
and Data Risk
The
success of the sub-advisor’s
investment strategy depends largely on the effectiveness of its research models for screening assets for investment. Models
and data are used
to screen potential investments for the
Fund. When models or data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon
expose the Fund to
potential risks. Securities selected using models or data can react differently to issuer, political, market, and economic developments
than the market as a whole or securities selected using only fundamental analysis, which could adversely affect value. Some of the models
used by the sub-advisor
are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on
historical data supplied
by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical
Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund15
data. Historical data inputs may be subject to revision or correction, which may diminish the reliability and predictive quality of results. Data for some companies, particularly non-U.S. companies, may be less available and/or less current than data for other companies. In addition, factors that affect a security’s value can change over time and these changes may not be reflected in the quantitative model. There can be no assurance that the models are complete or accurate, or representative of future market cycles, nor that they will always be beneficial to the Fund if they are accurate. Additionally, programs may become outdated or experience malfunctions which may not be identified by the sub-advisor and therefore may also result in losses to the Fund. The sub-advisor’s security selection can be adversely affected if it relies on erroneous or outdated data, and there is a risk that the finished model may contain errors, omissions, imperfections or malfunctions, one or more of which could adversely affect the Fund’s performance. These models may negatively affect Fund performance for various other reasons, including human judgment, inaccuracy of historical data and non-quantitative factors (such as market or trading system dysfunctions, investor fear or overreaction).
Changing and unforeseen market dynamics could also lead to a decrease in the short-term or long-term effectiveness of a model. Models may lose their validity, leading to potential losses. No assurance can be given that a model will be successful under all or any market conditions. The use of artificial intelligence or other evolving or emerging technologies presents significant risks and may exacerbate the aforementioned risks. The data used to build the model is extremely complex and involves financial, economic, econometric and statistical theories which are then translated into computer code to create the applicable program. Human judgment plays a role in building, utilizing, testing and modifying the financial algorithms and formulas used in these models. Additionally, the data, which is typically supplied by third parties, can be imprecise or become stale due to new events or changing circumstances. Market performance can be affected by non-quantitative factors (for example, investor fear, over-reaction or other emotional considerations) that are not easily integrated into modeling programs. There may also be errors in the code for the models or issues relating to the computer systems used to screen securities.
New
Fund Risk
The
Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus. The current performance and expenses of the
Fund may not represent how it is expected
to, or may, perform in the long term if and when it becomes larger and has fully implemented its investment strategies. Investment positions
may have a disproportionate
impact (negative or positive) on the
Fund’s performance. The
Fund’s shareholder fees and annual fund operating expenses may also be
higher initially than after it has fully implemented its investment strategies and attracted sufficient assets to achieve investment and
trading efficiencies. The
Fund may also require a period of time before it is invested in securities that meet its investment objectives and policies and achieves
a representative portfolio
composition. Fund performance may be lower or higher during this “ramp-up” period, and may also be more volatile, than would
be the case after the
Fund is fully invested. Similarly, the
Fund’s investment strategies may require a longer period of time to show returns that are representative of the strategies.
Other
Investment Companies Risk
To
the extent that the
Fund invests in shares of other registered investment companies, the
Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses, including, for example,
advisory and administrative fees, charged by those investment companies in addition to the
Fund’s direct fees and expenses. If the
Fund invests in other
investment companies, the
Fund may receive distributions of taxable gains from portfolio transactions by that investment company and may recognize taxable
gains from transactions in shares of that investment company, which could be taxable to the
Fund’s shareholders when distributed to them. The
Fund must rely
on the investment company in which it invests to achieve its investment objectives.
If the investment company fails to achieve its investment
objectives,
the value of the
Fund’s investment may decline, adversely affecting the
Fund’s performance. To the extent the
Fund invests in other investment
companies that invest in equity securities, fixed-income securities and/or foreign securities, or that track an index, the
Fund is subject to the risks associated
with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject.
The Fund will
be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies, including but not limited to the following:
| ■ | Government Money Market Funds Risk. Investments in government money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. |
Prepayment
and Extension Risk
Prepayment
and extension risk are the risks that a bond or other fixed-income security or investment might, in the case of prepayment risk, be called
or otherwise converted,
prepaid or redeemed before maturity and, in the case of extension risk, that the investment might not be prepaid as expected. When interest
rates fall, borrowers will generally repay the loans that underlie certain debt securities, especially mortgage-related and other types
of asset-backed securities,
more quickly than expected, causing the issuer of the security to repay the principal or otherwise call, convert or redeem the security
prior to the security
’s expected maturity date. If this occurs, no additional interest will be paid on the investment, and the Fund may need to reinvest
the proceeds at a lower
interest rate, reducing its income. Securities subject to prepayment risk generally offer less potential for gains when prevailing interest
rates fall. If the Fund
buys those securities at a premium, accelerated prepayments on those securities could cause the Fund to lose a portion of its principal
investment. Any of
these may result in a reduced yield to the
Fund. The impact of prepayments on the price of a security may be difficult to predict and may increase the security’s
price volatility. The rate of prepayments tends to increase as interest rates fall, which could cause the average maturity of the portfolio
to shorten. Prepayments
could also create capital gains tax liability in some instances. Variable
and floating rate securities may be less sensitive to prepayment risk.
Conversely,
extension risk is the risk that, as a result of higher interest rates or other factors, borrowers decrease prepayments. This may result
in the extension of
a security’s effective maturity, increase the risk of default or delayed payment, heighten interest rate risk and increase the potential
for a decline in an investment’s
price. A rise in interest rates or lack of refinancing opportunities can cause the fund’s average maturity to lengthen unexpectedly.
This would increase
the Fund’s sensitivity to rising rates and its potential for price declines. In addition, as a consequence of a decrease in prepayments,
the amount of principal
available to the Fund for investment would be reduced. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer
period of time, the Fund
may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads. Extensions of obligations could cause the
Fund to exhibit additional volatility
and hold securities paying lower-than-market rates of interest. Either case could hurt the
Fund’s performance.
Restricted
Securities Risk
Securities
not registered in the U.S. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or in non-U.S. markets pursuant
to similar regulations,
including “Section 4(a)(2)” securities and “Rule 144A” securities, are restricted as to their resale. Such securities
may not be listed on an exchange
and may have no active trading market. The prices of these securities may be more difficult to determine than publicly traded securities
and these securities
may involve heightened risk as compared to investments in securities of publicly traded companies. They may be more difficult to purchase
or sell at an advantageous
time or price because such securities may not be readily marketable in broad public markets, or may have to be held for a certain time
period before they
can be resold. The
Fund may not be able to sell a restricted security when the
sub-advisor considers it desirable to do so and/or may have to
sell the security at a lower price than the
Fund believes is its fair market value. A restricted security that was liquid at the time of purchase may subsequently
become illiquid. In addition, transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities and the
Fund may receive only limited information regarding the
issuer of a restricted security. The
Fund may have to bear the expense of registering restricted securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting
the registration. If, during such a delay, adverse market conditions were to develop, the
Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed at the
time it decided to seek registration of the security.
16Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund
Securities
Selection Risk
Securities
selected for the Fund
may decline substantially in value or may not perform to expectations. Judgments about the attractiveness, value and anticipated
price movements of a security or asset class may be incorrect, and there is no guarantee that securities will perform as anticipated.
This could result
in the Fund’s
underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.
Unrated
Securities Risk
Because
the Fund may
purchase securities that are not rated by any rating organization, the
sub-advisor, after assessing their credit quality, may internally assign
ratings to certain of those securities, in categories of those similar to those of rating organizations. Investing in unrated securities
involves the risk that the
sub-advisor may not accurately evaluate the security’s comparative credit rating. To the extent that the
Fund invests in unrated securities, the
Fund’s success
in achieving its investment objectives
may depend more heavily on the
sub-advisor’s credit analysis than if the
Fund invested exclusively in rated securities.
Less public information is typically available about unrated securities or issuers. Some unrated securities may not have an active trading
market or may be difficult
to value, which means the
Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price. Unrated securities may also be subject to greater
liquidity risk and price volatility.
Valuation
Risk
This is
the risk that a security may be valued at a price different from the price at which it can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced
for investments that
may be illiquid or may become illiquid and for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme
volatility. The valuation
of the Fund’s
investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third party service providers, such
as pricing services or accounting agents. If market conditions make it difficult to value certain investments, SEC rules and applicable
accounting protocols may
require the valuation of these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair-value methodologies. Using fair value methodologies
to price investments
may result in a value that is different from an investment’s most recent closing price and from the prices used by others for the
same investment. Investors
who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when the
Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares, or lower or higher redemption
proceeds, than they would have received if the securities had not been fair valued or a different valuation methodology had been used.
The value of foreign
securities, certain fixed-income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the
markets on which they
are traded, but before the
Fund determines its NAV.
Variable
and Floating Rate Securities Risk
The
coupons on variable and floating rate securities in which the
Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. Variable
and floating rate securities are subject to interest rate risk. Although the impact of interest rate changes on variable and floating
rate investments is intended
to be mitigated by the periodic interest rate reset of those securities, variable and floating rate securities may fluctuate in value
in response to interest
rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other
reasons. As short-term
interest rates decline, the coupons on variable and floating rate securities typically decrease. Alternatively, during periods of rising
short-term interest
rates, the coupons on variable and floating rate securities typically increase. Changes in the coupons of variable and floating rate securities
may lag behind changes
in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in the coupon rates. The value of variable and floating rate securities may
decline if their coupons
do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. In addition, because of the interest rate adjustment feature, variable
and floating rate
securities provide the
Fund with a certain degree of protection against increases in interest rates, but the
Fund will participate in any declines in
interest rates as well. Thus, investing in variable and floating rate instruments generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation
and depreciation than
investing in instruments with a fixed interest rate. Variable and floating rate securities are less effective than fixed rate securities
at locking in a particular yield
and may be subject to credit risk. Certain types of floating rate instruments may also be subject to greater liquidity risk than other
debt securities.
Additional Information About Performance Index
The Fund’s performance will be compared to the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index. Set forth below is additional information regarding the index to which the Fund’s performance is compared.
| ■ | The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. The index includes components for Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, fixed-rate agency mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities (agency and non-agency). |
Notice Regarding Index Data
“Bloomberg®” and the Bloomberg indices listed herein (the “Indices”) are service marks of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates, including Bloomberg Index Services Limited (“BISL”), the administrator of the index (collectively, “Bloomberg”), and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by the distributor hereof (the “Licensee”).
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Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund17
Portfolio Holdings Information
Each day the Fund is open for business, the Trust publicly disseminates the Fund’s full portfolio holdings as of the close of the previous day through the website. A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is available in the Fund’s SAI. The holdings of the Fund can be found on the Fund’s website at [www.americanbeaconfunds.com/products/etfs/american-beacon-cifc-active-clo-etf/].
The Manager
AMERICAN BEACON ADVISORS, INC. (the “Manager”) serves as the Manager and administrator of the Fund. The Manager, located at 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039, is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Topco, Inc. (“Topco”), which is owned primarily by various institutional investment funds that are managed by financial institutions and other investment advisory firms. No owner of Topco owns 25% or more of the outstanding equity or voting interests of Topco.
The Manager was organized in 1986 to provide investment management, advisory, and administrative services. The Manager is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. The Manager is not registered as a CPO with respect to the Fund in reliance on the delayed compliance date provided by No-Action Letter 12-38 of the Division of Swaps Dealer and Intermediary Oversight (“Division”) of the CFTC. Pursuant to this letter, the Manager is not required to register as a CPO, or rely on an exemption from registration, until six months from the date the Division issues revised guidance on the application of the calculation of the de minimis thresholds in the context of the CPO exclusion in CFTC Regulation 4.5. In addition, on behalf of the Fund, the Manager has filed a notice claiming the CFTC Regulation 4.5 exclusion from CPO registration under the Commodity Exchange Act. The Manager is also exempt from registration as a commodity trading advisor under CFTC Regulation 4.14(a)(8) with respect to the Fund.
Under the Fund’s management agreement with the Manager (the “Management Agreement”), the Manager has agreed to pay all expenses of the Fund, except for the management fee payments to the Manager under the Management Agreement (also known as a “unitary advisory fee”), acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions and issue and transfer taxes relating to the purchase and sale of portfolio holdings, securities lending fees, interest expense, expenses associated with securities sold short, costs, expenses or losses arising out of any liability or claim asserted against the Trust or Fund for violation of any law, distribution and service fees pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan (if any), all costs associated with proxies and shareholder meetings, except meetings related to changes to the Management Agreement, the election of any Board member who is an “interested person” of the Trust as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act, and/or other matters that directly benefit the Manager, taxes and governmental fees, and extraordinary expenses (including related fees and disbursements of counsel).
The Fund’s Management Agreement with the Manager provides for the Fund to pay the Manager an annualized management fee equal to 0.45% of the Fund’s average daily net assets that is calculated and accrued daily. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund had not commenced operations and has not paid management fees to the Manager.
As compensation for services provided by the Manager in connection with securities lending activities conducted by the Fund, the Fund pays to the Manager, with respect to cash collateral posted by borrowers, a fee of 10% of the net monthly investment income (the income earned in the form of interest, dividends and realized capital gains from the investment of cash collateral, plus any negative rebate fees paid by borrowers, less the rebate amount paid to borrowers as well as related expenses) and, with respect to collateral other than cash, a fee up to 10% of loan fees and demand premiums paid by borrowers. The SEC has granted exemptive relief that permits the Fund to invest cash collateral received from securities lending transactions in shares of one or more private or registered investment companies managed by the Manager.
As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund does not intend to engage in securities lending activities.
A discussion of the Board’s consideration and approval of the Management Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund and the Manager and the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the sub-advisor will be available in Item 11 of the Fund’s Form N-CSR as filed with the SEC for the fiscal period ending June 30, 2026.
Set forth below is a brief description of the sub-advisor and the portfolio managers with joint and primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund. The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including other accounts they manage, their ownership in the Fund and their compensation.
CIFC Investment Management LLC (’’CIFC’’), 1 SE 3rd Avenue, Suite 1660, Miami, Florida 33131, a registered investment adviser and, together with its affiliates, focuses on multiple disciplines – CLOs, structured credit, corporate credit, and opportunistic credit, and direct lending. As of [XX XX, 2026], CIFC had $[XX] billion in assets under management.
Matthew Andrews is a Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets, and a Senior Portfolio Manager of CIFC’s Structured Credit investment business. Mr. Andrews has over 20 years of experience in investment banking and structured finance. Prior to joining CIFC in 2014, Mr. Andrews was Head of CLO Origination and Structuring for RBS Securities Inc.’s U.S. CLO business. Prior to running the CLO business, Mr. Andrews was a Director in the Asset Backed Finance Group where he was responsible for originating, financing, structuring and distributing new issue securitizations backed primarily by leveraged loans, credit cards and consumer loan receivables. Prior to joining RBS Securities Inc., via Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., Mr. Andrews was an Associate at Banc One Capital Markets, Inc. where he focused on originating, structuring and distributing securitizations backed by credit cards, consumer loans, auto loans, student loans, rental cars and equipment loans. Mr. Andrews holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance with a minor in Economics from Southern Methodist University. Mr. Andrews is a CFA charterholder.
Jay Huang is a Managing Director, Head of Structured Credit Investments and a Senior Portfolio Manager of CIFC’s Structured Credit investment business. Mr. Huang has over 20 years of experience in structured finance trading and portfolio management. Prior to joining CIFC in 2018, Mr. Huang spent 16 years at Citigroup where he was Managing Director and Global Head of their CLO, CDO and distressed Structured Investment Vehicle trading business. Prior to joining Citigroup, he worked at Salomon Smith Barney on the CDO structuring desk from 2000 to 2002. Mr. Huang graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with honors in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Statistics and a minor in Computer Science.
Foreside Financial Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group, LLC (doing business as ACA Group) (“Distributor”) serves as the Fund’s distributor.
18Prospectus – Fund Management
The Distributor distributes Creation Units for the Fund on a best efforts basis. Shares in less than Creation Units are not distributed by the Distributor, and the Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in the shares of the Fund. The Distributor has no role in determining the policies of the Fund or the securities that are purchased or sold by the Fund. The Distributor’s principal address is 190 Middle Street, Suite 301, Portland, Maine 04101.
The Fund’s NAV per share is computed by adding total assets, subtracting all of the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing the result by the total number of shares outstanding, which may differ from the Fund’s market price. Investors that purchase and sell the Fund in the secondary market will transact at market prices, which may be lower or higher than the NAV per share.
The NAV per share of the Fund’s shares is determined based on a pro rata allocation of the Fund’s investment income, expenses and total capital gains and losses. The Fund’s NAV per share is determined each business day as of the regular close of trading on the NYSE, which is typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. However, if trading on the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the Fund’s NAV per share typically would still be determined as of the regular close of trading on the NYSE. The Fund does not price its shares on days that the NYSE is closed. Foreign exchanges may permit trading in foreign securities on days when the Fund is not open for business, which may result in the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments being affected at a time when you are unable to buy or sell shares.
Equity securities and certain derivative instruments that are traded on an exchange are valued based on market value. Certain derivative instruments (other than short-term securities) usually are valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service. The price of debt securities generally is determined using pricing services or quotes obtained from broker/dealers who may consider a number of inputs and factors, such as comparable characteristics, yield curve, credit spreads, estimated default rates, coupon rates, underlying collateral and estimated cash flow. Investments in mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share of the mutual funds on the day of valuation. Equity securities, including shares of closed-end funds and ETFs, are valued at the last sale price or official closing price.
The valuation of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed-income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade, unless a significant event has occurred. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time will normally be used.
Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act (the “Valuation Rule”) establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the Investment Company Act, including related oversight and reporting requirements. The rule also defines when market quotations are “readily available” for purposes of the Investment Company Act, the threshold for determining whether the Fund must fair value a security.
The Valuation Rule permits the Fund’s board to designate the Fund’s primary investment adviser as “valuation designee” to perform the Fund’s fair value determinations subject to board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements intended to ensure that the registered investment company’s board receives the information it needs to oversee the investment adviser’s fair value determinations. The Board has designated the Manager as valuation designee under the Valuation Rule to perform fair value functions in accordance with the requirements of the Valuation Rule.
Securities may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to the Manager’s procedures. For example, fair value pricing will be used when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, as determined by the Manager, such as for fixed-income securities and when: (i) trading for a security is restricted or stopped; (ii) a security’s trading market is closed (other than customary closings); or (iii) a security has been de-listed from a national exchange. A security with limited market liquidity may require fair value pricing if the Manager determines that the available price does not reflect the security’s true market value. In addition, if a significant event that the Manager determines to affect the value of one or more securities held by the Fund occurs after the close of a related exchange but before the determination of the Fund’s NAV per share, fair value pricing may be used on the affected security or securities. Securities of small-capitalization companies are also more likely to require a fair value determination using these procedures because they are more thinly traded and less liquid than the securities of larger capitalization companies. Securities may be fair valued as a result of significant events occurring after the close of the foreign markets in which the Fund invests. In addition, the Fund may invest in illiquid securities requiring these procedures.
Attempts to determine the fair value of securities introduce an element of subjectivity to the pricing of securities. As a result, the price of a security determined through fair valuation techniques may differ from the price quoted or published by other sources and may not accurately reflect the market value of the security when trading resumes. If a reliable market quotation becomes available for a security formerly valued through fair valuation techniques, the Manager compares the new market quotation to the fair value price to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fund’s fair valuation procedures. You may view the Fund’s most recent NAV per share at www.americanbeaconfunds.com by clicking on ’‘Quick Links’’ and then ’‘Daily NAVs.’’
Purchase and Redemption of Shares
Shares of the Fund may be purchased or redeemed directly from the Fund only in Creation Units or multiples thereof. Only a broker-dealer that enters into an Authorized Participant agreement with the Distributor (an “Authorized Participation Agreement”) may engage in creation and redemption transactions directly with the Fund. Purchases and redemptions directly with the Fund must follow the Fund’s procedures, and are subject to transaction fees, which are described in the SAI. Orders for such transactions may be rejected or delayed if they are not submitted in good order and subject to the other conditions set forth in this Prospectus and the SAI. Please see the SAI for more information about purchases and redemptions of Creation Units.
Once purchased (i.e., created) by an Authorized Participant, shares are listed on the Exchange and trade in the secondary market. When you buy or sell the Fund’s shares in the secondary market, you will pay or receive the market price. The price at which you buy or sell shares (i.e., the market price) may be more or less than the NAV of the shares. Unless imposed by your broker, there is no minimum dollar amount you must invest in the Fund and no minimum number of Shares you must buy. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other publicly traded securities. Most investors will buy and sell shares through a broker and, thus, will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges when buying or selling shares. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable by the Fund.
The secondary markets are closed on weekends and also are generally closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, but may be closed at other times. When a holiday observed by the Exchange falls on a Saturday, the Exchange will not be open for business on the preceding Friday unless unusual business conditions exist, such as the ending of a monthly or yearly accounting period.
For more information on how to buy and sell shares of the Fund, call 1-833-471-3562 or visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com.
Prospectus – About Your Investment19
Premium/Discount Information
Information showing the number of days the market price of the Fund’s shares was greater than the Fund’s NAV per share (i.e., at a premium) and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV per share (i.e., at a discount) for various time periods will be available by visiting the Fund’s website at [www.americanbeaconfunds.com/products/etfs/american-beacon-cifc-active-clo-etf/]. The premium and discount information contained on the website will represent past performance and cannot be used to predict future results.
Investments by Registered Investment Companies
Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including shares of the Fund. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the Fund beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1) subject to compliance with Rule 12d1-4 under the Investment Company Act, including, in certain cases, that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Fund.
Continuous Offering
The method by which Creation Units of Fund shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of shares are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing basis, a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), may occur at any point. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent shares and sells the shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a characterization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the Investment Company Act. As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with engaging in ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the Securities Act is only available with respect to transactions on a national exchange.
Dealers effecting transactions in the Fund’s shares, whether or not participating in this distribution, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to any obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters.
Beneficial Ownership
The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) serves as securities depository for the Fund’s shares. DTC, or its nominee, is the owner of record for all outstanding shares. Beneficial owners of the Fund’s shares are not entitled to have shares registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive form and are not considered the registered holder thereof. Accordingly, to exercise any rights of a holder of shares, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of: (i) DTC; (ii) the securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC (“DTC Participants”), and (iii) brokers, dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly, through which such beneficial owner holds its interests (“Indirect Participants”). The Trust understands that, under existing industry practice, in the event the Fund requests any action of holders of shares, or a beneficial owner desires to take any action that DTC, as the record owner of all outstanding shares, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the DTC Participants to take such action and that the DTC Participants would authorize the Indirect Participants and beneficial owners acting through such DTC Participants to take such action and would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them. For more detailed information, see “Book Entry Only System” in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
The Manager and/or the Manager’s affiliates (at their own expense) may pay compensation to financial intermediaries for shareholder-related services and, if applicable, distribution-related services, including administrative, sub-transfer agency type, recordkeeping and shareholder communication services. Such payments, which may be significant to the intermediary, are not made by the Fund. Rather, such payments are made by the Manager or its affiliates from their own resources, and constitute what it sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing.”
The amount of compensation paid to different financial intermediaries may differ. The compensation paid to a financial intermediary may be based on a variety of factors, including average assets under management in accounts distributed and/or serviced by the financial intermediary, gross sales by the financial intermediary and/or the number of accounts serviced by the financial intermediary that invest in the Fund.
Compensation received by a financial intermediary from the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager may include payments for marketing and/or training expenses incurred by the financial intermediary, including expenses incurred by the financial intermediary in educating (itself and) its salespersons with respect to Fund shares. For example, such compensation may include reimbursements for expenses incurred in attending educational seminars regarding the Fund, including travel and lodging expenses. It may also cover the development of technology platforms and reporting systems, data provision services, financial intermediaries making shares of the Fund available to sales representatives and/or customers of a fund supermarket platform or similar program sponsor, services provided in connection with such fund supermarket platforms and programs, or costs incurred by financial intermediaries in connection with their efforts to sell Fund shares, including costs incurred compensating (registered) sales representatives and preparing, printing and distributing sales literature.
Any compensation received by a financial intermediary and the prospect of receiving it may create conflicts of interest between the intermediary and its customers and may provide the financial intermediary with an incentive to recommend the shares of the Fund or another fund in the American Beacon Funds Complex over other potential investments, and may cause it to make decisions about the level of services provided to its customers based on the payments or other financial incentives it is eligible to receive. Similarly, the compensation may cause financial intermediaries to elevate the prominence of the Fund within their organization by, for example, placing it on a list of preferred funds. You can contact your financial intermediary for details about any such payments it receives from the Manager or its affiliates, or any other fees, expenses, or commissions your financial intermediary may charge you in addition to those disclosed in this Prospectus.
20Prospectus – About Your Investment
Frequent Trading and Market Timing
The Trust’s Board has determined not to adopt policies and procedures designed to prevent or monitor for frequent purchases and redemptions of the Fund’s shares because the Fund sells and redeems its shares at NAV only in Creation Units pursuant to the terms of an Authorized Participant Agreement between the Authorized Participant and the Distributor, and such direct trading between the Fund and Authorized Participants is critical to ensuring that the Fund’s shares trade at or close to NAV. Further, the vast majority of trading in Fund shares occurs on the secondary market, which does not involve the Fund directly and therefore does not cause the Fund to experience many of the harmful effects of market timing, such as dilution and disruption of portfolio management. In addition, the Fund imposes a transaction fee on Creation Unit transactions, which is designed to offset transfer and other transaction costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units and may employ fair valuation pricing to minimize potential dilution from market timing. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order at any time and reserves the right to impose restrictions on disruptive, excessive, or short-term trading.
The Fund distributes most or all of its net earnings and realized gains, if any, each taxable year in the form of dividends from net investment income (“dividends”) on a monthly basis and distributions of realized net capital gains (“capital gains distributions”) and net gains from foreign currency transactions (sometimes referred to below collectively as “other distributions”) on an annual basis (and dividends, capital gains distributions, and other distributions are sometimes referred to below collectively as “distributions”). Different tax treatment applies to different types of distributions (as described in the table under “Taxes”).
The Fund does not have a fixed dividend rate and does not guarantee that it will pay any distributions in any particular period. Any dividends are paid monthly, and capital gains distributions and other distributions are paid annually.
No dividend reinvestment service is provided by the Fund. Financial intermediaries may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by beneficial owners of Fund shares for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial owners should contact their financial intermediary to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Financial intermediaries may require beneficial owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and net capital gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole shares of the Fund purchased in the secondary market.
Distributions of Fund income are generally taxable to you regardless of the manner in which they are received or reinvested.
Taxes
Fund distributions are taxable to shareholders other than tax-qualified retirement plans and accounts and other tax-exempt investors. However, the portion of the Fund’s dividends derived from its investments in U.S. Government obligations, if any, is generally exempt from state and local income taxes. Fund dividends, except those that are “qualified dividend income” (as described below), are subject to federal income tax at the rates for ordinary income contained in the Internal Revenue Code. The following table outlines the typical status of transactions in taxable accounts:
|
Type of Transaction |
Federal Tax Status |
|
Dividends from net investment income* |
Ordinary income** |
|
Distributions of the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss* |
Ordinary income |
|
Distributions of net gains from certain foreign currency transactions* |
Ordinary income |
|
Distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss (“net capital gain”)* |
Long-term capital gains |
|
Sales of shares owned for more than one year |
Long-term capital gains or losses |
|
Sales of shares owned for one year or less |
Net gains are taxed at the same rate as ordinary income; net losses are subject to special rules |
| * | Whether reinvested or taken in cash. |
| ** | Except for dividends that are attributable to ’‘qualified dividend income,’’ if any. |
To the extent distributions are attributable to net capital gain that the Fund recognizes they are subject to a 15% maximum federal income tax rate for individual and certain other non-corporate shareholders (each, an ’‘individual’’) (20% for individuals with taxable income exceeding certain thresholds, which are indexed for inflation annually), regardless of how long the shareholder held his or her Fund shares. No portion of the dividends the Fund pays to individuals may be ’‘qualified dividend income’’ (’‘QDI’’) and thus eligible for the preferential rates, mentioned above, that apply to net capital gain. QDI is the aggregate of dividends the Fund receives on shares of most domestic corporations (excluding most distributions from REITs) and certain foreign corporations with respect to which the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other restrictions.
No portion of the dividends the Fund pays may also be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations (“DRD”).
A shareholder may realize a taxable gain or loss when selling shares. That gain or loss is treated as a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending on how long the shares were held. Any capital gain an individual shareholder recognizes on a sale of Fund shares that have been held for more than one year will qualify for the 15% and 20% tax rates mentioned above.
An individual must pay a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the individual’s ’‘net investment income,’’ which generally includes distributions the Fund pays and net gains realized on the sale or exchange of Fund shares, or (2) the excess of the individual’s ’‘modified adjusted gross income’’ over a threshold amount ($250,000 for married persons filing jointly and $200,000 for single taxpayers). This tax is in addition to any other taxes due on that income. A similar tax applies to estates and trusts. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the effect, if any, this tax may have on their investment in Fund shares.
Each year, the Fund’s shareholders will receive tax information regarding Fund distributions and dispositions of Fund shares to assist them in preparing their income tax returns.
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important federal income tax considerations that may affect Fund shareholders, who should consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to the effect of federal, state and local income taxes on an investment in the Fund.
Prospectus – About Your Investment21
Taxes
on Creations and Redemptions of Creation Units
A
person who purchases a Creation Unit by exchanging securities in-kind generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference
between (i) the sum of the
market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and any net amount of cash received by the Authorized Participant in the
exchange and (ii) the
sum of the purchaser’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and any net amount of cash paid for the Creation Units. A person
who redeems Creation
Units and receives securities in-kind from the Fund
will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the redeemer’s basis in the Creation
Units, and the aggregate market value of the securities received and any net cash received. The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized
upon an in-kind exchange
of securities for Creation Units or an exchange of Creation Units for securities cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing
“wash sales,”
or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons effecting in-kind creations or redemptions should
consult their own
tax adviser with respect to these matters.
The Fund has the right to reject an order for Creation Units if the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund would have a basis in the deposit securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Fund also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determinations.
The Fund’s Board oversees generally the operations of the Fund. The Trust enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including among others, the Fund’s manager, sub-advisor(s), custodian, transfer agent, and accountants, who provide services to the Fund. Shareholders are not parties to any such contractual arrangements, and those contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any shareholder any right to enforce them directly against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them directly against the service providers.
This Prospectus provides information concerning the Fund that you should consider in determining whether to purchase Fund shares. Neither this Prospectus nor the SAI is intended, or should be read, to be or create an agreement or contract between the Trust or the Fund and any investor, or to create any rights in any shareholder or other person other than any rights under federal or state law that may not be waived. Nothing in this Prospectus, the SAI or the Fund’s reports to shareholders is intended to provide investment advice and should not be construed as investment advice.
Distribution Plan
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act, which allows the Fund to pay distribution and other fees for the sale of Fund shares and for other services provided to shareholders. The Plan also authorizes the use of any fees received by the Manager in accordance with the Management Agreement, and any fees received by the sub-advisor pursuant to its Investment Advisory Agreement, to be used for the sale and distribution of Fund shares. The Plan provides that the shares of the Fund may pay up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to the shares, to the Manager (or another entity approved by the Board). Because these fees would be paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees would increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. There is no present intention of Fund shares paying, accruing, or incurring any Rule 12b-1 fees and Fund shares will not pay, accrue or incur any Rule 12b-1 fees until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board.
Each day the Fund is open for business, the Trust publicly disseminates the Fund’s full portfolio holdings as of the close of business on the previous day through the Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com. A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of portfolio holdings is available in the Fund’s SAI, which you may also access on the Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com or by calling 1-833-471-3562 to request a free copy.
The summary prospectus is available, and the Annual Shareholder Report and Semi-Annual Shareholder Report (“Shareholder Reports”) will be available, online at www.americanbeaconfunds.com/fund-resources/. If you are interested in electronic delivery of the Fund’s summary prospectus or Shareholder Reports, please go to www.americanbeaconfunds.com and click on ’‘Quick Links’’ and then ’‘Register for E-Delivery.’’
To reduce expenses, your financial institution may mail only one copy of the materials described above to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please contact your financial institution. Delivery of individual copies will commence thirty days after receiving your request.
The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the period of the Fund’s operation. Financial highlights are not provided because the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus.
22Prospectus – Additional Information
Additional information about the Fund is found in the documents listed below. Request a free copy of these documents by calling 1-833-471-3562 or you may access them on the Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com.
Annual Shareholder Report/Semi-Annual Shareholder Report and Form N-CSR
The Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports and Form N-CSR will include additional information about the Fund’s investments. The Fund’s Annual Shareholder Report will also include a discussion by the Manager of market conditions and investment strategies that materially affected the Fund’s performance during the reporting period. The Form N-CSR will include the Fund’s annual and semi-annual financial statements, as well as the report of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm in the annual financial statements. Reports will be available approximately 60 days after the Fund passes its first annual and semi-annual reporting periods.
SAI
The SAI contains more details about the Fund and its investment policies. The SAI is incorporated in this Prospectus by reference (it is legally part of this Prospectus). A current SAI is on file with the SEC.
To obtain more information about the Fund, such as the Fund’s financial statements, or to request a copy of the documents listed above:
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By Telephone: |
Call |
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By Mail: |
American
Beacon Select Funds |
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By E-mail: |
americanbeaconfunds@ambeacon.com |
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On the Internet: |
Visit
our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com |
The SAI and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. Copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic mail to publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. The SAI and other information about the Fund may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.
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American Beacon is a registered service mark of American Beacon Advisors, Inc. American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon CIFC Active CLO ETF are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc. |
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SEC File Number 811-09603
GLOSSARY
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ADRs |
American Depositary Receipts | |
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Advisers Act |
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended | |
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American Beacon or Manager |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc. | |
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Authorized Participant |
A financial institution that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor and is authorized to purchase and redeem Creation Units directly with the Fund. | |
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Authorized Participant Agreement |
The agreement between the Distributor and an Authorized Participant governing purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. | |
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Board |
Board of Trustees | |
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Capital Gains Distributions |
Distributions of realized net capital gains | |
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CDO |
Collateralized Debt Obligation. | |
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CFA |
Chartered Financial Analyst | |
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CFTC |
Commodity Futures Trading Commission | |
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CIFC |
CIFC Investment Management LLC, the Fund’s Sub-Advisor. | |
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CLO |
Collateralized Loan Obligation, an asset-backed security collateralized by a pool of loans and other debt obligations. | |
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CPO |
Commodity Pool Operator | |
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Creation Unit |
A specified block of Fund shares that may be purchased from or redeemed with the Fund by Authorized Participants. | |
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Denial of Services |
A cybersecurity incident that results in shareholders or service providers being unable to access electronic systems | |
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Distributor |
Foreside Financial Services, LLC | |
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Dividends |
Distributions from the Fund’s net investment income | |
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DRD |
Dividends-received deduction | |
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DTC |
The Depository Trust Company, the securities depository for Fund shares. | |
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DTC Participant |
A broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation or other organization that participates in DTC. | |
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ETF |
Exchange-traded Fund | |
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Exchange |
NYSE Arca, Inc., a national securities exchange on which shares of the Fund are listed | |
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FDIC |
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation | |
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Fitch |
Fitch Ratings Inc. | |
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Internal Revenue Code |
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended | |
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Investment Company Act |
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended | |
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IRA |
Individual Retirement Account | |
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IRS |
Internal Revenue Service | |
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Management Agreement |
The Fund’s Management Agreement with the Manager | |
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MLP |
Master Limited Partnership | |
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Moody’s |
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. | |
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NAV |
Fund’s net asset value | |
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NYSE |
New York Stock Exchange | |
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Other Distributions |
Distributions of net gains from foreign currency transactions | |
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QDI |
Qualified Dividend Income | |
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QIB |
Qualified Institutional Buyer | |
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REIT |
Real Estate Investment Trust | |
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RIC |
Regulated Investment Company | |
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Rule 12b-1 |
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act permitting a fund to bear certain distribution and shareholder servicing expenses. | |
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Rule 144A |
SEC safe-harbor exemption permitting resale of certain restricted securities to qualified institutional buyers. | |
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SAI |
Statement of Additional Information | |
Prospectus – AppendixA-1
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SEC |
Securities and Exchange Commission | |
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Securities Act |
Securities Act of 1933, as amended | |
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Select Funds or Trust |
American Beacon Select Funds | |
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SOFR |
Secured Overnight Financing Rate | |
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State Street |
State Street Bank and Trust Company | |
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Sub-Advisor |
CIFC Investment Management LLC, the Fund’s investment sub-advisor. | |
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Topco |
Resolute Topco, Inc., the indirect parent company of the Manager. | |
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Valuation Rule |
Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act governing fair value determinations. | |
A-2Prospectus – Appendix
The information in this statement of additional information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This statement of additional information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
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Statement
of Additional Information
[XX XX, 2026]
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Ticker | |
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American Beacon CIFC Active CLO ETF |
MEZZ |
Shares of American Beacon CIFC Active CLO ETF are traded on the NYSE Arca, Inc.
This Statement of Additional Information (“Statement of Additional Information” or “SAI”) should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated [XX XX, 2026] (the “Prospectus”) for the American Beacon CIFC Active CLO ETF (the “Fund”), a separate series of American Beacon Select Funds, a Massachusetts business trust. Copies of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling 1-833-471-3562. You also may obtain copies of the Prospectus without charge by visiting the Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Fund’s Prospectus. In other words, it is legally a part of the Prospectus. This SAI is not a prospectus and is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only if preceded or accompanied by the current Prospectus. Capitalized terms in this SAI have the same definition as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise defined. Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined in this SAI or the Prospectus are defined in Appendix B.
The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date hereof. Accordingly, financial statements for the Fund are not yet available. Copies of the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports, and financial statements and accompanying notes, may be obtained when available, without charge, upon request by calling 1-833-471-3562 or visiting www.americanbeaconfunds.com.
Table of Contents
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Additional Information About Investment Strategies and Risks |
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Management, Administrative, Securities Lending and Distribution Services |
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ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY OF THE FUND
The Fund is a separate series of the American Beacon Select Funds (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on August 18, 1999. The Fund constitutes a separate investment portfolio with distinct investment objectives and a distinct purpose and strategy. The Fund is “diversified” as that term is defined by the Investment Company Act.
The Fund issues and redeems shares at net asset value (“NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of shares (“Creation Units”) in exchange for a “Basket” of cash and/or securities. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a designated Basket of cash but may also issue and redeem Creation Units in exchange for a designated Basket of securities plus an amount of cash that the Fund specifies. Unlike mutual funds, shares are not individually redeemable.
Certain employees of the Fund’s sub-advisor, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) or the Manager’s affiliates are responsible for interacting with market participants that transact in Baskets for one or more Creation Units. As part of these discussions, these employees may discuss with a market participant the securities the Fund is willing to accept in connection with a purchase (also called a “creation”) of shares, and securities that the Fund will provide on a redemption of shares. These employees may also discuss portfolio holdings-related information with broker-dealers in connection with settling the Fund’s transactions, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course.
Shares of the Fund are listed on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”), a national securities exchange and trade in the secondary market, where most investors will buy and sell them at market prices that change throughout the day. Such market prices may be lower, higher or equal to NAV. Accordingly, when transacting in the secondary market, investors may pay more than NAV when purchasing shares and receive less than NAV when selling shares. Investors may also pay brokerage commissions and similar charges when purchasing and selling shares.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The Fund’s investment objectives, principal investment strategies, and principal risks are described in the Prospectus. This section contains additional information about the Fund’s investment policies and risks and types of investments the Fund may purchase. The composition of the Fund’s portfolio and the strategies that the Fund may use in selecting investments may vary over time. The Fund is not required to use all of the investment strategies described below in pursuing its investment objectives. It may use some of the investment strategies only at some times or it may not use them at all. Investors should carefully consider their own investment goals and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund.
Borrowing Risk — The Fund may borrow money in an amount up to one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) from banks and other financial institutions. The Fund may borrow for temporary purposes. Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the Fund’s NAV and in its total return. Interest expense and other fees associated with borrowing may impact the Fund’s expenses and reduce its returns. (See “Cover and Asset Segregation” disclosure below.)
Cash Equivalents and Other Short-Term Investments — Cash equivalents and other short-term investments in which the Fund may invest include the investments set forth below. Certain of these investments are issued by and provide exposure to banks. The activities of U.S. banks and most foreign banks are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operations and profitability of domestic and foreign banks. Significant developments in the U.S. banking industry have included increased competition from other types of financial institutions, increased acquisition activity and geographic expansion. Banks may be particularly susceptible to certain economic factors, such as interest rate changes and adverse developments in the market for real estate. Fiscal and monetary policy and general economic cycles can affect the availability and cost of funds, loan demand and asset quality and thereby impact the earnings and financial conditions of banks.
| ■ | Bank Deposit Notes. Bank deposit notes are obligations of a bank that provide an alternative to certificates of deposit. Similar to certificates of deposit, deposit notes represent bank level investment and, therefore, are senior to all holding company corporate debt. Bank deposit notes rank junior to domestic deposit liabilities of the bank and pari passu with other senior, unsecured obligations of the bank. Typically, bank deposit notes are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other insurer. |
| ■ | Bankers’ Acceptances. Bankers’ acceptances are short-term credit instruments 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 an earning asset, or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Most acceptances have maturities of six months or less. Bankers’ acceptances rank junior to domestic deposit liabilities of the bank and pari passu with other senior, unsecured obligations of the bank. |
| ■ | Bearer Deposit Notes. Bearer deposit notes, or bearer bonds, are bonds or debt securities that entitle the holder of the document to ownership or title in the deposit. Such notes are typically unregistered, and whoever physically holds the bond is presumed to be the owner of the instrument. Recovery of the value of a bearer bond in the event of its loss or destruction usually is impossible. Interest is typically paid upon presentment of an interest coupon for payment. |
| ■ | CDs. CDs are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in an eligible bank (including its domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries and agencies) for a definite period of time and earning a specified rate of return. U.S. dollar denominated CDs issued by banks abroad are known as Eurodollar CDs. CDs issued by foreign branches of U.S. banks are known as Yankee CDs. |
| ■ | Commercial Paper. Commercial paper is a short-term debt security issued by a corporation, bank, municipality, or other issuer, usually for purposes such as financing current operations. The Fund may invest in commercial paper that cannot be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. While some restricted commercial paper normally is deemed illiquid, in certain cases it may be deemed liquid. |
| ■ | Government Money Market Funds. The Fund may invest cash balances in money market funds that are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act, including money market funds that are advised by the Manager. Money market funds invest in highly-liquid, short-term instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, and debt securities with high credit ratings and short-term maturities, such as U.S. |
1
| Treasuries. A “government money market fund” is required to invest at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, U.S. government securities, and/or repurchase agreements that are fully collateralized by government securities or cash. Government securities include any security issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that money market fund. As a result, Fund shareholders indirectly bear their proportionate share of the expenses of the money market funds in which the Fund invests in addition to any fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. These expenses may include, for example, advisory and administrative fees, including advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable money market funds advised by the Manager. These other fees and expenses are reflected in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Fund in its Prospectus, if applicable. Shareholders also would be exposed to the risks associated with money market funds and the portfolio investments of such money market funds, including that a money market fund’s yield will be lower than the return that the Fund would have derived from other investments that would provide liquidity. Although a money market fund is designed to be a relatively low risk investment, it is not free of risk. Despite the short maturities and high credit quality of a money market fund’s investments, increases in interest rates and deteriorations in the credit quality of the instruments the money market fund has purchased can cause the price of a money market security to decrease and may reduce the money market fund’s yield. In addition, a money market fund is subject to the risk that the value of an investment may be eroded over time by inflation. Factors that could adversely affect the value of a money market fund’s shares include, among other things, a sharp rise in interest rates, an illiquid market for the securities held by the money market fund, a high volume of redemption activity in a money market fund’s shares, and a credit event or credit rating downgrade affecting one or more of the issuers of securities held by the money market fund. There can be no assurance that a money market fund will maintain a $1.00 per share net asset value (“NAV”) at all times. |
| ■ | Government Obligations. Government obligations may include U.S. Treasury securities, Treasury inflation-protected securities, and other debt instruments backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, or debt obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored entities. |
| ■ | Short-term Corporate Debt Securities. Short-term corporate debt securities are securities and bonds issued by corporations with shorter terms to maturity. Corporate securities generally bear a higher risk than U.S. government bonds. |
| ■ | Time Deposits. Time deposits, also referred to as “fixed time deposits,” are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate. Time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties which vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity of the obligation. There are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial interest in a time deposit to a third party, although there is no market for such deposits. |
Collateralized
Loan Obligations (“CLOs”)
— The Fund may
invest in CLOs. CLOs are a type of asset-backed security. A CLO is ordinarily issued by a trust
or other special purpose entity (“SPE”), which is a company founded solely for the purpose of securitizing payment claims
arising out of a diversified
asset pool. On this basis, marketable securities are issued by the SPE which, due to the diversification of the underlying risk, are intended
to represent a lower
level of risk than the original assets. The redemption of the securities issued by the SPE typically takes place at maturity out of the
cash flow generated
by the collected claims. A CLO is typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign
senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade
or equivalent unrated
loans. CLOs may charge management fees and administrative expenses.
For
CLOs, the cash flows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, that offer various maturity, risk and yield
characteristics. Losses
caused by defaults on underlying assets are borne first by the holders of subordinate tranches. Tranches are typically categorized as
senior, mezzanine
and subordinated/ equity, according to their degree of risk. Senior tranches are paid from the cash flows from the underlying assets before
the junior tranches.
If there are defaults or the CLO’s collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches take precedence over
those of mezzanine
tranches, and scheduled payments to mezzanine tranches take precedence over those of subordinated/equity tranches. The riskiest portion
is the “equity” tranche, which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust and serves to protect the other,
more senior tranches
from default in all but the most severe circumstances. The
Fund may be in a first loss or subordinated position with respect to realized losses on
the assets of the CLOs in which it invests. In addition, at the time of issuance, CLO equity securities are typically under-collateralized
in that the liabilities
of a CLO at inception exceed its total assets. Since they are partially protected from defaults, senior tranches from a CLO trust typically
have higher ratings
and lower yields than their underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche,
CLO mezzanine, junior
or even more senior tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, downgrades of the underlying collateral by
rating agencies, forced liquidation of the collateral pool due to a failure of coverage tests, increased sensitivity to defaults due to
collateral default and
disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CLO securities as a class. In the event
that a CLO fails certain
tests, holders of CLO senior debt may be entitled to additional payments that would, in turn, reduce the payments the subordinated tranches
would otherwise be
entitled to receive.
The
risks of an investment in a CLO depend largely on the type of the collateral securities and the class, or tranche, of the instrument in
which the Fund
invests. The Fund
may have the right to receive payments only from the CLO, and generally does not have direct rights against the issuer or the entity
that sold the assets to be securitized. The underlying loans purchased by CLOs generally are performing at the time of purchase but may
become non-performing,
distressed or defaulted. Normally, CLOs are privately offered and sold and, thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result,
investments in CLOs may be characterized as illiquid securities; however, an active dealer market may exist for CLOs allowing them to
qualify as Rule 144A
transactions. Please refer to “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” below for further discussion of regulatory considerations
and constraints related
to such securities. In addition to the normal risks associated with fixed income securities and asset-backed securities discussed elsewhere
in this SAI and the
Fund’s Prospectus (e.g., prepayment and extension risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, market risk, and interest rate risk),
CLOs carry additional risks
including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest
or other payments on
the CLO; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the risk that the
Fund may invest in CLOs, or tranches thereof, that are subordinate
to other tranches thereof; (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce
disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results; (v) the investment return achieved could be significantly different from the
return predicted by
financial models; (vi) the lack of a readily available secondary market; (vii) risk of forced “fire sale” liquidation due
to technical defaults such
as coverage test failures; and (viii) the CLO manager may perform poorly. If the issuer of a CLO uses shorter term financing to purchase
longer term securities,
the issuer may be forced to sell its securities at below market prices if it experiences difficulty in obtaining short-term financing,
which
2
may adversely affect the value of the CLO owned by the Fund. In addition, interest rate risk may be exacerbated if the interest rate payable on a structured financing changes based on multiples of changes in interest rates or inversely to changes in interest rates.
Corporate Actions — From time to time, the Fund may voluntarily participate in corporate actions (for example, acquisitions, mergers, rights offerings, conversion privileges, exchange offers, credit event settlements, etc.) where the issuer or counterparty offers securities or instruments to holders or counterparties, such as the Fund, and the acquisition is determined to be beneficial to Fund shareholders (“Corporate Actions”). Notwithstanding any percentage investment limitation listed under the “Investment Restrictions” section or any percentage investment limitation of the Investment Company Act or rules thereunder, if the Fund has the opportunity to acquire a permitted security or instrument through a Corporate Action, and by doing so, the Fund would exceed a percentage investment limitation following the acquisition, it will not constitute a violation if, prior to the receipt of the securities or instruments and after announcement of the Corporate Action, the Fund sells an offsetting amount of assets that are subject to the investment limitation in question at least equal to the value of the securities or instruments to be acquired.
Cover and Asset Segregation — The Fund may borrow money, make investments or employ trading practices that obligate the Fund, on a fixed or contingent basis, to deliver an asset or make a cash payment to another party in the future. The Fund will comply with rules and guidance from the SEC with respect to coverage of certain investments and trading practices. The Fund’s approach to asset coverage may vary depending on terms within its agreement with a counterparty. With respect to certain investments under the agreement, the Fund calculates the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis” (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). Under such circumstances, the Fund’s current obligations will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid by the Fund based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement. Earmarking or otherwise segregating a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede the management of the Fund’s portfolio or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations, because the Fund may be unable to promptly dispose of those assets.
Cybersecurity and Operational Risk — With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform necessary business functions, the Fund, its service providers, third-party fund distribution platforms, and the issuers of the Fund’s investments may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cybersecurity incidents, including cyber-attacks. In general, cybersecurity incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally (e.g., through “hacking,” computer viruses or other malicious software coding), the theft and holding for ransom of proprietary or confidential information or data (referred to as “ransomware” attacks), denial of service attacks on websites, “phishing” attempts and other social engineering techniques aimed at personnel or systems, and the unauthorized release of confidential information. Cyber-attacks affecting the Fund, the Manager, the sub-advisor, the Custodian (as defined below), the transfer agent, intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely impact the Fund. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, result in the loss or theft of shareholder data or funds, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate NAV per share, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. A cyber-attack may also result in shareholders or service providers being unable to access electronic systems (also known as “denial of services”), loss or theft of proprietary information or corporate data, physical damage to a computer or network system, or remediation costs associated with system repairs. The Fund may also incur additional costs for cybersecurity risk management purposes or corrective measures, and such costs may be ongoing because threats of cyber-attacks are constantly evolving as cyber-attackers become more sophisticated and their techniques become more complex. Similar types of cybersecurity risks are also present for issuers of the Fund’s investments, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund to lose value. Adverse consequences also could result from cybersecurity incidents affecting counterparties with which the Fund engages in transactions, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchanges and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, other financial institutions and other parties. Furthermore, as a result of cyber-attacks, disruptions or failures, an exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities or the entire market, which may result in the Fund being, among other things, unable to buy or sell certain securities or unable to accurately price its investments. The Fund’s service providers also may be negatively impacted due to operational risks arising from non-cybersecurity related factors such as processing errors and human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, failures in systems and technology errors or malfunctions, changes in personnel, and errors caused by Fund service providers or counterparties. In addition, other events or circumstances — whether foreseeable, unforeseeable, or beyond the Fund’s control, such as acts of war, other conflicts, terrorism, natural disaster, widespread disease, pandemic or other public health crises may result in, among other things, quarantines and travel restrictions, workforce displacement and loss or reduction in Personnel and other resources. In the above circumstances, the Fund and the Service Providers’ operations may be significantly impacted, or even temporarily halted. The Fund’s securities market counterparties or vendors may face the same or similar systems failure, cybersecurity breaches and other business disruptions risks. Any of these results could have a substantial adverse impact on the Fund and its shareholders. For example, if a cybersecurity incident results in a denial of service, Fund shareholders could lose access to their electronic accounts and be unable to buy or sell Fund shares for an unknown period of time, and service providers could be unable to access electronic systems to perform critical duties for the Fund, such as trading, NAV calculation, shareholder accounting or fulfillment of Fund share purchases and redemptions. There are inherent limitations in risk management systems that seek to reduce the risks associated with cybersecurity incidents, including the possibility that risks may not have been adequately identified or prepared for, or that different or unknown threats may emerge in the future. Furthermore, the Fund does not control the cybersecurity systems and plans of the issuers of the Fund’s investments, third party service providers, trading counterparties or any other service providers whose operations may affect the Fund or its shareholders. The use of cloud-based service providers could heighten or change these risks. In addition, remote and hybrid work arrangements by the Fund, the Manager or their service providers could increase all of the above risks, create additional data and information accessibility concerns, and make the Fund, the Manager or their service providers susceptible to operational disruptions, any of which could adversely impact their operations.
3
Expense Risk — Fund expenses are subject to a variety of factors, including fluctuations in the Fund’s net assets. Accordingly, actual expenses may be greater or less than those indicated. For example, to the extent that the Fund’s net assets decrease due to market declines or redemptions, the Fund’s expenses will increase as a percentage of Fund net assets. During periods of high market volatility, these increases in the Fund’s expense ratio could be significant.
Fixed-Income Investments — The Fund may hold debt instruments, including government and corporate debt instruments, and other fixed-income securities. Typically, the values of fixed-income securities change inversely with prevailing interest rates. Therefore, a fundamental risk of fixed-income securities is interest rate risk, which is the risk that their value will generally decline as prevailing interest rates rise, which may cause the Fund’s NAV to likewise decrease, and vice versa. How specific fixed-income securities may react to changes in interest rates will depend on the specific characteristics of each security. For example, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, they also tend to be more sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates and are therefore more volatile than shorter-term securities and are subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. However, calculations of maturity and duration may be based on estimates and may not reliably predict a security’s price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In addition, different interest rate measures (such as short- and long-term interest rates and U.S. and non-U.S. interest rates), or interest rates on different types of securities or securities of different issuers, may not necessarily change in the same amount or in the same direction. Investments in fixed-income securities with very low or negative interest rates may diminish the Fund’s yield and performance. Conversely, if rising interest rates cause the Fund to lose value, the Fund could face increased shareholder redemptions, which may lead to increased portfolio turnover and transaction costs. An increase in shareholder redemptions could also force the Fund to liquidate investments at disadvantageous times or prices, therefore adversely affecting the Fund as well as the value of your investment. For fixed-income securities with variable or floating rates, the interest rates reset when the specified index or reference rate changes. Fixed-income securities are also subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the credit strength of an issuer of a fixed-income security will weaken and/or that the issuer will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and interest payments and that the security may go into default. In addition, there is prepayment risk, which is the risk that during periods of falling interest rates, certain fixed-income securities with higher interest rates, such as mortgage- and asset-backed securities, may be prepaid by their issuers thereby reducing the amount of interest payments. This is similar to call risk, which is the risk that the issuer of a debt security may repay the security early. This may result in the Fund not enjoying the increase in the security’s market price that usually accompanies a decline in rates, and also having to reinvest its proceeds in lower yielding securities. Fixed-income securities may also be subject to valuation risk and liquidity risk. Valuation risk is the risk that one or more of the fixed-income securities in which the Fund invests are priced differently than the value realized upon such security’s sale. In times of market instability, valuation may be more difficult. Liquidity risk is the risk that fixed-income securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time that the Fund would like or at the price the sub-advisor believes the security is currently worth. To the extent the Fund invests in fixed-income securities in a particular industry or economic sector, its share values may fluctuate in response to events affecting that industry or sector.
Fixed-income securities are also subject to market risk. The market for certain fixed-income securities may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer. Recent and potential future changes in government monetary policy may also affect the level of interest rates. The Fund may be subject to heightened interest rate risk in times of monetary policy change and uncertainty, such as when the Federal Reserve ends a quantitative easing program and/or raises interest rates. The end of quantitative easing and/or rising interest rates may expose fixed-income markets to increased volatility and may reduce the liquidity of certain investments. These developments could cause the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate or make it more difficult for the Fund to accurately value its securities. The amount of assets deemed illiquid remaining within the Fund may also increase, making it more difficult to meet shareholder redemptions and further adversely affecting the value of the Fund.
In addition, specific types of fixed-income securities in which the Fund may invest are subject to the risks described elsewhere in this SAI.
| ■ | Corporate Debt and Other Fixed-Income Securities. Typically, the values of fixed income securities change inversely with prevailing interest rates. Therefore, a fundamental risk of fixed income securities is interest rate risk, which is the risk that their value generally will decline as prevailing interest rates rise, which may cause the Fund’s NAV to likewise decrease, and vice versa. How specific fixed income securities may react to changes in interest rates will depend on the specific characteristics of each security. For example, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, they also tend to be more sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. They are therefore more volatile than shorter-term securities and are subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. Fixed income securities are also subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the credit strength of an issuer of a fixed income security will weaken and/or that the issuer will be unable to make timely principal and interest payments, and that the security may go into default. |
| ■ | High-Yield Bonds. High-yield, non-investment grade bonds (also known as “junk bonds”) are low-quality, high-risk corporate bonds that generally offer a high level of current income. These bonds are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and repay principal by rating organizations. For example, Moody’s, S&P Global, and Fitch, Inc. currently rate them below Baa3, BBB- and BBB-, respectively. Please see “Appendix A: Ratings Definitions” below for an explanation of the ratings applied to high-yield bonds. High-yield bonds are often issued as a result of corporate restructurings, such as leveraged buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, or other similar events. They may also be issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged firms, which are generally less able to make scheduled payments of interest and principal than more financially stable firms. Because of their lower credit quality, high-yield bonds must pay higher interest to compensate investors for the substantial credit risk they assume. Lower-rated securities are subject to certain risks that may not be present with investments in higher-grade securities. Investors should consider carefully their ability to assume the risks associated with lower-rated securities before investing in the Fund. The lower rating of certain high-yield corporate income securities reflects a greater possibility that the financial condition of the issuer or adverse changes in general economic conditions may impair the ability of the issuer to pay income and principal. Changes by rating agencies in their ratings of a fixed-income security also may affect the value of these investments; however, allocating investments in the Fund among securities of different issuers should reduce the risks of owning any such securities separately. The prices of these high-yield securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. During economic downturns, periods of rising interest rates, or when inflation or deflation occurs, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that adversely affects their ability to service principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals or to obtain additional financing, and the markets for their securities may be more volatile. They may also not have more traditional methods of financing available to them |
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| and may be unable to repay debt at maturity by refinancing. In addition, lower-rated securities may experience substantial price declines when there is an expectation that issuers of such securities might experience financial difficulties. As a result, the yields on lower-rated securities can rise dramatically. However, the higher yields of high-yield securities may not reflect the value of the income stream that holders of such securities may expect, but rather the risk that such securities may lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of their issuer’s financial restructuring or default. If an issuer defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. Additionally, accruals of interest income for the Fund may have to be adjusted in the event of default. In the event of an issuer’s default, the Fund may write off prior income accruals for that issuer, resulting in a reduction in the Fund’s current dividend payment. In the event of an in court or out of court restructuring of high-yield bond in which the Fund invests, the Fund may acquire (and subsequently sell) equity securities or exercise warrants that it receives. In addition, the market for high-yield securities generally is less robust and active than that for higher-rated securities, which may limit the Fund’s ability to sell such securities at fair value in response to changes in the economy or financial markets and could make the valuation of these portfolio securities more difficult. |
Foreign Debt Securities — The Fund may invest in foreign fixed and floating rate income securities all or a portion of which may be non-U.S. dollar denominated and which include: (a) debt obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign national, provincial, state, municipal or other governments with taxing authority or by their agencies or instrumentalities, including Brady Bonds; (b) debt obligations of supranational entities; (c) debt obligations of the U.S. Government issued in non-dollar securities; (d) debt obligations and other fixed-income securities of foreign corporate issuers (both dollar and non-dollar denominated); and (e) debt obligations of U.S. corporate issuers (both Eurodollar and non-dollar denominated). Foreign debt securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations, or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities. There is no minimum rating criteria for the Fund’s investments in such securities. The cost of servicing foreign debt will generally be adversely affected by rising international interest rates, because many external debt obligations bear interest at rates which are adjusted based upon international interest rates. The Fund’s foreign debt securities may be held outside of the United States in the primary market for the securities in the custody of certain eligible foreign banks and trust companies, as permitted under the Investment Company Act. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers involves special considerations that are not typically associated with investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and the risks similar to those of foreign securities, such as the fact that foreign markets can be extremely volatile, foreign debt securities may be less liquid than securities of U.S. issuers, and transaction fees, custodial costs, currency conversion costs and other fees are generally higher for foreign debt securities. See “Foreign Investing” and “Fixed-Income Investments” for a further discussion of these and other risks.
Foreign Investing — The Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated and non-U.S. dollar-denominated equity, debt and derivative instruments of foreign issuers and foreign branches of U.S. banks. Foreign issuers are issuers organized and doing business principally outside the United States and include corporations, banks, non-U.S. governments, and quasi-governmental organizations. While investments in foreign investments are intended to reduce risk by providing further diversification, such investments involve sovereign and other risks, in addition to the credit and market risks normally associated with domestic securities. These additional risks may include: the possibility of adverse political and economic developments (including political or social instability, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation); the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations and actions, war, other conflicts, terrorism, and disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics); the potentially adverse effects of unavailability of public information regarding issuers, less or less reliable information about the securities and business operations of foreign issuers, less governmental supervision and regulation of financial markets, reduced liquidity of certain financial markets, and the lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards or the application of standards that are different or less stringent than those applied in the United States; different laws and customs governing securities purchases, tracking and custody; the difficulty of predicting international trade patterns and the possibility of exchange controls or limitations on the removal of funds or assets; and possibly more limited legal remedies and access to the courts available to enforce the Fund’s rights as an investor. The prices of such securities may be more volatile than those of domestic securities. Non-U.S. equity securities may trade at price/earnings multiples higher than comparable U.S. securities, and such levels may not be sustainable. The economies of many of the countries in which the Fund may invest are not as developed as the U.S. economy, and individual foreign economies can differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. Certain such economies may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. Individual foreign companies also may differ favorably or unfavorably from U.S. companies in the same industry.
Foreign markets are generally not as developed or efficient as, and may be more volatile than, those in the United States. While growing in volume, they usually have substantially less trading volume than U.S. markets. As a result, foreign securities may trade with less frequency and in less volume than domestic securities and therefore may exhibit greater or lower price volatility. The Fund may be exposed to risks in the process of clearing and settling trades and the holding of securities by foreign banks, agents and depositories. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. Additional costs associated with an investment in foreign securities may include higher custodial fees than apply to domestic custody arrangements and transaction costs of foreign currency conversions. Investments in emerging markets may be subject to greater custody risks than investments in more developed markets. Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures. In certain markets, there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Trading practices, including those involving the release of assets in advance of payment, may involve increased risks in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a broker-dealer, and may involve substantial delays. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of the Fund is not invested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the securities or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. In addition, certain foreign markets may institute share blocking, which is a practice under which an issuer’s securities are blocked from trading at the custodian or sub-custodian level for a specified number of days before and, in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting where a vote of shareholders takes place. The blocking period can last up to several weeks. Share blocking may prevent the Fund from buying or selling securities during this period, because during the time shares are blocked,
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trades in such securities will not settle. It may be difficult or impossible to lift blocking restrictions, with the particular requirements varying widely by country. As a consequence of these restrictions, the sub-advisor, on behalf of the Fund, may elect not to vote proxies in markets that require share blocking. Interest rates prevailing in other countries may affect the prices of foreign securities and exchange rates for foreign currencies. Local factors, including the strength of the local economy, the demand for borrowing, the government’s fiscal and monetary policies, and the international balance of payments, often affect interest rates in other countries.
Economic sanctions and other similar governmental actions could, among other things, effectively restrict or eliminate the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell foreign securities, and thus may prevent the Fund from making investments or make the Fund’s investments in such securities less liquid or more difficult to value. In addition, as a result of economic sanctions, the Fund may be forced to sell or otherwise dispose of investments at inopportune times or prices, which could result in losses to the Fund and increased transaction costs. These conditions may be in place for a substantial period of time and enacted with limited advance notice to the Fund. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets.
Investing in foreign currency denominated investments involves not only the special risks associated with investing in non-U.S. issuers, as described above, but also the additional risks of adverse changes in foreign exchange rates and investment or exchange control regulations, which could prevent cash from being brought back to the United States. Additionally, dividends and interest payable on foreign securities (and gains realized on disposition thereof) may be subject to foreign taxes, including taxes withheld from those payments. Some governments may impose a tax on purchases by foreign investors of certain securities that trade in their country. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. Commissions on foreign securities exchanges are often at fixed rates and are generally higher than those negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, as are transaction costs, although the sub-advisor endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results on portfolio transactions.
The use of fair value pricing in certain circumstances may help deter such arbitrage activities. The effect of such fair value pricing is that foreign securities may not be priced on the basis of quotations from the primary foreign securities market in which they are traded, but rather may be fair valued. As such, fair value pricing is based on subjective judgment, and it is possible that fair value may differ materially from the value realized on a sale of a foreign security. It is also possible that use of fair value pricing will limit an investment adviser’s ability to implement the Fund’s investment strategy (e.g., reducing the volatility of the Fund’s share price) or achieve its investment objectives.
Interfund Lending — Pursuant to an order issued by the SEC, the Fund may participate in a credit facility whereby the Fund, under certain conditions, is permitted to lend money directly to and borrow directly from other funds under the Manager’s management for temporary purposes. The credit facility is administered by a credit facility team consisting of professionals from the Manager’s asset management, compliance, and accounting departments, who report on credit facility activities to the Board. The credit facility can provide a borrowing fund with savings at times when the cash position of the Fund is insufficient to meet temporary cash requirements. This situation could arise when shareholder redemptions exceed anticipated volumes and the Fund has insufficient cash on hand to satisfy such redemptions, or when sales of securities do not settle as expected, resulting in a cash shortfall for the Fund. The credit facility provides a source of immediate, short-term liquidity pending settlement of the sale of portfolio securities. Although the credit facility may reduce the Fund’s need to borrow from banks, the Fund remains free to establish and utilize lines of credit or other borrowing arrangements with banks.
Issuer Risk — The value of an investment may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets.
Other Investment Company Securities and Exchange-Traded Products — Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, Fund shareholders indirectly will bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. To the extent the Fund invests in investment company securities advised by the Manager and/or the sub-advisor, shareholders could pay fees charged by the Manager and/or sub-advisor to such investment company. The Fund’s investment in securities of other investment companies, except for money market funds, is generally limited to (i) 3% of the total voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Fund’s total assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of the Fund’s total assets in all investment companies in the aggregate. In addition, the Fund is generally limited to selling 3% of its total voting stock to an investment company. However, the Fund may exceed these limits in reliance on a statutory exemption, the terms and conditions of an exemptive order from the SEC, or Rule 12d1-4 under the Investment Company Act. Such investments may be subject to various conditions, including limits on control and voting of acquired fund shares, required evaluations and findings by investment advisers, fund investment agreements, and/or limits on most three-tier fund structures.
The Fund at times may invest in shares of other investment companies and exchange-traded products, which, in addition to the general risks of investments in other investment companies described above, include the following risks:
| ■ | Money Market Funds. The Fund can invest free cash balances in registered open-end investment companies regulated as money market funds under the Investment Company Act, to provide liquidity or for defensive purposes. The Fund would invest in money market funds rather than purchasing individual short-term investments. Although a money market fund is designed to be a relatively low risk investment, it is not free of risk. Despite the short maturities and high credit quality of a money market fund’s investments, increases in interest rates and deteriorations in the credit quality of the instruments the money market fund has purchased may reduce the money market fund’s yield and can cause the price of a money market security to decrease. In addition, a money market fund is subject to the risk that the value of an investment may be eroded over time by |
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| inflation. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund, or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts redeemed from the money market fund. |
Senior Loans — The Fund may invest in senior loans, which generally include variable or floating rate loans that hold a senior position in the capital structure of U.S. and foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities. Under normal circumstances, senior loans have priority of claim ahead of other obligations of a borrower in the event of liquidation. Senior loans may be collateralized or uncollateralized. They pay interest at rates that float above, or are adjusted periodically based on, a benchmark that reflects current interest rates. In addition to the risks typically associated with debt securities, such as credit and interest rate risk, senior loans are also subject to the risk that a court could subordinate a senior loan, which typically holds a senior position in the capital structure of a borrower, to presently existing or future indebtedness or take other action detrimental to the holders of senior loans. In the event of an in court or out of court restructuring of a senior loan in which the Fund invests, the Fund may acquire (and subsequently sell) equity securities or exercise warrants that it receives. Senior loans usually have mandatory and optional prepayment provisions. If a borrower prepays a senior loan, the Fund will have to reinvest the proceeds in other senior loans or securities that may pay lower interest rates.
Variable or Floating Rate Obligations — Variable and floating rate securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the obligations. A variable rate obligation has a coupon rate which is adjusted at predesignated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the coupon is based. The adjustment intervals may be regular, and range from daily up to annually, or may be event based, such as based on a change in the prime rate. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate instruments at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons.
The Fund may invest in floaters and engage in credit spread trades. The interest rate on a floater is a variable rate which is tied to another interest rate, such as a money-market index rate, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), or a U.S. Treasury bill rate. The interest rate on a floater resets periodically, typically every one or three months. While, because of the interest rate reset feature, floaters provide the Fund with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, the Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well. A credit spread trade is an investment position relating to a difference in the prices or interest rates of two securities or currencies, where the value of the investment position is determined by movements in the difference between the prices or interest rates, as the case may be, of the respective securities or currencies.
When-Issued and Forward Commitment Transactions — These transactions involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase or sell securities with payment and delivery to take place at a future date, typically one to two months after the date of the transaction. The payment obligations and interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the transaction. These transactions enable the Fund to “lock-in” what the Manager or the sub-advisor, as applicable, believes to be an attractive price or yield on a particular security for a period of time, regardless of future changes in interest rates. For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling prices, the Fund might sell securities it owns on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising prices, the Fund might purchase a security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and sell a similar security to settle such purchase, thereby obtaining the benefit of currently higher yields. Forward commitment transactions are executed for existing obligations, whereas in a when-issued transaction, the obligations have not yet been issued.
The value of securities purchased on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and any subsequent fluctuations in their value are reflected in the computation of the Fund’s NAV starting on the date of the agreement to purchase the securities. Because the Fund has not yet paid for the securities, this produces an effect similar to leverage. The Fund does not earn interest on securities it has committed to purchase until the securities are paid for and delivered on the settlement date. When the Fund makes a forward commitment to sell securities it owns, the proceeds to be received upon settlement are included in its assets. Fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities are not reflected in the Fund’s NAV as long as the commitment to sell remains in effect.
When entering into a when-issued or forward commitment transaction, the Fund will rely on the other party to consummate the transaction; if the other party fails to do so, the Fund may be disadvantaged. If the other party fails to complete the trade, the Fund may lose the opportunity to obtain a favorable price. For purchases on a when-issued basis, the price of the security is fixed at the date of purchase, but delivery of and payment for the securities is not set until after the securities are issued. The value of when-issued securities is subject to market fluctuation during the interim period and no income accrues to the Fund until settlement takes place. Such transactions therefore involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date. A sale of a when-issued security also involves the risk that the other party will be unable to settle the transaction. When-issued, delayed-delivery and forward commitment transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its purchase or sale obligations.
Pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act, when-issued, delayed-delivery and forward commitment transactions will be deemed not to involve a senior security, provided that: the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction; and the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date. If such transactions are deemed senior securities, the Fund will maintain with its Custodian segregated (or earmarked) liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the when-issued or forward commitment transaction. Earmarking or otherwise segregating a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede the sub-advisor’s ability to manage the Fund’s portfolio.
Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following discusses the investment policies of the Fund.
The following restrictions have been adopted by the Fund and may be changed with respect to the Fund only by the majority vote of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. “Majority of the outstanding voting securities” under the Investment Company Act and as used herein means, with respect to the Fund, the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares of the Fund present at the meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present and represented at the shareholders’ meeting or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund.
The Fund may not:
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| 1 | Purchase or sell real estate or real estate limited partnership interests, provided, however, that the Fund may dispose of real estate acquired as a result of the ownership of securities or other instruments and invest in securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies which invest in real estate or interests therein when consistent with the other policies and limitations described in the Prospectus. |
| 2 | Invest in physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling foreign currency, options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars, securities on a forward-commitment or delayed-delivery basis, and other similar financial instruments or commodity pools or other entities that purchase and sell commodities and commodity contracts.). |
| 3 | Engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of securities, the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under federal securities law. |
| 4 | Lend any security or make any other loan except (i) as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act, (ii) pursuant to a rule, order or interpretation issued by the SEC or its staff, (iii) through the purchase of a portion of an issue of debt securities in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and limitations, or (iv) by engaging in repurchase agreements. |
| 5 | Issue any senior security except as otherwise permitted (i) under the Investment Company Act or (ii) pursuant to a rule, order or interpretation issued by the SEC or its staff. |
| 6 | Borrow money, except as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act or pursuant to a rule, order or interpretation issued by the SEC or its staff, including (i) as a temporary measure, (ii) by entering into reverse repurchase agreements, and (iii) by lending portfolio securities as collateral. For purposes of this investment limitation, the purchase or sale of options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and other similar financial instruments and margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to such instruments shall not constitute borrowing. |
| 7 | Invest more than 5% of its total assets (taken at market value) in securities of any one issuer, other than obligations issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or purchase more than 10% of the voting securities of any one issuer, with respect to 75% of the Fund’s total assets. |
| 8 | Invest more than 25% of its net assets in the securities of companies primarily engaged in any particular industry or group of industries. This limitation does not apply to: (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; and (ii) tax-exempt securities issued by municipalities or their agencies and authorities. |
Under the Investment Company Act, the above limitations (except the limitation on borrowings) are based upon asset values at the time of the applicable transaction; accordingly, a subsequent change in asset values will not affect a transaction that was in compliance with the investment restrictions at the time such transaction was effected.
For purposes of the Fund’s policy relating to commodities set forth in (2) above, the Fund does not consider foreign currencies or forward contracts to be physical commodities.
For purposes of the Fund’s policy relating to making loans set forth in (4) above, securities loans will not be made if, as a result, the aggregate amount of all outstanding securities loans by the Fund exceeds 33¹/3% of its total assets (including the market value of collateral received).
For purposes of the Fund’s policy relating to issuing senior securities set forth in (5) above, “senior securities” are defined as Fund obligations that have a priority over the Fund’s shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of Fund assets. The Investment Company Act prohibits the Fund from issuing any class of senior securities or selling any senior securities of which it is the issuer, except that the Fund is permitted to borrow from a bank so long as, immediately after such borrowings, there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings of the Fund (not including borrowings for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets). In the event that such asset coverage falls below this percentage, the Fund is required to reduce the amount of its borrowings within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) so that the asset coverage is restored to at least 300%. Consistent with guidance issued by the SEC and its staff, the requisite asset coverage may vary among different types of instruments. The policy in (5) above will be interpreted not to prevent collateral arrangements with respect to swaps, options, forward or futures contracts or other derivatives, or the posting of initial or variation margin.
For purposes of the Fund’s industry concentration policy set forth in (8) above, the Manager or the sub-advisor may analyze the characteristics of a particular issuer and instrument and may assign an industry classification consistent with those characteristics. The Manager or the sub-advisor may, but need not, consider industry classifications provided by third parties, and the classifications applied to Fund investments will be informed by applicable law. A large economic or market sector shall not be construed as a particular industry or group of industries. The Manager does not consider asset- backed securities (including collateralized loan obligations) to be companies primarily engaged in any particular industry or group of industries and therefore, the Fund’s industry concentration policy does not limit the Fund’s ability to invest in such securities. The Manager currently considers securities issued by a foreign government (but not the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities) to be an “industry” subject to the 25% limitation. Thus, not more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in securities issued by any one foreign government or supranational organization. The Fund might invest in certain securities issued by companies in a particular industry whose obligations are guaranteed by a foreign government. The Manager could consider such a company to be within the particular industry and, therefore, the Fund will invest in the securities of such a company only if it can do so under its industry concentration policy.
Except for the investment restrictions listed above as fundamental or to the extent designated as such in the Prospectus, the other investment policies described in this SAI are not fundamental and may be changed by approval of the Trustees.
TEMPORARY OR DEFENSIVE INVESTMENTS
In times of unstable or adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, where the Manager or the sub-advisor believes it is appropriate, and in the Fund’s best interest, the Fund can invest up to 100% in cash and other types of securities for defensive or temporary purposes.
8
These temporary investments can include: (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; (ii) commercial paper rated in the highest short-term category by a rating organization; (iii) domestic, Yankee and Eurodollar certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of banks rated in the highest short-term category by a rating organization; (iv) any of the foregoing securities that mature in one year or less (generally known as “cash equivalents”); (v) other short-term corporate debt obligations; (vi) repurchase agreements; (vii) futures; or (viii) shares of money market funds, including funds advised by the Manager or the sub-advisor.
Portfolio turnover is a measure of trading activity in a portfolio of securities, usually calculated over a period of one year. The rate is calculated by dividing the lesser amount of purchases or sales of securities by the average amount of securities held over the period. A portfolio turnover rate of 100% would indicate that the Fund sold and replaced the entire value of its securities holdings during the period. High portfolio turnover can increase the Fund’s transaction costs and generate additional capital gains or losses.
Portfolio turnover may vary significantly from year to year due to a variety of factors, including fluctuating volume of shareholder purchase and redemption orders, market conditions, investment strategy changes, and/or changes in the sub-advisor’s investment outlook.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Fund publicly discloses portfolio holdings information as follows:
| 1 | prior to the opening of regular trading on the Exchange, a complete list of holdings as of the close of the prior business day that will form the basis of the Fund’s next net asset value calculation (available at www.americanbeaconfunds.com); |
| 2 | through the facilities of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) prior to the opening of trading on each business day, a list of the Fund’s holdings (generally pro-rata) that Authorized Participants could deliver to the Fund to settle purchases of the Fund (i.e., Deposit Securities) (as defined below) or that Authorized Participants would receive from the Fund to settle redemptions of the Fund (i.e., Fund Securities) (as defined below) (publicly available on financial data websites); |
| 3 | a complete list of holdings for the Fund as of the end of each fiscal quarter in publicly available filings of Form N-PORT with the SEC within sixty days of the end of the fiscal quarter (available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov); and |
| 4 | a complete list of holdings for the Fund on an annual and semi-annual basis within seventy days of the end of each fiscal semi-annual period in publicly available filings of Form N-CSR with the SEC (available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov) and on the Fund’s website at [www.americanbeaconfunds.com/products/etfs/american-beacon-cifc-active-clo-etf/]. |
Disclosure
of Nonpublic Holdings
Occasionally,
certain interested parties — including individual investors, institutional investors, market participants, third-party service providers,
issuers (or their
agents), and others — may request portfolio holdings information that has not yet been publicly disclosed by the Fund.
The Fund’s policy
is to control the
disclosure of nonpublic portfolio holdings information in an attempt to prevent parties from utilizing such information to engage in trading
activity harmful to
Fund shareholders. To this end, the Board has adopted a Holdings Policy. The purpose of the Holdings Policy is to define those interested
parties who are authorized to receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information on a selective basis and to set forth conditions upon which
such information may
be provided. In general, nonpublic portfolio holdings may be disclosed on a selective basis only when it is determined that: (i) there
is a legitimate business purpose for the information; (ii) recipients are subject to a duty of confidentiality, including a duty not to
trade on the nonpublic
information; and (iii) disclosure is in the best interests of Fund shareholders. The Holdings Policy does not restrict the
Fund from disclosing that
a particular security is not a holding of the
Fund. The Holdings Policy is summarized below.
A variety of third-party service providers require access to Fund holdings to provide services to the Fund or to assist the Manager and the sub-advisor in managing the Fund (“service providers”). The service providers have a duty to keep the Fund’s nonpublic information confidential either through written contractual arrangements with the Fund (or another Fund service provider) or by the nature of their role with respect to the Fund (or the service provider). The Fund has determined that disclosure of nonpublic holdings information to service providers fulfills a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interest of shareholders. In addition, the Fund has determined that disclosure of nonpublic holdings information to members of the Board fulfills a legitimate business purpose, is in the best interest of Fund shareholders, and each Trustee is subject to a duty of confidentiality.
9
The Fund has ongoing arrangements to provide nonpublic holdings information to the following service providers, whose affiliates may also have access to such information:
|
Service Provider |
Service |
Holdings Access |
|
Manager |
Investment management and administrator |
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag |
|
Sub-Advisor |
Investment management |
Holdings under sub-advisor’s management on intraday basis with no lag |
|
Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) |
Securities depository |
Complete list on daily basis with no lag |
|
Foreside Financial Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group, LLC (doing business as ACA Group) (“Distributor”) |
Fund’s principal underwriter |
Complete list on daily basis with no lag |
|
National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) |
Clearing agency |
Complete list on daily basis with no lag |
|
State Street Bank and Trust Co. (“State Street”) and its designated foreign sub-custodians |
Securities lending agent for Funds that participate in securities lending, Fund’s Custodian and foreign custody manager, sub-administrator, Fund administration service provider, Fund’s foreign sub-custodian, Fund’s transfer agent |
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag |
|
Mountain & Co., LLC d/b/a Blue Flame Thinking |
Hosting and maintenance of the Trusts’ website |
Complete list prior to publication on the Trusts’ website |
Certain third parties are provided with nonpublic holdings information (either complete or partial lists) by the Manager or another service provider on an ad hoc basis in the ordinary course of business. These third parties include: broker-dealers, the Exchange, Authorized Participants, market makers, legal counsel, and issuers (or their agents). Broker-dealers utilized by the Fund in the process of purchasing and selling portfolio securities or providing market quotations receive limited nonpublic holdings information on a current basis with no lag. The Exchange may receive current holdings information with no lag through discussions with the Manager regarding the Fund’s compliance with the listing standards. Authorized Participants and market makers may receive current holdings information with no lag in connection with negotiations of Custom Baskets (as defined below). The Manager or sub-advisor may provide current holdings information with no lag to legal counsel when seeking advice regarding those holdings. From time to time, an issuer (or its agent) may contact the Fund requesting confirmation of ownership of the issuer’s securities. Such holdings information is provided to the issuer (or its agent) as of the date requested. The Fund does not have written contractual arrangements with these third parties regarding the confidentiality of the holdings information. However, the Fund would not continue to utilize a third party that the Manager determined to have misused nonpublic holdings information.
No compensation or other consideration may be paid to the Fund, the Fund’s service providers, or any other party in connection with the disclosure of nonpublic portfolio holdings information.
Under the Holdings Policy, disclosure of nonpublic portfolio holdings information to parties other than those discussed above must be approved by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, or in her absence, by a Vice President of the Trust.
In determining whether to approve a request for nonpublic portfolio holdings disclosure, the CCO shall consider the restrictions on selective disclosure imposed by applicable law, the type of requestor and its relationship to the Fund, the stated reason for the request, any historical pattern of requests from that same individual or entity, the style and strategy of the Fund for which holdings have been requested (e.g., passive versus active management), whether the Fund is managed by one or multiple investment managers, and any other factors she deems relevant. In her analysis, the CCO shall attempt to uncover any apparent conflict between the interests of the Fund on the one hand and those of the Manager or an affiliated person of the Fund on the other. Any potential conflicts that arise as a result of a request for portfolio holdings information shall be decided by the CCO in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. On a quarterly basis, the Manager will prepare a report for the Board outlining any instances of disclosures of nonpublic holdings during the period that did not comply with the Holdings Policy. The CCO generally determines whether a historical pattern of requests by the same individual or entity constitutes an “ongoing arrangement” and should be disclosed in the Fund’s SAI.
The Manager and the sub-advisor to the Fund may manage substantially similar portfolios for clients other than the Fund. Those other clients may receive and publicly disclose their portfolio holdings information prior to public disclosure by the Fund. The Holdings Policy is not intended to limit the Manager or the sub-advisor from making such disclosures to their clients.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The Fund may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing to borrow securities to complete certain transactions. In connection with such loans, the Fund remains the beneficial owner of the loaned securities and continues to be entitled to payments in amounts approximately equal to the interest, dividends or other distributions payable on the loaned securities. The Fund also has the right to terminate a loan at any time. The Fund does not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, it is the Fund’s policy to attempt to terminate loans in time to vote those proxies that the Fund determines are material to its interests. Loans of portfolio securities may not exceed 33¹/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the value of all assets received as collateral for the loan). The Fund will receive collateral consisting of cash in the form of cash or cash equivalents, securities of the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities, approved bank letters of credit, or other forms of collateral that are permitted by the SEC for registered investment companies, which will be maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. If the collateral consists of cash, the Fund will reinvest the cash and may
10
pay the borrower a pre-negotiated fee or “rebate” for the use of that cash collateral. Under the terms of the securities loan agreement between the Fund and State Street, its securities lending agent, State Street indemnifies the Fund for certain losses resulting from a borrower default. However, should the borrower of the securities fail financially, the Fund may experience delays in recovering the loaned securities or exercising its rights in the collateral. In a loan transaction, the Fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities acquired with cash collateral. The Fund seeks to minimize this risk by normally limiting the investment of cash collateral to registered money market funds, including money market funds advised by the Manager that invest in U.S. Government and agency securities.
For all funds that engage in securities lending, the Manager receives compensation for administrative and oversight functions with respect to securities lending, including oversight of the securities lending agent. The amount of such compensation depends on the income generated by the loan of the securities.
As of the date of this SAI, the Fund does not intend to engage in securities lending activities.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
The Board of Trustees
The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees. The Board is responsible for and oversees the overall management and operations of the Trust and the Fund, which includes the general oversight and review of the Fund’s investment activities, in accordance with federal law and the law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as well as the stated policies of the Fund. The Board oversees the Trust’s officers and service providers, including American Beacon, which is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of the Fund based on policies and agreements reviewed and approved by the Board. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Board regularly interacts with and receives reports from senior personnel of service providers, including American Beacon’s investment personnel and the Trust’s CCO. The Board also is assisted by the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm (which reports directly to the Trust’s Audit and Compliance Committee), independent counsel and other experts as appropriate, all of whom are selected by the Board.
Risk Oversight
Consistent with its responsibility for oversight of the Trust and the Fund, the Board oversees the management of risks relating to the administration and operation of the Trust and the Fund. American Beacon, as part of its responsibilities for the day-to-day operations of the Fund, is responsible for day-to-day risk management for the Fund. The Board, in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment, also separately considers potential risks that may impact the Fund. The Board performs this risk management oversight directly and, as to certain matters, through its committees (described below) and through the Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act (“Independent Trustees”). The following provides an overview of the principal, but not all, aspects of the Board’s oversight of risk management for the Trust and the Fund.
In general, the Fund’s risks include, among others, investment risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, securities selection risk and valuation risk. The Board has adopted, and periodically reviews, policies and procedures designed to address these and other risks to the Trust and the Fund. In addition, under the general oversight of the Board, American Beacon, the Fund’s investment adviser, and other service providers to the Fund have themselves adopted a variety of policies, procedures and controls designed to address particular risks to the Fund. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Further, American Beacon as manager of the Fund oversees and regularly monitors the investments, operations and compliance of the Fund’s investment advisers.
The Board also oversees risk management for the Trust and the Fund through review of regular reports, presentations and other information from officers of the Trust and other persons. Senior officers of the Trust, senior officers of American Beacon, and the Fund’s CCO regularly report to the Board on a range of matters, including those relating to risk management. The Board and the Investment Committee also regularly receive reports from American Beacon with respect to the investments, securities trading and securities lending activities of the Fund, as applicable. In addition to regular reports from American Beacon, the Board also receives reports regarding other service providers to the Trust, either directly or through American Beacon or the Fund’s CCO, on a periodic or regular basis. At least annually, the Board receives a report from the Fund’s CCO regarding the effectiveness of the Fund’s compliance program. Also, typically on an annual basis, the Board receives reports, presentations and other information from American Beacon in connection with the Board’s consideration of the renewal of each of the Trust’s agreements with American Beacon and the Trust’s distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act.
Senior officers of the Trust and American Beacon also report regularly to the Audit and Compliance Committee on Fund valuation matters and on the Trust’s internal controls and accounting and financial reporting policies and practices. In addition, the Audit and Compliance Committee receives regular reports from the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm on internal control and financial reporting matters. On at least a quarterly basis, the Audit and Compliance Committee meets with the Fund’s CCO to discuss matters relating to the Fund’s compliance program.
Board Structure and Related Matters
All but one member of the Board are Independent Trustees. Douglas A. Lindgren, an Independent Trustee, serves as Chair of the Board. The Chair’s responsibilities include: setting an agenda for each meeting of the Board; presiding at all meetings of the Board and Independent Trustees; and serving as a liaison with other Trustees, the Trust’s officers and other management personnel, and counsel to the Fund. The Chair shall perform such other duties as the Board may from time to time determine.
The Trustees discharge their responsibilities collectively as a Board, as well as through standing Board committees, each of which operates pursuant to a charter approved by the Board that delineates the responsibilities of that committee. The Board has established three standing committees: the Audit and Compliance Committee, the Investment Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. For example, the Investment Committee is responsible for oversight of the process, typically performed annually, by which the Board considers whether to approve the Fund’s management
11
agreement with the Manager and, as applicable, its investment advisory agreement(s) with its investment advisor(s), while specific matters related to oversight of the Fund’s independent auditors have been delegated by the Board to its Audit and Compliance Committee. The members and responsibilities of each Board committee are summarized below.
The Board periodically evaluates its structure and composition as well as various aspects of its operations. The Board believes that its leadership structure, including its Chair position and its committees, is appropriate for the Trust in light of, among other factors, the asset size and nature of the funds in the Trust, the number of series of the American Beacon Funds Complex overseen by the Board, the arrangements for the conduct of the Fund’s operations, the number of Trustees, and the Board’s responsibilities. On an annual basis, the Board conducts a self-evaluation that considers, among other matters, whether the Board and its committees are functioning effectively and whether, given the size and composition of the Board and each of its committees, the Trustees are able to oversee effectively the number of Funds in the complex.
The Trust is part of the American Beacon Funds Complex, which is comprised of [XX] series within the American Beacon Funds, 1 series within the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, and [XX] series within the American Beacon Select Funds. The same persons who constitute the Board of the Trust also constitute the Board of the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust and the American Beacon Funds and each Trustee oversees the Trusts’ combined [XX] series.
The Board holds five (5) regularly scheduled meetings each year. The Board may hold special meetings, as needed, either in person or by videoconference or telephone, to address matters arising between regular meetings. The Independent Trustees also conduct executive sessions without the presence of management personnel, including at least quarterly in a session at which no Trustees who are interested persons or management are present and may hold special meetings, as needed, either in person or by videoconference or telephone.
The Trustees of the Trust are identified in the tables below, which provide information as to their principal business occupations and directorships held during the last five years and certain other information. Subject to the Trustee Retirement Plan described below, a Trustee serves until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. The address of each Trustee listed below is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039, and shareholders may contact them directly, individually or collectively as a Board, at such address. Each Trustee serves for an indefinite term or until his or her removal, resignation, or retirement.*
|
Name and Year of Birth* |
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds |
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust |
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years |
|
INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
|||
|
Eugene
J. Duffy |
Trustee since 2008 |
Trustee since 2017 |
Capital Formation and Currency Solutions, Mesirow Financial Administrative Corporation: Managing Director (2016-Present); American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Trustee (2018–2021); American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Trustee (2018–2021) |
|
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES |
|||
|
Gilbert
G. Alvarado |
Trustee since 2015 |
Trustee since 2017 |
The Conrad Prebys Foundation: Chief Financial Officer (2022-Present); Sierra Health Foundation (health conversion private foundation): Executive Vice President & CCO (2022); Senior Vice President & CFO (2012-2022); CFO (2006-2011); Sierra Health Foundation - Center for Health Program Management (California public benefit corporation): Senior Vice President & CFO (2012- 2022); SJVIIF, LLC (impact investment fund): President (2018-2022); American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Trustee (2018–2021); American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Trustee (2018–2021). |
|
Gerard
J. Arpey |
Trustee since 2012 |
Trustee since 2017 |
Emerald Creek Group (private equity firm): Partner (2011-Present); S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. (privately held company): Director (2008-present); The Home Depot, Inc.: Director (2015-Present); American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Trustee (2018–2021); American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Trustee (2018–2021). |
|
Claudia
A. Holz |
Trustee since 2018 |
Trustee since 2018 |
Blue Owl Capital, Inc.: Independent Director (2021-Present); American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Trustee (2018–2021); American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Trustee (2018–2021) |
|
Douglas
A. Lindgren |
Chair
since 2025 |
Chair
since 2025 |
JLL Income Property Trust: Director (2022-Present); American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Trustee (2018–2021); American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Trustee (2018–2021). |
12
|
Name and Year of Birth* |
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds |
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust |
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years |
|
Janet
C. Smith*** |
Trustee since 2025 |
Trustee since 2025 |
Putnam Investments, LLC and Putnam Management: Head of Fund Administration Services (2011–2024); Putnam Funds Complex (Approximately 105 Funds): Vice President, Principal Financial Officer (2016-2024), Principal Accounting Officer and Assistant Treasurer (2008-2024), Putnam Ombudsman (2016-2024). |
|
Paul
Zemsky |
Trustee since 2025 |
Trustee since 2025 |
Focus Consulting Group: Consulting Partner: (2024-Present); ML Tech (Crypto Fund-of-Funds): Strategic Advisor: (2024-Present); Voya Investment Management: Senior Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, Multi-Asset Strategies and Solutions (2007–2023); Head of Derivative Strategy and Risk Management, General Account (2005-2006). |
| * | The Board has adopted a retirement policy that requires Trustees to retire no later than the last day of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 75. |
| ** | Mr. Duffy is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Trust, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by virtue of his position with Mesirow Financial, Inc., a broker-dealer. |
| *** | Prior to July 1, 2024, Ms. Smith served as an officer of certain affiliates of Putnam Investment Management, LLC (“Putnam”), and as Vice President, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Assistant Treasurer of various registered open-end investment companies for which Putnam serves as investment adviser (“Putnam Funds Complex”). On January 1, 2024, Putnam was acquired (the “Putnam Acquisition”) by Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin”), following which it is under common control with Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (“Brandywine”), an investment adviser to certain series of the Trust. In addition, Jane E. Trust has served on the Boards of Trustees of the Putnam Funds Complex since January 2024 and Ms. Smith served as an officer of the Putnam Funds Complex prior to July 1, 2024, during which period Ms. Trust held positions at the following entities, which are under common control with Brandywine. Based on publicly available information, Ms. Trust has served as Senior Vice President, Fund Board Management at Franklin Templeton since 2020; as President and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Templeton Fund Advisor, LLC, and officer and/or trustee/director of its associated funds since 2015; as Senior Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (“Legg Mason”) from 2018 to 2020; as Managing Director of Legg Mason from 2016 to 2018; and as Senior Vice President of Franklin Templeton Fund Advisor, LLC in 2015. In connection with the Putnam Acquisition, Ms. Smith sold her Class B shares of a Putnam affiliate, with a value of approximately $683,000, to a subsidiary of Franklin. In connection with this sale, Ms. Smith may be entitled to certain contingent premium payments depending on the achievement of certain financial metrics, in an amount not to exceed approximately $186,000. Ms. Smith is a participant in a Deferred Executive Compensation Plan relating to her time at Putnam, pursuant to which she will receive approximately $520,000, which will be paid over time by a Franklin affiliate as a result of the Putnam Acquisition. |
In addition to the information set forth in the table above and other relevant qualifications, experience, attributes or skills applicable to a particular Trustee, the following provides further information about the qualifications and experience of each Trustee.
Gilbert G. Alvarado: Mr. Alvarado has extensive organizational management and financial experience as executive vice president and chief financial officer in public charities and private foundations, service as director of private companies and non-profit organizations, service as president of nonprofit institutional investment fund, an adjunct professor for a non-profit school of management at University of San Francisco, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Gerard J. Arpey: Mr. Arpey has extensive organizational management, financial and international experience serving as chairman, chief executive officer, and chief financial officer of one of the largest global airlines, service as a director of public and private companies, service to several charitable organizations, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Eugene J. Duffy: Mr. Duffy has extensive experience in the investment management business and organizational management experience as a member of senior management, service as a director of a bank, service as a chairman of a charitable fund and as a trustee to an association, service on the board of a private university and non-profit organization, service as chair to a financial services industry association, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Claudia A. Holz: Ms. Holz has extensive financial audit and organizational management experience obtained as an audit partner with a major public accounting firm for over 27 years, where she led audits of large public investment company complexes and held several management roles in the firm’s New York and national offices, and has since had multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Douglas A. Lindgren: Mr. Lindgren has extensive senior management experience in the asset management industry, having overseen several organizations and numerous fund structures, serving as an Adjunct Professor of Finance at Columbia Business School, and with multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Janet C. Smith: Ms. Smith has extensive experience in the investment management industry, organizational management experience as a member of senior management, service as a senior officer of an investment manager, and as an officer of registered investment companies.
Paul Zemsky: Mr. Zemsky has extensive experience in the investment management industry, organizational management experience as a member of senior management, service as a director and chief investment officer of an investment manager, and as a portfolio manager to registered investment companies.
Committees of the Board
The Trust has an Audit and Compliance Committee (“Audit Committee”). The Audit Committee consists of Mses. Holz (Chair) and Smith and Mr. Arpey, each of whom are Independent Trustees. Mr. Lindgren, as Chair of the Board, serves on the Audit Committee in an ex-officio non-voting capacity. As set forth in its charter, the primary purposes of the Trust’s Audit Committee are: (a) to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Trust and the Fund and their internal controls and, as the Audit Committee deems appropriate, to inquire into the internal controls of certain third-party service providers; (b) to oversee the quality and integrity of the Trust’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (c) to
13
approve, prior to appointment, the engagement (and related fee arrangements) of the Trust’s independent auditors to perform annual audit services for the Fund and certain non-audit services for the Fund or certain affiliated parties and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Trust’s independent auditors; (d) to oversee the Trust’s compliance with all regulatory obligations arising under applicable federal securities laws, rules and regulations and oversee management’s implementation and enforcement of the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures (“Compliance Program”); (e) to coordinate the Board’s oversight of the Trust’s CCO in connection with his or her implementation of the Trust’s Compliance Program; and (f) to assist the Board with the aspects of risk oversight of the Trust that are relevant to the Audit Committee, including, but not limited to, valuation, operational, and compliance risks. The Audit Committee met four (4) times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026.
The Trust has a Nominating and Governance Committee (“Nominating Committee”) that is comprised of Messrs. Arpey (Chair) and Lindgren and Ms. Smith, each of whom are Independent Trustees. As set forth in its charter, the Nominating Committee’s primary purposes are: (a) to make recommendations regarding the nomination of Trustees to the Board; (b) to make recommendations regarding the appointment of an Independent Trustee as Chair of the Board; (c) to evaluate qualifications of potential “interested” members of the Board and Trust officers; (d) to review shareholder recommendations for nominations to fill vacancies on the Board; (e) to make recommendations to the Board for nomination for membership on all committees of the Board and of the chairs of such committees; (f) to consider and evaluate the structure, composition and operation of the Board; (g) to review shareholder recommendations for proposals to be submitted for consideration during a meeting of Fund shareholders; (h) to consider and make recommendations relating to the compensation of Independent Trustees; (i) to assist the Board with the aspects of risk oversight of the Trusts that are relevant to the Nominating Committee, including, but not limited to, the stewardship and overall reputation of the Trusts; (j) to coordinate and supervise an annual self-evaluation by the Board of the performance of the Board and its various committees; (k) to assist the Board in monitoring and, as it deems appropriate, implementing practices that are designed to promote diversity and inclusion within the Board’s membership and within the workforces of the Trusts’ primary service providers and vendors; and (l) to assist the Board in coordinating with legal counsel to the Trusts and their independent Board members with respect to staffing matters, including, when applicable, succession planning with respect to senior attorneys engaged in these representations. Shareholder recommendations for Trustee candidates may be mailed in writing, including a comprehensive resume and any supporting documentation, to the Nominating Committee in care of the Secretary of the Fund, and must otherwise comply with the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Trust and any procedures set forth therein. The Nominating and Governance Committee met four (4) times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026.
The Trust has an Investment Committee that is comprised of Messrs. Alvarado (Chair), Duffy and Zemsky. Mr. Lindgren, as Chair of the Board, serves on the Investment Committee in an ex-officio non-voting capacity. As set forth in its charter, the Investment Committee’s primary purposes are: (a) to review the short- and long-term investment performance of the Manager and each of the designated sub-advisors to the Fund; (b) to review recommendations by the Manager regarding the hiring or removal of designated sub-advisors to the Fund; (c) to review material changes recommended by the Manager to the allocation of Fund assets to a sub-advisor; (d) to review proposed changes recommended by the Manager to the investment objectives or principal investment strategies of the Fund; (e) to review proposed changes recommended by the Manager to the material provisions of the advisory agreement with a sub-advisor, including, but not limited to, changes to the provision regarding compensation; and (f) to assist the Board with the aspects of risk oversight of the Trust that are relevant to the Investment Committee, including, but not limited to counterparty, investment, liquidity and derivatives risks. The Investment Committee met four (4) times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2026.
Trustee Ownership in the Fund
The following tables show the amount of equity securities owned in the American Beacon Funds Complex by the Trustees as of the calendar year ended December 31, 2025.
|
INTERESTED TRUSTEE | |
|
American Beacon Select Funds |
Duffy |
|
American Beacon CIFC Active CLO ETF |
None |
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Trusts (31 Funds as of December 31, 2025) |
Over $100,000 |
|
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES | ||||||
|
American Beacon Select Funds |
Alvarado |
Arpey |
Holz |
Lindgren |
Smith |
Zemsky |
|
American Beacon CIFC Active CLO ETF |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Trusts (31 Funds as of December 31, 2025) |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 |
None |
None |
Trustee Compensation
As compensation for their service to the American Beacon Funds Complex, including the Trust (collectively, the “Trusts”), each Trustee is compensated from the Trusts as follows: (1) an annual retainer of $165,000; (2) meeting attendance fee (for attendance in person or via electronic means) of (a) $12,000 for in-person attendance, or $5,000 for attendance by electronic means, by Board members for each regularly scheduled or special Board meeting, (b) $2,500 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee, (c) $1,000 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee; and (d) $2,500 for attendance by Board members for each special Board meeting held by electronic means; and (3) reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in attending Board meetings, Committee meetings, and relevant educational seminars. For this purpose, the Board considers attendance at regular meetings held by videoconference to constitute in-person attendance at a Board meeting. The Trustees also may be compensated for attendance at special Board and/or Committee meetings from time to time.
14
For his service as Board Chair, Mr. Lindgren receives an additional annual retainer of $50,000. Although he attends several committee meetings at each quarterly Board meeting, he receives a single $2,500 fee each quarter for his attendance at the Audit Committee and Investment Committee meetings. The chairpersons of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee each receive an additional annual retainer of $25,000 and the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $10,000.
|
The following table shows estimated compensation (excluding reimbursements) that will be paid by the Trusts to each Trustee for the period from [XX XX, 2026] (the Fund’s commencement of operations) through June 30, 2027. | ||
|
Name of Trustee |
Aggregate Compensation From the Trust |
Total Compensation From the Trusts |
|
INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
||
|
Eugene J. Duffy |
$[XX] |
$[XX] |
|
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES |
||
|
Gilbert G. Alvarado |
$[XX] |
$[XX] |
|
Gerard J. Arpey |
$[XX] |
$[XX] |
|
Claudia A. Holz |
$[XX] |
$[XX] |
|
Douglas A. Lindgren |
$[XX] |
$[XX] |
|
Janet C. Smith |
$[XX] |
$[XX] |
|
Paul Zemsky |
$[XX] |
$[XX] |
The Boards have adopted a Trustee Retirement Plan. The Trustee Retirement Plan provides that a Trustee who has served on the Boards prior to September 12, 2008, and who has reached a mandatory retirement age established by the Board (currently 75) is eligible to elect Trustee Emeritus status (“Eligible Trustees”). The Board has determined that, other than the Trustee Retirement Plan established for Eligible Trustees, no other retirement benefits will accrue for current or future Trustees. None of the current Trustees are Eligible Trustees.
Each Eligible Trustee and his or her spouse (or designated companion) may receive annual flight benefits from the Trusts of up to $40,000 combined, on a tax-grossed up basis, on American Airlines (a subsidiary of the Manager’s former parent company) for a maximum period of 10 years, depending upon length of service prior to September 12, 2008. Eligible Trustees may opt to receive instead an annual retainer of $20,000 from the Trusts in lieu of flight benefits. No retirement benefits are accrued for Board service after September 12, 2008.
A Trustee Emeritus must be reasonably available to provide advice, counseling and assistance to the Trustees and American Beacon as needed, as agreed to from time to time by the parties involved; however, a Trustee Emeritus does not have any voting rights at Board meetings and is not subject to election by shareholders of the Fund. Currently, four individuals who retired from the Board and accrued retirement benefits for periods prior to September 12, 2008, have assumed Trustee Emeritus status. Three individuals and their spouses receive annual flight benefits of up to $40,000 combined, on a tax-grossed up basis, on American Airlines. One individual receives an annual retainer of $20,000 from the Trusts in lieu of flight benefits.
Principal Officers of the Trust
The Officers of the Trust conduct and supervise its daily business. As of the date of this SAI, the Officers of the Trust, their ages, their business address and their principal occupations and directorships during the past five years are as set forth below. The address of each Officer is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. Each Officer serves for a term of one year or until his or her resignation, retirement, or removal. Each Officer, except H Bradley Vogt, has and continues to hold the same position with the American Beacon Funds, the American Beacon Select Funds, and the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust.
|
Name and Year of Birth |
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds |
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust |
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years |
|
OFFICERS |
15
|
Name and Year of Birth |
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds |
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust |
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years |
|
Gregory
Stumm |
President
and Principal Executive
Officer Vice
President |
President
and Principal Executive
Officer Vice
President |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Director (June 2024-Present), President (June 2024-Present), Chief Executive Officer (June 2024-Present), Senior Vice President (2022-2024) National Investment Services of America, LLC: Director (2024-Present) Resolute Acquisition, Inc.: Director (June 2024-Present), President (June 2024-Present), Chief Executive Officer (June 2024-Present), Senior Vice President (2022-2024) Resolute Topco, Inc.: Director (June 2024-Present), President (June 2024-Present), Chief Executive Officer (June 2024-Present) Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Director (June 2024-Present), President (June 2024-Present), Chief Executive Officer (June 2024 -Present), Senior Vice President (2022-2024) Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Director (June 2024-2025), President (June 2024-2025), Chief Executive Officer (June 2024-2025), Senior Vice President, (2022-2024) Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.: President (2024-Present), Chief Executive Officer (2024-Present), Director (2022-Present), Senior Vice President (2022-2024) RSW Investments Holdings LLC: Director (2024-Present) Shapiro Capital Management, LLC: Director (2024-Present) SSI Investment Management, LLC: Director (2024-Present) |
|
Rosemary
K. Behan |
Vice
President, Secretary
and Chief Legal Officer |
Vice
President, Secretary
and Chief Legal Officer |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2006-2021), Secretary and General Counsel (2006-Present) American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer (2018-2021) American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.: Secretary (2014-Present) American Beacon Cayman Multi-Alternatives Company, Ltd.: Secretary (2023-2026) American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd: Secretary (2018-Present) American Beacon Cayman Trend Company, Ltd.: Secretary (2023-Present) American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer (2018-2021) American Private Equity Management, LLC: Secretary (2008-2024) Continuous Capital, LLC: Vice President and Secretary (2018-2022) Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC: Secretary (2019-2021) Resolute Acquisition, Inc.: Secretary (2015-Present) Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.: Secretary (2017-Present) Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC: Secretary (2015-2025) Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2015-2021), Secretary and General Counsel (2015-Present) Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Senior Vice President (2021-2025), Vice President (2017-2025), Secretary and General Counsel (2017-2025) Resolute Topco, Inc.: Secretary (2015-Present) |
|
Paul
B. Cavazos |
Vice
President |
Vice
President |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President (2016-Present) American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Vice President (2018-2021) American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Vice President (2018-2021) American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.: Vice President (2017-2024) |
|
Bernadette
A. Bridy |
Vice
President |
Vice
President |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Chief Marketing Officer (2025-Present) Future Standard (formerly known as FS Investments): Managing Director (2020-2025) |
16
|
Name and Year of Birth |
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds |
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust |
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years |
|
Rebecca
L. Harris |
Vice
President President Assistant
Secretary |
Vice
President President Assistant
Secretary |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Chief Operating Officer (June 2024-Present), Senior Vice President (2021-May 2024, June 2024-Present), Director (May-June 2024), President (May-June 2024), Chief Executive Officer (May-June 2024), Vice President (2011-2021) American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Assistant Secretary (2018-2021) American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Assistant Secretary (2018-2021) Continuous Capital, LLC: Vice President (2018-2022), Director (2022) National Investment Services of America, LLC: Director (2022-Present) Resolute Acquisition, Inc.: Senior Vice President (January 2024-May 2024, June 2024-Present), Director (May 2024-June 2024), President May 2024-June 2024), Chief Executive Officer (May 2024-June 2024) Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Chief Operating Officer (June 2024-Present), Senior Vice President (2021-May 2024, June 2024-Present), Director (May-June 2024), President (May-June 2024), Chief Executive Officer (May-June 2024), Vice President (2017-2021) Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Senior Vice President (2021-May 2024, June 2024-2025), Director (May-June 2024), President (May-June 2024), Chief Executive Officer (May-June 2024), Vice President (2017-2021) Resolute Topco, Inc.: Senior Vice President (January 2024-May 2024, June 2024-Present), Director (May 2024-June 2024), President (May 2024-June 2024), Chief Executive Officer (May 2024-June 2024) American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.: Director and President (March 2026-Present) American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd: Director and President (March 2026-Present) American Beacon Cayman Trend Company, Ltd.: Director and President (March 2026-Present) RSW Investments Holdings LLC: Director (2022-Present) Shapiro Capital Management LLC: Director (2022-Present) SSI Investment Management LLC: Director (2022-Present) |
|
Terri
L. McKinney |
Vice
President |
Vice
President |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Fund Services Officer (2026-Present), Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President, (2009-2021) American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Vice President (2018-2021) American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Vice President (2018-2021) Continuous Capital, LLC: Vice President (2018-2022) Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2017-2021) Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Senior Vice President (2021-2025), Vice President (2018-2025) Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.: Director (2024-Present), Vice President (2024-Present) |
|
Samuel
J. Silver |
Vice
President |
Vice
President |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Vice President (2011-Present), Chief Fixed Income Officer (2016-Present) American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Vice President (2018-2021) American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Vice President (2018-2021) |
17
|
Name and Year of Birth |
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds |
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust |
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years |
|
Christina
E. Sears |
Chief
Compliance Officer |
Chief
Compliance Officer
and Assistant Secretary |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Chief Compliance Officer (2004-Present), Senior Vice President (2026-Present), Vice President (2019-2026) American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary (2018-2021) American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary (2018-2021) American Private Equity Management, LLC: Chief Compliance Officer (2012-2024) Continuous Capital, LLC.: Chief Compliance Officer (2018-2019), Vice President (2018-2022) Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC: Chief Compliance Officer (2019-2021) Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.: Vice President (2017-Present) Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Vice President (2017-Present) Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Vice President (2019-2025) RSW Investments Holdings, LLC: Chief Compliance Officer (2019-Present) Shapiro Capital Management LLC: Chief Compliance Officer (2024-Present) |
|
Shelley
D. Abrahams |
Assistant
Secretary |
Assistant
Secretary |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Assistant Secretary (April 2024-Present), Director of Corporate Governance (2026-Present) American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Assistant Secretary (2018-2021) American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.: Assistant Secretary (2022-Present) American Beacon Cayman Multi-Alternatives Company, Ltd.: Assistant Secretary (2023-2026) American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd: Assistant Secretary (2022-Present) American Beacon Cayman Trend Company, Ltd.: Assistant Secretary (2023-Present) American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Assistant Secretary (2018-2021) Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Assistant Secretary (April 2024-Present) Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Corporate Governance Manager (2023-2024), Assistant Secretary (2024-2025), Senior Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2020-2023), Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2017-2020) |
|
Carmen
E. Fahy |
Assistant
Secretary |
Assistant
Secretary |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Associate General Counsel (2025-Present) Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Dept. of Labor: Senior Trial Attorney (2023-2025) Systematic Holdings, LLC: Corporate Counsel (2022-2023) |
|
Aaron
C. Cooper |
Principal
Accounting Officer,
Principal Financial
Officer and Treasurer Assistant
Treasurer |
Principal
Accounting Officer,
Principal Financial
Officer and Treasurer Assistant
Treasurer |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Director, Fund Reporting (2024-Present), Manager, Fund Reporting (2021-2024) American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.: Treasurer (March 2026-Present) American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd: Assistant Treasurer (March 2026-Present) American Beacon Cayman Trend Company, Ltd.: Assistant Treasurer (March 2026-Present) Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.: Assistant Treasurer (March 2026-Present); |
|
Shelley
L. Dyson |
Assistant
Treasurer |
Assistant
Treasurer |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Director, Fund Tax (2024-Present) American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund: Assistant Treasurer (2021) American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.: Assistant Treasurer (2022-Present) American Beacon Cayman Multi-Alternatives Company, Ltd.: Assistant Treasurer (2023-2026) American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd: Assistant Treasurer (2022-Present) American Beacon Cayman Trend Company, Ltd.: Assistant Treasurer (2023-Present) American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund: Assistant Treasurer (2021) Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Director, Fund Tax (2024-2025), Fund Tax Manager (2020-2024), Manager, Tax (2014-2020) |
18
|
H
Bradley Vogt |
Assistant
Secretary |
N/A |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.: Director, ETF Capital Markets (2026-Present); Resolute Investment Services, Inc.: Director, ETF Capital Markets (2022-2025); USAA Life Insurance Company: Life Actuarial Associate (2019-2022). |
| * | For the American Beacon Select Funds only. |
The Manager, the Trust, and the sub-advisor each have adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act. Each Code of Ethics significantly restricts the personal trading of all employees with access to non-public portfolio information. For example, each Code of Ethics generally requires pre-clearance of all personal securities trades (with limited exceptions) and prohibits employees from purchasing or selling a security that is being purchased or sold or being considered for purchase (with limited exceptions) or sale by any Fund. In addition, the Manager’s and the Trust’s Code of Ethics requires employees to report trades in shares of the Trusts. Each Code of Ethics is on public file with, and may be obtained from, the SEC.
The Fund invests exclusively in non-voting securities and is therefore not expected to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. If the Fund were to vote any proxies, the proxy voting record for the most recent year ended June 30 will be available as of August 31 of each year without charge on the Fund’s website, on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov or upon request by calling 1-800-967-9009. The proxy voting record can be found in Form N-PX on the SEC’s website.
CONTROL PERSONS AND 5% SHAREHOLDERS
A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the Fund’s outstanding shares. A control person is a shareholder that owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. Shareholders owning voting securities in excess of 25% may determine the outcome of any matter affecting and voted on by shareholders of the Fund. The actions of an entity or person that controls the Fund could have an effect on other shareholders. For instance, a control person may have effective voting control over the Fund or large redemptions by a control person could cause the Fund’s other shareholders to pay a higher pro rata portion of the Fund’s expenses.
As of the date of this SAI, the Manager is the sole shareholder of the Fund.
The Fund’s sub-advisor is listed below with information regarding its controlling persons or entities. According to the Investment Company Act, a person or entity with control with respect to an investment advisor has “the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company.” Persons and entities affiliated with the sub-advisor may be considered affiliates of the Fund.
|
CIFC Investment Management LLC (“CIFC”) | ||
|
Controlling Person/Entity |
Basis of Control |
Nature of Controlling Person/Entity Business |
|
CIFC Asset Management LLC |
Direct parent company of CIFC Investment Management LLC; owns 100% of CIFC Investment Management LLC. |
U.S. SEC-registered investment adviser. |
|
CIFC Asset Management Holdings LLC |
Indirect parent company; owns 100% of CIFC Asset Management LLC. |
Holding company. |
|
CIFC Corp. |
Indirect parent company; owns 100% of CIFC Asset Management Holdings LLC. |
Holding company. |
|
CIFC LLC |
Indirect parent company; owns 100% of CIFC Corp. |
Holding company. |
|
Centrificus Holdings I LP |
Indirect parent company; owns 100% of CIFC LLC. |
Limited partnership/holding company. |
|
Centrificus Financial Investments LP |
Limited partner owning 85.1% of Centrificus Holdings I LP on a fully diluted basis as of September 30, 2025. |
Investment holding company/limited partnership. |
|
CIFC Employees and their affiliates |
Limited partner owning 14.9% of Centrificus Holdings I LP on a fully diluted basis as of September 30, 2025; no single employee owns 10% or more. |
Current and former CIFC employees and affiliated entities. |
The Manager has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with CIFC pursuant to which the Manager has agreed to pay CIFC an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, CIFC has agreed to reimburse the Manager for a portion of Fund expenses incurred by the Manager.
19
Because the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, no sub-advisory fees have been paid to CIFC.
MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE, SECURITIES LENDING, AND DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
The Manager
The Manager, located at 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039, is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (“RIM”). RIM is, in turn, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Acquisition, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Topco, Inc. (“Topco”). Topco is owned primarily by various institutional investment funds that are managed by financial institutions and other investment advisory firms. No owner of Topco owns more than 25% of the outstanding equity or voting interests of Topco. The address of Topco is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039.
Listed below are individuals and entities that may be deemed control persons of the Manager.
|
Controlling Person/Entity |
Basis of Control |
Nature of Controlling Person/Entity’s Business |
|
Resolute Topco, Inc. |
Ultimate Parent Company |
Holding Company – Founded in 2015 |
The Manager is paid a management fee as compensation for providing the Fund with management and administrative services. The Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive an annualized management fee of 0.45% based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets that is calculated and accrued daily.
Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Manager provides the Trust with office space, office equipment and personnel necessary to manage and administer the Trust’s operations. This includes:
| ■ | complying with reporting requirements; |
| ■ | corresponding with shareholders; |
| ■ | maintaining internal bookkeeping, accounting and auditing services and records; |
| ■ | supervising the provision of services to the Trust by third parties; and |
| ■ | administering the interfund lending facility and lines of credit, if applicable. |
In addition to its oversight of the sub-advisor, the Manager may invest the portion of the Fund’s assets that the sub-advisor determines to be allocated to short-term investments. Under the Management Agreement, the Manager is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Fund, including the costs of: audits by independent auditors; transfer agency, Custodian, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder recordkeeping services; legal fees (other than fees associated with litigation); the preparation of the Fund’s tax returns; preparing, printing and mailing prospectuses and reports to existing shareholders; fees for filing reports with regulatory bodies and the maintenance of the Fund’s existence; fees to federal and state authorities for the registration of shares; insurance and fidelity bond premiums; and fees paid to service providers providing various reports. The Manager is not responsible for, and the Fund will bear: the management fee payments to the Manager under the Management Agreement (also known as a “unitary advisory fee”); acquired fund fees and expenses; brokerage commissions and issue and transfer taxes relating to the purchase and sale of portfolio holdings; securities lending fees; interest expense; expenses associated with securities sold short; costs, expenses or losses arising out of any liability or claim asserted against the Trust or Fund for any violation of law; distribution and service fees pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan (if any); costs of holding shareholder meetings, except meetings related to changes in the Management Agreement, the election of any Board member who is an “interested person” of the Trust as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, and/or other matters that directly benefit the Manager; taxes and governmental fees; and extraordinary expenses.
Because the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, no fees have been paid to the Manager.
Distribution
Fees
The Manager
(or another entity approved by the Board) under a Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act, may
receive up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets of the
Fund for distribution and shareholder servicing related services, including expenses
relating to selling efforts of various broker-dealers, shareholder servicing fees and the preparation and distribution of Fund advertising
material and sales
literature. No distribution fees are currently charged to the Fund
and there currently are no plans to impose those fees. The Distribution
Plan was adopted in order to permit the imposition of fees in the future, in the event that Rule 12b-1 fees begin to be used by ETFs.
If such fees are charged
in the future, because the
Fund pays these fees out of assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees may cost you more than other types
of sales charges and will increase the cost of your investment in the Fund.
If fees were charged under the Distribution Plan, the Manager could be
authorized to receive Rule 12b-1 fees from the Fund
regardless of the amount of the Manager’s actual expenses related to distribution and shareholder
servicing efforts on behalf of the Fund.
Thus, the Manager may realize a profit or a loss based upon its actual distribution and shareholder servicing
related expenditures for the Fund.
Certain sub-advisors for the ETFs in the American Beacon Funds Complex have entered into arrangements with
the Manager to share a portion of the costs for distribution activities.
Securities
Lending Fees
As
compensation for services provided by the Manager in connection with securities lending activities conducted by the
Fund, the lending Fund pays to the
Manager, with respect to cash collateral posted by borrowers, a fee of 10% of the net monthly investment income (the income earned in
the form of interest,
dividends and realized capital gains from the investment of cash collateral, plus any negative rebate fees paid by borrowers, less the
rebate amount paid
to borrowers as well as related expenses) and, with respect to collateral other than cash, a fee up to 10% of loan fees and demand premiums
paid by borrowers.
Securities lending income is generated from the demand premium (if any) paid by the borrower to borrow a specific security and from the return on investment of cash collateral, reduced by negotiated rebate fees paid to the borrower and transaction costs. To the extent that a loan is secured by non-cash collateral, securities lending income is generated as a demand premium reduced by transaction costs.
As of the date of this SAI, the Fund does not intend to engage in securities lending activities.
20
The
Distributor
Foreside
Financial Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group, LLC (doing business as ACA Group) (“Foreside”
or “Distributor”)
is the Fund’s
distributor and principal underwriter of the Fund’s
shares.
Foreside’s principal address is 190 Middle Street, Suite 301, Portland, Maine 04101. Foreside is a registered broker-dealer and is a member of FINRA. The Distributor is not affiliated with the Manager, the sub-advisor or any national securities exchange. Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, the Distributor acts as the distributor and principal underwriter 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 the Fund’s shares. Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Fund through the Distributor only in Creation Units, as described in the Prospectus and below in the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section. Shares in less than Creation Units are not distributed by the Distributor.
The Distributor also may enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Units of shares. Such Soliciting Dealers also may be Authorized Participants or DTC Participants (as defined below).
Since the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, no underwriting commissions have been paid to, or retained by, the Distributor.
Continuous Offering
The method by which Creation Units of shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of shares are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent shares, and sells such shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, generally are required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act.
Exchange Listing and Trading
A discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectus.
The shares of the Fund are listed and traded on the Exchange identified on the cover of this SAI at prices that may differ from the Fund’s NAV. There can be no assurance that the Exchange requirements necessary to maintain the listing of the shares of the Fund will continue to be met. The Exchange may, but is not required to, remove the shares of the Fund from listing if, among other matters: (i) the Exchange becomes aware that the Fund is no longer eligible to operate in reliance on Rule 6c-11 of the 1940 Act; (ii) if the Fund no longer complies with the requirements set forth by the Exchange; (iii) following the initial 12-month period after commencement of trading of the Fund, there are fewer than fifty (50) Beneficial Owners (as that term is defined below) of the shares of the Fund; or (iv) such other event shall occur or condition exist that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will remove the shares of the Fund from listing and trading upon termination of the Fund. Trading prices of shares on the Exchange may differ from the Fund’s daily NAV. Market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors may affect the trading prices of shares.
As in the case of other stocks traded on the Exchange, broker commissions on purchases or sales of shares in market transactions will be based on investors’ negotiated commission rates.
The Trust reserves the right to adjust the price levels of shares in the future to help maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund.
Book Entry Only System
The information below supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus, and is provided by the Depository Trust Company.
The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), New York, NY, will act as securities depository for the Fund’s shares (in this section, the “Securities”). The Securities will be issued as fully-registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee) or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. One fully-registered Security certificate will be issued for the Securities, in the aggregate principal amount of such issue, and will be deposited with DTC.
DTC, the world’s largest securities depository, is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for over 3.5 million issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments (from over 100 countries) that DTC’s participants (“Direct Participants” or “DTC Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of
21
securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, NSCC (as defined below) and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). DTC has a Standard & Poor’s rating AA+. The DTC Rules applicable to its Participants are on file with the SEC. More information about DTC can be found at www.dtcc.com.
Purchases of Securities under the DTC system must be made by or through Direct Participants, which will receive a credit for the Securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each Security (“Beneficial Owner”) is in turn to be recorded on the Direct and Indirect Participants’ records. Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial Owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the Direct or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the Securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of Direct and Indirect Participants acting on behalf of Beneficial Owners. Beneficial Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in Securities, except in the event that use of the book-entry system for the Securities is discontinued.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Securities deposited by Direct Participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of Securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual Beneficial Owners of the Securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the Direct Participants to whose accounts such Securities are credited, which may or may not be the Beneficial Owners. The Direct and Indirect Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to Direct Participants, by Direct Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Direct Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
Redemption notices shall be sent to DTC. If less than all of the Securities within an issue are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (nor any other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to Securities unless authorized by a Direct Participant in accordance with DTC’s Money Market Instrument Procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy (“Omnibus Proxy”) to the Trust as soon as possible after the record date. The Omnibus Proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose accounts Securities are credited on the record date (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).
Redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments on the Securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit Direct Participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from the Trust or its agent, on payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such Participant and not of DTC, the Trust’s agent, or the Trust, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments to Cede & Co. (or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC) is the responsibility of the Trust or its agent, disbursement of such payments to Direct Participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the Beneficial Owners will be the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.
A Beneficial Owner shall give notice to elect to have its Securities purchased or tendered, through its Participant, to the Trust’s agent, and shall effect delivery of such Securities by causing the Direct Participant to transfer the Participant’s interest in the Securities, on DTC’s records, to the Trust’s agent. The requirement for physical delivery of Securities in connection with an optional tender or a mandatory purchase will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the Securities are transferred by Direct Participants on DTC’s records and followed by a book-entry credit of tendered Securities to the Trust’s agent’s DTC account.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the Securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust or its agent. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, Security certificates are required to be printed and delivered.
The Trust may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry-only transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository). In that event, Security certificates will be printed and delivered to DTC.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system has been obtained from sources that the Trust believes to be reliable, but the Trust takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
State Street, located at One Congress Street, Suite 1, Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2016, serves as the transfer agent (“Transfer Agent”), custodian (“Custodian”) and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund. State Street also serves as the Fund’s Foreign Custody Manager pursuant to rules adopted under the Investment Company Act, whereby it selects and monitors eligible foreign sub-custodians. The Manager also has entered into a sub-administration agreement with State Street. Under the sub-administration agreement, State Street provides the Fund with certain financial reporting and tax services.
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Pursuant to an administrative services agreement among the Manager, the Trust, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, and Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC (“Parametric”), located at 800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2800, Seattle, Washington 98104. Parametric provides certain administrative services related to the equitization of cash balances for certain series of the American Beacon Funds Complex.
The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is [XX], which is located at [XX].
K&L Gates LLP, 1601 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006, serves as legal counsel to the Fund.
CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
General
The
Trust issues and redeems shares of the
Fund only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load but subject to
the transaction fees described below, at the NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order in
proper form. A “Business
Day”, as used herein, is any day on which the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business. As of the date
of this SAI, the NYSE
observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth
National Independence
Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, but may be closed at other times. When a holiday observed
by the NYSE falls
on a Saturday, the NYSE will not be open for business on the preceding Friday unless unusual business conditions exist, such as the ending
of a monthly or yearly accounting period.
Currently, the number of shares that constitutes a Creation Unit is [XX,XXX] shares. In its discretion, the Board or the Manager, as the Board’s delegate, establishes the number of shares in a Creation Unit and reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of the Fund’s shares that constitutes a Creation Unit. The Board reserves the right to declare a split or a consolidation in the number of shares outstanding of the Fund, and to make changes in the number of shares constituting a Creation Unit, including in the event that the per share price in the secondary market rises (or declines) to an amount that falls outside the range deemed desirable by the Board.
Creation Units may be purchased and redeemed only by or through (i) a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System (“CNS System”) of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) (the “Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC, or (ii) a DTC Participant that has entered into an authorized participant agreement with the Distributor (an “Authorized Participant”). Such Authorized Participant will agree, pursuant to the terms of such authorized participant agreement and on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it will act, to certain conditions, including those set forth below, the authorized participant agreement and any handbook governing the Authorized Participants (collectively, the “AP Agreement”). Investors who are not Authorized Participants must make appropriate arrangements with an Authorized Participant to purchase or redeem Creation Units. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not be a DTC Participant or may not have executed an AP Agreement with the Distributor and that Creation Unit orders may have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant. As a result, orders placed through an Authorized Participant may result in additional charges to such investor. A list of current Authorized Participants may be obtained from the Distributor.
Investors who are not Authorized Participants may purchase and sell shares of the Fund through an Authorized Participant or on the secondary market.
Because the investments of the Fund may trade on days that the Exchange is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for the Fund, shareholders may not be able to purchase or redeem their shares of the Fund, or purchase or sell shares of the Fund on the Exchange, on days when the NAV of the Fund could be significantly affected by events in the relevant non-U.S. markets.
Custom
Baskets
The
Basket of securities comprising a Fund Deposit and a Fund Redemption (each, as defined below) may be representative of the Fund’s
portfolio holdings;
or the Fund may utilize
Custom Baskets provided that certain conditions are met. A “Custom Basket” is (i) a basket that is composed of a non-representative
selection of the Fund’s
portfolio holdings, (ii) a representative Basket that is different from the initial Basket used in transactions on the
same Business Day, or (iii) a Basket that contains bespoke cash and/or security substitutions, including for a single Authorized Participant.
The Trust has adopted
policies and procedures that govern the construction and acceptance of Baskets, including heightened requirements for Custom Baskets.
Such policies and
procedures provide detailed parameters for the construction and acceptance of Custom Baskets, establish processes for revisions to, or
deviations from, such parameters, and specify the titles and roles of the employees of the Manager or its affiliate, and/or sub-advisor
who are required
to review each Custom Basket for compliance with those parameters. In connection with the construction and acceptance of Custom Baskets,
the Manager or sub-advisor
(as applicable) may consider various factors, including, but not limited to: (1) whether the securities, assets and other positions
comprising a Basket are consistent with the Fund’s
investment objectives,
policies and disclosure; (2) whether the securities, assets and other positions
can legally and readily be acquired, transferred and held by the
Fund and/or Authorized Participant(s), as applicable; (3) whether and to what extent
to utilize cash in the Basket, either in lieu of securities or other instruments or as a cash balancing amount; (4) whether the Custom
Basket increases the
liquidity of the Fund’s
portfolio, noting that a Custom Basket may not be accepted which adversely affects the liquidity position of the Fund’s
portfolio when other Basket options exist; (5) whether the use of Custom Baskets may reduce costs, increase (tax) efficiency and
improve trading in
Fund shares; and (6) with respect to index-based strategies, whether the securities, assets and other positions aid the
Fund to track its underlying
index. The policies and procedures apply different criteria to different types of Custom Baskets in order to mitigate against potential
overreaching by an
Authorized Participant, although there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will be effective.
Purchases
of Creation Units
The
consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of the
Fund consists of an in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (“Deposit Securities”)
or cash for all or any portion of such securities (“Deposit Cash”) (collectively, the “Deposit Basket”) and the
“Cash Component,” which is an
amount equal to the difference between the aggregate NAV of a Creation Unit and the Deposit Basket. Together, the Deposit Basket and the
Cash Component constitute
the “Fund Deposit.”
The Custodian makes available through the NSCC on each Business Day, prior to the opening of regular trading on the Exchange, the list of names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security and/or Deposit Cash, as applicable, in the Deposit Basket, and the estimated amount of the
23
Cash Component to be included in the current Fund Deposit. Such Fund Deposit will normally be applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect purchases of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the next-announced Fund Deposit is made available. The means by which the Deposit Basket and Cash Component are to be delivered by the Authorized Participant to the Fund are set forth in the AP Agreement, except to the extent the Distributor and the Authorized Participant otherwise agree. Fund shares will be settled through the DTC system.
The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities change pursuant to, among other matters, changes in the composition of the Fund’s portfolio and as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time. The composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities constituting the Fund’s Index, if any.
Cash purchases of Creation Units will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases. The Authorized Participant will pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities as Deposit Cash plus or minus the same Cash Component.
The Manager or sub-advisor (as applicable), on behalf of the Fund, may convert subscriptions that are made in whole or in part in cash, including Deposit Cash, into the relevant foreign currency (as necessary) prior to investment at the applicable exchange rate and subject to the applicable spread. Those purchasing Creation Units of the Fund bear the risk associated with changes in the currency exchange rate between the time they place their order and the time that the Fund invests any cash received in foreign investments.
Placement
of Purchase Orders
To
initiate an order for a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit to the Distributor or its agent an irrevocable order in proper
form to purchase the
Fund’s shares
(a “Purchase Order”). Such Purchase Order must be received by the Distributor or its agent no later than the cut-off time
designated by the
Fund (the “Cutoff Time”) on any Business Day to receive the applicable day’s NAV. Investors who are not Authorized Participants
and seek to place
a Purchase Order for a Creation Unit through an Authorized Participant should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the
Purchase Order to
the Distributor by the Cutoff Time on the applicable Business Day. Custom Purchase Orders, if accepted by the Fund, must normally be
received in proper form and accepted by the Trust at least two hours prior to Cutoff Time.
The AP Agreement sets forth the different methods whereby Authorized Participants can submit Purchase Orders. A Purchase Order is considered to be in proper form if a request in a form satisfactory to the Fund is (1) received by the Distributor from an Authorized Participant on behalf of itself or another person within the time period set above, and (2) all the procedures and other requirements applicable to the method used by the Authorized Participant to submit the Purchase Order are properly followed.
Creation Unit Purchase Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by a method acceptable to the Distributor. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede transmissions between the Distributor and an Authorized Participant. Purchase Orders to create shares of the Fund that are submitted on the Business Day immediately preceding a holiday or a day (other than a weekend) when a foreign market in which the Fund may invest are closed may not be accepted or may be charged the maximum transaction fee; and those purchasing Creation Units will bear the risk of changes in the value of the Fund’s investments and the currency exchange rate between the time they place their order and the time that the Fund invests any cash received in such markets. The Distributor, in its discretion, may permit the submission of Purchase Orders and requests by or through an Authorized Participant via communication through the facilities of a proprietary website maintained for this purpose. A Purchase Order, if accepted by the Trust, will be processed based on the NAV as of the next Cutoff Time.
Acceptance
of Orders for, and Issuance of, Creation Units
All
questions as to whether a Purchase Order has been submitted in proper form and the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities
and the validity,
form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the
Fund and the Fund’s
determination shall
be final and binding.
The Fund reserves the right to reject or revoke acceptance of a Purchase Order, for any reason, provided that such action is not in contravention of Rule 6c-11 and the SEC’s positions thereunder. For example, the Fund may reject or revoke acceptance of a Purchase Order including, but not limited to, when (i) the Purchase Order is not in proper form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the Fund; (iii) the Deposit Securities delivered do not conform to the identity and number of shares specified; (iv) acceptance of the Fund Deposit is not legally required or would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; or (v) circumstances outside the control of the Fund, the Distributor, the sub-advisor and the Manager make it impracticable to process Purchase Orders. The Distributor shall notify a prospective purchaser of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such purchaser of the rejection or revocation of acceptance of such Purchase Orders. The Fund, the Custodian, the sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
Except as provided in the following paragraph, a Creation Unit will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Fund of the Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component, Deposit Cash and creation transaction fees have been completed. In this regard, the Custodian will require, prior to the issuance of a Creation Unit, that the sub-custodian confirm to the Custodian that the Deposit Securities have been delivered to the account of the Fund at the sub-custodian(s). If the Fund does not receive the foregoing by the time specified herein the Creation Unit may not be delivered or the Purchase Order may be rejected.
The Fund may issue Creation Units to an Authorized Participant, notwithstanding the fact that all Deposit Securities have not been received, in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral having a value of up to 115% of the value of the missing Deposit Securities. The only collateral that is acceptable is cash in U.S. dollars. Such cash collateral must be delivered no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time on the contractual settlement date of the Creation Unit(s). The Fund may buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time, and the Authorized Participant will be liable for any shortfall between the cost to the Fund of purchasing such securities and the cash collateral. In addition, the cash collateral may be invested at the risk of the Authorized Participant, and any income on invested cash collateral will be paid to that Authorized Participant. Information concerning the Fund’s current procedures for collateralization of missing Deposit Securities is available from the Distributor.
24
In certain cases, an Authorized Participant may create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Fund reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis or, in its sole discretion, to require a representation from the Authorized Participant that the creation and redemption transactions are for separate Beneficial Owners.
Once the Fund has accepted a Purchase Order, upon the next determination of the NAV of the shares, the Fund may confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. A confirmation of acceptance will then be transmitted to the Authorized Participant that placed the Purchase Order. Creation Units typically are settled within one business day, subject to certain exceptions. However, the Fund reserves the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than within one business day, including a shorter settlement period, if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances and compliant with applicable law. For example, the Fund reserves the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than within one business day in order to, among other matters, accommodate non-U.S. market holiday schedules, closures and settlement cycles, to account for different treatment among non-U.S. and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates and in certain other circumstances.
Creation
Transaction
Fees
A standard
creation transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The standard creation
transaction fee is
charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant creates a Creation Unit, and is the same, regardless of the
number of Creation Units purchased by the Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day.
The Authorized Participant may also be required to pay a variable transaction fee (up to the maximum amount shown in the table below) to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses. Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Deposit Securities, including any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses.
The standard creation transaction fee and maximum variable transaction fee for a Creation Unit are set forth below:
|
Fund |
STANDARD TRANSACTION FIXED FEE (In Kind Basket; In-Kind and Cash Basket) |
STANDARD TRANSACTION FIXED FEE (All Cash Basket) |
MAXIMUM VARIABLE TRANSACTION FEE* |
|
American Beacon CIFC Active CLO ETF |
$150 |
$100 |
2.00% |
| * | As a percentage of the value of the Creation Unit(s) purchased. |
The Manager may adjust the transaction fees from time to time based on actual experience.
Redemptions of Creation Units
The consideration paid by the Fund for the redemption of Creation Units consists of an in-kind basket of designated securities (“Redemption Securities”) or cash for all or any portion of such securities (“Redemption Cash”) (collectively, the “ETF Fund Securities” or “Fund Securities”) and the Cash Component, which is an amount equal to the difference between the aggregate NAV of a Creation Unit and the Fund Securities. Together, the Fund Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Redemption.”
The Custodian normally makes available through NSCC on each Business Day, prior to the opening of regular trading on the Exchange, a complete list of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, and may also make available through NSCC the list of names and the number of shares of each Redemption Security and/or Redemption Cash, as applicable, and the estimated amount of the Cash Component to be included in the current Fund Redemption. Such Fund Redemption is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, for redemptions of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the next-announced Fund Redemption is made available. The delivery of Fund shares will be settled through the DTC system. The means by which the Fund Securities and Cash Component are to be delivered to the Authorized Participant by the Fund are set forth in the AP Agreement, except to the extent the Distributor and the Authorized Participant otherwise agree. The identity and number of shares of the Redemption Securities change pursuant to, among other matters, changes in the composition of the Fund’s portfolio and as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time. The composition of the Redemption Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities constituting the Fund’s investments and may not be the same as the Deposit Securities.
Cash redemptions of Creation Units will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind redemptions. The Authorized Participant will receive the cash equivalent of the Fund Securities as Redemption Cash plus or minus the same Cash Component.
The Manager or the sub-advisor, as applicable, on behalf of the Fund, may sell investments denominated in foreign currencies and convert such proceeds into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rate and subject to the applicable spread for redemptions that are made in whole or in part for cash, including Redemption Cash. Those redeeming Creation Units of the Fund bear the risk associated with changes in the currency exchange rate between the time they place their Redemption Order and the time that the Fund converts any investments into U.S. dollars.
Placement of Redemption Orders
To initiate a redemption order for a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit to the Distributor or its agent an irrevocable order in proper form to redeem shares of the Fund (a “Redemption Order”) for receipt by the Distributor or its agent no later than the redemption Cutoff Time designated by the Fund on any Business Day in order to receive the applicable day’s NAV. Investors who are not Authorized Participants and seek to place a Redemption Order for a Creation Unit through an Authorized Participant should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the Redemption Order to the Distributor by the Cutoff Time on the applicable Business Day. Custom Redemption Orders, if accepted by the Fund, must normally be received in proper form and accepted by the Trust at least two hours prior to Cutoff Time.
The AP Agreement sets forth the different methods whereby Authorized Participants can submit redemption requests. A redemption request is considered to be in proper form if a request in a form satisfactory to the Fund is (1) received by the Distributor from an Authorized Participant on behalf of itself or another person within the time period set above, and (2) all the procedures and other requirements applicable to the method used by
25
the Authorized Participant to submit the Redemption Order, such as, in the case of Redemption Orders submitted through the Transfer Agent’s website, the completion of all required fields, and provided that instructions as set forth in the AP Agreement are properly followed.
Redemption Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by a method acceptable to the Distributor. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede transmissions to an Authorized Participant. Redemption Orders to redeem shares of the Fund that are submitted on the Business Day immediately preceding a holiday or a day (other than a weekend) when the securities markets in a foreign market in which the Fund may invest are closed may be charged the maximum transaction fee; and those redeeming Creation Units will bear the risk of changes in the value of the Fund’s investments and the currency exchange rate between the time they price their order and the time that the Fund is able to convert its investments to cash in such markets. The Distributor, in its discretion, may permit the submission of Redemption Orders by or through an Authorized Participant via communication through a proprietary website maintained for this purpose. A redemption request, if accepted by the Trust, will be processed based on the NAV as of the next Cutoff Time.
Acceptance of Orders for, and Redemption of, Creation Units
All questions as to whether a Redemption Order has been submitted in proper form and the requisite number of Fund shares and transaction fees have been delivered shall be determined by the Fund and the Fund’s determination shall be final and binding.
The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject a Redemption Order if the Redemption Order is not in proper form. In addition, the right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to the Fund (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (ii) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted, (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the shares of the Fund’s portfolio securities or determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC. The Fund or Distributor will notify the Authorized Participant of such rejection, but the Fund, Custodian, sub-custodian and Distributor shall not be liable for any failure to give such notification.
The payment by the Fund of the Fund Securities, including Redemption Securities and/or Redemption Cash, as applicable, and Cash Component will not be issued until the transfer of the Creation Unit(s) and the applicable redemption transaction fees has been completed. If the Transfer Agent does not receive the investor’s shares through DTC’s facilities and the applicable redemption transaction fees by the required time, the redemption request may be rejected.
To the extent contemplated by the AP Agreement, in the event the Authorized Participant has submitted a redemption request in proper form but is unable to transfer all or part of the Creation Unit to be redeemed to the Fund’s Transfer Agent, the Transfer Agent will nonetheless accept the redemption request in reliance on the undertaking by the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing shares as soon as possible. Such undertaking may be secured by the Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash having a value (marked to market daily) of up to 115% of the value of the missing shares, which the Trust may change from time to time. The current procedures for collateralization of missing shares require, among other things, that any cash collateral shall be in the form of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds and shall be held by the Custodian and marked to market daily, and that the fees of the Custodian and any sub-custodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. The AP Agreement permits the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, to purchase the missing Fund shares at any time subjects the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such shares and the value of the collateral.
A redeeming Beneficial Owner or Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such Beneficial Owner must maintain appropriate security arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody providers in each jurisdiction where Redemption Securities are customarily traded and will be delivered. If neither the redeeming Beneficial Owner nor the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such redeeming Beneficial Owner has appropriate arrangements to take delivery of Redemption Securities in the applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction and it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of Redemption Securities in such jurisdiction, the Trust may redeem shares in Redemption Cash, and the redeeming Beneficial Owner will be required to receive its redemption proceeds as Redemption Cash.
In addition, because redemptions of shares for Redemption Securities are subject to compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Fund cannot lawfully deliver specific Redemption Securities or cannot do so without first registering the security under such laws.
Once the Fund has accepted a Redemption Order, upon the next determination of the NAV of the shares, the Fund may confirm the redemption of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. The Transfer Agent will then transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the Redemption Order. Deliveries of redemption proceeds by the Fund typically are settled within one business day (or a shorter settlement period, if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances and compliant with applicable law), but may be made up to seven days later, particularly in stressed market conditions. The Fund reserves the right to settle redemption transactions up to 15 days later to accommodate non-U.S. market holiday schedules (see “Postponement of Redemptions” below for further information), closures and settlement cycles, to account for different treatment among non-U.S. and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and dividend ex-dates (i.e., the last date the holder of a security can sell the security and still receive dividends payable on the security sold), and in certain other circumstances.
In certain cases, an Authorized Participant may create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date. In these instances, the Fund reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis or, in its sole discretion, to require a representation from the Authorized Participant that the creation and redemption transactions are for separate Beneficial Owners.
Redemption Transaction Fees
A standard redemption transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other costs associated with the redemption of Creation Units. The standard redemption transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant redeems a Creation Unit, and is the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by an Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day.
26
The Authorized Participant may also be required to pay a variable transaction fee (up to the maximum amount shown in the table below) to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses. Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Redemption Securities, including any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary may be charged a fee for such services.
The standard redemption transaction fee and maximum variable transaction fee for a Creation Unit are set forth below:
|
Fund |
STANDARD TRANSACTION FIXED FEE (In Kind Basket; In-Kind and Cash Basket) |
STANDARD TRANSACTION FIXED FEE (All Cash Basket) |
MAXIMUM VARIABLE TRANSACTION FEE* |
|
American Beacon CIFC Active CLO ETF |
$150 |
$100 |
2.00% |
| * | As a percentage of the value of the Creation Unit(s) redeemed. |
The Manager may adjust the transaction fees from time to time based on actual experience.
Taxation on Creation and Redemptions of Creation Units
An Authorized Participant generally will recognize either gain or loss upon the exchange of Deposit Securities for Creation Units. This gain or loss will generally equal the difference between (i) the sum of the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and any net amount of cash received by the Authorized Participant in the exchange and (ii) the sum of the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the Deposit Securities exchanged therefor and any net amount of cash paid for the Creation Units. However, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service may apply the wash sales rules to determine that any loss realized upon the exchange of Deposit Securities for Creation Units is not currently deductible. Authorized Participants should consult their own tax advisers.
Current U.S. federal tax laws dictate that capital gain or loss realized from the redemption of Creation Units will generally create long-term capital gain or loss if the Authorized Participant holds the Creation Units for more than one year, or short-term capital gain or loss if the Creation Units were held for one year or less, if the Creation Units are held as capital assets.
Postponement of Redemptions
For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in applicable non-U.S. markets, the redemption settlement cycle may be extended by the number of days of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a non-U.S. market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within normal settlement cycle. In no event will the settlement cycle be longer than 15 calendar days.
The Fund reserves the right to suspend redemptions or postpone the date of payment for more than seven days (i) when the Exchange is closed (other than for customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) when trading on the Exchange is restricted; (iii) when the SEC determines that an emergency exists so that disposal of the Fund’s investments or determination of its NAV per share is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) by order of the SEC for protection of the Fund’s shareholders.
The portfolio managers to the Fund (the “Portfolio Managers”) have responsibility for the day-to-day management of accounts other than the Fund. Information regarding these other accounts has been provided by the sub-advisor and is set forth below. The number of accounts and assets is shown as of [XX XX, 2026].
|
Number of Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type |
Number of Accounts and Assets for Which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based | |||||
|
Name of Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager |
Registered Investment Companies |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
Registered Investment Companies |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
|
CIFC Investment Management LLC | ||||||
|
Matthew Andrews |
XX ($XX bil) |
XX ($XX bil) |
XX ($XX bil) |
XX ($XX bil) |
XX ($XX bil) |
XX ($XX bil) |
|
Jay Huang |
XX ($XX bil) |
XX ($XX bil) |
XX ($XX bil) |
XX ($XX bil) |
XX ($XX bil) |
XX ($XX bil) |
Conflicts of Interest
As noted in the table above, the Portfolio Managers manage accounts other than the Fund. This side-by-side management may present potential conflicts between a Portfolio Manager’s management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other hand. Set forth below is a description by the sub-advisor of any foreseeable material conflicts of interest that may arise from the concurrent management of the Fund and other accounts. The information regarding potential conflicts of interest was provided by the sub-advisor as of [XX XX, 2026].
CIFC Investment Management LLC (“CIFC”) Portfolio managers who have day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to the Fund and one or more other accounts may be presented with several potential or actual conflicts of interest.
The management of the Fund and other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of the Fund and other account(s).
The appearance of a conflict of interest may also arise where the Sub-Advisor has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, which relates to the management of one or more, but not to all, accounts with respect to which a portfolio manager has day-to-day management
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responsibilities. For example, an investment professional may devote more time to developing and analyzing investment strategies and opportunities or allocating securities preferentially to the account for which the Sub-Advisor could share in investment gains.
The Sub-Advisor has adopted certain compliance policies and procedures designed to address the conflicts described above, including policies and procedures designed to ensure that investment opportunities are allocated fairly and equitably over time among different customer accounts and that no one client is favored over another. In addition, management of the Sub-Advisor meet periodically to identify and evaluate potential conflicts of interest. However, there is no guarantee that such policies and procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.
Compensation
The following is a description provided by the Sub-Advisor regarding the structure of and criteria for determining the compensation of the Portfolio Managers as of [XX XX, 2026].
Consistent with their emphasis on teamwork, professionals at CIFC are compensated based on the performance of CIFC, the Fund, and individual performance. Compensation is comprised primarily of base salary and discretionary bonus, including deferred bonus. Senior investment professionals, such as portfolio managers, may also share in an incentive compensation pool based on their roles within the firm and their employment agreements. In addition, to enhance employee retention, a portion of the annual compensation is deferred on a sliding scale, generally with a 5-year vesting period. We believe this creates an alignment with the Firm’s overall growth plans.
In evaluating portfolio manager performance, CIFC’s management considers a variety of quantitative and qualitative factors. Key financial metrics include investment performance relative to certain benchmarks, internal rate of return (“IRR”), assets under management (“AUM”), and the net profit and loss (“P&L”) generated by the applicable strategy or business line. Management also considers risk-adjusted returns, portfolio construction, adherence to investment guidelines, client service, teamwork, leadership, and overall contributions to the firm’s strategic objectives.
Because CIFC manages a diverse range of investment strategies, performance is assessed using benchmarks and comparative analyses that are appropriate for each asset class. For the strategy utilized by the Fund, widely accepted market indices are generally not available, so management evaluates performance primarily on an absolute-return basis and through comparisons to comparable exchange-traded funds, publicly traded structured credit vehicles, and other market indicators where available. Performance is assessed across multiple time horizons.
Management reviews compensation holistically and retains discretion in evaluating these factors. The objective is to ensure that compensation appropriately reflects both the achievement of investment objectives and the long-term interests of CIFC, its clients, and fund investors. Management also reviews annually to ensure portfolio managers are not incentivized to take undue risks with the accounts they manage.
Ownership of the Fund
The Portfolio Managers’ beneficial ownership of the Fund is defined as the Portfolio Managers having the opportunity to share in any profit from transactions in the Fund, either directly or indirectly, as the result of any contract, understanding, arrangement, relationship or otherwise. Therefore, ownership of Fund shares by members of the Portfolio Managers’ immediate family or by a trust of which the Portfolio Managers are a trustee could be considered ownership by the Portfolio Managers. The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI. Accordingly, the Portfolio Managers do not beneficially own any shares of the Fund as of the date of this SAI.
PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
In selecting brokers or dealers to execute particular transactions, the Manager and the sub-advisor are authorized to consider “brokerage and research services” (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), provision of statistical quotations (including the quotations necessary to determine the Fund’s NAV), and other information provided to the Fund, to the Manager and/or to the sub-advisor (or their affiliates), provided, however, that the Manager or the sub-advisor must always seek best execution. Research and brokerage services may include information on portfolio companies, economic analyses, and other investment research services. The Trust does not allow the Manager or sub-advisor to enter arrangements to direct transactions to broker-dealers as compensation for the promotion or sale of Trust shares by those broker-dealers. The Manager and the sub-advisor are also authorized to cause the Fund to pay a commission (as defined in SEC interpretations) to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services for executing a portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of the commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction. The Manager or the sub-advisor, as appropriate, must determine in good faith, however, that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided, viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of all the accounts over which the Manager or the sub-advisor exercises investment discretion. The fees of the sub-advisor are not reduced by reason of receipt of such brokerage and research services. However, with disclosure to and pursuant to written guidelines approved by the Board, as applicable, the Manager, or the sub-advisor (or a broker-dealer affiliated with them) may execute portfolio transactions and receive usual and customary brokerage commissions (within the meaning of Rule 17e-1 under the Investment Company Act) for doing so. Brokerage and research services obtained with Fund commissions might be used by the Manager and/or the sub-advisor, as applicable, to benefit their other accounts under management.
The Manager and the sub-advisor will place their own orders to execute securities transactions that are designed to implement the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. In placing such orders, the sub-advisor will seek best execution. The full range and quality of services offered by the executing broker or dealer will be considered when making these determinations. Pursuant to written guidelines approved by the Board, as appropriate, the sub-advisor of the Fund, or its affiliated broker-dealer, may execute portfolio transactions and receive usual and customary brokerage commissions (within the meaning of Rule 17e-1 of the Investment Company Act) for doing so. The Fund’s turnover rate, or the frequency of portfolio transactions, will vary from year to year depending on market conditions and the Fund’s cash flows. High portfolio turnover increases the Fund’s transaction costs, including brokerage commissions, and may result in a greater amount of recognized capital gains.
The Investment Advisory Agreement provides, in substance, that in executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the principal objectives of the sub-advisor is to seek best execution. In assessing available execution venues, the sub-advisor shall consider all factors it
28
deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the value of any eligible research, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. Transactions with respect to the securities of small and emerging growth companies in which the Fund may invest may involve specialized services on the part of the broker or dealer and thereby may entail higher commissions or spreads than would be the case with transactions involving more widely traded securities.
The Fund may establish brokerage commission recapture arrangements with certain brokers or dealers. If the sub-advisor chooses to execute a transaction through a participating broker, the broker rebates a portion of the commission back to the Fund. Any collateral benefit received through participation in the commission recapture program is directed exclusively to the Fund. Neither the Manager nor the sub-advisor receives any benefits from the commission recapture program. The sub-advisor’s participation in the brokerage commission recapture program is optional. The sub-advisor retains full discretion in selecting brokerage firms for securities transactions and is instructed to use the commission recapture program for a transaction only if it is consistent with the sub-advisor’s obligation to seek the best execution available.
The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI. Accordingly: no brokerage commissions were paid by the Fund during the previous three fiscal years; the Fund did not receive any compensation as a result of participation in the commission recapture program; the Fund directed no transactions to brokers in part because of research services provided and paid no commissions on such transactions; and the Fund did not hold securities issued by a broker-dealer (or by its parent) that was one of the top ten brokers or dealers through which the Fund executed transactions or sold shares.
The tax information in the Prospectus and in this section relates solely to the federal income tax law and assumes that the Fund will continue to qualify each taxable year as a “regulated investment company” (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code (as discussed below). The tax information in this section is only a summary of certain key federal tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders and is in addition to the tax information provided in the Prospectus. No attempt has been made to present a complete explanation of the federal income tax treatment of the Fund or the tax implications to its shareholders. The discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as substitutes for careful tax planning. The tax information is based on the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations in effect, and administrative pronouncements and judicial decisions publicly available, on the date of this SAI. Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to the Fund and its shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect.
Taxation of the Fund
The Fund intends to qualify each taxable year for treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code. To so qualify, the Fund (which is treated as a separate corporation for these purposes) must, among other requirements:
| ■ | Derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from (1) dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies (together with Qualifying Other Income (as defined below), “Qualifying Income”), or other income, including gains from options, futures or forward contracts, derived with respect to its business of investing in securities or those currencies (“Qualifying Other Income”) and (2) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (“QPTP”) (“Gross Income Requirement”). A QPTP is a “publicly traded partnership” (that is, a partnership the interests in which are “traded on an established securities market” or “readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof”) (a “PTP”)) that meets certain qualifying income requirements other than a partnership at least 90% of the gross income of which is Qualifying Income; |
| ■ | Diversify its investments so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (1) at least 50% of the value of its total assets is represented by cash and cash items, Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities, with those other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the issuer’s outstanding voting securities (equity securities of QPTPs being considered voting securities for these purposes), and (2) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in (a) the securities (other than Government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, (b) the securities (other than securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers the Fund controls (by owning 20% or more of their voting power) that are determined to be engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (c) the securities of one or more QPTPs (“Diversification Requirements”); and |
| ■ | Distribute annually to its shareholders at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, net investment income, the excess (if any) of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss, and net gains and losses (if any) from certain foreign currency transactions, all determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and 90% of its net exempt interest income (“Distribution Requirement”). |
By qualifying for treatment as a RIC, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will be relieved of federal income tax on the part of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that it distributes to its shareholders. If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify for that treatment — either (1) by failing to satisfy the Distribution Requirement, even if it satisfies the Gross Income and Diversification Requirements (“Other Requirements”), or (2) by failing to satisfy any of the Other Requirements and is unable to, or determines not to, avail itself of Internal Revenue Code provisions that enable a RIC to cure a failure to satisfy any of the Other Requirements as long as the failure “is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect” and the RIC pays a deductible tax calculated in accordance with those provisions and meets certain other requirements - then for federal tax purposes, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at the regular corporate rate without any deduction for dividends paid to its shareholders; and the dividends it pays would be taxable to its shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly, (a) for individual and certain other non-corporate shareholders (each, an “individual”), as “qualified dividend income” (as described in the Prospectus) (“QDI”), and/or (b) in the case of corporate shareholders that meet certain holding period and other requirements regarding their Fund shares, as eligible for the dividends-received deduction (“DRD”)) to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Failure to qualify for RIC treatment would therefore have a negative impact on the Fund’s income and performance. Furthermore, the Fund
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could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before requalifying for RIC treatment. It is possible that the Fund will not qualify as a RIC in any given taxable year.
The Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax (“Excise Tax”) to the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year substantially all of its ordinary income for that year and substantially all of its “capital gain net income” for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year, plus certain other amounts. The Fund intends to make sufficient distributions by the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for the Excise Tax.
Taxation of Certain Investments and Strategies
Hedging strategies, such as entering into forward contracts and selling (writing) and purchasing options and futures contracts, involve complex rules that will determine for federal income tax purposes the amount, character and timing of recognition of gains and losses the Fund may realize in connection therewith. In general, the Fund’s (1) gains from the disposition of foreign currencies and (2) gains from such contracts will be treated as Qualifying Income under the Gross Income Requirement.
Some futures contracts, foreign currency contracts, and “non-equity” options (i.e., certain listed options, such as those on a “broad-based” securities index) - except any “securities futures contract” that is not a “dealer securities futures contract” (both as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) and any interest rate swap, currency swap, basis swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, commodity swap, equity swap, equity index swap, credit default swap, or similar agreement - in which the Fund invests may be subject to Internal Revenue Code section 1256 (collectively, “Section 1256 contracts”). Any Section 1256 contract the Fund holds at the end of its taxable year must be “marked-to-market” (that is, treated as having been sold at that time for its fair market value) for federal income tax purposes, with the result that unrealized gains or losses will be treated as though they were realized. Sixty percent of any net gain or loss realized on these deemed sales, and 60% of any net realized gain or loss from any actual sales of Section 1256 contracts, will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the balance will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Section 1256 contracts also may be marked-to-market for purposes of the Excise Tax. These rules may operate to increase the amount that the Fund must distribute to satisfy the Distribution Requirement (i.e., with respect to the portion treated as short-term capital gain), which will be taxable to its shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them, and to increase the net capital gain the Fund recognizes, without in either case increasing the cash available to it.
Under Internal Revenue Code section 988, a gain or loss (1) from the disposition of foreign currencies, (2) except in certain circumstances, from options, futures, and forward contracts on foreign currencies (and on financial instruments involving foreign currencies) and from notional principal contracts (e.g., swaps, caps, floors, and collars) involving payments denominated in foreign currencies, (3) on the disposition of each foreign-currency-denominated debt security that is attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the dates of acquisition and disposition of the security, and (4) that is attributable to exchange rate fluctuations between the time the Fund accrues interest, dividends, or other receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time it actually collects the receivables or pays the liabilities generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses will increase or decrease the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income, rather than affecting the amount of its net capital gain. If the Fund’s section 988 losses exceed its other investment company taxable income for a taxable year, the Fund would not be able to distribute any dividends, and any distributions made during that year (including those made before the losses were realized) would be characterized as a non-taxable “return of capital” to shareholders, rather than as a dividend, thereby reducing each shareholder’s basis in his or her Fund shares and treating any part of such distribution exceeding that basis as gain from the disposition of those shares.
If the Fund has an “appreciated financial position” - generally, any position (including an interest through an option, futures or forward contract or short sale) with respect to any stock, debt instrument (other than “straight debt”) or partnership interest the fair market value of which exceeds its adjusted basis - and enters into a “constructive sale” of the position, the Fund will be treated as having made an actual sale thereof, with the result that it will recognize gain at that time. A constructive sale generally consists of a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract the Fund or a related person enters into with respect to the same or substantially identical property. In addition, if the appreciated financial position is itself a short sale or such a contract, acquisition of the underlying property or substantially identical property will be deemed a constructive sale. The foregoing will not apply, however, to any transaction of the Fund during any taxable year that otherwise would be treated as a constructive sale if the transaction is closed within 30 days after the end of that year and the Fund holds the appreciated financial position unhedged for 60 days after that closing (i.e., at no time during that 60-day period is the Fund’s risk of loss regarding that position reduced by reason of certain specified transactions with respect to substantially identical or related property, such as having an option to sell, being contractually obligated to sell, making a short sale or granting an option to buy substantially identical stock or securities).
Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations, administrative rules, and/or other legally binding authority that could affect the treatment of income from those instruments and the character, timing of recognition and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or net realized gains and distributions. If the IRS were to assert successfully that income the Fund derives from those investments does not constitute Qualifying Income, the Fund might cease to qualify as a RIC (with the consequences described above under “Taxation of the Fund”) or might be required to reduce its exposure to such investments.
Taxation of the Fund’s Shareholders
General - For United States federal income tax purposes, distributions paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits will, except in the case of distributions of qualified dividend income and capital gain dividends described below, be taxable as ordinary dividend income. Certain income distributions paid by the Fund (whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares) to individual taxpayers are taxed at rates applicable to net long-term capital gains (currently 20%, 15% or 0%, depending on an individual’s tax bracket). This tax treatment applies only if certain holding period requirements and other requirements are satisfied by the shareholder and the dividends are attributable to qualified dividend income received by the Fund itself. The Fund does not expect that any portion of the Fund’s dividend distributions will qualify as qualified dividend income. Distributions of net capital gain, if any, reported as capital gains dividends are taxable to a shareholder as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long the shareholder has held Fund shares. (Net capital gain is the excess (if any) of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss). The Fund may
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elect to retain its net capital gain or a portion thereof for investment and be taxed at corporate rates on the amount retained. In such case, it may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who will be treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will: (i) be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain; (ii) receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain; and (iii) increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit. Dividends and other distributions by the Fund are generally treated under the Internal Revenue Code as received by the shareholders at the time the dividend or distribution is made. Dividends and other distributions the Fund declares in the last quarter of any calendar year that are payable to shareholders of record on a date in that quarter will be deemed to have been paid by the Fund and received by those shareholders on or before December 31 of that year even if the Fund pays the distributions during the following January. Accordingly, those distributions will be reportable by, and taxed to, those shareholders for the taxable year in which that December 31 falls.
If the Fund makes a “return of capital” distribution to its shareholders – i.e., a distribution in excess of its current and accumulated earnings and profits – the excess will (a) reduce each shareholder’s tax basis in its shares (thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a shareholder’s subsequent taxable disposition of the shares) and (b) if for any shareholder the excess is greater than that basis, be treated as realized capital gain.
Selling shareholders will generally recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares sold and the sale proceeds. If the shares are held as a capital asset, the gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss. The maximum tax rate applicable to net capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers is: (i) the same as the maximum ordinary income tax rate for gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held for one year or less; or (ii) 20% for gains recognized on the sale of capital assets held for more than one year (as well as certain capital gain distributions) (15% or 0% for individuals in certain tax brackets). If Fund shares are sold at a loss after being held for six months or less, the loss will be treated as long-term, instead of short-term, capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received on those shares. In addition, any loss a shareholder realizes on a sale of Fund shares will be disallowed to the extent the shares are replaced within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the sale; in that case, the basis in the acquired shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Investors also should be aware that the NAV of Fund shares at any time may reflect the amount of a forthcoming dividend or other distribution, so if they purchase Fund shares shortly before the record date for a distribution, they may pay full price for the shares and receive some part of the price back as a taxable distribution, even though it represents a partial return of invested capital.
For U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 if married and filing jointly), a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax will apply on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” including interest, dividends, and capital gains, which generally includes taxable distributions received from the Fund and taxable gains on the disposition of shares of the Fund. This 3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment income of certain shareholders that are estates and trusts.
An investor also should be aware that the benefits of the reduced tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains may be impacted by the application of the alternative minimum tax to individual shareholders.
Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisor to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans.
A financial intermediary, such as a broker, through which a shareholder holds Fund shares generally is required to withhold and to remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and sale or redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder who fails to properly furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify that he, she or it is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding tax rate is currently 24%.
Non-U.S. Shareholders - Dividends the Fund pays to a shareholder who is a non-resident alien individual or foreign entity (each a “non-U.S. shareholder”) — other than (1) dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder whose ownership of the Fund’s shares is “effectively-connected” with a trade or business within the United States the shareholder conducts and (2) capital gain distributions paid to a non-resident alien individual who is physically present in the United States for no more than 182 days during the taxable year -- generally are subject to 30% federal withholding tax (unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under an applicable treaty). However, two categories of dividends the Fund might pay, “short-term capital gain dividends” and “interest-related dividends,” to non-U.S. shareholders (with certain exceptions) and reported by it in writing to its shareholders are exempt from that tax. “Short-term capital gain dividends” are dividends that are attributable to net short-term gain, computed with certain adjustments. “Interest-related dividends” are dividends that are attributable to “qualified net interest income” (i.e., “qualified interest income,” which generally consists of certain OID, interest on obligations “in registered form,” and interest on deposits, less allocable deductions) from sources within the United States. Non-U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers concerning the applicability of that withholding tax.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) - Under FATCA, “foreign financial institutions” (“FFIs”) and “non-financial foreign entities” (“NFFEs”) that are Fund shareholders may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on income dividends the Fund pays. As discussed more fully below, the FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided (a) by an FFI, if it reports certain information regarding direct and indirect ownership of financial accounts U.S. persons hold with the FFI, and (b) by an NFFE that certifies its status as such and, in certain circumstances, information regarding substantial U.S. owners. Proposed regulations (having current effect) have been issued to eliminate certain FATCA withholding taxes, including the withholding tax on investment sale proceeds that was scheduled to begin in 2019, and to defer the effective date of other taxes.
The U.S. Treasury has negotiated intergovernmental agreements (“IGAs”) with certain countries and is in various stages of negotiations with other foreign countries with respect to alternative approaches to implement FATCA. An entity in one of those countries may be required to comply with the terms of the IGA instead of U.S. Treasury regulations. An FFI resident in a country that has entered into a Model I IGA with the United States must report to that country’s government (pursuant to the terms of the applicable IGA and applicable law), which will, in turn, report to the IRS. An FFI resident in a Model II IGA country generally must comply with U.S. regulatory requirements, with certain exceptions, including the treatment of recalcitrant accountholders. An FFI resident in one of those countries that complies with whichever of the foregoing applies will be exempt from FATCA withholding.
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An FFI can avoid FATCA withholding by becoming a “participating FFI,” which requires the FFI to enter into a tax compliance agreement with the IRS under the Internal Revenue Code. Under such an agreement, a participating FFI agrees to (1) verify and document whether it has U.S. accountholders, (2) report certain information regarding their accounts to the IRS, and (3) meet certain other specified requirements.
An NFFE that is the beneficial owner of a payment from the Fund can avoid FATCA withholding generally by certifying its status as such and, in certain circumstances, either that (1) it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or (2) it does have one or more such owners and reports the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each such owner. The NFFE will report to the Fund or other applicable withholding agent, which may, in turn, report information to the IRS.
Those foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted, or deemed compliant categories established by U.S. Treasury regulations, IGAs, and other guidance regarding FATCA. An FFI or NFFE that invests in the Fund will need to provide the financial intermediary through which it holds Fund shares with documentation properly certifying the entity’s status under FATCA to avoid FATCA withholding. The requirements imposed by FATCA are different from, and in addition to, the tax certification rules to avoid backup withholding described above. Foreign investors are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the application of these requirements to their own situation and the impact thereof on their investment in the Fund.
Creation and Redemption of Creation Units - An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus the amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of any securities received plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the creation of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities exchanged for such Creation Units have been held for more than one year.
Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares comprising the Creation Units have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, such capital gains or losses will be treated as short-term capital gains or losses.
Persons purchasing or redeeming Creation Units should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction.
The Fund has the right to reject an order for Creation Units if the purchaser (or group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund would have a basis in the deposit securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Fund also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.
Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations - Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if an individual shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more in any single tax year or, for a corporate shareholder, $10 million or more in any single tax year, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulation in light of their individual circumstances.
Other Taxes - Statutory rules and regulations regarding state and local taxation of ordinary income dividends, QDI dividends and net capital and foreign currency gain distributions may differ from the federal income taxation rules described above. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder’s situation.
Investors should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund based on their particular circumstances. The Fund does not expect to receive a ruling from any tax authority or an opinion of tax counsel with respect to its treatment of any tax positions. Tax consequences of transactions are not the primary consideration of the Fund in implementing its investment strategy.
The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a “Massachusetts business trust.” Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for its obligations. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of Trust property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust may maintain appropriate insurance (e.g., fidelity bonding) for the protection of the Trust, its shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents to cover possible tort and other liabilities. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate insurance existed and the Trust itself was unable to meet its obligations. The Trust has not engaged in any other business.
The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, [XX], audits and reports on the Fund’s annual financial statements. The audited financial statements include the schedule of investments, statement of assets and liabilities, statement of operations, statements of changes in net assets, financial highlights, notes and report of independent registered public accounting firm. Shareholders will receive annual audited financial statements and semi-annual unaudited financial statements. As of the date of this SAI, the Fund had not commenced operations. Accordingly, financial statements are not available for the Fund.
32
Ratings Definitions
Below are summaries of the ratings definitions used by some of the rating organizations. Those ratings represent the opinion of the rating organizations as to the credit quality of the issues that they rate. The summaries are based upon publicly available information provided by the rating organizations.
Ratings of Long-Term Obligations and Preferred Stocks — The Fund utilizes ratings provided by rating organizations in order to determine eligibility of long-term obligations. The ratings described in this section may also be used for evaluating the credit quality for preferred stocks.
Credit ratings typically evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of bonds. The rating organizations may fail to update a credit rating on a timely basis to reflect changes in economic or financial conditions that may affect the market value of the security. For these reasons, credit ratings may not be an accurate indicator of the market value of a bond.
The four highest Moody’s ratings for long-term obligations (or issuers thereof) are Aaa, Aa, A and Baa. Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk. Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk. Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk. Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and, as such, may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Moody’s ratings of Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C are considered below investment grade. Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk. Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative, of poor standing and subject to very high credit risk. Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest. Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms. By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.
The four highest S&P Global ratings for long-term obligations are AAA, AA, A and BBB. An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global and indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong. An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong. An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong. An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters; however, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
S&P Global ratings of BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions. An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The CC rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default. An obligation rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher. An obligation rated D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global believes that such payments will be made within the next five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or the next 30 calendar days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring. An SD (selective default) rating is assigned when S&P Global believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations, but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.
The four highest ratings for long-term obligations by Fitch Ratings are AAA, AA, A and BBB. Obligations rated AAA are deemed to be of the highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events. Obligations rated AA are deemed to be of very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events. Obligations rated A are deemed to be of high credit quality. An A rating denotes expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings. Obligations rated BBB are deemed to be of good credit
A-1
quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
Fitch’s ratings of BB, B, CCC, CC, C, RD and D are considered below investment grade or speculative grade. Obligations rated BB are deemed to be speculative. BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Obligations rated B are deemed to be highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, the capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment. CCC ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present. CC ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk. C indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk Obligations rated C indicate a default or default-like process had begun, or the issuer is in standstill, or for a closed funding vehicle, payment capacity is irrevocably impaired. Ratings in the categories of ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ can also relate to obligations or issuers that are in default. In this case, the rating does not opine on default risk but reflects the recovery expectation only. Conditions that are indicative of a C category rating for an issuer include: (a) the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation; (b) the formal announcement by the issuer or their agent of a distressed debt exchange; or (c) a closed financing vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default is imminent. Obligations rated RD indicate an issuer that, in Fitch Ratings’ opinion, has experienced an uncured payment default or distressed debt exchange on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include: (a) the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt; or (b) the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation. Obligations rated D indicate an issuer that, in Fitch Ratings’ opinion, has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure or that has otherwise ceased business and debt is still outstanding. Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange. In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice. The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below CCC.
Ratings of Municipal Obligations — Moody’s ratings for short-term investment-grade municipal obligations are designated Municipal Investment Grade (MIG or VMIG in the case of variable rate demand obligations) and are divided into three levels — MIG/VMIG 1, MIG/VMIG 2, and MIG/VMIG 3. For the MIG scale, the MIG 1 designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing. The MIG 2 designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group. The MIG 3 designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established. An SG designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection. For the VMIG scale, the VMIG 1 designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections. The VMIG 2 designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections. The VMIG 3 designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections. An SG designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have a sufficiently strong short-term rating or may lack the structural or legal protections.
S&P Global uses SP-1, SP-2, SP-3, and D to rate short-term municipal obligations. A rating of SP-1 denotes a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation. A rating of SP-2 denotes a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes. A rating of SP-3 denotes a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest. A rating of D is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed debt restructuring, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.
Ratings of Short-Term Obligations — Moody’s short-term ratings, designated as P-1, P-2, P-3, or NP, are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations that generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months. The rating P-1 (Prime-1) is the highest short-term rating assigned by Moody’s and it denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that has a superior ability to repay short-term obligations. The rating P-2 (Prime-2) denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that has a strong ability to repay short-term obligations. The rating P-3 (Prime-3) denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that has an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations. The rating NP (Not Prime) denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that does not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
S&P Global short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that typically means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days. A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P Global and indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligations is extremely strong. A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory. A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments;
A-2
however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments. A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. A short-term obligation rated D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring. An SD rating is assigned when S&P Global believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations, but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner.
Fitch Rating’s Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention (a long-term rating can also be used to rate an issue with short maturity). Typically, this means a timeframe of up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets. A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. A rating of F1 denotes an obligation of the highest short-term credit quality. It indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments and may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature. A rating of F2 denotes good short-term credit quality. It indicates a good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. A rating of F3 denotes fair short-term credit quality. It indicates that the intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate. A rating of B denotes an obligation that is of speculative short-term credit quality, indicating minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments as well as heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions. A rating of C denotes a high short-term default risk, and indicates that default is a real possibility. A rating of RD indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. RD is typically applicable to entity ratings only. A rating of D indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.
A-3
GLOSSARY
|
ACA Group |
ACA Group, parent organization of Foreside Financial Services, LLC |
|
American Beacon or the Manager |
American Beacon Advisors, Inc. |
|
AP Agreement |
Authorized Participant Agreement governing purchases and redemptions of Creation Units |
|
Authorized Participant |
A DTC Participant that has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Distributor to purchase and redeem Creation Units of the Fund |
|
Basket |
A basket of securities which, together with a specified cash payment, or, in certain circumstances, for an all cash payment, the Fund exchanges for Creation Units |
|
Beneficial Owners |
Owners of beneficial interests in shares of the Fund |
|
Board |
Board of Trustees |
|
Business Day |
Any day on which the NYSE Arca is open for business |
|
Cash Component |
Amount equal to the difference between the aggregate NAV of a Creation Unit and the value of the applicable Basket |
|
CCO |
Chief Compliance Officer |
|
CFTC |
Commodity Futures Trading Commission |
|
CIFC |
CIFC Investment Management LLC, the Fund’s Sub-Advisor |
|
CLO |
Collateralized Loan Obligation |
|
CNS System |
Continuous Net Settlement System of NSCC |
|
Corporate Actions |
Transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, rights offerings, exchange offers, or other issuer actions in which the Fund may participate |
|
CPO |
Commodity Pool Operator |
|
Creation |
Purchase of Fund shares in Creation Unit size through an Authorized Participant |
|
Creation Unit |
Aggregations of a specified number of shares of the Fund |
|
Custom Basket |
Basket that differs from the standard Basket and satisfies the requirements of the Fund’s Custom Basket policies and procedures |
|
Denial of Services |
A cybersecurity incident that results in customers or employees being unable to access electronic systems |
|
Deposit Basket |
Deposit Securities and/or Deposit Cash delivered in connection with a creation |
|
Deposit Cash |
Cash portion of a Fund Deposit |
|
Deposit Securities |
Securities delivered as part of a Fund deposit |
|
Distribution Plan |
The Trust’s distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act |
|
Distributor |
Foreside Financial Services, LLC, the principal underwriter of the Fund’s shares |
|
Dividends |
Distributions from the Fund’s net investment income |
|
Dodd-Frank Act |
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act |
|
DRD |
Dividends-received deduction. |
|
DTC |
The Depository Trust Company |
|
DTCC |
Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation |
|
DTC Participants |
Participants of DTC, which include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC |
|
ETF |
Exchange-Traded Fund |
|
EU |
European Union |
|
Exchange |
NYSE Arca Inc., a national securities exchange on which shares of the Fund are listed |
|
FATCA |
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act |
|
FFI |
Foreign Financial Institution |
|
FINRA |
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. |
|
Forwards |
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts |
|
Fund Deposit |
Deposit Basket plus the Cash Component |
B-1
|
Fund Redemption |
Fund Securities plus the Cash Component |
|
Holdings Policy |
Policies and Procedures for Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings |
|
Indirect Participants |
Organizations such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly |
|
Internal Revenue Code |
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended |
|
Investment Company Act |
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended |
|
IRS |
Internal Revenue Service |
|
Management Agreement |
The Fund’s Management Agreement with the Manager |
|
MIG/VMIG |
Moody’s Municipal Investment Grade rating categories |
|
Moody’s |
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. |
|
NAV |
Net asset value |
|
NFFE |
Non-Financial Foreign Entity |
|
NSCC |
National Securities Clearing Corporation |
|
NYSE |
New York Stock Exchange |
|
NYSE Arca |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
|
OID |
Original Issue Discount |
|
OTC |
Over-the-Counter |
|
Proxy Voting Policy |
Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures |
|
PTP |
Publicly Traded Partnership |
|
Purchase Order |
Order submitted by an Authorized Participant to purchase Creation Units |
|
QDI |
Qualified Dividend Income |
|
QPTP |
Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership |
|
Redemption Cash |
Cash delivered as part of a redemption |
|
Redemption Order |
Order submitted by an Authorized Participant to redeem Creation Units |
|
Redemption Securities |
Securities delivered in connection with a redemption |
|
RIC |
Regulated Investment Company |
|
S&P Global |
S&P Global Ratings |
|
SAI |
Statement of Additional Information |
|
SEC |
Securities and Exchange Commission |
|
Securities Act |
Securities Act of 1933, as amended |
|
State Street |
State Street Bank and Trust Co. |
|
Select Funds or Trust |
American Beacon Select Funds |
|
Service Providers |
Third parties that provide operational, administrative, custodial, transfer agency, compliance, distribution, or other services to the Fund |
|
SOFR |
Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
|
Soliciting Dealers |
Securities dealers that may solicit purchases of Creation Units |
|
SPE |
Special Purpose Entity |
|
Sub-Advisor |
CIFC Investment Management LLC |
|
TIPS |
Treasury Inflation-protected Securities |
|
Trustee Retirement Plan |
Trustee Retirement and Trustee Emeritus and Retirement Plan |
|
UK |
United Kingdom |
B-2
Item 28. Exhibits
|
Number |
Exhibit Description | |
|
(a) |
(1) |
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated August 27, 2024, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50, filed November 25, 2024 (“PEA No. 50”) |
|
(2) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon AHL Liquid Trend ETF, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43, filed August 25, 2023 (“PEA No. 43”) | |
|
(3) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon AHL Trend ETF, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 43 | |
|
(4) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon GLG Natural Resources ETF, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47, filed January 30, 2024 (“PEA No. 47”) | |
|
(5) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Ionic Inflation Protection ETF, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 50 | |
|
(6) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Aberdeen Municipal High Income ETF, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68, as filed June 22, 2026 (“PEA No. 68”) | |
|
(7) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Structured IncomeTRAX ETF - (to be filed by amendment) | |
|
(8) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon The London Company Income Equity ETF - (to be filed by amendment) | |
|
(9) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon SiM High Income ETF - (to be filed by amendment) | |
|
(10) |
Certificate of Designation for American Beacon CIFC Active CLO ETF - (to be filed by amendment) | |
|
(b) |
Amended and Restated By-Laws, effective as of August 27, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 50 | |
|
(c) |
Rights of holders of the securities being registered are contained in Articles III, VIII, X, XI and XII of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Articles II, III, VI, VII and VIII of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws | |
|
(d) |
(1)(A)(i) |
Management Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 47 |
|
(1)(A)(ii) |
First Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated January 9, 2024, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 49, filed May 24, 2024 (“PEA No. 49”) | |
|
(1)(A)(iii) |
Second Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated January 26, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 49 | |
|
(1)(A)(iv) |
Third Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated February 27, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 49 | |
|
(1)(A)(v) |
Fourth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated March 14, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 49 | |
|
(1)(A)(vi) |
Fifth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated April 15, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 49 | |
|
(1)(A)(vii) |
Sixth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated October 21, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 50 | |
|
(1)(A)(viii) |
Seventh Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated February 24, 2025, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 54, filed April 10, 2025 (“PEA No. 54”) | |
|
(1)(A)(ix) |
Eighth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated June 20, 2025, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 57, filed August 26, 2025 (“PEA No. 57”) | |
|
(1)(A)(x) |
Ninth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated November 19, 2025, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64, filed April 8, 2026 (“PEA No. 64”) | |
|
(1)(A)(xi) |
Tenth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated February 2, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 64 | |
2
|
Number |
Exhibit Description | |
|
(1)(A)(xii) |
Eleventh Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated February 23, 2026, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69, filed July 10, 2026, (“PEA No. 69”) | |
|
(1)(A)(xiii) |
Twelfth Amendment to Management Agreement Schedule B by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated June 26, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 69 | |
|
(1)(B)(i) |
Management Agreement by and between American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 47 | |
|
(1)(B)(ii) |
First Amendment to Management Agreement by and between American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated February 1, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 47 | |
|
(1)(B)(iii) |
Second Amendment to Management Agreement by and between American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc. dated March 18, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 54 | |
|
(1)(B)(iv) |
Third Amendment to Management Agreement by and between American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc. dated June 8, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 68 | |
|
(1)(C) |
Management Agreement between American Beacon Cayman Trend Company, Ltd. and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 47 | |
|
(2)(A) |
Investment Advisory Agreement by and between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and AHL Partners LLP, dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 47 | |
|
(2)(B) |
Investment Advisory Agreement by and between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and AHL Partners LLP with respect to American Beacon Cayman Trend Company, Ltd., dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 47 | |
|
(2)(C) |
Investment Advisory Agreement by and between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and GLG LLC, dated January 23, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 47 | |
|
(2)(D) |
Investment Advisory Agreement by and between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Ionic Capital Management LLC, dated March 19, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 54 | |
|
(2)(E) |
Investment Advisory Agreement by and between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and abrdn Inc., dated March 27, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 68 | |
|
(2)(F) |
Investment Advisory Agreement by and between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and The London Company of Virginia, LLC - (to be filed by amendment) | |
|
(2)(G) |
Investment Advisory Agreement by and between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Navian Investment Management LLC - (to be filed by amendment) | |
|
(2)(H) |
Investment Advisory Agreement by and between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Strategic Income Management, LLC - (to be filed by amendment) | |
|
(2)(I) |
Investment Advisory Agreement by and between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and CIFC Investment Management LLC - (to be filed by amendment) | |
|
(e) |
(1)(A) |
Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated December 29, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 47 |
|
(1)(B) |
First Amendment to Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated May 1, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 49 | |
|
(1)(C) |
Second Amendment to Distribution Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., effective October 21, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 50 | |
|
(1)(D) |
Third Amendment to Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., effective February 18, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 54 | |
|
(1)(E) |
Fourth Amendment to Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated June 20, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 57 | |
|
(1)(F) |
Fifth Amendment to Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated February 2, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 64 | |
|
(1)(G) |
Sixth Amendment to Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated June 26, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 69 | |
|
(2)(A) |
Distribution Agreement between American Beacon Select Funds and Foreside Financial Services, LLC, effective August 3, 2023, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 44, filed October 24, 2023 (“PEA No. 44”) | |
|
(2)(B) |
First Amendment to Distribution Agreement between American Beacon Select Funds and Foreside Financial Services, LLC, effective February 1, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 47 | |
|
(2)(C) |
Second Amendment to Distribution Agreement between American Beacon Select Funds and Foreside Financial Services, LLC, effective April 14, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 54 | |
3
|
Number |
Exhibit Description | |
|
(2)(D) |
Third Amendment to Distribution Agreement between American Beacon Select Funds and Foreside Financial Services, LLC, effective June 8, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 68 | |
|
(f) |
Bonus, profit sharing or pension plans – (none) | |
|
(g) |
(1) |
Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated December 31, 1999, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30, filed April 25, 2018 |
|
(2) |
Form of Amendment to the Custodian Agreement regarding name change, dated November 30, 2001, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3, filed November 30, 2001 | |
|
(3) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement to reflect amendments to Rule 17f-5 and addition of Rule 17f-7 of the 1940 Act, dated June 1, 2001, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6, filed March 1, 2004 | |
|
(4) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement, dated August 23, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 43 | |
|
(5) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement, dated January 18, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 47 | |
|
(6) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement, dated March 3, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 54 | |
|
(7) |
Amendment to Custodian Agreement, dated June 8, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 68 | |
|
(h) |
(1) |
Transfer Agency Services Agreement between SS&C GIDS, Inc. and American Beacon Select Funds, effective February 1, 2023, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38, filed April 27, 2023 (“PEA No. 38”) |
|
(2)(A) |
Transfer Agency and Service Agreement by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company and American Beacon Select Funds, dated August 23, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 43 | |
|
(2)(B) |
First Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company and American Beacon Select Funds, dated January 18, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 47 | |
|
(2)(C) |
Second Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company and American Beacon Select Funds, dated March 3, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 54 | |
|
(2)(D) |
Third Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement by and between State Street Bank and Trust Company and American Beacon Select Funds, dated June 8, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 68 | |
|
(3) |
Form of Authorized Participant Agreement, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 43 | |
|
(i) |
Opinion and Consent of Counsel – (to be filed by amendment) | |
|
(j) |
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – (none) | |
|
(k) |
Financial statements omitted from prospectus – (none) | |
|
(l) |
Letter of Investment Intent is incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s initial Registration Statement filed with the SEC on October 1, 1999 | |
|
(m) |
(1) |
Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated August 7, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 44 |
|
(2) |
Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1, effective January 17, 2024, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 47 | |
|
(3) |
Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1, effective March 18, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 54 | |
|
(4) |
Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1, effective June 8, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 68 | |
|
(n) |
Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 – (none) | |
|
(p) |
(1) |
Code of Ethics for American Beacon Advisors, Inc., American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated August 11, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 43 |
|
(2) |
Code of Ethics for AHL Partners LLP, amended August 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 64 | |
|
(3) |
Code of Ethics for GLG LLC, amended October 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 49 | |
|
(4) |
Code of Ethics for Ionic Capital Management LLC, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 50 | |
|
(5) |
Code of Ethics for abrdn Inc., dated January 2026, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 67, filed May 28, 2026 | |
|
(6) |
Code of Ethics for The London Company of Virginia, LLC, dated February 19, 2025, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 69 | |
|
(7) |
Code of Ethics for Navian Investment Management LLC - (to be filed by amendment) | |
|
(8) |
Code of Ethics for Strategic Income Management, LLC, dated July 2026, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71, filed August 31, 2026 | |
|
(9) |
Code of Ethics for CIFC Investment Management LLC - (to be filed by amendment) | |
|
Other Exhibits | ||
4
|
Number |
Exhibit Description | |
|
Powers of Attorney for Trustees of American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, effective as of January 31, 2026, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 64 | ||
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant
The Trust through the American Beacon AHL Trend ETF, a separate series of the Trust, wholly owns and controls the American Beacon Cayman Trend Company, Ltd. (“Trend Subsidiary”), a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Trend Subsidiary’s financial statements will be included, on a consolidated basis, in the American Beacon AHL Trend ETF’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.
Article XI of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust provides that:
Limitation of Liability
| Section 1. Provided they have exercised reasonable care and have acted under the reasonable belief that their actions are in the best interest of the Trust, the Trustees and officers of the Trust shall not be responsible for or liable in any event for neglect or wrongdoing of them or any officer, agent, employee or investment advisor of the Trust, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing contained herein shall protect any Trustee or officer against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. |
Indemnification
| Section 2. |
| (a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in paragraph (b) below: |
| (i) every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or officer or employee of the Trust or is or was serving at the request of the Trust as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (“Covered Person”) shall be indemnified by the Trust and each Series to the fullest extent permitted by law, including the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder as amended from time to time and interpretations thereunder, against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his or her being or having been a Covered Person and against amounts paid or incurred by him or her in the settlement thereof; |
| (ii) subject to the provisions of this Section 2, each Covered Person shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully and completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the records, books and accounts of the Trust or, as applicable, any Series, upon an opinion or other advice of legal counsel, or upon reports made or advice given to the Trust or, as applicable, any Series, by any Trustee or any of its officers, employees, or a service provider selected with reasonable care by the Trustees or officers of the Trust, regardless of whether the person rendering such report or advice may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust or, as applicable, any Series. |
| (iii) as used herein, the words “claim,” “action,” “suit,” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, investigative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened, and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities whatsoever. |
| (b) To the extent required under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder as amended from time to time and interpretations thereunder, but only to such extent, no indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person: |
| (i) who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the proceeding was brought to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office; or |
| (ii) in the event of a settlement, unless there has been a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office: (A) by the court or other body approving the settlement; (B) by at least a majority of those Trustees who are neither interested persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or (C) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry). |
| (c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such Covered Person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which any Covered Person or other person may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law or prevent the Trust from entering into any contract to provide indemnification to any Covered Person or other Person. |
| (d) To the extent that any determination is required to be made as to whether a Covered Person engaged in conduct for which indemnification is not provided as described herein, or as to whether there is reason to believe that a Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification, the Person or Persons making the determination shall afford the Covered Person a rebuttable presumption that the Covered Person has not engaged in such conduct and that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification. |
| (e) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, including Section 17(h) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder as amended from time to time and interpretations thereunder, expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described in paragraph (a) of this Section 2 shall be paid by the Trust or the applicable Series from time to |
5
| time prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him or her to the Trust or a Series, as applicable, if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 2; provided, however, that any such advancement will be made in accordance with any conditions required by the Commission. |
| The advancement of any expenses pursuant to this Section 2(e) shall under no circumstances be considered a “loan” under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended from time to time, or for any other reason. |
| (f) Any repeal or modification of this Article XI or adoption or modification of any other provision of this Declaration of Trust inconsistent with this Article XI shall be prospective only to the extent that such repeal or modification would, if applied retrospectively, adversely affect any limitation on the liability of any Covered Person or indemnification or right to advancement of expenses available to any Covered Person with respect to any act or omission that occurred prior to such repeal, modification or adoption. |
| (g) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Declaration of Trust to the contrary, any liability and/or expense against which any Covered Person is indemnified under this Section 2 and any advancement of expenses that any Covered Person is entitled to be paid under Section 2(e) shall be deemed to be joint and several obligations of the Trust and each Series, and the assets of the Trust and each Series shall be subject to the claims of any Covered Person therefor under this Article XI; provided that (a) any such liability, expense or obligation may be allocated and charged by the Trustees between or among the Trust and/or any one or more Series (and Classes) in such manner as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable; and (b) the Trustees may determine that any such liability, expense or obligation should not be allocated to one or more Series (and Classes), and such Series or Classes shall not be liable therefor as provided under Article III, Section 4. |
| (h) Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust may, in connection with any transaction permitted by this Declaration of Trust, including the acquisition of assets subject to liabilities or a merger or consolidation pursuant to Article XII, Section 2, assume the obligation to indemnify any person including a Covered Person or otherwise contract to provide such indemnification, and such indemnification shall not be subject to the terms of this Article XI, Section 2 unless otherwise required under applicable law. |
| According to Article XII, Section 1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, nothing in the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust shall be construed to make the Shareholders, either by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members of a joint stock association. Trustees are not liable personally to any person extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust, a particular Portfolio or the Trustees. A Trustee, however, is not protected from liability due to willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. |
| Article V, Section 5 provides that, subject to the provisions of Article XI, the Trustees shall not be liable for any act or omission in accordance with certain advice of counsel or other experts or for failing to follow such advice. Article XI, Section 1 provides that the Trustees are not liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but a Trustee is not protected from liability due to willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office, for any act or omission in accordance with advice of counsel or other experts or for failing to follow such advice. |
Numbered Paragraph 10 of the Management Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., provides that:
| 10. Limitation of Liability of the Manager. The Manager shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by a Trust or any Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relate except a loss resulting from the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Any person, even though also an officer, partner, employee, or agent of the Manager, who may be or become an officer, Board member, employee or agent of a Trust shall be deemed, when rendering services to a Trust or acting in any business of a Trust, to be rendering such services to or acting solely for a Trust and not as an officer, partner, employee, or agent or one under the control or direction of the Manager even though paid by it. The U.S. federal and state securities laws impose liabilities on persons who act in good faith, and, therefore, nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit the obligations of the Manager under such laws. This Paragraph 10 does not in any manner preempt any separate written indemnification commitments made by the Manager with respect to any matters encompassed by this Agreement. |
Numbered Paragraph 10 of the Management Agreement by and between American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., provides that:
| 10. Limitation of Liability of the Manager. The Manager shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust or any Fund, and its or their shareholders, in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Any person, even though also an officer, director, partner, employee, or agent of the Manager, who may be or become an officer, Board member, employee or agent of the Trust shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or any Fund or acting in any business of the Trust or such Fund, to be rendering such services to or acting solely for the Trust or such Fund and not as an officer, director, partner, employee, or agent or one under the control or direction of the Manager even though paid by it. The U.S. federal and state securities laws impose liabilities on persons who act in good faith, and, therefore, nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit the obligations of the Manager under such laws. This Paragraph 10 does not in any manner preempt any separate written indemnification commitments made by the Manager with respect to any matters encompassed by this Agreement, which shall survive the termination of this Agreement. |
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with abrdn Inc. provides that:
| 9. Liability of Adviser; Indemnification. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to, and shall indemnify and hold harmless, the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager, any affiliated person thereof within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and any controlling person thereof as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including |
6
| reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, however arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon: (i) any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser; or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Trust’s prospectus and statement of additional information applicable to a Fund, or any other Trust filings, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature or other materials pertaining to a Fund, the Trust or the Manager, or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Adviser for use therein. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement. |
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with AHL Partners LLP provides that:
| 9. Liability. The Adviser, its affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents (collectively, the “Covered Persons”) shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders, the Manager or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Covered Persons agree to, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities or commodities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with the performance of any Covered Person’s responsibilities to the Trust and the Manager which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, any Covered Person’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement. The U.S. federal and state securities laws impose liabilities on persons who act in good faith, and therefore, nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit the obligations of any Covered Persons under such laws. |
| Neither the Manager nor the Trust shall have any liability to any Covered Person or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Manager agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, all Covered Persons against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which a Covered Person may become subject under the securities or commodities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Manager’s responsibilities to any Covered Person which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Manager’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Manager or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of it. |
| The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement. |
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with CIFC Investment Management LLC, provides that:
| [XXX] |
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with GLG LLC, provides that:
| 9.
Liability. The Adviser, its affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents (collectively, the “Covered
Persons”) shall have no liability
to the Trust, its shareholders, the Manager or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Covered
Persons agree to,
and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section
2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls
the Manager, against
any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Trust and
its shareholders,
the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities or commodities laws, any other
federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with the performance of any Covered Person’s responsibilities
to the Trust and the
Manager which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, any Covered Person’s
obligations and/or duties under this Agreement. The U.S. federal and state securities laws impose liabilities on persons who act in good
faith, and therefore,
nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit the obligations of any Covered Persons under such laws. Neither the Manager nor the Trust shall have any liability to any Covered Person or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Manager agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, all Covered Persons against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which a Covered Person may become subject under the securities or commodities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Manager’s responsibilities to any Covered Person which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Manager’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Manager or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of it. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement. |
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Ionic Capital Management LLC, provides that:
| 9. Liability of Adviser; Indemnification. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to, and shall indemnify and hold harmless, the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager, any affiliated person thereof within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and any controlling person thereof as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, however arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon: (i) any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, |
7
| agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser; or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Trust’s prospectus and statement of additional information applicable to a Fund, or any other Trust filings, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature or other materials pertaining to a Fund, the Trust or the Manager, or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Adviser for use therein. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement. |
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Navian Investment Management, LLC, provides that:
| [XXX] |
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Strategic Income Management, LLC, provides that:
| [XXX] |
Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with The London Company of Virginia, LLC, provides that:
| [XXX] |
Section 4.2 of the Distribution Agreement with Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., provides that:
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Resolute shall not be responsible for, and the Client shall on behalf of each applicable Fund or Class thereof, indemnify and hold harmless Resolute, its employees, directors, officers and managers and any person who controls Resolute within the meaning of section 15 of the Securities Act or section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (for purposes of this Section 4.2(a), “Resolute Indemnitees”) from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, liabilities and other expenses of every nature and character (including, but not limited to, direct and indirect reasonable reprocessing costs) arising out of or attributable to all and any of the following (for purposes of this Section 4.2(a), a “Resolute Claim”)
| (i) any material action (or omission to act) of Resolute or its agents taken in connection with this Agreement; provided, that such action (or omission to act) is taken in good faith and without willful misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard by Resolute, or its affiliates, of its duties and obligations under this Agreement; |
| (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or arising out of or based upon any alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Client in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or exhibits to the Registration Statement by or on behalf of Resolute; |
| (iii) any material breach of the Clients’ agreements, representations, warranties, and covenants in Sections 2.9 and 5.2 of this Agreement; or |
| (iv) the reliance on or use by Resolute or its agents or subcontractors of information, records, documents or services which have been prepared, maintained or performed by the Client or any agent of the Client, including but not limited to any Predecessor Records provided pursuant to Section 2.9(b). |
(b) Resolute will indemnify, defend and hold the Client and their several officers and members of their Governing Bodies and any person who controls the Client within the meaning of section 15 of the Securities Act or section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (collectively, the “Client Indemnitees” and, with the Resolute Indemnitees, an “Indemnitee”), free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees and other expenses of every nature and character (including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands, actions, suits or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith), but only to the extent that such claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees and other expenses result from, arise out of or are based upon all and any of the following (for purposes of this Section 4.2(c), a “Client Claim” and, with a Resolute Claim, a “Claim”):
| (i) any material action (or omission to act) of Resolute or its agents taken in connection with this Agreement, provided that such action (or omission to act) is taken in good faith and without willful misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard by Resolute, or its affiliates, of its duties and obligations under this Agreement. |
| (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Client in writing in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement by or on behalf of Resolute; or |
| (iii) any material breach of Resolute’s agreements, representations, warranties and covenants set forth in Section 2.4 and 5.1 hereof. |
(c) The Client or Resolute (for purpose of this Section 4.2(d), an “Indemnifying Party”) may assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any Resolute Claim or Client Claim, respectively, and may retain counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party and approved by the other Party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Indemnifying Party shall advise the other Party that it will assume the defense of the suit and retain counsel within ten (10) days of receipt of the notice of the claim. If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any such suit and retains counsel, the other Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel that they retain. If the Indemnifying Party does not assume the defense of any such suit, or if other Party does not approve of counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party, or if the other Party has been advised that it may have available defenses or claims that are not available to or conflict with those available to the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party will reimburse any Indemnitee named as defendant in such suit for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel that the Indemnitee retains. An Indemnitee shall not settle or confess any claim without the prior written consent of the applicable Client, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
8
(d) An Indemnifying Party’s obligation to provide indemnification under this section is conditioned upon the Indemnifying Party receiving notice of any action brought against an Indemnitee within twenty (20) days after the summons or other first legal process is served. Such notice shall refer to the Person or Persons against whom the action is brought. The failure to provide such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any liability that it may have to any Indemnitee except to the extent that the ability of the party entitled to such notice to defend such action has been materially adversely affected by the failure to provide notice.
(e) The provisions of this section and the parties’ representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnitee and shall survive the sale and redemption of any Shares made pursuant to subscriptions obtained by Resolute. The indemnification provisions of this section will inure exclusively to the benefit of each person that may be an Indemnitee at any time and their respective successors and assigns (it being intended that such persons be deemed to be third party beneficiaries under this Agreement).
Section 4.3 of the Distribution Agreement with Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., provides that:
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, except as specifically set forth below:
| (a) Neither Party shall be liable for losses, delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; action or inaction of civil or military authority; public enemy; war; terrorism; riot; fire; flood; sabotage; epidemics; labor disputes; civil commotion; interruption, loss or malfunction of utilities, transportation, computer or communications capabilities; insurrection; or elements of nature; |
| (b) Neither Party shall be liable for any consequential, special or indirect losses or damages suffered by the other Party, whether or not the likelihood of such losses or damages was known by the Party; |
| (c) No affiliate, director, officer, employee, manager, shareholder, partner, agent, counsel or consultant of either Party shall be liable at law or in equity for the obligations of such Party under this Agreement or for any damages suffered by the other Party related to this Agreement; |
| (d) There are no third party beneficiaries of this Agreement; |
| (e) Each Party shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the other Party may become responsible; |
| (f) The assets and liabilities of each Fund are separate and distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other Fund, and no Fund shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any other Fund, whether arising under this Agreement or otherwise; and in asserting any rights or claims under this Agreement, Resolute shall look only to the assets and property of the Fund to which Resolute’s rights or claims relate in settlement of such rights or claims; and |
| (g) Each Party agrees promptly to notify the other party of the commencement of any litigation or proceeding of which it becomes aware arising out of or in any way connected with the issuance or sale of Shares. |
Section 3.4 of the Distribution Agreement with Foreside Financial Services, LLC, provides that:
The Distributor shall not be liable to the Adviser for any action taken or omitted by it in the absence of bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard by it (or its agents or employees) of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Supplemental Limited Indemnification from the Manager
ABA shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee, in his or her individual capacity, from and against any cost, asserted claim, liability or expense, including reasonable legal fees (collectively, “Liability”) based upon or arising out of (i) any duty of ABA under the Management Agreement (including ABA’s failure or omission to perform such duty), and (ii) any liability or claim against Indemnitee arising pursuant to Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Rule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any similar or related federal, state or common law statutes, rules or interpretations. ABA’s indemnification obligations under this Letter Agreement shall be limited to civil and administrative claims or proceedings.
I. Business and Other Connections of Investment Manager
American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) offers investment management and administrative services to the Registrant. It acts in the same capacity to other investment companies, including those listed below.
Set forth below is information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each officer and director of American Beacon Advisors, Inc. is, or at any time during the past two fiscal years has been, engaged for his/her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.
9
|
Name; Current Position with American Beacon Advisors, Inc. |
Other Substantial Business and Connections |
|
Shelley D. Abrahams, Assistant Secretary |
American
Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.: Assistant Secretary
(2022-Present) |
|
Patrick J. Bartels; Director |
Redan Advisors LLC: Managing Member |
|
Rosemary K. Behan; Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel |
Resolute
Topco, Inc.: Secretary (2015-Present) |
|
Bernadette A. Bridy, Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer |
American Beacon Funds Complex: Vice President (2026-Present) |
|
Paul B. Cavazos; Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer |
American Beacon Funds Complex: Vice President (2016-Present) |
|
Jame Donath; Director |
Greenscape
Financial Group: Chairman |
|
Carmen E. Fahy; Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel |
Resolute
Investment Managers, Inc.: Associate General Counsel (2025-Present) |
|
Richard M. Goldman; Director |
Becket
Capital: Founder and Managing Partner |
|
Rebecca L. Harris; Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President |
Resolute
Investment Managers, Inc.: Chief Operating Officer (June 2024-Present) Senior
Vice President (2021-May 2024, June 2024-Present), Director (May-June 2024),
President (May-June 2024), Chief Executive Officer (May-June 2024) |
10
|
Name; Current Position with American Beacon Advisors, Inc. |
Other Substantial Business and Connections |
|
Kirstin Hill; Director |
Social Finance: President & COO |
|
Elizabeth A. Kelly; Assistant Treasurer |
Resolute
Topco, Inc.: Assistant Treasurer (May 2026-Present) |
|
John J. Linnehan; Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer |
Resolute
Topco, Inc.: Senior Vice President and Treasurer (February 2026-Present) |
|
Terri L. McKinney; Senior Vice President, Fund Solutions and Fund Services Officer |
Resolute
Investment Managers, Inc.: Senior Vice President, Enterprise Services (2021-2026) |
|
Donna S. Merchant, Vice President, Human Resources |
Resolute
Investment Managers: Vice President, Human Resources (2024-Present) |
|
Bo Ragsdale; Vice President, Information Technology |
Resolute
Investment Managers, Inc.: Vice President, Information Technology (2021-Present) |
|
Christina E. Sears; Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer |
Resolute
Investment Managers, Inc.: Vice President (2017-Present) |
|
Samuel J. Silver; Vice President and Chief Fixed Income Officer |
American Beacon Funds Complex: Vice President (2011-Present) |
|
Gregory J. Stumm; Director, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Resolute
Acquisition, Inc.: Director (June 2024-Present), President (June 2024-Present),
Chief Executive Officer (June 2024-Present), Senior Vice President (2022-2024) |
The principal address of each of the entities referenced above, other than RSW Investment Holdings LLC, Shapiro Capital Management LLC, SSI Investment Management LLC, and National Investment Services of America, LLC is 220 East Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. The principal address of RSW Investment Holdings LLC is 47 Maple Street, Suite 304, Summit, New Jersey 07901. The principal address of Shapiro Capital Management LLC is 3060 Peachtree Road NW #1555, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. The principal address of SSI Investment Management LLC is 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2050, Los Angeles, California 90067. The principal address of National Investment Services of America, LLC is 777 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2350, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202.
11
II. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers
The investment advisers listed below provide investment advisory services to the Trust.
American Beacon Advisors, Inc., 220 East Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039.
abrdn Inc (“Aberdeen”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Aberdeen Municipal High Income ETF. The principal address of Aberdeen is 1900 Market Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Information as to the officers and directors of Aberdeen is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 111069), and is incorporated herein by reference.
AHL Partners LLP (“AHL”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon AHL Trend ETF. The principal address of AHL is 2 Swan Lane, London, UK EC4R 3AD. Information as to the officers and directors of AHL is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 167882), and is incorporated herein by reference.
CIFC Investment Management LLC (’‘CIFC’’) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon CIFC Active CLO ETF. The principal address of CIFC is 1 SE 3rd Avenue, Suite 1660, Miami, Florida 33131. Information as to the officers and directors of CIFC is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 107050), and is incorporated herein by reference.
GLG LLC (“Man GLG”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon GLG Natural Resources ETF. The principal address of Man GLG is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10105. Man GLG is an investment advisory firm formed in April 2002. Man GLG is a limited liability company that is directly owned by Man Investments Holdings, Inc. Man Investments Holdings, Inc. is an indirect subsidiary of Man Group plc, the ultimate parent company of Man GLG. Information as to the officers and directors of Man GLG is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 138802), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Ionic Capital Management LLC (“Ionic”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Ionic Inflation Protection ETF. The principal address of Ionic is 475 5th Ave., 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Information as to the officers and directors of Ionic is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 156400), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Navian Investment Management, LLC (“Navian”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Structured IncomeTRAX ETF. The principal place of business address of Navian is 425 Walnut Street, Suite 2500, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Information as to the officers and directors of Navian is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 343784), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Strategic Income Management, LLC (“SiM”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon SiM High Income ETF. The principal address of SiM is 1200 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 713, Seattle, WA 98109. Information as to the officers and directors of SiM is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 151956), and is incorporated herein by reference.
The London Company Of Virginia, LLC (“London Company”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon The London Company Income Equity ETF. The principal place of business address of London Company is 1800 Bayberry Court, Suite 301, Richmond, VA 23226. Information as to the officers and directors of London Company is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 106654), and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 32. Principal Underwriter
(a)(1) Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (“RID”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:
| 1 | American Beacon Funds |
| 2 | American Beacon Select Funds - American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund |
(a)(2) Foreside Financial Services, LLC (“Foreside”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:
| 1 | 13D Activist Fund, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust |
| 2 | 2nd Vote Funds |
| 3 | AAMA Equity Fund, Series of Asset Management Fund |
| 4 | AAMA Income Fund, Series of Asset Management Fund |
| 5 | Adams Street Private Equity Navigator Fund LLC |
| 6 | Adams Street Venture & Growth Fund |
| 7 | Advisers Investment Trust |
| 8 | AG Twin Brook Capital Income Fund |
| 9 | Align Alternative Access Fund |
| 10 | AltShares Trust |
| 11 | American Beacon AHL Trend ETF, Series of American Beacon Select Funds |
| 12 | American Beacon Aberdeen Municipal High Income ETF, Series of American Beacon Select Funds |
| 13 | American Beacon GLG Natural Resources ETF, Series of American Beacon Select Funds |
| 14 | American Beacon Ionic Inflation Protection ETF, Series of American Beacon Select Funds |
| 15 | Aristotle Funds Series Trust |
| 16 | Aristotle Pacific Enhanced CLO Income Fund |
12
| 17 | Boston Trust Walden Funds (f/k/a The Boston Trust & Walden Funds) |
| 18 | Bow River Capital Evergreen Fund |
| 19 | Connetic Venture Capital Access Fund |
| 20 | Constitution Capital Access Fund, LLC |
| 21 | Datum One Series Trust |
| 22 | Diamond Hill Funds |
| 23 | Diamond Hill Securitized Credit Fund |
| 24 | Driehaus Mutual Funds |
| 25 | EntrepreneurShares Series Trust |
| 26 | FMI Funds, Inc. |
| 27 | Impax Funds Series Trust I (f/k/a Pax World Funds Series Trust I) |
| 28 | Impax Funds Series Trust III (f/k/a Pax World Funds Series Trust III) |
| 29 | Inspire 100 ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 30 | Inspire 500 ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 31 | Inspire Corporate Bond ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 32 | Inspire Fidelis Multi Factor ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 33 | Inspire Global Hope ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 34 | Inspire International ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 35 | Inspire Growth ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 36 | Inspire Small/Mid Cap ETF, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 37 | Inspire Capital Appreciation ETF, Series of the Northern Lights Fund Trust IV |
| 38 | LifeX 2035 Income Bucket ETF, Series of Stone Ridge Trust |
| 39 | LifeX 2050 Inflation-Protected Longevity Income ETF, Series of Stone Ridge Trust |
| 40 | LifeX 2050 Longevity Income ETF, Series of Stone Ridge Trust |
| 41 | LifeX 2055 Inflation-Protected Longevity Income ETF, Series of Stone Ridge Trust |
| 42 | LifeX 2055 Longevity Income ETF, Series of Stone Ridge Trust |
| 43 | LifeX 2060 Inflation-Protected Longevity Income ETF, Series of Stone Ridge Trust |
| 44 | LifeX 2060 Longevity Income ETF, Series of Stone Ridge Trust |
| 45 | LifeX 2065 Inflation-Protected Longevity Income ETF, Series of Stone Ridge Trust |
| 46 | LifeX 2065 Longevity Income ETF, Series of Stone Ridge Trust |
| 47 | LifeX Durable Income ETF, Series of Stone Ridge Trust |
| 48 | Nomura Energy Transition ETF, Series of Nomura ETF Trust |
| 49 | Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF, Series of Nomura ETF Trust |
| 50 | Nomura Focused International Core ETF, Series of Nomura ETF Trust |
| 51 | Nomura Focused Large Growth ETF, Series of Nomura ETF Trust |
| 52 | Nomura Global Listed Infrastructure ETF, Series of Nomura ETF Trust |
| 53 | Nomura National High-Yield Municipal Bond ETF, Series of Nomura ETF Trust |
| 54 | Nomura Tax-Free USA ETF, Series of Nomura ETF Trust |
| 55 | Nomura Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF, Series of Nomura ETF Trust |
| 56 | Nomura Transformational Technologies ETF, Series of Nomura ETF Trust |
| 57 | Man ETF Series Trust |
| 58 | Meketa Infrastructure Fund |
| 59 | Nomura Alternative Income Fund |
| 60 | Praxis Mutual Funds |
| 61 | Primark Meketa Private Equity Investments Fund |
| 62 | SA Funds – Investment Trust |
| 63 | Sequoia Fund, Inc. |
| 64 | Simplify Exchange Traded Funds |
| 65 | Siren ETF Trust |
| 66 | Stone Ridge Alternative Lending Risk Premium Fund, Series of Stone Ridge Trust V |
| 67 | Stone Ridge Art Risk Premium Fund, Series of Stone Ridge Trust VIII |
| 68 | Stone Ridge Reinsurance Risk Premium Interval Fund, Series of Stone Ridge Trust II |
| 69 | Tactical Dividend and Momentum Fund, Series of Two Roads Shared Trust |
| 70 | TCG Strategic Income Fund |
13
| 71 | TCW ETF Trust |
| 72 | VegaShares ETF Trust |
(b)(1) The following are the Officers and Managers of RID. RID’s main business address is 220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039.
|
Name |
Address |
Position with Underwriter |
Position with Registrant |
|
Gregory J. Stumm |
220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039 |
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President |
President |
|
Terri L. McKinney |
220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039 |
Senior Vice President |
Vice President |
|
Rosemary K. Behan |
220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039 |
Secretary |
Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary |
|
Christina E. Sears |
220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039 |
Vice President |
Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary |
|
Carmen E. Fahy |
220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039 |
Assistant Secretary |
Assistant Secretary |
(b)(2) The following are the Officers and Managers of Foreside. Foreside’s main business address is 190 Middle Street, Suite 301, Portland, Maine 04101.
|
Name |
Address |
Position with Underwriter |
Position with Registrant |
|
Teresa Cowan |
190
Middle Street, Suite 301 |
President/Manager |
None |
|
Chris Lanza |
190
Middle Street, Suite 301 |
Vice President |
None |
|
Kate Macchia |
190
Middle Street, Suite 301 |
Vice President |
None |
|
Jennifer A. Brunner |
190
Middle Street, Suite 301 |
Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer |
None |
|
Gabriel E. Edelman |
190
Middle Street, Suite 301 |
Secretary |
None |
|
Susan L. LaFond |
190
Middle Street, Suite 301 |
Treasurer |
None |
|
Weston Sommers |
190
Middle Street, Suite 301 |
Financial and Operations Principal and Chief Financial Officer |
None |
(c) Not applicable.
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
The books and other documents required by Section 31(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are maintained in the physical possession of 1) the Trust’s custodian and fund accounting agent, State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Congress Street, Suite 1, Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2016; 2) the transfer agent for the Trust’s exchange-traded fund series, State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Congress Street, Suite 1, Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2016; 3) the Manager at American Beacon Advisors, Inc., 220 East Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039; 4) the transfer agent for the Trust’s other series, SS&C GIDS, Inc., 330 West 9th St., Kansas City, Missouri 64105; 5) Mastercraft, 3021 Wichita Court, Fort Worth, Texas 76140; or 6) the Trust’s investment advisers at the addresses listed in Item 31 above.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
14
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Irving and the State of Texas, on September 2, 2026.
| AMERICAN BEACON SELECT FUNDS | ||
| By: | /s/ Gregory J. Stumm | |
| Gregory J. Stumm | ||
| President | ||
Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | |
| /s/ Gregory J. Stumm | President (Principal Executive Officer) | September 2, 2026 | |
| Gregory J. Stumm | |||
| /s/ Aaron Cooper | Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer | September 2, 2026 | |
| Aaron Cooper | and Principal Accounting Officer) | ||
| Gilbert G. Alvarado* | Trustee | September 2, 2026 | |
| Gilbert G. Alvarado | |||
| Gerard J. Arpey* | Trustee | September 2, 2026 | |
| Gerard J. Arpey | |||
| Eugene J. Duffy* | Trustee | September 2, 2026 | |
Eugene J. Duffy
Claudia A. Holz* |
Trustee |
September 2, 2026 | |
Claudia A. Holz
|
|||
| Douglas A. Lindgren* | Chair and Trustee | September 2, 2026 | |
| Douglas A. Lindgren | |||
Janet C. Smith* |
Trustee |
September 2, 2026 | |
| Janet C. Smith | |||
| Paul Zemsky* | Trustee | September 2, 2026 | |
| Paul Zemsky | |||
| *By: | /s/ Rosemary K. Behan | |
| Rosemary K. Behan | ||
| Attorney-In-Fact |
15
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