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Form 485BPOS FORUM FUNDS II

June 26, 2018 2:05 PM EDT

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2018

 

1933 Act File No. 333-188521 and 1940 Act File No. 811-22842

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE

SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Post-Effective Amendment No. 107

 

AND

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

 

Amendment No. 109

 

 

 

FORUM FUNDS II
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600
Portland, Maine 04101 

(207) 347-2000

 

Alison Fuller
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
1250 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036-2652

 

Copies to: 

Zachary Tackett
Atlantic Fund Services
Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600
Portland, Maine 04101

 

 

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

 

[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (b)(1)
[X] on July 1, 2018, pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (b)(1)
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] on ________, pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(2)
[ ] on ________, pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(2)
[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

 

Title of series being registered: NWS Global Property Fund, NWS International Property Fund

 

 

 

(graphic) 

 

NWS INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY FUND
Institutional Shares (NWSOX) 

 

NWS GLOBAL PROPERTY FUND
Institutional Shares (NWSGX)

 

PROSPECTUS
July 1, 2018

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the disclosure in this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Summary Section 1
This important section summarizes each Fund’s objectives, strategies, fees, risks, past performance, portfolio turnover, portfolio managers, your account and other information.  
NWS International Property Fund 1
NWS Global Property Fund 7
Details Regarding Principal Investment Strategies 13
This section includes additional information about each Fund’s investment strategies.  
NWS International Property Fund 13
NWS Global Property Fund 16
Additional Information Regarding Principal Investment Risks 19
This section includes additional information about each Fund’s investment risks.  
Management 22
Investment Adviser 22
Portfolio Managers 22
Other Service Providers 23
Fund Expenses 24
Your Account 25
General Information 25
How to Contact the Fund 25
Buying Shares 27
Selling Shares 30
Exchanging Shares 33
Retirement Accounts 34
Other Information 35
Financial Highlights 38

 

 

 

SUMMARY SECTION - NWS INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY FUND

 

Investment Objective

 

The NWS International Property Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to generate maximum total return through current income and capital appreciation by investing in real estate-related equity and equity-linked securities internationally.

 

Fees and Expenses

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

 

Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
Institutional Shares
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed within 90 days of purchase, if applicable) 1.50%

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses  
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)  
Management Fees 0.75%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees None
Other Expenses 2.99%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 3.74%
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(1) (2.74)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement 1.00%

 

(1) Northwood Securities LLC (“NWS” or the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse Fund expenses to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (excluding all taxes, interest, portfolio transaction expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, proxy expenses and extraordinary expenses) to 1.00% through June 30, 2019 (“Expense Cap”). The Expense Cap may only be raised or eliminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Adviser may be reimbursed by a Fund for fees waived and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to the Expense Cap if such payment is approved by the Board, made within three years of the fee waiver or expense reimbursement, and does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement of the Fund to exceed the lesser of (i) the then-current expense cap, and (ii) the expense cap in place at the time the fees/expenses were waived/reimbursed.

 

Example. This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same, except that it reflects the Expense Cap through the time periods described below. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, whether you do or do not redeem your shares at the end of each period described below, your costs would be:

 

1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
$102 $890 $1,697 $3,808

 

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

 

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Principal Investment Strategies

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in the equity securities and equity-linked securities of international real estate companies with a primary emphasis on real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) or REIT-like structures that are “principally engaged” in the ownership, construction, development, management, financing, or sale of commercial, industrial, and/or residential real estate. For purposes of this policy, “principally engaged” means that at least 50% of a company’s revenues are derived from such real estate activities or at least 50% of the fair market value of a company’s assets are invested in real estate. The Fund will not change this policy unless it notifies shareholders at least 60 days in advance.

 

International real estate companies may include hotel and gaming companies, retailers, theatre companies, and real estate developers of any size market capitalization, including mid, small and micro capitalization companies. The Fund invests in the major international real estate markets, including those located in emerging market countries. The equity securities in which the Fund may invest include common stock, preferred stock, and convertible securities. The equity-linked securities in which the Fund may invest include depositary receipts and rights and warrants. The Fund concentrates its investments in the real estate industry. For the purpose of this policy, micro capitalization companies are those with market capitalizations between $50 million and $300 million.

 

In selecting securities for the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser employs a combination “top-down” and “bottom up” approach that focuses on companies that are well positioned to benefit from future trends in those countries that have established real estate markets with appropriate risk/return profiles. The Adviser focuses on securities that provide capital appreciation, current income and liquidity.

 

The Fund is non-diversified, which means that the Fund may hold larger positions in fewer securities than other funds.

 

Principal Investment Risks

 

Losing all or a portion of your investment is a risk of investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. More information on the Fund’s principal investment strategies and principal risks is contained in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”). The following principal risks could affect the value of your investment:

 

Convertible Securities Risk. Investments in convertible securities entail some of the risks of both equity and debt securities. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with the fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities or any changes in the issuer’s credit rating. Convertible securities are subject to the risk that the credit rating of the issuer may have an effect on the value of the convertible securities.

 

Depositary Receipts Risk. The risks of depositary receipts include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in foreign currencies and foreign investment risks, such as political and financial instability, less liquidity and greater volatility, lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and increased price volatility. In addition, depositary receipts may not track the price of the underlying foreign securities, and their value may change materially at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading. Investments in unsponsored depositary receipts may be subject to additional risks.

 

Emerging Markets Risk. Emerging markets investments are subject to the same risks as foreign investments and to additional risks due to greater political and economic uncertainties as well as a relative lack of information about companies in such markets. Securities traded on emerging markets are potentially illiquid and may be subject to volatility and high transaction costs.

 

Equity Risk. Equity holdings, which include common stocks, may decline in value because of changes in the price of a particular holding or a broad stock market decline. Common stock ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in

 

 2

 

claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer of a security or broader economic or market events including changes in interest rates.

 

Foreign Currency Risk. The Fund’s net asset value could decline as a result of changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest to investors located outside the country, due to the blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise.

 

Foreign Investments Risk. Foreign investments may be subject to the same risks as domestic investments and to additional risks which include international trade, currency, political, regulatory and diplomatic risks, which may affect their value. Also, foreign securities are subject to the risk that their market price may not reflect the issuer’s condition because there is not sufficient publicly available information about the issuer. Investments in securities of foreign issuers may also be subject to foreign withholding and other taxes.

 

Investment Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.

 

Large Capitalization Company Risk. The Fund’s investments in large capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because they may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion.

 

Management Risk. The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends on the ability of the Adviser to correctly identify economic trends, especially with regard to accurately forecasting inflationary and deflationary periods.

 

Mid Capitalization Company Risk. Investments in mid capitalization companies may be less liquid and their securities’ prices may fluctuate more than those of larger, more established companies. These factors could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.

 

Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is non-diversified. Performance of a non-diversified fund may be more volatile than performance of a diversified fund.

 

Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a class of a capital stock that typically pays dividends at a specified rate. Preferred stock is generally senior to common stock, but subordinate to debt securities, with respect to the payment of dividends and on liquidation of the issuer. The market value of preferred stock generally decreases when interest rates rise and is also affected by the issuer’s ability to make payments on the preferred stock.

 

Real Estate and Equity REIT Concentration Risk. Because the Fund concentrates its net assets in the real estate sector (by investing in equity REITs and other companies that invest in real estate assets), it is particularly vulnerable to the risks of the real estate sector, including those specific to equity REITs. Declines in real estate values, changes in interest rates, economic downturns, overbuilding and changes in zoning laws and government regulations can have a significant negative effect on companies in the real estate industry. Extended vacancies, a decline in rental income, failure to collect rents, increased competition from other properties and poor management can also affect the value and performance of equity REITs and companies that invest in real estate assets.

 

REIT Investments Risk. In this Prospectus, “REITs” are defined as companies that are permitted by local regulations to avoid payment of taxes at the corporate level by paying out a substantial portion of income to shareholders as dividends. The value of an individual REIT’s securities can decline if the REIT fails to continue qualifying for special tax treatment. Further, the Fund, and in turn its shareholders, will indirectly bear a portion of the expenses, including management fees, paid by each REIT in which it invests, in addition to the expenses of the Fund. Shareholders may also invest in REITs directly and, thus, avoid such duplicative fees. Different REIT structures may implicate different risks based on the strategies employed (e.g., whether a particular REIT

 

 3

 

employs leverage), underlying real property type (e.g., hotels have a different set of risks than shopping malls), and geographic area of the underlying real estate of the REIT.

 

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that preferred securities, and to a lesser extent dividend paying common stocks, may decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. When market interest rates rise, the market value of such securities generally will fall. Generally, the market values of securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Specific investments may be more or less affected by changes in interest rates. For example, mortgage REITs, derive their income from interest payments on such loans and are more likely to be impacted by fluctuations in interest rates.

 

Rights and Warrants Risk. Rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities that may be purchased nor do they represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. Also, the value of a right or warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities and a right or warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to the expiration date. If a right or warrant held by the Fund is not exercised by the date of its expiration, the Fund would lose the entire purchase price of the right or warrant.

 

Small and Micro Capitalization Company Risk. The Fund’s investments in small and micro capitalization companies may be less liquid and their securities’ prices may fluctuate more than those of larger, more established companies. These factors could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.

 

Stock Market Risk. Your investment in Fund shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund. The value of these securities, like other investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Your Fund shares at any point in time may be worth less than what you invested, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.

 

Performance Information

 

The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Institutional Shares from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. Updated performance information is available by calling (844) 218-5182 (toll free).

 

Performance information represents only past performance and does not necessarily indicate future results.

 

Annual Returns as of December 31 

 

(BAR CHART)

 

The calendar year-to-date total return as of March 31, 2018 was 1.65%.

 

 4

 

During the period shown, the highest return for a quarter was 7.33% for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, and the lowest return was -6.98% for the quarter ended December 31, 2016.

 

Average Annual Total Returns 

(For the periods ended December 31, 2017)

 

  1 Year Since Inception 03/31/15
Return Before Taxes 27.91% 5.48%
Return After Taxes on Distributions 21.71% 1.81%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 15.99% 2.50%
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed ex-US Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
 
20.82%
 
5.24%
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Asia Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
 
16.10%
 
3.96%
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Europe Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
 
29.12%
 
6.95%

 

FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed ex-US Index – is designed to track the performance of listed real estate companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) in developed markets excluding the United States.

 

FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Asia Index – is designed to track the performance of listed real estate companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) in developed Asian markets, which include the following markets: Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore.

 

FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Europe Index – is designed to track the performance of listed real estate companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) in developed European markets, which include the following markets: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (including the Channel Islands).

 

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

 

The return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period.

 

Management

 

Investment Adviser. Northwood Securities LLC is the Fund’s investment adviser.

 

Portfolio Managers. James Rehlaender, Peter Nieuwland and Suang Eng Tsan are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the NWS International Property Fund and have served as portfolio managers of the Fund since its inception in 2015.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

You may purchase or sell (redeem) shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open for business. You may purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund by calling (844) 218-5182 (toll free) or

 

 5

 

writing to the Fund at NWS Funds, P.O. Box 588, Portland, Maine 04112. You also may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund through your financial intermediary. The Fund accepts investments in the following minimum amounts:

 

  Minimum Initial
Investment
Minimum Additional
Investment
Standard Accounts $1,000,000 None
Retirement Accounts $1,000,000 None

 

Tax Information

 

Shareholders may receive distributions from the Fund, which may be taxed to shareholders other than tax-advantaged investors (such as tax-advantaged retirement plans and accounts) as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both. If you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, you may still be subject to taxation upon withdrawals from that account.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

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

 

 6

 

SUMMARY SECTION- NWS GLOBAL PROPERTY FUND

 

Investment Objective

 

The NWS Global Property Fund (the “Fund”) seeks to generate maximum total return through current income and capital appreciation.

 

Fees and Expenses

 

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.

 


Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
Institutional Shares
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed within 90 days of purchase, if applicable) 1.50%

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses  
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)  
Management Fees 0.75%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees None
Other Expenses 16.40%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(1) 17.15%
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(2) (16.25)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement 0.90%

 

(l) Total Annual Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets given in the financial highlights due to a reduction in the expense cap for the Fund.
(2) Northwood Securities LLC (“NWS” or the “Adviser”) has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse Fund expenses to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (excluding all taxes, interest, portfolio transaction expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, proxy expenses and extraordinary expenses) to 0.90% through June 30, 2019 (“Expense Cap”). The Expense Cap may only be raised or eliminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Adviser may be reimbursed by a Fund for fees waived and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to the Expense Cap if such payment is approved by the Board, made within three years of the fee waiver or expense reimbursement, and does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement of the Fund to exceed the lesser of (i) the then-current expense cap, and (ii) the expense cap in place at the time the fees/expenses were waived/reimbursed.

 

Example. This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same, except that it reflects the Expense Cap through the time periods described below. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, whether you do or do not redeem your shares at the end of each period described below, your costs would be:

 

1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
$92 $3,242 $5,673 $9,592

 

Portfolio Turnover. The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 27% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

 7

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in the equity securities and equity-linked securities of global real estate companies with a primary emphasis on real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) or other real estate companies that are “principally engaged” in the ownership, construction, development, management, financing, or sale of commercial, industrial, and/or residential real estate. For purposes of this policy, “principally engaged” means that at least 50% of a company’s revenues are derived from such real estate activities or at least 50% of the fair market value of a company’s assets are invested in real estate. The Fund will not change this policy unless it notifies shareholders at least 60 days in advance.

 

Global real estate companies may include hotel and gaming companies, retailers, theatre companies, and real estate developers of any size market capitalization, including mid, small and micro capitalization companies. The Fund invests primarily in developed market countries and selectively in emerging market countries around the world. The equity securities in which the Fund may invest include common stock, preferred stock, and convertible securities. The equity-linked securities in which the Fund may invest include depositary receipts and rights and warrants.

 

In selecting securities for the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser employs a combination “top-down” and “bottom up” approach that focuses on companies that it believes are well positioned to benefit from future trends in countries that have established real estate markets with appropriate risk/return profiles. The Adviser focuses on securities that provide capital appreciation, current income and liquidity.

 

The Fund is non-diversified, which means that the Fund may hold larger positions in fewer securities than other funds.

 

Principal Investment Risks

 

Losing all or a portion of your investment is a risk of investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. More information on the Fund’s principal investment strategies and principal risks is contained in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”). The following principal risks could affect the value of your investment:

 

Convertible Securities Risk. Investments in convertible securities entail some of the risks of both equity and debt securities. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with the fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities or any changes in the issuer’s credit rating. Convertible securities are subject to the risk that the credit rating of the issuer may have an effect on the value of the convertible securities.

 

Depositary Receipts Risk. The risks of depositary receipts include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in foreign currencies and foreign investment risks, such as political and financial instability, less liquidity and greater volatility, lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and increased price volatility. In addition, depositary receipts may not track the price of the underlying foreign securities, and their value may change materially at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading. Investments in unsponsored depositary receipts may be subject to additional risks.

 

Emerging Markets Risk. Emerging markets investments are subject to the same risks as foreign investments and to additional risks due to greater political and economic uncertainties as well as a relative lack of information about companies in such markets. Securities traded on emerging markets are potentially illiquid and may be subject to volatility and high transaction costs.

 

Equity Risk. Equity holdings, which include common stocks, may decline in value because of changes in the price of a particular holding or a broad stock market decline. Common stock ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a security may decline

 

 8

 

for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer of a security or broader economic or market events including changes in interest rates.

 

Foreign Currency Risk. The Fund’s net asset value could decline as a result of changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest to investors located outside the country, due to the blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise.

 

Foreign Investments Risk. Foreign investments may be subject to the same risks as domestic investments and to additional risks which include international trade, currency, political, regulatory and diplomatic risks, which may affect their value. Also, foreign securities are subject to the risk that their market price may not reflect the issuer’s condition because there is not sufficient publicly available information about the issuer. Investments in securities of foreign issuers may also be subject to foreign withholding and other taxes.

 

Investment Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.

 

Large Capitalization Company Risk. The Fund’s investments in large capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because they may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion.

 

Management Risk. The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends on the ability of the Adviser to correctly identify economic trends, especially with regard to accurately forecasting inflationary and deflationary periods.

 

Mid Capitalization Company Risk. Investments in mid capitalization companies may be less liquid and their securities’ prices may fluctuate more than those of larger, more established companies. These factors could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.

 

Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is non-diversified. Performance of a non-diversified fund may be more volatile than performance of a diversified fund.

 

Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock is a class of a capital stock that typically pays dividends at a specified rate. Preferred stock is generally senior to common stock, but subordinate to debt securities, with respect to the payment of dividends and on liquidation of the issuer. The market value of preferred stock generally decreases when interest rates rise and is also affected by the issuer’s ability to make payments on the preferred stock.

 

Real Estate and Equity REIT Concentration Risk. Because the Fund concentrates its net assets in the real estate sector (by investing in equity REITs and other companies that invest in real estate assets), it is particularly vulnerable to the risks of the real estate sector, including those specific to equity REITs. Declines in real estate values, changes in interest rates, economic downturns, overbuilding and changes in zoning laws and government regulations can have a significant negative effect on companies in the real estate industry. Extended vacancies, a decline in rental income, failure to collect rents, increased competition from other properties and poor management can also affect the value and performance of equity REITs and companies that invest in real estate assets.

 

REIT Investments Risk. In this Prospectus, “REITs” are defined as companies that are permitted by local regulations to avoid payment of taxes at the corporate level by paying out a substantial portion of income to shareholders as dividends. The value of an individual REIT’s securities can decline if the REIT fails to continue qualifying for special tax treatment. Further, the Fund, and in turn its shareholders, will indirectly bear a portion of the expenses, including management fees, paid by each REIT in which it invests, in addition to the expenses of the Fund. Shareholders may also invest in REITs directly and, thus, avoid such duplicative fees. Different REIT structures may implicate different risks based on the strategies employed (e.g., whether a particular REIT employs leverage), underlying real property type (e.g., hotels have a different set of risks than shopping malls), and geographic area of the underlying real estate of the REIT.

 

 9

 

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that preferred securities, and to a lesser extent dividend paying common stocks, may decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. When market interest rates rise, the market value of such securities generally will fall. Generally, the market values of securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Specific investments may be more or less affected by changes in interest rates. For example, mortgage REITs, derive their income from interest payments on such loans and are more likely to be impacted by fluctuations in interest rates.

 

Rights and Warrants Risk. Rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities that may be purchased nor do they represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. Also, the value of a right or warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities and a right or warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to the expiration date. If a right or warrant held by the Fund is not exercised by the date of its expiration, the Fund would lose the entire purchase price of the right or warrant.

 

Small and Micro Capitalization Company Risk. The Fund’s investments in small and micro capitalization companies may be less liquid and their securities’ prices may fluctuate more than those of larger, more established companies. These factors could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.

 

Stock Market Risk. Your investment in Fund shares represents an indirect investment in the securities owned by the Fund. The value of these securities, like other investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Your Fund shares at any point in time may be worth less than what you invested, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.

 

Performance Information

 

The bar chart and table that follow provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Institutional Shares from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. Updated performance information is available by calling (844) 218-5182 (toll free).

 

Performance information represents only past performance and does not necessarily indicate future results.

 

Annual Returns as of December 31 

 

(BAR CHART)

 

The calendar year-to-date total return as of March 31, 2018 was -3.78%.

 

 10

 

During the period shown, the highest return for a quarter was 4.77% for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, and the lowest return was 2.05% for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

 

Average Annual Total Returns 

(For the periods ended December 31, 2017)

 

  1 Year Since Inception 12/16/16
Return Before Taxes 13.94% 14.40%
Return After Taxes on Distributions 11.32% 11.70%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 7.91% 9.76%
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
 
11.42%
 
13.41%
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT North America Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
 
4.57%
 
6.26%
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Asia Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
 
16.10%
 
17.67%
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Europe Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
 
29.12%
 
33.35%

 

FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Index – is designed to track the performance of listed real estate companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) in developed markets worldwide.

 

FTSE EPRA/NAREIT North America Index – is designed to track the performance of listed real estate companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) in North American markets, which include US and Canada.

 

FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Asia Index – is designed to track the performance of listed real estate companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) in developed Asian markets, which include the following markets: Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore.

 

FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Europe Index – is designed to track the performance of listed real estate companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) in developed European markets, which include the following markets: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (including the Channel Islands).

 

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-advantaged arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

 

Management

 

Investment Adviser. Northwood Securities LLC is the Fund’s investment adviser.

 

Portfolio Managers. James Rehlaender, Peter Nieuwland, Suang Eng Tsan and Amanda Black are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the NWS Global Property Fund and have served as portfolio managers of the Fund since its inception in December 2016.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

You may purchase or sell (redeem) shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open for business. You may purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund by calling (844) 218-5182 (toll free) or

 

 11

 

writing to the Fund at NWS Funds, P.O. Box 588, Portland, Maine 04112. You also may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund through your financial intermediary. The Fund accepts investments in the following minimum amounts:

 

  Minimum Initial
Investment
Minimum Additional
Investment
Standard Accounts $1,000,000 None
Retirement Accounts $1,000,000 None

 

Tax Information

 

Shareholders may receive distributions from the Fund, which may be taxed to shareholders other than tax-advantaged investors (such as tax-advantaged retirement plans and accounts) as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both. If you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, you may still be subject to taxation upon withdrawals from that account.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

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

 

 12

 

DETAILS REGARDING PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

 

NWS International Property Fund

 

The Fund seeks to generate maximum total return through current income and capital appreciation by investing in real estate-related equity and equity-linked securities internationally. The Fund’s investment objective is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without a vote of shareholders. The Fund, however, will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ notice prior to making any changes to the investment objective.

 

Additional Information Regarding Principal Investment Strategies

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in the equity securities and equity-linked securities of international real estate companies with a primary emphasis on real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) or REIT-like structures that are “principally engaged” in the ownership, construction, development, management, financing, or sale of commercial, industrial and/or residential real estate. The Fund invests at least 25% of its net assets (i.e., concentrates) in the real estate industry. For purposes of this policy, “principally engaged” means that at least 50% of a company’s revenues are, as determined by the Adviser at the time of the Fund’s investment, derived from real estate activities or at least 50% of the fair market value of a company’s assets are invested in real estate. The equity securities in which the Fund may invest may include common stock, preferred stock, and convertible securities. The equity-linked securities in which the Fund may invest include depositary receipts, rights and warrants. The Fund concentrates its investments in the real estate industry.

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund expects to invest 20% to 60% of its total assets in Europe and 20% to 60% of its total assets in Asia, with a maximum of 75% of its total assets in a single region (Asia, Europe or Latin America). Not more than 30% of the total assets of the Fund may be invested in a single country. These guidelines may not be followed, including, without limitation in respect of short-term defensive and/or macro environment considerations. For the purpose of this policy, the categorization of international real estate companies and geographic exposure limitations are based on a company’s domicile, which is typically, however not always, the location in which the majority of the companies’ real estate holdings are located.

 

The Fund’s investments may include investments in international real estate companies, including without limitation, hotel and gaming companies, retailers, theatre companies, and real estate developers, provided that the primary objective of the management of the company is to create value through the active ownership, operation, development, financing, sale, and/or management of real estate assets. The Fund may invest in companies of any size market capitalization, including mid, small and micro capitalization companies. For the purpose of this policy, micro capitalization companies are those with market capitalizations between $50 million and $300 million. Typically, investments in commercial real estate are expected to provide returns in the form of yield, and additional appreciation potential, which means that the price of the investment is expected to increase over time. Maintaining a component of current income (i.e., dividends) may serve to provide portfolio stability during periods of overall market fluctuations. To pursue capital appreciation, the Fund will consider the risk adjusted rate of return of companies, as determined by the Adviser.

 

By investing in the major international real estate markets (including those in emerging market countries), the Fund seeks to benefit from the cyclical nature of the real estate industry, the expanding role of securitization in the international real estate markets, and broad exposure to investing in different markets worldwide. The Fund will also seek to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns and the Adviser will evaluate the relative risks of each investment in the context of overall portfolio risk. The long-term goal of the Fund shall be to exceed the performance of the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed EX-US Total Return Index (the “Index”) over a market cycle, typically three to five years. The Index is designed to measure the performance of real estate companies and REITs engaged in the ownership, disposal, and development of real estate markets in developed countries (except the United States).

 

The Adviser will employ its extensive international real estate experience in a disciplined, value-oriented approach to maximizing risk-adjusted returns. The Fund will have an overall value orientation and the Adviser will seek modest annual portfolio turnover and therefore trading costs are expected to be reduced as compared to a fund with higher

 

 13

turnover. In order to meet the Fund’s investment objective, the Adviser will seek to invest in securities that provide capital appreciation, current income and liquidity.

 

Generally, the Fund’s investment strategy is to employ a combination of a “top-down,” macro level analysis, together with rigorous “bottom-up,” fundamental securities and real estate research and analysis on individual companies by the Adviser’s analyst team. The Adviser will focus principally on those countries that have established real estate markets and that the Adviser believes have the appropriate level of country risk/return profile and growth prospects.

 

Once a country has been identified for further consideration, the Adviser reviews local economic factors to determine the stage of the real estate cycle and which companies are expected by the Adviser to be well positioned to benefit from future trends. The economic factors that directly affect supply and demand of various real property types include: job growth, building permit trends, financial market liquidity and interest rates, absorption, and pending additions to supply.

 

After isolating those companies that are most likely to provide investment opportunities, the Adviser generally will evaluate the investment opportunity using a variety of valuation models that have been developed by its principals over the past 10-15 years. The Adviser will rely on both quantitative and non-quantitative analyses. The Adviser focuses on each company’s ability to generate cash flow to cover recurring capital expenditures and fixed charges to support ongoing business. Foremost among the Adviser’s primary quantitative screens is access to capital, which is critical to such asset-intensive companies. Net asset values of companies will be evaluated in the context of a break-up or liquidation scenario, but they will not be used exclusively in the determination of overall company value. As many of these companies depend on growth to enhance shareholder value, the Adviser also will look for companies whose growth opportunities are not fully valued by the market. Quantitative analysis entails review of, among other factors, cash flow and dividend growth prospects, risk-adjusted total return expectations, real estate analysis using criteria such as capitalization rates and values on a square footage basis and balance sheet strength and relative cost of capital.

 

Non-quantitative analysis includes, among other factors, evaluation of the quality of management and ownership, management’s financial commitment, business strategy, market niche/business focus and competitive advantages within the marketplace.

 

Portfolio managers and analysts comprise an investment team of the Adviser that selects companies for investment.

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate indicates changes in portfolio investments. Although the Adviser will seek modest annual portfolio turnover, the Adviser will sell a security when appropriate and consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies regardless of the effect on the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

Please note that buying and selling securities generally involves some expense to the Fund, such as broker commissions and other transaction costs. A high turnover rate in any year may result in the Fund paying above-average total transaction costs, and could result in shareholders paying above-average taxes on realized capital gains. Frequent buying and selling of securities could result in the distribution of short-term capital gains that are taxed at ordinary income rates.

 

The Fund cannot accurately predict future annual portfolio turnover rates. Security positions may be replaced as those positions mature. The Fund, however, expects that its actual annual portfolio turnover rate generally will be less than 50%. Portfolio turnover may vary substantially from year-to-year since portfolio adjustments are made when conditions affecting relevant markets, particular industries or individual issues warrant such action. In addition, portfolio turnover may also be affected by the sale of portfolio securities necessary to meet the cash requirements for redemptions of shares.

 

 14

Non-Principal Strategies

 

In addition to the principal strategies, the Fund may also invest in several other types of financial instruments. These non-principal strategies are discussed in more detail in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

 

Portfolio Selection Process:

 

The Adviser analyzes global and regional economic trends and the market for different types of real estate including residential, commercial, or industrial. In addition, the Adviser makes assessments of the economic environment and securitization trends, and then derives an investment strategy formulated to take advantage of perceived opportunities. Securitization trends include the evolving structure of REITs in international markets and the corresponding expansion of the universe of potential investments.

 

The Adviser tracks a universe of more than 600 individual companies globally that are considered for potential investment. Companies are evaluated on both a quantitative and a qualitative basis in order to determine which companies may provide attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Adviser’s global analyst team evaluates and analyzes companies based upon the following criteria:

 

Qualitative Analysis:

 

Management strength;

Business strategy;

Financial strength; and

Competitive advantages within the marketplace.

 

Quantitative Analysis:

 

Cash flow and dividend growth prospects;

Risk-adjusted total return expectations using numerous methodologies;

Real estate analysis using criteria such as capitalization rates and values on a square footage basis; and

Balance sheet strength and relative cost of capital.

 

Integral parts of the Adviser’s investment process include:

 

Performing individual property and market evaluations which are important to understanding the company’s portfolio;

Verifying that the company’s assets are consistent with management’s stated strategy;

Finding and reviewing any problems relating to the company’s properties;

Evaluating the company’s properties and their position in the markets; and

Assessing the quality of property management.

 

For longer periods of time, the Fund may hold a substantial cash position. If the market advances during periods when the Fund is holding a large cash position, the Fund may not participate to the extent it would have if the Fund has been more fully invested. To the extent that the Fund uses a money market fund for its cash position, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund would bear a pro rata portion of such money market fund’s advisory fees and operational expenses.

 

The Fund is non-diversified.

 

Temporary Defensive Position. In order to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may assume a temporary defensive position that is inconsistent with its principal investment objective and/or strategies and may invest, without limitation, in cash or high-quality cash equivalents (including money market instruments, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits). A defensive position, taken at the wrong time, may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s performance. The Fund may be unable to achieve its investment objective during the employment of a temporary defensive position.

 

 15

NWS Global Property Fund

 

The Fund seeks to generate maximum total return through current income and capital appreciation. The Fund’s investment objective is non-fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without a vote of shareholders. The Fund, however, will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ notice prior to making any changes to the investment objective.

 

Additional Information Regarding Principal Investment Strategies

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (including borrowings for investment purposes) in the equity securities and equity-linked securities of global real estate companies with a primary emphasis on real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) or other real estate companies that are “principally engaged” in the ownership, construction, development, management, financing, or sale of commercial, industrial and/or residential real estate. For purposes of this policy, “principally engaged” means that at least 50% of a company’s revenues are, as determined by the Adviser at the time of the Fund’s investment, derived from real estate activities or at least 50% of the fair market value of a company’s assets are invested in real estate. The equity securities in which the Fund may invest may include common stock, preferred stock, and convertible securities. The equity-linked securities in which the Fund may invest include depositary receipts, rights and warrants. The Fund concentrates its investments in the real estate industry.

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund expects to be regionally diversified across Asia, Europe and North America. Not more than 60% of the total assets of the Fund may be invested in a single region (Asia, Europe or North America). Under normal circumstances, the Fund expects to be diversified across at least six countries and three real property types. For purposes of this policy, such real property types may include office, industrial, retail, theatre, hotel and gaming, and residential, among others. Other than the United States, the Fund may not invest more than 30% of its total assets in any single country. In addition, the Fund will limit its investments in companies in emerging markets to 30% in the aggregate. For purposes of this policy, emerging market countries are defined as those named in the MSCI Emerging Market Index. For the purpose of this policy, the categorization of global real estate companies and geographic exposure limitations are based on a company’s domicile, which is typically, however not always, the location in which the majority of the company’s real estate holdings are located.

 

The primary objective of the management of the global real estate companies in which the Fund invests will be to create value through the active ownership, operation, development, financing, sale, and/or management of real estate assets. The Fund may invest in companies of any size market capitalization, including mid, small and micro capitalization companies. Typically, investments in commercial real estate are expected to provide returns in the form of yield, and additional appreciation potential, which means that the price of the investment is expected to increase over time. Maintaining a component of current income (i.e., dividends) may serve to provide portfolio stability during periods of overall market fluctuations. To pursue capital appreciation, the Fund will consider the risk adjusted rate of return of companies, as determined by the Adviser.

 

By investing primarily in the real estate markets of developed market countries (and selectively in the real estate markets of emerging market countries), the Fund seeks to benefit from the cyclical nature of the real estate industry, the expanding role of securitization in the global real estate markets, and broad exposure to investing in different markets worldwide. The Fund will also seek to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns and the Adviser will evaluate the relative risks of each investment in the context of overall portfolio risk.

 

Generally, the Fund’s investment strategy is to employ a combination of a “top-down,” macro level analysis, together with rigorous “bottom-up,” fundamental securities and real estate research and analysis on individual companies by the Adviser’s analyst team. The investment strategy involves a disciplined, value-oriented approach. The Adviser will focus principally on those countries that have established real estate markets and that the Adviser believes have the appropriate level of country risk/return profile and growth prospects.

 

Once a country has been identified for further consideration, the Adviser reviews local economic factors to determine the stage of the real estate cycle and which companies are expected by the Adviser to be well positioned to benefit from

 

 16

future trends. The economic factors that directly affect supply and demand of various real property types include: job growth, building permit trends, financial market liquidity and interest rates, absorption, and pending additions to supply.

 

After identifying those companies that are most likely to provide investment opportunities, the Adviser will evaluate each prospective investment using a variety of valuation models. The Adviser will rely on both quantitative and non-quantitative analyses. Net asset values of companies will be evaluated in the context of a hypothetical break-up or liquidation scenario, but they will not be used exclusively in the determination of overall company value. As many of these companies depend on growth to enhance shareholder value, the Adviser also will look for companies whose growth opportunities are not fully recognized and valued by the market. Quantitative analysis entails review of, among other factors, cash flow and dividend growth prospects, risk-adjusted total return expectations, real estate analysis using criteria such as capitalization rates and property values on a square footage basis, balance sheet strength and relative cost of capital.

 

Non-quantitative analysis includes, among other factors, evaluation of the quality of management and ownership, management’s financial commitment, business strategy, market niche/business focus and competitive advantages within the marketplace.

 

Portfolio managers and analysts comprise an investment team of the Adviser that selects companies for investment.

 

The Adviser may sell securities held in the Fund’s portfolio when the investment thesis changes or the position reaches its price target.

 

For periods of time, the Fund may hold a substantial cash position. If the market advances during periods when the Fund is holding a large cash position, the Fund may not participate to the extent it would have if the Fund has been more fully invested. To the extent that the Fund uses a money market fund for its cash position, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund would bear a pro rata portion of such money market fund’s advisory fees and operational expenses.

 

The Fund is non-diversified.

 

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate indicates changes in portfolio investments. Although the Adviser will seek modest annual portfolio turnover, the Adviser will sell a security when appropriate and consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies regardless of the effect on the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate.

 

Please note that buying and selling securities generally involves some expense to the Fund, such as broker commissions and other transaction costs. A high turnover rate in any year may result in the Fund paying above-average total transaction costs, and could result in shareholders paying above-average taxes on realized capital gains. Frequent buying and selling of securities could result in the distribution of short-term capital gains that are taxed at ordinary income rates.

 

The Fund cannot accurately predict future annual portfolio turnover rates. Security positions may be replaced as those positions mature. The Fund, however, expects that its actual annual portfolio turnover rate generally will be less than 50%. Portfolio turnover may vary substantially from year-to-year since portfolio adjustments are made when conditions affecting relevant markets, particular industries or individual issues warrant such action. In addition, portfolio turnover may also be affected by the sale of portfolio securities necessary to meet the cash requirements for redemptions of shares.

 

Non-Principal Strategies

 

In addition to the principal strategies, the Fund may also invest in several other types of financial instruments. These non-principal strategies are discussed in more detail in the Fund’s SAI.

 

 17

Adviser’s Investment Philosophy

 

The Adviser’s Investment Teams are composed of portfolio managers as well as analysts.

 

Portfolio Selection Process:

 

The Adviser analyzes global and regional economic trends and the market for different types of real property including residential, commercial, or industrial. In addition, the Adviser makes assessments of the economic environment and securitization trends, and then derives an investment strategy formulated to take advantage of perceived opportunities. Securitization trends include the evolving structure of REITs in international markets and the corresponding expansion of the universe of potential investments.

 

The Adviser tracks a universe of more than 600 individual companies globally that are considered for potential investment. Companies are evaluated on both a quantitative and a qualitative basis in order to determine which companies may provide attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Adviser’s global analyst team evaluates and analyzes companies based upon the following criteria:

 

Qualitative Analysis:

 

Management strength;

Business strategy;

Financial strength; and

Competitive advantages within the marketplace.

 

Quantitative Analysis:

 

Cash flow and dividend growth prospects;

Risk-adjusted total return expectations using numerous methodologies;

Real estate analysis using criteria such as capitalization rates and values on a square footage basis; and

Balance sheet strength and relative cost of capital.

 

Integral parts of the Adviser’s investment process include:

 

Performing individual real estate and market evaluations which are important to understanding the company’s portfolio;

Verifying that the company’s assets are consistent with management’s stated strategy;

Finding and reviewing any problems relating to the company’s properties;

Evaluating the company’s properties and their position in the markets; and

Assessing the quality of real estate management.

 

Temporary Defensive Position. In order to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may assume a temporary defensive position that is inconsistent with its principal investment objective and/or strategies and may invest, without limitation, in cash or high-quality cash equivalents (including money market instruments, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits). A defensive position, taken at the wrong time, may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s performance. The Fund may be unable to achieve its investment objective during the employment of a temporary defensive position.

 

 18

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS

 

The principal risks that may adversely affect each Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share or total return have previously been summarized under each Fund’s “Summary Section.” These risks are discussed in more detail below.

 

Each Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not a complete investment program. You may lose money by investing in the Funds.

 

The below investment risks are applicable to both the NWS International Property Fund and NWS Global Property Fund, except as otherwise noted.

 

Convertible Securities Risk. Investments in convertible securities entail some of the risks of both equity and debt securities. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with the fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities. Convertible securities often display a degree of market price volatility that is comparable to common stocks and are also subject to additional risks, including risk of default on interest or principal payments, which could result in a loss of income from or a decline in value of the securities. Convertible securities are subject to the risk that the credit rating of the issuer may have an effect on the convertible securities’ investment value.

 

Depositary Receipts Risk. Investments in depositary receipts may involve risks relating to political, economic or regulatory conditions in foreign countries. These risks include fluctuations in foreign currencies, political and financial instability, less liquidity and greater volatility, lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and increased price volatility. The underlying securities are typically denominated (or quoted) in a currency other than U.S. dollars. The securities underlying depositary receipts trade on foreign exchanges at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading. As a result, the value of depositary receipts may not track the price of the underlying securities and may change materially at times when the U.S. markets are not open for trading. In addition, issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not contractually obligated to disclose material information in the U.S. and, therefore, such information may not correlate to the market value of the unsponsored depositary receipt.

 

Emerging Markets Risk. The Fund may invest in foreign investments of issuers in emerging markets. Investments in such emerging markets present greater risks than investing in foreign issuers in general. The risk of political or social upheaval is greater in emerging markets. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and markets of certain emerging market countries. A relative lack of information about companies in emerging markets may also exist. Securities traded on emerging markets are potentially illiquid and may be subject to volatility and high transaction costs.

 

Equity Risk. Equity holdings, including common stocks, may decline in value because of changes in price of a particular holding or a broad stock market decline. These fluctuations could be a drastic movement or a sustained trend. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer of a security, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services, or broader economic or market events, including changes in interest rates. Common stocks in general are subject to the risk of an issuer liquidating or declaring bankruptcy, in which case the claims of owners of the issuer’s debt securities and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of common stockholders. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with fluctuation in the market value of the underlying securities

 

Foreign Currency Risk. Although the Fund will report its NAV and pay dividends in U.S. dollars, foreign securities often are purchased with and make interest payments in foreign currencies. Therefore, when the Fund invests in foreign securities, it will be subject to foreign currency risk, which means that the Fund’s NAV could decline as a result of changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise.

 

Foreign Investments Risk. The value of foreign investments may be affected by the imposition of new or amended government regulations, changes in diplomatic relations between the U.S. and another country, political and economic

 

 19

instability, the imposition or tightening of exchange controls or other limitations on repatriation of foreign capital or nationalization, increased taxation or confiscation of investors’ assets. Changes in the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and a foreign currency may reduce the value of an investment made in a security denominated in that foreign currency. Also, foreign securities are subject to the risk that an issuer’s securities may not reflect the issuer’s condition because there is not sufficient publicly available information about the issuer. This risk may be greater for investments in issuers in emerging or developing markets. Investments in securities of foreign issuers may also be subject to foreign withholding and other taxes.

 

Investment Risk. Investments in the Fund are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.

 

Large Capitalization Company Risk. Investments in large capitalization companies may go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions and may underperform other market segments. Some large capitalization companies may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges or to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. As such, returns on investments in stocks of large capitalization companies could trail the returns on investments in stocks of small and mid-sized capitalization companies.

 

Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed and its performance will reflect the Adviser’s ability to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving the Fund’s investment objective. Investments selected by the Adviser for the Fund may not perform to expectations. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives. Further, the Fund’s performance may deviate from overall market returns to a greater degree than funds that do not employ a similar strategy.

 

Mid Capitalization Company Risk. Investments in mid capitalization companies may entail greater risks, and their securities’ prices may fluctuate more and have a higher degree of volatility than those of larger, more established companies. Securities of mid capitalization companies may be traded in lower volume and be less liquid. The general market may not favor mid capitalization companies in which the Fund invests and as a result the Fund could underperform the general market. Mid capitalization companies may have more limited product lines, markets and financial resources that make them more susceptible to economic and market setbacks. Additionally, information about these companies may not be readily available. These factors could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.

 

Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is non-diversified. Performance of a non-diversified fund may be more volatile than performance of a diversified fund because a non-diversified fund may invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of a single issuer. Greater investment in a single issuer makes the Fund more susceptible to financial, economic or market events impacting such issuer.

 

Preferred Stock Risk. If interest rates rise, the dividend on preferred stock may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stock to decline. Preferred stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as provisions for their call or redemption prior to maturity, which can have a negative effect on their prices when interest rates decline. Preferred stocks are equity securities because they do not constitute a liability of the issuer and therefore do not offer the same degree of protection of capital or continuation of income as debt securities. Unlike debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable at the discretion of the issuer’s board of directors. The market prices of preferred stocks are generally more sensitive to actual or perceived changes in the issuer’s financial condition or prospects than are the prices of debt securities. Preferred stock also may be less liquid than common stock. The rights of preferred stock on distribution of an issuer’s assets in the event of its liquidation are generally subordinated to the rights associated with an issuer’s debt securities. Preferred stock may also be subject to the risk that the issuer is unable or unwilling, or is perceived (whether by market participants, ratings agencies, pricing services or otherwise) as unable or unwilling, to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or otherwise honor its obligations.

 

Real Estate and Equity REIT Concentration Risk. Because the Fund concentrates its net assets in the real estate industry (by investing in equity REITs and other companies that invest in real estate assets), it is particularly vulnerable

 

 20

to the risks of the real estate industry, including those specific to equity REITs. Declines in real estate values, changes in interest rates, economic downturns, overbuilding and changes in zoning laws and government regulations can have a significant negative effect on companies in the real estate industry. Extended vacancies, a decline in rental income, failure to collect rents, increased competition from other properties and poor management can also affect the value and performance of equity REITs and companies that invest in real estate assets.

 

REIT Investments Risk. In this Prospectus, “REITs” are defined as companies that are permitted by local regulations to avoid payment of taxes at the corporate level by paying out a substantial portion of income to shareholders as dividends. The value of an individual REIT’s securities can decline if the REIT fails to continue qualifying for special tax treatment. Further, the Fund, and in turn its shareholders, will indirectly bear a portion of the expenses, including management fees, paid by each REIT in which it invests, in addition to the expenses of the Fund. Shareholders may also invest in REITs directly and, thus, avoid such duplicative fees. Different REIT structures may implicate different risks based on the strategies employed (e.g., whether a particular REIT employs leverage), underlying real property type (e.g., hotels have a different set of risks than shopping malls), and geographic area of the underlying real estate of the REIT.

 

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that preferred securities, and to a lesser extent dividend paying common stocks, may decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. When market interest rates rise, the market value of such securities generally will fall. Generally, the market values of securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Specific investments may be more or less affected by changes in interest rates. For example, mortgage REITs, derive their income from interest payments on such loans and are more likely to be impacted by fluctuations in interest rates.

 

Rights and Warrants Risk. Rights and warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities that may be purchased nor do they represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. Also, the value of a right or warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities and a right or warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to the expiration date. If a right or warrant held by the Fund is not exercised by the date of its expiration, the Fund would lose the entire purchase price of the right or warrant.

 

Small and Micro Capitalization Company Risk. Investments in small and micro capitalization companies may entail greater risks and their securities’ prices may fluctuate more and have a higher degree of volatility than those of larger, more established companies. Securities of small and micro capitalization companies may be traded in lower volume and be less liquid. At certain times, the general market may not favor the smaller, growth-oriented companies in which the Fund invests and as a result the Fund could underperform the general market. Smaller companies may have more limited product lines, markets and financial resources that make them more susceptible to economic and market setbacks. Additionally, information about these companies may not be readily available. The smaller the company, the greater effect these risks may have on the company’s operations and performance which could have a significant impact on the price of the security. These factors could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to sell such securities at a desirable time and price.

 

Stock Market Risk. Your investment in Fund shares represents an indirect investment in the REIT shares and other real estate securities owned by the Fund. The value of these equity securities, like other stock market investments, may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Your Fund shares at any point in time may be worth less than what you invested, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.

 

 21

MANAGEMENT

 

The NWS International Property Fund and NWS Global Property Fund (each a “Fund”; collectively the “Funds”) are each a series of Forum Funds II (the “Trust”), an open-end, management investment company (mutual fund). The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) oversees the management of the Funds and meets periodically to review each Fund’s performance, monitor investment activities and practices and discuss other matters affecting the Funds. Additional information regarding the Board and the Trust’s executive officers may be found in the Funds’ SAI.

 

Investment Adviser

 

The Funds’ investment adviser is Northwood Securities LLC (the “Adviser”), 575 5th Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10017. The Adviser is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and provides investment advisory services to the Funds. As of May 31, 2018, the Adviser had approximately $494.4 million of assets under management.

 

Subject to the general oversight of the Board, the Adviser makes investment decisions for each Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, on behalf of each Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Adviser receives an advisory fee from the Funds at an annual rate equal to 0.75% of each Fund’s average annual daily net assets under the terms of the Advisory Agreement. For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2018, the Adviser waived its entire advisory fee for the Funds. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse Fund expenses to limit the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (excluding all taxes, interest, portfolio transaction expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, proxy expenses and extraordinary expenses) to 1.00% for the NWS International Property Fund and 0.90% for the NWS Global Property Fund through June 30, 2019 (“Expense Cap”). The Expense Cap may only be raised or eliminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Adviser may be reimbursed by the Fund for fees waived and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to the Expense Cap if such payment is approved by the Board, made within three years of the fee waiver or expense reimbursement, and does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement of each Fund to exceed the lesser of (i) the then-current expense cap, and (ii) the expense cap in place at the time the fees/expenses were waived or reimbursed. Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement will increase if exclusions from the Expense Cap apply.

 

A discussion summarizing the basis on which the Board approved the Advisory Agreement is included in the Funds’ annual report for the period ending February 28, 2018.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

NWS International Property Fund

 

James Rehlaender, Peter Nieuwland, and Suang Eng Tsan are the portfolio managers of the NWS International Property Fund and are jointly responsible for securities selection in the Fund and perform all aspects of the Fund’s management.

 

James Rehlaender, Chief Executive Officer and International Portfolio Manager. Prior to joining with Northwood Securities LLC to establish the Adviser in 2014, Jim spent 14 years with EII Capital Management, Inc. (EII) where he was responsible for all non-US investments and was the co-portfolio manager for global portfolios. Jim was the portfolio manager of the EII International Property Fund for over a decade prior to joining Northwood. He was also on the board of EII’s direct property business and assisted in the development of this business. Prior to EII, Jim had established Global Property Advisors together with Munich Re to focus on global real estate securities, which was ultimately merged into EII when Munich Re decided to exit the business. Jim’s real estate career began when he joined LaSalle Partners (now JLL) where he was involved in the financing, development and management of a variety of property types – hotels, industrial, office, retail and student housing. Jim also was instrumental in establishing the US REIT business at LaSalle as well as their hotel group. Prior to starting his real estate career, Jim was involved in venture capital and international banking. He has lectured in property finance at Yale, Wharton, NYU and his alma mater, Northwestern University, where he received his MBA in finance and marketing.

 

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Peter Nieuwland, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager-Europe. Since 2014, Peter has been responsible for managing the Europe, Middle East and Africa portfolio for the Adviser. He previously held a similar position at EII for the period 2001-2014 where he was the Senior Analyst and Co-Portfolio Manager-Europe for the EII International Property Fund. Peter established EII’s first offshore office and built out the investment team. Prior to joining EII, Peter spent 5 years at the largest pension fund in the Netherlands, APG, where he was initially involved in the management of their US REIT portfolio and was ultimately promoted to a portfolio management position. During his career at APG, Peter also was involved in private equity investments in real estate as well as publicly listed real estate companies. Peter has an MSc in Economics from the University of Maastricht and is a CFA charter holder.

 

Suang Eng Tsan, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager-Asia. Since 2014, Suang Eng has been responsible for managing all Asian investments for the Adviser. She held a similar position with EII since 2006 and was the EII International Property Fund’s Senior Analyst and Co-Portfolio Manager-Asia. Suang Eng has worked with Jim Rehlaender for nearly 20 years, initially providing him with investment ideas when she was a sell-side analyst. Prior to joining EII, Suang Eng was the Research Director at Citigroup in Singapore, and started her career in the property sector as an investment analyst for the largest developer in Singapore, Pidemco. She earned an MBA and BS in Estate Management at the National University of Singapore.

 

NWS Global Property Fund

 

James Rehlaender, Peter Nieuwland, Suang Eng Tsan, and Amanda Black are the portfolio managers of the NWS Global Property Fund and are jointly responsible for securities selection in the Fund and perform all aspects of the Fund’s management.

 

Amanda E. Black, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager-North America. Amanda has over 17 years of real estate securities experience and is responsible for all North American investments for the Adviser. Prior to joining NWS, Amanda was a Portfolio Manager for Ascent Investment Advisors, co-managing both a global real estate mutual fund and hedge fund. Prior to this, Amanda was a Principal and Portfolio Manager at Turner Investment Partners where she was responsible for all global real estate exposure in all Turner portfolios aggregating $20 billion in funds under management as well as for co-managing a global financial sector long/short fund. Amanda was previously a Vice President at Colony Capital where she was Co-Portfolio Manager for a long/short global real estate hedge fund and a long-only international real estate fund. Before that she was a Director at UBS Investment Bank where she was responsible for portfolio management of the UBS Proprietary U.S Real Estate Long-Short Equity Portfolio. Between 1999 and 2004, Amanda held Associate and Senior Analyst positions at both A.G. Edwards & Sons and European Investors. Amanda is a graduate of Southern Illinois University where she earned her BS in Business and Administration and Saint Louis University where she earned an MBA with an emphasis on International Business. Amanda earned her CPA license in 2001 and her CFA designation in 2005.

 

The SAI provides additional information about the compensation of the portfolio managers, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the ownership of Fund shares by the portfolio managers.

 

Other Service Providers

 

Atlantic Fund Administration, LLC (d/b/a Atlantic Fund Services) (“Atlantic”) provides fund accounting, fund administration, and compliance services to each Fund and the Trust and supplies certain officers of the Trust, including a Principal Executive Officer, a Principal Financial Officer, a Chief Compliance Officer, an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and additional compliance support personnel. Atlantic Shareholder Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlantic, provides transfer agency services to the Fund and the Trust.

 

Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”), the Trust’s principal underwriter, acts as the Trust’s distributor in connection with the offering of Fund shares. The Distributor may enter into arrangements with banks, broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries through which investors may purchase or redeem shares. The Distributor is not affiliated with the Adviser or with Atlantic or their affiliates.

 

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Fund Expenses

 

Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributable to it, while other expenses are allocated proportionately among the Funds and other series of the Trust based upon methods approved by the Board. The Adviser or other service providers may waive all or any portion of their fees and may reimburse certain expenses of a Fund. Service provider waivers may be different in dollar and percentage amount for different classes of the Fund, as applicable, may be voluntary, and do not affect the Adviser’s contractual waiver. Any agreement to waive fees or to reimburse expenses increases the investment performance of the applicable Fund and its share classes for the period during which the waiver or reimbursement is in effect. Current Adviser fee waiver and/or expense reimbursements are reflected in the section titled “Fees and Expenses.”

 

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YOUR ACCOUNT

 

How to Contact the Fund

 

E-mail the Funds at:

[email protected]

 

Write the Funds:

NWS Funds

P.O. Box 588

Portland, Maine 04112

 

Overnight Address:

NWS Funds

c/o Atlantic Fund Services

Three Canal Plaza, Ground Floor

Portland, Maine 04101

 

Telephone the Funds at:

(844) 218-5182 (toll free)

 

Wire investments (or ACH payments):

Please contact the transfer agent at (844)218-5182 (toll free) to obtain the ABA routing number and account number for the Funds.

 

General Information

 

You may purchase or sell (redeem) shares of each Fund on any day that the NYSE is open for business. Notwithstanding this fact, a Fund may, only in the case of an emergency, calculate its NAV and accept and process shareholder orders when the NYSE is closed.

 

You may purchase or sell shares of a Fund at the next NAV calculated (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) after the transfer agent or your approved broker-dealer or other financial intermediary receives your request in good order. “Good order” means that you have provided sufficient information necessary to process your request as outlined in this Prospectus, including any required signatures, documents, payment and Medallion Signature Guarantees. All requests to purchase or sell Fund shares received in good order prior to a Fund’s close will receive that day’s NAV. Requests received in good order after a Fund’s close or on a day when a Fund does not value its shares will be processed on the next business day and will be priced at the next NAV. The Funds cannot accept orders that request a particular day or price for the transaction or any other special conditions.

 

Shares of the Funds will only be issued against full payment, as described more fully in this Prospectus and the SAI. The Funds do not issue share certificates.

 

If you purchase shares directly from a Fund, you will receive a confirmation of each transaction and quarterly statements detailing Fund balances and all transactions completed during the prior quarter. Automatic reinvestments of distributions and systematic investments and withdrawals may be confirmed only by quarterly statement. You should verify the accuracy of all transactions in your account as soon as you receive your confirmations and quarterly statements.

 

Each Fund may temporarily suspend or discontinue any service or privilege, including systematic investments and withdrawals, wire redemption privileges and telephone or internet redemption privileges, if applicable. Each Fund reserves the right to refuse any purchase request, including, but not limited to, requests that could adversely affect that Fund or its operations. If a Fund were to refuse any purchase request, it would notify the purchaser within two business days of receiving a purchase request in good order.

 

Certain states, including the State of Texas, have laws that allow shareholders to designate a representative to receive abandoned or unclaimed property (“escheatment”) notifications by completing and submitting a designation form that generally can be found on the official state website. If a shareholder resides in an applicable state, and elects to designate a representative to receive escheatment notifications, escheatment notices generally will be delivered as required by such state laws, including, as applicable, to both the shareholder and the designated representative. A completed designation form may be mailed to a Fund (if Shares are held directly with a Fund) or to the shareholder’s financial intermediary (if Shares are not held directly with a Fund). Shareholders should refer to relevant state law for the shareholder’s specific rights and responsibilities under his or her state’s escheatment law(s), which can generally be found on a state’s official website.

 

NAV Determination. The NAV of each Fund is determined by taking the value of the assets of each Fund, subtracting the value of the liabilities of each Fund and then dividing the result (net assets) by the number of outstanding shares of each Fund. Each Fund calculates its NAV as of the close of trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). The NYSE is open every weekday other than NYSE holidays and early closings, which are published at www.nyse.com and subject to change without notice.

 

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To the extent that a Fund’s portfolio investments trade in markets on days when the Fund is not open for business, the value of that Fund’s assets may vary on those days. In addition, trading in certain portfolio investments may not occur on days when a Fund is open for business, as markets or exchanges other than the NYSE may be closed.

 

Each Fund values securities at current market value, where market quotations are available, using the last reported sales price or the official closing price, as provided by independent pricing services. In the absence of sales, securities are valued at the mean of the last bid and asked prices. Non-exchange traded investment companies are valued at their NAVs. Certain short-term securities may be valued at amortized cost.

 

The Board has delegated day-to-day responsibility for fair valuation determinations in accordance with these procedures to a Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee makes such determinations under the supervision of the Board. Fair valuation may be based on subjective factors. As a result, the fair value price of a security may differ from that security’s market price and may not be the price at which the security may be sold. Fair valuation could result in a different NAV than a NAV determined by using market quotations.

 

Although a Fund generally prices its foreign securities using their closing prices from the foreign markets where they trade (typically prior to the Fund’s calculation of its NAV), these prices may be affected by events that occur after the close of the foreign market but before the Fund prices its shares. As a result, the Fund’s investments in foreign securities are more likely to require a fair value determination than investments in domestic securities. In determining fair value prices of foreign securities, a Fund may consider the performance of securities on their primary exchanges, foreign currency appreciation or depreciation, securities market movements in the U.S. and other relevant information as related to the securities.

 

Transactions Through Financial Intermediaries. The Funds have authorized certain financial services companies, broker-dealers, banks and other agents, including the designees of such entities (collectively, “financial intermediaries”), to accept purchase and redemption orders on the Funds’ behalf. If you invest through a financial intermediary, the policies and fees of the financial intermediary may be different from the policies and fees you would be subject to if you had invested directly in the Funds. Among other things, financial intermediaries may charge transaction fees and may set different minimum investment restrictions or limitations on buying or selling Fund shares. You should consult your broker or another representative of your financial intermediary for more information.

 

Each Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when a financial intermediary that is an agent of the Funds for the purpose of accepting orders receives the order. All orders to purchase or sell shares are processed as of the next NAV calculated after the order has been received in good order by a financial intermediary. Orders are accepted until the close of trading on the NYSE every business day (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) and are processed, including by financial intermediaries, at that day’s NAV.

 

Payments to Financial Intermediaries. A Fund, at its own expense, may pay additional compensation to financial intermediaries for shareholder-related services, including administrative, recordkeeping and shareholder communication services. In addition, pursuant to any applicable Rule 12b-1 plan, a Fund may pay compensation to financial intermediaries for distribution-related services. For example, compensation may be paid to make Fund shares available to sales representatives and/or customers of a fund supermarket platform or a similar program sponsor or for services provided in connection with such fund supermarket platforms and programs. To the extent that a Fund pays all or a portion of such compensation, the payment is designed to compensate the financial intermediary for distribution activities or for providing services that would otherwise be provided by a Fund’s transfer agent and/or administrator.

 

The Adviser or another Fund affiliate, out of its own resources and not as an expense of a Fund, may provide additional compensation to financial intermediaries. Such compensation is sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing.” Compensation received by a financial intermediary from the Adviser or another Fund affiliate may include payments for shareholder servicing, marketing and/or training expenses incurred by the financial intermediary, including expenses incurred by the financial intermediary in educating its salespersons with respect to Fund shares. For example, such compensation may include reimbursements for expenses incurred in attending educational seminars regarding a Fund, including travel and lodging expenses. It may also cover costs incurred by financial intermediaries in connection with

 

 26

their efforts to sell Fund shares, including costs incurred in compensating registered sales representatives and preparing, printing and distributing sales literature.

 

The amount of compensation paid to different financial intermediaries may vary. 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 a Fund.

 

Any compensation received by a financial intermediary, whether from the Funds, the Adviser or another affiliate, and the prospect of receiving such compensation, may provide the financial intermediary with an incentive to recommend the shares of a Fund over other potential investments. Similarly, the compensation may cause financial intermediaries to elevate the prominence of a Fund within its organization by, for example, placing it on a list of preferred funds.

 

Anti-Money Laundering Program. Customer identification and verification are part of each Fund’s overall obligation to deter money laundering under federal law. The Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Program is designed to prevent a Fund from being used for money laundering or the financing of terrorist activities. In this regard, a Fund reserves the right, to the extent permitted by law, (1) to refuse, cancel or rescind any purchase order or (2) to freeze any account and/or suspend account services. These actions will be taken when, at the sole discretion of Trust management, they are deemed to be in the best interest of a Fund or in cases when a Fund is requested or compelled to do so by governmental or law enforcement authorities or applicable law. If your account is closed at the request of governmental or law enforcement authorities, you may not receive proceeds of the redemption if the Fund is required to withhold such proceeds.

 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of portfolio securities is available in the Funds’ SAI.

 

Buying Shares

 

How to Make Payments. Unless purchased through a financial intermediary, all investments must be made by check, Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or wire. All checks must be payable in U.S. dollars and drawn on U.S. financial institutions. In the absence of the granting of an exception consistent with the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Program, the Funds do not accept purchases made by credit card check, starter check, checks with more than one endorsement (unless the check is payable to all endorsees), cash or cash equivalents (for instance, you may not pay by money order, cashier’s check, bank draft or traveler’s check). Each Fund and the Adviser also reserve the right to accept in kind contributions of securities in exchange for shares of that Fund.

 

Checks. Checks must be made payable to “NWS Funds.” For individual, sole proprietorship, joint, Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (“UGMA”) and Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (“UTMA”) accounts, checks may be made payable to one or more owners of the account and endorsed to “NWS Funds.” A $20 charge may be imposed on any returned checks.

 

ACH. The Automated Clearing House system maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank allows banks to process checks, transfer funds and perform other tasks. Your U.S. financial institution may charge you a fee for this service.

 

Wires. You may instruct the U.S. financial institution with which you have an account to make a federal funds wire payment to a Fund. Your U.S. financial institution may charge you a fee for this service.

 

Minimum Investments. Each Fund accepts investments in the following minimum amounts:

 

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  Minimum Initial
Investment
Minimum Additional
Investment
Standard Accounts $1,000,000 None
Retirement Accounts $1,000,000 None

 

Each Fund reserves the right to waive minimum investment amounts, if deemed appropriate by an officer of the Trust. Registered investment advisers and financial planners may be permitted to aggregate the value of accounts in order to meet minimum investment amounts.

 

There is no initial or subsequent investment minimum for directors, officers and employees of the Adviser or the spouse, sibling, direct ancestor, or direct descendent (collectively, “relatives”) of any such person, any trust or individual retirement account or self-employed retirement plan for the benefit of any such person or relative, or the estate of any such person or relative.

 

Account Requirements. The following table describes the requirements to establish certain types of accounts in the Funds.

 

Type of Account   Requirement

Individual, Sole Proprietorship and Joint Accounts

•  Individual accounts and sole proprietorship accounts are owned by one person. Joint accounts have two or more owners (tenants).

Instructions must be signed by all persons named as account owners exactly as their names appear on the account.

Gifts or Transfers to a Minor (UGMA, UTMA)

•  These custodial accounts are owned by a minor child but controlled by an adult custodian.

Depending on state laws, you may set up a custodial account under the UGMA or the UTMA.
The custodian must sign instructions in a manner indicating custodial capacity.

Corporations/Other Entities

•  These accounts are owned by the entity, but control is exercised by its officers, partners or other management.

The entity should submit a certified copy of its articles of incorporation (or a government-issued business license or other document that reflects the existence of the entity) and a corporate resolution or a secretary’s certificate.

Trusts

•  These accounts are controlled by a trustee as a way to convey and control assets for the benefit of a third-party owner.

The trust must be established before an account may be opened.
The trust should provide the first and signature pages from the trust document identifying the trustees.

 

Account Application and Customer Identity Verification. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account.

 

When you open an account, the Fund will ask for your first and last name, U.S. taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), physical street address, date of birth and other information or documents that will allow the Fund to identify you. If you do not supply the required information, the Fund will attempt to contact you or, if applicable, your financial adviser. If the Fund cannot obtain the required information within a timeframe established in its sole discretion, your application will be rejected.

 

When your application is in good order and includes all required information, your order will normally be processed at the NAV next calculated after receipt of your application and investment amount. The Fund will attempt to verify your identity using the information that you have supplied and other information about you that is available from third parties, including information available in public and private databases, such as consumer reports from credit reporting agencies.

 

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The Fund will try to verify your identity within a timeframe established in its sole discretion. If the Fund cannot do so, the Fund reserves the right to redeem your investment at the next NAV calculated after the Fund decides to close your account. If your account is closed, you may realize a gain or loss on the Fund shares in the account. You will be responsible for any related taxes and will not be able to recoup any redemption fees assessed, if applicable.

 

Policy on Foreign Shareholders. Each Fund generally requires that all shareholders be U.S. persons or U.S. resident aliens with a valid TIN (or who can show proof of having applied for a TIN and commit to provide a valid TIN within 60 days) in order to open an account with the Fund. Non-U.S. persons who meet the customer identification and verification requirements under the Trust’s Anti-Money Laundering Program may be accepted in the sole discretion of Trust management.

 

Investment Procedures. The following table describes the procedures for investing in the Funds. 

 

How to Open an Account   How to Add to Your Account
Through a Financial Intermediary   Through a Financial Intermediary
Contact your financial intermediary using the method that is most convenient for you.   Contact your financial intermediary using the method that is most convenient for you.
By Check   By Check
Call, write, or e-mail the Fund for an account application.   Fill out an investment slip from a confirmation or write the Fund a letter.
Complete the application (and other required documents, if applicable).   Write your account number on your check.
Mail the Fund your original application (and other required documents, if applicable) and a check.   Mail the Fund the investment slip or your letter and the check.
By Wire   By Wire
Call, write, or e-mail the Fund for an account application.   Instruct your U.S. financial institution to wire money to the Fund.
Complete the application (and other required documents, if applicable).      
Call the Fund to notify the transfer agent that you are faxing your completed application (and other required documents, if applicable). The transfer agent will assign you an account number.      
Mail the Fund your original application (and other required documents, if applicable).      
Instruct your U.S. financial institution to wire money to the Fund.      
      By ACH Payment
      Call the Fund to request a purchase by ACH payment.
      The transfer agent will electronically debit your purchase proceeds from the U.S. financial institution account identified on your account application.
      ACH purchases are limited to $25,000 per day.

 

Systematic Investments. You may establish a systematic investment plan to automatically invest a specific amount of money (up to $25,000 per day) into your account on a specified day and frequency not to exceed two investments per month. Payments for systematic investments are automatically debited from your designated savings or checking account via ACH. Systematic investments must be for at least $200 per occurrence. If you wish to enroll in a systematic investment plan, complete the appropriate section on the account application. Your signed account application must be received at least three business days prior to the initial transaction. A Fund may terminate or modify this privilege at any time. You may terminate your participation in a systematic investment plan by notifying the Fund at least two days in advance of the next withdrawal.

 

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A systematic investment plan is a method of using dollar cost averaging as an investment strategy that involves investing a fixed amount of money at regular time intervals. However, a program of regular investment cannot ensure a profit or protect against a loss as a result of declining markets. By continually investing the same amount, you will be purchasing more shares when the price is lower and fewer shares when the price is higher. Please call (844) 218-5182 (toll free) for additional information regarding systematic investment plans.

 

Frequent Trading. Frequent trading by a Fund shareholder may pose risks to other shareholders in the Fund, including (1) the dilution of the Fund’s NAV, (2) an increase in the Fund’s expenses, and (3) interference with the portfolio manager’s ability to execute efficient investment strategies. The Adviser believes, however, that the Fund’s portfolio generally will not be attractive to frequent traders or susceptible to market timing because of the Fund’s targeted institutional shareholder base and because the Fund invests only in publicly traded, liquid securities within several foreign markets, which may help to diversify and reduce the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio in the aggregate. In addition, the sale of Fund shares is subject to a redemption fee of 1.50% of the amount redeemed within 90 days of purchase, which may serve to discourage frequent trading by Fund shareholders and to otherwise offset an increase in the Fund’s expenses associated with frequent trading. The Adviser has also undertaken to monitor shareholder trading activity within the Fund in order to seek to identify shareholder trading activity that may be adverse to the efficient management of the Fund’s portfolio. Accordingly, the Board has not adopted a policy to monitor for frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares.

 

Canceled or Failed Payments. Each Fund accepts checks and ACH payments at full value subject to collection. If the Fund does not receive your payment for shares or you pay with a check or ACH payment that does not clear, your purchase will be canceled within two business days of notification from your bank that your funds did not clear. You will be responsible for any actual losses and expenses incurred by the Fund or the transfer agent. Each Fund and its agents have the right to reject or cancel any purchase request due to non-payment.

 

Selling Shares

 

Redemption orders received in good order will be processed at the next calculated NAV. The Fund typically expects to pay shareholder redemption requests, including during stressed market conditions, within one business day of receipt of the request in good order, and may seek to meet such redemption requests through one or more of the following methods: sales of portfolio assets, use of cash or cash equivalents held in the Fund’s portfolio, and/or redemptions in-kind, as permitted by applicable rules and regulations. The right of redemption may not be suspended for more than seven days after the tender of Fund shares, except for any period during which (1) the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) determines that trading thereon is restricted, (2) an emergency (as determined by the SEC) exists as a result of which disposal by a Fund of its securities is not reasonably practicable or as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to determine fairly the value of its net assets, or (3) the SEC has entered a suspension order for the protection of the shareholders of a Fund.

 

A Fund will not issue shares until payment is received. If redemption is sought for shares for which payment has not been received, a Fund will delay sending redemption proceeds until payment is received, which may be up to 15 calendar days.

 

How to Sell Shares from Your Account
Through a Financial Intermediary
If you purchased shares through your financial intermediary, your redemption order must be placed through the same financial intermediary.

 

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How to Sell Shares from Your Account
By Mail
Prepare a written request including:
  • your name(s) and signature(s);
  • your account number;
  • the Fund name;
  • the dollar amount or number of shares you want to sell;
  • how and where to send the redemption proceeds;
  • a Medallion Signature Guarantee (if required); and
  • other documentation (if required).
Mail the Fund your request and documentation.
By Telephone
Call the Fund with your request, unless you declined telephone redemption privileges on your account application.
Provide the following information:
  • your account number;
  • the exact name(s) in which the account is registered; and
  • an additional form of identification.
Redemption proceeds will be mailed to you by check or electronically credited to your account at the U.S. financial institution identified on your account application.
By Systematic Withdrawal
Complete the systematic withdrawal section of the application.
Attach a voided check to your application.
Mail the completed application to the Fund.
Redemption proceeds will be mailed to you by check or electronically credited to your account at the U.S. financial institution identified on your account application.

 

Wire Redemption Privileges. You may redeem your shares with proceeds payable by wire unless you declined wire redemption privileges on your account application. The minimum amount that may be redeemed by wire is $5,000.

 

Telephone Redemption Privileges. You may redeem your shares by telephone, unless you declined telephone redemption privileges on your account application. You may be responsible for an unauthorized telephone redemption order as long as the transfer agent takes reasonable measures to verify that the order is genuine. Telephone redemption orders may be difficult to complete during periods of significant economic or market activity. If you are not able to reach the Funds by telephone, you may mail us your redemption order.

 

Systematic Withdrawals. You may establish a systematic withdrawal plan to automatically redeem a specific amount of money or shares from your account on a specified day and frequency not to exceed one withdrawal per month. Payments for systematic withdrawals are sent by check to your address of record, or if you so designate, to your bank account by ACH payment. To establish a systematic withdrawal plan, complete the systematic withdrawal section of the account application. The plan may be terminated or modified by a shareholder or a Fund at any time without charge or penalty. You may terminate your participation in a systematic withdrawal plan at any time by contacting a Fund sufficiently in advance of the next withdrawal.

 

A withdrawal under a systematic withdrawal plan involves a redemption of Fund shares and may result in a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. Please call (844) 218-5182 (toll free) for additional information regarding systematic withdrawal plans.

 

Signature Guarantee Requirements. To protect you and the Funds against fraud, signatures on certain requests must have a Medallion Signature Guarantee. A Medallion Signature Guarantee verifies the authenticity of your signature. You may obtain a Medallion Signature Guarantee from most banking institutions or securities brokers but not from a notary public. Written instructions signed by all registered shareholders with a Medallion Signature Guarantee for each shareholder are required for any of the following:

 

31

 

written requests to redeem $100,000 or more;

changes to a shareholder’s record name or account registration;

paying redemption proceeds from an account for which the address has changed within the last 30 days;

sending redemption and distribution proceeds to any person, address or financial institution account not on record;
sending redemption and distribution proceeds to an account with a different registration (name or ownership) from your account; and
adding or changing ACH or wire instructions, the telephone redemption or any other election in connection with your account.

 

Each Fund reserves the right to require Medallion Signature Guarantees on all redemptions.

 

Redemption Fee. If you redeem your shares in the Fund within 90 days of purchase, you will be charged a 1.50% redemption fee. The fee is charged for the benefit of the Fund’s remaining shareholders and will be paid to the Fund to help offset transaction costs. To calculate the redemption fee (after first redeeming any shares associated with reinvested distributions), the Fund will use the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method to determine the holding period. Under this method, the date of the redemption will be compared with the earliest purchase date of shares in the account.

 

The following redemptions may be exempt from application of the redemption fee if you request the exemption at the time the redemption request is made:

 

redemption of shares in a deceased shareholder’s account;
redemption of shares in an account of a disabled individual (disability of the shareholder as determined by the Social Security Administration);
redemption of shares purchased through a dividend reinvestment program;
redemption of shares pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan;
redemptions in a qualified retirement plan under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“IRC”) or a plan operating consistent with Section 403(b) of the IRC; and
redemptions from share transfers, rollovers, re-registrations within the same fund or conversions from one share class to another within the Fund, if applicable.

 

The Fund may require appropriate documentation of eligibility for exemption from application of the redemption fee.

 

Certain financial intermediaries that collect a redemption fee on behalf of the Fund may not recognize one or more of the exceptions to the redemption fee listed above. Financial intermediaries may not be able to assess a redemption fee under certain circumstances due to operational limitations (i.e., on the Fund’s shares transferred to the financial intermediary and subsequently liquidated). Customers purchasing shares through a financial intermediary should contact the financial intermediary or refer to the customer’s account agreement or plan document for information about how the redemption fee is treated. If a financial intermediary that maintains an account with the transfer agent for the benefit of its customers collects a redemption fee for the Fund, no redemption fee will be charged directly to the financial intermediary’s account by the Fund. Certain financial intermediaries that operate omnibus accounts may waive the redemption fee, subject to approval of a Fund officer.

 

Small Account Balances. If the value of your account falls below the minimum account balances in the following table, the Fund may ask you to increase your balance. If the account value is still below the minimum balance after 60 days, the Fund may close your account and send you the proceeds. The Fund will not close your account if it falls below these amounts solely as a result of Fund performance.

 

  Minimum Account Balance
Standard Accounts $1,000,000
Retirement Accounts $1,000,000

 

Redemptions in Kind. Redemption proceeds normally are paid in cash. If deemed appropriate and advisable by the Adviser, a Fund may satisfy a redemption request from a shareholder by distributing portfolio securities pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. Pursuant to an election filed with the SEC, under certain circumstances, the Funds

 

32

 

may pay redemption proceeds in portfolio securities rather than in cash. If a Fund redeems shares in this manner, the shareholder assumes the risk of a subsequent change in the market value of those securities, the costs of liquidating the securities (such as brokerage costs) and the possibility of a lack of a liquid market for those securities. In-kind redemptions may take the form of a pro rata portion of the Fund’s portfolio, individual securities, or a representative basket of securities. Please see the SAI for more details on redemptions in kind.

 

Lost Accounts. The transfer agent will consider your account lost if correspondence to your address of record is returned as undeliverable on two consecutive occasions, unless the transfer agent determines your new address. When an account is lost, all distributions on the account will be reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. In addition, the amount of any outstanding check (unpaid for six months or more) and checks that have been returned to the transfer agent may be reinvested at the current NAV, and the checks will be canceled. However, checks will not be reinvested into accounts with a zero balance but will be held in a different account. Any of your unclaimed property may be transferred to the state of your last known address if no activity occurs in your account within the time period specified by that state’s law.

 

Shareholder Service Fees. The Funds may pay service fees to financial intermediaries for administration, recordkeeping and other shareholder services associated with shareholders whose shares are held of record in omnibus accounts, other group accounts or accounts traded through registered securities clearing agents.

 

Exchanging Shares

 

You may exchange Fund shares for shares of other NWS Funds. For a list of funds available for exchange, call the transfer agent. Be sure to confirm with the transfer agent that the Fund into which you exchange is available for sale in your jurisdiction. Funds available for exchange may not be available for purchase in your jurisdiction. Because exchanges are a sale and purchase of shares, they may have tax consequences.

 

Requirements. You may make exchanges only between identically registered accounts (name(s), address, and taxpayer ID number). There is no limit on exchanges, but the Funds reserve the right to limit exchanges. You may exchange your shares by mail or telephone, unless you declined telephone redemption privileges on your account application. You may be responsible for any unauthorized telephone exchange order as long as the transfer agent takes reasonable measures to verify that the order is genuine.

 

Exchanges may also be subject to the Funds’ redemption fee. See “Selling Shares Redemption Fee.”

 

How to Exchange
Through a Financial Intermediary
Contact your financial intermediary by the method that is most convenient for you.
By Mail
Prepare a written request including:
  • your name(s) and signature(s);
  • your account number;
  • the name of each Fund you are exchanging;
  • the dollar amount or number of shares you want to sell (and exchange);
  • a Medallion Signature Guarantee (if required); and
  • other documentation (if required).
Complete a new account application if you are requesting different shareholder privileges in the Fund into which you are exchanging.
Mail the Fund your request and documentation.
By Telephone
Call the Fund with your request, unless you declined telephone redemption privileges on your account application.
Provide the following information:

 

33

 

your account number;
exact name(s) in which the account is registered; and
additional form of identification.

 

Retirement Accounts

 

You may invest in shares of each Fund through an IRA, including traditional and Roth IRAs, also known as a “Qualified Retirement Account.” The Funds may also be appropriate for other retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans. Before investing in an IRA or other retirement account, you should consult your tax advisor. Whenever making an investment in an IRA or certain retirement plans, be sure to indicate the year to which the contribution is attributed.

 

34

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Distributions and Dividend Reinvestments. Each Fund declares dividends from net investment income and pays them annually. Any net capital gains realized by a Fund are distributed at least annually. Each Fund may distribute such income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Fund. The amount of any distribution will vary, and there is no guarantee a Fund will pay either an income dividend or a capital gains distribution.

 

Most investors typically have their income dividends and capital gain distributions (each a “distribution”) reinvested in additional shares of the distributing Fund. If you choose this option, or if you do not indicate any choice, your distributions will be reinvested. Alternatively, you may choose to have your distributions of $10 or more sent directly to your bank account or paid to you by check. However, if a distribution is less than $10, your proceeds will be reinvested. If five or more of your distribution checks remain uncashed after 180 days, all subsequent distributions may be reinvested. For federal income tax purposes, distributions to non-qualified retirement accounts are treated the same whether they are received in cash or reinvested.

 

Annual Statements. Each year, the Funds will send you an annual statement (Form 1099) of your account activity to assist you in completing your federal, state and local tax returns. Distributions declared in December to shareholders of record in such month, but paid in January, are taxable as if they were paid in December. Prior to issuing your statement, a Fund makes every effort to reduce the number of corrected forms mailed to you. However, if a Fund finds it necessary to reclassify its distributions or adjust the cost basis of any Covered Shares (defined below) sold or exchanged after you receive your tax statement, the Fund will send you a corrected Form 1099.

 

Taxes. Each Fund intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company and, as such, generally is not subject to entity level tax on the income and gain it distributes to shareholders. Each Fund intends to operate in a manner such that it will not be liable for federal income or excise taxes.

 

A Fund’s distributions of net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to you as ordinary income, except as noted below. A Fund’s distributions of net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), if any, are taxable to you as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long you have held your shares. Distributions also may be subject to state and local income taxes. Some Fund distributions also may include a nontaxable return of capital. Return of capital distributions reduce your tax basis in your Fund shares and are treated as gain from the sale of the shares to the extent they exceed your basis.

 

Each Fund expects, based on its investment objective and strategies, that its distributions, if any, will be taxable as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash.

 

If a Fund qualifies to pass through to you the tax benefits from foreign taxes it pays on its investments, and elects to do so, then any foreign taxes it pays on these investments may be passed through to you as a foreign tax credit.

 

Each Fund’s dividends attributable to its “qualified dividend income” (i.e., dividends received on stock of most domestic and certain foreign corporations with respect to which the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other restrictions) generally will be subject to federal income tax for individual and certain other non-corporate shareholders who satisfy those restrictions with respect to their Fund shares at the rates for net capital gain- a maximum rate of 15% or 20%, depending on a shareholder’s level of taxable income and the shareholder’s filing status. Because the income of a Fund is primarily derived from investments in REITs rather than dividend income, generally none or only a small portion of the income dividends paid to you by the Fund is anticipated to be qualified dividend income. A portion of a Fund’s dividends also may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations. The eligible portion may not exceed the aggregate dividends the Fund receives from domestic corporations subject to federal income tax (thus excluding real estate investment trusts) and excludes dividends from foreign corporations - subject to similar restrictions. However, dividends a corporate shareholder deducts pursuant to that deduction are subject indirectly to the federal alternative minimum tax. (Under 2017 legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”), corporations are no longer subject to the AMT for taxable years of the corporation beginning after December 31, 2017.)

 

35

 

At the time you purchase your Fund shares, a Fund’s NAV may reflect undistributed income, undistributed capital gains, or net unrealized appreciation in the value of portfolio securities held by the Fund. For taxable investors, a subsequent distribution to you of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable. A distribution reduces the NAV of Fund shares by the amount of the distribution.

 

Because of “noncash” expenses such as property depreciation, the cash flow of a REIT that owns properties will exceed its taxable income. The REIT, and in turn the Fund, may distribute this excess cash to shareholders. Such a distribution is classified as a return of capital. Return of capital distributions generally are not taxable to you. Your cost basis in your Fund shares will be decreased by the amount of any return of capital. Any return of capital distributions in excess of your cost basis will be treated as capital gains.

 

A Fund may derive “excess inclusion income” from certain equity interests in mortgage pooling vehicles either directly or through an investment in a U.S. REIT. Please see the SAI for a discussion of the risks and special tax consequences to shareholders in the event the Fund realizes excess inclusion income in excess of certain threshold amounts.

 

Under the TCJA, “qualified REIT dividends” (i.e., ordinary REIT dividends other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income) are treated as eligible for a 20% deduction by noncorporate taxpayers. The TCJA does not contain a provision permitting a RIC, such as a Fund, to pass the special character of this income through to its shareholders. It is uncertain whether a future technical corrections bill or regulations issued by the IRS will address this issue to enable a Fund to pass through the special character of “qualified REIT dividends” to its shareholders.

 

The Fund’s foreign shareholders should see the SAI for a discussion of the risks and special tax consequences to them from a sale of a U.S. real property interest by a REIT in which the Fund invests.

 

The sale (redemption) of Fund shares is generally taxable for federal income tax purposes. You will recognize a gain or loss on the transaction equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of your net redemption proceeds and your tax basis in the redeemed Fund shares. The gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if you held your Fund shares as capital assets. Any capital gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if you held the Fund shares for more than one year at the time of the redemption and any such gain may be taxed to individual and certain other non-corporate shareholders. Long-term capital gain rates applicable to individuals are taxed at the 15% or 20% maximum federal income tax rates mentioned above or 25% depending on the nature of the capital gain. Any capital loss arising from the redemption of Fund shares held for six months or less, however, will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of net capital gain distributions with respect to those shares.

 

Each Fund is required to withhold federal income tax at the rate of 24% on all distributions and redemption proceeds (regardless of the extent to which you realize gain or loss) otherwise payable to you (if you are an individual or certain other non-corporate shareholder) if you fail to provide the Fund with your correct TIN or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that you are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and any amounts withheld may be credited against your federal income tax liability once you provide the required information or certification.

 

Fund distributions and gains from the sale or exchange of your Fund shares generally are subject to state and local taxes.

 

Each Fund (or its administrative agent) is required to report to you and the IRS annually on Form 1099-B not only the gross proceeds of Fund shares you sell or redeem but also the cost basis of Fund shares you sell or redeem where the cost basis of the shares is known by the Fund (“Covered Shares”). Cost basis will be calculated using the Fund’s default method, which is first-in first-out, unless you instruct the Fund in writing to use a different acceptable method for basis determination (e.g., average basis or specific identification method). The basis determination method a Fund shareholder elects may not be changed with respect to a redemption of Covered Shares after the settlement date of the redemption. Fund shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best IRS-accepted basis determination method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about how the basis reporting law applies to them.

 

36

 

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount. This tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return and is in addition to any other taxes due on the income described in this paragraph. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, this provision may have on their investment in Fund shares.

 

Fund shares are generally not sold outside the United States. Non-U.S. investors should be aware that U.S. withholding at a 30% or lower treaty tax rate, special tax certification requirements to avoid U.S. backup withholding and claim any treaty benefits, and U.S. estate taxes, may apply to any investment in a Fund.

 

For further information about the tax effects of investing in the Funds, please see the SAI. This discussion is not intended or written to be used as tax advice.

 

This discussion of distributions and taxes is not intended or written to be used as tax advice. Because everyone’s tax situation is unique, you should consult your tax professional about federal, state, local, or foreign tax consequences before making an investment in a Fund.

 

Organization. The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust, and each Fund is a series thereof. The Funds do not expect to hold shareholders’ meetings unless required by federal or Delaware law. Shareholders of each series of the Trust are entitled to vote at shareholders’ meetings unless a matter relates only to a specific series (such as the approval of an advisory agreement for the Funds). From time to time, large shareholders may control a Fund or the Trust.

 

Additional Information. The Trust enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, a Fund’s investment adviser, sub-adviser(s) (if applicable), custodian, principal underwriter and transfer agent who provide services to each Fund. Shareholders are not parties to any such contractual arrangements or intended beneficiaries of those contractual arrangements, and those contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any shareholder any right to enforce them against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the Trust.

 

This Prospectus provides information concerning each Fund that you should consider in determining whether to purchase Fund shares. Neither this Prospectus, the SAI nor any other communication to shareholders is intended, or should be read, to be or give rise to an agreement or contract between the Trust, its trustees or any series of the Trust, including the Fund, and any investor, or to give rise to any rights in any shareholder or other person other than any rights under federal or state law that may not be waived.

 

37

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand each Fund’s financial performance for the period of the Fund’s operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions.

 

This information has been audited by BBD, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, are included in the annual report dated February 28, 2018, which is available upon request.

 

NWS International Property Fund

 

    For the Years Ended February 28,     March 31, 2015 (a) Through February 29, 2016  
                 
    2018     2017      
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES                  
NET ASSET VALUE, Beginning of Period   $ 8.48     $ 8.39     $ 10.00  
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS                        
Net investment income (b)     0.18       0.14       0.05  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)     1.81       0.53       (1.23 )
Total from Investment Operations     1.99       0.67       (1.18 )
                         
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM                        
Net investment income     (1.19 )     (0.58 )     (0.43 )
Total Distributions to Shareholders     (1.19 )     (0.58 )     (0.43 )
NET ASSET VALUE, End of Period   $ 9.28     $ 8.48     $ 8.39  
TOTAL RETURN     23.69 %     8.50 %     (12.09 )%(c)
                         
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTARY DATA                        
Net Assets at End of Period (000s omitted)   $ 5,930     $ 4,984     $ 4,910  
Ratios to Average Net Assets:                        
Net investment income     1.96 %     1.59 %     0.55 %(d)
Net expenses     1.00 %     1.00 %     1.00 %(d)
Gross expenses (e)     3.74 %     4.41 %     8.26 %(d)
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE     38 %     30 %     17 %(c)

 

 

(a)Commencement of operations.

(b)Calculated based on average shares outstanding during each period.

(c)Not annualized.

(d)Annualized.

(e) Reflects the expense ratio excluding any waivers and/or reimbursements.

 

38

 

NWS Global Property Fund 

        
   For the Year Ended February 28, 2018    December 16, 2016 (a) Through February 28, 2017  
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES         
NET ASSET VALUE, Beginning of Period   $ 10.40    $ 10.00  
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS           
Net investment income (b)     0.20      0.04  
Net realized and unrealized gain     0.25 (c)     0.40  
Total from Investment Operations     0.45      0.44  
           
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM           
Net investment income     (0.60 )     (0.04 )
Net realized gain     (0.01 )     
Total Distributions to Shareholders     (0.61 )     (0.04 )
NET ASSET VALUE, End of Period   $ 10.24    $ 10.40  
TOTAL RETURN     4.02 %     4.37 %(d)
           
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTARY DATA           
Net Assets at End of Period (000s omitted)   $ 7,182    $ 750  
Ratios to Average Net Assets:           
Net investment income     1.91 %     1.98 %(e)
Net expenses     0.98 %     1.00 %(e)
Gross expenses (f)     17.15 %     33.40 %(e)
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE     27 %     17 %(d)

 

 

(a)Commencement of operations.
(b) Calculated based on average shares outstanding during each period.
(c) Per share amount does not accord with the amount reported in the statement of operations due to the timing of Fund share sales and the amount per share of realized and unrealized gains and losses at such time.
(d) Not annualized.
(e) Annualized.
(f) Reflects the expense ratio excluding any waivers and/or reimbursements.

 

39

 

NWS INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY FUND

INSTITUTIONAL SHARES (NWSOX)

 

NWS GLOBAL PROPERTY FUND

INSTITUTIONAL SHARES (NWSGX)

 

Annual and Semi-Annual Reports

Additional information about each Fund’s investments is available in the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In the Funds’ annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds’ performance during their last fiscal year.

 

Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”)

The SAI provides additional information about the Funds and is incorporated by reference into, and is legally part of, this Prospectus.

 

Contacting the Funds 

You may obtain free copies of the annual and semi-annual reports, when available and the SAI, request other information and discuss your questions about the Funds by contacting the Funds at:

 

NWS Funds

P.O. Box 588 

Portland, Maine 04112

(844) 218-5182 (toll free)

[email protected]

 

The annual/semi-annual reports and SAI are not available on the Funds’ website as the Funds do not maintain a website at this time.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission Information 

You may also review and copy the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports, the SAI and other information about the Funds at the Public Reference Room of the SEC. The scheduled hours of operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. You may obtain copies of this information, for a duplication fee, by e-mailing or writing to:

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

Public Reference Section

Washington, D.C. 20549-1520

e-mail: [email protected]

 

Fund information, including copies of the annual and semi-annual reports, when available and the SAI, is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

231-PRU-0718

 

Distributor

Foreside Fund Services, LLC

www.foreside.com

 

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22842

 

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

July 1, 2018

 

NWS International Property Fund

Institutional Shares (NWSOX)

 

NWS Global Property Fund

Institutional Shares (NWSGX)

 

Investment Adviser:

 

Northwood Securities LLC

575 5th Avenue, 23rd Floor

New York, NY 10017

 

Account Information and Shareholder Services:

 

NWS Funds

P.O. Box 588

Portland, Maine 04112

(844) 218-5182 (toll free)

[email protected]

 

This Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) supplements the prospectus dated July 1, 2018, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Prospectus”), offering shares of NWS International Property Fund and NWS Global Property Fund (each a “Fund”; collectively the “Funds”), each a separate series of Forum Funds II (the “Trust”). This SAI is not a prospectus and should only be read in conjunction with the Prospectus. You may obtain the Prospectus without charge by contacting Atlantic Fund Administration, LLC (d/b/a Atlantic Fund Services) (“Atlantic” or “Administrator”) at the address, telephone number or e-mail address listed above. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Funds’ Prospectus. In other words, it is legally a part of the Prospectus.

 

Financial statements for the Funds for the year ended February 28, 2018 are included in the Annual Report to shareholders and are incorporated into this SAI by reference. Copies of the Funds’ Annual Report may be obtained without charge and upon request, by contacting Atlantic at the address, telephone number or e-mail address listed above.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS  
KEY DEFINED TERMS 1
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS 2
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 10
BOARD OF TRUSTEES, MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE PROVIDERS 12
A. Board of Trustees 12
B. Principal Officers of the Trust 16
C. Ownership of Securities of the Adviser and Related Companies 16
D. Information Concerning Trust Committees 16
E. Compensation of Trustees and Officers 17
F. Investment Adviser 17
G. Distributor 20
H. Other Fund Service Providers 20
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS 22
A. How Securities are Purchased and Sold 22
B. Commissions Paid 22
C. Adviser Responsibility for Purchases and Sales and Choosing Broker-Dealers 22
D. Transactions through Affiliates 23
E. Other Accounts of the Adviser 23
F. Portfolio Turnover 23
G. Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers 23
H. Portfolio Holdings 23
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION 25
A. General Information 25
B. Additional Purchase Information 25
C. Additional Redemption Information 25
TAXATION 27
A. Qualification for Treatment as a Regulated Investment Company 27
B. Fund Distributions 29
C. Certain Tax Rules Applicable to Fund Transactions 31
D. Federal Excise Tax 33
E. Redemption of Shares 34
F. State and Local Taxes 35
G. Backup Withholding 35
H. Foreign Income Tax 35
I. Non-U.S. Investors 35
OTHER MATTERS 37
A. The Trust and Its Shareholders 37
B. Fund Ownership 37
C. Limitations on Shareholders’ and Trustees’ Liability 38
D. Proxy Voting Procedures 38
E. Code of Ethics 38
F. Registration Statement 38
G. Financial Statements 38
APPENDIX A – DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS A-1
APPENDIX B – MISCELLANEOUS TABLES B-1
APPENDIX C – TRUST PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES C-1
APPENDIX D – ADVISER PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES D-1

 

 

 

KEY DEFINED TERMS

 

 

As used in this SAI, the following terms have the meanings listed.

 

“1933 Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including rules, regulations, SEC interpretations, and any exemptive orders or interpretive relief promulgated thereunder.

 

“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, including rules, regulations, SEC interpretations, and any exemptive orders or interpretive relief promulgated thereunder.

 

“Adviser” or “Northwood” means Northwood Securities LLC, the Funds’ investment adviser.

 

“Board” means the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

 

“Independent Trustees” means trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

 

“IRC” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service.

 

“NAV” means net asset value per share.

 

“RIC” means a domestic corporation qualified as a “regulated investment company” (as defined in Subchapter M of Chapter 1, Subtitle A, of the IRC).

 

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

 

 

Each Fund is an open-ended, non-diversified series of the Trust. This section supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the Prospectus. Please see the Prospectus for a discussion of each Fund’s investment objective, principal investment strategies and principal risks of investing in each Fund. That said, the following paragraphs provide more detail regarding each Fund’s investment policies and the associated risks. Other than the principal investment strategies described in the Prospectus, the following strategies and instruments are non-principal strategies of each Fund.

 

Non-Diversification

 

Each Fund is non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means that there is no restriction as to how much each Fund may invest in the securities of any one issuer. However, to qualify for tax treatment as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), each Fund intends to comply, as of the end of each fiscal quarter, with certain diversification requirements imposed by the Code. Pursuant to these requirements, at the end of each fiscal quarter, each Fund, among other things, will not have investments in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities) of more than 25% of the value of each Fund’s total assets. In addition, each Fund, with respect to 50% of its total assets, will not have investments in the securities of any issuer equal to 5% of each Fund’s total assets, and will not purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer.

 

Focusing investments in a small number of issuers or industries increases risk. Funds that are “non-diversified” may invest a greater percentage of their assets in the securities of a single issuer than funds that are “diversified.” Funds that invest in a relatively small number of issuers are more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a more diversified fund might be. Some of those issuers also may present substantial creditor other risks.

 

Borrowing

 

Each Fund is authorized to borrow money from banks from time to time for temporary, extraordinary or emergency purposes or for clearance of transactions in amounts of up to one-third of the value of each Fund’s total assets at the time of such borrowings. The use of borrowing by each Fund involves special risk considerations that may not be associated with other funds having similar objectives and policies. Since substantially all of each Fund’s assets fluctuate in value, while the interest obligation resulting from a borrowing will be fixed by the terms of each Fund’s agreement with its lender, the NAV of each Fund will tend to increase more when its portfolio securities increase in value and to decrease more when its portfolio assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case if each Fund did not borrow. In addition, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the return earned on borrowed funds. Under adverse market conditions, each Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments at a time when fundamental investment considerations would not favor such sales.

 

Recent Regulatory Events

 

Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur that may adversely affect each Fund and its ability to pursue its investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. The U.S. Government, the Federal Reserve, the Treasury, the SEC, the CTFC, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and other governmental and regulatory bodies have taken or are considering taking actions in light of the 2008 financial crisis. These actions include, but are not limited to, the enactment by the United States Congress of the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,” which was signed into law on July 21, 2010, and imposes a new regulatory framework over the U.S. financial services industry and the consumer credit markets in general, and proposed regulations by the SEC. Given the broad scope, sweeping nature, and relatively recent enactment of some of these regulatory measures, the potential impact they could have on securities held by each Fund is unknown. There can be no assurance that these measures will not have an adverse effect on the value or marketability of securities held by each Fund. Furthermore, no assurance can be made that the U.S. Government or any U.S. regulatory body (or other authority or regulatory body) will not continue to take further legislative or regulatory action in response to the continuing economic turmoil or otherwise, and the effect of such actions, if taken, cannot be known.

 

Equity Securities

 

Common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, rights, warrants and American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are examples of equity securities in which each Fund may invest. All investments in equity securities are subject to market risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles and the value of the securities in each Fund’s portfolio may fluctuate substantially from day to day. Owning an equity security can also subject each Fund to the risk that the issuer may discontinue paying dividends.

 

 

Common Stocks. A common stock represents a proportionate share of the ownership of a company and its value is based on the success of the company’s business, any income paid to stockholders, the value of its assets, and general market conditions. In addition to the general risks set forth above, investments in common stocks are subject to the risk that in the event a company in which each Fund invests is liquidated, the holders of preferred stock and creditors of that company will be paid in full before any payments are made to each Fund as a holder of common stock. It is possible that all assets of that company will be exhausted before any payments are made to each Fund.

 

Preferred Stocks. Each Fund may invest in preferred stocks. A preferred stock blends the characteristics of a bond and common stock. It can offer the fixed dividends of a bond and the equity ownership of a common stock. Unlike common stock, its participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited. Preferred stock prices tend to fluctuate with changes in interest rates rather than the issuing company’s business prospects. Preferred stock has priority claim over common stock: (a) in the receipt of dividends, and (b) should the issuer be dissolved, in any residual assets after payment to creditors. Although the dividend is set at a fixed annual rate, in some circumstances it can be changed or omitted by the issuer.

 

Convertible Securities. Each Fund may invest in convertible securities. Traditional convertible securities include corporate bonds, notes and preferred stocks that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock, and other securities that also provide an opportunity for equity participation. These securities are convertible either at a stated price or a stated rate (that is, for a specific number of shares of common stock or other security). As with other fixed income securities, the price of a convertible security generally varies inversely with interest rates. While providing a fixed income stream, a convertible security also affords the investor an opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the common stock into which it is convertible. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis and so may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the price of a convertible security tends to rise as a reflection of higher yield or capital appreciation. In such situations, each Fund may have to pay more for a convertible security than the value of the underlying common stock.

 

Rights and Warrants. Each Fund may invest in rights and warrants. A right is a privilege granted to existing shareholders of a corporation to subscribe to shares of a new issue of common stock and it is issued. Rights normally have a short life, usually two to four weeks, are freely transferable and entitle the holder to buy the new common stock at a lower price than the current market. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time. They do not represent ownership of the securities, but only the right to buy them. Hence, warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The value of warrants is derived solely from capital appreciation of the underlying equity securities. Warrants differ from call options in that the underlying corporation issues warrants, whereas call options may be written by anyone.

 

An investment in rights and warrants may entail greater risks than certain other types of investments. Generally, rights and warrants do not carry the right to receive dividends or exercise voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. In addition, although their value is influenced by the value of the underlying security, their value does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and they cease to have value if they are not exercised on or before their expiration date. Investing in rights and warrants increases the potential profit or loss to be realized from the investment as compared with investing the same amount in the underlying securities. Investments in warrants involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for resale of the warrants, potential price fluctuations as a result of speculation or other factors, and failure of the price of the underlying security to reach or have reasonable prospects of reaching a level at which the warrant can be prudently exercised (in which event the warrant may expire without being exercised, resulting in a loss of each Fund’s entire investment therein).

 

American Depositary Receipts. ADRs are depositary receipts for foreign securities denominated in U.S. dollars and traded on U.S. securities markets. These securities may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the securities for which they may be exchanged. These are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign-based issuer held in trust by a bank or similar financial institutions. Designed for use in U.S. securities markets, ADRs are alternatives to the purchase of the underlying securities in their national market and currencies. ADRs may be purchased through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a depositary, whereas a depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by the issuer of the depositary security. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of such facilities and the depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass through voting rights to the holders of such receipts of the deposited securities.

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)

 

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

 

Each Fund may invest in REITs. REITs are companies that develop, own or finance real estate. Most specialize in commercial property like apartments, offices, malls, healthcare facilities and industrial warehouses. Some specialize in a city or region. Some finance real estate transactions by making loans or buying mortgages.

 

A REIT is a corporation or a business trust that would otherwise be taxed as a corporation. REITs are often divided into three categories: equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. An equity REIT invests primarily in the fee ownership or leasehold ownership of land and buildings. Rental income is the main source of income for equity REITs. An equity REIT may also realize capital gains or losses by selling real estate properties in its portfolio that have appreciated or depreciated in value. A mortgage REIT invests primarily in mortgages on real estate, which may secure construction, development or long-term loans. A hybrid REIT combines the characteristics of equity REITs and mortgage REITs, generally by holding both ownership interests and mortgage interests in real estate. Each Fund has a non-fundamental policy to invest, under normal circumstances, a majority of each Fund’s assets in the equity securities and equity-linked securities of global or international property companies, as applicable, with a primary emphasis on equity REITs or REIT-like structures that are principally engaged in the ownership, construction, management, financing, or sale of residential, commercial or industrial real estate.

 

Risks Relating to REITs. REITs may be affected by changes in the value of their underlying properties or by defaults by their borrowers or tenants. Furthermore, these entities depend upon specialized management skills, have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in financing a limited number of projects. In certain cases, the organizational documents of a REIT may grant the REIT’s sponsors the right to exercise control over the operations of the REIT even though the sponsor owns only a minority share; or a conflict of interest (for example, the desire to postpone certain taxable events) could influence a sponsor to not act in the best interests of the REIT’s shareholders. The organizational documents of many REITs also contain various anti-takeover provisions that could have the effect of delaying or preventing a transaction or change in control of the REIT that might involve a premium price for the REIT’s shares or otherwise may not be in the best interests of the REIT’s shareholders. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders, and certain REITs have self-liquidation provisions by which mortgages held may be paid in full and distributions of capital returns may be made at any time. In addition, the performance of a REIT or a real estate operating company may be affected by changes in the tax laws or by its failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income.

 

Foreign Securities

 

Each Fund may invest in foreign securities. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers may involve risks in addition to those normally associated with investments in the securities of U.S. issuers. All foreign investments are subject to risks of: (1) foreign political and economic instability; (2) adverse movements in foreign exchange rates; (3) the imposition or tightening of exchange controls or other limitations on repatriation of foreign capital; and (4) changes in foreign governmental attitudes toward private investment, including potential nationalization, increased taxation or confiscation of a Fund’s assets.

 

In addition, dividends payable on foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, thereby reducing the income available for distribution to you. Foreign brokerage commissions and custody fees are generally higher than those in the United States. Foreign accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards differ from those in the United States and therefore, less information may be available about foreign companies than is available about comparable U.S. companies. Foreign securities also may trade less frequently and with lower volume and may exhibit greater price volatility than U.S. securities.

 

Changes in foreign exchange rates will affect the U.S. dollar value of all foreign currency-denominated securities held by each Fund. Exchange rates are influenced generally by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign currency markets and by numerous other political and economic events occurring outside the United States, many of which may be difficult, if not impossible, to predict.

 

 

Income from foreign securities will be received and realized in foreign currencies and each Fund is required to compute and distribute income in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, a decline in the value of a particular foreign currency against the U.S. dollar after each Fund’s income has been earned and computed in U.S. dollars may require each Fund to liquidate portfolio securities to acquire sufficient U.S. dollars to make a distribution. Similarly, if the exchange rate declines between the time each Fund incurs expenses in U.S. dollars and the time such expenses are paid, each Fund may be required to liquidate additional foreign securities to purchase the U.S. dollars required to meet such expenses.

 

The value of each Fund’s investments may be affected by inflation, trade deficits, changes in interest rates, budget deficits and low savings rates, political factors and other factors. Trade deficits often cause inflation making a country’s goods more expensive and less competitive thereby reducing the demand for that country’s currency. High interest rates tend to increase currency values in the short-term by making such currencies attractive to investors; however, long-term results may be the opposite as high interest rates are often the product of high inflation. Political instability in a country can also cause a currency to depreciate if it appears that the country is inhospitable to business and foreign investment. In addition, various central banks may manipulate the exchange rate movements through their own buying and selling and can influence people’s expectation with regard to the direction of exchange rates.

 

Emerging Markets. The value of each Fund’s assets may be adversely affected by political, economic, social and religious instability; changes in laws or regulations of countries within emerging markets; international relations with other nations; and military activity. Furthermore, the economies of many emerging market countries may differ from the economies of more developed countries in many respects, such as rate of growth, inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, financial system stability, the national balance of payment position, and sensitivity to changes in global trade. The governments of certain countries have placed restrictions on the operational freedom of private enterprise, and have or may nationalize private assets, including securities held by each Fund. Emerging market countries also have different accounting standards, corporate disclosure, governance and regulatory requirements than does the United States. As a result, there may be less publicly available information about securities in emerging market countries. There is generally less governmental regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and issuers than in the United States, which may result in less transparency with respect to emerging market securities. Each Fund may have difficulty obtaining or enforcing judgments against issuers of emerging market securities. Any adverse event in the emerging markets may have a significant adverse effect on the economies of the region as well as each Fund.

 

Investing in emerging markets involve greater risks than investing in more developed markets because, among other things, emerging markets are often less stable politically and economically. The economies of emerging market countries are smaller and less developed than that of the United States. Securities markets of such countries are substantially smaller, less liquid, and more volatile than securities markets in the United States. Brokerage commissions, custodian services fees, withholding taxes, and other costs relating to investment in emerging markets are generally higher than in the United States.

 

Investments in foreign securities involve certain inherent risks, including the following:

 

Political and Economic Factors. Individual foreign economies of certain countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the United States’ economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, diversification and balance of payments position. The internal politics of certain foreign countries may not be as stable as those of the United States. Governments in certain foreign countries also continue to participate to a significant degree, through ownership interest or regulation, in their respective economies. Action by these governments could include restrictions on foreign investment, nationalization, expropriation of goods or imposition of taxes, and could have a significant effect on market prices of securities and payment of interest. The economies of many foreign countries are heavily dependent upon international trade and are accordingly affected by the trade policies and economic conditions of their trading partners. Enactment by these trading partners of protectionist trade legislation could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of such countries.

 

Currency Fluctuations. The value of each Fund’s investments is calculated in U.S. dollars each day that the NYSE is open for business. As a result, to the extent that each Fund’s assets are invested in instruments denominated in foreign currencies and the currencies appreciate relative to the U.S. dollar, each Fund’s NAV per share as expressed in U.S. dollars (and, therefore, the value of your investment) should increase. If the U.S. dollar appreciates relative to the other currencies, the opposite should occur.

 

The currency-related gains and losses experienced by each Fund will be based on changes in the value of portfolio securities attributable to currency fluctuations only in relation to the original purchase price of such securities as stated in U.S. dollars. Gains or losses on shares of each Fund will be based on changes attributable to fluctuations in the NAV of such shares, expressed in U.S. dollars, in relation to the original U.S. dollar purchase price of the shares. The amount of appreciation

 

 

or depreciation in each Fund’s assets also will be affected by the net investment income generated by the money market instruments in which each Fund invests and by changes in the value of the securities that are unrelated to changes in currency exchange rates.

 

Taxes. The interest and dividends payable to each Fund on certain of its foreign portfolio securities may be subject to foreign taxes or withholding, thus reducing the net amount of income available for distribution to each Fund’s shareholders. Each Fund may not be eligible to pass through to its shareholders any tax credits or deductions with respect to such foreign taxes or withholding.

 

Investment Companies

 

Each Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”),money market funds and other mutual funds, in pursuit of its investment objective, subject to the limitations set forth in the 1940 Act. This may include investment in money market mutual funds in connection with each Fund’s management of daily cash positions. Investments in the securities of other registered investment companies may involve duplication of management fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, a Fund will become a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, Fund shareholders indirectly will bear each 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 each Fund’s own operations.

 

Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act generally prohibits each Fund from purchasing (1) more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of another fund; (2) securities of another fund having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the acquiring fund; and (3) securities of the other fund and all other funds having an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of the acquiring fund. There are some exceptions, however, to these limitations pursuant to various rules promulgated by the SEC.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds. ETFs are open-end investment companies whose shares are listed on a national securities exchange. An ETF is similar to a traditional mutual fund, but trades at different prices during the day on a security exchange like a stock. Similar to investments in other investment companies discussed above, each Fund’s investments in ETFs will involve duplication of management fees and other expenses since each Fund will be investing in another investment company. In addition, each Fund’s investment in ETFs is also subject to its limitations on investments in investment companies discussed above. To the extent each Fund invests in ETFs which focus on a particular market segment or industry, each Fund will also be subject to the risks associated with investing in those sectors or industries. The shares of the ETFs in which each Fund will invest will be listed on a national securities exchange and each Fund will purchase or sell these shares on the secondary market at its current market price, which may be more or less than its NAV.

 

As a purchaser of ETF shares on the secondary market, each Fund will be subject to the market risk associated with owning any security whose value is based on market price. ETF shares historically have tended to trade at or near their NAV, but there is no guarantee that they will continue to do so. Unlike traditional mutual funds, shares of an ETF may also be purchased and redeemed directly from the ETFs only in large blocks (typically 50,000 shares or more) and only through participating organizations that have entered into contractual agreements with the ETF. Each Fund does not expect to enter into such agreements and therefore will not be able to purchase and redeem its ETF shares directly from the ETF.

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Each Fund may invest in any of the following securities and instruments:

 

Bank Certificates of Deposit, Bankers’ Acceptances and Time Deposits. Each Fund may acquire bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against monies deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning in effect that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances acquired by each Fund will be dollar-denominated obligations of domestic or foreign banks or financial institutions which at the time of purchase have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million (including assets of both domestic and foreign branches), based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such bank obligations are fully insured by the U.S. Government. If a Fund holds instruments of foreign banks or financial institutions, it may be subject to additional investment risks that are different in some respects from those incurred by a fund that invests only in debt obligations of U.S. domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, the possible imposition of withholding taxes by the particular country in which the

 

 

issuer is located on interest income payable on the securities, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, the possible establishment of exchange controls, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on these securities.

 

Domestic banks and foreign banks are subject to different governmental regulations with respect to the amount and types of loans that may be made and interest rates that may be charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry depends largely upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in the operations of the banking industry.

 

As a result of federal and state laws and regulations, domestic banks are, among other things, required to maintain specified levels of reserves, limited in the amount which they can loan to a single borrower, and subject to other regulations designed to promote financial soundness. Such laws and regulations, however, do not necessarily apply to foreign bank obligations that each Fund may acquire.

 

In addition to purchasing certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, to the extent permitted under its investment objective and policies stated above and in its Prospectus, each Fund may make interest-bearing time or other interest-bearing deposits in commercial or savings banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate.

 

Savings Association Obligations. Each Fund may invest in certificates of deposit (interest-bearing time deposits) issued by savings banks or savings and loan associations that have capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100 million, based on latest published reports, or less than $100 million if the principal amount of such obligations is fully insured by the U.S. Government.

 

Commercial Paper, Short-Term Notes and Other Corporate Obligations. Each Fund may invest a portion of its assets in commercial paper and short-term notes. Commercial paper consists of unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations. Issues of commercial paper and short-term notes will normally have maturities of less than nine months and fixed rates of return, although such instruments may have maturities of up to one year.

 

Commercial paper and short-term notes will consist of issues rated at the time of purchase “A 2” or higher by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (“S&P”), “Prime-1” or “Prime-2” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), or similarly rated by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, will be determined by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. These rating symbols are described in the Appendix.

 

Corporate obligations include bonds and notes issued by corporations to finance longer-term credit needs than supported by commercial paper. While such obligations generally have maturities of ten years or more, each Fund may purchase corporate obligations which have remaining maturities of one year or less from the date of purchase and which are rated “AA” or higher by S&P or “Aa” or higher by Moody’s.

 

Illiquid Securities

 

Each Fund may hold up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including (i) securities for which there is no readily available market; (ii) securities the disposition of which would be subject to legal restrictions (so called, “restricted securities”); and (iii) repurchase agreements having more than seven days to maturity. A considerable period of time may elapse between a Fund’s decision to dispose of such securities and the time when the Fund is able to dispose of them, during which time the value of the securities could decline. An illiquid security is a security that cannot be sold or disposed within seven calendar days in current market conditions without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment.

 

Restricted securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that have a readily available market usually are not deemed illiquid for purposes of this limitation by each Fund. Investing in Rule 144A securities, however, could result in increasing the level of each Fund’s illiquidity if qualified institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

A Fund may invest a portion of its assets in cash or cash items pending other investments or to maintain liquid assets required in connection with some of each Fund’s investments. These cash items may consist of money market instruments

 

 

(such as securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper and certificates of deposit) or other cash instruments of any quality.

 

Money market instruments usually have maturities of one year or less and fixed rates of return. The money market instruments in which a Fund may invest include short-term U.S. Government Securities, commercial paper, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit issued by domestic banks, corporate notes and short-term bonds and money market mutual funds. Each Fund may only invest in money market mutual funds to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

 

The money market instruments in which a Fund may invest may have variable or floating rates of interest. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangement with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days’ notice. These obligations generally are not traded, nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid security.

 

Cyber-Security

 

Each Fund, and its service providers, may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cyber security breaches. Cyber-attacks affecting each Fund or its third-party service providers may adversely impact each Fund. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact each Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject each Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. Each Fund may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes. While each Fund’s service providers have established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, each Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect a Fund or its shareholders. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issues or securities in which each Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause a Fund’s investment in such companies to lose value.

 

CFTC Regulation

 

Historically, an adviser of a fund trading commodity interests (such as futures contracts, options on futures contracts, non-deliverable forwards, swaps and cash-settled foreign currency contracts) has been excluded from regulation as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) pursuant to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) Regulation 4.5. In 2012, the CFTC amended Regulation 4.5 to dramatically narrow this exclusion.

 

Under the amended Regulation 4.5 exclusion, a fund’s commodity interests - other than those used for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC) - must be limited such that the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the positions (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions and excluding the amount by which options are “in-the-money” at the time of purchase) do not exceed 5% of the fund’s NAV, or alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of the positions, determined at the time that the most recent position was established, does not exceed 100% of the fund’s NAV (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). Further, to qualify for the exclusion in amended Regulation 4.5, a fund must satisfy a marketing test, which requires, among other things, that the fund not hold itself out as a vehicle for trading commodity interests.

 

Neither Fund trades any commodity interests, such as futures contracts, options on futures contracts, non-deliverable forwards, swaps and cash-settled foreign currency contracts. Therefore, they do not need to, and do not rely on the exclusion in CFTC Regulation 4.5 to avoid regulation as a CPO.

 

Temporary Defensive Position and Cash Investments

 

In order to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, each Fund may assume a temporary defensive position that is inconsistent with its principal investment objective and/or strategies and invest, without limitation, in cash or high quality cash equivalents (including money market instruments, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits). A defensive position, taken at the wrong time, may have an adverse impact on a Fund’s

 

 

performance. A Fund may be unable to achieve its investment objective during the employment of a temporary defensive measure.

 

Each Fund may temporarily invest a portion of its assets in cash or cash items pending other investments or maintain liquid assets required in connection with some of the Fund’s investments. These cash items may consist of money market instruments (such as securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper and certificates of deposit) or other cash instruments of any quality.

 

Money market instruments usually have maturities of one year or less and fixed rates of return. The money market instruments in which each Fund may invest include short-term U.S. Government Securities, commercial paper, time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit issued by domestic banks, corporate notes and short-term bonds and money market mutual funds. Each Fund may only invest in money market mutual funds to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.

 

The money market instruments in which each Fund may invest may have variable or floating rates of interest. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to direct arrangement with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days’ notice. These obligations generally are not traded, nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid security.

 

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

 

The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has adopted the following investment policies which are fundamental policies that may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. “A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund,” as defined by the 1940 Act, means the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Fund, or (2) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy.

 

Each Fund’s investment objective is a non-fundamental policy. Non-fundamental policies may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.

 

For purposes of the Funds’ investment limitations, all percentage limitations apply immediately after an investment. Except with respect to the borrowing money policy set forth in (1) below, if a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of an investment, a later increase or decrease in the percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such restrictions. Each Fund continuously monitors its holdings in illiquid securities. If the value of a Fund’s holdings of illiquid securities at any time exceeds the percentage limitation applicable at the time of acquisition (15% of net assets) due to subsequent fluctuations in value or other reasons, the Adviser will consider what actions are appropriate to maintain adequate liquidity, such as an orderly disposition of the illiquid securities, to the extent possible.

 

Fundamental Limitations. The Funds have adopted the following investment limitations that cannot be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.

 

1. Each Fund may not borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

 

2. Each Fund may not issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

 

3. Each Fund will not make loans, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

 

4. Each Fund may not engage in the business of underwriting securities except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act in the acquisition, disposition or resale of its portfolio securities or in connection with investments in other investment companies, or to the extent otherwise permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

 

5. Each Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief.

 

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

 

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

 

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to borrowing money set forth in (1) above, the 1940 Act permits a Fund to borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the Fund’s total assets, at the time of borrowing, from banks for any purpose (the Fund’s total assets include the amounts being borrowed). To limit the risks attendant to borrowing, the 1940 Act requires a Fund to maintain at all times an “asset coverage” of at least 300% of the amount of its borrowings (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, a 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%. Asset coverage means the ratio that the value of the Fund’s total assets (including amounts borrowed), minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all borrowings.

 

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to issuing senior securities set forth in (2) above, “senior securities” are defined as Fund obligations that have a priority over a Fund’s shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the

 

10 

 

distribution of Fund assets. The 1940 Act prohibits a 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 if consistent with the fundamental policy set forth in (1) above.

 

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to making loans set forth in (3) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a Fund from making loans; however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit registered investment companies from lending more than one-third of their total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations.

 

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to investing in real estate set forth in (5) above, a Fund may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, invest in securities or other instruments directly or indirectly secured by real estate and invest in securities or other instruments issued by issuers that invest in real estate. Investments in securities of issuers that are exposed to or involved in the real estate business will not be deemed to be a purchase or sale of real estate.

 

11 

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES, MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

 

A. Board of Trustees

 

The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees. The Board oversees the management and operations of the Trust and the Funds, in accordance with federal law, Delaware law and the stated policies of the Funds. The Board oversees the Trust’s officers and service providers, including the Adviser, which is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of each 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 and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). The Board also is assisted by the Trust’s independent auditor (which reports directly to the Trust’s Audit Committee), independent counsel and other experts as appropriate. The Trustees serve until their respective successors have been elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

The fund complex includes the funds advised by Northwood Securities LLC, which are NWS International Property Fund and NWS Global Property Fund (“Fund Complex”). The Funds do not hold themselves out as related to any other series within the Trust for purposes of investment and investor services, nor do they share the same investment adviser with any other series.

 

Board Structure and Related Matters. Independent Trustees constitute at least a majority of the Board members. David Tucker, an Independent Trustee, serves as Independent Chair of the Board. The Independent 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, other management personnel and counsel to the Funds. The Independent Chair also performs 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 Board committees, each of which operates pursuant to a charter or procedures approved by the Board that delineates the specific responsibilities of that committee. The Board has established three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating Committee and the Qualified Legal 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 Independent Chair position and its committees, is appropriate for the Trust in light of, among other factors, the asset size and nature of each Fund, the number of funds overseen by the Board, the arrangements for the conduct of each 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.

 

The Board holds four regularly scheduled in-person meetings each year. The Board may hold special meetings, as needed, either in person or by telephone, to address matters arising between regular meetings. At least once per quarter during a regularly scheduled in-person meeting of the Board, the Independent Trustees meet without the presence of interested Trustees.

 

The Trustees are identified in the table below, which provides information as to their principal business occupations held during the last five years and certain other information. Each Trustee serves until his or her death, resignation or removal and replacement. The address for all Trustees is c/o Atlantic Fund Services, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600, Portland, Maine 04101.

 

12 

 

Name and Year
of Birth

Position with
the Trust

Length of
Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Series in Fund
Complex
Overseen

By Trustee

Other
Directorships
Held By
Trustee
During Past
Five Years
Independent Trustees

David Tucker

Born: 1958

Chairman of the Board; Trustee; Chairman, Nominating Committee and Qualified Legal Compliance Committee Since 2013

Director, Blue Sky Experience (a charitable endeavor), since 2008; Senior Vice President & General Counsel, American Century Companies (an investment management firm), 1998-2008.

2 Trustee, Forum Funds; Trustee, Forum ETF Trust; Trustee, U.S. Global Investors Funds.

Mark D. Moyer

Born: 1959

Trustee; Chairman

Audit Committee

 

Since 2013

Chief Financial Officer, Freedom House (a NGO advocating political freedom and democracy), since 2017; independent consultant providing interim CFO services, principally to non-profit organizations, 2011-2017; Chief Financial Officer, Institute of International Education (a NGO administering international educational exchange programs), 2008-2011; Chief Financial Officer and Chief Restructuring Officer, Ziff Davis Media Inc. (an integrated media company), 2005-2008; Adjunct Professor of Accounting, Fairfield University from 2009-2012.

2 Trustee, Forum Funds; Trustee, Forum ETF Trust; Trustee, U.S. Global Investors Funds.

Jennifer

Brown-Strabley

Born: 1964

Trustee Since 2013

Principal, Portland Global Advisors 1996-2010.

 

2 Trustee, Forum Funds; Trustee, Forum ETF Trust; Trustee, U.S. Global Investors Funds.
Interested Trustees(1)

Stacey E. Hong

Born: 1966

Trustee Since 2013

President, Atlantic since

2008

2 Trustee, Forum Funds; Trustee, U.S. Global Investors Funds.

 

13 

 

Name and Year
of Birth

Position with
the Trust

Length of
Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Series in Fund
Complex
Overseen

By Trustee

Other
Directorships
Held By
Trustee
During Past
Five Years

John Y. Keffer

Born: 1942

Trustee Since 2013

Chairman, Atlantic since 2008; Chairman, Forum Investment Advisors, LLC since 2011; President, Forum Foundation (a charitable organization) since 2005; President, Forum Trust, LLC (a non-depository trust company chartered in the State of Maine) since 1997.

2 Trustee, Forum ETF Trust; Trustee, U.S. Global Investors Funds; Director, Wintergreen Fund, Inc.

 

(1) Stacey E. Hong and John Y. Keffer are currently treated as interested persons of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act, due to their affiliations with Atlantic. Atlantic and Forum Investment Advisors, LLC are subsidiaries of Forum Holdings Corp. I, a Delaware corporation that is wholly owned by Mr. Keffer.

 

In addition to the information set forth in the table above, each Trustee possesses certain relevant qualifications, experience, attributes or skills. The following provides additional information about these qualifications and experience.

 

David Tucker: Mr. Tucker has extensive experience in the investment management industry, including experience in senior management, legal and compliance roles at two large mutual fund complexes; service on various committees of the Investment Company Institute (“ICI”); and director of ICI Mutual (a mutual insurance company sponsored by the investment company industry), including service as chairman of the underwriting, risk and fraud committees of ICI Mutual’s board of directors. Mr. Tucker actively serves charitable organizations in the metropolitan Kansas City area.

 

Mark D. Moyer: Mr. Moyer has extensive experience with finance. He currently serves as chief financial officer for a NGO advocating democracy, political freedom and human rights, and has served as chief financial officer for an integrated media company and a not-for-profit organization. Mr. Moyer also served as an adjunct professor of accounting at Fairfield University.

 

Jennifer Brown-Strabley: Ms. Brown-Strabley has extensive experience in the financial services and investment management industry, including institutional sales experience in global fixed-income and related quantitative research. Ms. Brown-Strabley also has experience in business start-up and operations and as a former principal of a registered investment adviser, for which she continues to provide consulting advice from time to time.

 

Stacey E. Hong: Mr. Hong has experience in auditing as a certified public accountant, and in the financial services industry as the president of a fund service provider specializing in administration, accounting, and transfer agency services for pooled investment products. Mr. Hong serves as a principal executive officer, and has served as the principal financial officer, for certain investment companies.

 

John Y. Keffer: Mr. Keffer has extensive experience in the investment management industry, including organizational experience as chairman and chief executive officer of a fund service provider; and multiple years of service as a trustee. Mr. Keffer also served as a trustee of Monarch Funds from 2003 to 2009 and Core Trust from 1995 to 2006 and continues to serve as an interested trustee of Forum ETF Trust and as an independent director of Wintergreen Fund, Inc., another open-end management investment company.

 

Risk Oversight. Consistent with its responsibility for oversight of the Trust and the Funds, the Board oversees the management of risks relating to the administration and operation of the Trust and the Funds. The Adviser, as part of its responsibilities for the day-to-day operations of the Funds, is responsible for day-to-day risk management. The Board, in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment, also separately considers potential risks that may impact the Funds. The Board performs this risk management oversight directly and, as to certain matters, through its committees (described below) and

 

14 

 

through the 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 Funds.

 

In general, the Funds’ risks include, among others, investment risk, valuation risk, compliance risk and operational risk. The Board has adopted, and periodically reviews, policies and procedures designed to address these and other risks to the Trust and the Funds. In addition, under the general oversight of the Board, the Adviser and other service providers have themselves adopted a variety of policies, procedures and controls designed to address particular risks. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Further, the Adviser oversees and regularly monitors the investments, operations and compliance of each Fund’s investments.

 

The Board also oversees risk management for the Trust and the Funds 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 the Adviser and the CCO regularly report to the Board on a range of matters, including those relating to risk management. In this regard, the Board periodically receives reports regarding other service providers to the Trust, either directly or through the CCO. On at least a quarterly basis, the Independent Trustees meet with the CCO to discuss matters relating to the Funds’ compliance program. Further, at least annually, the Board receives a report from the CCO regarding the effectiveness of the Funds’ compliance program.

 

The Board receives regular reports from a Valuation Committee, composed of the Principal Executive Officer, the Principal Financial Officer, the CCO, a senior fund accounting member, a senior representative from the Administrator’s regulatory administration group and a representative of the Adviser. The Valuation Committee operates pursuant to the Trust’s Valuation and Error Correction Policy (the “Valuation Policy”), as approved by the Board. The Valuation Committee reports to the Board on the pricing of the Fund’s shares and the valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities; recommends, subject to approval by the Board, independent pricing services to provide a value for Fund assets; makes and monitors fair value determinations pursuant to the Valuation Policy; and carries out any other functions delegated to it by the Board relating to the valuation of Fund assets.

 

The Board also regularly receives reports from the Adviser with respect to the investments and securities trading of the Funds. For example, typically, the Board receives reports, presentations and other information from the Adviser on at least an annual basis in connection with the Board’s consideration of the renewal of the investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Trust on behalf of the Funds (the “Advisory Agreement”). Also, if applicable, the Board receives reports from the Adviser and other service providers in connection with the Board’s consideration of the renewal of any distribution plan of the Funds under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Senior officers of the Trust and senior officers of the Adviser also report regularly to the Audit Committee on valuation matters, internal controls and accounting and financial reporting policies and practices. In addition, the Audit Committee receives regular reports from the Trust’s independent auditors on internal control and financial reporting matters.

 

Trustee Ownership in the Funds and the Fund Complex. The following table sets forth each Trustee’s ownership of the Funds and the Fund Complex.

 

Trustees Dollar Range of Beneficial Ownership in the Funds as of December 31, 2017 Aggregate Dollar Range of Ownership as of December 31, 2017 in all Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in the Fund Complex

NWS International
Property Fund

NWS Global
Property Fund
Independent Trustees
David Tucker None None None
Mark D. Moyer None None None
Jennifer Brown-Strabley None None None
Interested Trustees
Stacey E. Hong None None None
John Y. Keffer None None None

 

 15

B. 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 years of birth and their principal occupations during the past five calendar years are as set forth below. Each officer serves until his or her death, resignation or removal and replacement. The business address of each officer is c/o Atlantic Fund Services, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600, Portland, Maine 04101.

 

Name and Year of Birth Position with the Trust Length of Time Served Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Jessica Chase
Born: 1970
President; Principal Executive Officer Since 2015 Senior Vice President, Atlantic since 2008.
Karen Shaw
Born: 1972
Treasurer; Principal Financial Officer Since 2013 Senior Vice President, Atlantic since 2008.
Zachary Tackett
Born: 1988
Vice President; Secretary and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer Since 2014 Counsel, Atlantic since 2014; Intern Associate, Coakley & Hyde, PLLC, 2010-2013.
Timothy Bowden
Born: 1969
Vice President Since 2013 Manager, Atlantic since 2008.
Michael J. McKeen
Born: 1971
Vice President Since 2013 Senior Vice President, Atlantic since 2008.
Geoffrey Ney
Born: 1975
Vice President Since 2013 Manager, Atlantic since 2013; Senior Fund Accountant, Atlantic, 2008-2013.
Todd Proulx
Born: 1978
Vice President Since 2013 Manager, Atlantic since 2013; Senior Fund Accountant, Atlantic, 2008-2013.
Carlyn Edgar
Born: 1963
Chief Compliance Officer Since 2013 Senior Vice President, Atlantic since 2008.

 

C. Ownership of Securities of the Adviser and Related Companies

 

As of December 31, 2017, no Independent Trustee (or any of his or her immediate family members) owned beneficially or of record, securities of any Trust investment adviser, the Trust’s principal underwriter, or any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with any Trust investment adviser or principal underwriter.

 

D. Information Concerning Trust Committees

 

Audit Committee. The Trust’s Audit Committee, which typically meets at least quarterly, consists of Ms. Brown-Strabley and Messrs. Tucker and Moyer. Pursuant to a charter adopted by the Board, the Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Trust. It is directly responsible for the appointment, termination, compensation and oversight of work of the independent auditors to the Trust. In so doing, the Audit Committee reviews the methods, scope and results of the audits and audit fees charged, and reviews the Trust’s internal accounting procedures and controls. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2018, the Audit Committee met four times.

 

Nominating Committee. The Trust’s Nominating Committee, which meets when necessary, consists of Ms. Brown-Strabley and Messrs. Tucker and Moyer. Pursuant to a charter adopted by the Board, the Nominating Committee is charged with the duty of nominating all Trustees and committee members and presenting these nominations to the Board. The Nominating Committee will not consider any nominees for Trustee recommended by security holders. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2018, the Nominating Committee did not meet.

 

Qualified Legal Compliance Committee. The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee (the “QLCC”), which meets when necessary, consists of Ms. Brown-Strabley and Messrs. Tucker, Moyer and Hong. The QLCC evaluates and recommends resolutions to reports from attorneys servicing the Trust regarding evidence of material violations of applicable federal and

 

 16

state law or the breach of fiduciary duties under applicable federal and state law by the Trust or an employee or agent of the Trust. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2018, the QLCC did not meet.

 

E. Compensation of Trustees and Officers

 

Independent Trustees of the Trust each receive an annual fee of $16,000 for service to the Trust. The Chairman of the Board is paid an additional annual fee of $5,000. The Trustees and Chairman may receive additional fees for special Board meetings. Each Trustee is also reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with his or her duties as a Trustee, including travel and related expenses incurred in attending Board meetings. The Trust has no pension or retirement plan. No other entity affiliated with the Trust pays any compensation to the Trustees.

 

The following table sets forth the fees paid to each Trustee by the Funds and the Fund Complex for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2018.

 

Trustee Aggregate Compensation from the Funds Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as part of Fund Expenses Total Compensation
from Fund Complex
NWS International
Property Fund
NWS Global
Property Fund
Independent Trustees
David Tucker $853 $793 N/A $1,646
Mark D. Moyer $650 $604 N/A $1,254
Jennifer Brown-Strabley $650 $604 N/A $1,254
Interested Trustees
Stacey E. Hong $0 $0 N/A $0
John Y. Keffer $0 $0 N/A $0

 

F. Investment Adviser

 

Services of Adviser. The Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Funds pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser furnishes, at its own expense, all services, facilities, and personnel necessary in connection with managing each Fund’s investments and effecting portfolio transactions for each Fund. The Adviser may compensate brokers or other service providers (“Financial Intermediaries”) out of its own assets, and not as additional charges to the Funds, in connection with the sale and distribution of shares of the Funds and/or servicing of these shares.

 

Ownership of Adviser. Northwood Securities LLC (“NWS”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Northwood Investors LLC (“NWI”), a privately-held real estate investment advisor that was founded in 2006 by John Z. Kukral, the former President and CEO of Blackstone Real Estate Advisors.

 

Information Concerning Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers. The following table provides information regarding other accounts managed by the portfolio managers as of February 28, 2018:

 

Name of Portfolio Manager Number of Other Accounts Managed
and Assets by Account Type
Number of Accounts and Assets for
Which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based
Registered
Investment
Companies
Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
Other
Accounts
Registered
Investment
Companies
Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
Other
Accounts
James Rehlaender None None 5 accounts
$446 million
None None 3 accounts
$41.9 million
Peter Nieuwland None None 4 accounts
$430.7 million
None None 2 accounts
$24 million
Suang Eng Tsan None None 5 accounts
$446 million
None None 2 accounts
$24 million
Amanda Black None None 2 accounts
$148.4 million
None None 1 account
$17.9 million

 

 17

Conflicts of Interest. Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or other account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple funds and/or other accounts may be presented with the following conflicts:

 

The management of multiple client accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each Fund. The Adviser may seek to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of the portfolio managers by having the portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline.

 

If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one account, the Funds may be unable to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible accounts. To deal with these situations, the Adviser has adopted procedures for allocating portfolio transactions across multiple accounts.

 

With respect to securities transactions for the Fund, the Adviser determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts (such as other pooled investment vehicles that are not registered mutual funds and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), the Adviser may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, the Adviser may place separate, non-simultaneous transactions for the Fund and another account which may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the Fund or the other account.

 

Finally, the appearance of a conflict of interest may arise if the Adviser has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, which relates to the management of one fund or account but not all funds and accounts with respect to which a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities.

 

The Adviser has adopted certain compliance procedures, which are designed to address these types of conflicts. The Adviser has developed and implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure that all clients are treated equitably. In addition, compliance oversight and monitoring ensures adherence to policies designed to avoid conflicts. The Adviser’s policies and procedures address trade aggregation and allocation. Typically when aggregating trades across funds and/or other accounts, the size of the trade for each fund and/or other account is determined by proportional size of the fund and/or other account. Moreover, in aggregated trades each fund and/or other account receives the average share price and transaction costs are shared on a pro-rata basis. Additionally, given the nature of the Adviser’s investment process and its Funds and/or other accounts, the Adviser’s investment management team services are typically applied collectively to the management of all the Funds and/or other accounts following the same strategy.

 

Compensation of the Adviser’s portfolio management team is not based upon performance of the Funds managed by the Adviser. Fund performance is not a factor in compensation as it might encourage investment decisions deviating from the Fund’s mandate. To mitigate the potential for conflict to have a team member favor one Fund over another Fund and/or other account, the Adviser has established procedures, including policies to monitor trading and best execution for all funds and/or other accounts.

 

There is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

 

Information Concerning Compensation of Portfolio Managers. Portfolio managers receive market levels of salary and bonus plus a percentage of cash flow of the Adviser, once it achieves profitability, based in part on performance and contribution of ideas and research to the investment process. Performance ratings in general are based on the overall quality of analysis of companies/stocks, the market environment and macroeconomic/political developments, as well as the ability to anticipate trends rather than follow them. In addition the performance of the Funds and separate account portfolios relative to the index and peers will be considered over 3-5 years, the investment horizon we emphasize in our process and with clients. Compensation is not based on pre or after-tax performance explicitly, although the strategy tends to perform well from an after-tax perspective given the relatively low turnover, as compared to other international REIT funds.

 

All NWS employees will receive compensation directly from the Adviser – not the Fund.

 

 18

Portfolio Manager Ownership in the Funds. The Adviser has provided the following information regarding each portfolio manager’s ownership in the Funds:

 

Portfolio Manager Dollar Range of Beneficial Ownership in the Fund as of February 28, 2018
NWS International Property Fund
James Rehlaender $100,001-$500,000
Peter Nieuwland None
Suang Eng Tsan None
NWS Global Property Fund
James Rehlaender $100,001-$500,000
Peter Nieuwland None
Suang Eng Tsan None
Amanda Black $100,001-$500,000

 

Fees. The Adviser receives an advisory fee from the Funds at an annual rate equal to 0.75% of each Fund’s average annual daily net assets under the terms of the Advisory Agreement. The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse Fund expenses to limit the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (excluding all taxes, interest, portfolio transaction expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses, proxy expenses and extraordinary expenses) to 1.00% for the NWS International Property Fund and 0.90% for the NWS Global Property Fund through at least June 30, 2019 (“Expense Cap”). The Expense Cap may only be raised or eliminated with the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Adviser may be reimbursed by the Fund for fees waived and expenses reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to the Expense Cap if such payment is approved by the Board, made within three years of the fee waiver or expense reimbursement, and does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement of each Fund to exceed the lesser of (i) the then-current expense cap, and (ii) the expense cap in place at the time the fees/expenses were waived or reimbursed. Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement will increase if exclusions from the Expense Cap apply.

 

The advisory fee, if not waived, is accrued daily and paid monthly by each Fund and is assessed based on the daily net assets of the Fund. In addition to receiving its advisory fee from the Funds, the Adviser may also act and be compensated as investment manager for its clients with respect to assets that such clients have invested in a Fund. If you have a separately managed account with the Adviser with assets invested in a Fund, the Adviser will not assess or receive any management fee on the portion of the separately managed account invested in the Fund.

 

Table 1 in Appendix B shows the dollar amount of advisory fees accrued by each Fund, the amount of advisory fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed by the Adviser, if any, and the actual advisory fees retained by the Adviser. The data provided is since commencement of operations.

 

Advisory Agreement. The Funds’ Advisory Agreement remains in effect for an initial period of two years from the date of its effectiveness, and thereafter the Advisory Agreement must be approved at least annually by the Board or by majority vote of the shareholders, and in either case by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party (other than as Trustees of the Trust).

 

The Advisory Agreement is terminable without penalty by the Trust with respect to the Funds on 60 days’ written notice when authorized either by vote of the Funds’ shareholders or by a majority vote of the Board, or by the Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Trust. The Advisory Agreement terminates immediately upon assignment.

 

Under the Advisory Agreement, neither the Adviser nor any employee, agent, director, or officer of the Adviser shall be liable for any mistake of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment, or for any act or omission with respect to the Trust, the Fund, or any of the Fund’s shareholders; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not absolve the Adviser for any liability resulting from the Adviser’s bad faith, willful misfeasance, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Advisory Agreement.

 

 19

G. Distributor

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Investors who purchase shares through financial intermediaries will be subject to the procedures of those intermediaries through which they purchase shares, which may include charges, investment minimums, cutoff times and other restrictions in addition to, or different from, those listed herein. Information concerning any charges or services will be provided to investors by the financial intermediary through which they purchase shares. Investors purchasing shares of the Funds through financial intermediaries should acquaint themselves with their financial intermediary’s procedures and should read the Prospectus in conjunction with any materials and information provided by their financial intermediary. The financial intermediary, and not the investors, will be the shareholder of record, although investors may have the right to vote shares depending upon their arrangement with the intermediary. The Distributor does not receive compensation from the Funds for its distribution services except the distribution/service fees with respect to the shares of those classes for which a Rule 12b-1 plan is effective, as applicable. The Adviser pays the Distributor a fee for certain distribution-related services.

 

H. Other Fund Service Providers

 

Administrator, Fund Accountant, Transfer Agent, and Compliance Services. Atlantic and its subsidiaries provide administration, compliance, fund accounting and transfer agency services to the Funds. Atlantic is a subsidiary of Forum Holdings Corp I. John Y. Keffer, a trustee, is the Chairman of Atlantic and is also the founder and owner of Forum Holdings Corp. I, the parent entity of Atlantic.

 

Pursuant to the Atlantic Services Agreement (the “Services Agreement”), each Fund pays Atlantic and its subsidiaries a bundled fee for administration, compliance, fund accounting and transfer agency services. Each Fund also pays Atlantic and its subsidiaries certain surcharges and shareholder account fees. The fee is accrued daily by the Funds and is paid monthly based on the average net assets, transactions and positions for the prior month.

 

The Services Agreement continues in effect until terminated, so long as its continuance is specifically approved or ratified with such frequency and in such manner as required by applicable law. After an initial three-year term, the Services Agreement is terminable with or without cause and without penalty by the Trust or by the Administrator on 120 days’ written notice to the other party. The Services Agreement is also terminable for cause by the non-breaching party on at least 60 days’ written notice to the other party, provided that such party has not cured the breach within that notice period. Under the Services Agreement, Atlantic is not liable to the Funds or the Funds’ shareholders for any act or omission, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Services Agreement. The Services Agreement also provides that Atlantic will not be liable to a shareholder for any loss incurred due to a NAV difference if such difference is less than or equal to $0.01 and in addition, limits the amount of any loss for which Atlantic would be liable. Also, Atlantic is not liable for the errors and omissions of others, including the entities that supply security prices to Atlantic and the Funds. Losses incurred by the Funds as a result of acts or omissions by Atlantic or any other service provider for which Atlantic or the service provider is not liable to the Funds would be borne by the Funds and through the Funds, by their Shareholders.

 

As Administrator, Atlantic administers each Fund’s operations except those that are the responsibility of any other service provider hired by the Trust, all in such manner and to such extent as may be authorized by the Board. The Administrator’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: (1) overseeing the performance of administrative and professional services

 

 20

rendered to the Funds by others, including its custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent as well as legal, auditing, shareholder servicing and other services performed for the Funds; (2) preparing for filing and filing certain regulatory filings (i.e., registration statements and shareholder reports) subject to Trust counsel and/or independent auditor oversight; (3) overseeing the preparation and filing of each Fund’s tax returns, the preparation of financial statements and related reports to each Fund’s shareholders, the SEC and state and other securities administrators; (4) providing the Funds with adequate general office space and facilities and providing persons suitable to the Board to serve as officers of the Trust; (5) assisting the Adviser in monitoring Fund holdings for compliance with prospectus investment restrictions and assisting in preparation of periodic compliance reports; and (6) with the cooperation of the Adviser, the officers of the Trust and other relevant parties, preparing and disseminating materials for meetings of the Board.

 

Atlantic provides a Principal Executive Officer, a Principal Financial Officer, a CCO, and an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer to the Funds, as well as certain additional compliance support functions.

 

Atlantic Shareholder Services, LLC (the “Transfer Agent”) serves as transfer agent and distribution paying agent for the Funds. The Transfer Agent is registered as a transfer agent with the SEC. The Transfer Agent maintains an account for each shareholder of record of each Fund and is responsible for processing purchase and redemption requests and paying distributions to shareholders of record.

 

As Fund accountant, Atlantic provides fund accounting services to the Funds. These services include calculating the NAV of each Fund.

 

Atlantic, located at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600, Portland, Maine 04101, also maintains certain books and records of the Fund that are required by applicable federal regulations.

 

Table 2 in Appendix B shows the dollar amount of the fees accrued by each Fund for administration services, the amount of fees waived by Atlantic, if any, and the actual fees retained by Atlantic under the Services Agreement. The data provided is since commencement of operations.

 

Custodian. MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”) is the custodian for the Funds. The Custodian safeguards and controls the Funds’ cash and securities, determines income and collects interest on Fund investments. The Custodian may employ subcustodians to provide custody of the Funds’ domestic and foreign assets. The Custodian also maintains certain books and records of the Fund that are required by applicable federal regulations. The Custodian is located at 350 California Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104.

 

Legal Counsel. Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, 1250 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036-2652, serves as legal counsel to the Trust.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. BBD, LLP (“BBD”), 1835 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, is the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds, providing audit and tax services. BBD audits the annual financial statements of the Funds and provides the Funds with an audit opinion. BBD also reviews certain regulatory filings of the Funds.

 

 21

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

 

 

A. How Securities are Purchased and Sold

 

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities that are fixed-income securities (for instance, money market instruments and bonds, notes and bills) usually are principal transactions. In a principal transaction, the party from which a Fund purchases or to which a Fund sells is acting on its own behalf (and not as the agent of some other party such as its customers). These securities normally are purchased directly from the issuer or from an underwriter or market maker for the securities. There usually are no brokerage commissions paid for these securities.

 

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities that are equity securities (for instance, common stock and preferred stock) are generally effected if: (1) the security is traded on an exchange, through brokers that charge commissions; and (2) the security is traded in the over-the-counter markets, in a principal transaction directly from a market maker. In transactions on stock exchanges, commissions are negotiated.

 

When transactions are executed in an over-the-counter market, the Adviser will seek to deal with the primary market makers, but when necessary in order to obtain best execution, the Adviser will utilize the services of others.

 

The price of securities purchased from underwriters includes a disclosed fixed commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and prices of securities purchased from dealers serving as market makers reflect the spread between the bid and asked price.

 

In the case of fixed-income and equity securities traded in the over-the-counter markets, there is generally no stated commission, but the price usually includes an undisclosed commission, markup or markdown.

 

B. Commissions Paid

 

Table 3 in Appendix B shows the dollar amount of the aggregate brokerage commissions paid by each Fund; the amount of commissions paid to an affiliate of each Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor; the percentage of brokerage commissions paid to an affiliate of each Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor; and the percentage of transactions executed by an affiliate of each Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor. The data provided is since commencement of operations.

 

C. Adviser Responsibility for Purchases and Sales and Choosing Broker-Dealers

 

The Adviser places orders for the purchase and sale of securities with broker-dealers selected by and at the discretion of the Adviser. The Funds do not have any obligation to deal with a specific broker or dealer in the execution of portfolio transactions. Allocations of transactions to brokers and dealers and the frequency of transactions are determined by the Adviser in its best judgment and in a manner deemed to be in the best interest of each Fund rather than by any formula.

 

The Adviser seeks “best execution” for all portfolio transactions. This means that the Adviser seeks the most favorable price and execution available. The Funds may not always pay the lowest commission or spread available. Rather, in determining the amount of commissions (including certain dealer spreads) paid in connection with securities transactions, the Adviser takes into account factors such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the efficiency of the executing broker’s facilities (including the research services described below) and any risk assumed by the executing broker-dealer. A Fund may pay a higher commission if, for example, the broker-dealer has specific expertise in a particular type of transaction (due to factors such as size or difficulty) or is highly efficient in trade execution.

 

The Adviser may also give consideration to brokerage and research services furnished to the Adviser by broker-dealers and may cause a Fund to pay these broker-dealers a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other broker-dealers. Research services may include reports that are common in the industry, such as research reports and periodicals, quotation systems, software for portfolio management and formal databases. Typically, the Adviser uses the research to manage all client accounts. Therefore, the commission dollars spent for research generally benefit all of the Adviser’s clients and a Fund’s investors, although a particular client may not benefit from research received on each occasion. The Adviser does not reduce its fees because the Adviser receives research.

 

Table 4 in Appendix B lists each Fund’s directed brokerage in return for research services, the amount of transactions so directed, and the amount of commissions earned by the broker-dealer since commencement of operations.

 

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D. Transactions through Affiliates

 

The Adviser may effect brokerage transactions through affiliates of the Adviser (or affiliates of those persons) pursuant to procedures adopted by the Trust and in accordance with applicable law.

 

E. Other Accounts of the Adviser

 

Investment decisions are the product of many factors, including basic suitability for the particular client involved. Likewise, a particular security may be bought or sold for certain clients even though it could have been bought or sold for other clients at the same time. In some instances, with any required consent, one client may sell a particular security to another client. In addition, two or more clients may simultaneously purchase or sell the same security, in which event each day’s transactions in such security are, insofar as is possible, averaged as to price and allocated between such clients in a manner which, in the Adviser’s opinion, is in the best interest of the affected accounts and is equitable to each and in accordance with the amount being purchased or sold by each. There may be circumstances when purchases or sales of a portfolio security for one client could have an adverse effect on another client that has a position in that security. In addition, when purchases or sales of the same security for a Fund and other client accounts managed by the Adviser occur contemporaneously, the purchase or sale orders may be aggregated in order to obtain any price advantages available to large denomination purchases or sales.

 

F. Portfolio Turnover

 

The frequency of portfolio transactions of each Fund (the portfolio turnover rate) will vary from year to year depending on many factors. From time to time, the Fund may engage in active short-term trading to take advantage of price movements affecting individual issues, groups of issues or markets. Higher portfolio turnover rates may result in increased brokerage costs to a Fund and a possible increase in short-term capital gains (taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them) or losses. An annual portfolio turnover rate of 100% would occur if all the securities in a Fund were replaced once in a period of one year.

 

Portfolio turnover rate is defined under the rules of the SEC as the value of the securities purchased or securities sold, excluding all securities whose maturities at time of acquisition were one year or less, divided by the average monthly value of such securities owned during the year. Based on this definition, instruments with remaining maturities of less than one year, including options in which a Fund invests, are excluded from the calculation of portfolio turnover rate.

 

G. Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers

 

From time to time the Funds may acquire and hold securities issued by its “regular brokers and dealers” or the parents of those brokers and dealers. For this purpose, regular brokers and dealers are the ten brokers or dealers that: (1) received the greatest amount of brokerage commissions during a Fund’s last fiscal year; (2) engaged in the largest amount of principal transactions for portfolio transactions of a Fund during the Fund’s last fiscal year; or (3) sold the largest amount of a Fund’s shares during the Fund’s last fiscal year.

 

Table 5 in Appendix B lists the regular brokers and dealers of each Fund whose securities (or the securities of the parent company) were acquired since commencement of operations and the aggregate value of each Fund’s holdings of those securities as of the Fund’s most recent period ended February 28, 2018.

 

H. Portfolio Holdings

 

Portfolio holdings as of the end of the Funds’ annual and semi-annual fiscal periods are reported to the SEC on Form N-CSR within 10 days of the mailing of the annual or semi-annual report (typically no later than 70 days after the end of each period). Portfolio holdings as of the end of the first and third fiscal quarters are reported to the SEC on Form N-Q within 60 days after the end of such period. You may request a copy of the Funds’ latest annual or semi-annual report to shareholders or a copy of the Funds’ latest Form N-Q, when it is available, which contains each Fund’s portfolio holdings, by contacting the Transfer Agent at the address or phone number listed on the cover of this SAI. You may also obtain a copy of the Funds’ latest Form N-CSR and Form N-Q by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Each Fund’s nonpublic portfolio holdings information is received by certain service providers in advance of public release in the course of performing or enabling them to perform the contractual or fiduciary duties necessary for the Fund’s operations that the Fund has retained them to perform so long as the disclosure is subject to duties of confidentiality imposed by law and/ or contract as determined by each Fund’s officers and, if applicable, the Board. Each Fund’s portfolio holdings are available in real-time on a daily basis to the Adviser, the Administrator and the Custodian. In addition, the Distributor, the

 

 23

independent auditors, proxy voting services, mailing services, and financial printers and ratings or ranking organizations may have access, but not on a daily real-time basis, to each Fund’s nonpublic portfolio holdings information on an ongoing basis. The Trustees, Trust’s officers, legal counsel to the Trust and to the Independent Trustees, and the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm may receive such information on an as needed basis.

 

From time to time, nonpublic information regarding a Fund’s portfolio holdings may also be disclosed to certain mutual fund consultants, analysts, or other entities or persons (“Recipients”) that have a legitimate business purpose in receiving such information. Any disclosure of information more current than the latest publicly available portfolio holdings information will be made only if a Trust officer determines that: (1) the more current information is necessary for a Recipient to complete a specified task; (2) the Fund has legitimate business purposes for disclosing the information; and (3) the disclosure is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. Any Recipient receiving such information shall agree in writing to: (1) keep the information confidential; (2) use it only for agreed-upon purposes; and (3) not trade or advise others to trade securities, including shares of the Fund, on the basis of the information. Such confidentiality agreements entered into for the receipt of nonpublic information shall also provide, among other things, that the Recipient: (1) will limit access to the information to its employees and agents who are obligated to keep and treat such information as confidential; (2) assume responsibility for any breach of the terms of the confidentiality agreement by its employees; and (3) upon request from the Trust, will return or promptly destroy the information. The Trust officer shall report to the Board at its next regularly scheduled Board meeting the entering into of an agreement with a Recipient for the disclosure of nonpublic portfolio holdings information and shall include in the report the Trust officer’s reasons for determining to permit such disclosure.

 

The Adviser may provide investment management for accounts of clients other than the Funds, which may result in some of those accounts having a composition substantially similar to that of the Funds. The Adviser and its affiliates may provide regular information to clients and others regarding the holdings in accounts that each manages, but no information is provided to clients or others that identifies the actual composition of a Fund’s holdings, specifies the amount of a Fund’s assets invested in a security or specifies the extent of any such similarities among accounts managed by the Adviser.

 

No compensation is received by the Funds, or, to the Funds’ knowledge, paid to the Adviser or any other party in connection with the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio holdings. The codes of ethics of the Trust and the Adviser are intended to address, among other things, potential conflicts of interest arising from the misuse of information concerning a Fund’s portfolio holdings. In addition, the Funds’ service providers may be subject to confidentiality provisions contained within their service agreements, codes of ethics, professional codes, or other similar policies that address conflicts of interest arising from the misuse of such information.

 

The Adviser, Administrator and Distributor must inform a Trust officer if it identifies any conflict between the interests of shareholders and those of another party resulting from the disclosure of nonpublic portfolio holdings information. Such conflicts will be reported to the Board for appropriate action at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

There is no assurance that the Funds’ portfolio holdings disclosure policy will protect the Funds against potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.

 

 24

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

 

 

A. General Information

 

You may effect purchases or redemptions or request any shareholder privilege by contacting the Transfer Agent.

 

Each Fund accepts orders for the purchase or redemption of shares of the Fund on any weekday except days when the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is closed. Under unusual circumstances, a Fund may accept orders when the NYSE is closed if deemed appropriate by the Trust’s officers.

 

The shares of the Funds may not be available for sale in the state in which you reside. Please check with your investment professional to determine each Fund’s availability.

 

B. Additional Purchase Information

 

Shares of each Fund are offered on a continuous basis by the Distributor.

 

Each Fund reserves the right to refuse any purchase request.

 

Fund shares are normally issued for cash only. In its discretion, a Fund may accept portfolio securities that meet the investment objective and policies of the Fund as payment for Fund shares. A Fund may allow an in kind purchase provided that, among other things: (i) the purchase will not dilute the interests of its shareholders; (ii) the assets accepted by each Fund consist of securities that are appropriate, in type and amount, for investment by each Fund in light of its investment objective and policies and current holdings; (iii) market quotations are readily available for the securities; (iv) in determining the value of the assets contributed and the corresponding amount of shares issued, the Trust’s Valuation Policy will be applied; (v) the transaction must comply with the Trust’s Affiliated Persons and Transactions Policy if the person investing is an affiliated person; and (vi) the Adviser to each Fund discloses to the Board the existence of, and all material facts relating to, any conflicts of interest between the Adviser and each Fund in the proposed in-kind purchase.

 

IRAs. All contributions into an individual retirement account (an “IRA”) through the automatic investing service are treated as IRA contributions made during the year that the contribution is received.

 

UGMAs/UTMAs. If the custodian’s name is not in the account registration of a gift or transfer to minor (“UGMA/UTMA”) account, the custodian must provide instructions in a manner indicating custodial capacity.

 

C. Additional Redemption Information

 

You may redeem Fund shares at NAV per share minus any applicable redemption fee. Accordingly, the redemption price per share of a Fund class may be lower than the Fund class’ NAV per share.

 

Each Fund may redeem shares involuntarily, (1) to reimburse the Fund for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full payment for shares purchased by the shareholder; or (2) to collect any charge relating to transactions effected for the benefit of a shareholder that is applicable to the Fund’s shares as provided in the Prospectus.

 

Suspension of Right of Redemption. The right of redemption may not be suspended for more than seven days after the tender of Fund shares, except for any period during which: (1) the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings) or during which the SEC determines that trading thereon is restricted; (2) an emergency (as determined by the SEC) exists as a result of which disposal by a Fund of its securities is not reasonably practicable or as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets; or (3) the SEC has entered a suspension order for the protection of the shareholders of the Fund.

 

Redemption in Kind. Redemption proceeds normally are paid in cash. If deemed appropriate and advisable by the Adviser, a Fund may satisfy a redemption request from a shareholder by distributing portfolio securities pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. The Trust has filed an election with the SEC pursuant to which a Fund may effect a redemption in portfolio securities only if the particular shareholder is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s total net assets, whichever is less, during any 90-day period.

 

NAV Determination. In determining the NAV of each Fund, securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at current market value using the valuation price from the primary exchange where the security is listed, as provided by an independent pricing service or, if no sales price is reported, the mean of the last bid and ask prices. If market

 

 25

quotations are not readily available, then securities are valued at fair value as determined by the Board (or its delegate). For further information, see the “General Information” section in the Prospectus.

 

Distributions. Distributions of net investment income will be reinvested at the NAV of the Fund (unless you elect to receive distributions in cash) as of the last day of the period with respect to which the distribution is paid. Distributions of net realized capital gains will be reinvested at the NAV of the Fund (unless you elect to receive distributions in cash) on the payment date for the distribution. Cash payments may be made more than seven days following the date on which distributions would otherwise be reinvested.

 

 26

TAXATION

 

 

The tax information set forth in the Prospectus and in this section relates solely to federal tax law and assumes that a Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC under that law (as discussed below). This information is only a summary of certain key federal income tax considerations affecting a Fund and its shareholders and is in addition to the information provided in the Prospectus. No attempt has been made to present a complete explanation of the federal tax treatment of the Funds or the tax implications to shareholders. The discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as substitutes for careful tax planning.

 

This “Taxation” section is based on the IRC, the regulations thereunder, and IRS interpretations and similar authority on which a Fund may rely, all as in effect on the date hereof, as well as on court decisions through that date. Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to a Fund and its shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect.

 

This is for general information only and not tax advice. Each investor should consult their own tax advisor as to the federal, state, local, and foreign tax provisions applicable to them.

 

A. Qualification for Treatment as a Regulated Investment Company

 

Each Fund has elected and intends to qualify, or, if newly organized, intends to elect and qualify for each taxable year as a RIC under the IRC. This qualification does not involve governmental supervision of management or investment practices or policies of the Funds.

 

The taxable year-end of the Funds is February 28, which is the same as the Funds’ fiscal year-end.

 

Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company. As a RIC, a Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its investment company taxable income (generally, interest, dividends, the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss, net gains and losses from certain foreign currency transactions and other ordinary income, net of expenses, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that it distributes to shareholders. To qualify to be taxed as a RIC for a taxable year, a Fund must satisfy the following requirements, among others:

 

The Fund must distribute an amount equal to the sum of at least 90% of its investment company taxable income for the taxable year (“Distribution Requirement”). Certain distributions made by the Fund after the close of its taxable year are considered distributions attributable to that taxable year for purposes of satisfying this requirement.

 

The Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income for the 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, or other income (including gains from options) derived from its business of investing in securities or those currencies and (2) net income from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (“QPTP”) (“Gross Income Requirement”). A QPTP is defined as a “publicly traded partnership” (generally, a partnership the interests in which are “traded on an established securities market” or are “readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)”) that derives less than 90% of its gross income from income described in clause (1).

 

The Fund must satisfy the following asset diversification requirements (“Diversification Requirements”) at the close of each quarter of the taxable year: (1) at least 50% of the value of its total assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and securities of other issuers, with these 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 a QPTP being considered voting securities for these purposes); and (2) no more than 25% of the value of its total assets may be invested in (a) the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities and securities of other RICs), (b) the securities (other than securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or (c) the securities of one or more QPTPs.

 

In some circumstances, the character and timing of income realized by a Fund for purposes of the Gross Income Requirement or the identification of the issuer for purposes of the Diversification Requirements is uncertain under current law with respect to a particular investment, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to such type

 

27

 

of investment may adversely affect a Fund’s ability to satisfy these requirements. See, “Certain Tax Rules Applicable to Fund Transactions” below with respect to the application of these requirements to certain types of investments. In other circumstances, a Fund may be required to sell portfolio holdings in order to meet the Gross Income Requirement, Distribution Requirement, or Diversification Requirements, which may have a negative impact on a Fund’s income and performance.

 

Failure to Qualify. If for any taxable year a Fund does not qualify for treatment as a RIC, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at the applicable corporate income tax rate without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders, and the dividends would be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits (except that, for individual and certain other non-corporate shareholders, the part thereof that is “qualified dividend income” (as described below) would be subject to federal income tax at the rates for net capital gain − a maximum rate of 15% or 20%, depending on a shareholder’s level of taxable income and the shareholder’s filing status − and those dividends would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction available to corporations under certain circumstances). Furthermore, a Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before requalifying for RIC treatment. The Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Fund as a RIC if it determines such a course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.

 

Failure to qualify for treatment as a RIC would thus have a negative impact on a Fund’s after-tax performance. It is possible that a Fund will not qualify as a RIC in any given taxable year.

 

If a Fund fails to satisfy the Gross Income Requirement for any taxable year, it nevertheless will be considered to have satisfied that requirement for that year if, among other things, the failure “is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect” and the Fund pays a tax in an amount equal to the excess of its gross income that is not qualifying income for purposes of that requirement over one-ninth of its gross income that is such qualifying income.

 

If a Fund fails to satisfy either of the Diversification Requirements at the close of any quarter of its taxable year by reason of a discrepancy existing immediately after its acquisition of any security that is wholly or partly the result of that acquisition during that quarter, it will not lose its status for that quarter as a RIC if the discrepancy is eliminated within 30 days after the quarter’s close. If a Fund fails to satisfy either of the Diversification Requirements (other than a “de minimis” failure, as defined in the IRC) for a quarter and the preceding sentence does not apply, it nevertheless will be considered to have satisfied those requirements for that quarter if, among other things, the failure “is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect” and the Fund disposes of the assets that caused the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it identifies the failure in the manner to be prescribed by the IRS; in that case, the Fund will also be liable for a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the amount determined by multiplying the net income generated by those assets for the period from the date the failure occurs to the date of disposition thereof by the rate of tax applicable to corporations.

 

Portfolio Turnover. For investors that hold their Fund shares in a taxable account, a high portfolio turnover rate may result in higher taxes. This is because a fund with a high turnover rate is likely to accelerate the recognition of capital gains and more of such gains are likely to be taxable as short-term rather than long-term capital gains in contrast to a comparable fund with a low turnover rate. Any such higher taxes would reduce a Fund’s after-tax performance.

 

Deferral of Late Year Losses. Each Fund may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Fund distributions for any calendar year. A “qualified late year loss” includes:

 

any net capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, or, if there is no such loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (“post-October capital losses”), and

 

the sum of (1) the excess, if any, of (a) specified losses incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) specified gains incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) ordinary losses incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) the ordinary income incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year.

 

The terms “specified losses” and “specified gains” mean ordinary losses and gains from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property (including the termination of a position with respect to such property), foreign currency losses and

 

28

 

gains, and losses and gains resulting from holding stock in a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for which a mark-to-market election is in effect. The terms “ordinary losses” and “ordinary income” mean other ordinary losses and income that are not described in the preceding sentence.

 

Undistributed Capital Gains. Each Fund may retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain for each taxable year. Each Fund currently intends to distribute net capital gains. If a Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the applicable corporate income tax rate. If a Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.

 

B. Fund Distributions

 

Each distribution by a Fund will be treated in the manner described below regardless of whether the distribution is paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund (or of another Fund). If the shareholder receives a distribution in the form of a reinvestment in additional shares, the shareholder will be treated as having received a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received, determined as of the reinvestment date.

 

Distributions of Net Investment Income. Each Fund anticipates distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income for each taxable year. Each Fund receives income generally in the form of dividends and/or interest on its investments. Each Fund may also recognize ordinary income from other sources, including, but not limited to, certain gains on foreign currency-related transactions. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of each Fund, constitutes the Fund’s net investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. If a shareholder is a taxable investor, these distributions generally will be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income to the extent of a Fund’s earnings and profits.

 

Qualified Dividend Income for Individuals. A portion of a Fund’s distributions may be treated as “qualified dividend income,” taxable to individuals and certain other non-corporate shareholders at maximum federal tax rates of 15% or 20%, depending on a shareholder’s level of taxable income and the shareholder’s filing status. A distribution is treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder to the extent that (1) a Fund receives dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, provided that holding period and certain other requirements are met, and (2) the shareholder meets those requirements with respect to Fund shares on which the distribution is paid. To the extent that a Fund’s distributions are attributable to other sources, such as interest or capital gains, the distributions will not be treated as qualified dividend income. A Fund’s distributions of dividends that it receives from U.S. real estate investment trusts, derivatives, fixed income securities, and PFICs generally will not constitute qualified dividend income. Because the income of a Fund is primarily derived from investments in REITs rather than dividend income, generally none or only a small portion of the income dividends paid to you by the Fund is anticipated to be qualified dividend income.

 

Dividends-Received Deduction for Corporations. For corporate shareholders, a portion of the dividends paid by a Fund may qualify for the 50% corporate dividends-received deduction. The portion of dividends paid by a Fund that so qualifies will be reported by a Fund to shareholders each year and cannot exceed the gross amount of dividends received by a Fund from domestic (U.S.) corporations. The availability of the dividends-received deduction is subject to certain holding period and debt financing restrictions that apply to both a Fund and the investor. Specifically, the amount that a Fund may report as eligible for the dividends-received deduction will be reduced or eliminated if the shares on which the dividends earned by a Fund were debt-financed or held by a Fund for less than a minimum period of time, generally 46 days during a 91-day period beginning 45 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend. Similarly, if your Fund shares are debt-financed or held by you for less than a 46-day period then the dividends-received deduction for Fund dividends on your shares may also be reduced or eliminated. Even if reported as dividends eligible for the dividends-received deduction, all dividends (including any deducted portion) must be included in your alternative minimum taxable income calculation. (Under 2017 legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, corporations are no longer subject to the AMT for taxable years of the corporation beginning after December 31, 2017.) Income derived by a Fund from investments in derivatives, fixed income and foreign securities generally is not eligible for this treatment.

 

Distributions of Capital Gains. Each Fund anticipates distributing substantially all of its net capital gain (after reduction for any capital loss carryovers, i.e., unutilized capital losses from prior taxable years) for each taxable year. These distributions generally will be made only once a year, usually in December, but a Fund may make additional distributions of net capital gain at any time during the year. Each Fund may derive capital gain and loss in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Distributions derived from the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital

 

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loss will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions paid from the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long you have held your shares in a Fund. These distributions will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction or as qualified dividend income for non-corporate shareholders.

 

Return of Capital. A distribution by a Fund that does not constitute an ordinary income dividend or capital gain dividend will be treated as a return of capital. A return of capital distribution will reduce the shareholder’s tax basis of shares and will be treated as gain from the sale of the shares to the extent the basis would be reduced below zero. Return of capital distributions can occur for a number of reasons, including, among others, a Fund over-estimates the income to be received from certain investments.

 

Capital Loss Carryovers. The capital losses of a Fund, if any, do not flow through to shareholders. Rather, a Fund may use its capital losses, subject to applicable limitations, to offset its capital gains without being required to pay taxes on or distribute to shareholders such gains that are offset by the losses. If a Fund has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains), the excess (if any) of the Fund’s net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of a Fund’s next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of a Fund’s net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of a Fund’s next taxable year. Any such net capital losses of a Fund that are not used to offset capital gains may be carried forward indefinitely to reduce any future capital gains realized by a Fund in succeeding taxable years. All capital loss carryovers are listed in a Fund’s financial statements.

 

The amount of capital losses that can be carried forward and used in any single year is subject to an annual limitation if there is a more than 50% “change in ownership” of a Fund. An ownership change generally results when shareholders owning 5% or more of a Fund increase their aggregate holdings by more than 50% over a three-year look-back period. An ownership change could result in capital loss carryovers being used at a slower rate, thereby reducing a Fund’s ability to offset capital gains with those losses. An increase in the amount of taxable gains distributed to a Fund’s shareholders could result from an ownership change. A Fund undertakes no obligation to avoid or prevent an ownership change, which can occur in the normal course of shareholder purchases and redemptions or as a result of engaging in a tax-free reorganization with another fund. Moreover, because of circumstances beyond a Fund’s control, there can be no assurance that a Fund will not experience, or has not already experienced, an ownership change. Additionally, if a Fund engages in a tax-free reorganization with another fund, the effect of these and other rules not discussed herein may be to disallow or postpone the use by a Fund of its capital loss carryovers (including any current year losses and built-in losses when realized) to offset its own gains or those of the other fund, or vice versa, thereby reducing the tax benefits Fund shareholders would otherwise have enjoyed from use of such capital loss carryovers.

 

Impact of Realized but Undistributed Income and Gains, and Net Unrealized Appreciation of Portfolio Securities. When a shareholder purchases shares, the NAV of their shares may reflect undistributed net investment income, undistributed capital gains or net unrealized appreciation in the value of the assets of a Fund. A distribution of that income or gain (including net gain, if any, from realizing all or part of that appreciation) will be taxable to a shareholder in the manner described above, although the distribution economically constitutes a partial return of capital to the shareholder unless the shareholder is investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. A Fund may be able to reduce the amount of such distributions from capital gains by utilizing its capital loss carryovers, if any.

 

Dividends Declared in December and Paid in January. Ordinarily, a shareholder is required to take distributions by a Fund into income in the year in which they are made. A distribution declared in October, November or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in one of those months, however, is deemed to be paid by a Fund and received by them on December 31 of that year if the distribution is paid in January of the following year.

 

Annual Statements. A Fund will send information annually to its shareholders regarding the federal income tax status of distributions made (or deemed made) during the year.

 

Medicare Tax. An individual is required to pay a 3.8% federal tax on the lesser of (1) the individual’s “net investment income,” which generally includes dividends, interest and net gains from the disposition of investment property (including dividends and capital gain distributions a Fund pays and net gains realized on the redemption or other taxable disposition of Fund shares) reduced by the deductions properly allocable to such income, 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. This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, this provision may have on their investment in Fund shares.

 

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Pass Through of Foreign Tax Credits. If more than 50% of a Fund’s total assets at the end of a fiscal year is invested in foreign securities, a Fund may elect to pass through to you your pro rata share of foreign taxes paid by a Fund. If this election is made, a Fund may report more taxable income to you than it actually distributes. You will then be entitled either to deduct your share of these taxes in computing your taxable income, or to claim a foreign tax credit for these taxes against your U.S. federal income tax (subject to limitations for certain shareholders). A Fund will provide you with the information necessary to claim this deduction or credit on your personal income tax return if it makes this election. No deduction for foreign tax may be claimed by a noncorporate shareholder who does not itemize deductions or who is subject to the alternative minimum tax. Shareholders may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate shares of the foreign income tax paid by a Fund due to certain limitations that may apply. A Fund reserves the right not to pass through to its shareholders the amount of foreign income taxes paid by a Fund. Additionally, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass through of foreign tax credits to shareholders.

 

C. Certain Tax Rules Applicable to Fund Transactions

 

Set forth below is a general description of the tax treatment of certain types of securities, investment techniques and transactions that may apply to the Fund and, in turn, affect the amount, character and timing of dividends and distributions payable by a Fund to its shareholders. This section should be read in conjunction with the discussion above under “Investment Policies and Risks” for a detailed description of the various types of securities and investment techniques that apply to a Fund.

 

Investments in Foreign Currencies and Securities. Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates that occur between the time that a Fund accrues interest, dividends or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time that the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities are treated as ordinary income or ordinary losses. Similarly, gains or losses from the disposition of a foreign currency, or from the disposition of a fixed-income security denominated in a foreign currency that are attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the asset and the date of its disposition, also are treated as ordinary income or ordinary losses. These gains or losses increase or decrease the amount of a Fund’s investment company taxable income available to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the amount of the Fund’s net capital gain and may cause some or all of the Fund’s previously distributed income to be classified as a return of capital.

 

PFIC Investments. If a Fund owns shares in a foreign corporation that constitutes a PFIC for federal income tax purposes and the Fund does not make either of the elections described in the next two paragraphs, it will be subject to federal income taxation on a portion of any “excess distribution” it receives from the PFIC or any gain it derives from the disposition of such shares, even if it distributes such income as a taxable dividend to its shareholders. A Fund may also be subject to additional interest charges in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. Any tax paid by a Fund as a result of its ownership of shares in a PFIC will not give rise to any deduction or credit to the Fund or to any shareholder. A PFIC is any foreign corporation (with certain exceptions) that, for the taxable year, either (1) derives at least 75% of its gross income for the taxable year from “passive income” (including interest, dividends, royalties, rents and annuities) or (2) on average, at least 50% of the value (or adjusted tax basis, if elected) of the assets it holds produce, or are held for the production of, “passive income.” A Fund’s distributions of income from any PFICs will not be eligible for the 15% or 20% maximum federal income tax rate on individuals’ “qualified dividend income” described above.

 

A Fund could elect to “mark-to-market” stock in a PFIC. Under such an election, the Fund would include in gross income (and treat as ordinary income) at the end of the Fund’s fiscal and excise tax years an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the PFIC stock as of the close of such year over the Fund’s adjusted basis in the PFIC stock. The Fund would be allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of that adjusted basis over that fair market value, but only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains included by the Fund for prior taxable years. The Fund’s adjusted basis in the PFIC stock would be adjusted to reflect the amounts included in, or deducted from, income under this election. Amounts so included, as well as gain realized on the disposition of the PFIC stock, would be treated as ordinary income. The deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss, as well as loss realized on the disposition of the PFIC stock to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included by the Fund, would be treated as ordinary loss. The Fund generally would not be subject to the deferred tax and interest charge provisions discussed above with respect to PFIC stock for which a mark-to-market election has been made. Foreign companies are not required to identify themselves as PFICs. Due to various complexities in identifying PFICs, a Fund can give no assurances that it will be able to identify portfolio securities in foreign corporations that are PFICs in time for the Fund to make a mark-to-market election.

 

If a Fund purchases shares in a PFIC and elects to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund,” the Fund would be required to include in its income each year a portion of the ordinary income and net capital gains of the PFIC, even if the income and

 

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gains were not distributed to the Fund. Any such income would be subject to the Distribution Requirement and the calendar year Excise Tax distribution requirement described below. In most instances it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to make this election because some of the information required to make this election may not be easily obtainable.

 

Investors should be aware that a Fund may not be able, at the time it acquires a foreign corporation’s shares, to ascertain whether the corporation is a PFIC and that a foreign corporation may become a PFIC after the Fund acquires shares therein. While a Fund generally will seek not to invest in PFIC shares to avoid the tax consequences detailed above, there are no guarantees that it will be able to do so and it reserves the right to make such investments as a matter of its investment policy.

 

Investments in Convertible Debt Securities. Convertible debt is ordinarily treated as a “single property” consisting of a pure debt interest until conversion, after which the investment becomes an equity interest. If the security is issued at a premium (i.e., for cash in excess of the face amount payable on retirement), the creditor-holder may amortize the premium over the life of the bond. If the security is issued for cash at a price below its face amount, the creditor-holder must accrue original issue discount in income over the life of the debt. The creditor-holder’s exercise of the conversion privilege is treated as a nontaxable event. Mandatorily convertible debt (e.g., an exchange traded note or ETN issued in the form of an unsecured obligation that pays a return based on the performance of a specified market index, exchange currency, or commodity) is often, but not always, treated as a contract to buy or sell the reference property rather than debt. Similarly, convertible preferred stock with a mandatory conversion feature is ordinarily, but not always, treated as equity rather than debt. Dividends received generally are qualified dividend income and eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. In general, conversion of preferred stock for common stock of the same corporation is tax-free. Conversion of preferred stock for cash is a taxable redemption. Any redemption premium for preferred stock that is redeemable by the issuing company might be required to be amortized under original issue discount principles. A change in the conversion ratio or conversion price of a convertible security on account of a dividend paid to the issuer’s other shareholders may result in a deemed distribution of stock to the holders of the convertible security equal to the value of their increased interest in the equity of the issuer. Thus, an increase in the conversion ratio of a convertible security can be treated as a taxable distribution of stock to a holder of the convertible security (without a corresponding receipt of cash by the holder) before the holder has converted the security.

 

Investments in U.S. REITs. A U.S. REIT is not subject to federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes to shareholders. Dividends paid by a U.S. REIT, other than capital gain distributions, will be taxable as ordinary income up to the amount of the U.S. REIT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Capital gain dividends paid by a U.S. REIT to a fund will be treated as long-term capital gains by a fund and, in turn, may be distributed by a fund to its shareholders as a capital gain distribution. Because of certain noncash expenses, such as property depreciation, an equity U.S. REIT’s cash flow may exceed its taxable income. The equity U.S. REIT, and in turn a fund, may distribute this excess cash to shareholders in the form of a return of capital distribution. However, if a U.S. REIT is operated in a manner that fails to qualify as a REIT, an investment in the U.S. REIT would become subject to double taxation, meaning the taxable income of the U.S. REIT would be subject to federal income tax at the applicable corporate income tax rate without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders and the dividends would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the U.S. REIT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Also, see, “Investment in taxable mortgage pools (excess inclusion income)” below with respect to certain other tax aspects of investing in U.S. REITs.

 

Investment in Non-U.S. REITs. While non-U.S. REITs often use complex acquisition structures that seek to minimize taxation in the source country, an investment by a fund in a non-U.S. REIT may subject a fund, directly or indirectly, to corporate taxes, withholding taxes, transfer taxes and other indirect taxes in the country in which the real estate acquired by the non-U.S. REIT is located. A fund’s pro rata share of any such taxes will reduce a fund’s return on its investment. A Fund’s investment in a non-U.S. REIT may be considered an investment in a PFIC, as discussed above in “PFIC investments.” Additionally, foreign withholding taxes on distributions from the non-U.S. REIT may be reduced or eliminated under certain tax treaties, as discussed above in “Foreign income tax.” Also, a fund in certain limited circumstances may be required to file an income tax return in the source country and pay tax on any gain realized from its investment in the non-U.S. REIT under rules similar to those in the United States, which tax foreign persons on gain realized from dispositions of interests in U.S. real estate.

 

Investment in Taxable Mortgage Pools (Excess Inclusion Income). Under a Notice issued by the IRS, the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations to be issued, a portion of a fund’s income from a U.S. REIT that is attributable to the REIT’s residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (“REMIC”) or equity interests in a “taxable mortgage pool” (referred to in the Internal Revenue Code as an excess inclusion) will be subject to federal income tax in all events. The excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as a fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the

 

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same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC residual interest or, if applicable, taxable mortgage pool directly. In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to entities (including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, 401(k) plans, Keogh plans or other tax-exempt entities) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign stockholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. In addition, if at any time during any taxable year a “disqualified organization” (which generally includes certain cooperatives, governmental entities, and tax-exempt organizations not subject to UBTI) is a record holder of a share in a regulated investment company, then the regulated investment company will be subject to a tax equal to that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to the disqualified organization, multiplied by the applicable corporate income tax rate. The Notice imposes certain reporting requirements upon regulated investment companies that have excess inclusion income. There can be no assurance that a fund will not allocate to shareholders excess inclusion income.

 

These rules are potentially applicable to a fund with respect to any income it receives from the equity interests of certain mortgage pooling vehicles, either directly or, as is more likely, through an investment in a U.S. REIT. It is unlikely that these rules will apply to a fund that has a non-REIT strategy.

 

Investments in Convertible Securities. Convertible debt is ordinarily treated as a “single property” consisting of a pure debt interest until conversion, after which the investment becomes an equity interest. If the security is issued at a premium (i.e., for cash in excess of the face amount payable on retirement), the creditor-holder may amortize the premium over the life of the bond. If the security is issued for cash at a price below its face amount, the creditor-holder must accrue original issue discount in income over the life of the debt. The creditor-holder’s exercise of the conversion privilege is treated as a nontaxable event. Mandatorily convertible debt (e.g., an exchange traded note or ETN issued in the form of an unsecured obligation that pays a return based on the performance of a specified market index, exchange currency, or commodity) is often, but not always, treated as a contract to buy or sell the reference property rather than debt. Similarly, convertible preferred stock with a mandatory conversion feature is ordinarily, but not always, treated as equity rather than debt. Dividends received generally are qualified dividend income and eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction. In general, conversion of preferred stock for common stock of the same corporation is tax-free. Conversion of preferred stock for cash is a taxable redemption. Any redemption premium for preferred stock that is redeemable by the issuing company might be required to be amortized under original issue discount principles.

 

Investments in Securities of Uncertain Tax Character. A Fund may invest in securities the U.S. federal income tax treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or the income from such securities differs from the tax treatment expected by a Fund, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by a Fund, requiring a Fund to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to RICs under the IRC. Moreover, because the tax rules applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a Fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid a fund-level tax.

 

D. Federal Excise Tax

 

A 4% non-deductible federal excise tax (“Excise Tax”) is imposed on a RIC that fails to distribute in each calendar year an amount equal to at least the sum of (1) 98.0% of its ordinary income for the calendar year plus (2) 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year, and (3) any prior year undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income. A Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to income tax for any taxable year ending in the calendar year.

 

For purposes of calculating the Excise Tax, each Fund (1) reduces its capital gain net income (but not below its net capital gain) by the amount of any net ordinary loss for the calendar year and (2) excludes any “specified gain” or “specified loss” (see, “Deferral of Late Year Losses” above for the definition of “specified gain” and “specified loss”) realized or sustained after October 31 of any year in determining the amount of ordinary income for the current calendar year. A Fund will include any “specified gain” or “specified loss” incurred after October 31 in determining ordinary income for the succeeding calendar year.

 

Generally, each Fund intends to make sufficient distributions prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid any material liability for federal income and Excise Tax, but can give no assurances that all or a portion of such liability will be avoided.

 

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In addition, under certain circumstances, temporary timing or permanent differences in the realization of income and expense for book and tax purposes can result in the Fund having to pay an Excise Tax. Shareholders should note, however, that each Fund may in certain circumstances be required to liquidate portfolio investments to make sufficient distributions to avoid Excise Tax liability.

 

E. Redemption of Shares

 

In general, you will recognize gain or loss on an exchange or redemption of Fund shares in an amount equal to the difference between the proceeds of the exchange or redemption and your adjusted tax basis in the shares. Any redemption fees you incur on shares redeemed will decrease the amount of any capital gain (or increase any capital loss) you realize on the sale. All or a portion of any loss so recognized may be disallowed if you purchase Fund shares (for example, by reinvesting dividends) within 30 days before or after the exchange or redemption (i.e., a wash sale). If disallowed, the loss would be reflected in an upward adjustment to the basis in the purchased shares. In general, any gain or loss arising from an exchange or redemption of shares of the Fund will be considered a capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for longer than one year. Any capital loss arising from an exchange or redemption of shares held for six months or less, however, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of distributions of net capital gain, if any, received on such shares. In determining the holding period of shares for this purpose, any period during which your risk of loss is offset by means of options, short sales or similar transactions is not counted. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a non-corporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.

 

Tax Basis Information. A Fund is required to report to you and the IRS annually on Form 1099-B the cost basis of shares purchased or acquired where the cost basis of the shares is known by the Fund (referred to as “covered shares”). However, cost basis reporting is not required for certain shareholders, including shareholders investing in the Fund through a tax-advantaged retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account.

 

When required to report cost basis, a Fund will calculate it using the Fund’s default method, unless you instruct the Fund to use a different calculation method. For additional information regarding the Fund’s available cost basis reporting methods, including its default method, please contact the Fund. If you hold your Fund shares through a broker (or other nominee), please contact that broker (nominee) with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account.

 

The IRS permits the use of several methods to determine the cost basis of mutual fund shares. The method used will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing share prices, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund does not recommend any particular method of determining cost basis, and the use of other methods may result in more favorable tax consequences for some shareholders. It is important that you consult with your tax advisor to determine which method is best for you and then notify the Fund if you intend to utilize a method other than the Fund’s default method for covered shares. If you do not notify the Fund of your elected cost basis method upon the initial purchase into your account, the default method will be applied to your covered shares.

 

A Fund will compute and report the cost basis of your Fund shares sold or exchanged by taking into account all of the applicable adjustments to cost basis and holding periods as required by the IRC and Treasury regulations for purposes of reporting these amounts to you and the IRS. However the Fund is not required to, and in many cases the Fund does not possess the information to, take all possible basis, holding period or other adjustments into account in reporting cost basis information to you. Therefore, shareholders should carefully review the cost basis information provided by the Fund.

 

Reportable Transactions. Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. 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 regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

Deferral of Basis. If a shareholder (a) incurs a sales load in acquiring shares of a Fund, (b) disposes of such shares less than 91 days after they are acquired, and (c) subsequently acquires shares of the Fund or another fund by Jan. 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the disposition of the original shares occurred at a reduced sales load pursuant to a right to reinvest at such reduced sales load acquired in connection with the acquisition of the shares disposed of, then the sales load on the shares disposed of (to the extent of the reduction in the sales load on the shares subsequently acquired) shall not be taken into account in determining gain or loss on the shares disposed of, but shall be treated as incurred on the

 

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acquisition of the shares subsequently acquired. The wash sale rules may also limit the amount of loss that may be taken into account on disposition after such adjustment.

 

F. State and Local Taxes

 

The tax rules of the various states and their local jurisdictions with respect to an investment in a Fund can differ from the federal income tax rules described above. These state and local rules are not discussed herein. You are urged to consult your tax advisor as to the consequences of state and local tax rules with respect to an investment in a Fund.

 

G. Backup Withholding

 

By law, each Fund may be required to withhold a portion of your taxable dividends and sales proceeds unless you:

 

provide your correct social security or taxpayer identification number,

 

certify that this number is correct,

 

certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, and

 

certify that you are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).

 

Each Fund also must withhold if the IRS instructs it to do so. When withholding is required, the amount will be 24% of any distributions or proceeds paid. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting.

 

H. Foreign Income Tax

 

Investment income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries and gains that it realizes on the disposition of foreign securities may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source and the amount of tax withheld generally will be treated as an expense of a Fund. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries that may entitle a Fund to a reduced rate of such taxes or exemption from taxes on such income. Some countries require the filing of a tax reclaim or other forms to receive the benefit of the reduced tax rate; whether or when a Fund will receive the tax reclaim is within the control of the individual country. Information required on these forms may not be available such as shareholder information therefore, a Fund may not receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries have conflicting and changing instructions and restrictive timing requirements which may cause a Fund not to receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries may subject capital gains realized by a Fund on sale or disposition of securities of that country to taxation. It is impossible to know the effective rate of foreign tax in advance, since the amount of a Fund’s assets to be invested within various countries cannot be determined. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may elect to pass-through the amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund to shareholders, although it reserves the right not to do so. If the Fund makes such an election and obtains a refund of foreign taxes paid by the Fund in a prior year, the Fund may be eligible to reduce the amount of foreign taxes reported by the Fund to its shareholders, generally by the amount of the foreign taxes refunded, for the year in which the refund is received.

 

I. Non-U.S. Investors

 

Fund shares generally are not sold outside the United States. However, non-U.S. investors (shareholders who, as to the U.S., are nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or estates, foreign corporations, or foreign partnerships) may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements. Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisors about the applicability of U.S. tax withholding and the use of the appropriate forms to certify their status.

 

In general. Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a 30% or lower treaty rate and U.S. estate tax and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements to avoid backup withholding and claim any treaty benefits. Exemptions from U.S. withholding tax are provided for certain capital gain dividends paid by a Fund from net long-term capital gains, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, if such amounts are reported by a Fund. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, any such dividends and distributions of income and capital gains will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person.

 

35

 

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”). Under FATCA, a Fund will be required to withhold a 30% tax on the following payments or distributions made by the Fund to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions or nonfinancial foreign entities, that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts: (a) income dividends and (b) after December 31, 2018, certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares. A Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA or similar laws. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.

 

36

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

 

A. The Trust and Its Shareholders

 

General Information. Each Fund is a separate series of the Trust. The Trust is an open-end investment management company organized under Delaware law as a statutory trust on July 30, 2012. The Trust’s trust instrument (the “Trust Instrument”) permits the Trust to offer separate series (“funds”) of shares of beneficial interest (“shares”). The Trust reserves the right to create and issue shares of additional funds. The Trust and each fund will continue indefinitely until terminated. Each fund is a separate mutual fund, and each share of each fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that fund. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any fund and all assets of such fund belong solely to that fund and would be subject to liabilities related thereto. The other funds of the Trust are described in one or more separate Statements of Additional Information.

 

Shareholder Voting and Other Rights. Each share of a fund and each class of shares has equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and voting rights. Fractional shares have those rights proportionately, except that expenses related to the distribution of shares of each fund or class (and certain other expenses such as transfer agency, shareholder service and administration expenses) are borne solely by those shares. Each fund or class votes separately with respect to the provisions of any Rule 12b-1 plan that pertains to the fund or class and other matters for which separate fund or class voting is appropriate under applicable law. Generally, shares will be voted separately by each fund except if: (1) the 1940 Act requires shares to be voted in the aggregate and not by individual funds; or (2) the Board determines that the matter affects more than one fund and all affected funds must vote. The Board may also determine that a matter only affects certain funds or classes of the Trust and thus that only those funds or classes are entitled to vote on the matter. Delaware law does not require the Trust to hold annual meetings of shareholders, and it is anticipated that shareholder meetings will be held only when specifically required by federal or state law. There are no conversion or preemptive rights in connection with shares of the Trust.

 

All shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the offering, will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

A shareholder in a fund is entitled to the shareholder’s pro rata share of all distributions arising from that fund’s assets and, upon redeeming shares, will receive the portion of the fund’s net assets represented by the redeemed shares.

 

Shareholders representing 10% or more of the Trust’s (or a fund’s) shares may, as set forth in the Trust Instrument, call meetings of the Trust (or fund) for any purpose related to the Trust (or fund), including, in the case of a meeting of the Trust, the purpose of voting on removal of one or more Trustees.

 

Termination or Reorganization of Trust or its Series. The Board, may, without prior shareholder approval, change the form of organization of the Trust by merger, consolidation or incorporation, so long as the surviving entity is an open-end management investment company. Under the Trust Instrument, the Trustees may also, without shareholder vote, sell and convey all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust to another trust, partnership, association or corporation, or cause the Trust to incorporate in the State of Delaware, so long as the surviving entity is an open-end management investment company that will succeed to or assume the Trust’s registration statement.

 

Under the Trust Instrument, the Board may sell or convey the assets of a fund or reorganize such fund into another investment company registered under the 1940 Act without a shareholder vote.

 

B. Fund Ownership

 

A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund. A control person is a shareholder who 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.

 

As of June 5, 2018, the Trustees and officers of the Trust in aggregate owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of each Fund.

 

As of June 5, 2018, certain shareholders listed in Table 6 in Appendix B owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the shares of a Fund.

 

From time to time, certain shareholders may own a large percentage of the shares of a Fund. Accordingly, those shareholders may be able to greatly affect (if not determine) the outcome of a shareholder vote. As of June 5, 2018, the shareholders listed

 

37

 

in Table 6 in Appendix B who own more than 25% of a Fund may be deemed to control the Fund. “Control” for this purpose is the ownership of 25% or more of a Fund’s voting securities.

 

C. Limitations on Shareholders’ and Trustees’ Liability

 

Delaware law provides that Fund shareholders are entitled to the same limitations of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit. In addition, the Trust Instrument contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses of the Trust. The Trust Instrument provides that if any shareholder or former shareholder of any fund is held personally liable, solely by reason of having been a shareholder (and not because of their acts or omissions or for some other reason), the shareholder or former shareholder shall be entitled out of assets belonging to the applicable fund to be held harmless from and indemnified against all losses and expenses arising from such liability. The Trust Instrument also provides that the Trust, on behalf of a fund, shall, upon request by a shareholder or former shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of that fund and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets belonging to the fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which Delaware law does not apply, no contractual limitation of liability is in effect, and a Fund is unable to meet its obligations.

 

No trustee or officer of the Trust is responsible or liable to the Trust, its shareholders or another trustee or other person that is a party to or is otherwise bound by the Trust’s Trust Instrument for any act or omission, breach of contract, breach of duties or for neglect or wrongdoing of the Trustee or officer or any officer, agent, representative, employee, adviser, principal underwriter or independent contractor to the Trust. However, no trustee or officer is protected under the Trust Instrument against liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which such trustee or officer would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of their duties.

 

All persons contracting with or having a claim against the Trust or a particular fund may only look to the Trust assets (or assets belonging to a fund) for payment under such contract or claim. Neither the trustees nor any of the Trust’s officers or employees (whether past, present or future) are personally liable for such claims.

 

D. Proxy Voting Procedures

 

The Trust’s and the Adviser’s proxy voting procedures are included in Appendices C and D, respectively. Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 is available: (1) without charge, upon request, by contacting the Transfer Agent at (844) 218-5182 (toll free); and (2) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

E. Code of Ethics

 

The Trust and the Adviser have each adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of each of those entities to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund. The Distributor relies on the principal underwriters exception under Rule 17j-1(c)(3), specifically where the Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust or the Adviser, and no officer, director or general partner of the Distributor serves as an officer, director or general partner of the Trust or the Adviser.

 

F. Registration Statement

 

This SAI and the Prospectus do not contain all of the information included in the Trust’s registration statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act with respect to the securities offered hereby. The registration statement, including the exhibits filed therewith, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C. The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains this SAI, any material incorporated by reference, and other information regarding the Funds.

 

G. Financial Statements

 

The Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm, BBD, audits and reports on each Fund’s annual financial statements. The financial statements include the schedule of investments, statement of assets and liabilities, statement of operations, statement 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.

 

38

 

APPENDIX A – DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

 

 

Corporate and Municipal Long-Term Bond Ratings

 

Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) Corporate and Municipal Long-Term Bond Ratings:

 

The following descriptions of S&P’s long-term corporate and municipal bond ratings have been published by Standard & Poor’s Financial Service LLC.

 

AAA - An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

 

AA - An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

 

A - 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 commitment on the obligation is still strong.

 

BBB - An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C - Obligations rated ‘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 exposures to adverse conditions.

 

BB - 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 which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

B - An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

CCC - 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 commitment 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 commitment on the obligation.

 

CC - 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 Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

 

C - 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 to obligations that are rated higher.

 

D - 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 Ratings believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 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. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

 

Plus (+) or Minus (-) - The ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

 

NR - This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P Global Ratings does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

 

 A-1

 

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) Long-Term Corporate Bond Ratings:

 

The following descriptions of Moody’s long-term corporate bond ratings have been published by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Moody’s Analytics Inc.

 

Aaa - Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

 

Aa - Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

 

A - Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

 

Baa - Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess speculative characteristics.

 

Ba - Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

 

B - Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

 

Caa - Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

 

Ca - Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery in principal and interest.

 

C - Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

 

Modifiers: 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.

 

Moody’s U.S. Municipal Long-Term Bond Ratings:

 

The following descriptions of Moody’s long-term municipal bond ratings have been published by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Moody’s Analytics Inc.

 

Aaa - Issuers or issues rated Aaa demonstrate the strongest creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

 

Aa - Issuers or issues rated Aa demonstrate very strong creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

 

A - Issuers or issues rated A present above-average creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

 

Baa - Issuers or issues rated Baa represent average creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

 

Ba - Issuers or issues rated Ba demonstrate below-average creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

 

B - Issuers or issues rated B demonstrate weak creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

 

Caa - Issuers or issues rated Caa demonstrate very weak creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

 

Ca - Issuers or issues rated Ca demonstrate extremely weak creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

 

 A-2

 

C - Issuers or issues rated C demonstrate the weakest creditworthiness relative to other U.S. municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.

 

Modifiers: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating category from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the issuer or 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.

 

Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) Corporate Bond Ratings:

 

The following descriptions of Fitch’s long-term corporate bond ratings have been published by Fitch, Inc. and Fitch Ratings Ltd.

 

AAA - 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.

 

AA - 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.

 

A - High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote 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.

 

BBB - Good credit 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.

 

BB - 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.

 

B - Highly speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that material credit risk is present. For performing obligations, default risk is commensurate with the issuer being rated with an Issuer Default Risk (“IDR”) in the ranges ‘BB’ to ‘C’. For issuers with an IDR below ‘B’, the overall credit risk of this obligation is moderated by the expected level of recoveries should a default occur. For issuers with an IDR above ‘B’, the overall credit risk of this obligation is exacerbated by the expected low level of recoveries should a default occur. For non-performing obligations, the obligation or issuer is in default, or has deferred payment, but the rated obligation is expected to have extremely high recovery rates consistent with a Recovery Rating of ‘RR1’ (outstanding recovery prospects given default).

 

CCC - Substantial credit risk. ‘CCC’ ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present. For performing obligations, default risk is commensurate with an IDR in the ranges ‘B’ to ‘C’. For issuers with an IDR below ‘CCC’, the overall credit risk of this obligation is moderated by the expected level of recoveries should a default occur. For issuers with an IDR above ‘CCC’, the overall credit risk of this obligation is exacerbated by the expected low level of recoveries should a default occur. For non-performing obligations, the obligation or issuer is in default, or has deferred payment, but the rated obligation is expected to have a superior recovery rate consistent with a Recovery Rating of ‘RR2’ (superior recovery prospects given default).

 

CC - Very high levels of credit risk. ‘CC’ ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk. For performing obligations, default risk is commensurate with an IDR in the ranges ‘B’ to ‘C’. For issuers with an IDR below ‘CC’, the overall credit risk of this obligation is moderated by the expected level of recoveries should a default occur. For issuers with an IDR above ‘CC’, the overall credit risk of this obligation is exacerbated by the expected low level of recoveries should a default occur. For non-performing obligations, the obligation or issuer is in default, or has deferred payment, but the rated obligation is expected to have a good recovery rate consistent with a Recovery Rating of ‘RR3’ (good recovery prospects given default).

 

C - Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. ‘C’ indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk. For performing obligations, default risk is commensurate with an IDR in the ranges ‘B’ to ‘C’. The overall credit risk of this obligation is exacerbated by the expected low level of recoveries should a default occur. For non-performing obligations, the obligation or issuer is in default, or has deferred payment, and the rated obligation is expected to have an average, below-average or poor recovery

 

 A-3

 

rate consistent with a Recovery Rating of ‘RR4’ (average recovery prospects given default), ‘RR5’ (below average recovery prospects given default) or ‘RR6’ (poor recovery prospects given default).

 

Defaulted obligations typically are not assigned ‘RD’ or ‘D’ ratings, but are instead rated in the ‘B’ to ‘C’ rating categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. This approach better aligns obligations that have comparable overall expected loss but varying vulnerability to default and loss.

 

Plus (+) or Minus (-) 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 ‘B’.

 

The terms “investment grade” and “speculative grade” have established themselves over time as shorthand to describe the categories ‘AAA’ to ‘BBB’ (investment grade) and ‘BB’ to ‘D’ (speculative grade). The terms “investment grade” and “speculative grade” are market conventions, and do not imply any recommendation or endorsement of a specific security for investment purposes. “Investment grade” categories indicate relatively low to moderate credit risk, while ratings in the “speculative” categories either signal a higher level of credit risk or that a default has already occurred.

 

Fitch’s Municipal Bond Long-Term Ratings:

 

The following descriptions of Fitch’s long-term municipal bond ratings have been published by Fitch, Inc. and Fitch Ratings Ltd.

 

AAA - Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of default 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.

 

AA - Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

 

A - High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low default 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.

 

BBB - Good credit 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.

 

BB - Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time.

 

B - Highly speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

 

CCC - Substantial credit risk. ‘CCC’ ratings indicate that default is a real possibility.

 

CC - Very high levels of credit risk. ‘CC’ ratings indicate default of some kind appears probable.

 

C - Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. ‘C’ ratings indicate default appears imminent or inevitable.

 

D - Default. ‘D’ ratings indicate a default. Default generally is defined as one of the following:

 

failure to make payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of the rated obligation;

 

the bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of the business of an issuer/obligor; or

 

the distressed exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation.

 

 A-4

 

Structured Finance Defaults – “Imminent” default, categorized under ‘C’, typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

 

Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full in accordance with the terms of the obligation’s documentation during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in accordance with the terms of the documentation is imminent, the obligation will typically be rated in the ‘C’ category.

 

Structured Finance Writedowns - Where an instrument has experienced an involuntary and, in the agency’s opinion, irreversible “writedown” of principal (i.e. other than through amortization, and resulting in a loss to the investor), a credit rating of ‘D’ will be assigned to the instrument. Where the agency believes the “writedown” may prove to be temporary (and the loss may be “written up” again in future if and when performance improves), then a credit rating of ‘C’ will typically be assigned. Should the “writedown” then later be reversed, the credit rating will be raised to an appropriate level for that instrument. Should the “writedown” later be deemed as irreversible, the credit rating will be lowered to ‘D’.

 

Notes: In the case of structured and project finance, while the ratings do not address the loss severity given default of the rated liability, loss severity assumptions on the underlying assets are nonetheless typically included as part of the analysis. Loss severity assumptions are used to derive pool cash flows available to service the rated liability.

 

Plus (+) or Minus (-) - 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’ Long-Term Rating category, or to Long-Term Rating categories below ‘B’.

 

Municipal Short-Term Bond Ratings

 

S&P’s Municipal Short-Term Bond Ratings:

 

The following descriptions of S&P’s short-term municipal ratings have been published by Standard & Poor’s Financial Service LLC.

 

SP-1 - 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.

 

SP-2 - Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

 

SP-3 - Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

Moody’s Municipal Short-Term Ratings:

 

The following descriptions of Moody’s short-term municipal ratings have been published by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Moody’s Analytics Inc.

 

MIG 1 - This 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.

 

MIG 2 - This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

MIG 3 - This 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.

 

SG - This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

 

 A-5

 

Fitch’s Municipal Short-Term Credit Ratings:

 

The following descriptions of Fitch’s municipal short-term credit ratings have been published by Fitch, Inc. and Fitch Ratings Ltd.

 

F1 - Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

 

F2 - Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

 

F3 - Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

 

B - Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

 

C - High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

 

RD - Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically, applicable to entity ratings only.

 

D - Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

 

Short-Term Credit Ratings

 

S&P’s Short-Term Credit Ratings:

 

The following descriptions of S&P’s short-term credit ratings have been published by Standard & Poor’s Financial Service LLC.

 

A-1 - A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment 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 commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

 

A-2 - 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 commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

 

A-3 - A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

B - 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; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

 

C - 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 commitment on the obligation.

 

D - 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 Ratings 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 exchange offer.

 

Dual Ratings – Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term

 

 A-6

 

transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, ‘AAA/A-1+’ or ‘A-1+/A-1’). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example, ‘SP-1+/A-1+’).

 

Moody’s Short-Term Ratings:

 

The following descriptions of Moody’s short-term credit ratings have been published by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Moody’s Analytics Inc.

 

P-1 - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

P-2 - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

P-3 - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

 

NP - Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

 

Fitch’s Short-Term Ratings:

 

The following descriptions of Fitch’s short-term credit ratings have been published by Fitch, Inc. and Fitch Ratings Ltd.

 

F1 - Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

 

F2 - Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

 

F3 - Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

 

B - Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

 

C - High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

 

RD - Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically, applicable to entity ratings only.

 

D - Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a specific short-term obligation.

 

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’ Long-term rating category, to categories below ‘CCC’, or to Short-term ratings other than ‘F1’. (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)

 

 A-7

 

APPENDIX B – MISCELLANEOUS TABLES

 

 

Table 1 – Investment Advisory Fees

 

The following tables show the dollar amount of fees accrued with respect to each Fund, the amount of fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed by the Adviser, if any, and the actual fees retained by the Adviser. The data is since commencement of operations.

 

Period Ended

Advisory Fees

Accrued

Advisory Fees
Waived and/
or Expenses
Reimbursed

Advisory Fees

Received

NWS International Property Fund
February 28, 2018 $41,679 $140,401 $0
February 28, 2017 $38,704 $38,704 $0
February 29, 2016 $20,326 $20,326 $0
NWS Global Property Fund
February 28, 2018 $7,927 $158,943 $0
February 28, 2017 $1,062 $1,062 $0

 

Table 2 – Administration Fees

 

The following tables show the dollar amount of fees accrued with respect to each Fund, the amount of fees waived by Atlantic, if any, and the actual fees retained by Atlantic. The data is since commencement of operations.

 

Period Ended

Administration Fees

Accrued

Administration Fees

Waived

Administration Fees

Received

NWS International Property Fund
February 28, 2018 $80,337 $12,000 $68,337
February 28, 2017 $85,023 $12,000 $73,023
February 29, 2016 $78,833 $11,000 $67,833
NWS Global Property Fund
February 28, 2018 $66,663 $12,000 $54,663
February 28, 2017 $13,275 $2,419 $10,856

 

Table 3 – Commissions

 

The following tables show the aggregate brokerage commissions of each Fund. The data is since commencement of operations.

 

Period Ended

Aggregate Brokerage
Commissions ($)
Paid

Total Brokerage
Commissions ($)
Paid to Affiliate of
Fund, Adviser or
Distributor

% of Brokerage
Commissions
Paid to Affiliate of
Fund, Adviser or
Distributor

% of Transactions
Executed by Affiliate
of Fund, Adviser or
Distributor

NWS International Property Fund
February 28. 2018 $6,597 $0 0% 0%
February 28, 2017 $5,161 $0 0% 0%
February 29, 2016 $9,702 $0 0% 0%
NWS Global Property Fund
February 28, 2018 $8,631 $0 0% 0%
February 28, 2017 $1,067 $0 0% 0%

 

B-1 

 

Table 4 – Directed Brokerage

 

The following tables list each Fund’s directed brokerage in return for research services, the amount of transactions so directed and the amount of commissions generated therefrom. The data is for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2018.

 

Fund

Amount Directed

Amount of Commissions

Generated

NWS International Property Fund None None
NWS Global Property Fund None None

 

Table 5 – Securities of Regular Brokers or Dealers

 

The following tables list each Fund’s regular brokers and dealers whose securities (or the securities of the parent company) were acquired since commencement of operations and the aggregate value of the Fund’s holdings of those securities as of the most recent period ended February 28, 2018.

 

NWS International Property Fund  
Regular Broker or Dealer Value of Securities Held
None N/A
NWS Global Property Fund  
Regular Broker or Dealer Value of Securities Held
None N/A

 

Table 6 – Control Persons and 5% Shareholders

 

The following tables list as of June 5, 2018: (1) the shareholders who owned 25% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund and thus may be deemed to control the Fund; and (2) the persons who owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

NWS International Property Fund  
Name and Address % of Fund Class

KARIN BAIN KUKRAL TTEE

FBO JOHN Z KUKRAL 1998 LONG TERM TRUST
NEW YORK, NY 10017

85.41%

KIRSTEN MCELROY & THOMAS G MCELROY

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570

6.07%

 

NWS Global Property Fund  
Name and Address % of Fund Class

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC

211 MAIN ST

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105

78.44%

KIRSTEN MCELROY & THOMAS G MCELROY

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570

5.54%

SAXON & CO

CLEVELAND, OH 44101

5.29%

 

B-2 

 

APPENDIX C – TRUST PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES

 

 

Forum Funds II

Shareholder Voting Policy

 

As of June 13, 2013

 

SECTION 1. BACKGROUND

 

The Trust exercises its shareholder voting responsibilities as an investor in other issuers as a fiduciary, with the goal of maximizing the value of the Trust’s and its shareholders’ investments. This Policy details the Trust’s policy with respect to shareholder voting.

 

SECTION 2. ADVISER RESPONSIBILITIES

 

(A) Delegation by Board. Each Fund has delegated to the Adviser the authority to vote as a shareholder of issuers whose securities are held in its portfolio. The Adviser shall maintain and the Board shall approve voting procedures related to the Adviser acting on behalf of the Fund in accordance with its fiduciary duties and the best interests of Fund shareholders.

 

(B) Delivery of Proxies. The Adviser is responsible for coordinating the delivery of proxies to be voted by the Custodian to the Adviser or to an agent of the Adviser selected by the Adviser to vote proxies with respect to which the Adviser has such discretion (a “Proxy Voting Service”). Upon request, the Adviser shall provide periodic reports to the Board as to the implementation and operation of its shareholder voting policies and procedures as they relate to the Trust.

 

(C) Conflicts of Interest. The Trust recognizes that under certain circumstances an Adviser or Proxy Voting Service may have a conflict of interest in voting on behalf of a Fund. A conflict of interest includes any circumstance when the Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor, the Proxy Voting Service or one or more of their Affiliated Persons (including officers, directors and employees) knowingly does business with, receives compensation from, or sits on the board of, a particular issuer or closely affiliated entity, and, therefore, may appear to have a conflict of interest between its own interests and the interests of Fund shareholders in how shares of that issuer are voted.

 

Each Adviser is responsible for maintaining procedures to identify and address material conflicts of interest and, when applicable, determine the adequacy of a Proxy Voting Service’s procedures to identify and address material conflicts of interest.

 

(D) Voting Record. The Adviser shall be responsible for ensuring a voting record is maintained that includes all instances where the Fund was entitled to vote and will coordinate the annual delivery of such record to the Administrator for purposes of preparing the Trust’s annual Form N-PX filing. The voting record shall include the following information required to be reported in Form N-PX:

 

(1) The name of the issuer of the security;

 

(2) The exchange ticker symbol of the security;

 

(3) The CUSIP for the security; (4) The shareholder meeting date;

 

(5) A brief identification of the matter voted on;

 

(6) Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder; (7) Whether the Trust cast its vote on the matter;

 

(8) How the Trust cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors); and

 

(9) Whether the Trust cast its vote for or against management.

 

C-1 

 

The Adviser shall also be responsible for ensuring information regarding how the Fund voted relating to portfolio securities during the twelve-month period ended June 30 is available on the Fund’s website or other location consistent with disclosure in the Fund’s registration statement.

 

SECTION 3: ABSTENTION

 

The Trust and an Adviser may abstain from shareholder voting in certain circumstances. Abstaining from voting may be appropriate if voting would be unduly burdensome or expensive, or otherwise not in the best interest of a Fund’s shareholders.

 

SECTION 4: BOARD REPORTING AND REVIEW

 

(A) The Adviser shall submit its voting procedures to the Board for review and approval initially and at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board following any material change.

 

(B) The Adviser shall report to the Board, at least quarterly, whether any conflicts of interest arose while voting as an investor in other issuers and how such conflicts were handled.

 

C-2 

 

APPENDIX D – ADVISER PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES

 

 

Northwood Securities LLC - Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

Background

 

In Proxy Voting by Investment Advisers, Investment Advisers Act Release No. 2106 (January 31, 2003), the SEC noted that, “The federal securities laws do not specifically address how an adviser must exercise its proxy voting authority for its clients. Under the Advisers Act, however, an adviser is a fiduciary that owes each of its clients a duty of care and loyalty with respect to all services undertaken on the client’s behalf, including proxy voting. The duty of care requires an adviser with proxy voting authority to monitor corporate events and to vote the proxies.”

 

Policies and Procedures

 

Proxy Voting

 

Proxies are assets of NWS’s Clients that must be voted with diligence, care, and loyalty. NWS will vote each proxy in accordance with its fiduciary duty to its Clients. NWS will generally seek to vote proxies in a way that maximizes the value of Clients’ assets. However, NWS will document and abide by any specific proxy voting instructions conveyed by a Client with respect to that Client’s securities. The COO coordinates NWS’s proxy voting process.

 

Paragraph (c)(ii) of Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act requires NWS to maintain certain books and records associated with its proxy voting policies and procedures. The COO will ensure that NWS complies with all applicable recordkeeping requirements associated with proxy voting.

 

NWS has retained ProxyEdge to assist in the proxy voting process. The COO manages NWS’s relationship with ProxyEdge. In addition, NWS incorporate Glass Lewis recommendations to help streamline the proxy voting and recordkeeping process. The COO ensures that ProxyEdge votes all proxies according to Clients’ specific instructions and NWS’s general guidance, and retains all required documentation associated with proxy voting. NWS requires ProxyEdge to notify the Company if ProxyEdge experiences a material conflict of interest in the voting of Clients’ proxies.

 

Absent specific Client instructions, NWS votes Client proxies according to recommendations made by ProxyEdge. Investment professionals deviating from these recommendations must provide the CCO with a written explanation of the reason for the deviation, as well as a representation that the Employee and NWS are not conflicted in making the chosen voting decision.

 

Class Actions

 

As a fiduciary, NWS always seeks to act in Clients’ best interests with good faith, loyalty, and due care. NWS’s standard advisory contract authorizes the Company to direct Client participation in class actions. NWS will utilize the services of Broadridge to streamline their proxy voting process. The Proxy Voting Committee will determine whether Clients will (a) participate in a recovery achieved through a class action, or (b) opt out of the class action and separately pursue their own remedy. The COO oversees the completion of Proof of Claim forms and any associated documentation, the submission of such documents to the claim administrator, and the receipt of any recovered monies. The COO will maintain documentation associated with Clients’ participation in class actions.

 

Employees must notify the CCO if they are aware of any material conflict of interest associated with Clients’ participation in class actions. The Proxy Voting Committee will evaluate any such conflicts and determine an appropriate course of action for NWS.

 

NWS generally does not serve as the lead plaintiff in class actions because the costs of such participation typically exceed any extra benefits that accrue to lead plaintiffs.

 

Disclosures to Clients

 

NWS includes a description of its policies and procedures regarding proxy voting and class actions in Part 2 of Form ADV, along with a statement that Clients can contact the CCO to obtain a copy of these policies and procedures and information about how NWS voted with respect to the Client’s securities.

 

D-1 

 

Any request for information about proxy voting or class actions should be promptly forwarded to the CCO, who will respond to any such requests.

 

As a matter of policy, NWS does not disclose how it expects to vote on upcoming proxies. Additionally, NWS does not disclose the way it voted proxies to unaffiliated third parties without a legitimate need to know such information.

 

D-2 

 

PART C OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28.   Exhibits
(a) (i) Certificate of Trust (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (a)(i) on Form N1-A via EDGAR on May 10, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000219).
  (ii) Trust Instrument as amended and restated on September 19, 2013 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (a)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 via Edgar on November 25, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-001097).
(b)   By-laws – None.
(c)   Shareholders' rights are contained in Articles II, V, VI, VII, X and XI of the Registrant’s Trust Instrument.
(d) (1) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Phocas Financial Corporation dated July 26, 2013 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (d) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 via EDGAR on July 26, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000341).
  (2) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and SKBA Capital Management, LLC dated November 29, 2013 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 via EDGAR on November 29, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000535).
  (2)(A) Appendix to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and SKBA Capital Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(2)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 via Edgar on January 8, 2016, accession number 0001145443-16-001400).
  (3) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and CVR Portfolio Funds LLC dated December 26, 2013 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 via EDGAR on December 30, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000578).
  (4) Sub-Advisory Agreement between CVR Portfolio Funds LLC and SSARIS Advisors, LLC dated January 16, 2015 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 via EDGAR on April 24, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-000325).
  (5) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Acuitas Investments, LLC dated June 18, 2014 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 via EDGAR on June 30, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000436).
  (6) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and Advisory Research, Inc. dated June 18, 2014 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 via EDGAR on June 30, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000436).
  (7) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and Algert Global, LLC dated June 18, 2014 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 via EDGAR on June 30, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000436).
  (8) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and ClariVest Asset Management, LLC dated June 18, 2014 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 via EDGAR on June 30, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000436).
  (9) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc. dated June 18, 2014 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 via EDGAR on June 30, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000436).
  (10) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and Falcon Point Capital, LLC dated June 18, 2014 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 via EDGAR on June 30, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000436).
  (11) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and Opus Capital Group, LLC dated June 18, 2014 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 via EDGAR on June 30, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000436).
  (12) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Gurtin Fixed Income Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 via EDGAR on November 24, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000810).
  (13) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Full Circle Advisors, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 via EDGAR on November 24, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000810).

 

 

 

  (14) Investment Advisory Agreement between Northwood Securities LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 via Edgar on March 31, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-000253).
  (14)(A) Appendix to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Northwood Securities LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (h)(14)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 via Edgar on December 16, 2016, accession number 0001435109-16-002277).
  (15) Investment Advisory Agreement between ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (h)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 via Edgar on July 28, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-000653).
  (15)(A) Appendix to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (d)(15)(A) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 86 via EDGAR on September 29, 2017, accession number 0001398344-17-012530).
  (16) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Gurtin Fixed Income Management, LLC relating to Gurtin California Municipal Intermediate Value Fund and Gurtin National Municipal Intermediate Value Fund (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(16) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 via Edgar on November 25, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-001097).
  (17) Sub-Advisory Agreement between CVR Portfolio Funds LLC and ROW Asset Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(17) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 via Edgar on November 25, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-001097).
  (18) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Dundas Partners, LLP (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(18) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 via Edgar on February 26, 2016, accession number 0001435109-16-001415).
  (19) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and WCM Investment Management (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (d)(19) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 via Edgar on April 21, 2016, accession number 0001435109-16-001549).
  (20) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Caravan Capital Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (d)(20) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 78 via EDGAR on April 24, 2017, accession number 0001435109-17-000233).
  (21) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and Usonian Investments LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (d)(21) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 88 via EDGAR on October 25, 2017, accession number 0001398344-17-013606).
  (22) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Acuitas Investments, LLC and Global Alpha Capital Management (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (d)(22) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 88 via EDGAR on October 25, 2017, accession number 0001398344-17-013606).
  (23) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Semper Capital Management, L.P. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (d)(23) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 via EDGAR on March 28, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-004836).
(e) (1) Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC dated May 31, 2017 (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (e)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 via Edgar on April 20, 2017, accession number 0001435109-17-000212).
  (1)(A) Amended Appendix to Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (e)(1)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 via EDGAR on March 28, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-004836).
(f)   Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts – None.
(g)   Custodian Agreement between Registrant and Union Bank, N.A. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (g) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 via EDGAR on July 26, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000341).
  (1)(A) Amended Appendix to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (g)(1)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 via EDGAR on March 28, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-004836).
  (2) Custodian Agreement between Registrant and BNP Paribas (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (g)(2) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 86 via EDGAR on September 29, 2017, accession number 0001398344-17-012530).
(h) (1) Services Agreement dated July 26, 2013, as amended March 20, 2014 (Exhibit incorporated by

 

 

 

    reference as filed as Exhibit (h)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 via EDGAR on April 16, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000260).
  (1)(A) Amended Appendix to the Transfer Agency, Administration and Accounting Agreement (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (h)(1)(A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 via EDGAR on March 28, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-004836).
  (2) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Phocas Financial Corporation (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (h)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 via Edgar on April 24, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-005908).
  (3) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and SKBA Capital Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (h)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 96 via Edgar on January 26, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-000984).
  (4) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and CVR Portfolio Funds LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (h)(4) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 100 via EDGAR on March 27, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-004796).
  (5) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Acuitas Investments, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (h)(5) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 88 via EDGAR on October 25, 2017, accession number 0001398344-17-013606).
  (6) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Gurtin Fixed Income Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (h)(6) of Post Effective Amendment No. 94 via EDGAR on January 24, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-000870).
  (7) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Full Circle Advisors, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (h)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 via EDGAR on August 14, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-000770).
  (8) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Northwood Securities LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (h)(8) of Post Effective Amendment No. 94 via EDGAR on January 24, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-000870).
  (9) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (h)(19) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 86 via EDGAR on September 29, 2017, accession number 0001398344-17-012530).
  (10) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and SKBA Capital Management, LLC relating to Baywood SociallyResponsible Fund (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (h)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 via Edgar on January 8, 2016, accession number 0001145443-16-001400) is now superceded by Exhibit (h)(3) listed above.
  (11) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Dundas Partners, LLP (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (h)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 107 via Edgar on June 21, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-009229).
  (12) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Caravan Capital Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (h)(13) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 78 via EDGAR on April 24, 2017, accession number 0001435109-17-000233).
  (13) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Semper Capital Management, L.P. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (h)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 via EDGAR on March 28, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-004836).
(i)   None.
(j)   Consent of BBD LLP is filed herewith.  
(k)   None.
(l)   Initial Capital Agreement (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (l) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 via EDGAR on July 26, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000341).
(m)   Amended and restated Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan dated March 26, 2018 adopted by Registrant for ABR Dynamic Blend Equity & Volatility Fund, ABR Dynamic Short Volatility Fund, Acuitas International Small Cap Fund, Acuitas US Microcap Fund, Baywood ValuePlus Fund, Baywood SociallyResponsible Fund, CVR Dynamic Allocation Fund, Gurtin California Municipal Opportunistic Value Fund, Gurtin National Municipal Opportunistic Value Fund, Gurtin California Municipal Intermediate Value Fund, Gurtin National Municipal Intermediate Value Fund, and Phocas Real Estate Fund, (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (m) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 100 via EDGAR on March 27, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-004796).

 

 

 

  (1) Amended Appendix to the restated Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (m)(1) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 100 via EDGAR on March 27, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-004796).
  (2) Shareholder Services Plan adopted by the Trust (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (m)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 via Edgar on April 20, 2017, accession number 0001435109-17-000212).
(n)   Amended and restated Rule 18f-3 Plan dated July 26, 2013 adopted by Registrant for ABR Dynamic Blend Equity and Volatility Fund, ABR Enhanced Short Volatility Fund, Acuitas International Small Cap Fund, Acuitas US Microcap Fund, Baywood ValuePlus Fund, Baywood SociallyResponsible Fund, CVR Dynamic Allocation Fund, Gurtin California Municipal Opportunistic Value Fund, Gurtin California Municipal Intermediate Value Fund, Gurtin National Municipal Opportunistic Value Fund, Gurtin National Municipal Intermediate Value Fund and Caravan Frontier Markets Opportunities Fund (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (n) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 86 via EDGAR on September 29, 2017, accession number 0001398344-17-012530).
(p) (1) Code of Ethics for Registrant (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 via EDGAR on December 30, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000578).
  (2) Code of Ethics for Phocas Financial Corporation (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (p)(2) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 via EDGAR on July 26, 2013, accession number 0001435109-13-000341).
  (3) Code of Ethics adopted by SKBA Capital Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 via Edgar on April 24, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-005908).
  (4) Code of Ethics adopted by CVR Portfolio Funds LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (p)(4) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 81 via EDGAR on June 23, 2017, accession number 0001435109-17-000429).
  (5) Code of Ethics adopted by SSARIS Advisors, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 via EDGAR on April 16, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000260).
  (6) Code of Ethics adopted by Acuitas Investments, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 via EDGAR on June 30, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000436).
  (7) Code of Ethics adopted by Advisory Research, Inc. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 via EDGAR on March 27, 2017, accession number 0001435109-17-000182).
  (8) Code of Ethics adopted by Algert Global, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 via Edgar on October 26, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-000969).
  (9) Code of Ethics adopted by ClariVest Asset Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (p)(9) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 86 via EDGAR on September 29, 2017, accession number 0001398344-17-012530).
  (10) Code of Ethics adopted by DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 107 via Edgar on June 21, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-009229).
  (11) Code of Ethics adopted by Falcon Point Capital, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(11) of Post Effective Amendment No. 94 via EDGAR on January 24, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-000870).
  (12) Code of Ethics adopted by Opus Capital Group, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 via EDGAR on June 30, 2014, accession number 0001435109-14-000436).
  (13) Code of Ethics adopted by Gurtin Fixed Income Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (p)(13) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 86 via EDGAR on September 29, 2017, accession number 0001398344-17-012530).
  (14) Code of Ethics adopted by Full Circle Advisors, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 via EDGAR on November 24, 2014,

 

 

 

    accession number 0001435109-14-000810).
  (15) Code of Ethics adopted by Northwood Securities LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 via Edgar on October 3, 2016, accession number 0001435109-16-002098).
  (16) Code of Ethics adopted by ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(16) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 via Edgar on July 28, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-000653).
  (17) Code of Ethics adopted by ROW Asset Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(17) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 via Edgar on November 25, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-001097).
  (18) Code of Ethics adopted by Dundas Partners, LLP (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(18) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 via Edgar on February 26, 2016, accession number 0001435109-16-001415).
  (19) Code of Ethics adopted by WCM Investment Management (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed Exhibit (p)(19) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 via Edgar on April 21, 2016, accession number 0001435109-16-001549).
  (20) Code of Ethics adopted by Caravan Capital Management, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (p)(20) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 78 via EDGAR on April 24, 2017, accession number 0001435109-17-000233).
  (21) Code of Ethics adopted by Usonian Investments, LLC (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (p)(21) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 86 via EDGAR on September 29, 2017, accession number 0001398344-17-012530).
  (22) Code of Ethics adopted by Global Alpha Capital Management (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (p)(22) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 88 via EDGAR on October 25, 2017, accession number 0001398344-17-013606).
  (23) Code of Ethics adopted by Semper Capital Management, L.P. (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Exhibit (p)(23) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 101 via EDGAR on March 28, 2018, accession number 0001398344-18-004836).

 

Other Exhibits:

 

(A) Powers of Attorney for David Tucker, Jennifer Brown-Strabley, John Keffer and Mark Moyer, Trustees of Registrant (Exhibit incorporated by reference as filed as Other Exhibits (A) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 via EDGAR on March 27, 2015, accession number 0001435109-15-000237).

 

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant

 

None.

 

Item 30. Indemnification

 

In accordance with Section 3803 of the Delaware Business Trust Act, Article X of the Registrant’s Trust Instrument provides as follows:

 

“ARTICLE X

 

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 1. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. All persons contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or a particular Series shall look only to the assets of the Trust or Assets belonging to such Series, respectively, for payment under such contract or claim; and neither the Trustees nor any of the Trust’s officers or employees, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor. Every written instrument or obligation on behalf of the Trust or any Series may contain a statement to the foregoing effect, but the absence of such statement shall not operate to make any Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust liable thereunder. Except as required by Section 3806(e) of the Delaware Act, no Trustee or officer of the Trust shall be responsible or liable to the Trust, the Shareholders, another Trustee or other person that is a party to or is otherwise bound by this Trust Instrument for

 

 

 

any act or omission, breach of contract, breach of duties or for neglect or wrongdoing of the Trustee or officer or any officer, agent, representative, employee, investment adviser, Principal Underwriter or independent contractor of the Trust; provided that, in compliance with Section 17(h) of the 1940 Act, nothing contained in this Trust Instrument shall protect any Trustee or officer of the Trust against liability to the Trust or to Shareholders 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, or such other standard of care as set forth in Section 17(h) of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

 

Section 2. INDEMNIFICATION.

 

(a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in subsection (b) below:

 

(i) every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or an officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who act at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (“Covered Person”) shall be indemnified by the Trust or the appropriate Series to the fullest extent permitted by law 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) as used herein, the words “claim,” “action,” “suit” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (whether civil, criminal or administrative proceedings, regulatory investigations, or other proceedings, including appeals), actual or threatened, and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include, without limitation, counsel fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.

 

(b) No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person if there has been a determination that such Covered Person engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office: (i) by the court or other body approving a settlement or before which the action was adjudicated; (ii) 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 (iii) 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 and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of a Covered Person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.

 

(d) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described in subsection 0 of this Section 2 shall be paid by the Trust or applicable Series from time to 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 applicable Series if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 2; provided, however, that, with regard to an agent, in addition (a) such agent shall have provided appropriate security for such undertaking, (b) the Trust is insured against losses arising out of any such advance payments, or (c) either a majority of the Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the proceeding, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to a trial-type inquiry or full investigation), that there is reason to believe that such agent will be found entitled to indemnification.

 

(e) Any repeal or modification of this ARTICLE X by the Shareholders, or adoption or modification of any other provision of this Trust Instrument or the By-laws inconsistent with this ARTICLE X, 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 available to any Covered Person with respect to any act or omission which occurred prior to such repeal, modification or adoption.

 

Section 3. INDEMNIFICATION OF SHAREHOLDERS. If any Shareholder or former Shareholder of any Series is held personally liable solely by reason of his, her or its being or having been a Shareholder and not because of his, her or its acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his, her or its

 

 

 

heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or, in the case of any entity, its general successor) shall be entitled out of the Assets belonging to the applicable Series to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such Liability. The Trust, on behalf of the affected Series, shall, upon request by such Shareholder or former Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against him, her or it for any act or obligation of the Series and satisfy any judgment thereon from the Assets belonging to the Series.”

 

With respect to indemnification of an adviser to the Trust, the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Phocas Financial Corporation includes language similar to the following:

 

(a) The Trust shall expect of the Adviser, and the Adviser will give the Trust the benefit of, the Adviser’s best judgment and efforts in rendering its services to the Trust. The Adviser shall not be liable hereunder for any mistake of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission taken or in any event whatsoever with respect to the Trust, the Fund or any of the Fund’s shareholders in the absence of bad faith, willful misfeasance or negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or by reason of the Adviser’s reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b) Adviser shall not be liable for the errors of other service providers to the Trust, including the errors of pricing services, administrator, fund accountant, custodian or transfer agent to the Trust, unless such errors arise from conduct by the Adviser that constitutes bad faith, willful misfeasance, negligence, or reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under this Agreement. The Adviser shall not be liable to the Trust for any action taken or failure to act in good faith reliance upon: (i) information, instructions or requests, whether oral or written, with respect to the Fund made to the Adviser by a duly authorized officer of the Trust; (ii) the advice of counsel to the Trust; and (iii) any written instruction or certified copy of any resolution of the Board or any agent of the Board.

 

(c) The Adviser makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, that any level of performance or investment results will be achieved by the Trust or the Fund or that the Trust or the Fund will perform comparably with any standard or index, including other clients of the Adviser, whether public or private.

 

(d) The Adviser and the Trust on behalf of the Fund, shall indemnify and hold harmless the other party and the shareholders, directors, officers and employees of the other party (any such person, an "Indemnified Party") against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating and defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damage or expenses and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) arising out of the Indemnified Party’s performance or non-performance of any duties under this Agreement provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect any Indemnified Party against any liability to which such Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of duties hereunder or by reason of reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement

 

(e) The Adviser shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control including, but not limited to, acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties (other than those related to the Adviser’s employees), fire, mechanical breakdowns, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.

 

With respect to indemnification of an adviser to the Trust, the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and CVR Portfolio Funds, LLC, SKBA Capital Management, LLC, Acuitas Investments, LLC, Gurtin Fixed Income Management, LLC, Northwood Securities LLC and ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC includes language similar to the following:

 

(a) The Trust shall expect of the Adviser, and the Adviser will give the Trust the benefit of, the Adviser’s best judgment and efforts in rendering its services to the Trust. The Adviser shall not be liable hereunder for any mistake of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission taken or in any event whatsoever with respect to the Trust, the Fund or any of the Fund’s shareholders in the absence of bad faith, willful misfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or by reason of the Adviser’s reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b) Adviser shall not be liable for the errors of other service providers to the Trust, including the errors of pricing services, administrator, fund accountant, custodian or transfer agent to the Trust, unless such errors arise from the Adviser’s providing false or misleading information to other service providers. The Adviser shall not be liable to the Trust for any action taken or failure to act in good faith reliance upon: (i) information, instructions or

 

 

requests, whether oral or written, with respect to the Fund made to the Adviser by a duly authorized officer of the Trust; (ii) the advice of counsel to the Trust; and (iii) any written instruction or certified copy of any resolution of the Board or any agent of the Board.

 

(c) The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, each Fund and their respective employees, agents, trustees and officers against and from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, fees and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) of every nature and character arising out of or in any way related to (i) any breach of the Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement, (ii) any acts or failures to act of Adviser for which the Adviser would be liable under Section 5(a), (iii) any material breach of a representation or warranty of the Adviser set forth in this Agreement and (iv) claims or demands by any employee, agent, trustee, member or manager of the Adviser in their capacity as such. The Trust is hereby authorized to deduct any amounts payable in respect of the Adviser’s indemnification obligations hereunder from any fees payable to the Adviser pursuant to Section 4(a).

 

(d) The Adviser shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control including, but not limited to, acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties (other than those related to the Adviser’s employees), fire, mechanical breakdowns, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.

 

With respect to indemnification of an adviser to the Trust, the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and Full Circle Advisors, LLC includes language similar to the following:

 

(a) The Trust shall expect of the Adviser, and the Adviser will give the Trust the benefit of, the Adviser’s best judgment and efforts in rendering its services to the Trust. Neither the Adviser nor any employee, agent, director or officer of the Adviser shall be liable hereunder for any mistake of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission taken or in any event whatsoever with respect to the Trust, the Fund or any of the Fund’s shareholders; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not absolve the Adviser for any liability resulting from the Adviser’s bad faith, willful misfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or by reason of the Adviser’s reckless disregard of its duties and obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b) The Adviser shall not be liable for the errors of other service providers to the Trust, including the errors of pricing services, administrator, fund accountant, custodian or transfer agent to the Trust, unless such errors are a result of the Adviser’s providing false or misleading information to other service providers. The Adviser shall not be liable to the Trust for any action taken or failure to act in good faith reliance upon: (i) information, instructions or requests, whether oral or written, with respect to the Fund made to the Adviser by a duly authorized officer of the Trust; (ii) the advice of counsel to the Trust; and (iii) any written instruction or certified copy of any resolution of the Board or any agent of the Trust.

 

(c) The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, each Fund and their respective employees, agents, trustees and officers against and from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, fees and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) of every nature and character arising out of or in any way related to (i) any breach of the Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement (ii) any acts or failures to act of Adviser for which the Adviser would be liable under Section 5(a), (iii) any breach of a representation or warranty of the Adviser set forth in this Agreement and (iv) claims or demands by any employee, agent, trustee, member or manager of the Adviser in their capacity as such. The Trust is hereby authorized to deduct any amounts payable in respect of the Adviser’s indemnification obligations hereunder from any fees payable to the Adviser pursuant to Section 4(a).

 

(d) The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser and its employees, agents, directors and officers against and from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, fees and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) of every nature and character that are based on or arise out of or in any way related to (i) any breach of the Trust’s obligations under this Agreement , except to the extent caused by the Adviser’s act or omission, and (ii) any breach of a representation or warranty of the Trust or the Fund set forth in this Agreement.

 

(e) The Adviser shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control including, but not limited to, acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, labor difficulties fire,

 

 

 

mechanical breakdowns, flood or catastrophe, acts of God, insurrection, war, riots or failure of the mails, transportation, communication or power supply.

 

With respect to indemnification of the underwriter of the Trust, Section 8 of the Distribution Agreement provides:

 

A. Distributor acknowledges and agrees that certain large and significant brokerdealers, such as (without limitation) Merrill Lynch, UBS and Morgan Stanley (all such brokers referred to herein as the “Brokers”), require that Distributor enter into dealer agreements (the “Non-Standard Dealer Agreements”) that contain certain representations, undertakings and indemnification that are not included in the Standard Dealer Agreement.

 

B. To the extent that Distributor is requested or required by the Client to enter into any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement, the Client shall indemnify, defend and hold the Distributor Indemnitees free and harmless from and against any and all Losses that any Distributor Indemnitee may incur arising out of or relating to (a) The Distributor’s actions or failures to act pursuant to any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement; (b) any representations made by The Distributor in any Non-Standard Dealer Agreement to the extent that The Distributor is not required to make such representations in the Standard Dealer Agreement; or (c) any indemnification provided by The Distributor under a Non-Standard Dealer Agreement to the extent that such indemnification is beyond the indemnification The Distributor provides to intermediaries in the Standard Dealer Agreement. In no event shall anything contained herein be so construed as to protect the Distributor Indemnitees against any liability to the Client or its shareholders to which the Distributor Indemnitees would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of Distributor’s obligations or duties under the Non-Standard Dealer Agreement or by reason of Distributor’s reckless disregard of its obligations or duties under the Non-Standard Dealer Agreement.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, 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.

 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

 

(a) Phocas Financial Corporation

 

With respect to Phocas Financial Corporation, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor’s Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-64317).  The Advisor’s Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(b) SKBA Capital Management, LLC

 

With respect to SKBA Capital Management, LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-56391). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(c) CVR Portfolio Funds LLC

 

With respect to CVR Portfolio Funds LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-78840). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

 

 

(d) Acuitas Investments, LLC

 

With respect to Acuitas Investments, LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-79447). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(e) Advisory Research, Inc.

 

With respect to Advisory Research, Inc., the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-14172). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(f) Algert Global, LLC

 

With respect to Algert Global, LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-61878). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(g) ClariVest Asset Management, LLC

 

With respect to ClariVest Asset Management, LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-66386). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(h) DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc.

 

With respect to DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc., the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-48779). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(i) Falcon Point Capital, LLC

 

With respect to Falcon Point Capital, LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-61442). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(j) Gurtin Fixed Income Management, LLC

 

With respect to Gurtin Fixed Income Management, LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-68396). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(k) Northwood Securities LLC

 

With respect to Northwood Securities LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-80143). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(l) ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC

 

With respect to ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-80044). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(m) ROW Asset Management, LLC

 

 

 

With respect to ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-78326). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(n) Dundas Partners, LLP

 

With respect to Dundas Partners, LLP, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-96275). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(o) WCM Investment Management

 

With respect to WCM Investment Management, the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-11916). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(p) Caravan Capital Management, LLC

 

With respect to Caravan Capital Management, LLC the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-110208). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(q) Usonian Investments, LLC

 

With respect to Usonian Invesments, LLC the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-110775). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

(r) Semper Capital Management, L.P.

 

With respect to Semper Capital Management, L.P. the response to this Item is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the SEC (File No. 801-42753). The Advisor's Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

 

Item 32(a)Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:

 

1.   ABS Long/Short Strategies Fund 50.   OSI ETF Trust
2.   Absolute Shares Trust 51.   Palmer Square Opportunistic Income Fund
3.   Active Weighting Funds ETF Trust 52.   Partners Group Private Income Opportunities, LLC
4.   AdvisorShares Trust 53.   PENN Capital Funds Trust
5.   AmericaFirst Quantitative Funds 54.   Performance Trust Mutual Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
6.   American Century ETF Trust 55.   Pine Grove Alternative Institutional Fund
7.   ARK ETF Trust 56.   Plan Investment Fund, Inc.
8.   BP Capital TwinLine Energy Fund, Series of Professionally Managed Portfolios 57.   PMC Funds, Series of Trust for Professional Managers
9.   BP Capital TwinLine MLP Fund, Series of Professionally Managed Portfolios 58.   Point Bridge GOP Stock Tracker ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions
10.   Braddock Multi-Strategy Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust 59.   Quaker Investment Trust
11.   Bridgeway Funds, Inc. 60.   Ranger Funds Investment Trust
12.   Brinker Capital Destinations Trust 61.   Renaissance Capital Greenwich Funds

 

 

 

13.   Calvert Ultra-Short Duration Income NextShares, Series of Calvert Management Series 62.   RMB Investors Trust (f/k/a Burnham Investors Trust)
14.   Center Coast MLP & Infrastructure Fund 63.   Robinson Opportunistic Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
15.   Center Coast MLP Focus Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust 64.   Robinson Tax Advantaged Income Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust
16.   CornerCap Group of Funds 65.   Salient MF Trust
17.   Davis Fundamental ETF Trust 66.   SharesPost 100 Fund
18.   Direxion Shares ETF Trust 67.   Sound Shore Fund, Inc.
19.   Eaton Vance NextShares Trust 68.   Steben Alternative Investment Funds
20.   Eaton Vance NextShares Trust II 69.   Steben Select Multi-Strategy Fund
21.   EIP Investment Trust 70.   Strategy Shares
22.   EntrepreneurShares Series Trust 71.   The 504 Fund (f/k/a The Pennant 504 Fund)
23.   Evanston Alternative Opportunities Fund 72.   The Chartwell Funds
24.   Exchange Listed Funds Trust (f/k/a Exchange Traded Concepts Trust II) 73.   The Community Development Fund
25.   FEG Absolute Access Fund I LLC 74.   The Relative Value Fund
26.   Fiera Capital Series Trust 75.   Third Avenue Trust
27.   FlexShares Trust 76.   Third Avenue Variable Series Trust
28.   Forum Funds 77.   TIFF Investment Program
29.   Forum Funds II 78.   Transamerica ETF Trust
30.   FQF Trust 79.   U.S. Global Investors Funds
31.   Friess Small Cap Growth Fund, Series of Managed Portfolio Series 80.   VictoryShares Developed Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
32.   GraniteShares ETF Trust 81.   VictoryShares Dividend Accelerator ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
33.   Guinness Atkinson Funds 82.   VictoryShares Emerging Market High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
34.   Horizons ETF Trust I (f/k/a Recon Capital Series Trust) 83.   VictoryShares Emerging Market Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
35.   Infinity Core Alternative Fund 84.   VictoryShares International High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
36.   Innovator ETFs Trust II (f/k/a Elkhorn ETF Trust) 85.   VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
37.   Innovator IBD® 50 ETF, Series of Innovator ETFs Trust 86.   VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
38.   Innovator IBD® ETF Leaders ETF, Series of Innovator ETFs Trust 87.   VictoryShares US 500 Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
39.   Ironwood Institutional Multi-Strategy Fund LLC 88.   VictoryShares US Discovery Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
40.   Ironwood Multi-Strategy Fund LLC 89.   VictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
41.   John Hancock Exchange-Traded Fund Trust 90.   VictoryShares US Large Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
42.   Manor Investment Funds 91.   VictoryShares US Multi-Factor Minimum Volatility ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
43.   Miller/Howard Funds Trust 92.   VictoryShares US Small Cap High Div Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II
44.   Miller/Howard High Income Equity Fund 93.   VictoryShares US Small Cap Volatility Wtd ETF, Series of Victory Portfolios II

 

 

 

45.   Moerus Worldwide Value Fund, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV 94.   Vivaldi Opportunities Fund
46.   MProved Systematic Long-Short Fund, Series Portfolios Trust 95.   West Loop Realty Fund, Series of Investment Managers Series Trust (f/k/a Chilton Realty Income & Growth Fund)
47.   MProved Systematic Merger Arbitrage Fund, Series Portfolios Trust 96.   Wintergreen Fund, Inc.
48.   MProved Systematic Multi-Strategy Fund, Series Portfolios Trust 97.   WisdomTree Trust
49.   NYSE® Pickens Oil Response™ ETF, Series of ETF Series Solutions 98.   WST Investment Trust

 

Item 32(b)

The following are the Officers and Manager of the Distributor, the Registrant’s underwriter.

The Distributor’s main business address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101.

 

Name Address Position with Underwriter Position with Registrant
Richard J. Berthy Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME  04101 President, Treasurer and Manager None
Mark A. Fairbanks Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME  04101 Vice President None
Jennifer K. DiValerio 899 Cassatt Road, 400 Berwyn Park, Suite 110, Berwyn, PA 19312 Vice President None
Nanette K. Chern Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME  04101 Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer None
Jennifer E. Hoopes Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME  04101 Secretary None

 

Item 32(c) Not applicable.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

 

The majority of the accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of Atlantic Fund Administration, LLC, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 600, Portland, Maine 04101. The records required to be maintained under Rule 31a-1(b)(1) with respect to journals of receipts and deliveries of securities and receipts and disbursements of cash are maintained at the offices of the Registrant’s custodian, as listed under “Custodian” in Part B to this Registration Statement. The records required to be maintained under Rule 31a-1(b)(5), (6) and (9) are maintained at the offices of the Registrant’s adviser or subadviser, as listed in Item 31 hereof.

 

Item 34. Management Services

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 35. Undertakings

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies certifies that it has met all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under Rule 485(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 and that it has duly caused this amendment to its registration statement on Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Portland, and State of Maine on June 26, 2018.

 

  FORUM FUNDS II  
       
  By: /s/ Jessica Chase  
  Jessica Chase, President  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on June 26, 2018.

 

(a) Principal Executive Officer  
     
  /s/ Jessica Chase  
  Jessica Chase  
  Principal Executive Officer  
     
(b) Principal Financial Officer  
     
  /s/ Karen Shaw  
  Karen Shaw  
  Principal Financial Officer  
     
(c) A majority of the Trustees  
     
  /s/ Stacey E. Hong  
  Stacey E. Hong, Trustee  
     
  John Y. Keffer, Trustee*  
  David Tucker, Trustee*  
  Mark Moyer, Trustee*  
  Jennifer Brown-Strabley, Trustee*  
     
  By: /s/ Zachary R. Tackett  
  Zachary R. Tackett  
  As Attorney-in-fact  

 

*Pursuant to powers of attorney previously filed.

 

 

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit Description
(j) Consent of BBD LLP is filed herewith.

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the references to our firm in the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of the Forum Funds II and to the use of our report dated April 26, 2018 on the financial statements and financial highlights of NWS International Property Fund and NWS Global Property Fund, each a series of shares of beneficial interest in Forum Funds II. Such financial statements and financial highlights appear in the February 28, 2018 Annual Report to Shareholders which is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information.

 

 
 

BBD, LLP

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

June 25, 2018



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