N-CSRS 1 tm2038820d1_ncsrs.htm N-CSRS

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number: 811-09815

 

the arbitrage funds

(exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

41 Madison Avenue, 42nd Floor, New York, NY 10010

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

John S. Orrico

Water Island Capital, LLC

41 Madison Avenue

42nd Floor

New York, NY 10010

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 800-295-4485

 

Date of fiscal year end: May 31

 

Date of reporting period: November 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.    Reports to Stockholders.

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

November 30, 2020

Arbitrage Fund

Water Island Event-Driven Fund

Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund

Water Island Long/Short Fund



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Arbitrage Fund

 

Portfolio Information

   

1

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

3

   

Water Island Event-Driven Fund

 

Portfolio Information

   

16

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

18

   

Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund

 

Portfolio Information

   

33

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

35

   

Water Island Long/Short Fund

 

Portfolio Information

   

45

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

47

   

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

   

56

   

Statements of Operations

   

60

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

64

   

Financial Highlights

 

Arbitrage Fund - Class R

   

68

   

Arbitrage Fund - Class I

   

70

   

Arbitrage Fund - Class C

   

72

   

Arbitrage Fund - Class A

   

74

   

Water Island Event-Driven Fund - Class R

   

76

   

Water Island Event-Driven Fund - Class I

   

78

   

Water Island Event-Driven Fund - Class C

   

80

   

Water Island Event-Driven Fund - Class A

   

82

   

Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund - Class R

   

84

   

Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund - Class I

   

86

   

Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund - Class C

   

88

   

Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund - Class A

   

90

   

Water Island Long/Short Fund - Class R

   

92

   

Water Island Long/Short Fund - Class I

   

94

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

96

   

Disclosure of Fund Expenses

   

122

   

Additional Information

   

125

   


Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio Information

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Performance (annualized returns as of November 30, 2020)

  One
Year
  Five
Year
  Ten
Year
  Since
Inception*
 

Arbitrage Fund, Class R

   

4.45

%

   

3.24

%

   

2.31

%

   

3.98

%

 

Arbitrage Fund, Class I

   

4.76

%

   

3.50

%

   

2.56

%

   

3.13

%

 

Arbitrage Fund, Class C**

   

3.62

%

   

2.46

%

   

N/A

     

1.51

%

 

Arbitrage Fund, Class A***

   

4.46

%

   

3.23

%

   

N/A

     

2.52

%

 
ICE BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. 3-Month
Treasury Bill Index****
   

0.80

%

   

1.20

%

   

0.64

%

   

1.58

%

 

Current performance may be higher or lower than performance quoted above. Any performance data quoted represents past performance and the investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns shown above include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains. Performance results do not include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and may differ from the amount reported in the Financial Highlights. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month end by calling 1-800-295-4485 or going to www.arbitragefunds.com.

* Class R inception: 9/18/00; Class I inception: 10/17/03; Class C inception: 6/1/12; Class A inception: 6/1/13. The "Since Inception" returns for securities indices are for the inception date of Class R shares.

** Class C shares are subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge on all purchases redeemed within 12 months of purchase.

*** Class A shares are subject to a maximum front-end sales load of 2.75% on purchases up to $250,000. The shares are also subject to a deferred sales charge of up to 1.00% on purchases of $250,000 or more purchased without a front-end sales charge and redeemed within 18 months of purchase.

**** Merger arbitrage and event-driven investing are market neutral investment strategies, which typically exhibit low betas and low correlations to broad equity and credit market indices. As such, the adviser has determined that a more appropriate benchmark for Arbitrage Fund is a measure of the risk-free rate, in this case the ICE Bank of America (BofA) Merrill Lynch U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Class R, Class I, Class C and Class A are 1.71%, 1.46%, 2.46% and 1.71%, respectively. These expense ratios are as stated in the current prospectus and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the financial highlights in this report.

The ICE BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index tracks the performance of the U.S. dollar denominated U.S. Treasury Bills publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market with a remaining term to final maturity of less than 3 months.

An investor may not invest directly in an index.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
1



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio Information (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Growth of $10,000 Investment

The chart represents historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Class R shares of the Fund. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

  

Sector Weighting

The following chart shows the sector weightings of the Arbitrage Fund's investments (including short sales and excluding derivatives) as of the report date.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
2



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio of Investments

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 84.15%

 

Auto Manufacturers - 2.46%

 

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.(a)

   

873,683

   

$

13,617,035

   

Navistar International Corp.(a)

   

484,031

     

21,423,212

   
     

35,040,247

   

Auto Parts & Equipment - 0.19%

 

Velodyne Lidar, Inc.(a)

   

170,402

     

2,712,800

   

Banks - 0.97%

 

CIT Group, Inc.(b)

   

412,973

     

13,830,466

   

Beverages - 0.50%

 

Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd.

   

765,099

     

7,104,505

   

Commercial Services - 1.04%

 

Cpl Resources Plc

   

98,001

     

1,309,286

   

Devoteam SA(a)

   

71,221

     

8,308,697

   

Horizon Discovery Group Plc(a)

   

639,674

     

1,616,021

   

IHS Markit Ltd.

   

35,934

     

3,573,996

   

Worldline SA(a)(c)

   

1

     

55

   
     

14,808,055

   

Computers & Computer Services - 4.39%

 

58.COM, Inc., Class A(a)(d)

   

1,487,130

     

41,639,640

   

Virtusa Corp.(a)

   

418,282

     

20,947,562

   
     

62,587,202

   

Construction Materials - 0.30%

 

Norbord, Inc.

   

114,505

     

4,292,946

   

Distribution/Wholesale - 2.99%

 

HD Supply Holdings, Inc.(a)

   

762,341

     

42,523,381

   

Diversified Financial Services - 6.03%

 

Eaton Vance Corp.(b)

   

1,121,375

     

75,109,698

   

Genworth MI Canada, Inc.

   

320,425

     

10,762,253

   
     

85,871,951

   

Electric - 3.68%

 

PNM Resources, Inc.

   

1,066,192

     

52,360,689

   

Entertainment - 0.82%

 

William Hill Plc

   

3,281,677

     

11,733,665

   

Forest Products & Paper - 0.36%

 

Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj

   

236,395

     

5,075,710

   

Hand/Machine Tools - 0.33%

 

IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA(a)

   

57,332

     

4,643,580

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
3



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 84.15% (Continued)

 

Healthcare - Products - 3.81%

 

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.(a)

   

311,860

   

$

54,257,403

   

Household Products - 0.91%

 

Unilever Plc, ADR

   

212,814

     

12,994,423

   

Insurance - 9.81%

 

National General Holdings Corp.

   

1,741,195

     

59,339,925

   

TOWER Ltd.(a)

   

9,485,696

     

4,024,078

   

Watford Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)

   

564,785

     

19,609,335

   

Willis Towers Watson Plc(b)

   

272,278

     

56,685,557

   
     

139,658,895

   

Internet - 2.58%

 

Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

   

937,764

     

8,890,003

   

Grubhub, Inc.(a)(b)

   

396,544

     

27,892,905

   
     

36,782,908

   

Oil & Gas - 2.90%

 

Concho Resources, Inc.(b)

   

511,676

     

29,411,136

   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A(b)

   

493,326

     

6,181,375

   

WPX Energy, Inc.(a)(b)

   

799,113

     

5,689,685

   
     

41,282,196

   

Pharmaceuticals - 0.77%

 

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp.(a)

   

123,794

     

10,943,390

   

Real Estate - 0.41%

 

McCarthy & Stone Plc(a)(c)

   

3,743,581

     

5,839,184

   

Real Estate Investment Trusts - 3.31%

 

Front Yard Residential Corp.(b)

   

1,161,935

     

18,962,779

   

Taubman Centers, Inc.(b)

   

661,145

     

28,244,114

   
     

47,206,893

   

Retail - 9.53%

 

BMC Stock Holdings, Inc.(a)

   

410,238

     

20,077,048

   

Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc.

   

466,907

     

49,650,890

   

Foundation Building Materials, Inc.(a)

   

469,012

     

9,023,791

   

Tiffany & Co.

   

432,793

     

56,903,624

   
     

135,655,353

   

Semiconductors - 6.94%

 

AVX Corp.(a)(d)

   

1,022,500

     

6,390,625

   

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.(b)

   

672,510

     

55,845,231

   

Xilinx, Inc.(b)

   

251,855

     

36,657,495

   
     

98,893,351

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
4



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 84.15% (Continued)

 

Software - 3.44%

 

Codemasters Group Holdings Plc(a)

   

584,609

   

$

3,928,033

   

MINDBODY, Inc., Class A(a)(d)

   

843,793

     

30,798,444

   

MobileIron, Inc.(a)

   

2,035,789

     

14,331,955

   

Onemarket Ltd.(a)(d)

   

111,800

     

   
     

49,058,432

   

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies - 0.23%

 

Fast Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

148,872

     

1,540,825

   

Fusion Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

162,368

     

1,704,864

   
     

3,245,689

   

Telecommunications - 15.45%

 

Acacia Communications, Inc.(a)(b)

   

956,172

     

66,626,065

   

Altice Europe N.V.(a)

   

293,688

     

1,547,740

   

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.(a)(b)

   

1,380,047

     

20,990,515

   

GCI Liberty, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

   

660,966

     

60,227,222

   

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.

   

250,950

     

1,520,757

   

LogMeIn, Inc.(a)(d)

   

778,758

     

69,044,684

   
     

219,956,983

   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $1,133,332,581)
   

1,198,360,297

   

RIGHTS - 0.11%

 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(a)

   

408,177

     

481,649

   

Contra Pfenex, Inc.(d)

   

1,108,177

     

844,431

   

Elanco Animal Health, Inc. CVR(d)

   

1,124,589

     

   

Media General, Inc. CVR(d)

   

613,589

     

   

NewStar Financial, Inc. CVR(d)

   

1,514,945

     

   

Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. CVR(d)

   

693,435

     

239,373

   
TOTAL RIGHTS
(Cost $1,429,232)
   

1,565,453

   

 

    Maturity
Date
 

Rate

  Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 0.37%

 

Entertainment - 0.37%

 
Stars Group Holdings B.V. /
Stars Group US
Co-Borrower LLC(c)
 

07/15/2026

   

7.000

%

 

$

4,949,000

   

$

5,233,568

   
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(Cost $5,236,584)
   

5,233,568

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
5



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

MUTUAL FUNDS - 4.95%

 

Water Island Event-Driven Fund, Class I(e)

   

6,589,384

   

$

70,506,411

   
TOTAL MUTUAL FUNDS
(Cost $60,459,409)
       

70,506,411

   

PRIVATE INVESTMENTS(d)(f) - 0.07%

 

Fast Capital LLC(a)

   

290,700

     

290,700

   

Fuse LLC(a)

   

725,800

     

659,818

   

Fuse Sponsor Capital, Z2 Shares(a)

   

72,580

     

65,982

   
TOTAL PRIVATE INVESTMENTS
(Cost $1,033,484)
       

1,016,500

   

 

    Expiration
Date
  Exercise
Price
  Notional
Amount
 

Contracts

 

Value

 

PURCHASED OPTIONS(a) - 0.06%

 

Call Options Purchased - 0.05%

 

Devon Energy Corp.

 

01/2021

 

$

13.74

   

$

4,935,672

     

3,528

   

$

458,640

   

S&P Global, Inc.

 

01/2021

   

350.00

     

2,743,884

     

78

     

115,440

   

Taubman Centers, Inc.

 
   

01/2021

   

40.00

     

2,114,640

     

495

     

148,500

   
   

01/2021

   

45.00

     

8,526,912

     

1,996

     

0

   
TOTAL CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED
(Cost $619,848)
   

722,580

   

Put Options Purchased - 0.01%

 
iShares iBoxx $ Investment
Grade Corporate
Bond ETF
 

01/2021

   

130.00

     

20,051,904

     

1,448

     

32,580

   

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

 
   

01/2021

   

142.00

     

2,896,320

     

160

     

7,200

   
   

01/2021

   

145.00

     

2,842,014

     

157

     

8,792

   
TOTAL PUT OPTIONS PURCHASED
(Cost $501,138)
   

48,572

   
TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS
(Cost $1,120,986)
   

771,152

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
6



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

   

Yield

 

Shares

 

Value

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 7.70%

 

Money Market Funds

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity
Fund Government Portfolio,
Institutional Class
   

0.020

%(g)

   

54,814,881

   

$

54,814,881

   
State Street Institutional U.S.
Government Money Market
Fund, Premier Class
   

0.132

%(g)

   

54,814,882

     

54,814,882

   
       

   

109,629,763

   
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost $109,629,763)
   

109,629,763

   
Total Investments - 97.41%
(Cost $1,312,242,039)
   

1,387,083,144

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities - 2.59%(h)

   

36,950,960

   

NET ASSETS - 100.00%

 

$

1,424,034,104

   

Portfolio Footnotes

(a)  Non-income-producing security.

(b)  Security, or a portion of security, is being held as collateral for short sales or forward foreign currency exchange contracts. At November 30, 2020, the aggregate fair market value of those securities was $278,072,980, representing 19.53% of net assets.

(c)  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. As of November 30, 2020, these securities had a total value of $11,072,807 or 0.78% of net assets.

(d)  Security fair valued using significant unobservable inputs and classified as a Level 3 security. As of November 30, 2020, the total fair market value of these securities was $149,973,697, representing 10.53% of net assets.

(e)  Affiliated investment.

(f)  Represents a holding that is a direct investment into a private company and is not a listed or publicly traded entity.

(g)  Rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of November 30, 2020.

(h)  Includes cash held as collateral for short sales.

SCHEDULE OF SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

 

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - (19.92%)

 

Auto Manufacturers - (0.83%)

 

Peugeot SA

   

(501,540

)

 

$

(11,824,653

)

 

Banks - (1.13%)

 

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

   

(25,605

)

   

(13,534,547

)

 

Morgan Stanley

   

(41,020

)

   

(2,536,267

)

 
     

(16,070,814

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
7



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

SCHEDULE OF SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Commercial Services - (0.25%)

 

S&P Global, Inc.

   

(10,198

)

 

$

(3,587,452

)

 

Construction Materials - (1.42%)

 

Builders FirstSource, Inc.

   

(538,511

)

   

(20,145,697

)

 

Food - (1.98%)

 

Just Eat Takeaway.com N.V.

   

(266,079

)

   

(28,260,626

)

 

Forest Products & Paper - (0.30%)

 

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

   

(77,366

)

   

(4,283,814

)

 

Media - (4.23%)

 

Liberty Broadband Corp.

   

(383,121

)

   

(60,284,089

)

 

Oil & Gas - (2.92%)

 

ConocoPhillips

   

(747,047

)

   

(29,553,179

)

 

Devon Energy Corp.

   

(412,655

)

   

(5,773,043

)

 

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

   

(61,765

)

   

(6,212,324

)

 
     

(41,538,546

)

 

Semiconductors - (6.65%)

 

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

   

(434,047

)

   

(40,218,795

)

 

Analog Devices, Inc.

   

(391,982

)

   

(54,516,857

)

 
     

(94,735,652

)

 

Software - (0.21%)

 

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

   

(16,567

)

   

(2,990,509

)

 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Proceeds $249,087,538)
   

(283,721,852

)

 

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS - (0.54%)

 

Equity Funds - (0.54%)

 

Health Care Select Sector SPDR® Fund

   

(15,687

)

   

(1,721,491

)

 

iShares MSCI Australia ETF

   

(149,874

)

   

(3,405,137

)

 

iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF

   

(6,806

)

   

(1,787,188

)

 

iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF

   

(5,920

)

   

(725,911

)

 
     

(7,639,727

)

 
TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS
(Proceeds $6,930,245)
   

(7,639,727

)

 
TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT
(Proceeds $256,017,783)
 

$

(291,361,579

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
8



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

EQUITY SWAP CONTRACTS

Swap
Counterparty/
Payment
Frequency
  Reference
Obligation
  Rate
Paid/
Received
by the
Fund
  Termination
Date
  Upfront
Payments
Paid
  Upfront
Payments
Received
  Market
Value
  Notional
Amount
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 
Morgan
Stanley &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
  Unilever
Plc
 
 
 
 
  Received
1 Month
SONIA
Minus
35 bps
(-0.054%)
 

06/16/2021

 

$

   

$

   

$

   



GBP
1,013,985
 

$

   
Goldman
Sachs &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
  Unilever
Plc
 
 
 
 
  Received
1 Week
GBP LIBOR
Minus
40 bps
(-0.036%)
 

06/17/2021

   

     

     

   



GBP
8,713,743
   

   
Morgan
Stanley &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
 
  Analog
Devices,
Inc.
 
 
 
 
  Received
1 Month-
Federal
Rate
Minus
40 bps
(-0.320%)
 

08/12/2021

   

     

     

   




USD
4,406,889
   

   
Morgan
Stanley &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
 
  Aon Plc
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Received
1 Month-
Federal
Rate
Minus
40 bps
(-0.320%)
 

08/12/2021

   

     

     

   




USD
60,249,749
   

   
Goldman
Sachs &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
  William
Hill Plc
 
 
 
 
  Paid
1 Month
GBP LIBOR
Plus
45 bps
(0.440%)
 

10/19/2021

   

     

     

   



GBP
9,538,528
   

   
Goldman
Sachs &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
  Morgan
Stanley
 
 
 
 
  Received
1 Month
LIBOR
Minus
40 bps
(-0.260%)
 

10/28/2021

   

     

     

   



USD
37,906,551
   

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
9



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

Swap
Counterparty/
Payment
Frequency
  Reference
Obligation
  Rate
Paid/
Received
by the
Fund
  Termination
Date
  Upfront
Payments
Paid
  Upfront
Payments
Received
  Market
Value
  Notional
Amount
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 
Goldman
Sachs &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
 
  Kaz
Minerals Plc
 
 
 
 
 
  Paid
1 Month
GBP
LIBOR
Plus
45 bps
(0.639%)
 





11/01/2021
 

$

   

$

   

$

   




GBP
2,208,146
 

$

   
Goldman
Sachs &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
 
  Alternative
Credit
Investments
 
 
 
 
  Paid
1 Month
GBP
LIBOR
Plus
70 bps
(0.743%)
 





11/05/2021
   

     

     

   




GBP
1,951,045
   

   
Goldman
Sachs &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
  Cpl
Resources
Plc
 
 
 
  Paid
1 Month
EURIBOR
Plus
90 bps
(0.350%)
 




11/08/2021
   

     

     

   



EUR
1,914,662
   

   
Goldman
Sachs &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
 
  Urban &
Civic Plc
 
 
 
 
 
  Paid
1 Month
GBP
LIBOR
Plus
60 bps
(1.000%)
 





11/10/2021
   

     

     

   




GBP
6,693,134
   

   
Morgan
Stanley &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
  RSA
Insurance
Group Plc
 
 
 
  Paid
1 Month
LIBOR
Plus
50 bps
(0.554%)
 




08/05/2022
   

     

     

   



GBP
6,421,030
   

   
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

   

 

 

$

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
10



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

OUTSTANDING FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

Currency
Purchased
 

Currency Sold

 

Counterparty

  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 

AUD

107,100

   

USD

77,958

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

 

$

670

   

CAD

371,700

   

USD

285,293

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

941

   

USD

175,418

   

CAD

227,500

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

228

   

CHF

18,922,100

   

USD

20,763,022

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

69,271

   

USD

557,829

   

CHF

505,400

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

1,409

   

EUR

31,143,800

   

USD

36,673,029

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

491,261

   

GBP

6,120,042

   

USD

8,035,696

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

124,679

   

USD

1,682,374

   

GBP

1,258,900

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

3,775

   

NZD

16,402,800

   

USD

10,939,967

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

561,984

   

USD

99,847

   

NZD

142,200

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

134

   

SEK

39,783,300

   

USD

4,534,919

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

104,744

   
   

$

1,359,096

   
Currency
Purchased
 

Currency Sold

 

Counterparty

  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Depreciation
 

USD

7,066,364

   

AUD

9,724,400

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

 

$

(72,834

)

 

USD

10,704,804

   

CAD

14,117,900

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(166,917

)

 

CHF

252,700

   

USD

279,171

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(961

)

 

USD

20,471,393

   

CHF

18,669,400

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(82,691

)

 

EUR

173,000

   

USD

206,910

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(467

)

 

USD

47,582,707

   

EUR

40,238,000

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(433,805

)

 

USD

38,363,176

   

GBP

29,164,973

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(524,980

)

 

NZD

237,100

   

USD

166,335

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(76

)

 

USD

14,951,712

   

NZD

22,236,500

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(640,939

)

 

PLN

54,095,200

   

USD

14,478,257

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(64,481

)

 

USD

13,992,910

   

PLN

54,095,200

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(420,866

)

 

USD

4,554,148

   

SEK

39,783,300

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(85,513

)

 
   

$

(2,494,530

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
11



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

The following is a summary of investments classified by country exposure:

Country

 

% of Net Assets(a)

 

United Kingdom

   

7.71

%

 

Cayman Islands

   

2.92

%

 

Bermuda

   

1.38

%

 

United States Virgin Islands

   

1.33

%

 

Canada

   

1.06

%

 

France

   

0.59

%

 

Australia

   

0.50

%

 

Netherlands

   

0.48

%

 

Finland

   

0.36

%

 

Italy

   

0.33

%

 

New Zealand

   

0.28

%

 

Israel

   

0.11

%

 

Ireland

   

0.09

%

 

United States

   

80.27

%

 

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

   

2.59

%

 
     

100.00

%

 

(a)  These percentages represent long positions only and are not net of short positions.

Abbreviations:

ADR - American Depositary Receipt

AUD - Australian dollar

bps - Basis Points. 100 Basis Points is equal to 1 percentage point.

B.V. - Besloten Vennootschap is the Dutch term for private limited liability company.

CAD - Canadian dollar

CHF - Swiss franc

CVR - Contingent Value Rights

ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund

EUR - Euro

EURIBOR - Euro Interbank Offered Rate

GBP - British pound

GBP LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate denominated in British Pounds

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

LLC - Limited Liability Company

Ltd. - Limited

MSCI - Morgan Stanley Capital International

N.V. - Naamloze Vennootschap is the Dutch term for a public limited liability corporation.

NZD - New Zealand dollar

Oyj - Osakeyhtio is the Finnish equivalent of a public limited company.

Plc - Public Limited Company

PLN - Polish zloty

SA - Generally designates corporations in various countries, mostly those employing civil law. This translates literally in all languages mentioned as anonymous company.

SEK - Swedish krona

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
12



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

SONIA - Sterling OverNight Index Average

S&P - Standard & Poor's

SpA - Societa per Azione

SPDR - Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipt

USD - United States Dollar

The following table summarizes the Arbitrage Fund's investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy as of November 30, 2020:

Investments in Securities at Value*

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets

 

Common Stocks

 

Auto Manufacturers

 

$

35,040,247

   

$

   

$

   

$

35,040,247

   

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

2,712,800

     

     

     

2,712,800

   

Banks

   

13,830,466

     

     

     

13,830,466

   

Beverages

   

7,104,505

     

     

     

7,104,505

   

Commercial Services

   

14,808,055

     

     

     

14,808,055

   
Computers & Computer
Services
   

20,947,562

     

     

41,639,640

     

62,587,202

   

Construction Materials

   

4,292,946

     

     

     

4,292,946

   

Distribution/Wholesale

   

42,523,381

     

     

     

42,523,381

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

85,871,951

     

     

     

85,871,951

   

Electric

   

52,360,689

     

     

     

52,360,689

   

Entertainment

   

11,733,665

     

     

     

11,733,665

   

Forest Products & Paper

   

5,075,710

     

     

     

5,075,710

   

Hand/Machine Tools

   

4,643,580

     

     

     

4,643,580

   

Healthcare - Products

   

54,257,403

     

     

     

54,257,403

   

Household Products

   

12,994,423

     

     

     

12,994,423

   

Insurance

   

139,658,895

     

     

     

139,658,895

   

Internet

   

36,782,908

     

     

     

36,782,908

   

Oil & Gas

   

41,282,196

     

     

     

41,282,196

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

10,943,390

     

     

     

10,943,390

   

Real Estate

   

5,839,184

     

     

     

5,839,184

   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

   

47,206,893

     

     

     

47,206,893

   

Retail

   

135,655,353

     

     

     

135,655,353

   

Semiconductors

   

92,502,726

     

     

6,390,625

     

98,893,351

   

Software

   

18,259,988

     

     

30,798,444

     

49,058,432

   
Special Purpose Acquisition
Companies
   

3,245,689

     

     

     

3,245,689

   

Telecommunications

   

150,912,299

     

     

69,044,684

     

219,956,983

   

Rights

   

481,649

     

     

1,083,804

     

1,565,453

   

Corporate Bonds**

   

     

5,233,568

     

     

5,233,568

   

Mutual Funds

   

70,506,411

     

     

     

70,506,411

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
13



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

Investments in Securities at Value*

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Private Investments

 

$

   

$

   

$

1,016,500

   

$

1,016,500

   

Purchased Options

   

771,152

     

     

     

771,152

   

Short-Term Investments

   

109,629,763

     

     

     

109,629,763

   

TOTAL

 

$

1,231,875,879

   

$

5,233,568

   

$

149,973,697

   

$

1,387,083,144

   

Other Financial Instruments***

 

Assets

 
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
 

$

   

$

1,359,096

   

$

   

$

1,359,096

   

Equity Swaps

   

0

     

     

     

0

   

Liabilities

 

Common Stocks**

   

(283,721,852

)

   

     

     

(283,721,852

)

 

Exchange-Traded Funds

   

(7,639,727

)

   

     

     

(7,639,727

)

 
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
   

     

(2,494,530

)

   

     

(2,494,530

)

 

TOTAL

 

$

(291,361,579

)

 

$

(1,135,434

)

 

$

   

$

(292,497,013

)

 

*  Refer to footnote 2 where leveling hierarchy is defined.

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for sector information.

***  Other financial instruments are instruments such as securities sold short, equity swaps and forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

The following is a reconciliation of the fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the Fund's assets and liabilities during the period ended November 30, 2020:

Investments
in Securities
  Balance as of
May 31, 2020
  Realized
Gain
(Loss)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Purchases

  Sales
Proceeds
  Transfers
into
Level 3
  Transfers
out of
Level 3
  Balance as of
November 30,
2020
  Net change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
from
investments
still held
as of
November 30,
2020
 
Common
Stocks
 

$

65,345,698

   

$

676,691

   

$

3,733,066

   

$

70,906,111

   

$

(72,154,391

)

 

$

79,366,218

   

$

   

$

147,873,393

   

$

4,063,781

   

Rights

   

840,340

     

567,862

     

(450,718

)

   

1,059,966

     

(933,646

)

   

     

     

1,083,804

     

(450,718

)

 
Private
Investments
   

0

     

     

(16,984

)

   

1,033,484

     

     

     

     

1,016,500

     

(16,984

)

 

Total

 

$

66,186,038

   

$

1,244,553

   

$

3,265,364

   

$

72,999,561

   

$

(73,088,037

)

 

$

79,366,218

   

$

   

$

149,973,697

   

$

3,596,079

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
14



Arbitrage Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

The following table summarizes the quantitative inputs used for investments categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of November 30, 2020:

Investments in
Securities
  Fair Value at
November 30,
2020
  Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
  Range of
Values
  Weighted
Average
 
Common Stocks
 
 
 
 
 
 

$

147,873,393




  Deal Value,
Liquidation
Value
 
 
 
  Final
determination
on Dissent,
Final
Liquidation
Value
  $6.25-$88.66, 0 AUD
 
 
 
 
 
  $35.7858, 0
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rights
 
 
 
 

$

1,083,804


  Discounted,
probability
adjusted
value
  Discount
Rate,
Probability
 
  10%, 38.28%-42.25%
 
 
 
  $0.6016
 
 
 
 
Private
Investments
 

$

1,016,500
  Cost
 
  Cost
 
  $.091-$1
 
  $0.933
 
 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
15



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio Information

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Performance (annualized returns as of November 30, 2020)

  One
Year
  Five
Year
  Ten
Year
  Since
Inception*
 

Water Island Event-Driven Fund Class R

   

10.40

%

   

4.42

%

   

2.19

%

   

2.31

%

 

Water Island Event-Driven Fund Class I

   

10.82

%

   

4.69

%

   

2.45

%

   

2.56

%

 

Water Island Event-Driven Fund, Class C**

   

9.68

%

   

3.66

%

   

N/A

     

1.43

%

 

Water Island Event-Driven Fund, Class A***

   

10.54

%

   

4.45

%

   

N/A

     

2.07

%

 
ICE BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. 3-Month
Treasury Bill Index****
   

0.80

%

   

1.20

%

   

0.64

%

   

0.63

%

 

Current performance may be higher or lower than performance quoted above. Any performance data quoted represents past performance, and the investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns shown above include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains. Performance results do not include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and may differ from the amount reported in the Financial Highlights. Contractual fee waivers are currently in effect. Without such fee waivers, performance numbers would be reduced. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month end by calling 1-800-295-4485 or going to www.arbitragefunds.com.

* Class R and Class I inception: 10/1/10; Class C inception: 6/1/12; Class A inception: 6/1/13. The "Since Inception" returns for securities indices are for the inception date of Class R and Class I shares.

** Class C shares are subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge on all purchases redeemed within 12 months of purchase.

*** Class A shares are subject to a maximum front-end sales load of 3.25% of the offering price and are also subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales load on purchases at or above $250,000 purchased without a front-end sales charge and redeemed within 18 months of purchase.

**** Merger arbitrage and event-driven investing are market neutral investment strategies, which typically exhibit low betas and low correlations to broad equity and credit market indices. As such, the adviser has determined that a more appropriate benchmark for Water Island Event-Driven Fund is a measure of the risk-free rate, in this case the ICE Bank of America (BofA) Merrill Lynch U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Class R, Class I, Class C and Class A are 2.06%, 1.81%, 2.81% and 2.06%, respectively. The Adviser has agreed to waive fees (not including the effects of interest, dividends on short positions, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, or other extraordinary expenses) in excess of 1.69%, 1.44%, 2.44% and 1.69% for Class R, Class I, Class C and Class A, respectively, until at least September 30, 2021. These expense ratios are as stated in the current prospectus and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the financial highlights in this report.

The ICE BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index tracks the performance of the U.S. dollar denominated U.S. Treasury Bills publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market with a remaining term to final maturity of less than 3 months.

An investor may not invest directly in an index.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
16



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio Information (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Growth of $10,000 Investment

The chart represents historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Class R shares of the Fund since inception. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

  

Sector Weighting

The following chart shows the sector weightings of the Water Island Event-Driven Fund's investments (including short sales and excluding derivatives) as of the report date.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
17



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 87.27%

 

Auto Manufacturers - 2.42%

 

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.(a)

   

66,757

   

$

1,040,460

   

Navistar International Corp.(a)

   

36,915

     

1,633,858

   
     

2,674,318

   

Auto Parts & Equipment - 0.62%

 

Telenav, Inc.(a)

   

56,293

     

267,392

   

Velodyne Lidar, Inc.(a)

   

26,577

     

423,106

   
     

690,498

   

Banks - 0.94%

 

CIT Group, Inc.(b)

   

31,038

     

1,039,463

   

Beverages - 0.69%

 

Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd.

   

82,035

     

761,755

   

Commercial Services - 0.60%

 

CoreLogic, Inc.(b)

   

4,941

     

382,928

   

IHS Markit Ltd.

   

2,787

     

277,195

   
     

660,123

   

Computers & Computer Services - 6.71%

 

58.COM, Inc., Class A(a)(c)

   

194,588

     

5,448,464

   

Perspecta, Inc.(b)

   

18,997

     

425,913

   

Virtusa Corp.(a)

   

31,071

     

1,556,035

   
     

7,430,412

   

Distribution/Wholesale - 2.94%

 

HD Supply Holdings, Inc.(a)

   

58,308

     

3,252,420

   

Diversified Financial Services - 6.21%

 

Eaton Vance Corp.(b)

   

86,955

     

5,824,246

   

GCM Grosvenor, Inc., Class A(a)

   

24,177

     

229,681

   

Genworth MI Canada, Inc.

   

24,321

     

816,880

   
     

6,870,807

   

Electric - 3.60%

 

PNM Resources, Inc.

   

81,038

     

3,979,776

   

Energy - Alternate Sources - 0.23%

 

Championx Corp.(a)

   

21,541

     

255,907

   

Engineering & Construction - 0.61%

 

AECOM(a)

   

12,995

     

674,311

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
18



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 87.27% (Continued)

 

Entertainment - 0.76%

 

Cineplex, Inc.

   

23,327

   

$

186,803

   

William Hill Plc(a)

   

182,835

     

653,728

   
     

840,531

   

Food - 0.31%

 

Whole Earth Brands, Inc.(a)

   

41,352

     

342,808

   

Forest Products & Paper - 0.34%

 

Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj

   

17,569

     

377,229

   

Healthcare - Products - 0.37%

 

Oxford Immunotec Global Plc(a)

   

28,742

     

410,148

   

Healthcare - Services - 0.46%

 

Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc.(a)

   

27,757

     

510,451

   

Insurance - 9.16%

 

National General Holdings Corp.

   

133,565

     

4,551,895

   

Watford Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)

   

38,089

     

1,322,450

   

Willis Towers Watson Plc(b)

   

20,486

     

4,264,981

   
     

10,139,326

   

Internet - 3.49%

 

Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc.(a)

   

69,910

     

662,747

   

Grubhub, Inc.(a)(b)

   

45,490

     

3,199,766

   
     

3,862,513

   

Leisure Time - 0.17%

 

Callaway Golf Co.(b)

   

8,734

     

185,598

   

Media - 0.31%

 

TEGNA, Inc.(b)

   

24,165

     

348,218

   

Oil & Gas - 2.81%

 

Concho Resources, Inc.(b)

   

38,243

     

2,198,208

   

Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A(b)

   

37,451

     

469,261

   

WPX Energy, Inc.(a)(b)

   

61,966

     

441,198

   
     

3,108,667

   

Pharmaceuticals - 0.93%

 

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp.(a)

   

9,496

     

839,446

   

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

   

31,231

     

193,320

   
     

1,032,766

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
19



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 87.27% (Continued)

 

Real Estate - 0.72%

 

Entra ASA(d)

   

17,422

   

$

348,209

   

McCarthy & Stone Plc(a)(d)

   

284,539

     

443,820

   
     

792,029

   

Real Estate Investment Trusts - 3.29%

 

Front Yard Residential Corp.(b)

   

89,596

     

1,462,207

   

Taubman Centers, Inc.

   

50,878

     

2,173,508

   
     

3,635,715

   

Retail - 8.00%

 

Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc.

   

35,675

     

3,793,679

   

Foundation Building Materials, Inc.(a)

   

36,369

     

699,740

   

Tiffany & Co.(b)

   

33,139

     

4,357,116

   
     

8,850,535

   

Semiconductors - 5.78%

 

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.(b)

   

25,686

     

2,132,966

   

Xilinx, Inc.(b)

   

29,295

     

4,263,887

   
     

6,396,853

   

Software - 3.31%

 

Cloudera, Inc.(a)(b)

   

11,456

     

133,806

   

Codemasters Group Holdings Plc(a)

   

44,669

     

300,134

   

MINDBODY, Inc., Class A(a)(c)

   

48,463

     

1,768,900

   

MobileIron, Inc.(a)

   

152,209

     

1,071,551

   

Slack Technologies, Inc., Class A(a)

   

8,942

     

383,433

   
     

3,657,824

   

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies - 7.14%

 

Alpha Healthcare Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

20,250

     

201,893

   

Artius Acquisition, Inc., Class A(a)

   

16,206

     

161,250

   

Bull Horn Holdings Corp.(a)

   

40,295

     

402,950

   

CC Neuberger Principal Holdings I, Class A(a)

   

46,017

     

475,356

   

CC Neuberger Principal Holdings II, Class A(a)

   

16,172

     

161,720

   

Churchill Capital Corp. IV, Class A(a)

   

26,955

     

266,315

   

DPCM Capital, Inc.(a)

   

33,703

     

342,085

   

Fast Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

22,409

     

231,933

   

Flying Eagle Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

18,648

     

289,044

   

Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

21,186

     

216,097

   

Fusion Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

21,193

     

222,527

   

Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. IV, Class A(a)

   

9,426

     

122,538

   

Hudson Executive Investment Corp., Class A(a)

   

26,482

     

262,966

   

Kingswood Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

33,750

     

340,538

   

Lefteris Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

27,053

     

270,259

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
20



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 87.27% (Continued)

 

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies - 7.14% (Continued)

 

LF Capital Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

26,916

   

$

285,310

   

Live Oak Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

27,745

     

346,813

   

Longview Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

13,787

     

217,145

   

Oaktree Acquisition Corp. II(a)

   

26,432

     

269,342

   

Omnichannel Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

27,132

     

272,677

   

Pivotal Investment Corp. II, Class A(a)

   

9,410

     

132,116

   

Reinvent Technology Partners(a)

   

26,432

     

309,254

   

Roman DBDR Tech Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

26,980

     

276,545

   

Seaport Global Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

43,285

     

432,850

   

Spartacus Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

26,962

     

277,574

   

Sustainable Opportunities Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

13,337

     

138,972

   

Trebia Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

21,186

     

212,707

   

Trine Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

37,638

     

484,777

   

Vy Global Growth(a)

   

26,962

     

280,944

   
     

7,904,497

   

Telecommunications - 14.35%

 

Acacia Communications, Inc.(a)(b)

   

78,051

     

5,438,594

   

Altice Europe N.V.(a)

   

21,818

     

114,981

   

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.(a)(b)

   

109,283

     

1,662,194

   

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.

   

60,181

     

364,697

   

LogMeIn, Inc.(a)(c)

   

93,555

     

8,294,586

   
     

15,875,052

   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $91,491,626)
   

96,560,550

   

RIGHTS - 0.05%

 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

   

15,737

     

18,570

   

Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. CVR(c)

   

121,306

     

41,875

   
TOTAL RIGHTS
(Cost $53,176)
   

60,445

   

 

    Maturity
Date
 

Rate

  Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 5.20%

 

Commercial Services - 0.93%

 
Nielsen Co. Luxembourg SARL
(The)(d)
 

10/01/2021

   

5.500

%

 

$

386,000

   

$

384,070

   

Refinitiv US Holdings, Inc.(d)

 

05/15/2026

   

6.250

%

   

608,000

     

649,040

   
                 

1,033,110

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
21



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Maturity
Date
 

Rate

  Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 5.20% (Continued)

 

Entertainment - 1.52%

 
Stars Group Holdings B.V. /
Stars Group US
Co-Borrower LLC(d)
 

07/15/2026

   

7.000

%

 

$

1,585,000

   

$

1,676,137

   

Internet - 1.25%

 

EIG Investors Corp.

 

02/01/2024

   

10.875

%

   

1,333,000

     

1,386,987

   

Oil & Gas - 0.28%

 
Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.,
(8.50% Cash + 1.00% PIK)
 

05/15/2023

   

8.500

%

   

366,000

     

308,355

   

Telecommunications - 1.22%

 

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.(d)

 

07/15/2024

   

7.000

%

   

1,305,000

     

1,349,070

   
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(Cost $5,805,902)
   

5,753,659

   

CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS - 1.62%

 

Entertainment - 0.31%

 

Cineplex, Inc.(d)

 

09/30/2025

   

5.750

%

   

392,000

     

347,116

   

Pharmaceuticals - 1.31%

 

Dermira, Inc.

 

05/15/2022

   

3.000

%

   

1,430,000

     

1,444,300

   
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS
(Cost $1,729,690)
   

1,791,416

   

 

   

Shares

 

Value

 

WARRANTS - 0.28%

 

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies - 0.26%

 
Artius Acquisition, Inc., Class A, Exercise Price $11.50,
Expires 07/13/2026(a)
   

5,402

   

$

7,671

   
CC Neuberger Principal Holdings I, Class A,
Exercise Price $11.50, Expires 12/31/2025(a)
   

15,339

     

25,309

   
CC Neuberger Principal Holdings II, Class A,
Exercise Price $11.50, Expires 07/29/2025(a)
   

4,043

     

4,932

   
Churchill Capital Corp. IV, Class A, Exercise Price $11.50,
Expires 09/18/2025(a)
   

5,391

     

6,254

   
Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp., Class A,
Exercise Price $11.50, Expires 07/17/2025(a)
   

7,062

     

11,793

   
Hudson Executive Investment Corp.,Class A,
Exercise Price $11.50, Expires 06/21/2025(a)
   

13,241

     

13,506

   
Live Oak Acquisition Corp., Class A, Exercise Price $11.50,
Expires 05/08/2027(a)
   

53,988

     

173,841

   
Sustainable Opportunities Acquisition Corp.,Class A,
Exercise Price $11.50, Expires 06/26/2025(a)
   

20,245

     

31,801

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
22



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

WARRANTS - 0.28% (Continued)

 

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies - 0.26% (Continued)

 
Trebia Acquisition Corp., Class A, Exercise Price $11.50,
Expires 12/31/2025(a)
   

7,062

   

$

9,887

   
     

284,994

   

Telecommunications - 0.02%

 
Avaya Holdings Corp., Exercise Price $25.55,
Expires 12/15/2022(a)
   

5,548

     

21,776

   
TOTAL WARRANTS
(Cost $147,928)
   

306,770

   

PREFERRED STOCKS - 0.08%

 

Insurance - 0.08%

 

National General Holdings Corp., Series B, 7.500%

   

3,430

     

87,191

   
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
(Cost $86,474)
   

87,191

   

PRIVATE INVESTMENTS (c)(e) - 0.07%

 

Fast Capital LLC(a)

   

22,800

     

22,800

   

Fuse LLC(a)

   

56,600

     

51,455

   

Fuse Sponsor Capital, Z2 Shares(a)

   

5,660

     

5,145

   
TOTAL PRIVATE INVESTMENTS
(Cost $80,728)
   

79,400

   

 

    Expiration
Date
  Exercise
Price
  Notional
Amount
 

Contracts

 

Value

 

PURCHASED OPTIONS(a) - 0.07%

 

Call Options Purchased - 0.06%

 

Devon Energy Corp.

 

01/2021

 

$

13.74

   

$

383,326

     

274

   

$

35,620

   
Maxeon Solar
Technologies Ltd.
 

12/2020

   

30.00

     

297,924

     

122

     

8,540

   

S&P Global, Inc.

 

01/2021

   

350.00

     

211,068

     

6

     

8,880

   

Taubman Centers, Inc.

 
   

01/2021

   

40.00

     

162,336

     

38

     

11,400

   
   

01/2021

   

45.00

     

657,888

     

154

     

0

   
TOTAL CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED
(Cost $60,477)
   

64,440

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
23



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Expiration
Date
  Exercise
Price
  Notional
Amount
 

Contracts

 

Value

 

PURCHASED OPTIONS(a) - 0.07% (Continued)

 

Put Options Purchased - 0.01%

 
iShares iBoxx $
Investment
Grade Corporate
Bond ETF
 

01/2021

 

$

130.00

   

$

3,018,864

     

218

   

$

4,905

   

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

 
   

01/2021

   

142.00

     

434,448

     

24

     

1,080

   
   

01/2021

   

145.00

     

434,448

     

24

     

1,344

   
TOTAL PUT OPTIONS PURCHASED
(Cost $74,935)
   

7,329

   
TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS
(Cost $135,412)
   

71,769

   

 

   

Yield

 

Shares

 

Value

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 4.48%

 

Money Market Funds

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Fund
Government Portfolio, Institutional Class
   

0.020

%(f)

   

2,479,945

   

$

2,479,945

   
State Street Institutional U.S. Government
Money Market Fund, Premier Class
   

0.132

%(f)

   

2,479,945

     

2,479,945

   
             

4,959,890

   
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost $4,959,890)
   

4,959,890

   
Total Investments - 99.12%
(Cost $104,490,826)
           

109,671,090

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities - 0.88%(g)

           

977,086

   

NET ASSETS - 100.00%

 

$

110,648,176

   

Portfolio Footnotes

(a)  Non-income-producing security.

(b)  Security, or a portion of security, is being held as collateral for short sales or forward foreign currency exchange contracts. At November 30, 2020, the aggregate fair market value of those securities was $30,737,696, representing 27.78% of net assets.

(c)  Security fair valued using significant unobservable inputs and classified as a Level 3 security. As of November 30, 2020, the total fair market value of these securities was $15,633,225, representing 14.13% of net assets.

(d)  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. As of November 30, 2020, these securities had a total value of $5,197,462 or 4.70% of net assets.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
24



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

(e)  Represents a holding that is a direct investment into a private company and is not a listed or publicly traded entity.

(f)  Rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of November 30, 2020.

(g)  Includes cash held as collateral for short sales.

SCHEDULE OF SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

 

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - (15.62%)

 

Auto Manufacturers - (0.82%)

 

Peugeot SA

   

(38,322

)

 

$

(903,506

)

 

Banks - (1.21%)

 

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

   

(1,924

)

   

(1,017,007

)

 

Morgan Stanley

   

(5,180

)

   

(320,280

)

 
     

(1,337,287

)

 

Commercial Services - (0.33%)

 

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp., Class A

   

(994

)

   

(86,269

)

 

S&P Global, Inc.

   

(791

)

   

(278,258

)

 
     

(364,527

)

 

Computers & Computer Services - (0.13%)

 

CACI International, Inc., Class A

   

(283

)

   

(67,153

)

 

Science Applications International Corp.

   

(824

)

   

(76,253

)

 
     

(143,406

)

 

Energy - Alternate Sources - (0.23%)

 

Maxeon Solar Technologies Ltd.

   

(10,278

)

   

(250,989

)

 

Engineering & Construction - (0.42%)

 

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.

   

(1,547

)

   

(166,829

)

 

Stantec, Inc.

   

(4,885

)

   

(147,185

)

 

WSP Global, Inc.

   

(2,030

)

   

(150,761

)

 
     

(464,775

)

 

Environmental Control - (0.18%)

 

Tetra Tech, Inc.

   

(1,638

)

   

(195,331

)

 

Food - (2.93%)

 

Just Eat Takeaway.com N.V.

   

(30,524

)

   

(3,241,997

)

 

Leisure Time - (0.07%)

 

Acushnet Holdings Corp.

   

(2,135

)

   

(80,489

)

 

Media - (0.17%)

 

Nexstar Media Group, Inc., Class A

   

(1,793

)

   

(188,713

)

 

Oil & Gas - (2.83%)

 

ConocoPhillips

   

(55,835

)

   

(2,208,832

)

 

Devon Energy Corp.

   

(31,999

)

   

(447,666

)

 

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

   

(4,689

)

   

(471,620

)

 
     

(3,128,118

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
25



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

SCHEDULE OF SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

 

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - (15.62%) (Continued)

 

Pharmaceuticals - (0.11%)

 

Viatris, Inc.

   

(7,478

)

 

$

(125,780

)

 

Semiconductors - (5.64%)

 

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

   

(50,487

)

   

(4,678,125

)

 

Analog Devices, Inc.

   

(11,211

)

   

(1,559,226

)

 
     

(6,237,351

)

 

Software - (0.39%)

 

salesforce.com, Inc.

   

(845

)

   

(207,701

)

 

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

   

(1,266

)

   

(228,526

)

 
     

(436,227

)

 

Telecommunications - (0.16%)

 

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.

   

(12,017

)

   

(182,779

)

 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Proceeds $15,481,474)
   

(17,281,275

)

 

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS - (0.42%)

 

Equity Funds - (0.42%)

 

iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF

   

(722

)

   

(189,590

)

 

iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF

   

(454

)

   

(55,669

)

 

VanEck Vectors Oil Services ETF

   

(1,574

)

   

(217,055

)

 
     

(462,314

)

 
TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS
(Proceeds $412,825)
   

(462,314

)

 
TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT
(Proceeds $15,894,299)
 

$

(17,743,589

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
26



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

EQUITY SWAP CONTRACTS

Swap
Counterparty/
Payment
Frequency
  Reference
Obligation
  Rate
Paid/
Received
by the
Fund
  Termination
Date
  Upfront
Payments
Paid
  Upfront
Payments
Received
  Market
Value
  Notional
Amount
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 
Morgan
Stanley &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
 
  Analog
Devices,
Inc.
 
 
 
 
  Received
1 Month-
Federal
Rate
Minus
40 bps
(-0.320%)
 





08/19/2021
 

$

   

$

   

$

   

USD

691,923

   

$

   
Morgan
Stanley &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
 
  Aon Plc
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Received
1 Month-
Federal
Rate
Minus
40 bps
(-0.320%)
 





08/19/2021
   

     

     

   

USD

4,533,191

     

   
Goldman
Sachs &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
 
  William
Hill Plc
 
 
 
 
 
  Paid
1 Month
GBP
LIBOR
Plus
45 bps
(0.440%)
 





10/19/2021
   

     

     

   

GBP

736,998

     

   
Goldman
Sachs &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
  Morgan
Stanley
 
 
 
 
  Received
1 Month
LIBOR
Minus
40 bps
(-0.260%)
 




10/28/2021
   

     

     

   

USD

2,815,800

     

   
Goldman
Sachs &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
 
  Kaz
Minerals
Plc
 
 
 
 
  Paid
1 Month
GBP
LIBOR
Plus
45 bps
(0.639%)
 





11/01/2021
   

     

     

   

GBP

167,197

     

   
Goldman
Sachs &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
 
  Alternative
Credit
Investments
 
 
 
 
  Paid
1 Month
GBP
LIBOR
Plus
70 bps
(0.743%)
 





11/05/2021
   

     

     

   

GBP

147,728

     

   
                       

$

           

$

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
27



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

OUTSTANDING FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

Currency
Purchased
 

Currency Sold

 

Counterparty

  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 

CAD

2,703,500

   

USD

2,059,457

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

 

$

22,416

   

USD

56,134

   

CAD

72,800

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

73

   

CHF

1,414,300

   

USD

1,551,897

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

5,178

   

USD

36,424

   

CHF

33,000

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

92

   

EUR

2,155,800

   

USD

2,539,626

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

32,916

   

USD

7,290

   

EUR

6,100

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

11

   

GBP

190,558

   

USD

252,792

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

1,295

   

USD

348,694

   

NOK

3,090,700

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

1,242

   

NZD

1,269,100

   

USD

846,286

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

43,630

   

SEK

3,210,400

   

USD

366,116

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

8,292

   
   

$

115,145

   
Currency
Purchased
 

Currency Sold

 

Counterparty

  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Depreciation
 

USD

726,218

   

AUD

1,033,600

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

 

$

(32,603

)

 

CAD

55,600

   

USD

42,857

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(41

)

 

USD

3,276,084

   

CAD

4,295,500

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(31,736

)

 

CHF

16,500

   

USD

18,229

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(63

)

 

USD

1,532,772

   

CHF

1,397,800

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(6,137

)

 

EUR

13,200

   

USD

15,788

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(36

)

 

USD

2,272,800

   

EUR

1,923,800

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(22,894

)

 

USD

1,392,285

   

GBP

1,068,661

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(32,651

)

 

USD

853,094

   

NZD

1,269,100

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(36,823

)

 

PLN

4,070,100

   

USD

1,089,338

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(4,852

)

 

USD

1,052,760

   

PLN

4,070,100

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(31,725

)

 

USD

367,595

   

SEK

3,210,400

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(6,811

)

 
   

$

(206,372

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
28



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of investments classified by country exposure:

Country

 

% of Net Assets(a)

 

United Kingdom

   

6.67

%

 

Cayman Islands

   

5.17

%

 

Netherlands

   

1.62

%

 

United States Virgin Islands

   

1.32

%

 

Canada

   

1.22

%

 

Bermuda

   

1.20

%

 

Australia

   

0.69

%

 

Luxembourg

   

0.35

%

 

Finland

   

0.34

%

 

Israel

   

0.33

%

 

Norway

   

0.32

%

 

United States

   

79.89

%

 

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

   

0.88

%

 
     

100.00

%

 

(a)  These percentages represent long positions only and are not net of short positions.

Abbreviations:

ASA - Allmennaksjeselskap is the Norwegian term for public limited company.

AUD - Australian dollar

bps - Basis Points. 100 Basis Points is equal to 1 percentage point.

B.V. - Besloten Vennootschap is the Dutch term for private limited liability company.

CAD - Canadian dollar

CHF - Swiss franc

CVR - Contingent Value Rights

ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund

EUR - Euro

GBP - British pound

GBP LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate denominated in British Pounds

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

LLC - Limited Liability Company

Ltd. - Limited

NOK - Norwegian krone

N.V. - Naamloze Vennootschap is the Dutch term for a public limited liability corporation.

NZD - New Zealand dollar

Oyj - Osakeyhtio is the Finnish equivalent of a public limited company.

PIK - Payment-in-kind

Plc - Public Limited Company

PLN - Polish zloty

SA - Generally designates corporations in various countries, mostly those employing civil law. This translates literally in all languages mentioned as anonymous company.

SARL - Société Anonyme à Responsabilité Limitée is the French term for limited liability company.

SEK - Swedish krona

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
29



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

S&P - Standard & Poor's

USD - United States Dollar

The following table summarizes the Water Island Diversified Event-Driven Fund's investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy as of November 30, 2020:

Investments in Securities at Value*

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets

 

Common Stocks

 

Auto Manufacturers

 

$

2,674,318

   

$

   

$

   

$

2,674,318

   

Auto Parts & Equipment

   

690,498

     

     

     

690,498

   

Banks

   

1,039,463

     

     

     

1,039,463

   

Beverages

   

761,755

     

     

     

761,755

   

Commercial Services

   

660,123

     

     

     

660,123

   

Computers & Computer Services

   

1,981,948

     

     

5,448,464

     

7,430,412

   

Distribution/Wholesale

   

3,252,420

     

     

     

3,252,420

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

6,870,807

     

     

     

6,870,807

   

Electric

   

3,979,776

     

     

     

3,979,776

   

Energy - Alternate Sources

   

255,907

     

     

     

255,907

   

Engineering & Construction

   

674,311

     

     

     

674,311

   

Entertainment

   

840,531

     

     

     

840,531

   

Food

   

342,808

     

     

     

342,808

   

Forest Products & Paper

   

377,229

     

     

     

377,229

   

Healthcare - Products

   

410,148

     

     

     

410,148

   

Healthcare - Services

   

510,451

     

     

     

510,451

   

Insurance

   

10,139,326

     

     

     

10,139,326

   

Internet

   

3,862,513

     

     

     

3,862,513

   

Leisure Time

   

185,598

     

     

     

185,598

   

Media

   

348,218

     

     

     

348,218

   

Oil & Gas

   

3,108,667

     

     

     

3,108,667

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

1,032,766

     

     

     

1,032,766

   

Real Estate

   

792,029

     

     

     

792,029

   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

   

3,635,715

     

     

     

3,635,715

   

Retail

   

8,850,535

     

     

     

8,850,535

   

Semiconductors

   

6,396,853

     

     

     

6,396,853

   

Software

   

1,888,924

     

     

1,768,900

     

3,657,824

   
Special Purpose Acquisition
Companies
   

7,904,497

     

     

     

7,904,497

   

Telecommunications

   

7,580,466

     

     

8,294,586

     

15,875,052

   

Rights

   

18,570

     

     

41,875

     

60,445

   

Corporate Bonds**

   

     

5,753,659

     

     

5,753,659

   

Convertible Corporate Bonds**

   

     

1,791,416

     

     

1,791,416

   

Warrants

   

284,994

     

21,776

     

     

306,770

   

Preferred Stocks**

   

87,191

     

     

     

87,191

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
30



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Investments in Securities at Value*

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Private Investments

 

$

   

$

   

$

79,400

   

$

79,400

   

Purchased Options

   

71,769

     

     

     

71,769

   

Short-Term Investments

   

4,959,890

     

     

     

4,959,890

   

TOTAL

 

$

86,471,014

   

$

7,566,851

   

$

15,633,225

   

$

109,671,090

   

Other Financial Instruments***

 

Assets

 
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
 

$

   

$

115,145

   

$

   

$

115,145

   

Equity Swaps

   

0

     

     

     

0

   

Liabilities

 

Common Stocks**

   

(17,281,275

)

   

     

     

(17,281,275

)

 

Exchange-Traded Funds

   

(462,314

)

   

     

     

(462,314

)

 
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
   

     

(206,372

)

   

     

(206,372

)

 

TOTAL

 

$

(17,743,589

)

 

$

(91,227

)

 

$

   

$

(17,834,816

)

 

*  Refer to footnote 2 where leveling hierarchy is defined.

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for sector information.

***  Other financial instruments are instruments such as securities sold short, equity swaps and forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

The following is a reconciliation of the fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the Fund's assets and liabilities during the period ended November 30, 2020:

Investments
in Securities
  Balance as of
May 31, 2020
  Realized
Gain
(Loss)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Purchases

  Sales
Proceeds
  Transfers
into
Level 3
  Transfers
out of
Level 3
  Balance as of
November 30,
2020
  Net change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
from
investments
still held
as of
November 30,
2020
 
Common
Stock
 

$

2,731,749

   

$

33,758

   

$

430,685

   

$

5,429,345

   

$

(1,690,949

)

 

$

8,577,362

   

$

   

$

15,511,950

   

$

448,217

   
Private
Investments
   

     

     

(1,328

)

   

80,728

     

     

     

     

79,400

     

(1,328

)

 

Rights

   

     

     

1,844

     

40,031

     

     

     

     

41,875

     

1,844

   

Total

 

$

2,731,749

   

$

33,758

   

$

431,201

   

$

5,550,104

   

$

(1,690,949

)

 

$

8,577,362

   

$

   

$

15,633,225

   

$

448,733

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
31



Water Island Event-Driven Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

The following table summarizes the quantitative inputs used for investments categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of November 30, 2020:

Investments in
Securities
  Fair Value at
November 30, 2020
  Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
  Range of
Values
  Weighted
Average
 
Common Stock
 
 
 

$

15,511,950

  Deal Value
 
 
  Final
Determination
on Dissent
  $28-$88.66
 
 
  $46.08
 
 
 
Private
Investments
 

$

79,400

   

Cost

 

Cost

   

$0.91-$1

     

$0.97

   
Rights
 
 
 

$

41,875

  Discounted,
probability
adjusted value
  Discount Rate,
Probability
 
  10%, 42.25%
 
 
  $0.35
 
 
 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
32



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund  Portfolio Information

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Performance (annualized returns as of November 30, 2020)

  One
Year
  Five
Year
  Ten
Year
  Since
Inception*
 

Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund, Class R

   

6.43

%

   

3.66

%

   

N/A

     

2.90

%

 

Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund, Class I

   

6.72

%

   

3.90

%

   

N/A

     

3.13

%

 

Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund, Class C**

   

5.66

%

   

2.87

%

   

N/A

     

2.16

%

 

Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund, Class A***

   

6.57

%

   

3.65

%

   

N/A

     

2.83

%

 

ICE BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

   

0.80

%

   

1.20

%

   

N/A

     

0.76

%

 

Bloomberg Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

   

7.28

%

   

4.34

%

   

N/A

     

3.24

%

 

Current performance may be higher or lower than performance quoted above. Any performance data quoted represents past performance and the investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns shown above include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains. Performance results do not include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and may differ from the amount reported in the Financial Highlights. Contractual fee waivers are currently in effect. Without such fee waivers, performance numbers would be reduced. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month end by calling 1-800-295-4485 or going to www.arbitragefunds.com.

* Class R, Class I and Class C inception: 10/1/12; Class A inception: 6/1/13. The "Since Inception" returns for securities indices are for the inception date of Class R, Class I and Class C shares.

** Class C shares are subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge on all purchases redeemed in 12 months of purchase.

*** Class A shares are subject to a maximum front-end sales load of 3.25% of the offering price and are also subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales load on purchases at or above $250,000 purchased without a front-end sales charge and redeemed within 18 months of purchase.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Class R, Class I, Class C and Class A are 1.97%, 1.72%, 2.72% and 1.97%, respectively. The Adviser has agreed to waive fees (not including the effects of interest, dividends on short positions, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, or other extraordinary expenses) in excess of 1.23%, 0.98%, 1.98% and 1.23% for Class R, Class I, Class C and Class A, respectively, until at least September 30, 2021. These expense ratios are as stated in the current prospectus and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the financial highlights in this report.

The ICE Bank of America (BofA) Merrill Lynch U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index tracks the performance of the U.S. dollar denominated U.S. Treasury Bills publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market with a remaining term to final maturity of less than 3 months.

The Bloomberg Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted index of investment grade fixed-rated debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities with a maturity of one year or more.

An investor may not invest directly in an index.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
33



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund  Portfolio Information (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Growth of $10,000 Investment

The chart represents historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Class R shares of the Fund since inception. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

  

Sector Weighting

The following chart shows the sector weightings of the Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund investments (including short sales and excluding derivatives) as of the report date.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
34



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund  Portfolio of Investments

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 0.43%

 

Commercial Services - 0.43%

 

Nielsen Holdings Plc

   

18,000

   

$

291,060

   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $308,030)
   

291,060

   

 

    Maturity
Date
 

Rate

  Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

BANK LOAN - 1.45%

 

Commercial Services - 1.45%

 
Refinitiv US Holdings, Inc.,
2018 USD Term Loan B,
Variable Rate, (1 mo. USD
LIBOR plus 3.250%)
 

12/31/2020

   

3.396

%

 

$

989,924

   

$

984,975

   
TOTAL BANK LOANS
(Cost $995,043)
   

984,975

   

CORPORATE BONDS - 67.89%

 

Aerospace & Defense - 4.72%

 

Boeing Co. (The)

 

05/01/2050

   

5.805

%

   

1,250,000

     

1,651,355

   

Triumph Group, Inc.

 

06/01/2022

   

5.250

%

   

1,687,000

     

1,552,040

   
     

3,203,395

   

Auto Manufacturers - 4.37%

 

Navistar International Corp.(a)(b)

 

05/01/2025

   

9.500

%

   

750,000

     

839,063

   

Navistar International Corp.(a)

 

11/01/2025

   

6.625

%

   

2,032,000

     

2,126,894

   
     

2,965,957

   

Auto Parts & Equipment - 2.73%

 

BorgWarner, Inc.(a)

 

10/01/2025

   

5.000

%

   

1,581,000

     

1,853,215

   

Banks - 1.46%

 

CIT Group, Inc.

 

08/01/2023

   

5.000

%

   

50,000

     

54,312

   
Truist Bank, Variable Rate,
(3 mo. USD LIBOR
plus 0.65%)(b)
 

03/15/2028

   

0.900

%

   

1,000,000

     

938,440

   
     

992,752

   

Commercial Services - 5.42%

 

APX Group, Inc.

 

12/01/2022

   

7.875

%

   

1,030,000

     

1,031,288

   
Nielsen Co. Luxembourg
SARL (The)(a)
 

10/01/2021

   

5.500

%

   

443,000

     

440,785

   

Refinitiv US Holdings, Inc.(a)

 

05/15/2026

   

6.250

%

   

2,069,000

     

2,208,657

   
     

3,680,730

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
35



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Maturity
Date
 

Rate

  Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 67.89% (Continued)

 

Computers & Computer Services - 1.72%

 
Dell International LLC /
EMC Corp.(a)(b)
 

10/01/2026

   

4.900

%

 

$

1,000,000

   

$

1,167,857

   

Construction Materials - 3.03%

 

BMC East LLC(a)(b)

 

10/01/2024

   

5.500

%

   

2,000,000

     

2,058,000

   

Distribution/Wholesale - 1.56%

 

HD Supply, Inc.(a)

 

10/15/2026

   

5.375

%

   

1,000,000

     

1,060,000

   

Electrical Components & Equipment - 1.83%

 

WESCO Distribution, Inc.

 

12/15/2021

   

5.375

%

   

1,238,000

     

1,241,268

   

Entertainment - 6.66%

 
Scientific Games
International, Inc.(a)
 

10/15/2025

   

5.000

%

   

1,500,000

     

1,543,125

   
Stars Group Holdings B.V. /
Stars Group US
Co-Borrower LLC(a)
 

07/15/2026

   

7.000

%

   

2,820,000

     

2,982,150

   
     

4,525,275

   

Insurance - 1.70%

 
Fidelity & Guaranty
Life Holdings, Inc.(a)
 

05/01/2025

   

5.500

%

   

1,000,000

     

1,155,860

   

Internet - 4.24%

 

EIG Investors Corp.

 

02/01/2024

   

10.875

%

   

2,770,000

     

2,882,185

   

Media - 0.76%

 

Walt Disney Co. (The)(b)

 

09/01/2049

   

2.750

%

   

500,000

     

515,234

   

Office/Business Equip - 0.68%

 

Xerox Corp.(b)

 

05/15/2021

   

4.500

%

   

457,000

     

462,918

   

Oil & Gas - 6.76%

 

Noble Energy, Inc.

 

11/15/2043

   

5.250

%

   

520,000

     

719,844

   
Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.,
(8.50% Cash + 1.00% PIK)
 

05/15/2023

   

8.500

%

   

1,709,238

     

1,440,033

   
Parsley Energy LLC /
Parsley Finance Corp.(a)
 

01/15/2025

   

5.375

%

   

1,416,000

     

1,458,480

   

WPX Energy, Inc.

 

10/15/2027

   

5.250

%

   

130,000

     

137,150

   

WPX Energy, Inc.(b)

 

06/15/2028

   

5.875

%

   

775,000

     

835,062

   
     

4,590,569

   

Pipelines - 2.26%

 
Midwest Connector
Capital Co. LLC(a)
 

04/01/2024

   

3.900

%

   

500,000

     

507,437

   

NuStar Logistics LP(b)

 

02/01/2021

   

6.750

%

   

1,025,000

     

1,026,538

   
     

1,533,975

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
36



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Maturity
Date
 

Rate

  Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

CORPORATE BONDS - 67.89% (Continued)

 

Semiconductors - 0.37%

 

Microchip Technology, Inc.(b)

 

06/01/2021

   

3.922

%

 

$

250,000

   

$

254,086

   

Software - 0.54%

 
Rackspace Technology
Global, Inc.(a)
 

11/15/2024

   

8.625

%

   

350,000

     

365,330

   

Telecommunications - 17.08%

 

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.(a)

 

07/15/2024

   

7.000

%

   

2,300,000

     

2,377,671

   
   

10/15/2025

   

8.000

%

   

2,000,000

     

2,141,400

   
Hughes Satellite Systems
Corp.(b)
 

06/15/2021

   

7.625

%

   

1,000,000

     

1,030,000

   

ORBCOMM, Inc.(a)

 

04/01/2024

   

8.000

%

   

3,000,000

     

3,120,000

   

T-Mobile USA, Inc.(b)

 

03/01/2023

   

6.000

%

   

2,930,000

     

2,935,655

   
     

11,604,726

   
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(Cost $45,126,974)
   

46,113,332

   

CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS - 22.27%

 

Computers & Computer Services - 2.23%

 

Pure Storage, Inc.

 

04/15/2023

   

0.125

%

   

1,500,000

     

1,517,333

   

Entertainment - 0.74%

 

Cineplex, Inc.(a)

 

09/30/2025

   

5.750

%

   

567,000

     

502,079

   

Internet - 2.49%

 

Twitter, Inc.

 

06/15/2024

   

0.250

%

   

1,500,000

     

1,689,788

   

Pharmaceuticals - 5.09%

 

Dermira, Inc.

 

05/15/2022

   

3.000

%

   

1,938,000

     

1,957,380

   

Jazz Investments I Ltd.

 

08/15/2021

   

1.875

%

   

1,500,000

     

1,502,663

   
     

3,460,043

   

Semiconductors - 2.69%

 

Synaptics, Inc.(b)

 

06/15/2022

   

0.500

%

   

1,500,000

     

1,830,000

   

Software - 9.03%

 

Nuance Communications, Inc.(b)

 

12/15/2035

   

1.000

%

   

1,000,000

     

1,827,101

   

Verint Systems, Inc.

 

06/01/2021

   

1.500

%

   

2,000,000

     

2,071,344

   

Slack Technologies, Inc.(a)

 

04/15/2025

   

0.500

%

   

1,500,000

     

2,232,004

   
     

6,130,449

   
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS
(Cost $13,545,829)
   

15,129,692

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
37



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

WARRANTS - 0.02%

 

Telecommunications - 0.02%

 
Avaya Holdings Corp., Exercise
Price $25.55, Expires 12/15/2022(c)
   

3,017

   

$

11,842

   
TOTAL WARRANTS
(Cost $0)
       

11,842

   

PREFERRED STOCKS - 2.30%

 

Insurance - 0.20%

 

National General Holdings Corp., Series B, 7.500%(b)

   

5,536

     

140,725

   

National General Holdings Corp., Series C, 7.500%

   

10

     

262

   
     

140,987

   

Real Estate Investment Trusts - 2.10%

 

Taubman Centers, Inc., Series J, 6.500%

   

56,471

     

1,425,334

   
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
(Cost $1,415,612)
       

1,566,321

   

 

    Expiration
Date
  Exercise
Price
  Notional
Amount
 

Contracts

 

Value

 

PURCHASED OPTIONS(c) - 0.48%

 

Call Options Purchased - 0.48%

 

Devon Energy Corp.

 

01/2021

 

$

12.74

   

$

760,500

     

500

   

$

94,250

   

Scientific Games Corp.

 
   

12/2020

   

32.00

     

37,280

     

10

     

5,650

   
   

12/2020

   

37.00

     

372,800

     

100

     

24,750

   

Triumph Group, Inc.

 

01/2021

   

12.50

     

1,317,000

     

1,000

     

202,500

   
TOTAL CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED
(Cost $255,628)
     

327,150

 
TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS
(Cost $255,628)
     

327,150

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
38



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

   

Yield

 

Shares

 

Value

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 2.25%

 

Money Market Funds

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Fund
Government Portfolio, Institutional Class
   

0.020

%(d)

   

763,918

   

$

763,918

   
State Street Institutional U.S. Government
Money Market Fund, Premier Class
   

0.132

%(d)

   

763,919

     

763,919

   
     

1,527,837

   
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost $1,527,837)
   

1,527,837

   
Total Investments - 97.09%
(Cost $63,174,953)
   

65,952,209

   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities - 2.91%(e)

   

1,973,539

   

NET ASSETS - 100.00%

 

$

67,925,748

   

Portfolio Footnotes

(a)  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. As of November 30, 2020, these securities had a total value of $30,140,007 or 44.37% of net assets.

(b)  Security, or a portion of security, is being held as collateral for short sales, written option contracts or forward foreign currency exchange contracts. At November 30, 2020, the aggregate fair market value of those securities was $12,249,290, representing 18.03% of net assets.

(c)  Non-income-producing security.

(d)  Rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of November 30, 2020.

(e)  Includes cash held as collateral for short sales and written option contracts.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
39



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

SCHEDULE OF SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

 

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - (12.65%)

 

Aerospace & Defense - (0.97%)

 

Triumph Group, Inc.

   

(50,100

)

 

$

(659,817

)

 

Auto Manufacturers - (0.33%)

 

Navistar International Corp.

   

(5,000

)

   

(221,300

)

 

Commercial Services - (0.43%)

 

Nielsen Holdings Plc

   

(18,000

)

   

(291,060

)

 

Computers & Computer Services - (0.61%)

 

Pure Storage, Inc., Class A

   

(22,800

)

   

(416,556

)

 

Entertainment - (0.82%)

 

Cineplex, Inc.

   

(32,500

)

   

(260,260

)

 

Scientific Games Corp., Class A

   

(7,900

)

   

(294,512

)

 
     

(554,772

)

 

Internet - (1.16%)

 

Endurance International Group Holdings, Inc.

   

(7,500

)

   

(71,100

)

 

Twitter, Inc.

   

(15,400

)

   

(716,254

)

 
     

(787,354

)

 

Oil & Gas - (0.62%)

 

Devon Energy Corp.

   

(30,000

)

   

(419,700

)

 

Pharmaceuticals - (0.31%)

 

Jazz Pharmaceuticals Plc

   

(1,500

)

   

(211,065

)

 

Semiconductors - (1.29%)

 

Synaptics, Inc.

   

(11,300

)

   

(878,801

)

 

Software - (5.02%)

 

Nuance Communications, Inc.

   

(37,200

)

   

(1,604,436

)

 

Slack Technologies, Inc., Class A

   

(33,900

)

   

(1,453,632

)

 

Verint Systems, Inc.

   

(6,200

)

   

(353,152

)

 
     

(3,411,220

)

 

Telecommunications - (1.09%)

 

Cincinnati Bell, Inc.

   

(43,400

)

   

(660,114

)

 

EchoStar Corp., Class A

   

(3,500

)

   

(83,195

)

 
     

(743,309

)

 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Proceeds $7,174,201)
   

(8,594,954

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
40



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Maturity
Date
 

Rate

  Principal
Amount
 

Value

 

U.S. TREASURY & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES - (4.34%)

 

Sovereign - (4.34%)

 

U.S. Treasury Bond

 

11/15/2049

   

2.375

%

 

$

(268,000

)

 

$

(319,203

)

 

U.S. Treasury Bond

 

02/15/2050

   

2.000

%

   

(1,240,000

)

   

(1,366,373

)

 

U.S. Treasury Note

 

02/28/2022

   

1.125

%

   

(140,000

)

   

(141,772

)

 

U.S. Treasury Note

 

02/28/2025

   

1.125

%

   

(1,080,000

)

   

(1,117,547

)

 
     

(2,944,895

)

 
TOTAL U.S. TREASURY & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
(Proceeds $3,025,856)
   

(2,944,895

)

 
TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT
(Proceeds $10,200,057)
 

$

(11,539,849

)

 

 

WRITTEN OPTIONS

  Expiration
Date
  Exercise
Price
  Notional
Amount
 

Contracts

 

Value

 

Written Put Options

 
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Plc
 

12/2020

   

140.00

   

$

(140,710

)

   

(10

)

 

$

(5,050

)

 

Twitter, Inc.

 

12/2020

   

45.00

     

(46,510

)

   

(10

)

   

(1,065

)

 
TOTAL WRITTEN PUT OPTIONS
(Premiums received $7,627)
   

(6,115

)

 
TOTAL WRITTEN OPTIONS
(Premiums received $7,627)
 

$

(6,115

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
41



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

EQUITY SWAP CONTRACTS

Swap
Counterparty/
Payment
Frequency
  Reference
Obligation
  Rate
Paid/
Received
by the
Fund
  Termination
Date
  Upfront
Payments
Paid
  Upfront
Payments
Received
  Market
Value
  Notional
Amount
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 
Morgan
Stanley &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
 
  SPDR
Bloomberg
Barclays
High Yield
Bond ETF
 
 
  Received
1 Month-
Federal
Rate
Minus
40 Bps
(-0.320%)
 





08/19/2021
 

$

   

$

   

$

   

USD

1,494,667

   

$

   
Morgan
Stanley &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
 
  iShares
iBoxx $
Investment
Grade
Corporate
Bond ETF
 
  Paid
1 Month-
Federal
Rate
Minus
40 Bps
(-0.320%)
 





08/19/2021
   

     

     

   

USD

1,190,928

     

   
Morgan
Stanley &
Co./
Monthly
 
 
 
  NuStar
Energy LP
 
 
 
 
 
  Paid
1 Month-
Federal
Rate
Minus
40 Bps
(-0.320%)
 





08/19/2021
   

     

     

   

USD

93,030

     

   
                       

$

           

$

   

OUTSTANDING FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

Currency
Purchased
 

Currency Sold

 

Counterparty

  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 

CAD

562,000

   

USD

427,611

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

 

$

5,166

   

USD

31,834

   

CAD

41,300

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

31

   
   

$

5,197

   
Currency
Purchased
 

Currency Sold

 

Counterparty

  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Depreciation
 

USD

656,823

   

CAD

860,000

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

 

$

(5,435

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
42



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of investments classified by country exposure:

Country

 

% of Net Assets(a)

 

Netherlands

   

4.39

%

 

Ireland

   

2.21

%

 

Canada

   

0.74

%

 

Luxembourg

   

0.65

%

 

United States

   

89.10

%

 

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

   

2.91

%

 
     

100.00

%

 

(a)  These percentages represent long positions only and are not net of short positions.

Abbreviations:

bps - Basis Points. 100 Basis Points is equal to 1 percentage point.

CAD - Canadian dollar

ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

LLC - Limited Liability Company

LP - Limited Partnership

Ltd. - Limited

PIK - Payment-in-kind

Plc - Public Limited Company

SARL - Société Anonyme à Responsabilité Limitée is the French term for limited liability company.

SPDR - Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipt

USD - United States Dollar

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
43



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

The following table summarizes the Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund's investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy as of November 30, 2020:

Investments in Securities at Value*

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets

 

Common Stocks**

 

$

291,060

   

$

   

$

   

$

291,060

   

Bank Loans

   

     

984,975

     

     

984,975

   

Corporate Bonds**

   

     

46,113,332

     

     

46,113,332

   

Convertible Corporate Bonds**

   

     

15,129,692

     

     

15,129,692

   

Warrants

   

     

11,842

     

     

11,842

   

Preferred Stocks**

   

1,566,321

     

     

     

1,566,321

   

Purchased Options

   

327,150

     

     

     

327,150

   

Short-Term Investments

   

1,527,837

     

     

     

1,527,837

   

TOTAL

 

$

3,712,368

   

$

62,239,841

   

$

   

$

65,952,209

   

Other Financial Instruments***

 

Assets

 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange
Contracts
 

$

   

$

5,197

   

$

   

$

5,197

   

Equity Swaps

   

0

     

     

     

0

   

Liabilities

 

Common Stocks**

   

(8,594,954

)

   

     

     

(8,594,954

)

 

U.S. Treasury & Government Agencies

   

     

(2,944,895

)

   

     

(2,944,895

)

 

Written Options

   

(6,115

)

   

     

     

(6,115

)

 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange
Contracts
   

     

(5,435

)

   

     

(5,435

)

 

TOTAL

 

$

(8,601,069

)

 

$

(2,945,133

)

 

$

   

$

(11,546,202

)

 

*  Refer to footnote 2 where leveling hierarchy is defined.

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for sector information.

***  Other financial instruments are instruments such as written options, securities sold short, equity swaps and forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
44



Water Island Long/Short Fund  Portfolio Information

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Performance (annualized returns as of November 30, 2020)

  One
Year
  Five
Year
  Ten
Year
  Since
Inception*
 

Water Island Long/Short Fund Class R

   

23.25

%

   

6.62

%

   

N/A

     

4.24

%

 

Water Island Long/Short Fund Class I

   

23.55

%

   

6.67

%

   

N/A

     

4.28

%

 
ICE BofA Merrill Lynch U.S. 3-Month
Treasury Bill Index
   

0.80

%

   

1.20

%

   

N/A

     

1.02

%

 

S&P 500® Index

   

17.46

%

   

13.99

%

   

N/A

     

12.06

%

 

Current performance may be higher or lower than performance quoted above. Any performance data quoted represents past performance and the investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns shown above include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains. Performance results do not include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and may differ from the amount reported in the Financial Highlights. Contractual fee waivers are currently in effect. Without such fee waivers, performance numbers would be reduced. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month end by calling 1-800-295-4485 or going to www.arbitragefunds.com.

* Class R and Class I inception: 12/31/14. The "Since Inception" returns for securities indices are for the inception date of Class R and Class I shares.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for Class R and Class I are 12.84% and 12.85%, respectively. The Adviser has agreed to waive fees (not including the effects of interest, dividends on short positions, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, or other extraordinary expenses) in excess of 1.69% and 1.44% for Class R and Class I, respectively, until at least September 30, 2021. These expense ratios are as stated in the current prospectus and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the financial highlights in this report.

The ICE Bank of America (BofA) Merrill Lynch U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index tracks the performance of the U.S. dollar denominated U.S. Treasury Bills publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market with a remaining term to final maturity of less than 3 months.

The S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index consisting of 500 stocks.

An investor may not invest directly in an index.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
45



Water Island Long/Short Fund  Portfolio Information (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Growth of $10,000 Investment

The chart represents historical performance of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the Class R shares of the Fund since inception. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This chart does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

  

Sector Weighting

The following chart shows the sector weightings of the Water Island Long/Short Fund's investments (including short sales and excluding derivatives) as of the report date.

* Concentration Risk: If a large percentage of mergers or event-driven investment opportunities taking place within the U.S. are within one industry over a given period of time, the Fund may invest a large portion of its assets in securities of issuers in a single industry for that period of time. During such a period of concentration, the Fund may be subject to greater volatility with respect to its portfolio securities than a fund that is more broadly diversified.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
46



Water Island Long/Short Fund  Portfolio of Investments

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 83.98%

 

Auto Parts & Equipment - 2.04%

 

Velodyne Lidar, Inc.(a)

   

3,013

   

$

47,967

   

Commercial Services - 1.57%

 

CoreLogic, Inc.(b)

   

477

     

36,967

   

Computers & Computer Services - 2.91%

 

Perspecta, Inc.(b)

   

3,047

     

68,314

   

Diversified Financial Services - 0.73%

 

GCM Grosvenor, Inc., Class A(a)

   

1,813

     

17,224

   

Energy - Alternate Sources - 1.31%

 

Championx Corp.(a)(b)

   

2,595

     

30,829

   

Engineering & Construction - 5.26%

 

AECOM(a)(b)

   

1,420

     

73,684

   

frontdoor, Inc.(a)(b)

   

1,055

     

49,943

   
     

123,627

   

Food - 2.71%

 

Whole Earth Brands, Inc.(a)

   

7,685

     

63,709

   

Healthcare - Products - 1.42%

 

Oxford Immunotec Global Plc(a)

   

2,344

     

33,449

   

Insurance - 2.27%

 

Watford Holdings Ltd.(a)

   

1,536

     

53,330

   

Internet - 5.09%

 

Grubhub, Inc.(a)(b)

   

923

     

64,924

   

NortonLifeLock, Inc.(b)

   

3,000

     

54,690

   
     

119,614

   

Leisure Time - 0.80%

 

Callaway Golf Co.(b)

   

889

     

18,891

   

Media - 10.60%

 

Kabel Deutschland Holding AG

   

553

     

71,242

   

TEGNA, Inc.(b)

   

3,258

     

46,948

   

Liberty Broadband Corp., Class A(a)(b)

   

835

     

130,903

   
     

249,093

   

Miscellaneous Manufacturing - 1.40%

 

Trane Technologies Plc(b)

   

225

     

32,904

   

Pharmaceuticals - 3.17%

 

McKesson Europe AG

   

2,223

     

68,679

   

Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

   

933

     

5,775

   
     

74,454

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
47



Water Island Long/Short Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 83.98% (Continued)

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts - 4.36%

 

Front Yard Residential Corp.(b)

   

6,285

   

$

102,571

   

Retail - 2.89%

 

Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc.

   

374

     

39,771

   

Shift Technologies, Inc.(a)

   

3,000

     

28,170

   
     

67,941

   

Software - 2.14%

 

Cloudera, Inc.(a)(b)

   

2,214

     

25,859

   

Slack Technologies, Inc., Class A(a)

   

568

     

24,356

   
     

50,215

   

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies - 28.04%

 

Alpha Healthcare Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

1,349

     

13,449

   

Artius Acquisition, Inc., Class A(a)

   

1,023

     

10,179

   

Bull Horn Holdings Corp.(a)

   

2,645

     

26,450

   

CC Neuberger Principal Holdings I, Class A(a)

   

3,981

     

41,124

   

CC Neuberger Principal Holdings II, Class A(a)

   

1,012

     

10,120

   

Churchill Capital Corp. IV, Class A(a)

   

1,685

     

16,648

   

DPCM Capital, Inc.(a)

   

2,240

     

22,736

   

Fast Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

1,495

     

15,473

   

Flying Eagle Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

2,369

     

36,719

   

Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

1,968

     

20,074

   

Fusion Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

2,336

     

24,528

   

Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. IV, Class A(a)

   

791

     

10,283

   

Hudson Executive Investment Corp., Class A(a)

   

2,462

     

24,448

   

Kingswood Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

2,245

     

22,652

   

Lefteris Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

1,885

     

18,831

   

LF Capital Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

2,177

     

23,076

   

Live Oak Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

4,067

     

50,837

   

Longview Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

2,839

     

44,714

   

Oaktree Acquisition Corp. II(a)

   

1,779

     

18,128

   

Omnichannel Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

1,812

     

18,211

   

Pivotal Investment Corp. II, Class A(a)

   

796

     

11,176

   

Reinvent Technology Partners(a)

   

1,779

     

20,814

   

Roman DBDR Tech Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

1,792

     

18,368

   

Seaport Global Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

3,015

     

30,150

   

Spartacus Acquisition Corp.(a)

   

1,792

     

18,449

   

Sustainable Opportunities Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

1,281

     

13,348

   

Trebia Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

1,968

     

19,759

   

Trine Acquisition Corp., Class A(a)

   

3,079

     

39,657

   

Vy Global Growth(a)

   

1,792

     

18,673

   
     

659,074

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
48



Water Island Long/Short Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 83.98% (Continued)

 

Telecommunications - 5.27%

 

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.

   

4,900

   

$

29,694

   

LogMeIn, Inc.(a)(c)

   

1,063

     

94,246

   
     

123,940

   
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $1,749,439)
   

1,974,113

   

WARRANTS - 1.36%

 

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies - 1.36%

 
Artius Acquisition, Inc., Class A, Exercise Price $11.50,
Expires 07/13/2026(a)
   

341

     

484

   
CC Neuberger Principal Holdings I, Class A, Exercise Price $11.50,
Expires 12/31/2025(a)
   

1,327

     

2,190

   
CC Neuberger Principal Holdings II, Class A, Exercise Price $11.50,
Expires 07/29/2025(a)
   

253

     

309

   
Churchill Capital Corp. IV, Class A, Exercise Price $11.50,
Expires 09/18/2025(a)
   

337

     

391

   
Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp., Class A, Exercise Price $11.50,
Expires 07/17/2025(a)
   

656

     

1,095

   
Hudson Executive Investment Corp.,Class A, Exercise Price $11.50,
Expires 06/21/2025(a)
   

1,231

     

1,256

   
Live Oak Acquisition Corp., Class A, Exercise Price $11.50,
Expires 05/08/2027(a)
   

6,984

     

22,488

   
Sustainable Opportunities Acquisition Corp.,Class A,
Exercise Price $11.50, Expires 06/26/2025(a)
   

1,745

     

2,741

   
Trebia Acquisition Corp., Class A, Exercise Price $11.50,
Expires 12/31/2025(a)
   

656

     

918

   
     

31,872

   
TOTAL WARRANTS
(Cost $16,320)
   

31,872

   

PREFERRED STOCKS - 2.38%

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts - 2.38%

 

Taubman Centers, Inc., Series J, 6.500%

   

2,219

     

56,008

   
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
(Cost $50,192)
   

56,008

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
49



Water Island Long/Short Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

   

Shares

 

Value

 

PRIVATE INVESTMENTS(c)(d) - 0.06%

 

Fast Capital LLC(a)

   

400

   

$

400

   

Fuse LLC(a)

   

1,100

     

1,000

   

Fuse Sponsor Capital, Z2 Shares(a)

   

110

     

100

   
TOTAL PRIVATE INVESTMENTS
(Cost $1,525)
   

1,500

   

 

    Expiration
Date
  Exercise
Price
  Notional
Amount
 

Contracts

 

Value

 

PURCHASED OPTIONS(a) - 0.06%

 

Call Option Purchased - 0.02%

 
Maxeon Solar
Technologies Ltd.
 

12/2020

 

$

30.00

   

$

19,536

     

8

   

$

560

   
TOTAL CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED
(Cost $823)
   

560

   

Put Options Purchased - 0.04%

 

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

                     
   

12/2020

   

120.00

     

271,530

     

15

     

0

   
   

12/2020

   

135.00

     

271,530

     

15

     

53

   
   

01/2021

   

135.00

     

615,468

     

34

     

935

   
TOTAL PUT OPTIONS PURCHASED
(Cost $38,542)
   

988

   
TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS
(Cost $39,365)
   

1,548

   

 

   

Yield

 

Shares

 

Value

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 12.83%

 

Money Market Funds

 
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Fund
Government Portfolio, Institutional Class
   

0.020

%(e)

   

150,778

   

$

150,778

   
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money
Market Fund, Premier Class
   

0.132

%(e)

   

150,778

     

150,778

   
     

301,556

   
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost $301,556)
   

301,556

   
Total Investments - 100.67%
(Cost $2,158,397)
   

2,366,597

   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets - (0.67)%(f)

   

(15,827

)

 

NET ASSETS - 100.00%

 

$

2,350,770

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
50



Water Island Long/Short Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

Portfolio Footnotes

(a)  Non-income-producing security.

(b)  Security, or a portion of security, is being held as collateral for short sales, written option contracts or forward foreign currency exchange contracts. At November 30, 2020, the aggregate fair market value of those securities was $676,459, representing 28.78% of net assets.

(c)  Security fair valued using significant unobservable inputs and classified as a Level 3 security. As of November 30, 2020, the total fair market value of these securities was $95,746, representing 4.07% of net assets.

(d)  Represents a holding that is a direct investment into a private company and is not a listed or publicly traded entity.

(e)  Rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of November 30, 2020.

(f)  Includes cash held as collateral for short sales and written option contracts.

SCHEDULE OF SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

 

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - (18.36%)

 

Commercial Services - (0.59%)

 

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp., Class A

   

(159

)

 

$

(13,800

)

 

Computers & Computer Services - (0.98%)

 

CACI International, Inc., Class A

   

(46

)

   

(10,916

)

 

Science Applications International Corp.

   

(132

)

   

(12,215

)

 
     

(23,131

)

 

Construction Materials - (1.10%)

 

Johnson Controls International Plc

   

(273

)

   

(12,569

)

 

Lennox International, Inc.

   

(46

)

   

(13,240

)

 
     

(25,809

)

 

Energy - Alternate Sources - (0.75%)

 

Maxeon Solar Technologies Ltd.

   

(725

)

   

(17,704

)

 

Engineering & Construction - (2.62%)

 

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.

   

(169

)

   

(18,225

)

 

Stantec, Inc.

   

(534

)

   

(16,089

)

 

WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp.

   

(500

)

   

(10,755

)

 

WSP Global, Inc.

   

(222

)

   

(16,487

)

 
     

(61,556

)

 

Environmental Control - (0.91%)

 

Tetra Tech, Inc.

   

(179

)

   

(21,346

)

 

Food - (2.79%)

 

Just Eat Takeaway.com N.V.

   

(619

)

   

(65,745

)

 

Food Service - (1.19%)

 

Aramark

   

(800

)

   

(28,000

)

 

Leisure Time - (0.35%)

 

Acushnet Holdings Corp.

   

(217

)

   

(8,181

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
51



Water Island Long/Short Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

SCHEDULE OF SECURITIES SOLD SHORT

 

Shares

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - (18.36%) (Continued)

 

Media - (6.30%)

 

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A

   

(188

)

 

$

(122,574

)

 

Nexstar Media Group, Inc., Class A

   

(242

)

   

(25,471

)

 
     

(148,045

)

 

Pharmaceuticals - (0.22%)

 

Viatris, Inc.

   

(303

)

   

(5,096

)

 

Software - (0.56%)

 

salesforce.com, Inc.

   

(54

)

   

(13,273

)

 
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Proceeds $364,342)
   

(431,686

)

 

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS - (1.37%)

 

Equity Funds - (1.37%)

 

iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF

   

(23

)

   

(6,040

)

 

VanEck Vectors Oil Services ETF

   

(189

)

   

(26,063

)

 
     

(32,103

)

 
TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS
(Proceeds $29,063)
   

(32,103

)

 
TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT
(Proceeds $393,405)
 

$

(463,789

)

 

 

WRITTEN OPTIONS

  Expiration
Date
  Exercise
Price
  Notional
Amount
 

Contracts

 

Value

 

Written Put Options

 

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

 
   

12/2020

 

$

110.00

   

$

(271,530

)

   

(15

)

 

$

0

   
   

12/2020

   

115.00

     

(271,530

)

   

(15

)

   

0

   
   

01/2021

   

125.00

     

(615,468

)

   

(34

)

   

(493

)

 
TOTAL WRITTEN PUT OPTIONS
(Premiums received $26,265)
       

(493

)

 
TOTAL WRITTEN OPTIONS
(Premiums received $26,265)
     

$

(493

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
52



Water Island Long/Short Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

OUTSTANDING FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

Currency
Purchased
 

Currency Sold

 

Counterparty

  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 

CAD

35,590

   

USD

27,135

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

 

$

271

   

EUR

1,770

   

USD

2,082

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

31

   

GBP

10,000

   

USD

13,105

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

226

   
   

$

528

   
Currency
Purchased
 

Currency Sold

 

Counterparty

  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Depreciation
 

USD

10,978

   

CAD

14,420

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

 

$

(126

)

 

USD

142,418

   

EUR

120,180

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(994

)

 

USD

13,068

   

GBP

9,900

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

 

12/15/2020

   

(132

)

 
   

$

(1,252

)

 

The following is a summary of investments classified by country exposure:

Country

 

% of Net Assets(a)

 

Germany

   

5.95

%

 

United States Virgin Islands

   

4.36

%

 

Bermuda

   

2.27

%

 

United Kingdom

   

1.42

%

 

Ireland

   

1.40

%

 

Israel

   

1.26

%

 

Cayman Islands

   

0.79

%

 

United States

   

83.22

%

 

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

   

(0.67

)%

 
     

100.00

%

 

(a)  These percentages represent long positions only and are not net of short positions.

Abbreviations:

AG - Aktiengesellschaft is a German term that refers to a corporation that is limited by shares, i.e., owned by shareholders.

CAD - Canadian dollar

ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund

EUR - Euro

GBP - British pound

LLC - Limited Liability Company

Ltd. - Limited

N.V. - Naamloze Vennootschap is the Dutch term for a public limited liability corporation.

Plc - Public Limited Company

USD - United States Dollar

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
53



Water Island Long/Short Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

The following table summarizes the Water Island Long/Short Fund's investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy as of November 30, 2020:

Investments in Securities at Value*

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets

 

Common Stocks

 

Auto Parts & Equipment

 

$

47,967

   

$

   

$

   

$

47,967

   

Commercial Services

   

36,967

     

     

     

36,967

   

Computers & Computer Services

   

68,314

     

     

     

68,314

   

Diversified Financial Services

   

17,224

     

     

     

17,224

   

Energy - Alternate Sources

   

30,829

     

     

     

30,829

   

Engineering & Construction

   

123,627

     

     

     

123,627

   

Food

   

63,709

     

     

     

63,709

   

Healthcare - Products

   

33,449

     

     

     

33,449

   

Insurance

   

53,330

     

     

     

53,330

   

Internet

   

119,614

     

     

     

119,614

   

Leisure Time

   

18,891

     

     

     

18,891

   

Media

   

249,093

     

     

     

249,093

   

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

   

32,904

     

     

     

32,904

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

74,454

     

     

     

74,454

   

Real Estate Investment Trusts

   

102,571

     

     

     

102,571

   

Retail

   

67,941

     

     

     

67,941

   

Software

   

50,215

     

     

     

50,215

   
Special Purpose Acquisition
Companies
   

659,074

     

     

     

659,074

   

Telecommunications

   

29,694

     

     

94,246

     

123,940

   

Warrants

   

31,872

     

     

     

31,872

   

Preferred Stocks**

   

56,008

     

     

     

56,008

   

Private Investments

   

     

     

1,500

     

1,500

   

Purchased Options

   

1,548

     

     

     

1,548

   

Short-Term Investments

   

301,556

     

     

     

301,556

   

TOTAL

 

$

2,270,851

   

$

   

$

95,746

   

$

2,366,597

   

Other Financial Instruments***

 

Assets

 
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
 

$

   

$

528

   

$

   

$

528

   

Liabilities

 

Common Stocks**

   

(431,686

)

   

     

     

(431,686

)

 

Exchange-Traded Funds

   

(32,103

)

   

     

     

(32,103

)

 

Written Options

   

(493

)

   

     

     

(493

)

 
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
   

     

(1,252

)

   

     

(1,252

)

 

TOTAL

 

$

(464,282

)

 

$

(724

)

 

$

   

$

(465,006

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
54



Water Island Long/Short Fund  Portfolio of Investments (continued)

November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

*  Refer to footnote 2 where leveling hierarchy is defined.

**  Refer to Portfolio of Investments for sector information.

***  Other financial instruments are instruments such as written options, securities sold short and forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

The following is a reconciliation of the fair valuations using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the Fund's assets and liabilities during the period ended November 30, 2020:

Investments
in Securities
  Balance as of
May 31, 2020
  Realized
Gain
(Loss)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Purchases

  Sales
Proceeds
  Transfers
into
Level 3
  Transfers
out of
Level 3
  Balance as of
November 30,
2020
  Net change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
from
investments
still held as of
November 30,
2020
 
Common
Stock
 

$

44,492

   

$

2,383

   

$

2,511

   

$

   

$

(58,633

)

 

$

103,493

   

$

   

$

94,246

   

$

3,822

   
Private
Investments
   

     

     

(25

)

   

1,525

     

     

     

     

1,500

     

(25

)

 

Total

 

$

44,492

   

$

2,383

   

$

2,486

   

$

1,525

   

$

(58,633

)

 

$

103,493

   

$

   

$

95,746

   

$

3,797

   

The following table summarizes the quantitative inputs used for investments categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of November 30, 2020:

Investments in
Securities
  Fair Value at
November 30, 2020
  Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
  Range of
Values
  Weighted
Average
 
Common Stock
 
 
 

$

94,246
 
 
  Deal Value
 
 
  Final
Determination
on Dissent
 

$

88.66
 
 
 

$

88.66
 
 
 
Private Investments    

1,500

   

Cost

 

Cost

 

$

.091-$1

   

$

0.93

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
55



The Arbitrage Funds

    Arbitrage
Fund
  Water Island
Event-Driven
Fund
 

ASSETS

 

Investments:

 

At cost of unaffiliated investments

 

$

1,251,782,630

   

$

104,490,826

   

At cost of affiliated investments

 

$

60,459,409

   

$

   

At fair value of unaffiliated investments (Note 2)

 

$

1,316,576,733

   

$

109,671,090

   

At fair value of affiliated investments (Note 2)

 

$

70,506,411

   

$

   

Cash

   

1,828,015

     

18,237

   

Cash denominated in foreign currency (Cost $14,549,778, $1,094,810, $0 and $781)

   

14,525,560

     

1,092,982

   

Deposits with brokers for securities sold short (Note 2)

   

286,417,665

     

15,564,419

   

Segregated cash for collateral (Note 2)

   

46,164,860

     

3,751,550

   

Receivable for investment securities sold

   

13,709,463

     

3,407,188

   

Receivable for capital shares sold

   

1,644,652

     

50,401

   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts (Note 8)

   

1,359,096

     

115,145

   

Dividends and interest receivable

   

800,761

     

211,080

   

Prepaid expenses

   

42,845

     

37,235

   

Total Assets

   

1,753,576,061

     

133,919,327

   

LIABILITIES

 
Securities sold short, at value (Note 2) (proceeds $256,017,783, $15,894,299, $10,200,057 and
$393,405)
   

291,361,579

     

17,743,589

   

Written options, at value (Note 2) (premiums received $0, $0, $7,627 and $26,265)

   

     

   

Line of credit payable (Note 4)

   

     

500,000

   

Payable for investment securities purchased

   

32,446,336

     

4,611,734

   

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts (Note 8)

   

2,494,530

     

206,372

   

Payable for capital shares redeemed

   

1,393,182

     

17,989

   

Payable to Adviser (Note 5)

   

1,171,479

     

100,979

   

Dividends payable on securities sold short

   

     

587

   

Payable to Distributor (Note 5)

   

37,466

     

1,908

   

Payable to Administrator (Note 5)

   

60,998

     

10,215

   

Payable to Transfer Agent (Note 5)

   

188,670

     

22,560

   

Payable to Custodian

   

53,592

     

8,087

   

Income distribution payable

   

     

   

Interest expense payable

   

74,698

     

5,956

   

Payable for swap reset

   

30,894

     

2,083

   

Audit and legal fees payable

   

69,099

     

18,215

   

Payable to Trustees

   

46,265

     

4,702

   

Chief Compliance Officer Fees payable (Note 5)

   

62,022

     

4,779

   

Chief Financial Officer Fees payable (Note 5)

   

5,650

     

979

   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

   

45,497

     

10,417

   

Total Liabilities

   

329,541,957

     

23,271,151

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

1,424,034,104

   

$

110,648,176

   

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

1,328,759,489

   

$

157,183,947

   

Distributable earnings (Accumulated loss)

   

95,274,615

     

(46,535,771

)

 

NET ASSETS

 

$

1,424,034,104

   

$

110,648,176

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
56



  Statement of Assets and Liabilities

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Water
Island Credit
Opportunities Fund
  Water Island
Long/Short
Fund
 

ASSETS

 

Investments:

 

At cost of unaffiliated investments

 

$

63,174,953

   

$

2,158,397

   

At cost of affiliated investments

 

$

   

$

   

At fair value of unaffiliated investments (Note 2)

 

$

65,952,209

   

$

2,366,597

   

At fair value of affiliated investments (Note 2)

 

$

   

$

   

Cash

   

23,931

     

25,023

   

Cash denominated in foreign currency (Cost $14,549,778, $1,094,810, $0 and $781)

   

     

782

   

Deposits with brokers for securities sold short (Note 2)

   

11,639,438

     

450,952

   

Segregated cash for collateral (Note 2)

   

1,420,283

     

838

   

Receivable for investment securities sold

   

     

56,460

   

Receivable for capital shares sold

   

73,662

     

   

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts (Note 8)

   

5,197

     

528

   

Dividends and interest receivable

   

741,395

     

2,744

   

Prepaid expenses

   

36,670

     

20,454

   

Total Assets

   

79,892,785

     

2,924,378

   

LIABILITIES

 
Securities sold short, at value (Note 2) (proceeds $256,017,783, $15,894,299, $10,200,057 and
$393,405)
   

11,539,849

     

463,789

   

Written options, at value (Note 2) (premiums received $0, $0, $7,627 and $26,265)

   

6,115

     

493

   

Line of credit payable (Note 4)

   

     

   

Payable for investment securities purchased

   

146,812

     

54,430

   

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts (Note 8)

   

5,435

     

1,252

   

Payable for capital shares redeemed

   

140,791

     

   

Payable to Adviser (Note 5)

   

54,816

     

23,326

   

Dividends payable on securities sold short

   

1,230

     

168

   

Payable to Distributor (Note 5)

   

938

     

3

   

Payable to Administrator (Note 5)

   

13,543

     

3,709

   

Payable to Transfer Agent (Note 5)

   

9,835

     

308

   

Payable to Custodian

   

3,888

     

5,748

   

Income distribution payable

   

146

     

   

Interest expense payable

   

14,245

     

167

   

Payable for swap reset

   

718

     

   

Audit and legal fees payable

   

16,094

     

13,799

   

Payable to Trustees

   

3,340

     

1,318

   

Chief Compliance Officer Fees payable (Note 5)

   

3,352

     

98

   

Chief Financial Officer Fees payable (Note 5)

   

736

     

598

   

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

   

5,154

     

4,402

   

Total Liabilities

   

11,967,037

     

573,608

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

67,925,748

   

$

2,350,770

   

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

68,690,374

   

$

1,954,886

   

Distributable earnings (Accumulated loss)

   

(764,626

)

   

395,884

   

NET ASSETS

 

$

67,925,748

   

$

2,350,770

   

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
57



The Arbitrage Funds

    Arbitrage
Fund
  Water Island
Event-Driven
Fund
 

PRICING OF SHARES:

 

CLASS R SHARES:

 

Net assets applicable to Class R shares

 

$

90,056,018

   

$

7,898,241

   

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

   

6,692,763

     

744,986

   

Net asset value and offering price per share

 

$

13.46

   

$

10.60

   

CLASS I SHARES:

 

Net assets applicable to Class I shares

 

$

1,290,998,239

   

$

102,064,903

   

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

   

92,770,048

     

9,536,556

   

Net asset value and offering price per share

 

$

13.92

   

$

10.70

   

CLASS C SHARES:

 

Net assets applicable to Class C shares

 

$

16,566,096

   

$

360,846

   

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

   

1,305,714

     

35,006

   

Net asset value and offering price per share(a)

 

$

12.69

   

$

10.31

   

CLASS A SHARES:

 

Net assets applicable to Class A shares

 

$

26,413,751

   

$

324,186

   

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

   

1,966,894

     

30,585

   

Net asset value and offering price per share(a)

 

$

13.43

   

$

10.60

   

Maximum offering price per share (NAV/(100% — maximum sales charge))

 

$

13.81

   

$

10.96

   

Maximum sales charge

   

2.75

%

   

3.25

%

 

(a)  Redemption price varies based on length of time held (Note 1).

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
58



  Statement of Assets and Liabilities

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Water
Island Credit
Opportunities Fund
  Water Island
Long/Short
Fund
 

PRICING OF SHARES:

 

CLASS R SHARES:

 

Net assets applicable to Class R shares

 

$

1,784,263

   

$

12,779

   

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

   

177,754

     

1,049

   

Net asset value and offering price per share

 

$

10.04

   

$

12.18

   

CLASS I SHARES:

 

Net assets applicable to Class I shares

 

$

65,368,221

   

$

2,337,991

   

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

   

6,542,902

     

191,884

   

Net asset value and offering price per share

 

$

9.99

   

$

12.18

   

CLASS C SHARES:

 

Net assets applicable to Class C shares

 

$

691,039

   

$

   

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

   

69,099

     

   

Net asset value and offering price per share(a)

 

$

10.00

   

$

   

CLASS A SHARES:

 

Net assets applicable to Class A shares

 

$

82,225

   

$

   

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value)

   

8,226

     

   

Net asset value and offering price per share(a)

 

$

10.00

   

$

   

Maximum offering price per share (NAV/(100% — maximum sales charge))

 

$

10.34

   

$

   

Maximum sales charge

   

3.25

%

   

   

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
59



The Arbitrage Funds

    Arbitrage
Fund
  Water Island
Event-Driven
Fund
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividend income

 

$

4,945,300

   

$

377,474

   

Foreign taxes withheld on dividends

   

(114,480

)

   

(10,553

)

 

Interest income

   

117,755

     

168,588

   

Total Investment Income

   

4,948,575

     

535,509

   

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees (Note 5)

   

7,470,045

     

591,572

   

Distribution and service fees (Note 5)

 

Class R

   

113,265

     

9,395

   

Class C

   

88,541

     

1,802

   

Class A

   

28,290

     

435

   

Administrative fees (Note 5)

   

184,109

     

29,381

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees (Note 5)

   

95,064

     

7,271

   

Trustees' fees

   

136,965

     

12,873

   

Dividend expense

   

17,160

     

10,038

   

Interest rebate expense

   

480,409

     

61,906

   

Transfer agent fees (Note 5)

   

618,879

     

82,262

   

Custodian and bank service fees

   

117,230

     

24,922

   

Registration and filing fees

   

40,893

     

31,871

   

Printing of shareholder reports

   

67,588

     

9,248

   

Professional fees

   

106,989

     

31,597

   

Line of credit interest expense (Note 4)

   

     

3,963

   

Insurance expense

   

36,439

     

2,857

   

Chief Financial Officer fees (Note 5)

   

30,806

     

5,604

   

Other expenses

   

44,135

     

10,750

   

Total Expenses

   

9,676,807

     

927,747

   

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Adviser, Class R (Note 5)

   

(27,465

)

   

(4,597

)

 

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Adviser, Class I (Note 5)

   

(385,800

)

   

(60,757

)

 

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Adviser, Class C (Note 5)

   

(5,364

)

   

(220

)

 

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Adviser, Class A (Note 5)

   

(6,882

)

   

(213

)

 

Net Expenses

   

9,251,296

     

861,960

   

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

   

(4,302,721

)

   

(326,451

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
60



  Statement of Operations

For the Period Ended November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Water
Island Credit
Opportunities Fund
  Water Island
Long/Short
Fund
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividend income

 

$

54,120

   

$

10,033

   

Foreign taxes withheld on dividends

   

     

(771

)

 

Interest income

   

1,256,341

     

   

Total Investment Income

   

1,310,461

     

9,262

   

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees (Note 5)

   

309,334

     

13,185

   

Distribution and service fees (Note 5)

 

Class R

   

2,403

     

15

   

Class C

   

3,400

     

   

Class A

   

105

     

   

Administrative fees (Note 5)

   

41,281

     

12,032

   

Chief Compliance Officer fees (Note 5)

   

4,072

     

134

   

Trustees' fees

   

8,712

     

2,701

   

Dividend expense

   

3,498

     

1,665

   

Interest rebate expense

   

21,390

     

2,606

   

Transfer agent fees (Note 5)

   

38,079

     

1,440

   

Custodian and bank service fees

   

13,271

     

12,070

   

Registration and filing fees

   

30,347

     

19,783

   

Printing of shareholder reports

   

3,461

     

624

   

Professional fees

   

12,304

     

8,064

   

Line of credit interest expense (Note 4)

   

2,395

     

   

Insurance expense

   

1,252

     

42

   

Chief Financial Officer fees (Note 5)

   

4,673

     

3,547

   

Other expenses

   

9,565

     

6,377

   

Total Expenses

   

509,542

     

84,285

   

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Adviser, Class R (Note 5)

   

(4,646

)

   

(364

)

 

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Adviser, Class I (Note 5)

   

(150,756

)

   

(64,448

)

 

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Adviser, Class C (Note 5)

   

(1,643

)

   

   

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Adviser, Class A (Note 5)

   

(202

)

   

   

Net Expenses

   

352,295

     

19,473

   

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

   

958,166

     

(10,211

)

 

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
61



The Arbitrage Funds

    Arbitrage
Fund
  Water Island
Event-Driven
Fund
 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES

 

Net realized gains (losses) from:

 

Unaffiliated investments

 

$

70,191,781

   

$

8,466,798

   

Purchased option contracts

   

3,310,364

     

249,565

   

Swap contracts

   

(16,129,509

)

   

(427,043

)

 

Securities sold short

   

(54,558,523

)

   

(5,331,307

)

 

Written option contracts

   

     

   

Forward currency contracts

   

(1,708,660

)

   

(84,842

)

 

Foreign currency transactions (Note 8)

   

(713,744

)

   

8,306

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Unaffiliated investments

   

77,240,513

     

5,017,608

   

Affiliated investments

   

4,283,100

     

   

Securities sold short

   

(27,481,733

)

   

(513,014

)

 

Foreign currency transactions (Note 8)

   

(21,818

)

   

(1,210

)

 

Purchased option contracts

   

(349,834

)

   

(70,378

)

 

Written option contracts

   

     

   

Forward currency contracts

   

(4,021,113

)

   

(232,773

)

 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS AND
FOREIGN CURRENCIES
   

50,040,824

     

7,081,710

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

45,738,103

   

$

6,755,259

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
62



  Statement of Operations

For the Period Ended November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Water
Island Credit
Opportunities Fund
  Water Island
Long/Short
Fund
 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES

 

Net realized gains (losses) from:

 

Unaffiliated investments

 

$

1,740,849

   

$

312,381

   

Purchased option contracts

   

56,951

     

(19,630

)

 

Swap contracts

   

(67,522

)

   

(1,365

)

 

Securities sold short

   

(1,394,131

)

   

(61,760

)

 

Written option contracts

   

84,001

     

5,662

   

Forward currency contracts

   

(32,685

)

   

(6,847

)

 

Foreign currency transactions (Note 8)

   

14,388

     

282

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Unaffiliated investments

   

3,151,973

     

164,527

   

Affiliated investments

   

     

   

Securities sold short

   

(709,526

)

   

(37,297

)

 

Foreign currency transactions (Note 8)

   

54

     

25

   

Purchased option contracts

   

(191,377

)

   

(39,040

)

 

Written option contracts

   

9,479

     

19,221

   

Forward currency contracts

   

(238

)

   

(2,008

)

 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS AND
FOREIGN CURRENCIES
   

2,662,216

     

334,151

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

3,620,382

   

$

323,940

   

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
63



The Arbitrage Funds

   

Arbitrage Fund

 
    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
(Unaudited)
  Year Ended
May 31, 2020
 

FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

(4,302,721

)

 

$

(2,736,933

)

 

Net realized gains (losses) from:

 

Unaffiliated investments

   

70,191,781

     

93,070,280

   

Purchased option contracts

   

3,310,364

     

(5,039,302

)

 

Swap contracts

   

(16,129,509

)

   

(12,721,184

)

 

Securities sold short

   

(54,558,523

)

   

(11,978,565

)

 

Written option contracts

   

     

317,902

   

Forward currency contracts

   

(1,708,660

)

   

3,988,837

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(713,744

)

   

2,309,502

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Unaffiliated investments

   

77,240,513

     

(25,875,315

)

 

Affiliated investments

   

4,283,100

     

5,728,034

   

Securities sold short

   

(27,481,733

)

   

929,782

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

(21,818

)

   

389

   

Purchased option contracts

   

(349,834

)

   

252,665

   

Written option contracts

   

     

(25,601

)

 

Forward currency contracts

   

(4,021,113

)

   

(2,224,904

)

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   

45,738,103

     

45,995,587

   

FROM DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

 

Distributions, Class R

   

     

(3,028,417

)

 

Distributions, Class I

   

     

(30,760,287

)

 

Distributions, Class C

   

     

(441,292

)

 

Distributions, Class A

   

     

(377,484

)

 

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

   

     

(34,607,480

)

 

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 7):

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

210,785,984

     

388,612,998

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

   

     

27,514,664

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(212,665,681

)

   

(794,621,293

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

   

(1,879,697

)

   

(378,493,631

)

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

43,858,406

     

(367,105,524

)

 

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of period

   

1,380,175,698

     

1,747,281,222

   

End of period

 

$

1,424,034,104

   

$

1,380,175,698

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
64



  Statement of Changes in Net Assets

   

Water Island Event-Driven Fund

 
    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
(Unaudited)
  Year Ended
May 31, 2020
 

FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

(326,451

)

 

$

212,973

   

Net realized gains (losses) from:

 

Unaffiliated investments

   

8,466,798

     

8,182,595

   

Purchased option contracts

   

249,565

     

(621,405

)

 

Swap contracts

   

(427,043

)

   

1,324,551

   

Securities sold short

   

(5,331,307

)

   

(2,345,694

)

 

Written option contracts

   

     

181,455

   

Forward currency contracts

   

(84,842

)

   

86,167

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

8,306

     

19,249

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Unaffiliated investments

   

5,017,608

     

269,869

   

Affiliated investments

   

     

   

Securities sold short

   

(513,014

)

   

(1,701,864

)

 

Foreign currency transactions

   

(1,210

)

   

26

   

Purchased option contracts

   

(70,378

)

   

26,088

   

Written option contracts

   

     

(4,956

)

 

Forward currency contracts

   

(232,773

)

   

(29,486

)

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   

6,755,259

     

5,599,568

   

FROM DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

 

Distributions, Class R

   

     

(57,935

)

 

Distributions, Class I

   

     

(460,278

)

 

Distributions, Class C

   

     

   

Distributions, Class A

   

     

(1,743

)

 

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

   

     

(519,956

)

 

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 7):

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

4,523,842

     

58,223,304

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

   

     

469,438

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(8,110,334

)

   

(81,019,387

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

   

(3,586,492

)

   

(22,326,645

)

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

3,168,767

     

(17,247,033

)

 

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of period

   

107,479,409

     

124,726,442

   

End of period

 

$

110,648,176

   

$

107,479,409

   

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
65



The Arbitrage Funds

    Water Island Credit
Opportunities Fund
 
    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
(Unaudited)
  Year Ended
May 31, 2020
 

FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

958,166

   

$

1,562,938

   

Net realized gains (losses) from:

 

Unaffiliated investments

   

1,740,849

     

175,502

   

Purchased option contracts

   

56,951

     

130,754

   

Swap contracts

   

(67,522

)

   

(113,022

)

 

Securities sold short

   

(1,394,131

)

   

511,864

   

Written option contracts

   

84,001

     

21,926

   

Forward currency contracts

   

(32,685

)

   

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

14,388

     

(106

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Unaffiliated investments

   

3,151,973

     

(98,597

)

 

Securities sold short

   

(709,526

)

   

(873,080

)

 

Foreign currency transactions

   

54

     

   

Purchased option contracts

   

(191,377

)

   

243,824

   

Written option contracts

   

9,479

     

(9,147

)

 

Forward currency contracts

   

(238

)

   

   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   

3,620,382

     

1,552,856

   

FROM DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

 

Distributions, Class R

   

(28,864

)

   

(233,649

)

 

Distributions, Class I

   

(989,477

)

   

(1,648,549

)

 

Distributions, Class C

   

(7,436

)

   

(10,320

)

 

Distributions, Class A

   

(1,229

)

   

(7,297

)

 

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

   

(1,027,006

)

   

(1,899,815

)

 

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 7):

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

17,621,344

     

25,851,224

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

   

1,025,567

     

1,887,360

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(14,602,815

)

   

(24,332,391

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

   

4,044,096

     

3,406,193

   

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

6,637,472

     

3,059,234

   

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of period

   

61,288,276

     

58,229,042

   

End of period

 

$

67,925,748

   

$

61,288,276

   

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
66



  Statement of Changes in Net Assets

   

Water Island Long/Short Fund

 
    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
(Unaudited)
  Year Ended
May 31, 2020
 

FROM OPERATIONS

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

(10,211

)

 

$

59,555

   

Net realized gains (losses) from:

 

Unaffiliated investments

   

312,381

     

20,869

   

Purchased option contracts

   

(19,630

)

   

(51,982

)

 

Swap contracts

   

(1,365

)

   

(5,921

)

 

Securities sold short

   

(61,760

)

   

48,669

   

Written option contracts

   

5,662

     

14,261

   

Forward currency contracts

   

(6,847

)

   

2,966

   

Foreign currency transactions

   

282

     

(331

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Unaffiliated investments

   

164,527

     

118,152

   

Securities sold short

   

(37,297

)

   

(64,266

)

 

Foreign currency transactions

   

25

     

1

   

Purchased option contracts

   

(39,040

)

   

(8,504

)

 

Written option contracts

   

19,221

     

8,092

   

Forward currency contracts

   

(2,008

)

   

184

   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   

323,940

     

141,745

   

FROM DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

 

Distributions, Class R

   

     

(176

)

 

Distributions, Class I

   

     

(36,186

)

 

Distributions, Class C

   

     

   

Distributions, Class A

   

     

   

Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders

   

     

(36,362

)

 

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 7):

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

106,461

     

70,694

   

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

   

     

36,362

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

     

(666,226

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

   

106,461

     

(559,170

)

 

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

430,401

     

(453,787

)

 

NET ASSETS

 

Beginning of period

   

1,920,369

     

2,374,156

   

End of period

 

$

2,350,770

   

$

1,920,369

   

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
67



Arbitrage Fund – Class R  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

13.04

   

$

12.92

   

$

12.65

   

$

13.06

   

$

12.78

   

$

12.97

   
Income (loss) from
investment
operations
 
Net investment
income (loss)(a)
   

(0.05

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.03

)(c)

   

0.05

     

(0.13

)(b)

   

(0.06

)

 
Net realized and
unrealized gains
(losses) on
investments and
foreign currencies
   

0.47

     

0.44

     

0.52

     

(0.01

)(c)

   

0.53

(d)

   

0.17

   
Total from investment
operations
   

0.42

     

0.39

     

0.49

     

0.04

     

0.40

     

0.11

   

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

     

     

(0.06

)

   

(0.09

)

   

     

   
From net
realized gains
   

     

(0.27

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.30

)

 

Total distributions

   

     

(0.27

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.45

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.30

)

 
Proceeds from
redemption fees
collected
   

     

     

     

0.00

(e)

   

0.00

(e)

   

0.00

(e)

 
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

13.46

   

$

13.04

   

$

12.92

   

$

12.65

   

$

13.06

   

$

12.78

   

Total return(f)

   

3.22

%(g)

   

3.07

%

   

3.89

%

   

0.31

%

   

3.17

%

   

0.87

%

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

90,056

   

$

98,715

   

$

163,349

   

$

222,309

   

$

340,353

   

$

433,936

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(h)

   

1.60

%(i)

   

1.66

%

   

1.94

%

   

1.91

%

   

1.87

%(b)

   

1.88

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses
reimbursed(h)(j)
   

1.54

%(i)

   

1.63

%

   

1.93

%

   

1.90

%

   

1.87

%(b)

   

1.88

%

 
Net investment
income (loss)
   

(0.82

%)(i)

   

(0.36

%)

   

(0.20

%)(c)

   

0.41

%

   

(1.00

%)(b)

   

(0.51

%)

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

141

%(g)

   

273

%

   

419

%

   

362

%

   

363

%

   

321

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

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68



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to less than $0.01 per share and is less than 0.005% of average net assets.

(c)  The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to timing of sales and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.

(d)  Includes estimated proceeds from the Fund's participation in a class action lawsuit. This represents a non-recurring gain in the amount of $0.01 per share.

(e)  Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

(f)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(g)  Not annualized.

(h)  Dividend expense totaled 0.00% (annualized), 0.15%, 0.46%, 0.42%, 0.36% and 0.34% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.07% (annualized), 0.01%, 0.00%, 0.01%, 0.03% and 0.07% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(i)  Annualized.

(j)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 1.47% (annualized), 1.47%, 1.47%, 1.47%, 1.48% and 1.47% of average net assets for the the six months ended November 30, 2020 and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
69



Arbitrage Fund – Class I  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of
period
 

$

13.47

   

$

13.32

   

$

13.03

   

$

13.46

   

$

13.13

   

$

13.28

   
Income (loss)
from investment
operations
 
Net investment
income (loss)(a)
   

(0.04

)

   

(0.02

)

   

0.01

     

0.05

     

(0.10

)(b)

   

(0.03

)

 
Net realized and
unrealized gains
on investments
and foreign
currencies
   

0.49

     

0.45

     

0.54

     

0.01

     

0.55

(c)

   

0.18

   
Total from
investment
operations
   

0.45

     

0.43

     

0.55

     

0.06

     

0.45

     

0.15

   

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

     

(0.01

)

   

(0.10

)

   

(0.13

)

   

     

   
From net
realized gains
   

     

(0.27

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.30

)

 

Total distributions

   

     

(0.28

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.49

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.30

)

 
Proceeds from
redemption fees
collected
   

     

     

     

0.00

(d)

   

0.00

(d)

   

0.00

(d)

 
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

13.92

   

$

13.47

   

$

13.32

   

$

13.03

   

$

13.46

   

$

13.13

   

Total return(e)

   

3.34

%(f)

   

3.27

%

   

4.21

%

   

0.50

%

   

3.47

%

   

1.16

%

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

1,290,998

   

$

1,243,838

   

$

1,546,542

   

$

1,510,598

   

$

1,492,094

   

$

1,395,178

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(g)

   

1.35

%(h)

   

1.41

%

   

1.69

%

   

1.66

%

   

1.62

%(b)

   

1.63

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses
reimbursed(g)(i)
   

1.29

%(h)

   

1.38

%

   

1.68

%

   

1.65

%

   

1.62

%(b)

   

1.63

%

 
Net investment
income (loss)
   

(0.58

%)(h)

   

(0.13

%)

   

0.06

%

   

0.35

%

   

(0.76

%)(b)

   

(0.24

%)

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

141

%(f)

   

273

%

   

419

%

   

362

%

   

363

%

   

321

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
70



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to less than $0.01 per share and is less than 0.005% of average net assets.

(c)  Includes estimated proceeds from the Fund's participation in a class action lawsuit. This represents a non-recurring gain in the amount of $0.01 per share.

(d)  Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

(e)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(f)  Not annualized.

(g)  Dividend expense totaled 0.00% (annualized), 0.15%, 0.46%, 0.42%, 0.36% and 0.34% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.07% (annualized), 0.01%, 0.00%, 0.01%, 0.03% and 0.07% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(h)  Annualized.

(i)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 1.22% (annualized), 1.22%, 1.22%, 1.22%, 1.23% and 1.22% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020 and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
71



Arbitrage Fund – Class C  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

12.34

   

$

12.34

   

$

12.12

   

$

12.54

   

$

12.37

   

$

12.65

   
Income (loss) from
investment
operations
 
Net investment
loss(a)
   

(0.10

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.12

)(b)

   

(0.07

)(b)

   

(0.22

)(c)

   

(0.16

)

 
Net realized and
unrealized gains
on investments
and foreign
currencies
   

0.45

     

0.41

     

0.50

     

0.01

     

0.51

(d)

   

0.18

   
Total from investment
operations
   

0.35

     

0.27

     

0.38

     

(0.06

)

   

0.29

     

0.02

   

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

     

     

     

(0.00

)(e)

   

     

   
From net
realized gains
   

     

(0.27

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.30

)

 

Total distributions

   

     

(0.27

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.30

)

 
Proceeds from
redemption fees
collected
   

     

     

     

     

     

   
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

12.69

   

$

12.34

   

$

12.34

   

$

12.12

   

$

12.54

   

$

12.37

   

Total return(f)(g)

   

2.84

%(h)

   

2.24

%

   

3.11

%

   

(0.45

)%

   

2.38

%

   

0.18

%

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

16,566

   

$

19,860

   

$

19,050

   

$

22,917

   

$

26,900

   

$

30,814

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(i)

   

2.35

%(j)

   

2.41

%

   

2.69

%

   

2.66

%

   

2.62

%(c)

   

2.63

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses
reimbursed(i)(k)
   

2.29

%(j)

   

2.38

%

   

2.68

%

   

2.65

%

   

2.62

%(c)

   

2.63

%

 
Net investment
loss
   

(1.59

%)(j)

   

(1.16

%)

   

(0.94

%)(b)

   

(0.56

%)

   

(1.76

%)(c)

   

(1.28

%)

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

141

%(h)

   

273

%

   

419

%

   

362

%

   

363

%

   

321

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
72



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to timing of sales and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.

(c)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to less than $0.01 per share and is less than 0.005% of average net assets.

(d)  Includes estimated proceeds from the Fund's participation in a class action lawsuit. This represents a non-recurring gain in the amount of $0.01 per share.

(e)  Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

(f)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(g)  Total return excludes sales charges, if any, and would be lower for the period presented if it reflected these charges.

(h)  Not annualized.

(i)  Dividend expense totaled 0.00% (annualized), 0.15%, 0.46%, 0.42%, 0.36% and 0.34% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.07% (annualized), 0.01%, 0.00%, 0.01%, 0.03% and 0.07% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(j)  Annualized.

(k)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 2.22% (annualized), 2.22%, 2.22%, 2.22%, 2.23% and 2.22% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
73



Arbitrage Fund – Class A  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

13.01

   

$

12.90

   

$

12.63

   

$

13.07

   

$

12.79

   

$

12.97

   
Income (loss) from
investment
operations
 
Net investment
income (loss)(a)
   

(0.05

)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.02

)(d)

   

(b)

   

(0.13

)(c)

   

(0.07

)

 
Net realized and
unrealized gains
on investments
and foreign
currencies
   

0.47

     

0.43

     

0.52

     

0.02

     

0.53

(e)

   

0.19

   
Total from investment
operations
   

0.42

     

0.38

     

0.50

     

0.02

     

0.40

     

0.12

   

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

     

     

(0.07

)

   

(0.10

)

   

     

   
From net
realized gains
   

     

(0.27

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.36

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.30

)

 

Total distributions

   

     

(0.27

)

   

(0.23

)

   

(0.46

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.30

)

 
Proceeds from
redemption fees
collected
   

     

     

     

     

     

   
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

13.43

   

$

13.01

   

$

12.90

   

$

12.63

   

$

13.07

   

$

12.79

   

Total return(f)(g)

   

3.23

%(h)

   

3.00

%

   

3.94

%

   

0.21

%

   

3.17

%

   

0.95

%

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

26,414

   

$

17,762

   

$

18,341

   

$

16,740

   

$

10,012

   

$

8,421

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(i)

   

1.60

%(j)

   

1.66

%

   

1.94

%

   

1.91

%

   

1.87

%(c)

   

1.87

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses
reimbursed(i)(k)
   

1.54

%(j)

   

1.63

%

   

1.93

%

   

1.90

%

   

1.87

%(c)

   

1.87

%

 
Net investment
loss
   

(0.82

%)(j)

   

(0.40

%)

   

(0.19

%)(d)

   

(0.01

%)

   

(1.02

%)(c)

   

(0.56

%)

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

141

%(h)

   

273

%

   

419

%

   

362

%

   

363

%

   

321

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
74



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

(c)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to less than $0.01 per share and is less than 0.005% of average net assets.

(d)  The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to timing of sales and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.

(e)  Includes estimated proceeds from the Fund's participation in a class action lawsuit. This represents a non-recurring gain in the amount of $0.01 per share.

(f)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(g)  Total return excludes sales charges, if any, and would be lower for the period presented if it reflected these charges.

(h)  Not annualized.

(i)  Dividend expense totaled 0.00% (annualized), 0.15%, 0.46%, 0.42%, 0.36% and 0.33% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.07% (annualized), 0.01%, 0.00%, 0.01%, 0.03% and 0.07% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020 and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(j)  Annualized.

(k)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 1.47% (annualized), 1.47%, 1.47%, 1.47%, 1.48% and 1.47% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
75



Water Island Event-Driven Fund – Class R  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

9.97

   

$

9.47

   

$

9.46

   

$

9.34

   

$

8.98

   

$

9.73

   
Income (loss) from
investment operations
 
Net investment
income (loss)(a)
   

(0.04

)

   

0.01

     

0.07

     

0.06

     

(0.04

)(b)

   

(0.02

)

 
Net realized and
unrealized gains
(losses) on
investments and
foreign currencies
   

0.67

     

0.51

     

0.08

     

0.09

     

0.40

(c)

   

(0.53

)

 
Total from investment
operations
   

0.63

     

0.52

     

0.15

     

0.15

     

0.36

     

(0.55

)

 

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.03

)

   

     

(0.20

)

 
From net
realized gains
   

     

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(d)

 

Total distributions

   

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.03

)

   

     

(0.20

)

 
Proceeds from
redemption fees
collected
   

     

     

     

0.00

(d)

   

0.00

(d)

   

0.00

(d)

 
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

10.60

   

$

9.97

   

$

9.47

   

$

9.46

   

$

9.34

   

$

8.98

   

Total return(e)

   

6.32

%(f)

   

5.49

%

   

1.60

%

   

1.56

%

   

4.01

%

   

(5.55

%)

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

7,898

   

$

7,694

   

$

30,423

   

$

45,383

   

$

70,277

   

$

80,114

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(g)

   

1.95

%(h)

   

2.11

%

   

2.58

%

   

2.59

%

   

2.56

%(b)

   

2.62

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses reimbursed(g)(i)
   

1.83

%(h)

   

1.83

%

   

2.18

%

   

2.16

%

   

2.26

%

   

2.46

%

 
Net investment
income (loss)
   

(0.84

%)(h)

   

0.09

%

   

0.70

%

   

0.58

%

   

(0.45

%)(b)

   

(0.27

%)

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

154

%(f)

   

397

%

   

504

%

   

421

%

   

409

%

   

350

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
76



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to less than $0.01 per share and 0.01% of average net assets.

(c)  Includes estimated proceeds from the Fund's participation in a class action lawsuit. This represents a non-recurring gain in the amount of less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

(e)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(f)  Not annualized.

(g)  Dividend expense totaled 0.02% (annualized), 0.13%, 0.46%, 0.44%, 0.53% and 0.58% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.12% (annualized), 0.01%, 0.03%, 0.03%, 0.04% and 0.19% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(h)  Annualized.

(i)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 1.69% (annualized), 1.69%, 1.69%, 1.69%, 1.69% and 1.69% of average net assets for the the six months ended November 30, 2020 and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
77



Water Island Event-Driven Fund – Class I  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

10.05

   

$

9.54

   

$

9.53

   

$

9.43

   

$

9.04

   

$

9.81

   
Income (loss) from
investment
operations
 
Net investment
income (loss)(a)
   

(0.03

)

   

0.02

     

0.09

     

0.04

     

(0.02

)(b)

   

(0.02

)

 
Net realized and
unrealized gains
(losses) on
investments and
foreign currencies
   

0.68

     

0.53

     

0.09

     

0.12

     

0.41

(c)

   

(0.51

)

 
Total from investment
operations
   

0.65

     

0.55

     

0.18

     

0.16

     

0.39

     

(0.53

)

 

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

     

(0.04

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.06

)

   

     

(0.24

)

 
From net
realized gains
   

     

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(d)

 

Total distributions

   

     

(0.04

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.06

)

   

     

(0.24

)

 
Proceeds from
redemption fees
collected
   

     

     

     

0.00

(d)

   

0.00

(d)

   

0.00

(d)

 
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

10.70

   

$

10.05

   

$

9.54

   

$

9.53

   

$

9.43

   

$

9.04

   

Total return(e)

   

6.47

%(f)

   

5.83

%

   

1.88

%

   

1.69

%

   

4.31

%

   

(5.27

%)

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

102,065

   

$

99,069

   

$

92,710

   

$

103,001

   

$

68,272

   

$

95,155

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(g)

   

1.70

%(h)

   

1.86

%

   

2.33

%

   

2.34

%

   

2.31

%(b)

   

2.37

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses
reimbursed(g)(i)
   

1.58

%(h)

   

1.58

%

   

1.93

%

   

1.91

%

   

2.01

%

   

2.21

%

 
Net investment
income (loss)
   

(0.59

%)(h)

   

0.20

%

   

0.92

%

   

0.46

%

   

(0.22

%)(b)

   

(0.26

%)

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

154

%(f)

   

397

%

   

504

%

   

421

%

   

409

%

   

350

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
78



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to less than $0.01 per share and 0.01% of average net assets.

(c)  Includes estimated proceeds from the Fund's participation in a class action lawsuit. This represents a non-recurring gain in the amount of less than $0.005 per share.

(d)  Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

(e)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(f)  Not annualized.

(g)  Dividend expense totaled 0.02% (annualized), 0.13%, 0.46%, 0.44%, 0.53% and 0.58% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.12% (annualized), 0.01%, 0.03%, 0.03%, 0.04% and 0.19% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(h)  Annualized.

(i)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 1.44% (annualized), 1.44%, 1.44%, 1.44%, 1.44% and 1.44% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020 and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
79



Water Island Event-Driven Fund – Class C  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

9.73

   

$

9.29

   

$

9.26

   

$

9.19

   

$

8.91

   

$

9.62

   
Income (loss) from
investment
operations
 
Net investment
loss(a)
   

(0.08

)

   

(0.08

)(d)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.03

)(b)

   

(0.11

)(c)

   

(0.09

)

 
Net realized and
unrealized gains
(losses) on
investments and
foreign currencies
   

0.66

     

0.52

     

0.09

     

0.10

     

0.39

(e)

   

(0.50

)

 
Total from investment
operations
   

0.58

     

0.44

     

0.08

     

0.07

     

0.28

     

(0.59

)

 

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

     

     

(0.05

)

   

     

     

(0.12

)

 
From net
realized gains
   

     

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(f)

 

Total distributions

   

     

     

(0.05

)

   

     

     

(0.12

)

 
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

10.31

   

$

9.73

   

$

9.29

   

$

9.26

   

$

9.19

   

$

8.91

   

Total return(g)(h)

   

5.96

%(i)

   

4.74

%

   

0.91

%

   

0.76

%

   

3.14

%

   

(6.14

%)

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

361

   

$

369

   

$

794

   

$

1,175

   

$

1,567

   

$

2,538

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(j)

   

2.70

%(k)

   

2.86

%

   

3.33

%

   

3.34

%

   

3.31

%(c)

   

3.37

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses
reimbursed(j)(l)
   

2.58

%(k)

   

2.58

%

   

2.93

%

   

2.91

%

   

3.01

%

   

3.21

%

 
Net investment
loss
   

(1.59

%)(k)

   

(0.89

)%

   

(0.06

)%

   

(0.34

)%

   

(1.26

%)(c)

   

(0.95

%)

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

154

%(i)

   

397

%

   

504

%

   

421

%

   

409

%

   

350

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
80



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to timing of sales and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.

(c)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to less than $0.01 per share and 0.01% of average net assets.

(d)  The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to class specific expenses.

(e)  Includes estimated proceeds from the Fund's participation in a class action lawsuit. This represents a non-recurring gain in the amount of less than $0.005 per share.

(f)  Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

(g)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(h)  Total return excludes sales charges, if any, and would be lower for the period presented if it reflected these charges.

(i)  Not annualized.

(j)  Dividend expense totaled 0.02% (annualized), 0.13%, 0.46%, 0.44%, 0.53% and 0.59% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.12% (annualized), 0.01%, 0.03%, 0.03%, 0.04% and 0.18% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(k)  Annualized.

(l)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 2.44% (annualized), 2.44%, 2.44%, 2.44%, 2.44% and 2.44% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
81



Water Island Event-Driven Fund – Class A  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

9.97

   

$

9.46

   

$

9.46

   

$

9.35

   

$

8.98

   

$

9.73

   
Income (loss) from
investment
operations
 
Net investment
income (loss)(a)
   

(0.04

)

   

(0.00

)(c)

   

0.06

     

0.04

     

(0.05

)(b)

   

(0.03

)

 
Net realized and
unrealized gains
(losses) on
investments and
foreign currencies
   

0.67

     

0.53

     

0.08

     

0.10

     

0.42

(d)

   

(0.52

)

 
Total from investment
operations
   

0.63

     

0.53

     

0.14

     

0.14

     

0.37

     

(0.55

)

 

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.03

)

   

     

(0.20

)

 
From net
realized gains
   

     

     

     

     

     

(0.00

)(c)

 

Total distributions

   

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.14

)

   

(0.03

)

   

     

(0.20

)

 
Proceeds from
redemption fees
collected
   

     

     

     

     

     

   
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

10.60

   

$

9.97

   

$

9.46

   

$

9.46

   

$

9.35

   

$

8.98

   

Total return(e)(f)

   

6.32

%(g)

   

5.62

%

   

1.56

%

   

1.49

%

   

4.12

%

   

(5.54

%)

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

324

   

$

347

   

$

799

   

$

701

   

$

810

   

$

2,062

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(h)

   

1.95

%(i)

   

2.11

%

   

2.58

%

   

2.59

%

   

2.56

%(b)

   

2.63

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses
reimbursed(h)(j)
   

1.83

%(i)

   

1.83

%

   

2.18

%

   

2.16

%

   

2.26

%

   

2.47

%

 
Net investment
income (loss)
   

(0.84

%)(i)

   

0.02

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.41

%

   

(0.53

%)(b)

   

(0.28

%)

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

154

%(g)

   

397

%

   

504

%

   

421

%

   

409

%

   

350

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

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82



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to less than $0.01 per share and 0.01% of average net assets.

(c)  Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

(d)  Includes estimated proceeds from the Fund's participation in a class action lawsuit. This represents a non-recurring gain in the amount of less than $0.005 per share.

(e)  Total return excludes sales charges, if any, and would be lower for the period presented if it reflected these charges.

(f)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares or the imposition of any sales load.

(g)  Not annualized.

(h)  Dividend expense totaled 0.02% (annualized), 0.13%, 0.46%, 0.44%, 0.53% and 0.59% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.12% (annualized), 0.01%, 0.03%, 0.03%, 0.04% and 0.19% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020 and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(i)  Annualized.

(j)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 1.69% (annualized), 1.69%, 1.69%, 1.69%, 1.69% and 1.69% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
83



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund – Class R  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

9.64

   

$

9.70

   

$

9.77

   

$

9.67

   

$

9.69

   

$

9.95

   
Income (loss) from
investment
operations
 
Net investment
income(a)
   

0.14

     

0.24

     

0.31

     

0.20

     

0.23

(b)

   

0.25

   
Net realized and
unrealized gains
(losses) on
investments and
foreign currencies
   

0.41

     

(0.01

)

   

(0.07

)

   

0.12

     

0.01

     

(0.24

)

 
Total from investment
operations
   

0.55

     

0.23

     

0.24

     

0.32

     

0.24

     

0.01

   

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

(0.15

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.27

)

 

Total distributions

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.27

)

 
Proceeds from
redemption
fees collected
   

     

     

     

     

0.00

(c)

   

   
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

10.04

   

$

9.64

   

$

9.70

   

$

9.77

   

$

9.67

   

$

9.69

   

Total return(d)

   

5.69

%(e)

   

2.46

%

   

2.55

%

   

3.21

%

   

2.58

%

   

0.10

%

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

1,784

   

$

3,673

   

$

7,845

   

$

9,533

   

$

11,935

   

$

12,426

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(f)

   

1.79

%(g)

   

1.96

%

   

2.10

%(h)

   

2.27

%

   

1.96

%(b)

   

1.92

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses
reimbursed(f)(i)
   

1.31

%(g)

   

1.35

%

   

1.59

%(h)

   

1.95

%

   

1.66

%

   

1.67

%

 
Net investment
income
   

2.80

%(g)

   

2.48

%

   

3.18

%(h)

   

2.09

%

   

2.34

%(b)

   

2.62

%

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

58

%(e)

   

175

%

   

221

%

   

314

%

   

211

%

   

181

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
84



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to less than $0.01 per share and is less than 0.005% of average net assets.

(c)  Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

(d)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(e)  Not annualized.

(f)  Dividend expense totaled 0.01% (annualized), 0.07%, 0.29%, 0.42%, 0.16% and 0.03% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.07% (annualized), 0.05%, 0.01%, 0.03%, 0.00% and 0.14% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(g)  Annualized.

(h)  Effective August 6, 2018, the investment adviser reduced the advisory fee paid by the Fund and agreed to increase the expense reimbursements it provides to the Fund by contractually limiting the Fund's total expenses (other than certain expenses noted in the Notes to Financial Statements) to 1.23% for Class R shares. Prior to August 6, 2018, the expense limitation had been 1.50%

(i)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 1.23% (annualized), 1.23%, 1.29%, 1.50%, 1.50% and 1.50% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020 and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
85



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund – Class I  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

9.60

   

$

9.65

   

$

9.73

   

$

9.65

   

$

9.67

   

$

9.93

   
Income (loss) from
investment
operations
 
Net investment
income(a)
   

0.15

     

0.26

     

0.34

     

0.23

     

0.25

(b)

   

0.27

   
Net realized and
unrealized gains
(losses) on
investments and
foreign currencies
   

0.40

     

0.01

(c)

   

(0.08

)

   

0.11

     

0.02

     

(0.24

)

 
Total from investment
operations
   

0.55

     

0.27

     

0.26

     

0.34

     

0.27

     

0.03

   

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

(0.16

)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.29

)

 

Total distributions

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.32

)

   

(0.34

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.29

)

 
Proceeds from
redemption
fees collected
   

     

     

     

     

     

   
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

9.99

   

$

9.60

   

$

9.65

   

$

9.73

   

$

9.65

   

$

9.67

   

Total return(d)

   

5.73

%(e)

   

2.82

%

   

2.70

%

   

3.61

%

   

2.78

%

   

0.30

%

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

65,368

   

$

56,869

   

$

49,795

   

$

36,207

   

$

44,159

   

$

41,992

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(f)

   

1.54

%(g)

   

1.71

%

   

1.85

%(h)

   

2.02

%

   

1.71

%(b)

   

1.68

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses
reimbursed(f)(i)
   

1.06

%(g)

   

1.10

%

   

1.32

%(h)

   

1.70

%

   

1.41

%

   

1.43

%

 
Net investment
income
   

2.96

%(g)

   

2.73

%

   

3.51

%(h)

   

2.34

%

   

2.62

%(b)

   

2.84

%

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

58

%(e)

   

175

%

   

221

%

   

314

%

   

211

%

   

181

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
86



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to less than $0.01 per share and is less than 0.005% of average net assets.

(c)  The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to timing of sales and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.

(d)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(e)  Not annualized.

(f)  Dividend expense totaled 0.01% (annualized), 0.07%, 0.29%, 0.42% 0.16% and 0.04% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.07% (annualized), 0.05%, 0.01%, 0.03%, 0.00% and 0.14% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(g)  Annualized.

(h)  Effective August 6, 2018, the investment adviser reduced the advisory fee paid by the Fund and agreed to increase the expense reimbursements it provides to the Fund by contractually limiting the Fund's total expenses (other than certain expenses noted in the Notes to Financial Statements) to 0.98% for Class I shares. Prior to August 6, 2018, the expense limitation had been 1.25%

(i)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 0.98% (annualized), 0.98%, 1.02%, 1.25%, 1.25% and 1.25% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020 and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
87



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund – Class C  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

9.61

   

$

9.67

   

$

9.74

   

$

9.62

   

$

9.61

   

$

9.89

   
Income (loss) from
investment
operations
 
Net investment
income(a)
   

0.10

     

0.16

     

0.24

     

0.13

     

0.16

(b)

   

0.18

   
Net realized and
unrealized gains
(losses) on
investments and
foreign currencies
   

0.40

     

0.00

(c)

   

(0.07

)

   

0.11

     

0.02

     

(0.25

)

 
Total from investment
operations
   

0.50

     

0.16

     

0.17

     

0.24

     

0.18

     

(0.07

)

 

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

(0.11

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.21

)

 

Total distributions

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.17

)

   

(0.21

)

 
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

10.00

   

$

9.61

   

$

9.67

   

$

9.74

   

$

9.62

   

$

9.61

   

Total return(d)(e)

   

5.20

%(f)

   

1.70

%

   

1.79

%

   

2.53

%

   

1.83

%

   

(0.72

%)

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

691

   

$

659

   

$

468

   

$

640

   

$

1,053

   

$

1,220

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(g)

   

2.54

%(h)

   

2.71

%

   

2.86

%(i)

   

3.02

%

   

2.71

%(b)

   

2.68

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses
reimbursed(g)(j)
   

2.06

%(h)

   

2.10

%

   

2.34

%(i)

   

2.70

%

   

2.41

%

   

2.43

%

 
Net investment
income
 

1.98

%(h)

 

1.65

%

 

2.46

%(i)

 

1.38

%

 

1.69

%(b)

 

1.92

%

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

58

%(f)

   

175

%

   

221

%

   

314

%

   

211

%

   

181

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
88



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to less than $0.01 per share and is less than 0.005% of average net assets.

(c)  Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

(d)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(e)  Total return excludes sales charges, if any, and would be lower for the period presented if it reflected these charges.

(f)  Not annualized.

(g)  Dividend expense totaled 0.01% (annualized), 0.07%, 0.29%, 0.42%, 0.16% and 0.04% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.07% (annualized), 0.05%, 0.01%, 0.03%, 0.00% and 0.14% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(h)  Annualized.

(i)  Effective August 6, 2018, the investment adviser reduced the advisory fee paid by the Fund and agreed to increase the expense reimbursements it provides to the Fund by contractually limiting the Fund's total expenses (other than certain expenses noted in the Notes to Financial Statements) to 1.98% for Class C shares. Prior to August 6, 2018, the expense limitation had been 2.25%.

(j)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 1.98% (annualized), 1.98%, 2.04%, 2.25%, 2.25% and 2.25% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
89



Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund – Class A  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

9.60

   

$

9.65

   

$

9.73

   

$

9.66

   

$

9.67

   

$

9.93

   
Income (loss) from
investment
operations
 
Net investment
income(a)
   

0.13

     

0.23

     

0.31

     

0.17

     

0.23

(b)

   

0.25

   
Net realized and
unrealized gains
(losses) on
investments and
foreign currencies
   

0.42

     

0.01

(c)

   

(0.08

)

   

0.14

     

0.02

     

(0.25

)

 
Total from investment
operations
   

0.55

     

0.24

     

0.23

     

0.31

     

0.25

     

   

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

(0.15

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.26

)

 

Total distributions

   

(0.15

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.31

)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.26

)

   

(0.26

)

 
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

10.00

   

$

9.60

   

$

9.65

   

$

9.73

   

$

9.66

   

$

9.67

   

Total return(d)(e)

   

5.71

%(f)

   

2.56

%

   

2.45

%

   

3.10

%

   

2.58

%

   

0.02

%

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

82

   

$

88

   

$

121

   

$

153

   

$

107

   

$

104

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(g)

   

1.79

%(h)

   

1.96

%

   

2.10

%(i)

   

2.27

%

   

1.96

%(b)

   

1.91

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses
reimbursed(g)(j)
   

1.31

%(h)

   

1.35

%

   

1.58

%(i)

   

1.95

%

   

1.66

%

   

1.66

%

 
Net investment
income
   

2.73

%(h)

   

2.37

%

   

3.24

%(i)

   

1.81

%

   

2.35

%(b)

   

2.62

%

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

58

%(f)

   

175

%

   

221

%

   

314

%

   

211

%

   

181

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
90



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to less than $0.01 per share and is less than 0.005% of average net assets.

(c)  The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to timing of sales and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.

(d)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares or the imposition of any sales load.

(e)  Total return excludes sales charges, if any, and would be lower for the period presented if it reflected these charges.

(f)  Not annualized.

(g)  Dividend expense totaled 0.01% (annualized), 0.07%, 0.29%, 0.42%, 0.16% and 0.02% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.07% (annualized), 0.05%, 0.01%, 0.03%, 0.00% and 0.14% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020 and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(h)  Annualized.

(i)  Effective August 6, 2018, the investment adviser reduced the advisory fee paid by the Fund and agreed to increase the expense reimbursements it provides to the Fund by contractually limiting the Fund's total expenses (other than certain expenses noted in the Notes to Financial Statements) to 1.23% for Class A shares. Prior to August 6, 2018, the expense limitation had been 1.50%

(j)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 1.23% (annualized), 1.23%, 1.28%, 1.50%, 1.50% and 1.50% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
91



Water Island Long/Short Fund – Class R  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

10.45

   

$

9.88

   

$

10.12

   

$

9.99

   

$

9.31

   

$

10.12

   
Income (loss) from
investment
operations
 
Net investment
income (loss)(a)
   

(0.07

)

   

0.28

     

(0.01

)(c)

   

(0.05

)

   

(0.20

)(b)

   

(0.03

)

 
Net realized and
unrealized gains
(losses) on
investments and
foreign currencies
   

1.80

     

0.46

     

(0.03

)

   

0.18

     

0.88

     

(0.69

)

 
Total from investment
operations
   

1.73

     

0.74

     

(0.04

)

   

0.13

     

0.68

     

(0.72

)

 

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

     

(0.03

)

   

     

     

     

   
From net realized
gains
   

     

(0.14

)

   

(0.20

)

   

     

     

(0.09

)

 

Total distributions

   

     

(0.17

)

   

(0.20

)

   

     

     

(0.09

)

 
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

12.18

   

$

10.45

   

$

9.88

   

$

10.12

   

$

9.99

   

$

9.31

   

Total return(d)

   

16.65

%(e)

   

7.58

%

   

(0.29

%)

   

1.30

%

   

7.30

%

   

(7.12

%)

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

13

   

$

11

   

$

10

   

$

10

   

$

10

   

$

9

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(f)

   

8.25

%(g)

   

12.79

%

   

11.69

%

   

12.52

%

   

15.85

%(b)

   

20.24

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses
reimbursed(f)(h)
   

2.11

%(g)

   

1.92

%

   

2.43

%

   

2.35

%

   

2.66

%

   

2.62

%

 
Net investment
income (loss)
   

(1.25

%)(g)

   

2.81

%

   

(0.15

%)

   

(0.47

%)

   

(2.14

%)(b)

   

(0.34

%)

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

125

%(e)

   

577

%

   

528

%

   

520

%

   

449

%

   

416

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

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92



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to $0.01 per share and 0.08% of average net assets.

(c)  The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to timing of sales and redemptions of Fund shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.

(d)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(e)  Not annualized.

(f)  Dividend expense totaled 0.17% (annualized), 0.22%, 0.74%, 0.66%, 0.84% and 0.70% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.25% (annualized), 0.01%, 0.00%, 0.00%, 0.13% and 0.23% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(g)  Annualized.

(h)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 1.69% (annualized), 1.69%, 1.69%, 1.69%, 1.69% and 1.69% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020 and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
93



Water Island Long/Short Fund – Class I  

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share Outstanding Throughout the Periods Presented:

    Six Months
Ended
November 30,
2020
 

Year Ended May 31,

 
   

(Unaudited)

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 
Net asset value,
beginning of period
 

$

10.45

   

$

9.88

   

$

10.12

   

$

9.99

   

$

9.31

   

$

10.12

   
Income (loss) from
investment
operations
 
Net investment
income (loss)(a)
   

(0.05

)

   

0.30

     

0.01

     

(0.02

)

   

(0.18

)(b)

   

(0.04

)

 
Net realized and
unrealized gains
(losses) on
investments and
foreign currencies
   

1.78

     

0.47

     

(0.05

)

   

0.15

     

0.86

     

(0.68

)

 
Total from investment
operations
   

1.73

     

0.77

     

(0.04

)

   

0.13

     

0.68

     

(0.72

)

 

Less distributions

 
From net
investment
income
   

     

(0.06

)

   

     

     

     

   
From net realized
gains
   

     

(0.14

)

   

(0.20

)

   

     

     

(0.09

)

 

Total distributions

   

     

(0.20

)

   

(0.20

)

   

     

     

(0.09

)

 
Net asset value,
end of period
 

$

12.18

   

$

10.45

   

$

9.88

   

$

10.12

   

$

9.99

   

$

9.31

   

Total return(c)

   

16.65

%(d)

   

7.84

%

   

(0.29

%)

   

1.30

%

   

7.30

%

   

(7.12

%)

 
Net assets, end of
period (in 000s)
 

$

2,338

   

$

1,909

   

$

2,344

   

$

2,177

   

$

2,048

   

$

1,302

   
RATIOS TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS:
 

Gross expenses(e)

   

7.99

%(f)

   

12.53

%

   

11.44

%

   

12.27

%

   

15.60

%(b)

   

20.02

%

 
Net expenses after
advisory fees
waived and
expenses
reimbursed(e)(g)
   

1.85

%(f)

   

1.66

%

   

2.18

%

   

2.10

%

   

2.41

%

   

2.40

%

 
Net investment
income (loss)
   

(0.97

%)(f)

   

2.97

%

   

0.12

%

   

(0.22

%)

   

(1.88

%)(b)

   

(0.47

%)

 
Portfolio turnover
rate
   

125

%(d)

   

577

%

   

528

%

   

520

%

   

449

%

   

416

%

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
94



  Financial Highlights

(a)  Per share amounts were calculated using average shares outstanding for the period.

(b)  Includes a non-recurring refund by the custodian for overbilling of prior years' out-of-pocket fees. This amounted to $0.01 per share and 0.08% of average net assets.

(c)  Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

(d)  Not annualized.

(e)  Dividend expense totaled 0.16% (annualized), 0.21%, 0.74%, 0.66%, 0.84% and 0.72% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest rebate expense and line of credit interest expense totaled 0.25% (annualized), 0.01%, 0.00%, 0.00%, 0.13% and 0.24% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020, and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(f)  Annualized.

(g)  Excluding dividend and interest expenses, the Fund's net expenses after advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed would have been 1.44% (annualized), 1.44%, 1.44%, 1.44%, 1.44% and 1.44% of average net assets for the six months ended November 30, 2020 and the years ended May 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
95



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

1. ORGANIZATION

The Arbitrage Funds (the "Trust") is a Delaware statutory trust, which was organized on December 22, 1999 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company issuing its shares in series. Each series represents a distinct portfolio with its own investment objective and policies. The four series presently authorized are the Arbitrage Fund (the "Arbitrage Fund"), the Water Island Event-Driven Fund (the "Event-Driven Fund"), the Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund (the "Credit Opportunities Fund") and the Water Island Long/Short Fund (the "Long/Short Fund"), each a "Fund" and collectively the "Funds". Prior to September 30, 2020, the Event-Driven Fund was named Water Island Diversified Event-Driven Fund. The Event-Driven Fund's portfolio manager, investment objective and investment strategies did not change. The Arbitrage Fund and the Credit Opportunities Fund are each a diversified series of the Trust. The Long/Short Fund and the Event-Driven Fund are each a non-diversified series of the Trust. The Funds' investments are managed by Water Island Capital, LLC (the "Adviser").

   

Commencement of Operations

 

Fund

 

Class R shares

 

Class I shares

 

Class C shares

 

Class A shares

 

Arbitrage Fund

 

September 18, 2000

 

October 17, 2003

 

June 1, 2012

 

June 1, 2013

 

Event-Driven Fund

 

October 1, 2010

 

October 1, 2010

 

June 1, 2012

 

June 1, 2013

 
Credit Opportunities
Fund
 

October 1, 2012

 

October 1, 2012

 

October 1, 2012

 

June 1, 2013

 

Long/Short Fund

 

January 2, 2015

 

January 2, 2015

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

The investment objective of the Arbitrage Fund is to seek to achieve capital growth by engaging in merger arbitrage. The investment objective of the Event-Driven Fund is to seek to achieve capital growth by investing in companies that are impacted by corporate events such as mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, restructurings, recapitalizations, refinancings, reorganizations and other special situations. The investment objective of the Credit Opportunities Fund is to seek to provide current income and capital growth by investing in debt securities impacted by events such as reorganizations, restructurings, recapitalizations, debt maturities, refinancings, mergers, acquisitions, regulatory changes and other special situations. The investment objective of the Long/Short Fund is to seek to achieve capital appreciation over a full market cycle with lower volatility than the broad equity market.

The Arbitrage Fund, Event-Driven Fund and Credit Opportunities Fund's four classes of shares, Class R, Class I, Class C and Class A, and the Long/Short Fund's two classes of shares, Class R and Class I, represent interests in the same portfolio of investments and have the same rights, but differ primarily in the expenses to which they are subject and the investment eligibility requirements. Class R shares, Class C shares and Class A shares are subject to an annual distribution and servicing fee of up to 0.25%, 1.00% and 0.25%, respectively, of each Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares, Class C shares and Class A shares, respectively, whereas Class I shares are not subject to any distribution and servicing fees. Class C shares are also subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge on all purchases redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Class A shares of the Arbitrage Fund are sold subject to a maximum front-end sales load equal to 2.75% of the offering price and are also subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales load on purchases at or above $250,000, purchased without a front-end sales charge and redeemed within 18 months of purchase. Class A shares of the Event-Driven Fund and the Credit Opportunities Fund are sold subject to a maximum front-end sales load equal to 3.25% of the offering price and are also subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales load on purchases

www.arbitragefunds.com | 1-800-295-4485
96



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

at or above $250,000 purchased without a front-end sales charge and redeemed within 18 months of purchase.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds. These policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The Funds are considered investment companies for financial reporting purposes under GAAP and Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 — Financial ServicesInvestment Companies.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform, which provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions which are affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. Such provisions are elective and apply to all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022, subject to meeting certain criteria, that have transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate that are discontinued because of reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 had no impact on the Funds during the current reporting period.

In October 2020, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-08 ("ASU 2020-08"), "Receivables — Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Codification Improvements Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities". ASU 2020-08 is an update of ASU No. 2017-08, which amends the amortization period of certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. ASU 2020-08 updates the amortization period for callable debt securities to be amortized to the next call date. For purposes of this update, the next call date is the first date when a call option at a specified price becomes exercisable. Once that date has passed, the next call date is when the next call option at a specified price becomes exercisable, if applicable. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Management is currently evaluating the implication, if any, of the additional disclosure requirements and its impact on the Funds' financial statements.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Valuation of Investments — The Funds' portfolio securities are valued as of the close of trading of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern standard time). Common stocks, mutual funds and other securities, including open short positions that are traded on a securities exchange, are valued at the last quoted sales price at the close of regular trading on the day the valuation is made. Securities which are quoted by NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Price information on listed stocks is taken from the exchange where the security is primarily traded. Redeemable securities issued by open-end investment companies are valued at the investment company's respective net asset value, with the exception of exchange-traded open-end investment companies, which are priced as common stocks. Market quotations of foreign securities from the principal markets in which they trade may not be reliable if events or circumstances that may affect the value of portfolio securities occur between the time of the market quotation and the close of trading on the NYSE. If a significant event that affects the valuation of a foreign security occurs between the close of a foreign security's primary exchange and the time the Funds calculate their net asset value ("NAV"), the Funds will fair value

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
97



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

the foreign security to account for this discrepancy. Securities which are listed on an exchange but which are not traded on the valuation date will be valued at last bid if held long, and last ask if held short. Put and call options and securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask prices. Foreign currency forward contracts are valued at the current day's interpolated foreign exchange rate, as calculated using the current day's spot rate, and the thirty, sixty, ninety and one-hundred eighty day forward rates provided by an independent source.

If available, debt securities are priced based upon an evaluated bid provided by independent, third-party pricing agents. The third-party pricing agents may also value debt securities at an evaluated bid price by employing methodologies that utilize actual market transactions, broker-supplied valuations, or other methodologies designed to identify the market value for such securities. Unlisted securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest quoted bid price. Single name swap agreements are valued based on the underlying terms of the agreement. Other swap agreements (such as baskets of securities) are valued daily based on the terms of the swap agreement as provided by an independent third party or the counterparty. If a third-party valuation is not available, these other swap agreements are valued based on the valuation provided by the counterparty.

Other assets and securities for which no quotations are readily available are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by the Pricing Committee, which is under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust. Some of the more common reasons that may necessitate that a security be valued at fair value include: the security's trading has been halted or suspended; the security has been delisted from a national exchange; the security's primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when under normal conditions it would be open; the security has been acquired through completion of a merger/tender or the security's primary pricing source is not able or willing to provide a price. Such methods of fair valuation may include, but are not limited to: multiple of earnings, multiple of book value, discount from market of a similar freely traded security, purchase price of a security, subsequent private transactions in the security or related securities, or a combination of these and other factors. Foreign securities are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates supplied by a quotation service.

Fair Value Measurements — In accordance with the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements under GAAP, the Funds disclose fair value of their investments in a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The objective of a fair value measurement is to determine the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). Accordingly, the fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The guidance establishes three levels of the fair value hierarchy as follows:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities that the Funds have the ability to access at the measurement date;

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing each Fund's own assumption about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

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98



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Investments are classified within the level of the lowest significant input considered in determining fair value. Investments classified within Level 3, whose fair value measurement considers several inputs, may include Level 1 or Level 2 inputs as components of the overall fair value measurement. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, there were no significant changes to the Funds' fair value methodologies. Transfers for Level 3 securities, if any, are shown as part of the leveling table in each Fund's Portfolio of Investments.

Unfunded Commitments — As of November 30, 2020, the Arbitrage Fund, Event-Driven Fund and Long/Short Fund had unfunded commitments of $8,081,100, $1,181,700 and $157,300, respectively, which consist of Private Investment in Public Entity (PIPE) agreements with sponsors of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies. The Funds expect to fulfill these unfunded commitments through the use of liquid investments.

Share Valuation and Redemption Fees — The net asset value per share of each class of shares of the Funds is calculated daily by dividing the total value of a Fund's assets attributable to that class, less liabilities attributable to that class, by the number of shares of that class outstanding. The offering price and redemption price per share of each class of each Fund is equal to the net asset value per share. The Trust does not impose a redemption fee on the sale of a Fund's shares.

Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on a specific identification basis.

Short Positions — The Funds may sell securities short for economic hedging purposes. Subsequent fluctuations in the market prices of securities sold short may require purchasing the securities at prices which may differ from the market value reflected on the Portfolio of Investments. The Funds are liable for any dividends and interest payable on securities while those securities are in a short position. As collateral for their short positions, the Funds are required under the 1940 Act to maintain assets consisting of cash, cash equivalents or liquid securities. The amount of the collateral is required to be adjusted daily to reflect changes in the value of the securities sold short. The Funds are charged an interest rebate expense by the prime broker on securities sold short. The interest rebate expense is charged for the duration of time that a security is sold short and is shown on the Statements of Operations.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — The following discloses the Funds' use of derivative instruments and hedging activities.

The Funds' investment objectives not only permit the Funds to purchase investment securities, but they also allow certain Funds to enter into various types of derivative contracts, including, but not limited to, swap contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and purchased and written option contracts. In doing so, the Funds will employ strategies in differing combinations to permit them to increase, decrease, or change the level or types of exposure to market factors. Central to those strategies are features inherent to derivatives that make them more attractive for this purpose than equity or debt securities: they require little or no initial cash investment; they can focus exposure on only certain selected risk factors; and they may not require the ultimate receipt or delivery of the underlying security (or securities) to satisfy the contract. This may allow the Funds to pursue their objectives more quickly and efficiently than if they were to make direct purchases or sales of securities capable of effecting a similar response to market factors. The Funds may, but are not required to, seek to reduce their currency risk by hedging part or all of their exposure to various foreign currencies.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
99



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Market Risk Factors: In pursuit of their investment objectives, the Funds may seek to use derivatives to increase or decrease their exposure to the following market risk factors:

Equity Risk: Equity risk relates to the change in value of equity securities as they relate to increases or decreases in the general market. Investments in securities issued by small and medium capitalization companies tend to be less liquid and more volatile than stocks of companies with relatively large market capitalizations. To the extent a Fund invests in securities of small and medium capitalization companies, it may be more vulnerable to adverse business events than larger, more established companies.

Interest Rate Risk: Interest rate risk refers to the fluctuations in value of fixed-income securities resulting from the inverse relationship between price and yield. For example, an increase in general interest rates will tend to reduce the market value of fixed income investments, and a decline in general interest rates will tend to increase the value of such investments. In addition, debt securities with longer maturities, which tend to have higher yields, are subject to potentially greater fluctuations in value from changes in interest rates than obligations with shorter maturities.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk: Foreign exchange rate risk relates to the change in the U.S. dollar value of a security held that is denominated in a foreign currency. The value of a foreign currency denominated security will decrease as the dollar appreciates against the currency, while the value of the foreign currency denominated security will increase as the dollar depreciates against the currency. Adverse changes in exchange rates may erode or reverse any gains produced by foreign currency denominated investments and may widen any losses.

Credit Risk: Credit risk relates to the ability of the issuer to meet interest and principal payments, or both, as they come due. In general, lower-grade, higher-yield bonds are subject to credit risk to a greater extent than lower-yield, higher-quality bonds.

The extent of the impact of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") outbreak on the financial performance of the Funds will depend on future developments, including duration and spread of the outbreak, related advisories and restrictions, and the impact of COVID-19 on the financial markets and the overall economy, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. Adverse market conditions may be prolonged and may not have the same impact on all types of securities. These disruptions could prevent a Fund from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner and could negatively impact the Fund's ability to achieve its investment objective. If the financial markets and/or the overall economy are impacted for an extended period of time, the Funds' results of operations may be materially adversely affected. During the six months ended November 30, 2020, there was no significant impact to the Funds.

Risk of Investing in Derivatives: The Funds' use of derivatives can result in losses due to unanticipated changes in the market risk factors and the overall market. In instances where the Funds are using derivatives to decrease or hedge exposures to market risk factors for securities held by the Funds, there are also risks that those derivatives may not perform as expected, resulting in losses for the combined or hedged positions.

Derivatives may have little or no initial cash investment relative to their market value exposure and therefore can produce significant gains or losses in excess of their cost. This use of embedded leverage allows the Funds to increase their market value exposure relative to their net assets and can substantially increase the volatility of the Funds' performance.

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The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Additional associated risks from investing in derivatives also exist and potentially could have significant effects on the valuation of the derivative instruments and the Funds. Typically, the associated risks are not the risks that the Funds are attempting to increase or decrease exposure to, per their investment objectives, but are the additional risks from investing in derivatives.

Examples of these associated risks are liquidity risk, which is the risk that the Funds will not be able to sell the derivative in the open market in a timely manner, and counterparty credit risk, which is the risk that the counterparty to a transaction will not fulfill its obligation to the Funds. Associated risks can be different for each type of derivative and are discussed by derivative type in the notes that follow.

Option Writing/Purchasing: Certain Funds may write or purchase option contracts to adjust risk and return of their overall investment positions. When a Fund writes or purchases an option, an amount equal to the premium received or paid by the Fund is recorded as a liability or an asset and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written or purchased. Premiums received or paid from writing or purchasing options that expire unexercised are treated by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains or losses. The difference between the premium and the amount paid or received on effecting a closing purchase or sale transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain or loss. If an option is exercised, the premium paid or received is added to the cost of the purchase or proceeds from the sale in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or loss on investment transactions. Risks from entering into option transactions arise from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of the contracts, the potential inability to enter into closing transactions because of an illiquid secondary market and from unexpected movements in security values.

Options held by the Funds at November 30, 2020 are disclosed in the Portfolio of Investments.

During the period ended November 30, 2020, the Funds engaged in option writing/purchasing to limit volatility and correlation and to create income and optionality. The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that a fund as a writer of put options could be required to make is equal to the notional amount multiplied by the exercise price as shown in the Schedule of Investments.

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: The Funds may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts as a way of managing foreign exchange rate risk. The Funds may enter into these contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a fixed price on a future date as a hedge or cross-hedge against either specific transactions or portfolio positions. The objective of the Funds' foreign currency hedging transactions is to reduce risk that the U.S. dollar value of the Funds' securities denominated in foreign currency will decline in value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Foreign currency exchange contracts held by the Funds at November 30, 2020 are disclosed in the Portfolio of Investments.

During the period ended November 30, 2020, the Funds entered into foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge currency risk.

Warrants/Rights: Each Fund may purchase or otherwise receive warrants or rights. Warrants and rights generally give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise, a security of the issuer at a set price. The Funds typically use warrants and rights in a manner similar to their use of purchased options on securities, as described in the Options Writing/Purchasing section above. Risks associated with the use of warrants and rights are generally similar to risks associated with the

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
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The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

use of purchased options. However, warrants and rights often do not have standardized terms, and may have longer maturities and may be less liquid than exchange-traded options. In addition, the terms of warrants or rights may limit each Fund's ability to exercise the warrants or rights at such times and in such quantities as each Fund would otherwise wish. Warrants and rights generally pay no dividends and confer no voting or other rights other than to purchase the underlying security.

Warrants/rights held by the Funds at November 30, 2020 are disclosed in the Portfolio of Investments.

During the period ended November 30, 2020, the Funds held warrants/rights as a result of receiving them from completed deals, and to participate in investment opportunities.

Swaps: Certain Funds may enter into interest rate, index, equity, total return and credit default swap agreements, for hedging and non-hedging purposes. These transactions would be entered into in an attempt to obtain a particular return when it is considered desirable to do so, possibly at a lower cost to a Fund than if the Fund had invested directly in the asset that yielded the desired return. Swap agreements may be executed in a multilateral or other trade facility program, such as a registered exchange ("centrally cleared swaps") or may be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market. The duration of a swap agreement typically ranges from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a "notional amount" (i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, a particular security, in a particular foreign currency, or in a "basket" of securities representing a particular index). In a centrally cleared swap, immediately following execution of the swap agreement, the swap agreement is novated to a central counterparty (the "CCP") and the Fund's counterparty on the swap agreement becomes the CCP.

Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based on the change in market value of underlying assets, which may include a specified security, basket of securities, defined portfolios of bonds, loans and mortgages, or securities indexes during the specified period in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets or indices. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security or market index without owning or taking physical custody of such security or component securities of a market index. Total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to a Fund's portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Total return swaps are a mechanism for the user to accept the economic benefits of asset ownership without utilizing the balance sheet. The other leg of the swap, usually the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or the Federal Funds Rate, is spread to reflect the non-balance sheet nature of the product. Total return swaps can be designed with any underlying asset agreed upon between two parties. Typically no notional amounts are exchanged with total return swaps. Total return swap agreements entail the risk that a party will default on its payment obligations to a Fund thereunder. Swap agreements also entail the risk that a Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty. Generally, a Fund will enter into total return swaps on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The Funds will typically enter into agreements based on either long or short exposure to underlying equities. To help mitigate against default risk by the

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The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

counterparties these agreements are reset monthly, with cashflows exchanged based on the change in the value of the underlying equity from either the opening price or the last reset price, netted against the interest leg of the swap.

Most swap agreements entered into by a Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a "net basis." Consequently, a Fund's current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net present value of amounts to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the "net amount"). A Fund's current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against amounts owed to the Fund), and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements to limit any potential leveraging of a Fund's portfolio. Any net amount accrued but not yet paid to a Fund by the counterparty under a swap agreement (i.e., the Fund's current rights under the swap agreement) is recorded as unrealized appreciation until the amount is paid to the Fund. The Fund's maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk is generally limited to the net payment to be received by the Fund and/or the termination value at the end of the contract. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be "senior securities" for purposes of the Funds' investment restriction concerning senior securities.

Whether a Fund's use of swap agreements will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on management's ability to correctly predict whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Swap agreements that cannot be terminated or sold within seven days may be considered to be illiquid investments. Moreover, a Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. Although centrally cleared swaps typically present less counterparty risk than non-centrally cleared swaps, a Fund that has entered into centrally cleared swaps is subject to the risk of the failure of the CCP. A Fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards for creditworthiness (generally, such counterparties would have to be eligible counterparties under the terms of the Fund's repurchase agreement guidelines) or that are centrally cleared. Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), may limit a Fund's ability to use swap agreements. It is possible that developments in the swap market, including additional government regulation, could adversely affect a Fund's ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements ("ISDA Master Agreements") govern over-the-counter financial derivative transactions entered into by a Fund and counterparty. The ISDA Master Agreements maintain provisions for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral and events of default or termination. Events of termination include conditions that may entitle counterparties to elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all outstanding transactions under the applicable ISDA Master Agreement. Any election to terminate early could be material to the financial statements.

Swap agreements held by the Funds at November 30, 2020 are disclosed in the Portfolio of Investments.

During the period ended November 30, 2020, the Arbitrage Fund, Event-Driven Fund, Credit Opportunities Fund and Long/Short Fund entered into swap agreements to gain efficient exposure to underlying equities.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
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The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments — Fair values of derivatives presented in the financial statements are not netted with the fair value of other derivatives or with any collateral amounts posted by the Funds or any counterparty on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The fair value of derivative instruments for the Funds as of the six months ended November 30, 2020, was as follows:

Derivatives Not
Accounted For As
Hedging Instruments
  Asset
Derivatives
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Location
 

Fair Value

  Liability
Derivatives
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Location
 

Fair Value

 

Arbitrage Fund

 
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts
               
               
               
  Unrealized
appreciation on
forward foreign
currency
exchange
contracts
 

$

1,359,096

    Unrealized
depreciation on
forward foreign
currency
exchange
contracts
 

$

2,494,530

   
Equity Contracts
(purchased
option contracts)
               
  Investments:
at fair value of
unaffiliated
investments
   

771,152

         

   
       

$

2,130,248

       

$

2,494,530

   
Derivatives Not
Accounted For As
Hedging Instruments
  Asset
Derivatives
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Location
 

Fair Value

  Liability
Derivatives
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Location
 

Fair Value

 

Event-Driven Fund

 
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts
               
               
  Unrealized
appreciation on
forward foreign
currency exchange
contracts
 

$

115,145

    Unrealized
depreciation on
forward foreign
currency exchange
contracts
 

$

206,372

   
Equity Contracts
(purchased
option contracts)
               
  Investments:
at fair value of
unaffiliated
investments
   

71,769

         

   
   

$

186,914

       

$

206,372

   

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The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Derivatives Not
Accounted For As
Hedging Instruments
  Asset
Derivatives
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Location
 

Fair Value

  Liability
Derivatives
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Location
 

Fair Value

 

Credit Opportunities Fund

 
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts
               
               
  Unrealized
appreciation on
forward foreign
currency exchange
contracts
 

$

5,197

    Unrealized
depreciation on
forward foreign
currency exchange
contracts
 

$

5,435

   
Equity Contracts
(purchased
option contracts)
               
  Investments:
at fair value of
unaffiliated
investments
   

327,150

         

   
Equity Contracts
(written option
contracts)
       

    Written options,
at value
   

6,115

   
   

$

332,347

       

$

11,550

   
Derivatives Not
Accounted For As
Hedging Instruments
  Asset
Derivatives
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Location
 

Fair Value

  Liability
Derivatives
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Location
 

Fair Value

 

Long/Short Fund

 
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts
               
               
  Unrealized
appreciation on
forward foreign
currency exchange
contracts
 

$

528

    Unrealized
depreciation on
forward foreign
currency exchange
contracts
 

$

1,252

   
Equity Contracts
(purchased
option contracts)
               
  Investments:
at fair value of
unaffiliated
investments
   

1,548

         

   
Equity Contracts
(written option
contracts)
       

    Written options,
at value
   

493

   
       

$

2,076

       

$

1,745

   

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
105



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

The effect of derivative instruments on the Funds' Statement of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 2020, was as follows:

Derivatives Not
Accounted For As
Hedging Instruments
  Location Of Gains/(Loss) On
Derivatives Recognized In Income
  Realized
Gain/(Loss)
On Derivatives
Recognized In
Income
  Change in
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
On Derivatives
Recognized In
Income
 

Arbitrage Fund

 
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from:
Forward currency contracts / Net
change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Forward currency
contracts
 

$

(1,708,660

)

 

$

(4,021,113

)

 
Swap Contracts
               
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from: Swap
contracts / Net change in
unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Swap contracts
   

(16,129,509

)

   

   
Equity Contracts
(purchased option
contracts)
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from:
Purchased option contracts / Net
change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Purchased option
contracts
   

3,310,364

     

(349,834

)

 
       

$

(14,527,805

)

 

$

(4,370,947

)

 
Derivatives Not
Accounted For As
Hedging Instruments
  Location Of Gains/(Loss) On
Derivatives Recognized In Income
  Realized
Gain/(Loss)
On Derivatives
Recognized In
Income
  Change in
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
On Derivatives
Recognized In
Income
 

Event-Driven Fund

 
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from:
Forward currency contracts / Net
change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Forward currency
contracts
 

$

(84,842

)

 

$

(232,773

)

 
Swap Contracts
               
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from: Swap
contracts / Net change in
unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Swap contracts
   

(427,043

)

   

   
Equity Contracts
(purchased option
contracts)
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from:
Purchased option contracts / Net
change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Purchased option
contracts
   

249,565

     

(70,378

)

 
       

$

(262,320

)

 

$

(303,151

)

 

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The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Derivatives Not
Accounted For As
Hedging Instruments
  Location Of Gains/(Loss) On
Derivatives Recognized In Income
  Realized
Gain/(Loss)
On Derivatives
Recognized In
Income
  Change in
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
On Derivatives
Recognized In
Income
 

Credit Opportunities Fund

 
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from:
Forward currency contracts / Net
change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Forward currency
contracts
 

$

(32,685

)

 

$

(238

)

 
Swap Contracts
               
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from: Swap
contracts / Net change in
unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Swap contracts
   

(67,522

)

   

   
Equity Contracts
(purchased option
contracts)
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from:
Purchased option contracts / Net
change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Purchased option
contracts
   

56,951

     

(191,377

)

 
Equity Contracts
(written option
contracts)
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from:
Written option contracts / Net
change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Written option
contracts
   

84,001

     

9,479

   
       

$

40,745

   

$

(182,136

)

 

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
107



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Derivatives Not
Accounted For As
Hedging Instruments
  Location Of Gains/(Loss) On
Derivatives Recognized In Income
  Realized
Gain/(Loss)
On Derivatives
Recognized In
Income
  Change in
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
On Derivatives
Recognized In
Income
 

Long/Short Fund

 
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from:
Forward currency contracts / Net
change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Forward currency
contracts
 

$

(6,847

)

 

$

(2,008

)

 
Swap Contracts
               
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from: Swap
contracts / Net change in
unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Swap contracts
   

(1,365

)

   

   
Equity Contracts
(purchased option
contracts)
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from:
Purchased option contracts / Net
change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Purchased option
contracts
   

(19,630

)

   

(39,040

)

 
Equity Contracts
(written option
contracts)
               
               
  Net realized gains (losses) from:
Written option contracts / Net
change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on: Written option
contracts
   

5,662

     

19,221

   
       

$

(22,180

)

 

$

(21,827

)

 

Volume of derivative instruments held by the Funds during the six months ended November 30, 2020, was as follows:

Derivative Type

 

Unit of Measurement

 

Monthly Average

 

Arbitrage Fund

 

Swap Contracts

 

Notional Quantity

 

$

369,224,352

   
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange
Contracts
  Net Contracts to Deliver/(Receive)
               
   

(77,568,273

)

 

Purchased Option Contracts

 

Contracts

   

5,239

   

Derivative Type

 

Unit of Measurement

 

Monthly Average

 

Event-Driven Fund

 

Swap Contracts

 

Notional Quantity

 

$

26,266,831

   
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange
Contracts
  Net Contracts to Deliver/(Receive)
               
   

(4,476,101

)

 

Purchased Option Contracts

 

Contracts

   

537

   

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The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Derivative Type

 

Unit of Measurement

 

Monthly Average

 

Credit Opportunities Fund

 

Swap Contracts

 

Notional Quantity

 

$

5,535,597

   
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange
Contracts
 
Net Contracts to Deliver/(Receive)
   

(326,883

)

 

Purchased Option Contracts

 

Contracts

   

2,396

   

Written Option Contracts

 

Contracts

   

(197

)

 

Derivative Type

 

Unit of Measurement

 

Monthly Average

 

Long/Short Fund

 

Swap Contracts

 

Notional Quantity

 

$

31,009

   
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange
Contracts
 
Net Contracts to Deliver/(Receive)
   

(122,857

)

 

Purchased Option Contracts

 

Contracts

   

77

   

Written Option Contracts

 

Contracts

   

(47

)

 

Certain derivative contracts are executed under either standardized netting agreements or, for exchange-traded derivatives, the relevant contracts for a particular exchange which contain enforceable netting provisions. A derivative netting arrangement creates an enforceable right of set-off that becomes effective, and affects the realization of settlement on individual assets, liabilities and collateral amounts, only following a specified event of default or early termination. Default events may include the failure to make payments or deliver securities timely, material adverse changes in financial condition or insolvency, the breach of minimum regulatory capital requirements, or loss of license, charter or other legal authorization necessary to perform under the contract.

The Funds held financial instruments such as equity swaps that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements or other similar agreements as of November 30, 2020. At November 30, 2020, there was no unrealized appreciation or depreciation on these instruments held by the Funds. All other derivative contracts held by the Funds were not subject to netting agreements.

Investment Income — Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of any non-reclaimable tax withholdings. Payment-in-kind securities have the option at each interest payment date of making interest payments in cash or additional debt securities. Any interest accrued on payment-in-kind securities is recorded as interest income on an accrual basis. Distributions from REITs may be characterized as ordinary income, net capital gain, or a return of capital to the Funds. The proper characterization of REIT distributions is generally not known until after the end of each calendar year. As such, estimates are used in reporting the character of income and distributions for financial statement purposes when information is not available.

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends arising from net investment income and net capital gain distributions, if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders of the Arbitrage Fund, Event-Driven Fund and Long/Short Fund. Dividends arising from net investment income, if any, are declared daily and paid monthly, and net capital gain distributions, if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders of the Credit Opportunities Fund.

Allocation Between Classes — Investment income earned, realized capital gains and losses, and unrealized appreciation and depreciation are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportionate shares of total net assets of each Fund. Class-specific expenses are charged directly to the class incurring the expense. Common expenses which are not attributable to a

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109



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

specific class are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportionate share of total net assets of each Fund.

Federal Income Tax — It is the Funds' policy to continue to comply with the special provisions of Subchapter M of the Code, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. As provided therein, in any fiscal year in which a fund so qualifies and distributes at least 90% of its taxable net income, a fund (but not the shareholders) will be relieved of Federal income tax on the income distributed. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been made.

As of and during the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Funds did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The Funds recognize interest and, if applicable, penalties for any uncertain tax positions. Interest and penalty expense will be recorded as a component of interest or other tax expense. No interest or penalties were recorded during the six months ended November 30, 2020. The Funds file U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The Funds' tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.

3. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, U.S. government securities, equity swap contracts, purchased and written option contracts and securities sold short, were as follows:

   

Arbitrage Fund

 

Event-Driven Fund

  Credit
Opportunities Fund
  Long/Short
Fund
 

Purchases

 

$

1,649,470,927

   

$

160,335,508

   

$

38,965,739

   

$

2,277,145

   

Sales and Maturities

   

1,470,585,434

     

150,448,627

     

33,083,757

     

2,220,580

   

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of U.S. government securities for the Credit Opportunities Fund were as follows:

   

Credit Opportunities Fund

 

Purchases

 

$

1,964,532

   

Sales

   

1,279,430

   

4. LINE OF CREDIT

The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, entered into an agreement which enables the Arbitrage Fund, the Event-Driven Fund, the Credit Opportunities Fund and the Long/Short Fund to participate in a $50,000,000 unsecured committed revolving line of credit (the "Committed Line") and a $100,000,000 unsecured uncommitted revolving line of credit (the "Uncommitted Line," together with the Committed Line, the "Credit Agreement") with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian"). Borrowings are made solely to temporarily finance the purchase or sale of securities or to finance the redemption of the shares of an investor of the Funds. Interest is charged to the Funds based on their borrowings at a rate per annum of the higher of the LIBOR rate plus 1.25% and the overnight federal funds rate plus 1.25%. The Committed Line has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the Committed Line and is payable quarterly. The Uncommitted Line has an upfront fee of $30,000, is held available on a discretionary demand basis and may be terminated by the Custodian or the Trust at any time for any or no reason. The Trust accrues, on behalf of each of the Funds, the commitment fee on the

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The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

unused portion of the Committed Line. On December 3, 2020 the Trust terminated the Committed Line and renewed the Uncommitted line. Interest is charged to the Funds based on their borrowing at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1.25% on such date and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus 1.25% on such date, plus in each case 10 basis points. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Overnight Bank Funding Rate shall be less than zero, then the Federal Funds Effective Rate or Overnight Bank Funding Rate, shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of determining the rate. Such fees are included in the custodian and bank service fees on the Statements of Operations.

In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority, the United Kingdom's financial regulatory body, announced that after 2021 it will cease its active encouragement of banks to provide quotations needed to sustain the LIBOR rate, which means that the LIBOR rate may no longer be published after 2021. Although there is still uncertainty regarding a replacement rate, it is anticipated that, beginning in 2020, transactions that currently utilize LIBOR will transition to using the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), which is a broad measure of the cost of overnight borrowings secured by U.S. Treasury securities. However, various counterparties or other entities may be unwilling or unable to utilize SOFR prior to 2021 or may be unable to modify existing agreements or instruments in a timely manner. The transition from LIBOR to SOFR (or any other replacement rate) may lead to a reduction in the value of some LIBOR-based investments and the effectiveness of new hedges placed against existing LIBOR-based investments, as well as significant market uncertainty, increased volatility, and illiquidity in markets for various instruments, which may result in prolonged adverse market conditions and impact a Fund's performance or NAV.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Event-Driven Fund and the Credit Opportunities Fund had average borrowings of $1,540,909 and $1,773,529, respectively, over a period of 66 days and 34 days, respectively, at a weighted average interest rate of 1.40% and 1.43%, respectively. Interest expense on the line of credit for the Event-Driven Fund and the Credit Opportunities Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2020, is shown as line of credit interest expense on the Statements of Operations. The Arbitrage Fund, the Credit Opportunities Fund and the Long/Short Fund had no outstanding borrowings at November 30, 2020. The Event-Driven Fund had outstanding borrowings of $500,000 at November 30, 2020.

5. ADVISORY FEES, ADMINISTRATION FEES AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

Investment Advisory Agreement

The Funds' investments are managed by the Adviser according to the terms of Investment Advisory Agreements. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Arbitrage Fund, as amended and restated on October 1, 2007, the Arbitrage Fund pays the Adviser an annual fee, which is computed and accrued daily and paid monthly, of 1.25% on the first $250 million, 1.20% on the next $50 million, 1.15% on the next $50 million, 1.10% on the next $75 million, 1.05% on the next $75 million and 1.00% for amounts over $500 million, based on the Arbitrage Fund's average daily net assets. Effective November 1, 2019, the Event-Driven Fund reduced the annual investment advisory fee to 1.10% based on the Event-Driven Fund's average daily net assets. Prior to November 1, 2019, under the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Event-Driven Fund dated September 27, 2010, the Event-Driven Fund paid the Adviser an annual fee, which was computed and accrued daily and paid monthly, of 1.25% based on the Event-Driven Fund's average daily net assets. Effective August 6, 2018, the Credit Opportunities Fund reduced the annual investment advisory fee to 0.95% on the first $250 million of its average daily net assets, 0.90% on the next $500 million of its average daily net assets and 0.85% on its average daily net assets in excess of $750 million. Prior to August 6, 2018, under the

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111



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Credit Opportunities Fund dated October 1, 2012, the Credit Opportunities Fund paid an average annual fee of 1.00% on the amount of the Credit Opportunities Fund's average daily net assets. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Long/Short Fund dated December 22, 2014, the Long/Short Fund pays the Adviser an annual fee, which is computed and accrued daily and paid monthly, of 1.25% based on the Long/Short Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has contractually agreed, at least until September 30, 2021, to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Funds' other expenses to the extent that total operating expenses (exclusive of taxes, interest, dividends on short positions, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses and other costs incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of portfolio securities) exceed the annual rate of the Funds' average daily net assets attributable to each share class as shown in the table below:

   

Arbitrage Fund

 

Event-Driven Fund

 

Credit Opportunities Fund

 

Long/Short Fund

 

Class R

   

1.69

%

   

1.69

%

   

1.23

%

   

1.69

%

 

Class I

   

1.44

%

   

1.44

%

   

0.98

%

   

1.44

%

 

Class C

   

2.44

%

   

2.44

%

   

1.98

%

   

N/A

   

Class A

   

1.69

%

   

1.69

%

   

1.23

%

   

N/A

   

Effective August 6, 2018, the Adviser has contractually agreed to provide additional expense reimbursements to the Credit Opportunities Fund by lowering the contractual expense limitation, not including taxes, interest, dividends on short positions, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses and other costs incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, to the amounts in the table above. Prior to August 6, 2018, the expense limitation was 1.50% of the Credit Opportunities Fund's average daily net assets allocable to the Class R shares, 1.25% of the Credit Opportunities Fund's average daily net assets allocable to the Class I shares, 2.25% of the Credit Opportunities Fund's average daily net assets allocable to the Class C shares, and 1.50% of the Credit Opportunities Fund's average daily net assets allocable to the Class A shares.

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Arbitrage Fund invested in the Event-Driven Fund. The Adviser has agreed to waive $425,511 in advisory fees paid by the Arbitrage Fund on the Arbitrage Fund's assets that are invested in the Event-Driven Fund.

For the six months ended November 30, 2020, the aggregate net fee paid to the Adviser as a percentage of average net assets for the Arbitrage Fund, Event-Driven Fund, Credit Opportunities Fund and Long/Short Fund was 1.00%, 0.98%, 0.47% and 0.00%, respectively.

The Adviser may recapture any waived amount from a Fund pursuant to the agreement, if such recapture does not cause the Fund to exceed existing expense limitations in effect at the time the amounts were waived, the recapture does not cause the Fund to exceed the current expense limitation and the recapture is done within three years after the date on which the expense was waived. The Adviser can recapture, with the exception of the advisory fees waived related to Arbitrage Fund's investment in the Event-Driven Fund, any fees it has waived within three fiscal years of the year in which the fees were waived subject to the applicable annual rate of: 1.69% for Class R shares, 1.44% for Class I shares, 2.44% for Class C shares and 1.69% for Class A shares of the Arbitrage Fund and Event-Driven Fund. The Adviser can recapture any fees it has waived within three fiscal years of the year in which the fees were waived subject to the applicable annual rate of: 1.69% for Class R shares, 1.44% for Class I shares, 2.44% of the Long/Short Fund. The Advisor can recapture any fees it has waived within three years of the date of the expense waiver

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The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

for the Credit Opportunities Fund subject to the applicable annual rate of 1.23% for Class R shares, 0.98% for Class I shares, 1.98% for Class C shares and 1.23% for Class A shares of the Credit Opportunities Fund for fees waived after August 6, 2018. Prior to August 6, 2018, the Adviser can recapture any fees it has waived within three years after the year in which the expense was waived subject to the applicable annual rate of 1.50% for Class R shares, 1.25% for Class I shares, 2.25% for Class C shares and 1.50% for Class A shares of the Credit Opportunities Fund provided that such recapture would not cause the expense ratio of the Credit Opportunities Fund to exceed the limit in effect at the time such fees were recaptured.

As of November 30, 2020, the balances of future fee and expense recaptures for each Fund were as follows:

    Expiring
May 31, 2021
  Expiring
May 31, 2022
  Expiring
May 31, 2023
 

Total

 

Event-Driven Fund

 

Class R

 

$

212,683

   

$

150,425

   

$

72,714

   

$

435,822

   

Class I

   

390,120

     

392,244

     

279,224

     

1,061,588

   

Class C

   

5,981

     

3,752

     

1,804

     

11,537

   

Class A

   

3,178

     

3,225

     

2,112

     

8,515

   

Credit Opportunities Fund

 

Class R

 

$

42,333

   

$

35,953

   

$

46,492

   

$

124,778

   

Class I

   

126,190

     

244,066

     

305,422

     

675,678

   

Class C

   

2,587

     

2,613

     

2,868

     

8,068

   

Class A

   

655

     

740

     

1,504

     

2,899

   

Long/Short Fund

 

Class R

 

$

1,030

   

$

938

   

$

1,126

   

$

3,094

   

Class I

   

215,161

     

201,824

     

216,303

     

633,288

   

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Adviser did not recapture fees or expenses from the Funds.

Administration Agreement

State Street Bank & Trust Company serves as the Trust's administrator pursuant to an Administration Agreement with the Trust.

Distribution Agreement

ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") serves as the Funds' distributor. The Distributor acts as an agent for the Funds and the distributor of their shares. The Funds have adopted, with respect to their Class R, Class C shares and Class A shares, as applicable, a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act which permits each Fund to pay for expenses incurred in the distribution and promotion of the Funds' Class R shares, Class C shares and Class A shares and for services provided to shareholders. The Plan is a "reimbursement" plan. This means that a Fund's Class R shares, Class C shares and Class A shares only pay the 12b-1 fee to the extent that the Adviser, the Distributor or others have incurred expenses in the promotion and distribution of the shares, including but not limited to, the printing of prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses of preparation of sales literature and related expenses, advertisements, and other distribution-related expenses, as well as any distribution fees paid to securities dealers or others. Under the distribution plan, a Fund may pay compensation to any broker-dealer with whom the Distributor or the Funds has entered into a contract to distribute Class R shares, Class C shares or Class A shares, or to any other qualified financial services firm, for distribution and/or shareholder-related services with respect to shares held or purchased by their respective

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
113



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

customers or in connection with the purchase of shares attributable to their efforts. The amount of payments under the Plan in any year shall not exceed 0.25% for Class R shares, 0.75% for Class C shares and 0.25% for Class A shares, respectively, of the average daily net assets allocable to a Fund's Class R shares, Class C shares and Class A shares, respectively. In addition, the Plan permits each Fund to make payments at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the Fund's Class C shares for expenses incurred in connection with the provision of shareholder support or administrative services for the Fund's Class C shares.

During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Arbitrage Fund's Class R shares incurred $113,265, Class C shares incurred $88,541 and Class A shares incurred $28,290, respectively, in distribution expenses for Class R shares and Class A shares and distribution and shareholder support expenses for Class C shares, all of which was used to compensate broker-dealers. During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Event-Driven Fund's Class R shares incurred $9,395, Class C shares incurred $1,802 and Class A shares incurred $435, respectively, in distribution expenses for Class R shares and Class A shares and distribution and shareholder support expenses for Class C shares, all of which was used to compensate broker-dealers. During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Credit Opportunities Fund's Class R shares incurred $2,403, Class C shares incurred $3,400 and Class A shares incurred $105, respectively, in distribution expenses for Class R shares and Class A shares and distribution and shareholder support expenses for Class C shares, all of which was used to compensate broker-dealers. During the six months ended November 30, 2020, the Long/Short Fund's Class R shares incurred $15, Class C shares incurred $0 and Class A shares incurred $0, respectively, in distribution expenses for Class R shares and Class A shares and distribution and shareholder support expenses for Class C shares, all of which was used to compensate broker-dealers. Effective July 31, 2019, Class A and Class C shares of the Long/Short Fund were liquidated.

Chief Compliance Officer

Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of the Adviser. The Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") of the Trust also serves as the CCO of the Adviser. The Funds currently pay the Adviser 50% of the CCO's salary for the CCO's provision of services to the Funds.

Chief Financial Officer

Foreside Management Services, LLC provides Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") services to the Trust. Foreside Management Services, LLC is compensated by the Trust under a Fund CFO/Treasurer Agreement.

Transfer Agent And Shareholder Services Agreement

DST Systems, Inc. ("DST") is the Funds' transfer agent, and per an agency agreement, maintains the records of each shareholder's account, answers shareholders' inquiries concerning their accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of the Funds shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing agent and performs other shareholder service functions.

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The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

6. AFFILIATED ISSUER TRANSACTIONS

A summary of affiliated transactions for the Arbitrage Fund for the six months ended November 30, 2020 follows:

Affiliated
Issuer
  Beginning
Value
as of
May 31,
2020
  Purchases
at
Cost
  Proceeds
from
Sales
  Net
Realized
Gain/
(Loss)
on
Sales
  Change
in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
  Ending
Value
as of
November 30,
2020
  Shares
as of
November 30,
2020
  Dividend
Income
  Capital
Gain
Distributions
 
Water Island
Event-Driven
Fund
 

$

66,223,311

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

4,283,100

   

$

70,506,411

     

6,589,384

   

$

   

$

   

Other: At November 30, 2020, there were affiliated investors owning 63.68% of Event-Driven Fund's shares.

7. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Proceeds and payments on capital shares as shown in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets are the result of the following capital share transactions for the periods shown:

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
  Year Ended
May 31, 2020
 

Arbitrage Fund - Class R

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

761,878

   

$

10,041,858

     

1,844,057

   

$

23,874,599

   
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions
   

     

     

226,522

     

2,928,930

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(1,640,208

)

   

(21,506,937

)

   

(7,139,305

)

   

(91,524,308

)

 

Net decrease

   

(878,330

)

 

$

(11,465,079

)

   

(5,068,726

)

 

$

(64,720,779

)

 

Arbitrage Fund - Class I

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

13,903,991

   

$

189,530,811

     

26,307,371

   

$

350,888,952

   
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions
   

     

     

1,798,724

     

23,994,981

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(13,493,449

)

   

(184,077,155

)

   

(51,892,203

)

   

(688,847,296

)

 

Net increase/(decrease)

   

410,542

   

$

5,453,656

     

(23,786,108

)

 

$

(313,963,363

)

 

Arbitrage Fund - Class C

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

97,262

   

$

1,208,073

     

362,286

   

$

4,484,833

   
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions
   

     

     

26,490

     

325,301

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(400,903

)

   

(4,986,357

)

   

(323,299

)

   

(3,960,880

)

 

Net increase/(decrease)

   

(303,641

)

 

$

(3,778,284

)

   

65,477

   

$

849,254

   

Arbitrage Fund - Class A

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

760,847

   

$

10,005,242

     

721,756

   

$

9,364,614

   
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions
   

     

     

20,562

     

265,452

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(159,030

)

   

(2,095,232

)

   

(798,929

)

   

(10,288,809

)

 

Net increase/(decrease)

   

601,817

   

$

7,910,010

     

(56,611

)

 

$

(658,743

)

 

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
115



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
  Year Ended
May 31, 2020
 

Event-Driven Fund - Class R

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

69,077

   

$

716,256

     

438,183

   

$

4,185,461

   
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions
   

     

     

3,440

     

33,265

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(95,923

)

   

(975,641

)

   

(2,883,407

)

   

(26,064,348

)

 

Net decrease

   

(26,846

)

 

$

(259,385

)

   

(2,441,784

)

 

$

(21,845,622

)

 

Event-Driven Fund - Class I

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

364,585

   

$

3,769,985

     

5,883,521

   

$

53,863,559

   
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions
   

     

     

44,603

     

434,430

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(684,605

)

   

(7,023,849

)

   

(5,789,051

)

   

(53,843,540

)

 

Net increase/(decrease)

   

(320,020

)

 

$

(3,253,864

)

   

139,073

   

$

454,449

   

Event-Driven Fund - Class C

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

1,221

   

$

12,250

     

10,870

   

$

101,200

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(4,175

)

   

(41,446

)

   

(58,434

)

   

(550,984

)

 

Net decrease

   

(2,954

)

 

$

(29,196

)

   

(47,564

)

 

$

(449,784

)

 

Event-Driven Fund - Class A

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

2,511

   

$

25,351

     

7,600

   

$

73,084

   
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions
   

     

     

180

     

1,743

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(6,754

)

   

(69,398

)

   

(57,399

)

   

(560,515

)

 

Net decrease

   

(4,243

)

 

$

(44,047

)

   

(49,619

)

 

$

(485,688

)

 

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The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
  Year Ended
May 31, 2020
 

Credit Opportunities Fund - Class R

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

34,554

   

$

342,489

     

497,173

   

$

4,825,641

   
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions
   

2,890

     

28,549

     

24,121

     

233,233

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(240,514

)

   

(2,368,869

)

   

(949,307

)

   

(8,929,822

)

 

Net decrease

   

(203,070

)

 

$

(1,997,831

)

   

(428,013

)

 

$

(3,870,948

)

 

Credit Opportunities Fund - Class I

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

1,753,678

   

$

17,278,855

     

2,161,328

   

$

20,403,304

   
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions
   

100,284

     

988,353

     

170,327

     

1,636,801

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(1,235,268

)

   

(12,221,438

)

   

(1,565,768

)

   

(14,940,053

)

 

Net increase

   

618,694

   

$

6,045,770

     

765,887

   

$

7,100,052

   

Credit Opportunities Fund - Class C

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

   

$

     

33,505

   

$

325,001

   
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions
   

754

     

7,436

     

1,057

     

10,156

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(221

)

   

(2,182

)

   

(14,435

)

   

(138,110

)

 

Net increase

   

533

   

$

5,254

     

20,127

   

$

197,047

   

Credit Opportunities Fund - Class A

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

   

$

     

30,785

   

$

297,278

   
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions
   

125

     

1,229

     

748

     

7,170

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

(1,054

)

   

(10,326

)

   

(34,897

)

   

(324,406

)

 

Net decrease

   

(929

)

 

$

(9,097

)

   

(3,364

)

 

$

(19,958

)

 

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
117



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
  Year Ended
May 31, 2020
 

Long/Short Fund - Class R

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Shares

 

Value

 
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions
   

   

$

     

18

   

$

176

   

Net increase

   

   

$

     

18

   

$

176

   

Long/Short Fund - Class I

 

Proceeds from shares sold

   

9,130

   

$

106,461

     

7,089

   

$

70,694

   
Shares issued in reinvestment of
distributions
   

     

     

3,640

     

36,186

   

Payments for shares redeemed

   

     

     

(65,259

)

   

(645,623

)

 

Net increase/(decrease)

   

9,130

   

$

106,461

     

(54,530

)

 

$

(538,743

)

 

Long/Short Fund - Class C(a)

 

Payments for shares redeemed

   

     

     

(1,031

)

   

(10,300

)

 

Net increase/(decrease)

   

   

$

     

(1,031

)

 

$

(10,300

)

 

Long/Short Fund - Class A(a)

 

Payments for shares redeemed

   

     

     

(1,031

)

   

(10,303

)

 

Net increase/(decrease)

   

   

$

     

(1,031

)

 

$

(10,303

)

 

(a)  Effective July 31, 2019, Class A and Class C shares of the Long/Short Fund were liquidated.

8. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

Amounts denominated in or expected to settle in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollars based on exchange rates on the basis outlined below:

A. The market values of investment securities and other assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate of exchange each day.

B. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

C. The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations caused by changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from those caused by changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments. Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from 1) purchases and sales of foreign currencies; 2) currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on security transactions; and 3) the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Funds' books, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Reported net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investment securities, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

9. CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS

The Funds indemnify the Trust's officers and trustees for certain liabilities that might arise from their performance of their duties to the Funds. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which

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118



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

provide general indemnifications. The Funds' maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be remote.

10. SECURITIES LENDING

To generate additional income, the Funds may, from time to time, lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities. At the time of the loan, the Funds must receive from the borrower 102% collateral in the form of cash or U.S. government securities. This collateral must be valued daily and, should the market value of the loaned securities increase, the borrower must furnish additional collateral to the Funds. During the time portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Funds any dividends or interest paid on such securities.

Loans are subject to termination by the Funds or the borrower at any time. While the Funds do not have the right to vote securities on loan, they have the right to terminate the loan and regain the right to vote if that is considered important with respect to the investment. In the event the borrower defaults in its obligation to the Fund, the Funds bear the risk of delay in the recovery of portfolio securities and the risk of loss of rights in the collateral.

The Funds may participate in a securities lending program under which the Funds' custodian, State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian") acting as securities lending agent, is authorized to lend Fund portfolio securities to qualified brokers/dealers and financial institutions that post appropriate collateral. The value of securities loaned will not exceed one-third of the value of the total assets of the Fund making the loan. The Custodian has agreed to indemnify the Fund in case of default of any security borrower.

Securities on loan are fully collateralized and the collateral was equal to or exceeded the securities on loan. Cash collateral is invested in the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class. The Custodian receives a portion of the interest earned on any reinvested collateral. Income received by the Funds in securities lending transactions during the six months ended November 30, 2020, if any, is reflected as securities lending income in the Statement of Operations. The Funds did not participate in securities lending during the six months ended November 30, 2020.

11. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION

In order to avoid imposition of the excise tax applicable to regulated investment companies, it is each Fund's intention to declare as dividends in each calendar year at least 98.0% of its net investment income (earned during the calendar year) and 98.2% of its net realized capital gains (earned during the twelve months ended October 31) plus undistributed amounts from prior years.

The amount of distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These "book/tax" differences are either temporary or permanent in nature and permanent differences are charged or credited to undistributed net investment income (loss), accumulated net realized gain (loss) or paid-in capital as appropriate in the period that the differences arise.

Permanent differences between the Funds' financial statement and income tax reporting requirements are primarily attributable to gains and losses on certain foreign currency related transactions, short sale related dividend expense, investments in passive foreign investment companies, investments in swaps, ordinary loss netting to reduce short-term capital gains,

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
119



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

convertible bonds, corporate actions, non-deductible excise tax activity and partnership basis adjustments. These have no effect on the Funds' net assets or net asset value per share.

Fund

  Distributable
Earnings
(Accumulated Loss)
 

Paid-in Capital

 

Arbitrage Fund

 

$

12,792

   

$

(12,792

)

 

Event-Driven Fund

   

466,034

     

(466,034

)

 

Credit Opportunities Fund

   

919

     

(919

)

 

Long/Short Fund

   

     

   

The tax character of dividends and distributions declared and paid during the years ended May 31, 2020 and May 31, 2019 was as follows:

Fund

  Year
Ended
  Ordinary
Income
  Long-Term
Capital Gains*
  Total
Distributions
 

Arbitrage Fund

 

5/31/2020

 

$

21,844,119

   

$

12,763,361

   

$

34,607,480

   
   

5/31/2019

   

29,608,804

     

2,793,274

     

32,402,078

   

Event-Driven Fund

 

5/31/2020

 

$

519,956

   

$

   

$

519,956

   
   

5/31/2019

   

2,299,685

     

     

2,299,685

   

Credit Opportunities Fund

 

5/31/2020

 

$

1,899,815

   

$

   

$

1,899,815

   
   

5/31/2019

   

1,863,801

     

     

1,863,801

   

Long/Short Fund

 

5/31/2020

 

$

14,062

   

$

22,300

   

$

36,362

   
   

5/31/2019

   

39,986

     

4,350

     

44,336

   

*  The Funds designate these distributions as long-term capital gains dividends per IRC code section 852(b)(3)(C).

As of May 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

    Arbitrage
Fund
 

Event-Driven Fund

  Credit
Opportunities
Fund
  Long/Short
Fund
 
Undistributed ordinary
income
 

$

85,958,483

   

$

   

$

   

$

73,560

   
Accumulated capital
gains/losses
   

     

     

     

   
Unrealized appreciation/
(depreciation)
   

(36,421,971

)

   

(1,715,937

)

   

(1,392,015

)

   

508

   
Capital loss carryover and
late year ordinary
loss deferrals
   

     

(51,575,093

)

   

(1,965,987

)

   

(2,124

)

 
Total distributable
earnings
(accumulated loss)
 

$

49,536,512

   

$

(53,291,030

)

 

$

(3,358,002

)

 

$

71,944

   

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120



The Arbitrage Funds  Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

The following information is computed on a tax basis for each item as of November 30, 2020:

Fund

  Gross
Appreciation
(excess of value
over tax cost)
  Gross
Depreciation
(excess of tax
cost over value)
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
  Aggregate Cost
of Investments
for Income Tax
Purposes
 

Arbitrage Fund

 

$

79,416,370

   

$

(41,080,462

)

 

$

38,335,908

   

$

1,056,224,256

   

Event-Driven Fund

   

5,792,892

     

(2,555,149

)

   

3,237,743

     

88,596,527

   

Credit Opportunities Fund

   

3,246,975

     

(1,808,239

)

   

1,438,736

     

52,967,269

   

Long/Short Fund

   

110,522

     

(110,843

)

   

(321

)

   

710,814

   

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) for the Funds are attributable to constructive sales, dividends related to short securities, swap mark to market, wash sales, convertible bonds, straddle loss deferrals, partnership basis adjustments, forward contracts mark to market and unsettled short sales.

Capital Losses

As of May 31, 2020, the Event-Driven Fund had $42,803,914 of short term and $8,771,179 of long term capital loss carryforwards, the Credit Opportunities Fund had $422,403 of short term and $1,183,171 of long term capital loss carryforwards and Long/Short Fund had $2,124 of long term capital loss carryforwards which may reduce the Funds' taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Code and thus may reduce the amount of the distributions to shareholders which would otherwise be necessary to relieve the Funds of any liability for federal tax.

The Event-Driven Fund utilized $6,475,244 of capital loss carryforwards, and the Credit Opportunities Fund utilized $1,310,691 of capital loss carryforwards during the year ended May 31, 2020.

Late Year Losses

The Credit Opportunities Fund elected to defer to the period ending May 31, 2021 losses in the amount of $360,413.

12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated subsequent events for the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued, and has concluded that there are no recognized or non-recognized subsequent events relevant for financial statement disclosure.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
121



The Arbitrage Funds  Disclosure of Fund Expenses

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a mutual fund, your investment is affected by these ongoing costs, which include (among others) costs for portfolio management, administrative services, distribution (12b-1) expenses, redemption fees and shareholder reports like this one. It is important for you to understand the impact of these costs on your investment returns.

Operating expenses such as these are deducted from a mutual fund's gross income and directly reduce its final investment return. These expenses are expressed as a percentage of a mutual fund's average net assets; this percentage is known as a mutual fund's expense ratio.

The following examples use the expense ratio and are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period.

The table on the following page illustrates your Fund's cost in two ways:

Actual Fund Return. The section helps you to estimate the actual expenses after fee waivers that your Fund incurred over the period. The "Expenses Paid During Period" column shows the actual dollar expense cost incurred by a $1,000 investment in the Fund, and the "Ending Account Value" number is derived from deducting that expense cost from the Fund's gross investment return.

You can use this information, together with the actual amount you invested in the Fund, to estimate the expenses you paid over that period. Simply divide your actual account value by $1,000 to arrive at a ratio (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply that ratio by the number shown for your Fund under "Expenses Paid During Period."

Hypothetical 5% Return. This section helps you compare your Fund's costs with those of other mutual funds. It assumes that the Fund had an annual 5% return before expenses during the period, but that expense ratio (Column 3) for the period is unchanged. This example is useful in making comparisons because the Securities and Exchange Commission requires all mutual funds to make this 5% calculation. You can assess your Fund's comparative cost by comparing the hypothetical result for your Fund in the "Expenses Paid During Period" column with those that appear in the same charts in the shareholder reports for other mutual funds.

Note: Because the return is set at 5% for comparison purposes – NOT your Fund's actual return – the account values shown may not apply to your specific investment.

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122



The Arbitrage Funds  Disclosure of Fund Expenses (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Beginning
Account Value
06/01/2020
  Ending
Account Value
11/30/2020
  Expense
Ratio(a)
  Expenses
Paid During
Period(b)
 

Arbitrage Fund

 

Class R

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,032.20

     

1.54

%

 

$

7.85

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,017.35

     

1.54

%

 

$

7.79

   

Class I

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,033.40

     

1.29

%

 

$

6.58

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,018.60

     

1.29

%

 

$

6.53

   

Class C

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,028.40

     

2.29

%

 

$

11.64

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,013.59

     

2.29

%

 

$

11.56

   

Class A

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,032.30

     

1.54

%

 

$

7.85

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,017.35

     

1.54

%

 

$

7.79

   

(a)  Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half-year expenses.

(b)  Expenses, are equal to the Fund's annualized ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.

    Beginning
Account Value
06/01/2020
  Ending
Account Value
11/30/2020
  Expense
Ratio(a)
  Expenses
Paid During
Period(b)
 

Water Island Event-Driven Fund

 

Class R

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,063.20

     

1.83

%

 

$

9.47

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,015.89

     

1.83

%

 

$

9.25

   

Class I

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,064.70

     

1.58

%

 

$

8.18

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,017.15

     

1.58

%

 

$

7.99

   

Class C

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,059.60

     

2.58

%

 

$

13.32

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,012.13

     

2.58

%

 

$

13.01

   

Class A

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,063.20

     

1.83

%

 

$

9.47

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,015.89

     

1.83

%

 

$

9.25

   

(a)  Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half-year expenses.

(b)  Expenses, are equal to the Fund's annualized ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
123



The Arbitrage Funds  Disclosure of Fund Expenses (continued)

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

    Beginning
Account Value
06/01/2020
  Ending
Account Value
11/30/2020
  Expense
Ratio(a)
  Expenses
Paid During
Period(b)
 

Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund

 

Class R

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,056.90

     

1.31

%

 

$

6.75

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,018.50

     

1.31

%

 

$

6.63

   

Class I

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,057.30

     

1.06

%

 

$

5.47

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,019.75

     

1.06

%

 

$

5.37

   

Class C

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,052.00

     

2.06

%

 

$

10.60

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,014.74

     

2.06

%

 

$

10.40

   

Class A

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,057.10

     

1.31

%

 

$

6.76

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,018.50

     

1.31

%

 

$

6.63

   

(a)  Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half-year expenses.

(b)  Expenses, are equal to the Fund's annualized ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.

    Beginning
Account Value
06/1/2020
  Ending
Account Value
11/30/2020
  Expense
Ratio(a)
  Expenses
Paid During
Period(b)
 

Water Island Long/Short Fund

 

Class R

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,166.50

     

2.11

%

 

$

11.46

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,014.49

     

2.11

%

 

$

10.66

   

Class I

 

Actual

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,166.50

     

1.84

%

 

$

9.99

   
Hypothetical (5% return before
expenses)
 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,015.84

     

1.84

%

 

$

9.30

   

(a)  Annualized, based on the Fund's most recent fiscal half-year expenses.

(b)  Expenses, are equal to the Fund's annualized ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year (183), divided by 365.

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124



The Arbitrage Funds  Additional Information

November 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

1. PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND VOTING RECORD

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge upon request by calling toll-free 1-800-295-4485, or on the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") website at http://www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies will be available without charge upon request by calling toll-free 1-800-295-4485, or on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

2. QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Funds file a complete listing of their portfolio holdings with the SEC as of the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The filings are available upon request by calling 1-800-295-4485. Furthermore, you may obtain a copy of the filing on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

Semi-Annual Report | November 30, 2020
125



Arbitrage Fund

Water Island Event-Driven Fund

Water Island Credit Opportunities Fund

Water Island Long/Short Fund

800-295-4485

www.arbitragefunds.com

Adviser

Water Island Capital, LLC

41 Madison Avenue, 42nd Floor

New York, NY 10010

Distributor

ALPS Distributors, Inc.

1290 Broadway, Suite 1100

Denver, CO 80203

Transfer Agent

DST Systems, Inc.

P.O. Box 219842

Kansas City, MO 64121-9842

Custodian

State Street Bank & Trust

225 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10281

This material must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. Please read it carefully before investing.



 

Item 2.    Code of Ethics.

 

Not applicable to semi-annual report.

 

Item 3.    Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Not applicable to semi-annual report.

 

Item 4.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Not applicable to semi-annual report.

 

Item 5.    Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6.    Schedule of Investments.

 

The Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

Item 7.    Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 8.    Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 9.    Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 10.  Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders.

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees.

 

 

 

Item 11.   Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) within the most recent fiscal half-year of the filing date and have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of that date.

 

(b)There was no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12.   Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

 

 Not applicable.

 

Item 13.    Exhibits.

 

(a)(1)Not applicable to semi-annual report.

 

(a)(2)A separate certification for the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), are attached hereto as exhibit Ex-99.CERT.

 

(a)(3)Not applicable.

 

(a)(4)Not applicable.

 

(b)The certifications by the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as required by Rule 30a-2(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto as Ex-99.906CERT.

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

THE ARBITRAGE FUNDS

 

By:    /s/ John S. Orrico                                                       
     John S. Orrico  
     President (Principal Executive Officer)  
   
Date:    February 5, 2021  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:    /s/ John S. Orrico  
     John S. Orrico  
     President (Principal Executive Officer)  
   
Date:    February 5, 2021  

 

By:    /s/ Monique Labbe  
     Monique Labbe  
     Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)  
   
Date:    February 5, 2021