485APOS 1 d485apos.htm FORM 485APOS Form 485APOS
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 15, 2010

1933 Act Registration No. 033-48940

1940 Act Registration No. 811-06722

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 76

AND/OR

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

AMENDMENT NO. 76

FORWARD FUNDS

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

101 California Street, Suite 1600

San Francisco, California 94111

(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: 1-800-999-6809

 

 

J. ALAN REID, JR.

Forward Funds

101 California Street, Suite 1600

San Francisco, California 94111

(Name and address of agent for service of process)

COPIES TO:

DOUGLAS P. DICK

Dechert LLP

1775 I Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20006

(Name and address of agent for service of process)

 

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

¨ Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

¨ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

x On December 31, 2010 pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box:

¨This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

 

 

 

 

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The information contained herein is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

 

Subject to Completion, dated October 15, 2010

 

LOGO

 

Prospectus

 

[            ], 2010

 

Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

 

     TICKER:
Class M   [            ]

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. It is a criminal offense to say otherwise.

 

 

 

 


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     PAGE  

FUND SUMMARY

    1   

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

    4   

Security Types of the Fund

    4   

DISCUSSION OF PRINCIPAL AND NON-PRINCIPAL RISKS

    6   

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

    9   

Investment Advisor/Portfolio Managers

    9   

Hiring Sub-Advisors without Shareholder Approval

    10   

VALUATION OF SHARES

    10   

PURCHASING SHARES

    12   

How to Buy Shares

    12   

Exchange Privilege

    12   

Pricing of Fund Shares

    13   

Customer Identification Program

    13   

Account Statements and Other Information

    14   

REDEEMING SHARES

    14   

How to Redeem Shares

    14   

Payments of Redemption Proceeds

    14   

POLICIES CONCERNING FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

    14   

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN

    15   

ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO INTERMEDIARIES

    15   

DIVIDENDS AND TAXES

    16   

Federal Taxes

    16   

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

    18   

HOUSEHOLDING

    18   

GENERAL INFORMATION

    18   

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

    18   

FORWARD FUNDS PRIVACY POLICY

    18   

APPENDIX – DESCRIPTION OF MARKET INDEX

    19   


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Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

 

 

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks long term total return.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

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

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

As an investor in Class M shares of the Fund, you do not pay any sales load.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

      CLASS M  

Management Fee(1)

     1.00

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

             

Shareholder Services Fees

             

Other Expenses(2)

             

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(2)

             

Expenses of the Subsidiary

             
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses              

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(3)

             
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement
             

 

(1) The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in a wholly-owned Cayman subsidiary. The Subsidiary (as defined below) has entered into a separate advisory agreement with Forward Management, LLC (“Forward Management”) for the management of the Subsidiary’s portfolio pursuant to which the Subsidiary is obligated to pay Forward Management a management fee at the same rate that the Fund pays Forward Management for services provided to the Fund. Forward Management is contractually obligated to waive the management fee it receives from the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee paid to Forward Management by the Subsidiary. This waiver may not be terminated without the consent of the Board of Trustees of Forward Funds.

 

(2) Other Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

(3) The Fund’s investment advisor is contractually obligated to waive a portion of its fees and reimburse other expenses until April 30, 2012, in amounts necessary to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (exclusive of brokerage costs, interest, taxes, dividends, acquired funds fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) for Class M shares to an annual rate (as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets) of [    ]%.

 

Examples

These Examples are intended to help you compare the costs of investing in Class M shares of the Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Examples assume that you invest $10,000 in the noted class of shares for the time periods indicated. The Examples also assume that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same, and that the contractual fee waiver/reimbursement is in place for the first year. Although actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs whether or not you redeemed your shares would be:

 

      CLASS M  

1 Year

   $     

3 Years

   $     

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example tables, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus and the Fund does not yet have a full calendar year of operating history. Once the Fund has operating history for at least one calendar year, the portfolio turnover rate will be included in this fund summary.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund seeks exposure to the commodity markets and returns that correspond to the Credit Suisse Momentum and Volatility Enhanced Return Strategy Index (“Credit Suisse MOVERS Index”). Commodities are assets that have tangible properties, such as oil, metals, and agricultural products. The Credit Suisse MOVERS Index is composed of long and short commodity positions. The Credit Suisse MOVERS Index’s positioning is driven by a quantitative strategy that determines whether it is long or short individual commodities on the basis of market performance and measures of volatility (i.e., momentum signals). In contrast to traditional, long-only commodity allocations, the Credit Suisse MOVERS Index seeks positive absolute returns at bullish and at bearish points in the commodity cycle for each of the S&P GSCI single commodity sub-indices. A table listing the current 24 sub-indices is included in the Appendix to the Fund’s prospectus. These highly liquid underlying components capture the returns of each commodity in one of the world’s most established commodity benchmarks. From this group, the 10 commodities with the strongest absolute signals, filtered by volatility, are grouped together in an equally-weighted basket. The basket can be comprised of all long, all short, or a combination of long and short positions. Each month the basket’s composition is reweighted using the quantitative strategy and will consist of a new selection of 10 commodity long and/or short positions exhibiting the strongest (bullish or bearish) momentum signals.

 

The Fund seeks exposure to the commodity markets and returns of the Credit Suisse MOVERS Index primarily through investments in commodity-linked derivative instruments, including commodity index-linked notes (sometimes referred to as “structured notes”), swap agreements, commodity options, futures and options on futures, and through investments in the Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy (Cayman) Fund Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary is advised by Forward Management and has the same investment objective as the Fund. As discussed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, the Subsidiary (unlike the Fund) may invest without limitation in commodity-linked swap agreements and other commodity-linked derivative instruments. The Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary will not exceed 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets.

 

Under normal conditions, the commodity-linked derivative instruments purchased by the Fund are collateralized by the Fund with a portfolio of fixed income instruments (i.e., U.S. corporate bonds, U.S. Government or agency securities, municipal debt (including variable amount demand master notes), mortgage-backed securities (both agency and commercial) and asset-backed securities) that are of investment grade quality. The Fund invests in commodity-linked derivative instruments that provide exposure to the commodity markets and returns of the Credit Suisse MOVERS Index without investing directly in physical commodities.

 

The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. In addition, the Fund may invest its assets in particular sectors of the commodities market. The Fund may, without limitation, seek exposure to the securities in which it primarily invests by entering into a series of pur-


 

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chase and sale contracts or by using other investment techniques (such as dollar rolls). The Fund may also purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis.

 

Forward Management actively manages the fixed income instruments held by the Fund with a view towards enhancing the Fund’s total return, subject to an overall portfolio duration which is normally not expected to vary 2.5 years above or below the duration of the Barclays Capital 1-5 Year U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index. The Barclays Capital 1-5 Year U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index is an unmanaged index of fixed-rate government and corporate bonds rated investment grade or higher that have a remaining maturity of one to five years. Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a debt security or portfolio of debt securities to relative changes in interest rates. For instance, a duration of “three” means that a portfolio’s or security’s price would be expected to decrease by approximately 3% with a 1% increase in interest rates (assuming a parallel shift in yield curve). As of [            ], 2010, the duration of the Barclays Capital 1-5 Year U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index was [            ].

 

The Fund may invest all of its assets in commodity-linked derivative instruments either directly or through the Subsidiary. Assets not invested in commodity-linked derivative instruments either directly or through the Subsidiary may be invested in fixed income instruments.

 

Principal Risks

Any of the investments made by the Fund can result in an investment loss, which may be significant. The principal risks of investing in the Fund, which could adversely affect its net asset value and total return, are:

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The holding by the Fund of a substantial portion of its assets in cash and/or cash equivalents such as money market securities, U.S. government obligations and short-term debt securities, which may occur under certain market conditions, could have a negative effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Commodity Sector: Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or sectors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture, and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, and events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

 

Debt Securities: Debt securities in which the Fund may invest are subject to several types of investment risk, including market or interest rate risk (i.e., the risk that their value will be affected by fluctuations in the prevailing interest rates), credit risk (i.e., the risk that the issuer may be unable to make timely interest payments and repay the principal upon maturity), call or income risk, (i.e., the risk that certain debt securities with high interest rates will be prepaid or “called” by the issuer before they mature), and event risk (i.e., the risk that certain debt securities may suffer a substantial decline in credit quality and market value if the issuer restructures).

 

Derivatives: The market value of the derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest, including options, futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swap agreements and other similar instruments, may be more volatile than that of other instru-

ments. When investing in derivatives for hedging purposes, certain additional transaction costs may be accrued that may reduce the Fund’s performance. In addition, there can be no assurance given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged, or that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by Forward Management.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”): The risks associated with investing in the Fund are closely related to the risks associated with the securities and other investments held by the ETFs in which the Fund may invest. The value of the Fund’s investment will fluctuate in response to the performance of the ETFs owned by the Fund, and the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the ETFs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying the Fund’s expenses. References to the “Fund” in these risks include the Fund or underlying ETF, as applicable.

 

Government-Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”): Certain GSEs (such as Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and FHLB), although sponsored or chartered by the U.S. Government, are not funded by the U.S. Government and the securities they issue are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. As a result, securities issued by GSEs carry greater credit risk than securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or government agencies that carry the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

 

Liquidity: Liquidity risk is financial risk due to uncertain liquidity. An institution might lose liquidity for a variety of reasons. In addition, certain types of securities, such as derivative based securities and privately issued mortgage-related securities and other asset-backed securities without a government or government-sponsored guarantee, are subject to greater liquidity risk.

 

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities: Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, the Fund may exhibit additional volatility (i.e., extension risk). In addition, when interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Fund because the Fund will have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates (i.e., prepayment risk). The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable in quality to mortgage assets. If the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the security. In the event of a default, the Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed.

 

No Operating History: The Fund has not operated for a full fiscal year and as such has no prior operating history by which an investor can evaluate performance.

 

Non-Diversification: The Fund is non-diversified, which means it is subject to relaxed limits on the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. Because the appreciation or depreciation of a single portfolio security may have a greater impact on the net asset value of the Fund, the net asset value per share of the Fund can be expected to fluctuate more than that of a comparable diversified fund.

 

Portfolio Turnover: The Fund is generally expected to engage in frequent and active trading of portfolio securities to achieve its investment objective. A higher turnover rate (100% or more) will involve correspondingly greater transaction costs, which will be borne directly by the Fund, may have an adverse impact on performance, and may


 

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increase the potential for more taxable distributions being paid to shareholders, including short-term capital gains that are taxed at ordinary income rates.

 

Repurchase Agreements: Repurchase agreements involve the risk that a seller will become subject to bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings or fail to repurchase a security from the Fund. In such situations, the Fund may incur losses including as a result of (a) a possible decline in value of the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (b) a possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period, and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

 

Subsidiary: By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund will be indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments, which are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), and, unless otherwise noted in the Fund’s prospectus, is not subject to all of the provisions of the 1940 Act.

 

Tax: The federal income tax treatment of the complex securities in which the Fund may invest may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). It could be more difficult to comply with the tax requirements applicable to regulated investment companies if the tax characterization of investments or the tax treatment of the income from such investments were successfully challenged by the IRS. Any such failure to comply with the rules applicable to regulated investment companies could make it more difficult for the Fund itself to comply with such rules.

 

Please see “Discussion of Principal Risks” in the Fund’s prospectus for a more detailed description of the risks of investing in the Fund. It is possible to lose money on an investment in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

 

Performance Information

The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus and the Fund does not yet have a full calendar year of investment returns. Once the Fund has performance for at least one calendar year, a bar chart and performance table will be included in this fund summary.

 

Investment Advisor/Portfolio Managers

The Fund is team managed and all investment decisions are made jointly by the team. Nathan J. Rowader, Director of Investments, has primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Subsidiary. The members of the Fund’s team are: Mr. Rowader, Jim O’Donnell, CFA, President of Forward Asset Management and Chief Investment Officer of Forward Management, Paul Herber, CFA, Investment Officer and David L. Ruff, CFA, Portfolio Manager. Messrs. Rowader, O’Donnell, Herber and Ruff have managed the Fund since its inception.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Shares of the Fund may be purchased or sold (redeemed) on any business day (normally any day when the New York Stock Exchange is open). Class M shares of the Fund may only be purchased or sold through asset allocation, wrap fee and other similar fee-based advisory programs sponsored by financial intermediaries, such as brokerage firms, investment advisors, financial planners, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and any other institutions having a selling, administration or any similar agreement with the Fund’s Distributor.

 

There is no minimum initial or subsequent investment amount for purchasing Class M shares of a Fund.

Tax Information

The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, capital gains, or a combination of the two, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. Investments held through such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed in the future upon withdrawal from such arrangements.

 

Payments to Broker-dealers and

Other Financial Intermediaries

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


 

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Additional Investment Strategies and Risks

 

 

In addition to the principal strategies and risks identified above, the following non-principal strategies and risks apply to the Fund.

 

Lending of Portfolio Securities

In order to generate additional income, the Fund from time to time may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities. During the time portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any dividends or interest paid on such securities. In the event the borrower defaults on its obligation to the Fund, the Fund could experience delays in recovering its securities and possible capital losses.

 

Changes of Investment Objective

The investment objective of the Fund is non-fundamental and may be changed without a vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

Defensive Positions; Cash Reserves

Under adverse market conditions or to meet anticipated redemption requests, the Fund may not follow its principal investment strategy. Under such conditions, the Fund may invest without limit in money market securities, U.S. Government obligations, and short-term debt securities. This could have a negative effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Although the issuers of certain federal agency securities or government-sponsored entity securities in which the Fund may invest (such as debt securities or mortgage-backed securities issued by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLB”), and other government-sponsored entities) may be chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, the issuers are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their securities are neither guaranteed nor issued by the United States Treasury.

 

The Fund is authorized to invest its cash reserves (funds awaiting investment) in the specific types of securities to be acquired by the Fund or cash to provide for payment of the Fund’s expenses or to permit the Fund to meet redemption requests. The Fund also may create equity or fixed-income exposure for cash reserves through the use of options or futures contracts in accordance with its investment objective to minimize the impact of cash balances. This will enable the Fund to hold cash while receiving return on the cash that is similar to holding equity or fixed-income securities.

 

Management Risk

The strategy used by Forward Management may fail to produce the intended result or Forward Management’s judgment about the attractiveness of a particular sector or security may prove to be incorrect.

 

Market Risk

Securities markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to issuer, political, market, and economic developments. Historically, markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. The Fund’s portfolio securities can be affected by events that affect the securities markets generally or particular segments of the market in which the Fund has invested. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is a principal risk of investing in the Fund.

 

Other Investments Techniques and Risks

The Fund may invest in other types of securities and use a variety of investment techniques and strategies which are not described in this prospectus. These securities and techniques may subject the Fund to additional risks. Please review the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for more information about the additional types of securities in which the Fund may invest and their associated risks.

 

SECURITY TYPES OF THE FUND

The security types in which the Fund may invest (as discussed in the “Fund Summary” section above) are as follows:

 

Asset-Backed Securities

Asset-backed securities are securities backed by non-mortgage assets such as company receivables, truck and auto loans, leases, and credit card receivables. Asset-backed securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates, which represent undivided fractional ownership interests in the underlying pools of assets. Therefore, repayment depends largely on the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities.

 

Commodity Futures and Options on Commodity Futures

Futures contracts and options on futures contracts allow for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific commodity at a specified future time and at a specified price. The purchase of a futures contract enables the Fund, during the term of the contract, to lock in a price at which it may purchase a commodity and protect against a rise in prices. Futures contracts enable the seller to lock in a price at which it may sell a commodity and protect against declines in the value of the commodity. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (in exchange for a premium) to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option.

 

Commodity Swaps

Commodity swaps are two party contracts in which the parties agree to exchange the return or interest rate on one instrument for the return of a particular commodity, commodity index or commodities futures or options contract. The payment streams are calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional amount. Swaps will normally be entered

 

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Additional Investment Strategies and Risks

 

 

into on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund (whether directly or through the Subsidiary) receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund’s obligations (whether directly or through the Subsidiary) under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the maintenance of a segregated account consisting of cash or liquid securities to avoid any potential leveraging of the Fund.

 

Commodity-Linked Notes

Commodity-linked notes are derivative debt instruments whose principal and/or interest payments are linked to the price movement of a commodity, commodity index or commodity futures or option contract. Commodity-linked notes are typically issued by a bank or other financial institution and are sometimes referred to as structured notes because the terms of the notes may be structured by the issuer and the purchaser of the notes to accommodate the specific investment requirements of the purchaser.

 

Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in short- and/or long-term debt securities. Debt securities are used by issuers to borrow money. The issuer usually pays a fixed, variable or floating rate of interest, and must repay the amount borrowed at the maturity of the security. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest but are sold at a discount from their face values. Debt securities include corporate bonds (including convertible bonds), government securities, and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities.

 

Derivatives

The Fund may invest in derivatives, which are securities whose value “derives” from the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. These instruments include options, futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swap agreements, and similar instruments. The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined by Forward Management to be liquid in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees to cover its derivative obligations.

 

Government-Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”)

GSEs are privately-owned corporations created by Congress to provide funding and help to reduce the cost of capital for certain borrowing sectors of the economy such as homeowners, students, and farmers. GSE securities are generally perceived to carry the implicit backing of the U.S. Government, but they are not direct obligations of the U.S. Government and are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. As such, GSEs are different from “agencies,” which have the explicit backing of the U.S. Government.

 

Illiquid Securities

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that do not have a readily available market or that are subject to resale restrictions). Generally, a security is considered illiquid if it cannot be disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the price at which the Fund has valued the investment.

 

Investment Grade Debt Securities

Investment grade debt securities are securities rated as investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”) (e.g., rated in the “Baa” category or above by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), or in the “BBB” category or above by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Fitch Investors Service (“Fitch”)) at the time of purchase, or, if unrated, are determined to be of the same quality by Forward Management. Generally, debt securities in these categories should have adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

 

Investments in a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary

Investments in the Subsidiary are expected to provide the Fund with exposure to the commodity markets within the limitations of the Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and recent IRS revenue rulings, as discussed below under “Federal Taxes” in this prospectus.

 

It is expected that the Subsidiary will invest primarily in commodity-linked derivative instruments, including commodity futures contracts, commodity swaps and options on commodity futures. Although the Fund may enter into these commodity-linked derivative instruments directly, the Fund likely will gain exposure to these derivative instruments indirectly by investing in the Subsidiary. When Forward Management believes that these commodity-linked derivative instruments are better suited to provide exposure to the commodities market than commodity-linked notes, the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary will likely increase. The Subsidiary also will invest in fixed income instruments, which are intended to both serve as collateral and enhance the Fund’s total return. To the extent that the Fund invests in the Subsidiary, it will be subject to the risks associated with those derivative instruments and other securities, which are discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, as if the Fund were investing in those derivative instruments and other securities directly rather than through the Subsidiary.

 

The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act. The Subsidiary has the same investment objective and is subject to substantially the same investment policies and investment restrictions as the Fund, except that the Subsidiary (unlike the Fund) may invest without limitation in commodity swaps and other commodity-linked derivative instruments. The Subsidiary will also be subject to the same compliance policies and procedures as the Fund. In addition, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and Forward Management acts as investment advisor to the Fund and the investment advisor to the Subsidiary.

 

Money Market Securities

Money market securities are high quality, short-term debt securities that pay a fixed, variable or floating interest rate. Securities are often specifically structured so that they are eligible investments for a money market fund. For example, in order to satisfy the maturity restrictions for a money market fund, some money market securities have demand or put features which have the effect of shortening the security’s maturity.

 

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Mortgage-Related Securities

Mortgage-related securities are interests in pools of mortgages. Payment of principal or interest generally depends on the cash flows generated by the underlying mortgages. Mortgage-related securities may be U.S. Government securities or issued by a bank or other financial institution.

 

Structured Notes

A structured note is a debt obligation that may contain an embedded derivative component with characteristics that adjust the security’s risk/return profile. The return performance of a structured note will track that of the underlying debt obligation and the derivative embedded within it. A structured note is a hybrid security that attempts to change its profile by including additional modifying structures.

 

Swaps

Swaps are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than a year. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange 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., a return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index).

 

TBAs

A TBA (To Be Announced) transaction is a contract for the purchase or sale of a mortgage-backed security for future settlement at an agreed upon date but does not include a specified mortgage pool number, number of mortgage pools, or precise amount to be delivered.

 

U.S. Government Securities

U.S. Government securities are high quality securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government. U.S. Government securities may be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, or the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the security.

 

When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery and Forward Commitments

The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis, may purchase and sell such securities on a delayed-delivery basis, and may enter into contracts to purchase such securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond normal settlement time (i.e., forward commitments). The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined by Forward Management to be liquid in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees to cover its obligations with respect to any when-issued securities, delayed delivery securities or forward commitments. Typically, no income accrues on securities the Fund has committed to purchase prior to the time delivery of the securities is made, although the Fund may earn income on securities it has segregated or “earmarked” to cover these positions.

 

Discussion of Principal and Non-Principal Risks

 

 

There are inherent risks associated with the Fund’s principal investment strategies. The factors that are most likely to have a material effect on the Fund’s investment portfolio as a whole are called “principal risks.” The principal risks of the Fund are summarized in the “Fund Summary” section above and further described below along with the non-principal risks of the Fund. The Fund may be subject to additional risks other than those described because the types of investment made by the Fund may change over time. Because the Fund may invest in other investment companies, it will be subject to the same risks of the other investment companies to the extent of its investment. For additional information regarding risks of investing in the Fund, please see the SAI.

 

Principal Risks

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The holding by the Fund of a substantial portion of its assets in cash and/or cash equivalents such as money market securities, U.S. government obligations and short-term debt securities, which may occur under certain market conditions, could have a negative effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Commodity Sector

Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or sectors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The energy sector can be significantly affected by changes in the prices and supplies of oil and other energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, and tax and other government regulations, policies of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and relationships among OPEC members and between OPEC and oil importing nations. The metals sector can be affected by sharp price volatility over short periods caused by global economic, financial and political factors, resource availability, government regulation, economic cycles, changes in inflation or expectations about inflation in various countries, interest rates, currency fluctuations, metal sales by

 

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governments, central banks or international agencies, investment speculation and fluctuations in industrial and commercial supply and demand. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, including the banking, brokerage and insurance sectors. As a result, events affecting issuers in the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

 

Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in short-term and/or long-term debt securities. Debt securities in which the Fund may invest are subject to several types of investment risk. They may have market or interest rate risk, which means their value will be affected by fluctuations in the prevailing interest rates. Bonds are subject to the risk that interest rates will rise and that, as a result, bond prices will fall, lowering the value of the Fund’s investments in bonds. Investments in these types of securities pose the risk that Forward Management’s forecast of the direction of interest rates might be incorrect.

 

Debt securities are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer may be unable to make timely interest payments and repay the principal upon maturity. The credit quality of a bond or fixed-income holding could deteriorate as a result of a bankruptcy or extended losses. There is no guarantee that a sovereign government will support certain government sponsored entity securities and, accordingly, these securities involve a risk of non-payment of principal and interest. In addition, the value of the Fund’s debt securities will generally decline if the credit rating of the issuer declines, and an issuer whose credit rating has declined may be unable to make payments of principal and/or interest.

 

Call or income risk exists with respect to corporate bonds during periods of falling interest rates because of the possibility that securities with high interest rates will be prepaid or “called” by the issuer before they mature. The Fund would have to reinvest the proceeds at a possibly lower interest rate. The Fund may also be subject to event risk, which is the possibility that corporate debt securities held by the Fund may suffer a substantial decline in credit quality and market value if the issuer restructures.

 

Debt securities generally increase in value during periods of falling interest rates and decline in value if interest rates increase. Usually, the longer the remaining maturity of a debt security is, the greater the effect interest rate changes have on its market value.

 

Derivatives

The Fund may invest in derivatives, which are securities whose value is based on the value of another security or index. These instruments include options, futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swap agreements, and similar instruments. There is limited consensus as to what constitutes a “derivative.” For the Fund’s purposes, derivatives may also include customized baskets or options (which may incorporate other securities directly and also various derivatives including common stock, options and futures) structured as agreed upon by a counterparty, as well as specially structured types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities whose value is linked to foreign currencies. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments, and certain derivatives may create a risk of loss greater than the amount invested.

 

Investing for hedging purposes or to increase the Fund’s return may result in certain additional transaction costs that may reduce the Fund’s performance. The Fund may use a variety of currency hedging techniques to attempt to hedge exchange rate risk or gain exposure to a particular currency. When used for hedging purposes, no assurance can be given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged. Because the markets for certain derivative instruments are relatively new, suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes and there can be no assurance that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by Forward Management, or if available, that such techniques will be utilized by Forward Management.

 

The market value of derivative instruments and securities may be more volatile than that of other instruments, and each type of derivative instrument may have its own special risks, including the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly with underlying assets, rates, and indexes. Many derivatives, in particular privately negotiated derivatives, are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to the Fund. The value of derivatives may not correlate perfectly, or at all, with the value of the assets, reference rates or indexes they are designed to closely track.

 

Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, including liquidity risk (the possibility that the derivative may be difficult to purchase or sell and Forward Management may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price), leverage risk (the possibility that adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in loss of an amount substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative), interest rate risk (some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations), and counterparty risk (the risk that a counterparty may be unable to perform according to a contract, and that any deterioration in a counterparty’s creditworthiness could adversely affect the instrument). In addition, because derivative products are highly specialized, investment techniques and risk analyses employed with respect to investments in derivatives are different from those associated with stocks and bonds. Finally, the Fund’s use of derivatives may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates) than if the Fund had not used such instruments. Derivative instruments are also subject to the risk that the market value of an instrument will change to the detriment of the Fund. If Forward Management inaccurately forecast the values of securities, currencies or interest rates or other economic factors in using derivatives, the Fund might have been in a better position if it had not entered into the transaction at all. Some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, but they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other investments held by the Fund. The Fund may also have to buy or sell a security at a disadvantageous time or price because regulations require funds to maintain offsetting positions or asset coverage in connection with certain derivatives transactions.

 

The SAI provides a more detailed description of the types of derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest and their associated risks.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)

The Fund’s investment in ETFs will be subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities or other property held by the ETFs. The value of the Fund’s investment will fluctuate in response to the performance of the ETFs owned by the Fund. In addition to brokerage costs associated with the Fund’s pur-

 

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chase and sale of shares of ETFs, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the ETFs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying the Fund’s expenses. The market value of an ETF share may differ from its net asset value and there may be times when an ETF share trades at a premium or discount to its net asset value.

 

Many ETFs are intended to provide investment results that, before expenses, generally correspond to the price and yield performance of a corresponding market index or basket of securities, and the value of their shares should, under normal circumstances, closely track the value of the underlying component stocks. ETFs generally do not buy or sell securities, except to the extent necessary to conform their portfolios to the corresponding index. Because an ETF has operating expenses and transaction costs, while a market index or basket of securities does not, ETFs that track particular indices or baskets of securities typically will be unable to match the performance of the index or basket of securities exactly. Investment in the Fund should be made with the understanding that the ETFs in which the Fund invests will not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices or baskets of securities they track because the total return generated by the securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of the securities and other ETF expenses, whereas such transaction costs and expenses are not included in the calculation of the total returns of the indices or baskets of securities. Certain securities comprising the indices or baskets of securities tracked by the ETFs may, from time to time, temporarily be unavailable.

 

Government-Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”)

Certain GSEs (such as Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and FHLB), although sponsored or chartered by the U.S. Government, are not funded by the U.S. Government and the securities they issue are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. As a result, securities issued by GSEs carry greater credit risk than securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or government agencies that carry the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

 

Liquidity

Liquidity risk is financial risk due to uncertain liquidity. An institution might lose liquidity if its credit rating falls, it experiences sudden unexpected cash outflows, or some other event causes counterparties to avoid trading with or lending to the institution. A firm is also exposed to liquidity risk if markets on which it depends are subject to loss of liquidity. Derivative based securities and privately issued mortgage-related securities and other asset-backed securities, which do not have a government or government-sponsored guarantee, that are subject to substantial market and credit risk may have greater liquidity risk. Less liquid securities may trade infrequently, trade at a smaller volume and be quite volatile. This means that they may be harder to purchase or sell at a fair price or quickly enough to prevent or minimize loss.

 

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities

A mortgage-backed security, which represents an interest in a pool of assets such as mortgage loans, will mature when all the mortgages in the pool mature or are prepaid. Therefore, mortgage-backed securities do not have a fixed maturity, and their expected maturities may vary when interest rates rise or fall.

 

Mortgage-backed securities are subject to extension risk, which is the risk that a Fund that holds mortgage-backed securities may exhibit additional volatility during periods of rising interest rates. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. In addition, mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment risk. When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Fund because the Fund will have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates.

 

The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable in quality to mortgage assets. If the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the security. In the event of a default, the Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed.

 

No Operating History

The Fund has not operated for a full fiscal year and as such has no prior operating history by which an investor can evaluate performance.

 

Non-Diversification

As a non-diversified fund, the Fund is subject to relaxed limits on the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. The Fund must, however, comply with tax diversification regulations, which require it to be diversified at each quarter end with respect to at least half of its assets.

 

As a “non-diversified” mutual fund, the Fund has the ability to invest a larger percentage of its assets in the securities of a smaller number of issuers than a “diversified” fund. Because the appreciation or depreciation of a single portfolio security may have a greater impact on the net asset value of the Fund, the net asset value per share of the Fund can be expected to fluctuate more than that of a comparable diversified fund.

 

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund is generally expected to engage in frequent and active trading of portfolio securities to achieve its investment objective. A higher turnover rate (100% or more) will involve correspondingly greater transaction costs (such as brokerage commissions or markups or markdowns), which will be borne directly by the Fund, may have an adverse impact on performance, and may increase the potential for more taxable distributions being paid to shareholders, including short-term capital gains that are taxed at ordinary income rates. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate will vary from year to year.

 

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Repurchase Agreements

Repurchase agreements are transactions in which an institution (e.g., a bank or securities firm) sells a Fund a security at one price and agrees to repurchase that security at a higher price, normally within a seven day period. Each repurchase agreement entered into by a Fund will be fully collateralized at all times during the period of the agreement by securities in which the Fund can invest. If a seller becomes subject to bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings or fails to repurchase a security from a Fund, the Fund may incur losses including as a result of (a) a possible decline in value of the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (b) a possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period, and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

 

Subsidiary

The Fund, through its investments in the Subsidiary, will be indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The derivatives and other investments that will be held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and will be subject to the same risks applicable to similar investments held directly by the Fund. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the SAI and could adversely affect the Fund.

 

Tax

The federal income tax treatment of the complex securities in which the Fund may invest may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). It could be more difficult to comply with the tax requirements applicable to regulated investment companies if the tax characterization of investments or the tax treatment of the income from such investments were successfully challenged by the IRS. Any such failure to comply with the rules applicable to regulated investment companies could make it more difficult for the Fund itself to comply with such rules. In addition, the Fund’s use of derivatives may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income rates) than if the Fund had not used such instruments.

 

Non-Principal Risks

 

Foreign Securities

 

Investments in foreign securities may present more risk than investing in U.S. securities due to a number of factors. In particular, as a result of investing in foreign securities, the Fund may be subject to increased risk of loss caused by any of the factors listed below:

   

Unstable political, social, and economic conditions;

   

Lower levels of liquidity and market efficiency;

   

Greater securities price volatility;

   

Currency exchange rate fluctuations, exchange control, and restrictions or prohibitions on the repatriation of foreign currencies;

   

Less availability of adequate or accurate public information about issuers;

   

Limitations on foreign ownership of securities;

   

Imposition of withholding taxes, other taxes or exit levies;

   

Imposition of restrictions on the expatriation of funds or other assets of the Fund;

   

Higher transaction and custody costs and delays in settlement procedures;

   

Difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations;

   

Lower levels of regulation of the securities market and other differences in the way securities markets operate;

   

Weaker accounting, disclosure, and reporting requirements; and

   

Legal principles relating to corporate governance, directors’ fiduciary duties and liabilities, and stockholders’ rights in markets in which the Fund invests may not be as extensive as those that apply in the United States.

 

In addition, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. Investments in emerging markets in particular involve even greater risks such as immature economic structures and different legal systems.

 

Management of the Fund

 

 

INVESTMENT ADVISOR/PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Forward Management serves as investment advisor to the Fund. Forward Management is located at 101 California Street, Suite 1600, San Francisco, California 94111. As of December 31, 2009, Forward Management had approximately $5.4 billion of assets under management.

 

Forward Management has the authority to manage the Fund in accordance with the investment objective, policies, and restrictions of the Fund, subject to general supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Forward Management has managed the Forward Funds since September 1998 and the Forward Funds are its principal investment advisory clients. Forward Management directly manages the Fund’s assets without the use of a sub-advisor. Forward Management also provides the Fund with ongoing management supervision and policy direction.

 

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Management of the Fund

 

 

The Fund pays a management fee to Forward Management for its services as investment advisor to the Fund. The fee is computed daily and paid monthly at the annual rate of 1.00% based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

The Subsidiary has entered into a separate advisory agreement with Forward Management for the management of the Subsidiary’s portfolio pursuant to which the Subsidiary is obligated to pay Forward Management a management fee at the same rate that the Fund pays Forward Management for services provided to the Fund. Forward Management has agreed to waive the management fee it receives from the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee paid to Forward Management by the Subsidiary. This waiver may not be terminated without the consent of the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the investment advisory contract of the Fund will be available in the Forward Funds’ semi-annual report for the period ending June 30, 2011.

 

The Fund is team managed and all investment decisions are made jointly by the team. The team is primarily responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Fund and the Subsidiary. The members of the team are:

 

Jim O’Donnell, CFA. Mr. O’Donnell is President of Forward Asset Management and Chief Investment Officer of Forward Management. He has held this position since July 2006. Mr. O’Donnell has overall responsibility for asset management at Forward Management. From September 2001 to October 2002 and from February 2004 to May 2006, Mr. O’Donnell was an Analyst with Meisenbach Capital, conducting fundamental and financial analysis for a hedge fund portfolio. Between November 2002 and February 2004, Mr. O’Donnell was a consultant with Rainmaker Alliance, consulting with venture capital and start-up firms on financial models, projections, and business strategy. From April 1993 to August 2001, Mr. O’Donnell was a Portfolio Manager for Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, responsible for stock selection and financial analysis for large cap, mid cap and small cap portfolios. Mr. O’Donnell is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds an MBA. Mr. O’Donnell has managed the Fund since inception.

 

Nathan J. Rowader. Mr. Rowader has been with Forward Management since September 2008 as Director of Investments. Mr. Rowader has primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Subsidiary. Prior to joining Forward Management, Mr. Rowader was with Accessor Capital Management from February 2007, as Investment Officer and member of Accessor’s Investment Committee; from December 2007, as Senior Investment Officer; and from February 2008 as Chief Investment Officer. Prior to Accessor Capital Management, Mr. Rowader was a Risk Management Analyst at OppenheimerFunds from 2005 to February 2007 and a Fund Analyst at OppenheimerFunds from 2004 to 2005. Prior to the OppenheimerFunds, Mr. Rowader served as a Financial Consultant at Linsco/Private Ledger from 2003 to 2004 and as a Senior Project Manager at WallStreetOnDemand from 1998 to 2003. Mr. Rowader holds an MBA. Mr. Rowader has managed the Fund since inception.

 

Paul Herber, CFA. Mr. Herber has been with Forward Management since September 2008 as an Investment Officer. Prior to joining Forward Management, Mr. Herber was with Accessor Capital Management since February 2008 as an Investment Officer and member of Accessor’s Investment Committee. Prior to Accessor Capital Management, Mr. Herber was a Research Analyst at Wexford Capital Management from February 2006 to January 2008; the owner and operator of Genesis Games and Gizmos from June 2004 to January 2006; and a research associate at Capital International from June 2002 through May 2004. Mr. Herber has been a CFA Charterholder since 2003. Mr. Herber has managed the Fund since inception.

 

David L. Ruff, CFA. Mr. Ruff is a Portfolio Manager for Forward Management with emphasis on Small-Mid Core, U.S. Dividend, Global Dividend, and International Dividend strategies and has held this position since August 2008. Mr. Ruff has co-primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund. From 2001 to July 2008, Mr. Ruff was Chief Investment Officer and a Member of the Investment Policy Committee for Berkeley Capital Management. From 1987-2001, Mr. Ruff was Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for London Pacific Advisors. Mr. Ruff is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr. Ruff has managed the Fund since inception.

 

The SAI contains additional information about portfolio manager compensation, other accounts managed by each portfolio manager, and each portfolio manager’s ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

HIRING SUB-ADVISORS WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL

Forward Management and Forward Funds have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits Forward Management, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, to hire and terminate non-affiliated sub-advisors or to materially amend existing sub-advisory agreements with non-affiliated sub-advisors for the Forward Funds without shareholder approval. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, shareholders of the affected Fund will be notified of sub-advisor changes within 90 days after the effective date of such change.

 

Valuation of Shares

 

 

The price you pay for a share of a Fund, and the price you receive upon selling or redeeming a share of a Fund, is based on the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”). The NAV per share for a Fund for purposes of pricing sales and redemptions is calculated by dividing the value of all securities and other assets belonging to the Fund, less the liabilities charged to the Fund, by the number of shares of the Fund that have already been issued.

 

The NAV of a Fund (and each class of shares) is usually determined and its shares are priced as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day. A “Business Day” is a day on which the NYSE is open for trading. Currently, the NYSE is typically closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

 

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Valuation of Shares

 

 

When you buy shares, you pay the NAV per share. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV per share. The price at which a purchase or redemption is effected is based on the next calculation of net asset value after the order is placed. Orders received by financial intermediaries prior to the close of trading on the NYSE will be confirmed at the offering price computed as of the close of trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day. A “Business Day” is a day on which the NYSE is open for trading. It is the responsibility of the financial intermediary to insure that all orders are transmitted in a timely manner to the Fund. Orders received by financial intermediaries after the close of trading on the NYSE will be confirmed at the next computed offering price.

 

The NAV per share of a Fund will fluctuate as the market value of the Fund’s investments changes. The NAV of different classes of shares of the Fund will differ due to differing class expenses. A Fund’s assets are valued generally by using available market quotations or at fair value, as described below, as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures established by, and under direction of, the Board of Trustees.

 

Portfolio securities or contracts that are listed or traded on a national securities exchange, contract market or over-the-counter markets and that are freely transferable will be valued at the last reported sale price or a market’s official closing price on the valuation day, or, if there has been no sale that day, at the average of the last reported bid and ask price on the valuation day for long positions or ask prices for short positions. If no bid or ask prices are quoted before closing, such securities or contracts will be valued at either the last available sale price, or at fair value, as discussed below.

 

In cases in which securities are traded on more than one exchange, the securities are valued on the exchange designated by or under the authority of the Board of Trustees as the primary market.

 

Debt securities (including convertible debt) that have more than 60 days remaining until maturity or that are credit impaired for which market data is readily available will be valued on the basis of the average of the latest bid and ask price. Debt securities that mature in less than 60 days and that are not credit impaired are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less, or by amortizing the value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days (unless the Board of Trustees determines that this method does not represent fair value). For most debt securities, Forward Funds receives pricing information from independent pricing vendors (approved by the Board of Trustees) which also use information provided by market makers or estimates of value obtained from yield data relating to securities with similar characteristics. As appropriate, quotations for high yield bonds may also take additional factors into consideration such as the activity of the underlying equity or sector movements. In the event valuation information is not available from third party pricing vendors for a debt security held by the Fund, such security may be valued by quotations obtained from dealers that make markets in such securities or otherwise determined based on the fair value of such securities, as discussed below. Because long-term bonds and lower-rated bonds tend to be less liquid, their values may be determined based on fair value more frequently than portfolio holdings that are more frequently traded or that have relatively higher credit ratings.

 

Futures, options on futures, and swap contracts that are listed or traded on a national securities exchange, commodities exchange, contract market or over-the-counter markets and that are freely transferable will be valued at their closing settlement price on the exchange on which they are primarily traded or based upon the current settlement price for a like instrument acquired on the day on which the option is being valued. A settlement price may not be used if the market makes a limit move with respect to a particular commodity. Over-the-counter futures, options on futures, and swap contracts for which market quotations are readily available will be valued based on quotes received from third party pricing services or one or more dealers that make markets in such securities. If quotes are not available from a third party pricing service or one or more dealers, quotes shall be determined based on the fair value of such securities, as discussed below.

 

Options on securities and options on indexes will be valued using the last quoted sale price as of the close of the securities or commodities exchange on which they are traded. Certain investments including options may trade in the over-the-counter market and generally will be valued based on quotes received from a third party pricing service or one or more dealers that make markets in such securities, or at fair value, as discussed below.

 

To the extent that a Fund holds securities listed primarily on a foreign exchange that trade on days when the Fund is not open for business or the NYSE is not open for trading, the value of the portfolio securities may change on days that you cannot buy or sell shares. To the extent that a Fund invests in foreign securities that are principally traded in a foreign market, the calculation of the Fund’s NAV may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of portfolio securities of foreign issuers used in such calculation. Therefore, the NAV of a Fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the Fund’s shares. Portfolio securities that are primarily traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on their respective exchanges, except when an occurrence subsequent to the time a value was so established is likely to have changed such value. In such an event, the fair value of those securities will be determined in good faith through the consideration of other factors in accordance with procedures established by, and under the general supervision of, the Board of Trustees.

 

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies will have a market value converted into U.S. dollars at the prevailing foreign currency exchange daily rates as provided by a pricing service. Forward currency exchange contracts will have a market value determined by the prevailing foreign currency exchange daily rates and current foreign currency exchange forward rates. The foreign currency exchange forward rates are calculated using an automated system that estimates rates on the basis of the current day foreign currency exchange rates and forward foreign currency exchange rates supplied by a pricing service. Prevailing foreign exchange rates and forward foreign currency exchange rates may generally be obtained at the close of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. As available and as provided by an appropriate pricing service, translation of foreign security and currency market values may also occur with the use of foreign exchange rates obtained at approximately 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, which approximates the close of the London Exchange.

 

Redeemable securities issued by open-end investment companies are valued at the investment company’s applicable NAV, with the exception of exchange-traded open-end investment companies, which are priced as equity securities in accordance with procedures established by, and under direction of, the Board of Trustees.

 

Forward Funds has a policy that contemplates the use of fair value pricing to determine the NAV per share of the Fund when market prices are unavailable, as well as under other circumstances, such as (i) if the primary market for a portfolio security suspends or limits trading or price movements of the security or (ii) when events occur after the close of the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded that are likely to have changed the value of the security. When the Fund uses fair value pricing to de-

 

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Valuation of Shares

 

 

termine the NAV per share of the Fund, securities will not be priced on the basis of quotations from the primary market in which they are traded, but rather may be priced by another method that the Board of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair value. The fair value of certain of a Fund’s securities may be determined through the use of a statistical research service or other calculation methodology. Forward Funds’ policy is intended to result in a calculation of a Fund’s NAV that fairly reflects security values as of the time of pricing. While fair values determined pursuant to Forward Funds’ procedures are intended to represent the amount a Fund would expect to receive if the fair valued security were sold at the time of fair valuation, the fair value may not equal what the Fund would receive if it actually were to sell the security as of the time of pricing.

 

Because the Fund may invest in below investment grade securities and securities of small capitalization companies, which may be infrequently traded and therefore relatively illiquid, and foreign securities, the valuation of which may not take place contemporaneously with the calculation of the Fund’s NAV, the Fund may be subject to relatively greater risks of market timing, and in particular, a strategy that seeks to take advantage of inefficiencies in market valuation of these securities because of infrequent trading. For this reason, the Fund may, at times, fair value some or all of its portfolio securities in order to deter such market timing.

 

Purchasing Shares

 

 

HOW TO BUY SHARES

 

Class M Shares

Class M shares may only be purchased through asset allocation, wrap fee, and other similar fee-based advisory programs sponsored by financial intermediaries, such as brokerage firms, investment advisors, financial planners, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and any other institutions having a selling, administration or any similar agreement with the Fund’s Distributor, and through group retirement plans. These financial intermediaries and group retirement plans will purchase Class M shares at net asset value through an omnibus account arrangement. The use of Class M shares will depend on the structure of the program offered by a particular financial intermediary or the particular group retirement plan.

 

Class M shares may also be purchased by officers, directors, trustees, and employees of Forward Funds, Forward Management and their affiliates.

 

Depending upon the terms of the program offered by your financial intermediary, your financial intermediary may charge transaction or service fees in connection with your investment in Class M shares of the Fund. Your financial intermediary can provide you with information about these services and charges. You should read this prospectus in conjunction with any such information you receive.

 

Minimum Investment Amount for Class M Shares

There is no minimum initial or subsequent investment amount for purchasing Class M shares of the Fund.

 

Class M—Minimum Account Size:

Forward Funds reserves the right to redeem shares in the account of any financial intermediary for their then-current value (which will be promptly paid to the financial intermediary), if, due to redemption by the financial intermediary, the account does not have a value of at least $500,000 of Class M shares of one or more Forward Funds within one year from the date of initial purchase of Class M shares of a Fund by a financial intermediary. A financial intermediary will receive advance notice of a redemption and will be given at least 30 days to bring the value of the account up to at least $500,000.

 

Forward Funds has the discretion to waive or reduce any of the above minimum investment requirements.

 

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

Exchanges of Class M Shares for the Same Class Shares of Any Other Forward Fund

Subject to such limitations as may be imposed by the Trust, you may exchange your Class M shares of the Fund for Class M shares of any other Forward Fund, if available, by having your financial intermediary process your exchange request. There are generally no fees for exchanges, but an exchange of shares between Forward Funds is technically a sale of shares in one fund followed by a purchase of shares in another fund, and therefore may have tax consequences. Thus, the exchange may, like a sale, result in a taxable gain or loss to you and will generally give you a new tax basis for your new shares.

 

Shareholders should read the prospectus for any other Forward Fund into which they are considering exchanging.

 

Exchanges of Class M Shares for Investor Class Shares within the Fund

Subject to such limitations as may be imposed by the Trust, you may also exchange your Class M shares of the Fund for Investor Class shares of the Fund, if available, by having your financial intermediary process your exchange request. An exchange of shares of one class of a Forward Fund into another class of the same fund is not treated as a redemption and sale for tax purposes.

 

Shareholders should read the prospectus for any other class of shares into which they are considering exchanging.

 

General Information about Exchanges

Shares of the Fund or a class thereof may be exchanged for shares of another Forward Fund or class on days when the NYSE is open for business, as long as shareholders meet the normal investment requirements, including the minimum investment requirements, of the other Forward Fund or class. Your exchange request must be received in good

 

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Purchasing Shares

 

 

order by the Transfer Agent or certain financial intermediaries prior to the close of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Requests received “in good order” must include: account name, account number, dollar or share amount of transaction, class, Fund(s), allocation of investment, and signature of authorized signer. Shares will be exchanged at the next NAV calculated after the Transfer Agent receives the exchange request in good order. Under certain circumstances, before an exchange can be made, additional documents may be required to verify the authority or legal capacity of the person seeking the exchange. Once your exchange is received in good order, it cannot be revoked by you. Exchanges into another Forward Fund and/or class must be for at least $100. The Trust reserves the right to prohibit exchanges during the first 15 days following an investment in the Fund and may terminate or change the terms of the exchange privilege at any time. In addition Forward Funds may suspend a shareholder’s exchange privilege if, in the judgment of Forward Management, the shareholder’s exchange activity indicates frequent trading or market timing that may be harmful to the Fund or its shareholders. See “Policies Concerning Frequent Purchases and Redemptions” in this prospectus.

 

Not all classes of the Forward Funds or all Forward Funds may be offered in your state of residence. Contact your financial intermediary or the Transfer Agent to ensure that the Fund or the class of shares of the Fund you want to exchange into is offered in your state of residence.

 

In general, you will receive notice of any material change to the exchange privilege at least 60 days prior to the change, although this notice period may be reduced or eliminated if determined by the Board of Trustees or Forward Management to be in the best interests of shareholders and otherwise consistent with applicable regulations.

 

You can send a written instruction specifying your exchange or, if you have authorized telephone exchanges previously and we have a record of your authorization, you can call (800) 999-6809 to execute your exchange. Under certain circumstances, before an exchange can be made, additional documents may be required to verify the authority or legal capacity of the person seeking the exchange.

 

Please contact your financial intermediary if you are considering an exchange of your Class M shares of the Fund.

 

PRICING OF FUND SHARES

 

When you purchase shares, you will pay the NAV (plus any applicable sales load) that is next calculated after we receive your order. If you place an order for the purchase of shares through a financial intermediary, the purchase price will be based on the NAV next determined, but only if the financial intermediary receives the order by the close of the Business Day. Your financial intermediary is responsible for transmitting such orders promptly. If the financial intermediary fails to transmit your order properly, your right to that Business Day’s closing price must be settled between the financial intermediary and you.

 

Purchases of shares of the Fund will be effected only on a Business Day. An order received prior to the daily cut-off time on any Business Day is processed based on that day’s NAV. An order received after the cut-off time on any Business Day is processed based on the NAV determined as of the next Business Day of the Fund.

 

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in shares of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary offers to redeem all or a portion of its shares at the current NAV per share every regular business day. The value of shares of the Subsidiary fluctuates with the value of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments. The Subsidiary prices its portfolio investments pursuant to the same pricing and valuation methodologies and procedures used by the Fund, which require, among other things, that each of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments be marked-to-market (that is, the value on the Subsidiary’s books changes) each business day to reflect changes in the market value of each investment.

 

CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person that opens a new account, and to determine whether such person’s name appears on government lists of known or suspected terrorists and terrorist organizations.

 

As a matter of policy, Forward Funds requires that all individual shareholders be a U.S. citizen or resident alien. U.S. citizens holding shares of the Forward Funds who subsequently move out of the U.S. are permitted to hold and redeem shares, but are not permitted to purchase shares while residing outside of the U.S.

 

As a result, the Fund must obtain the following information for each person that opens a new account:

   

Name

   

Date of birth (for individuals)

   

Residential or business street address in the U.S. (post office boxes are permitted for mailing only)

   

Social Security number or taxpayer identification number

 

You may also be asked for a copy of your driver’s license, passport or other identifying document in order to verify your identity. In addition, it may be necessary to verify your identity by cross-referencing your identification information with a consumer report or other electronic database. Additional information may be required to open accounts for corporations and other entities.

 

Federal law prohibits the Fund and other financial institutions from opening a new account unless they receive the minimum identifying information listed above. After an account is opened, the Fund may restrict your ability to purchase additional shares until your identity is verified. The Fund may close your account or take other appropriate action if it is unable to verify your identity within a reasonable time. If your account is closed for this reason, your shares will be redeemed at the NAV next calculated after the account is closed.

 

Forward Funds and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares when an investor’s identity is not verified.

 

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Purchasing Shares

 

 

ACCOUNT STATEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION

You will receive your quarterly account statements, transaction confirmations, and other important information concerning your investment in Class M shares of the Fund from your financial intermediary. Your financial intermediary can provide you with additional information, including online account access (if available).

 

The issuance of shares is recorded electronically on the books of Forward Funds. Certificates representing shares of the Fund will not be issued.

 

Redeeming Shares

 

 

You may normally redeem your shares on any Business Day. Redemptions are priced at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of a redemption request in good order by the Forward Funds’ Distributor, Forward Funds or their agent. A financial intermediary may charge its customers a transaction or service fee in connection with redemptions. Forward Funds intends to redeem shares of a Fund solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1.00% of the Fund’s net assets during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. In consideration of the best interests of the remaining shareholders, Forward Funds reserves the right to pay any redemption proceeds exceeding this amount in whole or in part by a distribution in-kind of securities held by a Fund in lieu of cash. It is highly unlikely that shares would ever be redeemed in-kind. If shares are redeemed in-kind, the redeeming shareholders should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the distribution including, but not limited to, brokerage costs of converting the portfolio securities to cash.

 

Requests must be received prior to the close of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Shares will be redeemed at the next NAV calculated after the Transfer Agent receives the redemption request in good order. Payment will ordinarily be made within seven days of the request as set out in the current payment instruction on file for a shareholder’s account.

 

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

Neither the investment advisor, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent, Forward Funds nor any of their affiliates or agents will be liable for any loss, expense or cost when acting upon any oral, written or electronically transmitted instructions or inquiries believed by them to be genuine. While precautions will be taken, as more fully described below, you bear the risk of any loss as the result of unauthorized telephone redemptions or exchanges believed to be genuine. Forward Funds will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. These procedures include recording phone conversations, sending confirmations to shareholders within 72 hours of the telephone transaction, verifying the account name and sending redemption proceeds only to the address of record or to a previously authorized bank account.

 

Class M Shares

You may only redeem your Class M shares by having your financial representative process your redemption. Your financial representative will be responsible for furnishing all necessary documents to the Fund and may charge you for this service.

 

PAYMENTS OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

Redemption orders are valued at the NAV per share next determined after the shares are properly tendered for redemption, as described above. Payment for shares redeemed generally will be made within seven days after receipt of a valid request for redemption. Forward Funds may temporarily stop redeeming shares or delay payment of redemption proceeds when the NYSE is closed or trading on the NYSE is restricted, when an emergency exists and Forward Funds cannot sell shares or accurately determine the value of assets, if the SEC orders Forward Funds to suspend redemptions or delay payment of redemption proceeds, or to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations.

 

Class M Shares

Please contact your financial intermediary for additional information regarding the payment of redemption proceeds.

 

Policies Concerning Frequent Purchases and Redemptions

 

 

The Funds do not accommodate short-term or excessive trading that interferes with the efficient management of a Fund, significantly increases transaction costs or taxes, or may harm a Fund’s performance. The Funds attempt to discover and discourage frequent trading in several ways. These methods include trade activity monitoring (which may take into account transaction size), and fair value pricing. Although these methods are designed to discourage frequent trading, there can be no guarantee that the Funds will be able to identify and restrict investors that engage in such activities. These methods are inherently subjective, and involve a significant degree of judgment in their application. The Funds and their service providers seek to make these judgments and apply these methods uniformly and in a manner that they believe is consistent with the interests of the Funds’ long-term shareholders. These frequent trading policies may be amended in the future to enhance the effectiveness of the program or in response to changes in regulatory requirements.

 

The Funds monitor trading activity with respect to the purchase, sale and exchange of Fund shares. Trading activity is evaluated to determine whether such activity is indicative of market timing activity or is otherwise detrimental to a Fund. If the Funds believe that a shareholder of a Fund has engaged in short-term or excessive trading activity to the detriment of the Fund and its long-term shareholders, the Funds may, in their sole discretion, request the shareholder to stop such trading activities or refuse to process purchases or exchanges in the shareholder’s account. The Funds specifically reserve the right to reject any purchase or exchange order by any investor or group of investors indefinitely for any reason.

 

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Policies Concerning Frequent Purchases and Redemptions

 

 

The Funds currently are unable to directly monitor the trading activity of beneficial owners of the Funds’ shares who hold those shares through third-party 401(k) and other group retirement plans and other omnibus arrangements maintained by other intermediaries. Omnibus accounts allow intermediaries to aggregate their customers’ investments in one account and to purchase, redeem and exchange Fund shares without the identity of a particular customer being known to a Fund. A number of these financial intermediaries may not have the capability or may not be willing to apply the Funds’ frequent trading policies. Although they attempt to do so, the Funds cannot assure that these policies will be enforced with regard to Fund shares held through such omnibus arrangements.

 

The Funds have adopted procedures to fair value each Fund’s securities in certain circumstances when market prices are not readily available, including when trading in a security is halted or suspended; when a security’s primary pricing source is unable or unwilling to provide a price; when a security’s primary trading market is closed during regular market hours; or when a security’s value is materially affected by events occurring after the close of the security’s primary trading market. By fair valuing securities, the Funds seek to establish prices that investors might expect to realize upon the current sales of these securities. For non-U.S. securities, fair valuation is intended to deter market timers who may take advantage of time zone differences between the close of the foreign markets on which a Fund’s portfolio securities trade and the U.S. markets that determine the time as of which the Fund’s NAV is calculated.

 

The Funds make fair value determinations in good faith in accordance with the Funds’ valuation procedures. Because of the subjective and variable nature of fair value pricing, there can be no assurance that a Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to the security upon the sale of such security.

 

Shareholder Services Plan

 

 

Forward Funds has adopted a shareholder services plan (the “Shareholder Services Plan”) with respect to the Class M shares of the Fund. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund is authorized to pay third party service providers a fee at an annual rate of up to [            ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class M shares for non-distribution related services to shareholders of Class M shares of the Fund.

 

Payments available under the Shareholder Services Plan may exceed amounts received by third party service providers for the provision of shareholder services.

 

Because these shareholder services fees are paid out of assets attributable to the Fund’s Class M shares on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of an investment in such shares and may cost more than other types of sales charges.

 

Additional Payments to Intermediaries

 

 

Forward Management or its affiliates may enter into arrangements to make additional payments, also referred to as “revenue sharing,” to certain financial intermediaries or their affiliates. For purposes of these additional payments, the term “financial intermediary” includes any broker, dealer, bank (including bank trust departments), registered investment advisor, financial planner, retirement plan administrator, third-party administrator, insurance company and/or any other institutions having a selling, administration or any similar arrangement with either Forward Management or its affiliates.

 

Revenue sharing arrangements occur when Forward Management or its affiliates agree to pay out of their own resources (which may include legitimate profits from providing advisory or other services to the Fund) cash or other compensation to financial intermediaries, in addition to any sales charges, distribution fees, service fees or other expenses paid by the Fund or its shareholders as disclosed in the Fund’s Fees and Expenses tables in this prospectus. Such additional payments are generally based on the average net assets of the Fund, assets held over a certain time period by a certain financial intermediary, and/or sales of the Fund’s shares through a particular financial intermediary. Furthermore, such additional payments are not reflected in and do not change the expenses paid by investors for the purchase of shares of the Fund as disclosed in the Fund’s Fees and Expenses tables in this prospectus.

 

Revenue sharing arrangements may include payments for various purposes, including but not limited to:

   

payments for providing shareholder recordkeeping, processing, accounting, and/or other administrative or distribution services;

   

payments for placement of a Fund on an intermediary’s list of mutual funds available for purchase by its customers or for including a Fund within a group that receives special marketing focus or are placed on a “preferred list”;

   

“due diligence” payments for an intermediary’s examination of a Fund and payments for providing extra employee training and information relating to a Fund;

   

“marketing support fees” for providing assistance in promoting the sale of Fund shares;

   

provision of educational programs, including information and related support materials; and

   

occasional meals and entertainment, tickets to sporting events, nominal gifts, and travel and lodging (subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.).

 

A list of the financial intermediaries with which Forward Management or its affiliates has entered into ongoing contractual arrangements as of January 1, 2010, as described in this section, is contained in the “Additional Payments to Intermediaries” section of the SAI. Forward Management or its affiliates may in the future enter into ongoing contractual arrangements with other financial intermediaries.

 

Please ask your financial intermediary for more information about these additional payments.

 

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Dividends and Taxes

 

 

The Fund expects to declare and pay income dividends [            ] and capital gain distributions annually, if available.

 

Any annual income dividends and/or capital gain distributions are of record and payable in December.

 

A shareholder will automatically receive all income, dividends, and capital gain distributions in additional full and fractional shares reinvested into their Forward Funds account, unless the shareholder elects to receive dividends or distributions in cash. To elect to receive your dividends in cash or to revoke your election, call (800) 999-6809 or write to us at Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201.

 

FEDERAL TAXES

The following information is meant only as a general summary for U.S. shareholders. Please see the SAI for additional information. You should rely on your own tax advisor for advice about the particular Federal, state, and local or foreign tax consequences to you of investing in a Forward Fund.

 

The Fund will distribute all or substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains to its shareholders each year.

 

Although the Fund will not be taxed on amounts it distributes, most shareholders will be taxed on amounts they receive. A particular distribution generally will be taxable as either ordinary income or long-term capital gains. The tax status of a particular distribution will generally be the same for all of a Fund’s shareholders. Except as described below, it does not matter how long you have held your Fund shares or whether you elect to receive your distributions in cash or reinvest them in additional Fund shares. For example, if the Fund designates a particular distribution as a long-term capital gain distribution, it will be taxable to you at your long-term capital gain rate.

 

Dividends attributable to interest are not eligible for the reductions in rates described below. Current tax law (which is scheduled to expire after 2010) generally provides for a maximum tax rate for individual taxpayers of 15% on long-term gains and on certain qualifying dividends on corporate stock. The Fund does not expect to distribute significant amounts of qualified dividend income. These rate reductions do not apply to corporate taxpayers. The following are guidelines for how certain distributions by the Fund are generally taxed to individual taxpayers:

   

Distributions of earnings from qualifying dividends and qualifying long-term capital gains will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%;

   

Distributions of earnings from dividends paid by certain “qualifying foreign corporations” can also qualify for the lower tax rates on qualifying dividends;

   

A shareholder will also have to satisfy a more than 60-day holding period with respect to any distributions of qualifying dividends in order to obtain the benefit of the lower tax rate;

   

Distributions of earnings from non-qualifying dividends, interest income, other types of ordinary income and short-term capital gains will be taxed at the ordinary income tax rate applicable to the taxpayer; and

   

In the absence of further Congressional action, for calendar years after 2010, the maximum rate on long-term capital gains for individual taxpayers would increase to 20% and income from dividends would be taxed at the rates applicable to ordinary income.

 

Dividends declared by a Fund in October, November, or December and paid during the following January may be treated as having been received by shareholders in the year the distributions were declared. Each year, the Funds will send shareholders tax reports detailing the tax status of any distributions for that year.

 

Shareholders who are not subject to tax on their income, such as qualified retirement accounts and other tax-exempt investors, generally will not be required to pay tax on distributions.

 

There may be tax consequences to you if you sell or redeem Fund shares. You will generally have a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term, generally depending on how long you hold those shares. If you exchange a Fund’s shares for shares of another Fund, you may be treated as if you sold them and any gain on the transaction may be subject to Federal income tax. Any loss recognized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions that were received with respect to the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of a Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the tax basis of the shares acquired.

 

As with all mutual funds, a Fund may be required to withhold U.S. Federal income tax at the current rate of 28% (currently scheduled to increase to 31% after 2010) of all taxable distributions payable to you if you fail to provide the Fund with your correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, it is a way in which the IRS ensures it will collect taxes otherwise due. Any amounts withheld may be credited against your U.S. Federal income tax liability.

 

Please see the SAI for additional tax information.

 

A Fund will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes investment company taxable income and gain to shareholders in a timely manner. Dividends and other distributions that shareholders receive from a Fund, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund, are subject to federal income tax and may also be subject to state and local tax. Distributions of a Fund’s net capital gain are taxable to you as long-term capital gain, when designated by the Fund as such, regardless of the length of time you have held your shares.

 

As discussed in the “Fund Summary” section above, the Fund may invest in complex securities. These investments may be subject to numerous special and complex tax rules. These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Fund are treated as ordinary income or loss or capital gain or loss, accelerate the recognition of income to a Fund and/or defer a Fund’s ability to recognize losses. In turn, those rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to you by a Fund.

 

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Dividends and Taxes

 

 

You should be aware that if Fund shares are purchased shortly before the record date for any dividend or capital gain distribution, you will pay the full price for the shares and will receive some portion of the price back as a taxable distribution.

 

A redemption of a Fund’s shares or an exchange of a Fund’s shares for shares of another Fund will be treated as a sale of the Fund’s shares, and any gain on the transaction will be subject to federal income tax.

 

The Fund may receive dividends and interest on securities of foreign issuers that may be subject to withholding taxes by foreign governments, and gains from the disposition of those securities also may be subject thereto, which may reduce a Fund’s total return. If the amount of taxes withheld by foreign governments is material and certain requirements are met, a Fund may elect to enable shareholders to claim a foreign tax credit regarding those taxes, subject to certain limitations.

 

After the conclusion of each calendar year, shareholders will receive information regarding the taxability of dividends and other distributions paid by the Funds during the preceding year. If you are neither a citizen nor a resident of the United States, each Fund will withhold U.S. Federal income tax at the rate of 30% on taxable dividends and other payments that are subject to such withholding. You may be able to arrange for a lower withholding rate under an applicable tax treaty if you supply the appropriate documentation required by the applicable Fund.

 

The Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income from certain qualifying sources of income in order to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code. The IRS issued a revenue ruling in December 2006 which concluded that income and gains from certain commodity-linked derivatives is not qualifying income under Subchapter M of the Code. As a result, the Fund’s ability to invest directly in commodity-linked swaps as part of its investment strategy is limited by the requirement that it receive no more than ten percent (10%) of its gross income from such investments.

 

However, in Revenue Ruling 2006-31, the IRS indicated that income from alternative investment instruments (such as certain structured notes) that create commodity exposure may be considered qualifying income under the Code. The IRS subsequently issued private letter rulings to other taxpayers in which the IRS specifically concluded that income from certain commodity index-linked notes is qualifying income and that income derived from a fund’s investment in a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) also will constitute qualifying income to the fund, even if the CFC itself owns commodity-linked swaps. The Fund seeks to gain exposure to the commodity markets primarily through investments in commodity index-linked notes and through investments in the Subsidiary.

 

A private letter ruling cannot be used or cited as precedent and is binding on the IRS only for the taxpayer that receives it. The Fund has not obtained a ruling from the IRS with respect to its investments or its structure and presently does not intend to seek such a ruling from the IRS. Based on the analysis in private letter rulings previously issued to other taxpayers, the Fund intends to treat its income from commodity index-linked notes and the Subsidiary as qualifying income without any such ruling from the IRS. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not change its position with respect to some or all of these issues or if the IRS did so, that a court would not sustain the IRS’s position. There is also no assurance that the Fund would be able to obtain a favorable ruling from the IRS if it were to request such a ruling.

 

If the IRS were to change its position or otherwise determine that income derived from certain commodity-linked notes or from the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary does not constitute qualifying income and if such positions were upheld, the Fund might cease to qualify as a regulated investment company and would be required to reduce its exposure to such investments which might result in difficulty in implementing its investment strategy. If the Fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company for any taxable year, the Fund’s taxable income would be subject to tax at the Fund level at regular corporate tax rates (without reduction for distributions to shareholders) and to a further tax at the shareholder level when such income is distributed. In such event, in order to re-qualify for taxation as a regulated investment company, the Fund may be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make certain distributions.

 

A foreign corporation, such as the Subsidiary, generally is not subject to U.S. federal income taxation on its business income unless it is engaged in, or deemed to be engaged in, a U.S. trade or business. It is expected that the Subsidiary will conduct its activities so as to satisfy the requirements of a safe-harbor set forth in the Code, under which the Subsidiary may engage in certain commodity-related investments without being treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business. However, if the Subsidiary’s activities were determined not to be of the type described in the safe harbor, its activities may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation.

 

A foreign corporation, such as the Subsidiary, that does not conduct a U.S. trade or business is nonetheless subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a flat 30% rate (or lower treaty rate) on certain U.S. source gross income. No tax treaty is in force between the United States and the Cayman Islands that would reduce the 30% rate of withholding tax. However, it is not expected that the Subsidiary will derive income subject to U.S. withholding taxes.

 

The Subsidiary will be treated as a CFC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Fund must include in gross income for such purposes all of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F” income when the Subsidiary recognizes that income, whether or not the Subsidiary distributes such income to the Fund. It is expected that all of the Subsidiary’s income will be subpart F income. The Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary will be increased as a result of the Fund’s recognition of the Subsidiary’s subpart F income. The Fund will not be taxed on distributions received from the Subsidiary to the extent of the Subsidiary’s previously-undistributed subpart F income although its tax basis in the Subsidiary will be decreased by such amount. All subpart F income will be taxed as ordinary income, regardless of the nature of the transactions that generate it. Subpart F income does not qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income. If the Subsidiary recognizes a net loss, the net loss will not be available to offset income recognized by the Fund.

 

The foregoing is only a brief summary of certain federal income tax consequences of investing in the Forward Funds. Please see the SAI for a further discussion. Shareholders should consult a tax advisor for further information regarding the federal, state, and local tax consequences of an investment in shares of a Fund.

 

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Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

 

 

Forward Funds discloses the portfolio holdings of the Fund as of the end of each month on its website at www.forwardfunds.com. Portfolio holdings as of month-end are posted on the 21st day of the next succeeding month (or, if the 21st day is not a Business Day, then on the next Business Day).

 

A description of the Forward Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is available in the SAI.

 

Householding

 

To avoid sending duplicate copies of materials to households, Forward Funds may mail only one copy of each prospectus and annual and semi-annual report to shareholders having the same address on the Fund’s records. The consolidation of these mailings, called householding, benefits the Fund through reduced mailing expense. If you want to receive multiple copies of these materials, you may call the Transfer Agent at (800) 999-6809. You may also notify the Transfer Agent in writing. Individual copies of the prospectus and reports will be sent to you commencing within 30 days after the Transfer Agent receives your request to stop householding.

 

General Information

 

You can obtain current price, yield, and other performance information on any of the Forward Funds between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday by calling (800) 999-6809. You can request shareholder reports that contain performance information. These are available free of charge.

 

Our shareholders receive unaudited semi-annual reports and annual reports that have been audited by independent accountants. If you have any questions about Forward Funds, write to Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201 or call (800) 999-6809. In addition to information available in annual and semi-annual reports, quarterly portfolio holdings information for the first and third fiscal quarters is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and the SAI concerning the offering of the Fund’s shares. We have not authorized anyone to give any information that is not already contained in this prospectus and the SAI. Shares of the Forward Funds are offered only where the sale is legal.

 

Financial Highlights

 

The Fund is newly organized and its shares have not previously been offered and therefore, the Fund does not have any financial history. Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports when they are prepared.

 

Forward Funds Privacy Policy

 

Forward Funds appreciates the privacy concerns and expectations of our customers. We are committed to maintaining a high level of privacy and confidentiality when it comes to your personal information and we use that information only where permitted by law. We recognize that, as our customer, you not only entrust us with your money but with your personal information. Your trust is important to us and you can be sure we will continue our tradition of protecting your personal information. We provide this privacy notice to you so that you may understand our policy with regard to the collection and disclosure of nonpublic personal information (“Information”) pertaining to you.

 

We collect the following categories of information about you:

   

Information we receive from you on applications or other forms; and

   

Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others.

 

We do not disclose any Information about you or any current or former customer to anyone, except as permitted by law. We may disclose Information about you and any former customer to our affiliates and to nonaffiliated third parties, as permitted by law. We do not disclose personal information that we collect about you to non-affiliated companies except to enable them to provide marketing services on our behalf, to perform joint marketing agreements with other financial institutions, or in other limited circumstances permitted by law. For example, some instances where we may disclose Information about you to third parties include: for servicing and processing transactions, to protect against fraud, for institutional risk control, to respond to judicial process or to perform services on our behalf. When we share personal information about you with these companies, we require them to limit their use of the personal information to the particular purpose for which it was shared and we do not allow them to share your personal information with others except to fulfill that limited purpose. In addition, these companies are required to adhere to our privacy standards with respect to any personal information that we provide them.

 

Protecting the Security and Confidentiality of Your Information

We restrict access to Information about you to those employees who need to know that Information to provide products or services to you. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to ensure the confidentiality of your Information. Our privacy policies apply only to those individual investors who have a direct customer relationship with us. If you are an individual shareholder of record of any of the Funds, we consider you to be a customer of Forward Funds. Shareholders purchasing or owning shares of any of the Funds through their bank, broker, or other financial institution should consult that financial institution’s privacy policies. If you own shares or receive investment services through a relationship with a third-party broker, bank, investment advisor or other financial service provider, that third-party’s privacy policies will apply to you and ours will not.

 

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Appendix – Description Of Market Index

 

 

Credit Suisse Momentum and Volatility Enhanced Return Strategy Index: The Credit Suisse Momentum and Volatility Enhanced Return Strategy Index seeks positive absolute returns at bullish and at bearish points in the commodity cycle for each of the S&P GSCI single commodity sub-indices. Currently, 24 single commodity sub-indices meet the eligibility requirements for the S&P GSCI. A list of these commodity sub-indices organized by subsector is presented below.

 

Energy    Industrial Metals    Precious Metals    Agriculture    Livestock

Crude Oil

   Aluminum    Gold    Wheat    Live Cattle

Brent Crude Oil

   Copper    Silver    Red Wheat    Feeder Cattle

RBOB Gas

   Lead         Corn    Lean Hogs

Heating Oil

   Nickel         Soybeans     

GasOil

   Zinc         Cotton     

Natural Gas

             Sugar     
               Coffee     
               Cocoa     

 

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LOGO

 

Investment Advisor

Forward Management, LLC

 

Administrator

ALPS Fund Services, Inc.

 

Distributor

ALPS Distributors, Inc.

 

Counsel

Dechert LLP

 

Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm

[            ]

 

Custodian

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

 

Transfer Agent

ALPS Fund Services, Inc.

Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund



Table of Contents

LOGO

Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

Want More Information?

You can find out more about the Fund by reviewing the following documents:

 

Annual And Semi-Annual Reports

Our annual and semi-annual reports, when available, list the holdings of the Fund, describe the Fund’s performance, include the Fund’s financial statements, and discuss the market conditions and strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

 

Statement Of Additional Information

The Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) contains additional and more detailed information about the Fund and is considered a part of this prospectus. The SAI also contains a description of the Fund’s policies and procedures for disclosing its portfolio holdings.

 

How Do I Obtain A Copy Of These Documents?

By following one of the four procedures below:

 

1. Call or write, and copies will be sent to you free of charge: Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201, (800) 999-6809. Or go to www.forwardfunds.com and download a free copy.

 

2. Write to the Public Reference Section of the SEC and ask them to mail you a copy. Public Reference Section of the SEC Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. The SEC charges a fee for this service. You can also drop by the Public Reference Section and copy the documents while you are there. Information about the Public Reference Section may be obtained by calling:

(202) 551-8090.

 

3. Go to the EDGAR database on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov and download a free text-only copy.

 

4. After paying a duplicating fee, you may also send an electronic request to the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

Investment Company Act File No. 811-06722


 

Forward Funds are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

LOGO

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

 

 

 

The information contained herein is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

 

Subject to Completion, dated October 15, 2010

 

LOGO

 

Prospectus

 

[            ], 2010

 

Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

 

     TICKER:
CLASS Z   None

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. It is a criminal offense to say otherwise.

 

 

 

 


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     PAGE

FUND SUMMARY

  1

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

  4

Security Types of the Fund

  4

DISCUSSION OF PRINCIPAL AND NON-PRINCIPAL RISKS

  6

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

  10

Investment Advisor/Portfolio Managers

  10

Hiring Sub-Advisors without Shareholder Approval

  10

VALUATION OF SHARES

  11

PURCHASING SHARES

  12

How to Buy Shares

  12

Exchange Privilege

  13

Pricing of Fund Shares

  13

Customer Identification Program

  14

eDelivery

  14

Online Account Access

  14

Other Information

  14

REDEEMING SHARES

  14

How to Redeem Shares

  15

Payments of Redemption Proceeds

  15

POLICIES CONCERNING FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

  16

DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLANS

  16

ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO INTERMEDIARIES

  17

DIVIDENDS AND TAXES

  17

Federal Taxes

  17

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

  19

HOUSEHOLDING

  19

GENERAL INFORMATION

  19

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  19

FORWARD FUNDS PRIVACY POLICY

  20

APPENDIX – DESCRIPTION OF MARKET INDEX

  21


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Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

 

 

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks long term total return.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

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

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

As an investor in Class Z shares of the Fund, you do not pay any sales load.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

      CLASS Z  

Management Fee(1)

     1.00

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

         

Shareholder Services Fees

         

Other Expenses(2)

         

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(2)

         

Expenses of the Subsidiary

         
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses          

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(3)

         
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement
         

 

(1) The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in a wholly-owned Cayman subsidiary. The Subsidiary (as defined below) has entered into a separate advisory agreement with Forward Management, LLC (“Forward Management”) for the management of the Subsidiary’s portfolio pursuant to which the Subsidiary is obligated to pay Forward Management a management fee at the same rate that the Fund pays Forward Management for services provided to the Fund. Forward Management is contractually obligated to waive the management fee it receives from the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee paid to Forward Management by the Subsidiary. This waiver may not be terminated without the consent of the Board of Trustees of Forward Funds.

 

(2) Other Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

(3) The Fund’s investment advisor is contractually obligated to waive a portion of its fees and reimburse other expenses until April 30, 2012, in amounts necessary to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (exclusive of brokerage costs, interest, taxes, dividends, acquired funds fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) for Class Z shares to an annual rate (as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets) of [            ]%.

 

Examples

These Examples are intended to help you compare the costs of investing in Class Z shares of the Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Examples assume that you invest $10,000 in the noted class of shares for the time periods indicated. The Examples also assume that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same, and that the contractual fee waiver/reimbursement is in place for the first year. Because no sales loads apply to Class Z shares of the Fund, you would have the same expenses whether or not you redeemed your shares. Although actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs whether or not you redeemed your shares would be:

 

      CLASS Z  

1 Year

   $     

3 Years

   $     

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example tables, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus and the Fund does not yet have a full calendar year of operating history. Once the Fund has operating history for at least one calendar year, the portfolio turnover rate will be included in this fund summary.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund seeks exposure to the commodity markets and returns that correspond to the Credit Suisse Momentum and Volatility Enhanced Return Strategy Index (“Credit Suisse MOVERS Index”). Commodities are assets that have tangible properties, such as oil, metals, and agricultural products. The Credit Suisse MOVERS Index is composed of long and short commodity positions. The Credit Suisse MOVERS Index’s positioning is driven by a quantitative strategy that determines whether it is long or short individual commodities on the basis of market performance and measures of volatility (i.e., momentum signals). In contrast to traditional, long-only commodity allocations, the Credit Suisse MOVERS Index seeks positive absolute returns at bullish and at bearish points in the commodity cycle for each of the S&P GSCI single commodity sub-indices. A table listing the current 24 sub-indices is included in the Appendix to the Fund’s prospectus. These highly liquid underlying components capture the returns of each commodity in one of the world’s most established commodity benchmarks. From this group, the 10 commodities with the strongest absolute signals, filtered by volatility, are grouped together in an equally-weighted basket. The basket can be comprised of all long, all short, or a combination of long and short positions. Each month the basket’s composition is reweighted using the quantitative strategy and will consist of a new selection of 10 commodity long and/or short positions exhibiting the strongest (bullish or bearish) momentum signals.

 

The Fund seeks exposure to the commodity markets and returns of the Credit Suisse MOVERS Index primarily through investments in commodity-linked derivative instruments, including commodity index-linked notes (sometimes referred to as “structured notes”), swap agreements, commodity options, futures and options on futures, and through investments in the Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy (Cayman) Fund Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary is advised by Forward Management and has the same investment objective as the Fund. As discussed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, the Subsidiary (unlike the Fund) may invest without limitation in commodity-linked swap agreements and other commodity-linked derivative instruments. The Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary will not exceed 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets.

 

Under normal conditions, the commodity-linked derivative instruments purchased by the Fund are collateralized by the Fund with a portfolio of fixed income instruments (i.e., U.S. corporate bonds, U.S. Government or agency securities, municipal debt (including variable amount demand master notes), mortgage-backed securities (both agency and commercial) and asset-backed securities) that are of investment grade quality. The Fund invests in commodity-linked derivative instruments that provide exposure to the commodity markets and returns of the Credit Suisse MOVERS Index without investing directly in physical commodities.

 

The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. In addition, the Fund may invest its assets in particular sectors of the commodities market. The Fund may, without limitation, seek exposure to the securities in which it primarily invests by entering into a series of pur-


 

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Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

 

 

chase and sale contracts or by using other investment techniques (such as dollar rolls). The Fund may also purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis.

 

Forward Management actively manages the fixed income instruments held by the Fund with a view towards enhancing the Fund’s total return, subject to an overall portfolio duration which is normally not expected to vary 2.5 years above or below the duration of the Barclays Capital 1-5 Year U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index. The Barclays Capital 1-5 Year U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index is an unmanaged index of fixed-rate government and corporate bonds rated investment grade or higher that have a remaining maturity of one to five years. Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a debt security or portfolio of debt securities to relative changes in interest rates. For instance, a duration of “three” means that a portfolio’s or security’s price would be expected to decrease by approximately 3% with a 1% increase in interest rates (assuming a parallel shift in yield curve). As of [            ], 2010, the duration of the Barclays Capital 1-5 Year U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index was [            ].

 

The Fund may invest all of its assets in commodity-linked derivative instruments either directly or through the Subsidiary. Assets not invested in commodity-linked derivative instruments either directly or through the Subsidiary may be invested in fixed income instruments.

 

Principal Risks

Any of the investments made by the Fund can result in an investment loss, which may be significant. The principal risks of investing in the Fund, which could adversely affect its net asset value and total return, are:

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The holding by the Fund of a substantial portion of its assets in cash and/or cash equivalents such as money market securities, U.S. government obligations and short-term debt securities, which may occur under certain market conditions, could have a negative effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Commodity Sector: Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or sectors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture, and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, and events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

 

Debt Securities: Debt securities in which the Fund may invest are subject to several types of investment risk, including market or interest rate risk (i.e., the risk that their value will be affected by fluctuations in the prevailing interest rates), credit risk (i.e., the risk that the issuer may be unable to make timely interest payments and repay the principal upon maturity), call or income risk, (i.e., the risk that certain debt securities with high interest rates will be prepaid or “called” by the issuer before they mature), and event risk (i.e., the risk that certain debt securities may suffer a substantial decline in credit quality and market value if the issuer restructures).

 

Derivatives: The market value of the derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest, including options, futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swap agreements and other similar instruments, may be more volatile than that of other instruments. When investing in derivatives for hedging purposes, certain additional

transaction costs may be accrued that may reduce the Fund’s performance. In addition, there can be no assurance given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged, or that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by Forward Management.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”): The risks associated with investing in the Fund are closely related to the risks associated with the securities and other investments held by the ETFs in which the Fund may invest. The value of the Fund’s investment will fluctuate in response to the performance of the ETFs owned by the Fund, and the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the ETFs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying the Fund’s expenses. References to the “Fund” in these risks include the Fund or underlying ETF, as applicable.

 

Government-Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”): Certain GSEs (such as Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and FHLB), although sponsored or chartered by the U.S. Government, are not funded by the U.S. Government and the securities they issue are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. As a result, securities issued by GSEs carry greater credit risk than securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or government agencies that carry the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

 

Liquidity: Liquidity risk is financial risk due to uncertain liquidity. An institution might lose liquidity for a variety of reasons. In addition, certain types of securities, such as derivative based securities and privately issued mortgage-related securities and other asset-backed securities without a government or government-sponsored guarantee, are subject to greater liquidity risk.

 

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities: Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, the Fund may exhibit additional volatility (i.e., extension risk). In addition, when interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Fund because the Fund will have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates (i.e., prepayment risk). The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable in quality to mortgage assets. If the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the security. In the event of a default, the Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed.

 

No Operating History: The Fund has not operated for a full fiscal year and as such has no prior operating history by which an investor can evaluate performance.

 

Non-Diversification: The Fund is non-diversified, which means it is subject to relaxed limits on the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. Because the appreciation or depreciation of a single portfolio security may have a greater impact on the net asset value of the Fund, the net asset value per share of the Fund can be expected to fluctuate more than that of a comparable diversified fund.

 

Portfolio Turnover: The Fund is generally expected to engage in frequent and active trading of portfolio securities to achieve its investment objective. A higher turnover rate (100% or more) will involve correspondingly greater transaction costs, which will


 

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be borne directly by the Fund, may have an adverse impact on performance, and may increase the potential for more taxable distributions being paid to shareholders, including short-term capital gains that are taxed at ordinary income rates.

 

Repurchase Agreements: Repurchase agreements involve the risk that a seller will become subject to bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings or fail to repurchase a security from the Fund. In such situations, the Fund may incur losses including as a result of (a) a possible decline in value of the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (b) a possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period, and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

 

Subsidiary: By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund will be indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments, which are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), and, unless otherwise noted in the Fund’s prospectus, is not subject to all of the provisions of the 1940 Act.

 

Tax: The federal income tax treatment of the complex securities in which the Fund may invest may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). It could be more difficult to comply with the tax requirements applicable to regulated investment companies if the tax characterization of investments or the tax treatment of the income from such investments were successfully challenged by the IRS. Any such failure to comply with the rules applicable to regulated investment companies could make it more difficult for the Fund itself to comply with such rules.

 

Please see “Discussion of Principal Risks” in the Fund’s prospectus for a more detailed description of the risks of investing in the Fund. It is possible to lose money on an investment in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

 

Performance Information

The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus and the Fund does not yet have a full calendar year of investment returns. Once the Fund has performance for at least one calendar year, a bar chart and performance table will be included in this fund summary.

Investment Advisor/Portfolio Managers

The Fund is team managed and all investment decisions are made jointly by the team. Nathan J. Rowader, Director of Investments, has primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Subsidiary. The members of the Fund’s team are: Mr. Rowader, Jim O’Donnell, CFA, President of Forward Asset Management and Chief Investment Officer of Forward Management, Paul Herber, CFA, Investment Officer and David L. Ruff, CFA, Portfolio Manager. Messrs. Rowader, O’Donnell, Herber and Ruff have managed the Fund since its inception.

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Shares of the Fund may be purchased or sold (redeemed) on any business day (normally any day when the New York Stock Exchange is open). Class Z shares of the Fund are currently only available for investment by certain other Forward Funds and are not currently available to any other investors.

 

Tax Information

The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, capital gains, or a combination of the two, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. Investments held through such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed in the future upon withdrawal from such arrangements.

 

Payments to Broker-dealers and

Other Financial Intermediaries

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


 

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Additional Investment Strategies and Risks

 

 

In addition to the principal strategies and risks identified above, the following non-principal strategies and risks apply to the Fund.

 

Lending of Portfolio Securities

In order to generate additional income, the Fund from time to time may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities. During the time portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any dividends or interest paid on such securities. In the event the borrower defaults on its obligation to the Fund, the Fund could experience delays in recovering its securities and possible capital losses.

 

Changes of Investment Objective

The investment objective of the Fund is non-fundamental and may be changed without a vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

Defensive Positions; Cash Reserves

Under adverse market conditions or to meet anticipated redemption requests, the Fund may not follow its principal investment strategy. Under such conditions, the Fund may invest without limit in money market securities, U.S. Government obligations, and short-term debt securities. This could have a negative effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Although the issuers of certain federal agency securities or government-sponsored entity securities in which the Fund may invest (such as debt securities or mortgage-backed securities issued by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLB”), and other government-sponsored entities) may be chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, the issuers are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their securities are neither guaranteed nor issued by the United States Treasury.

 

The Fund is authorized to invest its cash reserves (funds awaiting investment) in the specific types of securities to be acquired by the Fund or cash to provide for payment of the Fund’s expenses or to permit the Fund to meet redemption requests. The Fund also may create equity or fixed-income exposure for cash reserves through the use of options or futures contracts in accordance with its investment objective to minimize the impact of cash balances. This will enable the Fund to hold cash while receiving return on the cash that is similar to holding equity or fixed-income securities.

 

Management Risk

The strategy used by Forward Management may fail to produce the intended result or Forward Management’s judgment about the attractiveness of a particular sector or security may prove to be incorrect.

 

Market Risk

 

Securities markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to issuer, political, market, and economic developments. Historically, markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. The Fund’s portfolio securities can be affected by events that affect the securities markets generally or particular segments of the market in which the Fund has invested. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is a principal risk of investing in the Fund.

 

Other Investments Techniques and Risks

The Fund may invest in other types of securities and use a variety of investment techniques and strategies which are not described in this prospectus. These securities and techniques may subject the Fund to additional risks. Please review the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for more information about the additional types of securities in which the Fund may invest and their associated risks.

 

SECURITY TYPES OF THE FUND

The security types in which the Fund may invest (as discussed in the “Fund Summary” section above) are as follows:

 

Asset-Backed Securities

Asset-backed securities are securities backed by non-mortgage assets such as company receivables, truck and auto loans, leases, and credit card receivables. Asset-backed securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates, which represent undivided fractional ownership interests in the underlying pools of assets. Therefore, repayment depends largely on the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities.

 

Commodity Futures and Options on Commodity Futures

Futures contracts and options on futures contracts allow for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific commodity at a specified future time and at a specified price. The purchase of a futures contract enables the Fund, during the term of the contract, to lock in a price at which it may purchase a commodity and protect against a rise in prices. Futures contracts enable the seller to lock in a price at which it may sell a commodity and protect against declines in the value of the commodity. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (in exchange for a premium) to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option.

 

Commodity Swaps

Commodity swaps are two party contracts in which the parties agree to exchange the return or interest rate on one instrument for the return of a particular commodity, commodity index or commodities futures or options contract. The payment streams are calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional amount. Swaps will normally be entered into on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund (whether directly

 

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Additional Investment Strategies and Risks

 

 

or through the Subsidiary) receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund’s obligations (whether directly or through the Subsidiary) under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the maintenance of a segregated account consisting of cash or liquid securities to avoid any potential leveraging of the Fund.

 

Commodity-Linked Notes

Commodity-linked notes are derivative debt instruments whose principal and/or interest payments are linked to the price movement of a commodity, commodity index or commodity futures or option contract. Commodity-linked notes are typically issued by a bank or other financial institution and are sometimes referred to as structured notes because the terms of the notes may be structured by the issuer and the purchaser of the notes to accommodate the specific investment requirements of the purchaser.

 

Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in short- and/or long-term debt securities. Debt securities are used by issuers to borrow money. The issuer usually pays a fixed, variable or floating rate of interest, and must repay the amount borrowed at the maturity of the security. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest but are sold at a discount from their face values. Debt securities include corporate bonds (including convertible bonds), government securities, and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities.

 

Derivatives

The Fund may invest in derivatives, which are securities whose value “derives” from the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. These instruments include options, futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swap agreements, and similar instruments. The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined by Forward Management to be liquid in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees to cover its derivative obligations.

 

Government-Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”)

GSEs are privately-owned corporations created by Congress to provide funding and help to reduce the cost of capital for certain borrowing sectors of the economy such as homeowners, students, and farmers. GSE securities are generally perceived to carry the implicit backing of the U.S. Government, but they are not direct obligations of the U.S. Government and are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. As such, GSEs are different from “agencies,” which have the explicit backing of the U.S. Government.

 

Illiquid Securities

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that do not have a readily available market or that are subject to resale restrictions). Generally, a security is considered illiquid if it cannot be disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the price at which the Fund has valued the investment.

 

Investment Grade Debt Securities

Investment grade debt securities are securities rated as investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”) (e.g., rated in the “Baa” category or above by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), or in the “BBB” category or above by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Fitch Investors Service (“Fitch”)) at the time of purchase, or, if unrated, are determined to be of the same quality by Forward Management. Generally, debt securities in these categories should have adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

 

Investments in a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary

Investments in the Subsidiary are expected to provide the Fund with exposure to the commodity markets within the limitations of the Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and recent IRS revenue rulings, as discussed below under “Federal Taxes” in this prospectus.

 

It is expected that the Subsidiary will invest primarily in commodity-linked derivative instruments, including commodity futures contracts, commodity swaps and options on commodity futures. Although the Fund may enter into these commodity-linked derivative instruments directly, the Fund likely will gain exposure to these derivative instruments indirectly by investing in the Subsidiary. When Forward Management believes that these commodity-linked derivative instruments are better suited to provide exposure to the commodities market than commodity-linked notes, the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary will likely increase. The Subsidiary also will invest in fixed income instruments, which are intended to both serve as collateral and enhance the Fund’s total return. To the extent that the Fund invests in the Subsidiary, it will be subject to the risks associated with those derivative instruments and other securities, which are discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, as if the Fund were investing in those derivative instruments and other securities directly rather than through the Subsidiary.

 

The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act. The Subsidiary has the same investment objective and is subject to substantially the same investment policies and investment restrictions as the Fund, except that the Subsidiary (unlike the Fund) may invest without limitation in commodity swaps and other commodity-linked derivative instruments. The Subsidiary will also be subject to the same compliance policies and procedures as the Fund. In addition, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and Forward Management acts as investment advisor to the Fund and the investment advisor to the Subsidiary.

 

Money Market Securities

Money market securities are high quality, short-term debt securities that pay a fixed, variable or floating interest rate. Securities are often specifically structured so that they are eligible investments for a money market fund. For example, in order to satisfy the maturity restrictions for a money market fund, some money market securities have demand or put features which have the effect of shortening the security’s maturity.

 

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Additional Investment Strategies and Risks

 

 

Mortgage-Related Securities

Mortgage-related securities are interests in pools of mortgages. Payment of principal or interest generally depends on the cash flows generated by the underlying mortgages. Mortgage-related securities may be U.S. Government securities or issued by a bank or other financial institution.

 

Structured Notes

A structured note is a debt obligation that may contain an embedded derivative component with characteristics that adjust the security’s risk/return profile. The return performance of a structured note will track that of the underlying debt obligation and the derivative embedded within it. A structured note is a hybrid security that attempts to change its profile by including additional modifying structures.

 

Swaps

Swaps are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than a year. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange 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., a return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index).

 

TBAs

A TBA (To Be Announced) transaction is a contract for the purchase or sale of a mortgage-backed security for future settlement at an agreed upon date but does not include a specified mortgage pool number, number of mortgage pools, or precise amount to be delivered.

 

U.S. Government Securities

U.S. Government securities are high quality securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government. U.S. Government securities may be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, or the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the security.

 

When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery and Forward Commitments

The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis, may purchase and sell such securities on a delayed-delivery basis, and may enter into contracts to purchase such securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond normal settlement time (i.e., forward commitments). The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined by Forward Management to be liquid in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees to cover its obligations with respect to any when-issued securities, delayed delivery securities or forward commitments. Typically, no income accrues on securities the Fund has committed to purchase prior to the time delivery of the securities is made, although the Fund may earn income on securities it has segregated or “earmarked” to cover these positions.

 

Discussion of Principal and Non-Principal Risks

 

 

There are inherent risks associated with the Fund’s principal investment strategies. The factors that are most likely to have a material effect on the Fund’s investment portfolio as a whole are called “principal risks.” The principal risks of the Fund are summarized in the “Fund Summary” section above and further described below along with the non-principal risks of the Fund. The Fund may be subject to additional risks other than those described because the types of investment made by the Fund may change over time. Because the Fund may invest in other investment companies, it will be subject to the same risks of the other investment companies to the extent of its investment. For additional information regarding risks of investing in the Fund, please see the SAI.

 

Principal Risks

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The holding by the Fund of a substantial portion of its assets in cash and/or cash equivalents such as money market securities, U.S. government obligations and short-term debt securities, which may occur under certain market conditions, could have a negative effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Commodity Sector

Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or sectors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The energy sector can be significantly affected by changes in the prices and supplies of oil and other energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, and tax and other government regulations, policies of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and relationships among OPEC members and between OPEC and oil importing nations. The metals sector can be affected by sharp price volatility over short periods caused by global economic, financial and political factors, resource availability, government regulation, economic cycles, changes in inflation or expectations about inflation in various countries, interest rates, currency fluctuations, metal sales by governments, central banks or international agencies, investment speculation and fluctuations in industrial and commercial supply and demand. The commodity-linked

 

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securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, including the banking, brokerage and insurance sectors. As a result, events affecting issuers in the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

 

Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in short-term and/or long-term debt securities. Debt securities in which the Fund may invest are subject to several types of investment risk. They may have market or interest rate risk, which means their value will be affected by fluctuations in the prevailing interest rates. Bonds are subject to the risk that interest rates will rise and that, as a result, bond prices will fall, lowering the value of the Fund’s investments in bonds. Investments in these types of securities pose the risk that Forward Management’s forecast of the direction of interest rates might be incorrect.

 

Debt securities are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer may be unable to make timely interest payments and repay the principal upon maturity. The credit quality of a bond or fixed-income holding could deteriorate as a result of a bankruptcy or extended losses. There is no guarantee that a sovereign government will support certain government sponsored entity securities and, accordingly, these securities involve a risk of non-payment of principal and interest. In addition, the value of the Fund’s debt securities will generally decline if the credit rating of the issuer declines, and an issuer whose credit rating has declined may be unable to make payments of principal and/or interest.

 

Call or income risk exists with respect to corporate bonds during periods of falling interest rates because of the possibility that securities with high interest rates will be prepaid or “called” by the issuer before they mature. The Fund would have to reinvest the proceeds at a possibly lower interest rate. The Fund may also be subject to event risk, which is the possibility that corporate debt securities held by the Fund may suffer a substantial decline in credit quality and market value if the issuer restructures.

 

Debt securities generally increase in value during periods of falling interest rates and decline in value if interest rates increase. Usually, the longer the remaining maturity of a debt security is, the greater the effect interest rate changes have on its market value.

 

Derivatives

The Fund may invest in derivatives, which are securities whose value is based on the value of another security or index. These instruments include options, futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swap agreements, and similar instruments. There is limited consensus as to what constitutes a “derivative.” For the Fund’s purposes, derivatives may also include customized baskets or options (which may incorporate other securities directly and also various derivatives including common stock, options and futures) structured as agreed upon by a counterparty, as well as specially structured types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities whose value is linked to foreign currencies. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments, and certain derivatives may create a risk of loss greater than the amount invested.

 

Investing for hedging purposes or to increase the Fund’s return may result in certain additional transaction costs that may reduce the Fund’s performance. The Fund may use a variety of currency hedging techniques to attempt to hedge exchange rate risk or gain exposure to a particular currency. When used for hedging purposes, no assurance can be given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged. Because the markets for certain derivative instruments are relatively new, suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes and there can be no assurance that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by Forward Management, or if available, that such techniques will be utilized by Forward Management.

 

The market value of derivative instruments and securities may be more volatile than that of other instruments, and each type of derivative instrument may have its own special risks, including the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly with underlying assets, rates, and indexes. Many derivatives, in particular privately negotiated derivatives, are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to the Fund. The value of derivatives may not correlate perfectly, or at all, with the value of the assets, reference rates or indexes they are designed to closely track.

 

Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, including liquidity risk (the possibility that the derivative may be difficult to purchase or sell and Forward Management may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price), leverage risk (the possibility that adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in loss of an amount substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative), interest rate risk (some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations), and counterparty risk (the risk that a counterparty may be unable to perform according to a contract, and that any deterioration in a counterparty’s creditworthiness could adversely affect the instrument). In addition, because derivative products are highly specialized, investment techniques and risk analyses employed with respect to investments in derivatives are different from those associated with stocks and bonds. Finally, the Fund’s use of derivatives may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates) than if the Fund had not used such instruments. Derivative instruments are also subject to the risk that the market value of an instrument will change to the detriment of the Fund. If Forward Management inaccurately forecast the values of securities, currencies or interest rates or other economic factors in using derivatives, the Fund might have been in a better position if it had not entered into the transaction at all. Some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, but they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other investments held by the Fund. The Fund may also have to buy or sell a security at a disadvantageous time or price because regulations require funds to maintain offsetting positions or asset coverage in connection with certain derivatives transactions.

 

The SAI provides a more detailed description of the types of derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest and their associated risks.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)

The Fund’s investment in ETFs will be subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities or other property held by the ETFs. The value of the Fund’s investment will fluctuate in response to the performance of the ETFs owned by the Fund. In addition to brokerage costs associated with the Fund’s pur-

 

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Discussion of Principal and Non-Principal Risks

 

 

chase and sale of shares of ETFs, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the ETFs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying the Fund’s expenses. The market value of an ETF share may differ from its net asset value and there may be times when an ETF share trades at a premium or discount to its net asset value.

 

Many ETFs are intended to provide investment results that, before expenses, generally correspond to the price and yield performance of a corresponding market index or basket of securities, and the value of their shares should, under normal circumstances, closely track the value of the underlying component stocks. ETFs generally do not buy or sell securities, except to the extent necessary to conform their portfolios to the corresponding index. Because an ETF has operating expenses and transaction costs, while a market index or basket of securities does not, ETFs that track particular indices or baskets of securities typically will be unable to match the performance of the index or basket of securities exactly. Investment in the Fund should be made with the understanding that the ETFs in which the Fund invests will not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices or baskets of securities they track because the total return generated by the securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of the securities and other ETF expenses, whereas such transaction costs and expenses are not included in the calculation of the total returns of the indices or baskets of securities. Certain securities comprising the indices or baskets of securities tracked by the ETFs may, from time to time, temporarily be unavailable.

 

Government-Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”)

Certain GSEs (such as Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and FHLB), although sponsored or chartered by the U.S. Government, are not funded by the U.S. Government and the securities they issue are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. As a result, securities issued by GSEs carry greater credit risk than securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or government agencies that carry the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

 

Liquidity

Liquidity risk is financial risk due to uncertain liquidity. An institution might lose liquidity if its credit rating falls, it experiences sudden unexpected cash outflows, or some other event causes counterparties to avoid trading with or lending to the institution. A firm is also exposed to liquidity risk if markets on which it depends are subject to loss of liquidity. Derivative based securities and privately issued mortgage-related securities and other asset-backed securities, which do not have a government or government-sponsored guarantee, that are subject to substantial market and credit risk may have greater liquidity risk. Less liquid securities may trade infrequently, trade at a smaller volume and be quite volatile. This means that they may be harder to purchase or sell at a fair price or quickly enough to prevent or minimize loss.

 

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities

A mortgage-backed security, which represents an interest in a pool of assets such as mortgage loans, will mature when all the mortgages in the pool mature or are prepaid. Therefore, mortgage-backed securities do not have a fixed maturity, and their expected maturities may vary when interest rates rise or fall.

 

Mortgage-backed securities are subject to extension risk, which is the risk that a Fund that holds mortgage-backed securities may exhibit additional volatility during periods of rising interest rates. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. In addition, mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment risk. When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Fund because the Fund will have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates.

 

The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable in quality to mortgage assets. If the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the security. In the event of a default, the Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed.

 

No Operating History

The Fund has not operated for a full fiscal year and as such has no prior operating history by which an investor can evaluate performance.

 

Non-Diversification

As a non-diversified fund, the Fund is subject to relaxed limits on the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. The Fund must, however, comply with tax diversification regulations, which require it to be diversified at each quarter end with respect to at least half of its assets.

 

As a “non-diversified” mutual fund, the Fund has the ability to invest a larger percentage of its assets in the securities of a smaller number of issuers than a “diversified” fund. Because the appreciation or depreciation of a single portfolio security may have a greater impact on the net asset value of the Fund, the net asset value per share of the Fund can be expected to fluctuate more than that of a comparable diversified fund.

 

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund is generally expected to engage in frequent and active trading of portfolio securities to achieve its investment objective. A higher turnover rate (100% or more) will involve correspondingly greater transaction costs (such as brokerage commissions or markups or markdowns), which will be borne directly by the Fund, may have an adverse impact on performance, and may increase the potential for more taxable distributions being paid to shareholders, including short-term capital gains that are taxed at ordinary income rates. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate will vary from year to year.

 

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Repurchase Agreements

Repurchase agreements are transactions in which an institution (e.g., a bank or securities firm) sells a Fund a security at one price and agrees to repurchase that security at a higher price, normally within a seven day period. Each repurchase agreement entered into by a Fund will be fully collateralized at all times during the period of the agreement by securities in which the Fund can invest. If a seller becomes subject to bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings or fails to repurchase a security from a Fund, the Fund may incur losses including as a result of (a) a possible decline in value of the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (b) a possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period, and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

 

Subsidiary

The Fund, through its investments in the Subsidiary, will be indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The derivatives and other investments that will be held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and will be subject to the same risks applicable to similar investments held directly by the Fund. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the SAI and could adversely affect the Fund.

 

Tax

The federal income tax treatment of the complex securities in which the Fund may invest may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). It could be more difficult to comply with the tax requirements applicable to regulated investment companies if the tax characterization of investments or the tax treatment of the income from such investments were successfully challenged by the IRS. Any such failure to comply with the rules applicable to regulated investment companies could make it more difficult for the Fund itself to comply with such rules. In addition, the Fund’s use of derivatives may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income rates) than if the Fund had not used such instruments.

 

Non-Principal Risks

 

Foreign Securities

Investments in foreign securities may present more risk than investing in U.S. securities due to a number of factors. In particular, as a result of investing in foreign securities, the Fund may be subject to increased risk of loss caused by any of the factors listed below:

 

   

Unstable political, social, and economic conditions;

 

   

Lower levels of liquidity and market efficiency;

 

   

Greater securities price volatility;

 

   

Currency exchange rate fluctuations, exchange control, and restrictions or prohibitions on the repatriation of foreign currencies;

 

   

Less availability of adequate or accurate public information about issuers;

 

   

Limitations on foreign ownership of securities;

 

   

Imposition of withholding taxes, other taxes or exit levies;

 

   

Imposition of restrictions on the expatriation of funds or other assets of the Fund;

 

   

Higher transaction and custody costs and delays in settlement procedures;

 

   

Difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations;

 

   

Lower levels of regulation of the securities market and other differences in the way securities markets operate;

 

   

Weaker accounting, disclosure, and reporting requirements; and

 

   

Legal principles relating to corporate governance, directors’ fiduciary duties and liabilities, and stockholders’ rights in markets in which the Fund invests may not be as extensive as those that apply in the United States.

 

In addition, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. Investments in emerging markets in particular involve even greater risks such as immature economic structures and different legal systems.

 

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Management of the Fund

 

 

INVESTMENT ADVISOR/PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Forward Management serves as investment advisor to the Fund. Forward Management is located at 101 California Street, Suite 1600, San Francisco, California 94111. As of December 31, 2009, Forward Management had approximately $5.4 billion of assets under management.

 

Forward Management has the authority to manage the Fund in accordance with the investment objective, policies, and restrictions of the Fund, subject to general supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Forward Management has managed the Forward Funds since September 1998 and the Forward Funds are its principal investment advisory clients. Forward Management directly manages the Fund’s assets without the use of a sub-advisor. Forward Management also provides the Fund with ongoing management supervision and policy direction.

 

The Fund pays a management fee to Forward Management for its services as investment advisor to the Fund. The fee is computed daily and paid monthly at the annual rate of 1.00% based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

The Subsidiary has entered into a separate advisory agreement with Forward Management for the management of the Subsidiary’s portfolio pursuant to which the Subsidiary is obligated to pay Forward Management a management fee at the same rate that the Fund pays Forward Management for services provided to the Fund. Forward Management has agreed to waive the management fee it receives from the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee paid to Forward Management by the Subsidiary. This waiver may not be terminated without the consent of the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the investment advisory contract of the Fund will be available in the Forward Funds’ semi-annual report for the period ending June 30, 2011.

 

The Fund is team managed and all investment decisions are made jointly by the team. The team is primarily responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Fund and the Subsidiary. The members of the team are:

 

Jim O’Donnell, CFA. Mr. O’Donnell is President of Forward Asset Management and Chief Investment Officer of Forward Management. He has held this position since July 2006. Mr. O’Donnell has overall responsibility for asset management at Forward Management. From September 2001 to October 2002 and from February 2004 to May 2006, Mr. O’Donnell was an Analyst with Meisenbach Capital, conducting fundamental and financial analysis for a hedge fund portfolio. Between November 2002 and February 2004, Mr. O’Donnell was a consultant with Rainmaker Alliance, consulting with venture capital and start-up firms on financial models, projections, and business strategy. From April 1993 to August 2001, Mr. O’Donnell was a Portfolio Manager for Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, responsible for stock selection and financial analysis for large cap, mid cap and small cap portfolios. Mr. O’Donnell is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds an MBA. Mr. O’Donnell has managed the Fund since inception.

 

Nathan J. Rowader. Mr. Rowader has been with Forward Management since September 2008 as Director of Investments. Mr. Rowader has primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Subsidiary. Prior to joining Forward Management, Mr. Rowader was with Accessor Capital Management from February 2007, as Investment Officer and member of Accessor’s Investment Committee; from December 2007, as Senior Investment Officer; and from February 2008 as Chief Investment Officer. Prior to Accessor Capital Management, Mr. Rowader was a Risk Management Analyst at OppenheimerFunds from 2005 to February 2007 and a Fund Analyst at OppenheimerFunds from 2004 to 2005. Prior to the OppenheimerFunds, Mr. Rowader served as a Financial Consultant at Linsco/Private Ledger from 2003 to 2004 and as a Senior Project Manager at WallStreetOnDemand from 1998 to 2003. Mr. Rowader holds an MBA. Mr. Rowader has managed the Fund since inception.

 

Paul Herber, CFA. Mr. Herber has been with Forward Management since September 2008 as an Investment Officer. Prior to joining Forward Management, Mr. Herber was with Accessor Capital Management since February 2008 as an Investment Officer and member of Accessor’s Investment Committee. Prior to Accessor Capital Management, Mr. Herber was a Research Analyst at Wexford Capital Management from February 2006 to January 2008; the owner and operator of Genesis Games and Gizmos from June 2004 to January 2006; and a research associate at Capital International from June 2002 through May 2004. Mr. Herber has been a CFA Charterholder since 2003. Mr. Herber has managed the Fund since inception.

 

David L. Ruff, CFA. Mr. Ruff is a Portfolio Manager for Forward Management with emphasis on Small-Mid Core, U.S. Dividend, Global Dividend, and International Dividend strategies and has held this position since August 2008. Mr. Ruff has co-primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund. From 2001 to July 2008, Mr. Ruff was Chief Investment Officer and a Member of the Investment Policy Committee for Berkeley Capital Management. From 1987-2001, Mr. Ruff was Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for London Pacific Advisors. Mr. Ruff is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr. Ruff has managed the Fund since inception.

 

The SAI contains additional information about portfolio manager compensation, other accounts managed by each portfolio manager, and each portfolio manager’s ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

HIRING SUB-ADVISORS WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL

Forward Management and Forward Funds have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits Forward Management, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, to hire and terminate non-affiliated sub-advisors or to materially amend existing sub-advisory agreements with non-affiliated sub-advisors for the Forward Funds without shareholder approval. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, shareholders of the affected Fund will be notified of sub-advisor changes within 90 days after the effective date of such change.

 

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Valuation of Shares

 

 

The price you pay for a share of a Fund, and the price you receive upon selling or redeeming a share of a Fund, is based on the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”). The NAV per share for a Fund for purposes of pricing sales and redemptions is calculated by dividing the value of all securities and other assets belonging to the Fund, less the liabilities charged to the Fund, by the number of shares of the Fund that have already been issued.

 

The NAV of a Fund (and each class of shares) is usually determined and its shares are priced as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day. A “Business Day” is a day on which the NYSE is open for trading. Currently, the NYSE is typically closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

 

When you buy shares, you pay the NAV per share. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV per share. The price at which a purchase or redemption is effected is based on the next calculation of net asset value after the order is placed. Orders received by financial intermediaries prior to the close of trading on the NYSE will be confirmed at the offering price computed as of the close of trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day. A “Business Day” is a day on which the NYSE is open for trading. It is the responsibility of the financial intermediary to insure that all orders are transmitted in a timely manner to the Fund. Orders received by financial intermediaries after the close of trading on the NYSE will be confirmed at the next computed offering price.

 

The NAV per share of a Fund will fluctuate as the market value of the Fund’s investments changes. The NAV of different classes of shares of the Fund will differ due to differing class expenses. A Fund’s assets are valued generally by using available market quotations or at fair value, as described below, as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures established by, and under direction of, the Board of Trustees.

 

Portfolio securities or contracts that are listed or traded on a national securities exchange, contract market or over-the-counter markets and that are freely transferable will be valued at the last reported sale price or a market’s official closing price on the valuation day, or, if there has been no sale that day, at the average of the last reported bid and ask price on the valuation day for long positions or ask prices for short positions. If no bid or ask prices are quoted before closing, such securities or contracts will be valued at either the last available sale price, or at fair value, as discussed below.

 

In cases in which securities are traded on more than one exchange, the securities are valued on the exchange designated by or under the authority of the Board of Trustees as the primary market.

 

Debt securities (including convertible debt) that have more than 60 days remaining until maturity or that are credit impaired for which market data is readily available will be valued on the basis of the average of the latest bid and ask price. Debt securities that mature in less than 60 days and that are not credit impaired are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less, or by amortizing the value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days (unless the Board of Trustees determines that this method does not represent fair value). For most debt securities, Forward Funds receives pricing information from independent pricing vendors (approved by the Board of Trustees) which also use information provided by market makers or estimates of value obtained from yield data relating to securities with similar characteristics. As appropriate, quotations for high yield bonds may also take additional factors into consideration such as the activity of the underlying equity or sector movements. In the event valuation information is not available from third party pricing vendors for a debt security held by the Fund, such security may be valued by quotations obtained from dealers that make markets in such securities or otherwise determined based on the fair value of such securities, as discussed below. Because long-term bonds and lower-rated bonds tend to be less liquid, their values may be determined based on fair value more frequently than portfolio holdings that are more frequently traded or that have relatively higher credit ratings.

 

Futures, options on futures, and swap contracts that are listed or traded on a national securities exchange, commodities exchange, contract market or over-the-counter markets and that are freely transferable will be valued at their closing settlement price on the exchange on which they are primarily traded or based upon the current settlement price for a like instrument acquired on the day on which the option is being valued. A settlement price may not be used if the market makes a limit move with respect to a particular commodity. Over-the-counter futures, options on futures, and swap contracts for which market quotations are readily available will be valued based on quotes received from third party pricing services or one or more dealers that make markets in such securities. If quotes are not available from a third party pricing service or one or more dealers, quotes shall be determined based on the fair value of such securities, as discussed below.

 

Options on securities and options on indexes will be valued using the last quoted sale price as of the close of the securities or commodities exchange on which they are traded. Certain investments including options may trade in the over-the-counter market and generally will be valued based on quotes received from a third party pricing service or one or more dealers that make markets in such securities, or at fair value, as discussed below.

 

To the extent that a Fund holds securities listed primarily on a foreign exchange that trade on days when the Fund is not open for business or the NYSE is not open for trading, the value of the portfolio securities may change on days that you cannot buy or sell shares. To the extent that a Fund invests in foreign securities that are principally traded in a foreign market, the calculation of the Fund’s NAV may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of portfolio securities of foreign issuers used in such calculation. Therefore, the NAV of a Fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the Fund’s shares. Portfolio securities that are primarily traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on their respective exchanges, except when an occurrence subsequent to the time a value was so established is likely to have changed such value. In such an event, the fair value of those securities will be determined in good faith through the consideration of other factors in accordance with procedures established by, and under the general supervision of, the Board of Trustees.

 

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies will have a market value converted into U.S. dollars at the prevailing foreign currency exchange daily rates as provided by a pricing service. Forward currency exchange contracts will have a market value determined by the prevailing foreign currency exchange daily rates and current foreign currency exchange forward rates. The foreign currency exchange forward rates are calculated using an automated system that estimates rates on the basis of the current day foreign currency exchange rates and forward foreign currency exchange rates supplied by a pricing service. Prevailing foreign exchange rates and forward foreign currency

 

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Valuation of Shares

 

 

exchange rates may generally be obtained at the close of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. As available and as provided by an appropriate pricing service, translation of foreign security and currency market values may also occur with the use of foreign exchange rates obtained at approximately 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, which approximates the close of the London Exchange.

 

Redeemable securities issued by open-end investment companies are valued at the investment company’s applicable NAV, with the exception of exchange-traded open-end investment companies, which are priced as equity securities in accordance with procedures established by, and under direction of, the Board of Trustees.

 

Forward Funds has a policy that contemplates the use of fair value pricing to determine the NAV per share of the Fund when market prices are unavailable, as well as under other circumstances, such as (i) if the primary market for a portfolio security suspends or limits trading or price movements of the security or (ii) when events occur after the close of the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded that are likely to have changed the value of the security. When the Fund uses fair value pricing to determine the NAV per share of the Fund, securities will not be priced on the basis of quotations from the primary market in which they are traded, but rather may be priced by another method that the Board of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair value. The fair value of certain of a Fund’s securities may be determined through the use of a statistical research service or other calculation methodology. Forward Funds’ policy is intended to result in a calculation of a Fund’s NAV that fairly reflects security values as of the time of pricing. While fair values determined pursuant to Forward Funds’ procedures are intended to represent the amount a Fund would expect to receive if the fair valued security were sold at the time of fair valuation, the fair value may not equal what the Fund would receive if it actually were to sell the security as of the time of pricing.

 

Because the Fund may invest in below investment grade securities and securities of small capitalization companies, which may be infrequently traded and therefore relatively illiquid, and foreign securities, the valuation of which may not take place contemporaneously with the calculation of the Fund’s NAV, the Fund may be subject to relatively greater risks of market timing, and in particular, a strategy that seeks to take advantage of inefficiencies in market valuation of these securities because of infrequent trading. For this reason, the Fund may, at times, fair value some or all of its portfolio securities in order to deter such market timing.

 

Purchasing Shares

 

 

HOW TO BUY SHARES

You can open an account and make an initial purchase of Class Z shares of the Fund directly from the Fund or through a financial intermediary that has established an agreement with the Fund’s Distributor. The Fund, or certain classes thereof, may not be available for purchase in your state of residence. Please check with your financial intermediary to ensure your eligibility to purchase Class Z shares of the Fund.

 

To open an account and make an initial purchase directly with the Fund, you can mail a check (payable to Forward Funds) in the minimum amounts described below, along with a completed and signed Account Application, to Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201. To obtain an Account Application, call (800) 999-6809 or download one from www.forwardfunds.com. A completed Account Application must include your valid taxpayer identification number, street address, name, and date of birth. You may be subject to penalties if you falsify information with respect to your taxpayer identification number.

 

After you have opened an account, you can make subsequent purchases of Class Z shares of the Fund through your financial intermediary or directly from the Fund. To purchase shares directly by mail, send your instruction and a check to the Fund at P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201.

 

You also can make subsequent purchases of Class Z shares of the Fund through the Internet. To do so, you must be an existing shareholder of the Fund and your account must be bank ACH active. You may not initially open an account with the Fund via the Internet. To purchase Fund shares online, you must select this option on the account application. You can establish a user ID and password at www.forwardfunds.com by selecting Account Login. If you have questions or problems accessing your account, contact Forward Funds at (800) 999-6809.

 

Requests must be received prior to the close of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The Transfer Agent must receive payment for shares by 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the business day following the purchase request.

 

You also can open an account and make an initial purchase of Class Z shares and subsequent purchases of shares through a financial intermediary that has established an agreement with the Fund’s Distributor.

 

There are no initial sales loads for Class Z shares of the Fund. Depending upon the terms of your account, you may pay account fees for services provided in connection with your investment in Class Z shares of the Fund. Financial intermediaries may charge their customers a transaction or service fee. Forward Funds or your financial intermediary can provide you with information about these services and charges. You should read this prospectus in conjunction with any such information you receive.

 

When you purchase shares of the Fund, you must choose a share class. Each share class of the Fund represents an investment in the same portfolio of securities, but each share class has its own sales charge and expense structure, allowing you to choose the class that best meets your situation. The Fund contained in this prospectus also offers additional classes of shares pursuant to separate prospectuses and Forward Funds offers additional funds pursuant to separate prospectuses. Information on such other share classes and Forward Funds can be requested by calling (800) 999-6809. When you purchase shares of the Fund, you must choose a share class.

 

Factors you should consider in choosing a class of shares include

   

How long you expect to own the shares

 

   

How much you intend to invest

 

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Purchasing Shares

 

 

   

Total expenses associated with owning shares of each class

 

Each investor’s financial considerations are different. You should speak with your financial advisor to help you decide which share class is best for you.

 

Investor Requirements for Class Z Shares

Class Z shares of the Fund are currently only available for investment by certain other Forward Funds and are not currently available to any other investors.

 

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

 

Exchanges of Class Z Shares for the Class Z Shares of Any Other Fund

By following the instructions below, and subject to such limitations as may be imposed by the Trust, you may exchange your Class Z shares of the Fund for Class Z shares of any other Forward Fund. There are generally no fees for exchanges, but an exchange of shares between Forward Funds is technically a sale of shares in one fund followed by a purchase of shares in another fund, and therefore may have tax consequences. Thus, the exchange may, like a sale, result in a taxable gain or loss to you and will generally give you a new tax basis for your new shares.

 

Shareholders should read the prospectus for any other Forward Fund into which they are considering exchanging.

 

Exchanges of Class Z Shares for a Different Class within the Fund

Subject to such limitations as may be imposed by the Trust, you may also exchange shares of one class of the Fund for another class within the Fund. You may exchange your Class Z shares for Investor Class or Institutional Class shares of the Fund. An exchange of shares of one class of the Fund into another class of the Fund is not treated as a redemption and sale for tax purposes.

 

Shareholders should read the prospectus for any other class of shares into which they are considering exchanging.

 

General Information about Exchanges

Shares of the Fund or a class thereof may be exchanged for shares of another Forward Fund or class on days when the NYSE is open for business, as long as shareholders meet the normal investment requirements, including the minimum investment requirements, of the other Forward Fund or class. Your exchange request must be received in good order by the Transfer Agent or certain financial intermediaries prior to the close of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Requests received “in good order” must include: account name, account number, dollar or share amount of transaction, class, Fund(s), allocation of investment, and signature of authorized signer. Shares will be exchanged at the next NAV calculated after the Transfer Agent receives the exchange request in good order. Under certain circumstances, before an exchange can be made, additional documents may be required to verify the authority or legal capacity of the person seeking the exchange. Once your exchange is received in good order, it cannot be revoked by you. Exchanges into another Forward Fund and/or class must be for at least $100. The Trust reserves the right to prohibit exchanges during the first 15 days following an investment in the Fund and may terminate or change the terms of the exchange privilege at any time. In addition Forward Funds may suspend a shareholder’s exchange privilege if, in the judgment of Forward Management, the shareholder’s exchange activity indicates frequent trading or market timing that may be harmful to the Fund or its shareholders. See “Policies Concerning Frequent Purchases and Redemptions” in this prospectus.

 

Not all classes of the Forward Funds or all Forward Funds may be offered in your state of residence. Contact your financial intermediary or the Transfer Agent to ensure that the Fund or the class of shares of the Fund you want to exchange into is offered in your state of residence.

 

In general, you will receive notice of any material change to the exchange privilege at least 60 days prior to the change, although this notice period may be reduced or eliminated if determined by the Board of Trustees or Forward Management to be in the best interests of shareholders and otherwise consistent with applicable regulations.

 

You can send a written instruction specifying your exchange or, if you have authorized telephone exchanges previously and we have a record of your authorization, you can call (800) 999-6809 to execute your exchange. Under certain circumstances, before an exchange can be made, additional documents may be required to verify the authority or legal capacity of the person seeking the exchange.

 

PRICING OF FUND SHARES

When you purchase shares, you will pay the NAV that is next calculated after we receive your order. If you place an order for the purchase of shares through a financial intermediary, the purchase price will be based on the NAV next determined, but only if the financial intermediary receives the order by the close of the Business Day. Your financial intermediary is responsible for transmitting such orders promptly. If the financial intermediary fails to transmit your order properly, your right to that Business Day’s closing price must be settled between the financial intermediary and you.

 

Purchases of shares of the Fund will be effected only on a Business Day. An order received prior to the daily cut-off time on any Business Day is processed based on that day’s NAV. An order received after the cut-off time on any Business Day is processed based on the NAV determined as of the next Business Day of the Fund.

 

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in shares of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary offers to redeem all or a portion of its shares at the current NAV per share every regular business day. The value of shares of the Subsidiary fluctuates with the value of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments. The Subsidiary prices its portfolio investments pursuant to the same pricing and valuation methodologies and procedures used by the Fund, which require, among other things, that each of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments be marked-to-market (that is, the value on the Subsidiary’s books changes) each business day to reflect changes in the market value of each investment.

 

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Purchasing Shares

 

 

CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person that opens a new account, and to determine whether such person’s name appears on government lists of known or suspected terrorists and terrorist organizations.

 

As a matter of policy, Forward Funds requires that all individual shareholders be a U.S. citizen or resident alien. U.S. citizens holding shares of the Forward Funds who subsequently move out of the U.S. are permitted to hold and redeem shares, but are not permitted to purchase shares while residing outside of the U.S.

 

As a result, the Fund must obtain the following information for each person that opens a new account:

 

   

Name

   

Date of birth (for individuals)

   

Residential or business street address in the U.S. (post office boxes are permitted for mailing only)

   

Social Security number or taxpayer identification number

 

You may also be asked for a copy of your driver’s license, passport or other identifying document in order to verify your identity. In addition, it may be necessary to verify your identity by cross-referencing your identification information with a consumer report or other electronic database. Additional information may be required to open accounts for corporations and other entities.

 

Federal law prohibits the Fund and other financial institutions from opening a new account unless they receive the minimum identifying information listed above. After an account is opened, the Fund may restrict your ability to purchase additional shares until your identity is verified. The Fund may close your account or take other appropriate action if it is unable to verify your identity within a reasonable time. If your account is closed for this reason, your shares will be redeemed at the NAV next calculated after the account is closed.

 

Forward Funds and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares when an investor’s identity is not verified.

 

eDELIVERY

eDelivery allows you to receive your quarterly account statements, transaction confirmations, tax forms, and other important information concerning your investment in Forward Funds online. Select this option on your account application to receive email notifications when quarterly statements, confirmations or tax forms are available for you to view via secure online access. You will also receive emails whenever a new prospectus, semi-annual or annual fund report is available. To establish eDelivery, call (800) 999-6809 or visit www.forwardfunds.com.

 

ONLINE ACCOUNT ACCESS

Shareholders can opt to access their account information online. You must select this option on your account application or go online to register. To set up online access, go to www.forwardfunds.com, select Account Login and obtain a user id and password. If you have questions, or problems accessing your account, contact Forward Funds at (800) 999-6809.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

The issuance of shares is recorded electronically on the books of Forward Funds. You will receive a confirmation and a quarterly account statement reflecting each new transaction in your account. Your quarterly statements will show the total number of shares of the Fund you own. You can rely on these statements in lieu of certificates. Certificates representing shares of the Fund will not be issued.

 

Forward Funds may be required to “freeze” your account if there appears to be suspicious activity or if account information matches information on a government list of known terrorists or other suspicious persons.

 

Due to the relatively high cost of handling small investments, Forward Funds reserve the right, upon 60 days’ written notice, to redeem, at NAV, the shares of any shareholder whose account has a value of less than $100 in the Fund, other than as a result of a decline in the NAV per share. This policy will not be implemented where the Fund has previously waived the minimum investment requirement for that shareholder. Before the Fund redeems such shares and sends the proceeds to the shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value of the shares in the account is less than the minimum amount and will allow the shareholder 60 days to make an additional investment in an amount that will increase the value of the account to at least $100 before the redemption is processed. As a sale of your Fund shares, this redemption may have tax consequences.

 

Forward Funds reserves the right to refuse any request to purchase shares.

 

Redeeming Shares

 

 

You may normally redeem your shares on any Business Day. Redemptions are priced at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of a redemption request in good order by the Forward Funds’ Distributor, Forward Funds or their agent. A financial intermediary may charge its customers a transaction or service fee in connection with redemptions. Forward Funds intends to redeem shares of a Fund solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1.00% of the Fund’s net assets during any 90-day period for any one share-

 

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Redeeming Shares

 

 

holder. In consideration of the best interests of the remaining shareholders, Forward Funds reserves the right to pay any redemption proceeds exceeding this amount in whole or in part by a distribution in-kind of securities held by a Fund in lieu of cash. It is highly unlikely that shares would ever be redeemed in-kind. If shares are redeemed in-kind, the redeeming shareholders should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the distribution including, but not limited to, brokerage costs of converting the portfolio securities to cash.

 

Requests must be received prior to the close of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Shares will be redeemed at the next NAV calculated after the Transfer Agent receives the redemption request in good order. Payment will ordinarily be made within seven days of the request as set out in the current payment instruction on file for a shareholder’s account.

 

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

Neither the investment advisor, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent, Forward Funds nor any of their affiliates or agents will be liable for any loss, expense or cost when acting upon any oral, written or electronically transmitted instructions or inquiries believed by them to be genuine. While precautions will be taken, as more fully described below, you bear the risk of any loss as the result of unauthorized telephone redemptions or exchanges believed to be genuine. Forward Funds will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. These procedures include recording phone conversations, sending confirmations to shareholders within 72 hours of the telephone transaction, verifying the account name and sending redemption proceeds only to the address of record or to a previously authorized bank account.

 

 

By Telephone

 

You may redeem your shares by telephone if you choose that option on your Account Application. If you did not originally select the telephone option, you must provide written instructions to Forward Funds in order to add this option. The maximum amount that an individual investor may redeem by telephone at any one time is $50,000. You may have the proceeds mailed to your address of record, wired or sent via ACH to a bank account previously designated on the Account Application. If you elect to have the payment wired to your bank, a wire transfer fee of $30.00 will be charged by Forward Funds.

 

 

By Mail

 

To redeem by mail, you must send a written request for redemption to Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201. The Fund’s Transfer Agent will require a Medallion Signature Guarantee. A Medallion Signature Guarantee may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association, or other financial institution that is participating in a medallion program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. Signature guarantees from financial institutions that are not participating in one of these programs are not accepted as Medallion Signature Guarantees. The Medallion Signature Guarantee requirement will be waived if all of the following conditions apply (1) the redemption is payable to the shareholder(s) of record, (2) the redemption is delivered to the shareholder(s) at the address of record or current banking instructions on file (3) an application is on file with the Transfer Agent, and (4) the proceeds of the redemption are $50,000 or less. The Transfer Agent cannot send an overnight package to a post office box.

 

 

By Systematic Withdrawal

 

You may elect to have annual or monthly electronic transfers ($100 minimum) made to your bank account from your Forward Funds account. Your Forward Funds account must have a minimum balance of $100 and automatically have all dividends and capital gains reinvested. If the balance of your account falls below $100, the systematic withdrawal will be terminated, and you must resubmit your request in writing to have the privilege reinstated. The transfer will be made on the day you specify (or the next Business Day) to your designated account or a check will be mailed to your address of record. If you do not specify a day, the transfer will be made on the 20th day of each month or the next Business Day if the 20th is not a Business Day.

 

 

Retirement Accounts

 

To redeem shares from an IRA, Roth IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, 403(b) or other retirement account, you must mail a completed and signed Distribution Form to the Forward Funds. You may not redeem shares of an IRA, Roth IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, 403(b) or other retirement account by telephone or via the Internet.

 

PAYMENTS OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

Redemption orders are valued at the NAV per share next determined after the shares are properly tendered for redemption, as described above. Payment for shares redeemed generally will be made within seven days after receipt of a valid request for redemption. Forward Funds may temporarily stop redeeming shares or delay payment of redemption proceeds when the NYSE is closed or trading on the NYSE is restricted, when an emergency exists and Forward Funds cannot sell shares or accurately determine the value of assets, if the SEC orders Forward Funds to suspend redemptions or delay payment of redemption proceeds, or to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations.

 

At various times, Forward Funds may be requested to redeem shares for which it has not yet received good payment. If this is the case, the forwarding of proceeds may be delayed until payment has been collected for the purchase of the shares. The delay may last 15 days or more. Forward Funds intends to forward the redemption proceeds as soon as good payment for purchase orders has been received. This delay may be avoided if shares are purchased by wire or ACH transfer. Forward Funds intends to pay cash for all shares redeemed, except in cases noted above under the heading “Redeeming Shares,” in which case payment for certain large redemptions may be made wholly or partly in portfolio securities that have a market value equal to the redemption price. You may incur brokerage costs in converting the portfolio securities to cash.

 

 

By Check

 

You may have a check for the redemption proceeds mailed to your address of record. To change the address to which a redemption check is to be mailed, you must send a written request with a Medallion Signature Guarantee to Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201.

 

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Redeeming Shares

 

 

 

By ACH Transfer

 

You can arrange for the proceeds of a redemption to be sent by ACH to a single previously designated bank account if you have given authorization for ACH redemption on your Forward Funds Account Application.

 

 

By Wire Transfer

 

You can arrange for the proceeds of a redemption to be sent by wire transfer to a single previously designated bank account if you have given authorization for wire redemption on your Forward Funds Account Application. This redemption option does not apply to shares held in broker “street name” accounts. If a request for a wire redemption is received by Forward Funds prior to the close of the NYSE, the shares will be redeemed that day at the next determined NAV, and the proceeds will generally be sent to the designated bank account the next Business Day. The bank must be a member of the Federal Reserve wire system. Delivery of the proceeds of a wire redemption request may be delayed by Forward Funds for up to seven days if Forward Funds deems it appropriate under then current market conditions. Redeeming shareholders will be notified if a delay in transmitting proceeds is anticipated. Forward Funds cannot be responsible for the efficiency of the Federal Reserve wire system or the shareholder’s bank. You are responsible for any charges imposed by your bank. The minimum amount that may be wired is $2,500. Forward Funds reserves the right to change this minimum or to terminate the wire redemption privilege. Shares purchased by check may not be redeemed by wire transfer until the shares have been owned (i.e., paid for) for at least 15 days. To change the name of the single bank account designated to receive wire redemption proceeds, you must send a written request with a Medallion Signature Guarantee to Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201. If you elect to have the payment wired to your bank, a wire transfer fee of $30.00 will be charged by Forward Funds.

 

Policies Concerning Frequent Purchases and Redemptions

 

 

The Funds do not accommodate short-term or excessive trading that interferes with the efficient management of a Fund, significantly increases transaction costs or taxes, or may harm a Fund’s performance. The Funds attempt to discover and discourage frequent trading in several ways. These methods include trade activity monitoring (which may take into account transaction size), and fair value pricing. Although these methods are designed to discourage frequent trading, there can be no guarantee that the Funds will be able to identify and restrict investors that engage in such activities. These methods are inherently subjective, and involve a significant degree of judgment in their application. The Funds and their service providers seek to make these judgments and apply these methods uniformly and in a manner that they believe is consistent with the interests of the Funds’ long-term shareholders. These frequent trading policies may be amended in the future to enhance the effectiveness of the program or in response to changes in regulatory requirements.

 

The Funds monitor trading activity with respect to the purchase, sale and exchange of Fund shares. Trading activity is evaluated to determine whether such activity is indicative of market timing activity or is otherwise detrimental to a Fund. If the Funds believe that a shareholder of a Fund has engaged in short-term or excessive trading activity to the detriment of the Fund and its long-term shareholders, the Funds may, in their sole discretion, request the shareholder to stop such trading activities or refuse to process purchases or exchanges in the shareholder’s account. The Funds specifically reserve the right to reject any purchase or exchange order by any investor or group of investors indefinitely for any reason.

 

The Funds currently are unable to directly monitor the trading activity of beneficial owners of the Funds’ shares who hold those shares through third-party 401(k) and other group retirement plans and other omnibus arrangements maintained by other intermediaries. Omnibus accounts allow intermediaries to aggregate their customers’ investments in one account and to purchase, redeem and exchange Fund shares without the identity of a particular customer being known to a Fund. A number of these financial intermediaries may not have the capability or may not be willing to apply the Funds’ frequent trading policies. Although they attempt to do so, the Funds cannot assure that these policies will be enforced with regard to Fund shares held through such omnibus arrangements.

 

The Funds have adopted procedures to fair value each Fund’s securities in certain circumstances when market prices are not readily available, including when trading in a security is halted or suspended; when a security’s primary pricing source is unable or unwilling to provide a price; when a security’s primary trading market is closed during regular market hours; or when a security’s value is materially affected by events occurring after the close of the security’s primary trading market. By fair valuing securities, the Funds seek to establish prices that investors might expect to realize upon the current sales of these securities. For non-U.S. securities, fair valuation is intended to deter market timers who may take advantage of time zone differences between the close of the foreign markets on which a Fund’s portfolio securities trade and the U.S. markets that determine the time as of which the Fund’s NAV is calculated.

 

The Funds make fair value determinations in good faith in accordance with the Funds’ valuation procedures. Because of the subjective and variable nature of fair value pricing, there can be no assurance that a Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to the security upon the sale of such security.

 

Distribution and Shareholder Services Plans

 

 

Distribution Plan

Forward Funds has not adopted a distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 for Class Z shares of the Fund.

 

Shareholder Services Plan

Forward Funds has not adopted a shareholder services plan for Class Z shares of the Fund.

 

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Additional Payments to Intermediaries

 

 

Forward Management or its affiliates may enter into arrangements to make additional payments, also referred to as “revenue sharing,” to certain financial intermediaries or their affiliates. For purposes of these additional payments, the term “financial intermediary” includes any broker, dealer, bank (including bank trust departments), registered investment advisor, financial planner, retirement plan administrator, third-party administrator, insurance company and/or any other institutions having a selling, administration or any similar arrangement with either Forward Management or its affiliates.

 

Revenue sharing arrangements occur when Forward Management or its affiliates agree to pay out of their own resources (which may include legitimate profits from providing advisory or other services to the Fund) cash or other compensation to financial intermediaries, in addition to any sales charges, distribution fees, service fees or other expenses paid by the Fund or its shareholders as disclosed in the Fund’s Fees and Expenses tables in this prospectus. Such additional payments are generally based on the average net assets of the Fund, assets held over a certain time period by a certain financial intermediary, and/or sales of the Fund’s shares through a particular financial intermediary. Furthermore, such additional payments are not reflected in and do not change the expenses paid by investors for the purchase of shares of the Fund as disclosed in the Fund’s Fees and Expenses tables in this prospectus.

 

Revenue sharing arrangements may include payments for various purposes, including but not limited to:

 

   

payments for providing shareholder recordkeeping, processing, accounting, and/or other administrative or distribution services;

   

payments for placement of a Fund on an intermediary’s list of mutual funds available for purchase by its customers or for including a Fund within a group that receives special marketing focus or are placed on a “preferred list”;

   

“due diligence” payments for an intermediary’s examination of a Fund and payments for providing extra employee training and information relating to a Fund;

   

“marketing support fees” for providing assistance in promoting the sale of Fund shares;

   

provision of educational programs, including information and related support materials; and

   

occasional meals and entertainment, tickets to sporting events, nominal gifts, and travel and lodging (subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.).

 

A list of the financial intermediaries with which Forward Management or its affiliates has entered into ongoing contractual arrangements as of January 1, 2010, as described in this section, is contained in the “Additional Payments to Intermediaries” section of the SAI. Forward Management or its affiliates may in the future enter into ongoing contractual arrangements with other financial intermediaries.

 

Please ask your financial intermediary for more information about these additional payments.

 

Dividends and Taxes

 

The Fund expects to declare and pay income dividends [    ] and capital gain distributions annually, if available.

 

Any annual income dividends and/or capital gain distributions are of record and payable in December.

 

A shareholder will automatically receive all income, dividends, and capital gain distributions in additional full and fractional shares reinvested into their Forward Funds account, unless the shareholder elects to receive dividends or distributions in cash. To elect to receive your dividends in cash or to revoke your election, call (800) 999-6809 or write to us at Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201.

 

FEDERAL TAXES

The following information is meant only as a general summary for U.S. shareholders. Please see the SAI for additional information. You should rely on your own tax advisor for advice about the particular Federal, state, and local or foreign tax consequences to you of investing in a Forward Fund.

 

The Fund will distribute all or substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains to its shareholders each year.

 

Although the Fund will not be taxed on amounts it distributes, most shareholders will be taxed on amounts they receive. A particular distribution generally will be taxable as either ordinary income or long-term capital gains. The tax status of a particular distribution will generally be the same for all of a Fund’s shareholders. Except as described below, it does not matter how long you have held your Fund shares or whether you elect to receive your distributions in cash or reinvest them in additional Fund shares. For example, if the Fund designates a particular distribution as a long-term capital gain distribution, it will be taxable to you at your long-term capital gain rate.

 

Dividends attributable to interest are not eligible for the reductions in rates described below. Current tax law (which is scheduled to expire after 2010) generally provides for a maximum tax rate for individual taxpayers of 15% on long-term gains and on certain qualifying dividends on corporate stock. The Fund does not expect to distribute significant amounts of qualified dividend income. These rate reductions do not apply to corporate taxpayers. The following are guidelines for how certain distributions by the Fund are generally taxed to individual taxpayers:

 

   

Distributions of earnings from qualifying dividends and qualifying long-term capital gains will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%;

   

Distributions of earnings from dividends paid by certain “qualifying foreign corporations” can also qualify for the lower tax rates on qualifying dividends;

   

A shareholder will also have to satisfy a more than 60-day holding period with respect to any distributions of qualifying dividends in order to obtain the benefit of the lower tax rate;

   

Distributions of earnings from non-qualifying dividends, interest income, other types of ordinary income and short-term capital gains will be taxed at the ordinary income tax rate applicable to the taxpayer; and

 

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Dividends and Taxes

 

 

   

In the absence of further Congressional action, for calendar years after 2010, the maximum rate on long-term capital gains for individual taxpayers would increase to 20% and income from dividends would be taxed at the rates applicable to ordinary income.

 

Dividends declared by a Fund in October, November, or December and paid during the following January may be treated as having been received by shareholders in the year the distributions were declared. Each year, the Funds will send shareholders tax reports detailing the tax status of any distributions for that year.

 

Shareholders who are not subject to tax on their income, such as qualified retirement accounts and other tax-exempt investors, generally will not be required to pay tax on distributions.

 

There may be tax consequences to you if you sell or redeem Fund shares. You will generally have a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term, generally depending on how long you hold those shares. If you exchange a Fund’s shares for shares of another Fund, you may be treated as if you sold them and any gain on the transaction may be subject to Federal income tax. Any loss recognized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions that were received with respect to the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of a Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the tax basis of the shares acquired.

 

As with all mutual funds, a Fund may be required to withhold U.S. Federal income tax at the current rate of 28% (currently scheduled to increase to 31% after 2010) of all taxable distributions payable to you if you fail to provide the Fund with your correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, it is a way in which the IRS ensures it will collect taxes otherwise due. Any amounts withheld may be credited against your U.S. Federal income tax liability.

 

Please see the SAI for additional tax information.

 

A Fund will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes investment company taxable income and gain to shareholders in a timely manner. Dividends and other distributions that shareholders receive from a Fund, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund, are subject to federal income tax and may also be subject to state and local tax. Distributions of a Fund’s net capital gain are taxable to you as long-term capital gain, when designated by the Fund as such, regardless of the length of time you have held your shares.

 

As discussed in the “Fund Summary” section above, the Fund may invest in complex securities. These investments may be subject to numerous special and complex tax rules. These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Fund are treated as ordinary income or loss or capital gain or loss, accelerate the recognition of income to a Fund and/or defer a Fund’s ability to recognize losses. In turn, those rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to you by a Fund.

 

You should be aware that if Fund shares are purchased shortly before the record date for any dividend or capital gain distribution, you will pay the full price for the shares and will receive some portion of the price back as a taxable distribution.

 

A redemption of a Fund’s shares or an exchange of a Fund’s shares for shares of another Fund will be treated as a sale of the Fund’s shares, and any gain on the transaction will be subject to federal income tax.

 

The Fund may receive dividends and interest on securities of foreign issuers that may be subject to withholding taxes by foreign governments, and gains from the disposition of those securities also may be subject thereto, which may reduce a Fund’s total return. If the amount of taxes withheld by foreign governments is material and certain requirements are met, a Fund may elect to enable shareholders to claim a foreign tax credit regarding those taxes, subject to certain limitations.

 

After the conclusion of each calendar year, shareholders will receive information regarding the taxability of dividends and other distributions paid by the Funds during the preceding year. If you are neither a citizen nor a resident of the United States, each Fund will withhold U.S. Federal income tax at the rate of 30% on taxable dividends and other payments that are subject to such withholding. You may be able to arrange for a lower withholding rate under an applicable tax treaty if you supply the appropriate documentation required by the applicable Fund.

 

The Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income from certain qualifying sources of income in order to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code. The IRS issued a revenue ruling in December 2006 which concluded that income and gains from certain commodity-linked derivatives is not qualifying income under Subchapter M of the Code. As a result, the Fund’s ability to invest directly in commodity-linked swaps as part of its investment strategy is limited by the requirement that it receive no more than ten percent (10%) of its gross income from such investments.

 

However, in Revenue Ruling 2006-31, the IRS indicated that income from alternative investment instruments (such as certain structured notes) that create commodity exposure may be considered qualifying income under the Code. The IRS subsequently issued private letter rulings to other taxpayers in which the IRS specifically concluded that income from certain commodity index-linked notes is qualifying income and that income derived from a fund’s investment in a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) also will constitute qualifying income to the fund, even if the CFC itself owns commodity-linked swaps. The Fund seeks to gain exposure to the commodity markets primarily through investments in commodity index-linked notes and through investments in the Subsidiary.

 

A private letter ruling cannot be used or cited as precedent and is binding on the IRS only for the taxpayer that receives it. The Fund has not obtained a ruling from the IRS with respect to its investments or its structure and presently does not intend to seek such a ruling from the IRS. Based on the analysis in private letter rulings previously issued to other taxpayers, the Fund intends to treat its income from commodity index-linked notes and the Subsidiary as qualifying income without any such ruling from the IRS. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not change its position with respect to some or all of these issues or if the IRS did so, that a court would not sustain the IRS’s position. There is also no assurance that the Fund would be able to obtain a favorable ruling from the IRS if it were to request such a ruling.

 

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Dividends and Taxes

 

 

If the IRS were to change its position or otherwise determine that income derived from certain commodity-linked notes or from the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary does not constitute qualifying income and if such positions were upheld, the Fund might cease to qualify as a regulated investment company and would be required to reduce its exposure to such investments which might result in difficulty in implementing its investment strategy. If the Fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company for any taxable year, the Fund’s taxable income would be subject to tax at the Fund level at regular corporate tax rates (without reduction for distributions to shareholders) and to a further tax at the shareholder level when such income is distributed. In such event, in order to re-qualify for taxation as a regulated investment company, the Fund may be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make certain distributions.

 

A foreign corporation, such as the Subsidiary, generally is not subject to U.S. federal income taxation on its business income unless it is engaged in, or deemed to be engaged in, a U.S. trade or business. It is expected that the Subsidiary will conduct its activities so as to satisfy the requirements of a safe-harbor set forth in the Code, under which the Subsidiary may engage in certain commodity-related investments without being treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business. However, if the Subsidiary’s activities were determined not to be of the type described in the safe harbor, its activities may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation.

 

A foreign corporation, such as the Subsidiary, that does not conduct a U.S. trade or business is nonetheless subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a flat 30% rate (or lower treaty rate) on certain U.S. source gross income. No tax treaty is in force between the United States and the Cayman Islands that would reduce the 30% rate of withholding tax. However, it is not expected that the Subsidiary will derive income subject to U.S. withholding taxes.

 

The Subsidiary will be treated as a CFC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Fund must include in gross income for such purposes all of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F” income when the Subsidiary recognizes that income, whether or not the Subsidiary distributes such income to the Fund. It is expected that all of the Subsidiary’s income will be subpart F income. The Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary will be increased as a result of the Fund’s recognition of the Subsidiary’s subpart F income. The Fund will not be taxed on distributions received from the Subsidiary to the extent of the Subsidiary’s previously-undistributed subpart F income although its tax basis in the Subsidiary will be decreased by such amount. All subpart F income will be taxed as ordinary income, regardless of the nature of the transactions that generate it. Subpart F income does not qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income. If the Subsidiary recognizes a net loss, the net loss will not be available to offset income recognized by the Fund.

 

The foregoing is only a brief summary of certain federal income tax consequences of investing in the Forward Funds. Please see the SAI for a further discussion. Shareholders should consult a tax advisor for further information regarding the federal, state, and local tax consequences of an investment in shares of a Fund.

 

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

 

 

Forward Funds discloses the portfolio holdings of the Fund as of the end of each month on its website at www.forwardfunds.com. Portfolio holdings as of month-end are posted on the 21st day of the next succeeding month (or, if the 21st day is not a Business Day, then on the next Business Day).

 

A description of the Forward Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is available in the SAI.

 

Householding

 

 

To avoid sending duplicate copies of materials to households, Forward Funds may mail only one copy of each prospectus and annual and semi-annual report to shareholders having the same address on the Fund’s records. The consolidation of these mailings, called householding, benefits the Fund through reduced mailing expense. If you want to receive multiple copies of these materials, you may call the Transfer Agent at (800) 999-6809. You may also notify the Transfer Agent in writing. Individual copies of the prospectus and reports will be sent to you commencing within 30 days after the Transfer Agent receives your request to stop householding.

 

General Information

 

 

You can obtain current price, yield, and other performance information on any of the Forward Funds between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday by calling (800) 999-6809. You can request shareholder reports that contain performance information. These are available free of charge.

 

Our shareholders receive unaudited semi-annual reports and annual reports that have been audited by independent accountants. If you have any questions about Forward Funds, write to Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201 or call (800) 999-6809. In addition to information available in annual and semi-annual reports, quarterly portfolio holdings information for the first and third fiscal quarters is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and the SAI concerning the offering of the Fund’s shares. We have not authorized anyone to give any information that is not already contained in this prospectus and the SAI. Shares of the Forward Funds are offered only where the sale is legal.

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

The Fund is newly organized and its shares have not previously been offered and therefore, the Fund does not have any financial history. Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports when they are prepared.

 

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Forward Funds Privacy Policy

 

 

Forward Funds appreciates the privacy concerns and expectations of our customers. We are committed to maintaining a high level of privacy and confidentiality when it comes to your personal information and we use that information only where permitted by law. We recognize that, as our customer, you not only entrust us with your money but with your personal information. Your trust is important to us and you can be sure we will continue our tradition of protecting your personal information. We provide this privacy notice to you so that you may understand our policy with regard to the collection and disclosure of nonpublic personal information (“Information”) pertaining to you.

 

We collect the following categories of information about you:

 

   

Information we receive from you on applications or other forms; and

   

Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others.

 

We do not disclose any Information about you or any current or former customer to anyone, except as permitted by law. We may disclose Information about you and any former customer to our affiliates and to nonaffiliated third parties, as permitted by law. We do not disclose personal information that we collect about you to non-affiliated companies except to enable them to provide marketing services on our behalf, to perform joint marketing agreements with other financial institutions, or in other limited circumstances permitted by law. For example, some instances where we may disclose Information about you to third parties include: for servicing and processing transactions, to protect against fraud, for institutional risk control, to respond to judicial process or to perform services on our behalf. When we share personal information about you with these companies, we require them to limit their use of the personal information to the particular purpose for which it was shared and we do not allow them to share your personal information with others except to fulfill that limited purpose. In addition, these companies are required to adhere to our privacy standards with respect to any personal information that we provide them.

 

Protecting the Security and Confidentiality of Your Information

 

We restrict access to Information about you to those employees who need to know that Information to provide products or services to you. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to ensure the confidentiality of your Information. Our privacy policies apply only to those individual investors who have a direct customer relationship with us. If you are an individual shareholder of record of any of the Funds, we consider you to be a customer of Forward Funds. Shareholders purchasing or owning shares of any of the Funds through their bank, broker, or other financial institution should consult that financial institution’s privacy policies. If you own shares or receive investment services through a relationship with a third-party broker, bank, investment advisor or other financial service provider, that third-party’s privacy policies will apply to you and ours will not.

 

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Appendix—Description of Market Index

 

 

Credit Suisse Momentum and Volatility Enhanced Return Strategy Index: The Credit Suisse Momentum and Volatility Enhanced Return Strategy Index seeks positive absolute returns at bullish and at bearish points in the commodity cycle for each of the S&P GSCI single commodity sub-indices. Currently, 24 single commodity sub-indices meet the eligibility requirements for the S&P GSCI. A list of these commodity sub-indices organized by subsector is presented below.

 

Energy    Industrial Metals    Precious Metals    Agriculture    Livestock

Crude Oil

   Aluminum    Gold    Wheat    Live Cattle

Brent Crude Oil

   Copper    Silver    Red Wheat    Feeder Cattle

RBOB Gas

   Lead         Corn    Lean Hogs

Heating Oil

   Nickel         Soybeans     

GasOil

   Zinc         Cotton     

Natural Gas

             Sugar     
               Coffee     
               Cocoa     

 

        21   


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LOGO

 

Investment Advisor

Forward Management, LLC

 

Administrator

ALPS Fund Services, Inc.

 

Distributor

ALPS Distributors, Inc.

 

Counsel

Dechert LLP

 

Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm

[            ]

 

Custodian

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

 

Transfer Agent

ALPS Fund Services, Inc.

Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund



Table of Contents

LOGO

Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

Want More Information?

You can find out more about the Fund by reviewing the following documents:

 

Annual And Semi-Annual Reports

Our annual and semi-annual reports, when available, list the holdings of the Fund, describe the Fund’s performance, include the Fund’s financial statements, and discuss the market conditions and strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

 

Statement Of Additional Information

The Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) contains additional and more detailed information about the Fund and is considered a part of this prospectus. The SAI also contains a description of the Fund’s policies and procedures for disclosing its portfolio holdings.

 

How Do I Obtain A Copy Of These Documents?

By following one of the four procedures below:

 

1. Call or write, and copies will be sent to you free of charge: Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201, (800) 999-6809. Or go to www.forwardfunds.com and download a free copy.

 

2. Write to the Public Reference Section of the SEC and ask them to mail you a copy. Public Reference Section of the SEC Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. The SEC charges a fee for this service. You can also drop by the Public Reference Section and copy the documents while you are there. Information about the Public Reference Section may be obtained by calling: (202) 551-8090.

 

3. Go to the EDGAR database on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov and download a free text-only copy.

 

4. After paying a duplicating fee, you may also send an electronic request to the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

Investment Company Act File No. 811-06722


 

Forward Funds are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

LOGO

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

 

 

 

The information contained herein is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

 

Subject to Completion, dated October 15, 2010

 

LOGO

 

Prospectus

 

[            ], 2010

 

Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

 

     TICKER:  
Investor Class     [            ]   
Institutional Class     [            ]   
         

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. It is a criminal offense to say otherwise.

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

 

     PAGE

FUND SUMMARY

  1

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

  4

Security Types of the Fund

  4

DISCUSSION OF PRINCIPAL AND NON-PRINCIPAL RISKS

  6

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

  9

Investment Advisor/Portfolio Managers

  9

Hiring Sub-Advisors without Shareholder Approval

  10

VALUATION OF SHARES

  10

PURCHASING SHARES

  12

How to Buy Shares

  12

Exchange Privilege

  13

Pricing of Fund Shares

  13

Customer Identification Program

  14

eDelivery

  14

Online Account Access

  14

Other Information

  14

REDEEMING SHARES

  15

How to Redeem Shares

  15

Payments of Redemption Proceeds

  15

POLICIES CONCERNING FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

  16

DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLANS

  16

ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO INTERMEDIARIES

  17

DIVIDENDS AND TAXES

  18

Federal Taxes

  18

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

  20

HOUSEHOLDING

  20

GENERAL INFORMATION

  20

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  20

FORWARD FUNDS PRIVACY POLICY

  20

APPENDIX – DESCRIPTION OF MARKET INDEX

  21


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Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

 

 

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks long term total return.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Investor Class or Institutional Class shares of the Fund.

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

As an investor in Investor Class or Institutional Class shares of the Fund, you do not pay any sales load.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

      INVESTOR
CLASS
     INSTITUTIONAL
CLASS
 

Management Fee(1)

     1.00      1.00

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

                           

Shareholder Services Fees

                           

Other Expenses(2)

                           

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses(2)

                           

Expenses of the Subsidiary

                           
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses                            

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement(3)

                           

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement

                           

 

(1) The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in a wholly-owned Cayman subsidiary. The Subsidiary (as defined below) has entered into a separate advisory agreement with Forward Management, LLC (“Forward Management”) for the management of the Subsidiary’s portfolio pursuant to which the Subsidiary is obligated to pay Forward Management a management fee at the same rate that the Fund pays Forward Management for services provided to the Fund. Forward Management is contractually obligated to waive the management fee it receives from the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee paid to Forward Management by the Subsidiary. This waiver may not be terminated without the consent of the Board of Trustees of Forward Funds.

 

(2) Other Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

(3) The Fund’s investment advisor is contractually obligated to waive a portion of its fees and reimburse other expenses until April 30, 2012, in amounts necessary to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (exclusive of brokerage costs, interest, taxes, dividends, acquired funds fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) for Investor Class and Institutional Class shares to an annual rate (as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets) of [    ]% and [    ]%, respectively.

 

Examples

These Examples are intended to help you compare the costs of investing in Investor Class or Institutional Class shares of the Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Examples assume that you invest $10,000 in the noted class of shares for the time periods indicated. The Examples also assume that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same, and that the contractual fee waiver/reimbursement is in place for the first year. Because no sales loads apply to either Investor Class or Institutional Class shares of the

Fund, you would have the same expenses whether or not you redeemed your shares. Although actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs whether or not you redeemed your shares would be:

 

      INVESTOR
CLASS
     INSTITUTIONAL
CLASS
 

1 Year

   $         $     

3 Years

   $         $     

 

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example tables, affect the Fund’s performance. The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus and the Fund does not yet have a full calendar year of operating history. Once the Fund has operating history for at least one calendar year, the portfolio turnover rate will be included in this fund summary.

 

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund seeks exposure to the commodity markets and returns that correspond to the Credit Suisse Momentum and Volatility Enhanced Return Strategy Index (“Credit Suisse MOVERS Index”). Commodities are assets that have tangible properties, such as oil, metals, and agricultural products. The Credit Suisse MOVERS Index is composed of long and short commodity positions. The Credit Suisse MOVERS Index’s positioning is driven by a quantitative strategy that determines whether it is long or short individual commodities on the basis of market performance and measures of volatility (i.e., momentum signals). In contrast to traditional, long-only commodity allocations, the Credit Suisse MOVERS Index seeks positive absolute returns at bullish and at bearish points in the commodity cycle for each of the S&P GSCI single commodity sub-indices. A table listing the current 24 sub-indices is included in the Appendix to the Fund’s prospectus. These highly liquid underlying components capture the returns of each commodity in one of the world’s most established commodity benchmarks. From this group, the 10 commodities with the strongest absolute signals, filtered by volatility, are grouped together in an equally-weighted basket. The basket can be comprised of all long, all short, or a combination of long and short positions. Each month the basket’s composition is reweighted using the quantitative strategy and will consist of a new selection of 10 commodity long and/or short positions exhibiting the strongest (bullish or bearish) momentum signals.

 

The Fund seeks exposure to the commodity markets and returns of the Credit Suisse MOVERS Index primarily through investments in commodity-linked derivative instruments, including commodity index-linked notes (sometimes referred to as “structured notes”), swap agreements, commodity options, futures and options on futures, and through investments in the Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy (Cayman) Fund Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary is advised by Forward Management and has the same investment objective as the Fund. As discussed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus, the Subsidiary (unlike the Fund) may invest without limitation in commodity-linked swap agreements and other commodity-linked derivative instruments. The Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary will not exceed 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets.

 

Under normal conditions, the commodity-linked derivative instruments purchased by the Fund are collateralized by the Fund with a portfolio of fixed income instruments (i.e., U.S. corporate bonds, U.S. Government or agency securities, municipal debt


 

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Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

 

 

(including variable amount demand master notes), mortgage-backed securities (both agency and commercial) and asset-backed securities) that are of investment grade quality. The Fund invests in commodity-linked derivative instruments that provide exposure to the commodity markets and returns of the Credit Suisse MOVERS Index without investing directly in physical commodities.

 

The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. In addition, the Fund may invest its assets in particular sectors of the commodities market. The Fund may, without limitation, seek exposure to the securities in which it primarily invests by entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or by using other investment techniques (such as dollar rolls). The Fund may also purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis.

 

Forward Management actively manages the fixed income instruments held by the Fund with a view towards enhancing the Fund’s total return, subject to an overall portfolio duration which is normally not expected to vary 2.5 years above or below the duration of the Barclays Capital 1-5 Year U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index. The Barclays Capital 1-5 Year U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index is an unmanaged index of fixed-rate government and corporate bonds rated investment grade or higher that have a remaining maturity of one to five years. Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a debt security or portfolio of debt securities to relative changes in interest rates. For instance, a duration of “three” means that a portfolio’s or security’s price would be expected to decrease by approximately 3% with a 1% increase in interest rates (assuming a parallel shift in yield curve). As of [            ], 2010, the duration of the Barclays Capital 1-5 Year U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index was [        ].

 

The Fund may invest all of its assets in commodity-linked derivative instruments either directly or through the Subsidiary. Assets not invested in commodity-linked derivative instruments either directly or through the Subsidiary may be invested in fixed income instruments.

 

Principal Risks

Any of the investments made by the Fund can result in an investment loss, which may be significant. The principal risks of investing in the Fund, which could adversely affect its net asset value and total return, are:

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The holding by the Fund of a substantial portion of its assets in cash and/or cash equivalents such as money market securities, U.S. government obligations and short-term debt securities, which may occur under certain market conditions, could have a negative effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Commodity Sector: Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or sectors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture, and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, and events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

 

Debt Securities: Debt securities in which the Fund may invest are subject to several types of investment risk, including market or interest rate risk (i.e., the risk that their

value will be affected by fluctuations in the prevailing interest rates), credit risk (i.e., the risk that the issuer may be unable to make timely interest payments and repay the principal upon maturity), call or income risk, (i.e., the risk that certain debt securities with high interest rates will be prepaid or “called” by the issuer before they mature), and event risk (i.e., the risk that certain debt securities may suffer a substantial decline in credit quality and market value if the issuer restructures).

 

Derivatives: The market value of the derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest, including options, futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swap agreements and other similar instruments, may be more volatile than that of other instruments. When investing in derivatives for hedging purposes, certain additional transaction costs may be accrued that may reduce the Fund’s performance. In addition, there can be no assurance given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged, or that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by Forward Management.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”): The risks associated with investing in the Fund are closely related to the risks associated with the securities and other investments held by the ETFs in which the Fund may invest. The value of the Fund’s investment will fluctuate in response to the performance of the ETFs owned by the Fund, and the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the ETFs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying the Fund’s expenses. References to the “Fund” in these risks include the Fund or underlying ETF, as applicable.

 

Government-Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”): Certain GSEs (such as Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and FHLB), although sponsored or chartered by the U.S. Government, are not funded by the U.S. Government and the securities they issue are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. As a result, securities issued by GSEs carry greater credit risk than securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or government agencies that carry the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

 

Liquidity: Liquidity risk is financial risk due to uncertain liquidity. An institution might lose liquidity for a variety of reasons. In addition, certain types of securities, such as derivative based securities and privately issued mortgage-related securities and other asset-backed securities without a government or government-sponsored guarantee, are subject to greater liquidity risk.

 

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities: Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, the Fund may exhibit additional volatility (i.e., extension risk). In addition, when interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Fund because the Fund will have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates (i.e., prepayment risk). The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable in quality to mortgage assets. If the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the security. In the event of a default, the Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed.

 

No Operating History: The Fund has not operated for a full fiscal year and as such has no prior operating history by which an investor can evaluate performance.


 

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Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

 

 

Non-Diversification: The Fund is non-diversified, which means it is subject to relaxed limits on the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. Because the appreciation or depreciation of a single portfolio security may have a greater impact on the net asset value of the Fund, the net asset value per share of the Fund can be expected to fluctuate more than that of a comparable diversified fund.

 

Portfolio Turnover: The Fund is generally expected to engage in frequent and active trading of portfolio securities to achieve its investment objective. A higher turnover rate (100% or more) will involve correspondingly greater transaction costs, which will be borne directly by the Fund, may have an adverse impact on performance, and may increase the potential for more taxable distributions being paid to shareholders, including short-term capital gains that are taxed at ordinary income rates.

 

Repurchase Agreements: Repurchase agreements involve the risk that a seller will become subject to bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings or fail to repurchase a security from the Fund. In such situations, the Fund may incur losses including as a result of (a) a possible decline in value of the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (b) a possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period, and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

 

Subsidiary: By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund will be indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments, which are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”), and, unless otherwise noted in the Fund’s prospectus, is not subject to all of the provisions of the 1940 Act.

 

Tax: The federal income tax treatment of the complex securities in which the Fund may invest may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). It could be more difficult to comply with the tax requirements applicable to regulated investment companies if the tax characterization of investments or the tax treatment of the income from such investments were successfully challenged by the IRS. Any such failure to comply with the rules applicable to regulated investment companies could make it more difficult for the Fund itself to comply with such rules.

 

Please see “Discussion of Principal Risks” in the Fund’s prospectus for a more detailed description of the risks of investing in the Fund. It is possible to lose money on an investment in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

 

Performance Information

The Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this prospectus and the Fund does not yet have a full calendar year of investment returns. Once the Fund has performance for at least one calendar year, a bar chart and performance table will be included in this fund summary.

 

Investment Advisor/Portfolio Managers

The Fund is team managed and all investment decisions are made jointly by the team. Nathan J. Rowader, Director of Investments, has primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Subsidiary. The members of the Fund’s team are: Mr. Rowader, Jim O’Donnell, CFA, President of Forward Asset Management and Chief Investment Officer of Forward Management, Paul Herber, CFA, Investment Officer and David L. Ruff, CFA, Portfolio Manager. Messrs. Rowader, O’Donnell, Herber and Ruff have managed the Fund since its inception.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Shares of the Fund may be purchased or sold (redeemed) on any business day (normally any day when the New York Stock Exchange is open). You may purchase or sell (redeem) all or part of your Fund shares: (i) through a broker, dealer, or other financial intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s Distributor, (ii) directly from Forward Funds by mail (along with a completed and signed Account Application if it is your initial purchase) at P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201, or (iii) by calling 800-999-6809 and a representative will assist you.

 

The minimum initial investment amounts for Investor Class shares are:

 

 

$2,000 for accounts enrolled in eDelivery

 

$2,000 for Coverdell Education Savings accounts

 

$500 for Automatic Investment Plan accounts

 

$4,000 for all other accounts

 

Subsequent investments for Investor Class shares must be $100 or more.

 

The minimum initial investment amount for Institutional Class shares is $100,000. There is no subsequent investment minimum for Institutional Class shares.

 

Tax Information

The Fund’s distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, capital gains, or a combination of the two, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. Investments held through such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed in the future upon withdrawal from such arrangements.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and

Other Financial Intermediaries

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


 

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Additional Investment Strategies and Risks

 

 

In addition to the principal strategies and risks identified above, the following non-principal strategies and risks apply to the Fund.

 

Lending of Portfolio Securities

In order to generate additional income, the Fund from time to time may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities. During the time portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any dividends or interest paid on such securities. In the event the borrower defaults on its obligation to the Fund, the Fund could experience delays in recovering its securities and possible capital losses.

 

Changes of Investment Objective

The investment objective of the Fund is non-fundamental and may be changed without a vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

Defensive Positions; Cash Reserves

Under adverse market conditions or to meet anticipated redemption requests, the Fund may not follow its principal investment strategy. Under such conditions, the Fund may invest without limit in money market securities, U.S. Government obligations, and short-term debt securities. This could have a negative effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Although the issuers of certain federal agency securities or government-sponsored entity securities in which the Fund may invest (such as debt securities or mortgage-backed securities issued by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLB”), and other government-sponsored entities) may be chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, the issuers are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their securities are neither guaranteed nor issued by the United States Treasury.

 

The Fund is authorized to invest its cash reserves (funds awaiting investment) in the specific types of securities to be acquired by the Fund or cash to provide for payment of the Fund’s expenses or to permit the Fund to meet redemption requests. The Fund also may create equity or fixed-income exposure for cash reserves through the use of options or futures contracts in accordance with its investment objective to minimize the impact of cash balances. This will enable the Fund to hold cash while receiving return on the cash that is similar to holding equity or fixed-income securities.

 

Management Risk

The strategy used by Forward Management may fail to produce the intended result or Forward Management’s judgment about the attractiveness of a particular sector or security may prove to be incorrect.

 

Market Risk

Securities markets are volatile and can decline significantly in response to issuer, political, market, and economic developments. Historically, markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. The Fund’s portfolio securities can be affected by events that affect the securities markets generally or particular segments of the market in which the Fund has invested. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is a principal risk of investing in the Fund.

 

Other Investments Techniques and Risks

The Fund may invest in other types of securities and use a variety of investment techniques and strategies which are not described in this prospectus. These securities and techniques may subject the Fund to additional risks. Please review the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for more information about the additional types of securities in which the Fund may invest and their associated risks.

 

SECURITY TYPES OF THE FUND

The security types in which the Fund may invest (as discussed in the “Fund Summary” section above) are as follows:

 

Asset-Backed Securities

Asset-backed securities are securities backed by non-mortgage assets such as company receivables, truck and auto loans, leases, and credit card receivables. Asset-backed securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates, which represent undivided fractional ownership interests in the underlying pools of assets. Therefore, repayment depends largely on the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities.

 

Commodity Futures and Options on Commodity Futures

Futures contracts and options on futures contracts allow for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific commodity at a specified future time and at a specified price. The purchase of a futures contract enables the Fund, during the term of the contract, to lock in a price at which it may purchase a commodity and protect against a rise in prices. Futures contracts enable the seller to lock in a price at which it may sell a commodity and protect against declines in the value of the commodity. An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right (in exchange for a premium) to assume a position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the term of the option.

 

Commodity Swaps

Commodity swaps are two party contracts in which the parties agree to exchange the return or interest rate on one instrument for the return of a particular commodity, commodity index or commodities futures or options contract. The payment streams are calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional amount. Swaps will normally be entered into on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund (whether directly

 

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Additional Investment Strategies and Risks

 

 

or through the Subsidiary) receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund’s obligations (whether directly or through the Subsidiary) under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by the maintenance of a segregated account consisting of cash or liquid securities to avoid any potential leveraging of the Fund.

 

Commodity-Linked Notes

Commodity-linked notes are derivative debt instruments whose principal and/or interest payments are linked to the price movement of a commodity, commodity index or commodity futures or option contract. Commodity-linked notes are typically issued by a bank or other financial institution and are sometimes referred to as structured notes because the terms of the notes may be structured by the issuer and the purchaser of the notes to accommodate the specific investment requirements of the purchaser.

 

Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in short- and/or long-term debt securities. Debt securities are used by issuers to borrow money. The issuer usually pays a fixed, variable or floating rate of interest, and must repay the amount borrowed at the maturity of the security. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest but are sold at a discount from their face values. Debt securities include corporate bonds (including convertible bonds), government securities, and mortgage- and other asset-backed securities.

 

Derivatives

The Fund may invest in derivatives, which are securities whose value “derives” from the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. These instruments include options, futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swap agreements, and similar instruments. The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined by Forward Management to be liquid in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees to cover its derivative obligations.

 

Government-Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”)

GSEs are privately-owned corporations created by Congress to provide funding and help to reduce the cost of capital for certain borrowing sectors of the economy such as homeowners, students, and farmers. GSE securities are generally perceived to carry the implicit backing of the U.S. Government, but they are not direct obligations of the U.S. Government and are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. As such, GSEs are different from “agencies,” which have the explicit backing of the U.S. Government.

 

Illiquid Securities

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that do not have a readily available market or that are subject to resale restrictions). Generally, a security is considered illiquid if it cannot be disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the price at which the Fund has valued the investment.

 

Investment Grade Debt Securities

Investment grade debt securities are securities rated as investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”) (e.g., rated in the “Baa” category or above by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), or in the “BBB” category or above by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Fitch Investors Service (“Fitch”)) at the time of purchase, or, if unrated, are determined to be of the same quality by Forward Management. Generally, debt securities in these categories should have adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

 

Investments in a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary

Investments in the Subsidiary are expected to provide the Fund with exposure to the commodity markets within the limitations of the Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and recent IRS revenue rulings, as discussed below under “Federal Taxes” in this prospectus.

 

It is expected that the Subsidiary will invest primarily in commodity-linked derivative instruments, including commodity futures contracts, commodity swaps and options on commodity futures. Although the Fund may enter into these commodity-linked derivative instruments directly, the Fund likely will gain exposure to these derivative instruments indirectly by investing in the Subsidiary. When Forward Management believes that these commodity-linked derivative instruments are better suited to provide exposure to the commodities market than commodity-linked notes, the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary will likely increase. The Subsidiary also will invest in fixed income instruments, which are intended to both serve as collateral and enhance the Fund’s total return. To the extent that the Fund invests in the Subsidiary, it will be subject to the risks associated with those derivative instruments and other securities, which are discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, as if the Fund were investing in those derivative instruments and other securities directly rather than through the Subsidiary.

 

The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act. The Subsidiary has the same investment objective and is subject to substantially the same investment policies and investment restrictions as the Fund, except that the Subsidiary (unlike the Fund) may invest without limitation in commodity swaps and other commodity-linked derivative instruments. The Subsidiary will also be subject to the same compliance policies and procedures as the Fund. In addition, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and Forward Management acts as investment advisor to the Fund and the investment advisor to the Subsidiary.

 

Money Market Securities

Money market securities are high quality, short-term debt securities that pay a fixed, variable or floating interest rate. Securities are often specifically structured so that they are eligible investments for a money market fund. For example, in order to satisfy the maturity restrictions for a money market fund, some money market securities have demand or put features which have the effect of shortening the security’s maturity.

 

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Additional Investment Strategies and Risks

 

 

Mortgage-Related Securities

Mortgage-related securities are interests in pools of mortgages. Payment of principal or interest generally depends on the cash flows generated by the underlying mortgages. Mortgage-related securities may be U.S. Government securities or issued by a bank or other financial institution.

 

Structured Notes

A structured note is a debt obligation that may contain an embedded derivative component with characteristics that adjust the security’s risk/return profile. The return performance of a structured note will track that of the underlying debt obligation and the derivative embedded within it. A structured note is a hybrid security that attempts to change its profile by including additional modifying structures.

 

Swaps

Swaps are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than a year. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange 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., a return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a particular foreign currency or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index).

 

TBAs

A TBA (To Be Announced) transaction is a contract for the purchase or sale of a mortgage-backed security for future settlement at an agreed upon date but does not include a specified mortgage pool number, number of mortgage pools, or precise amount to be delivered.

 

U.S. Government Securities

U.S. Government securities are high quality securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government. U.S. Government securities may be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, or the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the security.

 

When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery and Forward Commitments

The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis, may purchase and sell such securities on a delayed-delivery basis, and may enter into contracts to purchase such securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond normal settlement time (i.e., forward commitments). The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined by Forward Management to be liquid in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees to cover its obligations with respect to any when-issued securities, delayed delivery securities or forward commitments. Typically, no income accrues on securities the Fund has committed to purchase prior to the time delivery of the securities is made, although the Fund may earn income on securities it has segregated or “earmarked” to cover these positions.

 

Discussion of Principal and Non-Principal Risks

 

 

There are inherent risks associated with the Fund’s principal investment strategies. The factors that are most likely to have a material effect on the Fund’s investment portfolio as a whole are called “principal risks.” The principal risks of the Fund are summarized in the “Fund Summary” section above and further described below along with the non-principal risks of the Fund. The Fund may be subject to additional risks other than those described because the types of investment made by the Fund may change over time. Because the Fund may invest in other investment companies, it will be subject to the same risks of the other investment companies to the extent of its investment. For additional information regarding risks of investing in the Fund, please see the SAI.

 

Principal Risks

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The holding by the Fund of a substantial portion of its assets in cash and/or cash equivalents such as money market securities, U.S. government obligations and short-term debt securities, which may occur under certain market conditions, could have a negative effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

 

Commodity Sector

Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or sectors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The energy sector can be significantly affected by changes in the prices and supplies of oil and other energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, and tax and other government regulations, policies of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and relationships among OPEC members and between OPEC and oil importing nations. The metals sector can be affected by sharp price volatility over short periods caused by global economic, financial and political factors, resource availability, government regulation, economic cycles, changes in inflation or expectations about inflation in various countries, interest rates, currency fluctuations, metal sales by governments, central banks or international agencies, investment speculation and fluctuations in industrial and commercial supply and demand. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, including the banking, brokerage and insurance sectors. As a result, events affecting issuers in the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

 

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Discussion of Principal and Non-Principal Risks

 

 

Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in short-term and/or long-term debt securities. Debt securities in which the Fund may invest are subject to several types of investment risk. They may have market or interest rate risk, which means their value will be affected by fluctuations in the prevailing interest rates. Bonds are subject to the risk that interest rates will rise and that, as a result, bond prices will fall, lowering the value of the Fund’s investments in bonds. Investments in these types of securities pose the risk that Forward Management’s forecast of the direction of interest rates might be incorrect.

 

Debt securities are subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer may be unable to make timely interest payments and repay the principal upon maturity. The credit quality of a bond or fixed-income holding could deteriorate as a result of a bankruptcy or extended losses. There is no guarantee that a sovereign government will support certain government sponsored entity securities and, accordingly, these securities involve a risk of non-payment of principal and interest. In addition, the value of the Fund’s debt securities will generally decline if the credit rating of the issuer declines, and an issuer whose credit rating has declined may be unable to make payments of principal and/or interest.

 

Call or income risk exists with respect to corporate bonds during periods of falling interest rates because of the possibility that securities with high interest rates will be prepaid or “called” by the issuer before they mature. The Fund would have to reinvest the proceeds at a possibly lower interest rate. The Fund may also be subject to event risk, which is the possibility that corporate debt securities held by the Fund may suffer a substantial decline in credit quality and market value if the issuer restructures.

 

Debt securities generally increase in value during periods of falling interest rates and decline in value if interest rates increase. Usually, the longer the remaining maturity of a debt security is, the greater the effect interest rate changes have on its market value.

 

Derivatives

The Fund may invest in derivatives, which are securities whose value is based on the value of another security or index. These instruments include options, futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swap agreements, and similar instruments. There is limited consensus as to what constitutes a “derivative.” For the Fund’s purposes, derivatives may also include customized baskets or options (which may incorporate other securities directly and also various derivatives including common stock, options and futures) structured as agreed upon by a counterparty, as well as specially structured types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities whose value is linked to foreign currencies. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments, and certain derivatives may create a risk of loss greater than the amount invested.

 

Investing for hedging purposes or to increase the Fund’s return may result in certain additional transaction costs that may reduce the Fund’s performance. The Fund may use a variety of currency hedging techniques to attempt to hedge exchange rate risk or gain exposure to a particular currency. When used for hedging purposes, no assurance can be given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged. Because the markets for certain derivative instruments are relatively new, suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes and there can be no assurance that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by Forward Management, or if available, that such techniques will be utilized by Forward Management.

 

The market value of derivative instruments and securities may be more volatile than that of other instruments, and each type of derivative instrument may have its own special risks, including the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly with underlying assets, rates, and indexes. Many derivatives, in particular privately negotiated derivatives, are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to the Fund. The value of derivatives may not correlate perfectly, or at all, with the value of the assets, reference rates or indexes they are designed to closely track.

 

Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, including liquidity risk (the possibility that the derivative may be difficult to purchase or sell and Forward Management may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price), leverage risk (the possibility that adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in loss of an amount substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative), interest rate risk (some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations), and counterparty risk (the risk that a counterparty may be unable to perform according to a contract, and that any deterioration in a counterparty’s creditworthiness could adversely affect the instrument). In addition, because derivative products are highly specialized, investment techniques and risk analyses employed with respect to investments in derivatives are different from those associated with stocks and bonds. Finally, the Fund’s use of derivatives may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates) than if the Fund had not used such instruments. Derivative instruments are also subject to the risk that the market value of an instrument will change to the detriment of the Fund. If Forward Management inaccurately forecast the values of securities, currencies or interest rates or other economic factors in using derivatives, the Fund might have been in a better position if it had not entered into the transaction at all. Some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, but they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other investments held by the Fund. The Fund may also have to buy or sell a security at a disadvantageous time or price because regulations require funds to maintain offsetting positions or asset coverage in connection with certain derivatives transactions.

 

The SAI provides a more detailed description of the types of derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest and their associated risks.

 

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)

The Fund’s investment in ETFs will be subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of the securities or other property held by the ETFs. The value of the Fund’s investment will fluctuate in response to the performance of the ETFs owned by the Fund. In addition to brokerage costs associated with the Fund’s purchase and sale of shares of ETFs, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the ETFs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying the Fund’s expenses. The market value of an ETF share may differ from its net asset value and there may be times when an ETF share trades at a premium or discount to its net asset value.

 

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Discussion of Principal and Non-Principal Risks

 

 

Many ETFs are intended to provide investment results that, before expenses, generally correspond to the price and yield performance of a corresponding market index or basket of securities, and the value of their shares should, under normal circumstances, closely track the value of the underlying component stocks. ETFs generally do not buy or sell securities, except to the extent necessary to conform their portfolios to the corresponding index. Because an ETF has operating expenses and transaction costs, while a market index or basket of securities does not, ETFs that track particular indices or baskets of securities typically will be unable to match the performance of the index or basket of securities exactly. Investment in the Fund should be made with the understanding that the ETFs in which the Fund invests will not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices or baskets of securities they track because the total return generated by the securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of the securities and other ETF expenses, whereas such transaction costs and expenses are not included in the calculation of the total returns of the indices or baskets of securities. Certain securities comprising the indices or baskets of securities tracked by the ETFs may, from time to time, temporarily be unavailable.

 

Government-Sponsored Enterprises (“GSEs”)

Certain GSEs (such as Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and FHLB), although sponsored or chartered by the U.S. Government, are not funded by the U.S. Government and the securities they issue are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. As a result, securities issued by GSEs carry greater credit risk than securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or government agencies that carry the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

 

Liquidity

Liquidity risk is financial risk due to uncertain liquidity. An institution might lose liquidity if its credit rating falls, it experiences sudden unexpected cash outflows, or some other event causes counterparties to avoid trading with or lending to the institution. A firm is also exposed to liquidity risk if markets on which it depends are subject to loss of liquidity. Derivative based securities and privately issued mortgage-related securities and other asset-backed securities, which do not have a government or government-sponsored guarantee, that are subject to substantial market and credit risk may have greater liquidity risk. Less liquid securities may trade infrequently, trade at a smaller volume and be quite volatile. This means that they may be harder to purchase or sell at a fair price or quickly enough to prevent or minimize loss.

 

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities

A mortgage-backed security, which represents an interest in a pool of assets such as mortgage loans, will mature when all the mortgages in the pool mature or are prepaid. Therefore, mortgage-backed securities do not have a fixed maturity, and their expected maturities may vary when interest rates rise or fall.

 

Mortgage-backed securities are subject to extension risk, which is the risk that a Fund that holds mortgage-backed securities may exhibit additional volatility during periods of rising interest rates. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. In addition, mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment risk. When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Fund because the Fund will have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates.

 

The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. Asset-backed securities present credit risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in collateral that is comparable in quality to mortgage assets. If the issuer of an asset-backed security defaults on its payment obligations, there is the possibility that, in some cases, the Fund will be unable to possess and sell the underlying collateral and that the Fund’s recoveries on repossessed collateral may not be available to support payments on the security. In the event of a default, the Fund may suffer a loss if it cannot sell collateral quickly and receive the amount it is owed.

 

No Operating History

The Fund has not operated for a full fiscal year and as such has no prior operating history by which an investor can evaluate performance.

 

Non-Diversification

As a non-diversified fund, the Fund is subject to relaxed limits on the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. The Fund must, however, comply with tax diversification regulations, which require it to be diversified at each quarter end with respect to at least half of its assets.

 

As a “non-diversified” mutual fund, the Fund has the ability to invest a larger percentage of its assets in the securities of a smaller number of issuers than a “diversified” fund. Because the appreciation or depreciation of a single portfolio security may have a greater impact on the net asset value of the Fund, the net asset value per share of the Fund can be expected to fluctuate more than that of a comparable diversified fund.

 

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund is generally expected to engage in frequent and active trading of portfolio securities to achieve its investment objective. A higher turnover rate (100% or more) will involve correspondingly greater transaction costs (such as brokerage commissions or markups or markdowns), which will be borne directly by the Fund, may have an adverse impact on performance, and may increase the potential for more taxable distributions being paid to shareholders, including short-term capital gains that are taxed at ordinary income rates. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate will vary from year to year.

 

Repurchase Agreements

Repurchase agreements are transactions in which an institution (e.g., a bank or securities firm) sells a Fund a security at one price and agrees to repurchase that security at a higher price, normally within a seven day period. Each repurchase agreement entered into by a Fund will be fully collateralized at all times during the period of the agreement by securities in which the Fund can invest. If a seller becomes subject to bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings or fails to repurchase a security from a Fund, the Fund may

 

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Discussion of Principal and Non-Principal Risks

 

 

incur losses including as a result of (a) a possible decline in value of the underlying security during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (b) a possible lack of access to income on the underlying security during this period, and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

 

Subsidiary

The Fund, through its investments in the Subsidiary, will be indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The derivatives and other investments that will be held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and will be subject to the same risks applicable to similar investments held directly by the Fund. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the SAI and could adversely affect the Fund.

 

Tax

The federal income tax treatment of the complex securities in which the Fund may invest may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). It could be more difficult to comply with the tax requirements applicable to regulated investment companies if the tax characterization of investments or the tax treatment of the income from such investments were successfully challenged by the IRS. Any such failure to comply with the rules applicable to regulated investment companies could make it more difficult for the Fund itself to comply with such rules. In addition, the Fund’s use of derivatives may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income rates) than if the Fund had not used such instruments.

 

Non-Principal Risks

 

Foreign Securities

Investments in foreign securities may present more risk than investing in U.S. securities due to a number of factors. In particular, as a result of investing in foreign securities, the Fund may be subject to increased risk of loss caused by any of the factors listed below:

 

   

Unstable political, social, and economic conditions;

   

Lower levels of liquidity and market efficiency;

   

Greater securities price volatility;

   

Currency exchange rate fluctuations, exchange control, and restrictions or prohibitions on the repatriation of foreign currencies;

   

Less availability of adequate or accurate public information about issuers;

   

Limitations on foreign ownership of securities;

   

Imposition of withholding taxes, other taxes or exit levies;

   

Imposition of restrictions on the expatriation of funds or other assets of the Fund;

   

Higher transaction and custody costs and delays in settlement procedures;

   

Difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations;

   

Lower levels of regulation of the securities market and other differences in the way securities markets operate;

   

Weaker accounting, disclosure, and reporting requirements; and

   

Legal principles relating to corporate governance, directors’ fiduciary duties and liabilities, and stockholders’ rights in markets in which the Fund invests may not be as extensive as those that apply in the United States.

 

In addition, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources, self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position. Investments in emerging markets in particular involve even greater risks such as immature economic structures and different legal systems.

 

Management of the Fund

 

 

INVESTMENT ADVISOR/PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Forward Management serves as investment advisor to the Fund. Forward Management is located at 101 California Street, Suite 1600, San Francisco, California 94111. As of December 31, 2009, Forward Management had approximately $5.4 billion of assets under management.

 

Forward Management has the authority to manage the Fund in accordance with the investment objective, policies, and restrictions of the Fund, subject to general supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Forward Management has managed the Forward Funds since September 1998 and the Forward Funds are its principal investment advisory clients. Forward Management directly manages the Fund’s assets without the use of a sub-advisor. Forward Management also provides the Fund with ongoing management supervision and policy direction.

 

The Fund pays a management fee to Forward Management for its services as investment advisor to the Fund. The fee is computed daily and paid monthly at the annual rate of 1.00% based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

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Management of the Fund

 

 

The Subsidiary has entered into a separate advisory agreement with Forward Management for the management of the Subsidiary’s portfolio pursuant to which the Subsidiary is obligated to pay Forward Management a management fee at the same rate that the Fund pays Forward Management for services provided to the Fund. Forward Management has agreed to waive the management fee it receives from the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee paid to Forward Management by the Subsidiary. This waiver may not be terminated without the consent of the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the investment advisory contract of the Fund will be available in the Forward Funds’ semi-annual report for the period ending June 30, 2011.

 

The Fund is team managed and all investment decisions are made jointly by the team. The team is primarily responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Fund and the Subsidiary. The members of the team are:

 

Jim O’Donnell, CFA. Mr. O’Donnell is President of Forward Asset Management and Chief Investment Officer of Forward Management. He has held this position since July 2006. Mr. O’Donnell has overall responsibility for asset management at Forward Management. From September 2001 to October 2002 and from February 2004 to May 2006, Mr. O’Donnell was an Analyst with Meisenbach Capital, conducting fundamental and financial analysis for a hedge fund portfolio. Between November 2002 and February 2004, Mr. O’Donnell was a consultant with Rainmaker Alliance, consulting with venture capital and start-up firms on financial models, projections, and business strategy. From April 1993 to August 2001, Mr. O’Donnell was a Portfolio Manager for Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, responsible for stock selection and financial analysis for large cap, mid cap and small cap portfolios. Mr. O’Donnell is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds an MBA. Mr. O’Donnell has managed the Fund since inception.

 

Nathan J. Rowader. Mr. Rowader has been with Forward Management since September 2008 as Director of Investments. Mr. Rowader has primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Subsidiary. Prior to joining Forward Management, Mr. Rowader was with Accessor Capital Management from February 2007, as Investment Officer and member of Accessor’s Investment Committee; from December 2007, as Senior Investment Officer; and from February 2008 as Chief Investment Officer. Prior to Accessor Capital Management, Mr. Rowader was a Risk Management Analyst at OppenheimerFunds from 2005 to February 2007 and a Fund Analyst at OppenheimerFunds from 2004 to 2005. Prior to the OppenheimerFunds, Mr. Rowader served as a Financial Consultant at Linsco/Private Ledger from 2003 to 2004 and as a Senior Project Manager at WallStreetOnDemand from 1998 to 2003. Mr. Rowader holds an MBA. Mr. Rowader has managed the Fund since inception.

 

Paul Herber, CFA. Mr. Herber has been with Forward Management since September 2008 as an Investment Officer. Prior to joining Forward Management, Mr. Herber was with Accessor Capital Management since February 2008 as an Investment Officer and member of Accessor’s Investment Committee. Prior to Accessor Capital Management, Mr. Herber was a Research Analyst at Wexford Capital Management from February 2006 to January 2008; the owner and operator of Genesis Games and Gizmos from June 2004 to January 2006; and a research associate at Capital International from June 2002 through May 2004. Mr. Herber has been a CFA Charterholder since 2003. Mr. Herber has managed the Fund since inception.

 

David L. Ruff, CFA. Mr. Ruff is a Portfolio Manager for Forward Management with emphasis on Small-Mid Core, U.S. Dividend, Global Dividend, and International Dividend strategies and has held this position since August 2008. Mr. Ruff has co-primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund. From 2001 to July 2008, Mr. Ruff was Chief Investment Officer and a Member of the Investment Policy Committee for Berkeley Capital Management. From 1987-2001, Mr. Ruff was Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for London Pacific Advisors. Mr. Ruff is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr. Ruff has managed the Fund since inception.

 

The SAI contains additional information about portfolio manager compensation, other accounts managed by each portfolio manager, and each portfolio manager’s ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

HIRING SUB-ADVISORS WITHOUT SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL

Forward Management and Forward Funds have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits Forward Management, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, to hire and terminate non-affiliated sub-advisors or to materially amend existing sub-advisory agreements with non-affiliated sub-advisors for the Forward Funds without shareholder approval. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, shareholders of the affected Fund will be notified of sub-advisor changes within 90 days after the effective date of such change.

 

Valuation of Shares

 

 

The price you pay for a share of a Fund, and the price you receive upon selling or redeeming a share of a Fund, is based on the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”). The NAV per share for a Fund for purposes of pricing sales and redemptions is calculated by dividing the value of all securities and other assets belonging to the Fund, less the liabilities charged to the Fund, by the number of shares of the Fund that have already been issued.

 

The NAV of a Fund (and each class of shares) is usually determined and its shares are priced as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day. A “Business Day” is a day on which the NYSE is open for trading. Currently, the NYSE is typically closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

 

When you buy shares, you pay the NAV per share. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV per share. The price at which a purchase or redemption is effected is based on the next calculation of net asset value after the order is placed. Orders received by financial intermediaries prior to the close of trading on the NYSE will be confirmed at the offering price computed as of the close of trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day. A “Business Day” is a day on which the NYSE is open for trading. It is the responsibility of the financial intermediary to insure that all orders are transmitted in a timely manner to the Fund. Orders received by financial intermediaries after the close of trading on the NYSE will be confirmed at the next computed offering price.

 

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Valuation of Shares

 

 

The NAV per share of a Fund will fluctuate as the market value of the Fund’s investments changes. The NAV of different classes of shares of the Fund will differ due to differing class expenses. A Fund’s assets are valued generally by using available market quotations or at fair value, as described below, as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures established by, and under direction of, the Board of Trustees.

 

Portfolio securities or contracts that are listed or traded on a national securities exchange, contract market or over-the-counter markets and that are freely transferable will be valued at the last reported sale price or a market’s official closing price on the valuation day, or, if there has been no sale that day, at the average of the last reported bid and ask price on the valuation day for long positions or ask prices for short positions. If no bid or ask prices are quoted before closing, such securities or contracts will be valued at either the last available sale price, or at fair value, as discussed below.

 

In cases in which securities are traded on more than one exchange, the securities are valued on the exchange designated by or under the authority of the Board of Trustees as the primary market.

 

Debt securities (including convertible debt) that have more than 60 days remaining until maturity or that are credit impaired for which market data is readily available will be valued on the basis of the average of the latest bid and ask price. Debt securities that mature in less than 60 days and that are not credit impaired are valued at amortized cost if their original maturity was 60 days or less, or by amortizing the value as of the 61st day prior to maturity if their original term to maturity exceeded 60 days (unless the Board of Trustees determines that this method does not represent fair value). For most debt securities, Forward Funds receives pricing information from independent pricing vendors (approved by the Board of Trustees) which also use information provided by market makers or estimates of value obtained from yield data relating to securities with similar characteristics. As appropriate, quotations for high yield bonds may also take additional factors into consideration such as the activity of the underlying equity or sector movements. In the event valuation information is not available from third party pricing vendors for a debt security held by the Fund, such security may be valued by quotations obtained from dealers that make markets in such securities or otherwise determined based on the fair value of such securities, as discussed below. Because long-term bonds and lower-rated bonds tend to be less liquid, their values may be determined based on fair value more frequently than portfolio holdings that are more frequently traded or that have relatively higher credit ratings.

 

Futures, options on futures, and swap contracts that are listed or traded on a national securities exchange, commodities exchange, contract market or over-the-counter markets and that are freely transferable will be valued at their closing settlement price on the exchange on which they are primarily traded or based upon the current settlement price for a like instrument acquired on the day on which the option is being valued. A settlement price may not be used if the market makes a limit move with respect to a particular commodity. Over-the-counter futures, options on futures, and swap contracts for which market quotations are readily available will be valued based on quotes received from third party pricing services or one or more dealers that make markets in such securities. If quotes are not available from a third party pricing service or one or more dealers, quotes shall be determined based on the fair value of such securities, as discussed below.

 

Options on securities and options on indexes will be valued using the last quoted sale price as of the close of the securities or commodities exchange on which they are traded. Certain investments including options may trade in the over-the-counter market and generally will be valued based on quotes received from a third party pricing service or one or more dealers that make markets in such securities, or at fair value, as discussed below.

 

To the extent that a Fund holds securities listed primarily on a foreign exchange that trade on days when the Fund is not open for business or the NYSE is not open for trading, the value of the portfolio securities may change on days that you cannot buy or sell shares. To the extent that a Fund invests in foreign securities that are principally traded in a foreign market, the calculation of the Fund’s NAV may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of portfolio securities of foreign issuers used in such calculation. Therefore, the NAV of a Fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the Fund’s shares. Portfolio securities that are primarily traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the preceding closing values of such securities on their respective exchanges, except when an occurrence subsequent to the time a value was so established is likely to have changed such value. In such an event, the fair value of those securities will be determined in good faith through the consideration of other factors in accordance with procedures established by, and under the general supervision of, the Board of Trustees.

 

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies will have a market value converted into U.S. dollars at the prevailing foreign currency exchange daily rates as provided by a pricing service. Forward currency exchange contracts will have a market value determined by the prevailing foreign currency exchange daily rates and current foreign currency exchange forward rates. The foreign currency exchange forward rates are calculated using an automated system that estimates rates on the basis of the current day foreign currency exchange rates and forward foreign currency exchange rates supplied by a pricing service. Prevailing foreign exchange rates and forward foreign currency exchange rates may generally be obtained at the close of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. As available and as provided by an appropriate pricing service, translation of foreign security and currency market values may also occur with the use of foreign exchange rates obtained at approximately 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, which approximates the close of the London Exchange.

 

Redeemable securities issued by open-end investment companies are valued at the investment company’s applicable NAV, with the exception of exchange-traded open-end investment companies, which are priced as equity securities in accordance with procedures established by, and under direction of, the Board of Trustees.

 

Forward Funds has a policy that contemplates the use of fair value pricing to determine the NAV per share of the Fund when market prices are unavailable, as well as under other circumstances, such as (i) if the primary market for a portfolio security suspends or limits trading or price movements of the security or (ii) when events occur after the close of the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded that are likely to have changed the value of the security. When the Fund uses fair value pricing to determine the NAV per share of the Fund, securities will not be priced on the basis of quotations from the primary market in which they are traded, but rather may be priced by another method that the Board of Trustees believes accurately reflects fair value. The fair value of certain of a Fund’s securities may be determined through the use of a statistical research service or other calculation methodology. Forward Funds’ policy is intended to result in a calculation of a Fund’s NAV that fairly reflects security values as of the time of pricing. While fair values determined pursuant to Forward Funds’ procedures are intended to represent the amount a Fund would expect to receive if the fair valued security were sold at the time of fair valuation, the fair value may not equal what the Fund would receive if it actually were to sell the security as of the time of pricing.

 

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Valuation of Shares

 

 

Because the Fund may invest in below investment grade securities and securities of small capitalization companies, which may be infrequently traded and therefore relatively illiquid, and foreign securities, the valuation of which may not take place contemporaneously with the calculation of the Fund’s NAV, the Fund may be subject to relatively greater risks of market timing, and in particular, a strategy that seeks to take advantage of inefficiencies in market valuation of these securities because of infrequent trading. For this reason, the Fund may, at times, fair value some or all of its portfolio securities in order to deter such market timing.

 

Purchasing Shares

 

 

HOW TO BUY SHARES

You can open an account and make an initial purchase of Investor Class or Institutional Class shares of the Fund directly from the Fund or through a financial intermediary that has established an agreement with the Fund’s Distributor. The Fund, or certain classes thereof, may not be available for purchase in your state of residence. Please check with your financial intermediary to ensure your eligibility to purchase the Fund or a class of the Fund.

 

To open an account and make an initial purchase directly with the Fund, you can mail a check (payable to Forward Funds) in the minimum amounts described below, along with a completed and signed Account Application, to Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201. To obtain an Account Application, call (800) 999-6809 or download one from www.forwardfunds.com. A completed Account Application must include your valid taxpayer identification number, street address, name, and date of birth. You may be subject to penalties if you falsify information with respect to your taxpayer identification number.

 

After you have opened an account, you can make subsequent purchases of Investor Class or Institutional Class shares of the Fund through your financial intermediary or directly from the Fund. To purchase shares directly by mail, send your instruction and a check to the Fund at P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201.

 

You also can make subsequent purchases of Investor Class or Institutional Class shares of the Fund through the Internet. To do so, you must be an existing shareholder of the Fund and your account must be bank ACH active. You may not initially open an account with the Fund via the Internet. To purchase Fund shares online, you must select this option on the account application. You can establish a user ID and password at www.forwardfunds.com by selecting Account Login. If you have questions or problems accessing your account, contact Forward Funds at (800) 999-6809.

 

Requests must be received prior to the close of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. The Transfer Agent must receive payment for shares by 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the business day following the purchase request.

 

You also can open an account and make an initial purchase of Investor Class or Institutional Class shares and subsequent purchases of shares through a financial intermediary that has established an agreement with the Fund’s Distributor.

 

There are no initial sales loads for Investor Class or Institutional Class shares of the Fund. Depending upon the terms of your account, you may pay account fees for services provided in connection with your investment in Investor Class or Institutional Class shares of the Fund. Financial intermediaries may charge their customers a transaction or service fee. Forward Funds or your financial intermediary can provide you with information about these services and charges. You should read this prospectus in conjunction with any such information you receive.

 

When you purchase shares of the Fund, you must choose a share class. Each share class of the Fund represents an investment in the same portfolio of securities, but each share class has its own sales charge and expense structure, allowing you to choose the class that best meets your situation. The Fund contained in this prospectus also offers additional classes of shares pursuant to separate prospectuses and Forward Funds offers additional funds pursuant to separate prospectuses. Information on such other share classes and Forward Funds can be requested by calling (800) 999-6809. When you purchase shares of the Fund, you must choose a share class.

 

Factors you should consider in choosing a class of shares include

 

   

How long you expect to own the shares

   

How much you intend to invest

   

Total expenses associated with owning shares of each class

 

Each investor’s financial considerations are different. You should speak with your financial advisor to help you decide which share class is best for you.

 

Minimum Initial Investment Amount per Fund for Investor Class Shares

 

   

$2,000 for accounts enrolled in eDelivery

   

$2,000 for Coverdell Education Savings accounts

   

$500 for Automatic Investment Plan accounts

 

   

$4,000 for all other accounts

 

Minimum Initial Investment Amount for Institutional Class Shares

 

   

$100,000 per Fund

 

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Purchasing Shares

 

 

Subsequent investments in Investor Class Shares must be $100 or more. Financial intermediaries may charge their customers a transaction or service fee.

 

Forward Funds has the discretion to waive or reduce any of the above minimum investment requirements.

 

Automatic Investment Plan for Investor Class Shares

Forward Funds offers an Automatic Investment Plan for current and prospective investors in which you may make monthly investments in one or more of the Forward Funds. The minimum initial investment amount is $500 and minimum subsequent investments are $100. Sums for investment will be automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings account on the day you specify. If you do not specify a day, the transaction will occur on the 20th of each month or the next Business Day if the 20th is not a Business Day. Please call (800) 999-6809 if you would like more information.

 

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

 

Exchanges of Institutional or Investor Class Shares for the Same Class Shares of Any Other Fund

 

By following the instructions below, and subject to such limitations as may be imposed by the Trust, you may exchange your Institutional Class or Investor Class shares of the Fund for the same class shares of any other Forward Fund, or with a money market fund. Please check with Forward Funds to determine which money market funds are available. There are generally no fees for exchanges, but an exchange of shares between Forward Funds is technically a sale of shares in one fund followed by a purchase of shares in another fund, and therefore may have tax consequences. Thus, the exchange may, like a sale, result in a taxable gain or loss to you and will generally give you a new tax basis for your new shares.

 

Shareholders should read the prospectus for any other Forward Fund into which they are considering exchanging.

 

Exchanges of Institutional or Investor Class Shares for a Different Class within the Fund

Subject to such limitations as may be imposed by the Trust, you may also exchange shares of one class of the Fund for another class within the Fund. You may exchange your Institutional Class shares for Investor Class shares of the Fund. You may exchange your Investor Class shares for Institutional Class shares of the Fund. An exchange of shares of one class of the Fund into another class of the Fund is not treated as a redemption and sale for tax purposes.

 

Shareholders should read the prospectus for any other class of shares into which they are considering exchanging.

 

General Information about Exchanges

Shares of the Fund or a class thereof may be exchanged for shares of another Forward Fund or class on days when the NYSE is open for business, as long as shareholders meet the normal investment requirements, including the minimum investment requirements, of the other Forward Fund or class. Your exchange request must be received in good order by the Transfer Agent or certain financial intermediaries prior to the close of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Requests received “in good order” must include: account name, account number, dollar or share amount of transaction, class, Fund(s), allocation of investment, and signature of authorized signer. Shares will be exchanged at the next NAV calculated after the Transfer Agent receives the exchange request in good order. Under certain circumstances, before an exchange can be made, additional documents may be required to verify the authority or legal capacity of the person seeking the exchange. Once your exchange is received in good order, it cannot be revoked by you. Exchanges into another Forward Fund and/or class must be for at least $100. The Trust reserves the right to prohibit exchanges during the first 15 days following an investment in the Fund and may terminate or change the terms of the exchange privilege at any time. In addition Forward Funds may suspend a shareholder’s exchange privilege if, in the judgment of Forward Management, the shareholder’s exchange activity indicates frequent trading or market timing that may be harmful to the Fund or its shareholders. See “Policies Concerning Frequent Purchases and Redemptions” in this prospectus.

 

Not all classes of the Forward Funds or all Forward Funds may be offered in your state of residence. Contact your financial intermediary or the Transfer Agent to ensure that the Fund or the class of shares of the Fund you want to exchange into is offered in your state of residence.

 

In general, you will receive notice of any material change to the exchange privilege at least 60 days prior to the change, although this notice period may be reduced or eliminated if determined by the Board of Trustees or Forward Management to be in the best interests of shareholders and otherwise consistent with applicable regulations.

 

You can send a written instruction specifying your exchange or, if you have authorized telephone exchanges previously and we have a record of your authorization, you can call (800) 999-6809 to execute your exchange. Under certain circumstances, before an exchange can be made, additional documents may be required to verify the authority or legal capacity of the person seeking the exchange.

 

PRICING OF FUND SHARES

When you purchase shares, you will pay the NAV that is next calculated after we receive your order. If you place an order for the purchase of shares through a financial intermediary, the purchase price will be based on the NAV next determined, but only if the financial intermediary receives the order by the close of the Business Day. Your financial intermediary is responsible for transmitting such orders promptly. If the financial intermediary fails to transmit your order properly, your right to that Business Day’s closing price must be settled between the financial intermediary and you.

 

Purchases of shares of the Fund will be effected only on a Business Day. An order received prior to the daily cut-off time on any Business Day is processed based on that day’s NAV. An order received after the cut-off time on any Business Day is processed based on the NAV determined as of the next Business Day of the Fund.

 

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in shares of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary offers to redeem all or a portion of its shares at the current NAV per share every regular business day. The value of shares of the Subsidiary fluctuates with the value of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments. The Subsidiary prices its portfolio investments pursuant

 

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Purchasing Shares

 

 

to the same pricing and valuation methodologies and procedures used by the Fund, which require, among other things, that each of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments be marked-to-market (that is, the value on the Subsidiary’s books changes) each business day to reflect changes in the market value of each investment.

 

CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person that opens a new account, and to determine whether such person’s name appears on government lists of known or suspected terrorists and terrorist organizations.

 

As a matter of policy, Forward Funds requires that all individual shareholders be a U.S. citizen or resident alien. U.S. citizens holding shares of the Forward Funds who subsequently move out of the U.S. are permitted to hold and redeem shares, but are not permitted to purchase shares while residing outside of the U.S.

 

As a result, the Fund must obtain the following information for each person that opens a new account:

 

 

Name

 

Date of birth (for individuals)

 

Residential or business street address in the U.S. (post office boxes are permitted for mailing only)

 

Social Security number or taxpayer identification number

 

You may also be asked for a copy of your driver’s license, passport or other identifying document in order to verify your identity. In addition, it may be necessary to verify your identity by cross-referencing your identification information with a consumer report or other electronic database. Additional information may be required to open accounts for corporations and other entities.

 

Federal law prohibits the Fund and other financial institutions from opening a new account unless they receive the minimum identifying information listed above. After an account is opened, the Fund may restrict your ability to purchase additional shares until your identity is verified. The Fund may close your account or take other appropriate action if it is unable to verify your identity within a reasonable time. If your account is closed for this reason, your shares will be redeemed at the NAV next calculated after the account is closed.

 

Forward Funds and its agents will not be responsible for any loss in an investor’s account resulting from the investor’s delay in providing all required identifying information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares when an investor’s identity is not verified.

 

eDELIVERY

eDelivery allows you to receive your quarterly account statements, transaction confirmations, tax forms, and other important information concerning your investment in Forward Funds online. Select this option on your account application to receive email notifications when quarterly statements, confirmations or tax forms are available for you to view via secure online access. You will also receive emails whenever a new prospectus, semi-annual or annual fund report is available. To establish eDelivery, call (800) 999-6809 or visit www.forwardfunds.com. The minimum initial investment (excluding Institutional Class shares) for accounts enrolled in eDelivery is $2,000.

 

ONLINE ACCOUNT ACCESS

Shareholders can opt to access their account information online. You must select this option on your account application or go online to register. To set up online access, go to www.forwardfunds.com, select Account Login and obtain a user id and password. If you have questions, or problems accessing your account, contact Forward Funds at (800) 999-6809.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

The issuance of shares is recorded electronically on the books of Forward Funds. You will receive a confirmation and a quarterly account statement reflecting each new transaction in your account. Your quarterly statements will show the total number of shares of the Fund you own. You can rely on these statements in lieu of certificates. Certificates representing shares of the Fund will not be issued.

 

Forward Funds may be required to “freeze” your account if there appears to be suspicious activity or if account information matches information on a government list of known terrorists or other suspicious persons.

 

Due to the relatively high cost of handling small investments, Forward Funds reserve the right, upon 60 days’ written notice, to redeem, at NAV, the shares of any shareholder whose account has a value of less than $100 in the Fund, other than as a result of a decline in the NAV per share. This policy will not be implemented where the Fund has previously waived the minimum investment requirement for that shareholder. Before the Fund redeems such shares and sends the proceeds to the shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value of the shares in the account is less than the minimum amount and will allow the shareholder 60 days to make an additional investment in an amount that will increase the value of the account to at least $100 before the redemption is processed. As a sale of your Fund shares, this redemption may have tax consequences.

 

Forward Funds reserves the right to refuse any request to purchase shares.

 

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Redeeming Shares

 

 

You may normally redeem your shares on any Business Day. Redemptions are priced at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of a redemption request in good order by the Forward Funds’ Distributor, Forward Funds or their agent. A financial intermediary may charge its customers a transaction or service fee in connection with redemptions. Forward Funds intends to redeem shares of a Fund solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1.00% of the Fund’s net assets during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. In consideration of the best interests of the remaining shareholders, Forward Funds reserves the right to pay any redemption proceeds exceeding this amount in whole or in part by a distribution in-kind of securities held by a Fund in lieu of cash. It is highly unlikely that shares would ever be redeemed in-kind. If shares are redeemed in-kind, the redeeming shareholders should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the distribution including, but not limited to, brokerage costs of converting the portfolio securities to cash.

 

Requests must be received prior to the close of the NYSE, normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Shares will be redeemed at the next NAV calculated after the Transfer Agent receives the redemption request in good order. Payment will ordinarily be made within seven days of the request as set out in the current payment instruction on file for a shareholder’s account.

 

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

Neither the investment advisor, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent, Forward Funds nor any of their affiliates or agents will be liable for any loss, expense or cost when acting upon any oral, written or electronically transmitted instructions or inquiries believed by them to be genuine. While precautions will be taken, as more fully described below, you bear the risk of any loss as the result of unauthorized telephone redemptions or exchanges believed to be genuine. Forward Funds will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. These procedures include recording phone conversations, sending confirmations to shareholders within 72 hours of the telephone transaction, verifying the account name and sending redemption proceeds only to the address of record or to a previously authorized bank account.

 

 

By Telephone

 

You may redeem your shares by telephone if you choose that option on your Account Application. If you did not originally select the telephone option, you must provide written instructions to Forward Funds in order to add this option. The maximum amount that an individual investor may redeem by telephone at any one time is $50,000. You may have the proceeds mailed to your address of record, wired or sent via ACH to a bank account previously designated on the Account Application. If you elect to have the payment wired to your bank, a wire transfer fee of $30.00 will be charged by Forward Funds.

 

 

By Mail

 

To redeem by mail, you must send a written request for redemption to Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201. The Fund’s Transfer Agent will require a Medallion Signature Guarantee. A Medallion Signature Guarantee may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association, or other financial institution that is participating in a medallion program recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. Signature guarantees from financial institutions that are not participating in one of these programs are not accepted as Medallion Signature Guarantees. The Medallion Signature Guarantee requirement will be waived if all of the following conditions apply (1) the redemption is payable to the shareholder(s) of record, (2) the redemption is delivered to the shareholder(s) at the address of record or current banking instructions on file (3) an application is on file with the Transfer Agent, and (4) the proceeds of the redemption are $50,000 or less. The Transfer Agent cannot send an overnight package to a post office box.

 

 

By Systematic Withdrawal

 

You may elect to have annual or monthly electronic transfers ($100 minimum) made to your bank account from your Forward Funds account. Your Forward Funds account must have a minimum balance of $100 and automatically have all dividends and capital gains reinvested. If the balance of your account falls below $100, the systematic withdrawal will be terminated, and you must resubmit your request in writing to have the privilege reinstated. The transfer will be made on the day you specify (or the next Business Day) to your designated account or a check will be mailed to your address of record. If you do not specify a day, the transfer will be made on the 20th day of each month or the next Business Day if the 20th is not a Business Day.

 

 

Retirement Accounts

 

To redeem shares from an IRA, Roth IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, 403(b) or other retirement account, you must mail a completed and signed Distribution Form to the Forward Funds. You may not redeem shares of an IRA, Roth IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, 403(b) or other retirement account by telephone or via the Internet.

 

PAYMENTS OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

Redemption orders are valued at the NAV per share next determined after the shares are properly tendered for redemption, as described above. Payment for shares redeemed generally will be made within seven days after receipt of a valid request for redemption. Forward Funds may temporarily stop redeeming shares or delay payment of redemption proceeds when the NYSE is closed or trading on the NYSE is restricted, when an emergency exists and Forward Funds cannot sell shares or accurately determine the value of assets, if the SEC orders Forward Funds to suspend redemptions or delay payment of redemption proceeds, or to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations.

 

At various times, Forward Funds may be requested to redeem shares for which it has not yet received good payment. If this is the case, the forwarding of proceeds may be delayed until payment has been collected for the purchase of the shares. The delay may last 15 days or more. Forward Funds intends to forward the redemption proceeds as soon as good payment for purchase orders has been received. This delay may be avoided if shares are purchased by wire or ACH transfer. Forward Funds intends to pay cash for all shares redeemed, except in cases noted above under the heading “Redeeming Shares,” in which case payment for certain large redemptions may be made wholly or partly in portfolio securities that have a market value equal to the redemption price. You may incur brokerage costs in converting the portfolio securities to cash.

 

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Redeeming Shares

 

 

 

By Check

 

You may have a check for the redemption proceeds mailed to your address of record. To change the address to which a redemption check is to be mailed, you must send a written request with a Medallion Signature Guarantee to Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201.

 

 

By ACH Transfer

 

You can arrange for the proceeds of a redemption to be sent by ACH to a single previously designated bank account if you have given authorization for ACH redemption on your Forward Funds Account Application.

 

 

By Wire Transfer

 

You can arrange for the proceeds of a redemption to be sent by wire transfer to a single previously designated bank account if you have given authorization for wire redemption on your Forward Funds Account Application. This redemption option does not apply to shares held in broker “street name” accounts. If a request for a wire redemption is received by Forward Funds prior to the close of the NYSE, the shares will be redeemed that day at the next determined NAV, and the proceeds will generally be sent to the designated bank account the next Business Day. The bank must be a member of the Federal Reserve wire system. Delivery of the proceeds of a wire redemption request may be delayed by Forward Funds for up to seven days if Forward Funds deems it appropriate under then current market conditions. Redeeming shareholders will be notified if a delay in transmitting proceeds is anticipated. Forward Funds cannot be responsible for the efficiency of the Federal Reserve wire system or the shareholder’s bank. You are responsible for any charges imposed by your bank. The minimum amount that may be wired is $2,500. Forward Funds reserves the right to change this minimum or to terminate the wire redemption privilege. Shares purchased by check may not be redeemed by wire transfer until the shares have been owned (i.e., paid for) for at least 15 days. To change the name of the single bank account designated to receive wire redemption proceeds, you must send a written request with a Medallion Signature Guarantee to Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201. If you elect to have the payment wired to your bank, a wire transfer fee of $30.00 will be charged by Forward Funds.

 

Policies Concerning Frequent Purchases and Redemptions

 

The Funds do not accommodate short-term or excessive trading that interferes with the efficient management of a Fund, significantly increases transaction costs or taxes, or may harm a Fund’s performance. The Funds attempt to discover and discourage frequent trading in several ways. These methods include trade activity monitoring (which may take into account transaction size), and fair value pricing. Although these methods are designed to discourage frequent trading, there can be no guarantee that the Funds will be able to identify and restrict investors that engage in such activities. These methods are inherently subjective, and involve a significant degree of judgment in their application. The Funds and their service providers seek to make these judgments and apply these methods uniformly and in a manner that they believe is consistent with the interests of the Funds’ long-term shareholders. These frequent trading policies may be amended in the future to enhance the effectiveness of the program or in response to changes in regulatory requirements.

 

The Funds monitor trading activity with respect to the purchase, sale and exchange of Fund shares. Trading activity is evaluated to determine whether such activity is indicative of market timing activity or is otherwise detrimental to a Fund. If the Funds believe that a shareholder of a Fund has engaged in short-term or excessive trading activity to the detriment of the Fund and its long-term shareholders, the Funds may, in their sole discretion, request the shareholder to stop such trading activities or refuse to process purchases or exchanges in the shareholder’s account. The Funds specifically reserve the right to reject any purchase or exchange order by any investor or group of investors indefinitely for any reason.

 

The Funds currently are unable to directly monitor the trading activity of beneficial owners of the Funds’ shares who hold those shares through third-party 401(k) and other group retirement plans and other omnibus arrangements maintained by other intermediaries. Omnibus accounts allow intermediaries to aggregate their customers’ investments in one account and to purchase, redeem and exchange Fund shares without the identity of a particular customer being known to a Fund. A number of these financial intermediaries may not have the capability or may not be willing to apply the Funds’ frequent trading policies. Although they attempt to do so, the Funds cannot assure that these policies will be enforced with regard to Fund shares held through such omnibus arrangements.

 

The Funds have adopted procedures to fair value each Fund’s securities in certain circumstances when market prices are not readily available, including when trading in a security is halted or suspended; when a security’s primary pricing source is unable or unwilling to provide a price; when a security’s primary trading market is closed during regular market hours; or when a security’s value is materially affected by events occurring after the close of the security’s primary trading market. By fair valuing securities, the Funds seek to establish prices that investors might expect to realize upon the current sales of these securities. For non-U.S. securities, fair valuation is intended to deter market timers who may take advantage of time zone differences between the close of the foreign markets on which a Fund’s portfolio securities trade and the U.S. markets that determine the time as of which the Fund’s NAV is calculated.

 

The Funds make fair value determinations in good faith in accordance with the Funds’ valuation procedures. Because of the subjective and variable nature of fair value pricing, there can be no assurance that a Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to the security upon the sale of such security.

 

Distribution and Shareholder Services Plans

 

 

Distribution Plan

 

Forward Funds has adopted a distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 (the “Plan”) for Investor Class shares of the Fund that allows the Fund to pay for the sale and distribution of its shares. The Fund may make payments under the Plan for the purpose of financing any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of its shares. In addition, payments under

 

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Distribution and Shareholder Services Plans

 

 

the Plan may be made to banks and their affiliates and other financial intermediaries, including broker-dealers, for the provision of administrative, and/or shareholder services for Fund shareholders.

 

Under the Plan, the Fund may pay one or more persons or entities a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Investor Class shares for service rendered and expenses borne in connection with the provision of distribution, administrative and/or shareholder services with respect to Investor Class shares of the Fund.

 

Payments available under the Plan may exceed amounts received by broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries in connection with the sale of the Fund’s shares.

 

Because these 12b-1 fees are paid out of assets attributable to the Fund’s Investor Class shares on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of an investment in such shares and may cost more than other types of sales charges. Shareholders owning Institutional Class shares of the Fund will not be subject to the Plan or any 12b-1 fees.

 

The Plan recognizes that Forward Management may use its management or administrative fees, in addition to its past profits or its other resources, to pay for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of Fund shares and/or shareholder services in the form of cash, or if permitted, non-cash payments.

 

Shareholder Services Plan

Forward Funds has adopted a shareholder services plan (the “Shareholder Services Plan”) with respect to Investor Class and Institutional Class shares of the Fund. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund is authorized to pay third party service providers a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% and up to 0.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Investor Class and Institutional Class shares, respectively, for non-distribution related services to shareholders of Investor Class and Institutional Class shares of the Fund.

 

Payments available under the Shareholder Services Plan may exceed amounts received by third party service providers for the provision of shareholder services.

 

Because these shareholder services fees are paid out of assets attributable to the Fund’s Investor Class and Institutional Class shares on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of an investment in such shares and may cost more than other types of sales charges.

 

Additional Payments to Intermediaries

 

 

Forward Management or its affiliates may enter into arrangements to make additional payments, also referred to as “revenue sharing,” to certain financial intermediaries or their affiliates. For purposes of these additional payments, the term “financial intermediary” includes any broker, dealer, bank (including bank trust departments), registered investment advisor, financial planner, retirement plan administrator, third-party administrator, insurance company and/or any other institutions having a selling, administration or any similar arrangement with either Forward Management or its affiliates.

 

Revenue sharing arrangements occur when Forward Management or its affiliates agree to pay out of their own resources (which may include legitimate profits from providing advisory or other services to the Fund) cash or other compensation to financial intermediaries, in addition to any sales charges, distribution fees, service fees or other expenses paid by the Fund or its shareholders as disclosed in the Fund’s Fees and Expenses tables in this prospectus. Such additional payments are generally based on the average net assets of the Fund, assets held over a certain time period by a certain financial intermediary, and/or sales of the Fund’s shares through a particular financial intermediary. Furthermore, such additional payments are not reflected in and do not change the expenses paid by investors for the purchase of shares of the Fund as disclosed in the Fund’s Fees and Expenses tables in this prospectus.

 

Revenue sharing arrangements may include payments for various purposes, including but not limited to:

 

   

payments for providing shareholder recordkeeping, processing, accounting, and/or other administrative or distribution services;

   

payments for placement of a Fund on an intermediary’s list of mutual funds available for purchase by its customers or for including a Fund within a group that receives special marketing focus or are placed on a “preferred list”;

   

“due diligence” payments for an intermediary’s examination of a Fund and payments for providing extra employee training and information relating to a Fund;

   

“marketing support fees” for providing assistance in promoting the sale of Fund shares;

   

provision of educational programs, including information and related support materials; and

   

occasional meals and entertainment, tickets to sporting events, nominal gifts, and travel and lodging (subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.).

 

A list of the financial intermediaries with which Forward Management or its affiliates has entered into ongoing contractual arrangements as of January 1, 2010, as described in this section, is contained in the “Additional Payments to Intermediaries” section of the SAI. Forward Management or its affiliates may in the future enter into ongoing contractual arrangements with other financial intermediaries.

 

Please ask your financial intermediary for more information about these additional payments.

 

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Dividends and Taxes

 

 

The Fund expects to declare and pay income dividends [    ] and capital gain distributions annually, if available.

 

Any annual income dividends and/or capital gain distributions are of record and payable in December.

 

A shareholder will automatically receive all income, dividends, and capital gain distributions in additional full and fractional shares reinvested into their Forward Funds account, unless the shareholder elects to receive dividends or distributions in cash. To elect to receive your dividends in cash or to revoke your election, call (800) 999-6809 or write to us at Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201.

 

FEDERAL TAXES

The following information is meant only as a general summary for U.S. shareholders. Please see the SAI for additional information. You should rely on your own tax advisor for advice about the particular Federal, state, and local or foreign tax consequences to you of investing in a Forward Fund.

 

The Fund will distribute all or substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains to its shareholders each year.

 

Although the Fund will not be taxed on amounts it distributes, most shareholders will be taxed on amounts they receive. A particular distribution generally will be taxable as either ordinary income or long-term capital gains. The tax status of a particular distribution will generally be the same for all of a Fund’s shareholders. Except as described below, it does not matter how long you have held your Fund shares or whether you elect to receive your distributions in cash or reinvest them in additional Fund shares. For example, if the Fund designates a particular distribution as a long-term capital gain distribution, it will be taxable to you at your long-term capital gain rate.

 

Dividends attributable to interest are not eligible for the reductions in rates described below. Current tax law (which is scheduled to expire after 2010) generally provides for a maximum tax rate for individual taxpayers of 15% on long-term gains and on certain qualifying dividends on corporate stock. The Fund does not expect to distribute significant amounts of qualified dividend income. These rate reductions do not apply to corporate taxpayers. The following are guidelines for how certain distributions by the Fund are generally taxed to individual taxpayers:

 

   

Distributions of earnings from qualifying dividends and qualifying long-term capital gains will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%;

   

Distributions of earnings from dividends paid by certain “qualifying foreign corporations” can also qualify for the lower tax rates on qualifying dividends;

   

A shareholder will also have to satisfy a more than 60-day holding period with respect to any distributions of qualifying dividends in order to obtain the benefit of the lower tax rate;

   

Distributions of earnings from non-qualifying dividends, interest income, other types of ordinary income and short-term capital gains will be taxed at the ordinary income tax rate applicable to the taxpayer; and

   

In the absence of further Congressional action, for calendar years after 2010, the maximum rate on long-term capital gains for individual taxpayers would increase to 20% and income from dividends would be taxed at the rates applicable to ordinary income.

 

Dividends declared by a Fund in October, November, or December and paid during the following January may be treated as having been received by shareholders in the year the distributions were declared. Each year, the Funds will send shareholders tax reports detailing the tax status of any distributions for that year.

 

Shareholders who are not subject to tax on their income, such as qualified retirement accounts and other tax-exempt investors, generally will not be required to pay tax on distributions.

 

There may be tax consequences to you if you sell or redeem Fund shares. You will generally have a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term, generally depending on how long you hold those shares. If you exchange a Fund’s shares for shares of another Fund, you may be treated as if you sold them and any gain on the transaction may be subject to Federal income tax. Any loss recognized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions that were received with respect to the shares. Additionally, any loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of a Fund may be disallowed under “wash sale” rules to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with other shares of the Fund within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of, such as pursuant to a dividend reinvestment in shares of the Fund. If disallowed, the loss will be reflected in an adjustment to the tax basis of the shares acquired.

 

As with all mutual funds, a Fund may be required to withhold U.S. Federal income tax at the current rate of 28% (currently scheduled to increase to 31% after 2010) of all taxable distributions payable to you if you fail to provide the Fund with your correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, it is a way in which the IRS ensures it will collect taxes otherwise due. Any amounts withheld may be credited against your U.S. Federal income tax liability.

 

Please see the SAI for additional tax information.

 

A Fund will not be subject to federal income tax to the extent it distributes investment company taxable income and gain to shareholders in a timely manner. Dividends and other distributions that shareholders receive from a Fund, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund, are subject to federal income tax and may also be subject to state and local tax. Distributions of a Fund’s net capital gain are taxable to you as long-term capital gain, when designated by the Fund as such, regardless of the length of time you have held your shares.

 

As discussed in the “Fund Summary” section above, the Fund may invest in complex securities. These investments may be subject to numerous special and complex tax rules. These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Fund are treated as ordinary income or loss or capital gain or loss, accelerate the recognition of income to a Fund and/or defer a Fund’s ability to recognize losses. In turn, those rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to you by a Fund.

 

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Dividends and Taxes

 

 

You should be aware that if Fund shares are purchased shortly before the record date for any dividend or capital gain distribution, you will pay the full price for the shares and will receive some portion of the price back as a taxable distribution.

 

A redemption of a Fund’s shares or an exchange of a Fund’s shares for shares of another Fund will be treated as a sale of the Fund’s shares, and any gain on the transaction will be subject to federal income tax.

 

The Fund may receive dividends and interest on securities of foreign issuers that may be subject to withholding taxes by foreign governments, and gains from the disposition of those securities also may be subject thereto, which may reduce a Fund’s total return. If the amount of taxes withheld by foreign governments is material and certain requirements are met, a Fund may elect to enable shareholders to claim a foreign tax credit regarding those taxes, subject to certain limitations.

 

After the conclusion of each calendar year, shareholders will receive information regarding the taxability of dividends and other distributions paid by the Funds during the preceding year. If you are neither a citizen nor a resident of the United States, each Fund will withhold U.S. Federal income tax at the rate of 30% on taxable dividends and other payments that are subject to such withholding. You may be able to arrange for a lower withholding rate under an applicable tax treaty if you supply the appropriate documentation required by the applicable Fund.

 

The Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income from certain qualifying sources of income in order to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code. The IRS issued a revenue ruling in December 2006 which concluded that income and gains from certain commodity-linked derivatives is not qualifying income under Subchapter M of the Code. As a result, the Fund’s ability to invest directly in commodity-linked swaps as part of its investment strategy is limited by the requirement that it receive no more than ten percent (10%) of its gross income from such investments.

 

However, in Revenue Ruling 2006-31, the IRS indicated that income from alternative investment instruments (such as certain structured notes) that create commodity exposure may be considered qualifying income under the Code. The IRS subsequently issued private letter rulings to other taxpayers in which the IRS specifically concluded that income from certain commodity index-linked notes is qualifying income and that income derived from a fund’s investment in a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) also will constitute qualifying income to the fund, even if the CFC itself owns commodity-linked swaps. The Fund seeks to gain exposure to the commodity markets primarily through investments in commodity index-linked notes and through investments in the Subsidiary.

 

A private letter ruling cannot be used or cited as precedent and is binding on the IRS only for the taxpayer that receives it. The Fund has not obtained a ruling from the IRS with respect to its investments or its structure and presently does not intend to seek such a ruling from the IRS. Based on the analysis in private letter rulings previously issued to other taxpayers, the Fund intends to treat its income from commodity index-linked notes and the Subsidiary as qualifying income without any such ruling from the IRS. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not change its position with respect to some or all of these issues or if the IRS did so, that a court would not sustain the IRS’s position. There is also no assurance that the Fund would be able to obtain a favorable ruling from the IRS if it were to request such a ruling.

 

If the IRS were to change its position or otherwise determine that income derived from certain commodity-linked notes or from the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary does not constitute qualifying income and if such positions were upheld, the Fund might cease to qualify as a regulated investment company and would be required to reduce its exposure to such investments which might result in difficulty in implementing its investment strategy. If the Fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company for any taxable year, the Fund’s taxable income would be subject to tax at the Fund level at regular corporate tax rates (without reduction for distributions to shareholders) and to a further tax at the shareholder level when such income is distributed. In such event, in order to re-qualify for taxation as a regulated investment company, the Fund may be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make certain distributions.

 

A foreign corporation, such as the Subsidiary, generally is not subject to U.S. federal income taxation on its business income unless it is engaged in, or deemed to be engaged in, a U.S. trade or business. It is expected that the Subsidiary will conduct its activities so as to satisfy the requirements of a safe-harbor set forth in the Code, under which the Subsidiary may engage in certain commodity-related investments without being treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business. However, if the Subsidiary’s activities were determined not to be of the type described in the safe harbor, its activities may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation.

 

A foreign corporation, such as the Subsidiary, that does not conduct a U.S. trade or business is nonetheless subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a flat 30% rate (or lower treaty rate) on certain U.S. source gross income. No tax treaty is in force between the United States and the Cayman Islands that would reduce the 30% rate of withholding tax. However, it is not expected that the Subsidiary will derive income subject to U.S. withholding taxes.

 

The Subsidiary will be treated as a CFC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Fund must include in gross income for such purposes all of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F” income when the Subsidiary recognizes that income, whether or not the Subsidiary distributes such income to the Fund. It is expected that all of the Subsidiary’s income will be subpart F income. The Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary will be increased as a result of the Fund’s recognition of the Subsidiary’s subpart F income. The Fund will not be taxed on distributions received from the Subsidiary to the extent of the Subsidiary’s previously-undistributed subpart F income although its tax basis in the Subsidiary will be decreased by such amount. All subpart F income will be taxed as ordinary income, regardless of the nature of the transactions that generate it. Subpart F income does not qualify for treatment as qualified dividend income. If the Subsidiary recognizes a net loss, the net loss will not be available to offset income recognized by the Fund.

 

The foregoing is only a brief summary of certain federal income tax consequences of investing in the Forward Funds. Please see the SAI for a further discussion. Shareholders should consult a tax advisor for further information regarding the federal, state, and local tax consequences of an investment in shares of a Fund.

 

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Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

 

 

Forward Funds discloses the portfolio holdings of the Fund as of the end of each month on its website at www.forwardfunds.com. Portfolio holdings as of month-end are posted on the 21st day of the next succeeding month (or, if the 21st day is not a Business Day, then on the next Business Day).

 

A description of the Forward Funds’ policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is available in the SAI.

 

Householding

 

 

To avoid sending duplicate copies of materials to households, Forward Funds may mail only one copy of each prospectus and annual and semi-annual report to shareholders having the same address on the Fund’s records. The consolidation of these mailings, called householding, benefits the Fund through reduced mailing expense. If you want to receive multiple copies of these materials, you may call the Transfer Agent at (800) 999-6809. You may also notify the Transfer Agent in writing. Individual copies of the prospectus and reports will be sent to you commencing within 30 days after the Transfer Agent receives your request to stop householding.

 

General Information

 

 

You can obtain current price, yield, and other performance information on any of the Forward Funds between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday by calling (800) 999-6809. You can request shareholder reports that contain performance information. These are available free of charge.

 

Our shareholders receive unaudited semi-annual reports and annual reports that have been audited by independent accountants. If you have any questions about Forward Funds, write to Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201 or call (800) 999-6809. In addition to information available in annual and semi-annual reports, quarterly portfolio holdings information for the first and third fiscal quarters is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and the SAI concerning the offering of the Fund’s shares. We have not authorized anyone to give any information that is not already contained in this prospectus and the SAI. Shares of the Forward Funds are offered only where the sale is legal.

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

The Fund is newly organized and its shares have not previously been offered and therefore, the Fund does not have any financial history. Additional information about the Fund’s investments will be available in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports when they are prepared.

 

Forward Funds Privacy Policy

 

 

Forward Funds appreciates the privacy concerns and expectations of our customers. We are committed to maintaining a high level of privacy and confidentiality when it comes to your personal information and we use that information only where permitted by law. We recognize that, as our customer, you not only entrust us with your money but with your personal information. Your trust is important to us and you can be sure we will continue our tradition of protecting your personal information. We provide this privacy notice to you so that you may understand our policy with regard to the collection and disclosure of nonpublic personal information (“Information”) pertaining to you.

 

We collect the following categories of information about you:

 

   

Information we receive from you on applications or other forms; and

 

   

Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others.

 

We do not disclose any Information about you or any current or former customer to anyone, except as permitted by law. We may disclose Information about you and any former customer to our affiliates and to nonaffiliated third parties, as permitted by law. We do not disclose personal information that we collect about you to non-affiliated companies except to enable them to provide marketing services on our behalf, to perform joint marketing agreements with other financial institutions, or in other limited circumstances permitted by law. For example, some instances where we may disclose Information about you to third parties include: for servicing and processing transactions, to protect against fraud, for institutional risk control, to respond to judicial process or to perform services on our behalf. When we share personal information about you with these companies, we require them to limit their use of the personal information to the particular purpose for which it was shared and we do not allow them to share your personal information with others except to fulfill that limited purpose. In addition, these companies are required to adhere to our privacy standards with respect to any personal information that we provide them.

 

Protecting the Security and Confidentiality of Your Information

 

We restrict access to Information about you to those employees who need to know that Information to provide products or services to you. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to ensure the confidentiality of your Information. Our privacy policies apply only to those individual investors who have a direct customer relationship with us. If you are an individual shareholder of record of any of the Funds, we consider you to be a customer of Forward Funds. Shareholders purchasing or owning shares of any of the Funds through their bank, broker, or other financial institution should consult that financial institution’s privacy policies. If you own shares or receive investment services through a relationship with a third-party broker, bank, investment advisor or other financial service provider, that third-party’s privacy policies will apply to you and ours will not.

 

        20   


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Appendix—Description of Market Index

 

 

Credit Suisse Momentum and Volatility Enhanced Return Strategy Index: The Credit Suisse Momentum and Volatility Enhanced Return Strategy Index seeks positive absolute returns at bullish and at bearish points in the commodity cycle for each of the S&P GSCI single commodity sub-indices. Currently, 24 single commodity sub-indices meet the eligibility requirements for the S&P GSCI. A list of these commodity sub-indices organized by subsector is presented below.

 

Energy    Industrial Metals    Precious Metals    Agriculture    Livestock
Crude Oil    Aluminum    Gold    Wheat    Live Cattle
Brent Crude Oil    Copper    Silver    Red Wheat    Feeder Cattle
RBOB Gas    Lead         Corn    Lean Hogs
Heating Oil    Nickel         Soybeans     
GasOil    Zinc         Cotton     
Natural Gas              Sugar     
               Coffee     
               Cocoa     

 

    21  


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LOGO

 

Investment Advisor

 

Forward Management, LLC

 

Administrator

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc.

 

Distributor

 

ALPS Distributors, Inc.

 

Counsel

 

Dechert LLP

 

Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm

[            ]

 

Custodian

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

 

Transfer Agent

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc.

Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund



Table of Contents

LOGO

Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

Want More Information?

You can find out more about the Fund by reviewing the following documents:

 

Annual And Semi-Annual Reports

Our annual and semi-annual reports, when available, list the holdings of the Fund, describe the Fund’s performance, include the Fund’s financial statements, and discuss the market conditions and strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

 

Statement Of Additional Information

The Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) contains additional and more detailed information about the Fund and is considered a part of this prospectus. The SAI also contains a description of the Fund’s policies and procedures for disclosing its portfolio holdings.

 

How Do I Obtain A Copy Of These Documents?

 

By following one of the four procedures below:

 

1. Call or write, and copies will be sent to you free of charge: Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201, (800) 999-6809. Or go to www.forwardfunds.com and download a free copy.

 

2. Write to the Public Reference Section of the SEC and ask them to mail you a copy. Public Reference Section of the SEC Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. The SEC charges a fee for this service. You can also drop by the Public Reference Section and copy the documents while you are there. Information about the Public Reference Section may be obtained by calling: (202) 551-8090.

 

3. Go to the EDGAR database on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov and download a free text-only copy.

 

4. After paying a duplicating fee, you may also send an electronic request to the SEC at publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

Investment Company Act File No. 811-06722


 

Forward Funds are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

LOGO

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

 

The information contained herein is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus.

 

Subject to Completion, dated October 15, 2010

 

FORWARD FUNDS

 

101 California Street, Suite 1600

San Francisco, California 94111

(800) 999-6809

 

     Tickers
Fund    Investor
Class
   Institutional
Class
   Class M    Class Z
Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund            

 

Statement of Additional Information

 

dated [                    ], 2010

 

Forward Funds (“Forward Funds” or the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company commonly known as a mutual fund. The Trust offers multiple separate series (collectively, the “Funds”). Only the Forward Commody Long/Short Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) is discussed in this Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its objective.

 

This SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectuses for the Fund, dated [                    ], 2010, which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). A copy of the prospectuses of the Fund may be obtained free of charge by calling the Fund’s transfer agent at (800) 999-6809.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page

ORGANIZATION OF FORWARD FUNDS

  1

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

  1

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

  8

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

  10

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

  18

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

  18

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND RISKS

  19

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

  41

ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

  42

DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE

  44

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AND PRIVILEGES

  44

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

  45

TAX CONSIDERATIONS

  45

GENERAL INFORMATION

  51

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  52


Table of Contents

 

ORGANIZATION OF FORWARD FUNDS

 

The Trust is an open-end management investment company, commonly known as a mutual fund. The Trust was organized as a Pennsylvania common law trust on August 26, 1992 under the name HomeState Group and was reorganized effective April 7, 2005 as a Delaware statutory trust created on February 1, 2005.

 

The capitalization of the Trust consists of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with no par value per share.

 

This SAI pertains to Investor Class, Institutional Class, Class M and Class Z shares of the Fund.

 

The Fund has elected to qualify as a non-diversified series of the Trust.

 

The Board of Trustees may establish additional funds and classes of shares at any time in the future without shareholder approval. Holders of shares of the Fund have one vote for each share held, and a proportionate fraction of a vote for each fractional share. All shares issued and outstanding are fully paid and are non-assessable, transferable and redeemable at the option of the shareholder. Shares have no pre-emptive rights.

 

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

 

Board of Trustees

 

The Trust’s Board of Trustees oversees the management and business of the Fund. The Trustees are elected by shareholders of the Trust, or, in certain circumstances, may be appointed by the other Trustees. There are currently five Trustees, four of whom are not “interested persons” of the Trust as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Trustees”). The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, along with their affiliations over the last five years, are set forth below.

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES:

 

Name,
Address,
and Age*
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served**
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past
Five Years
  Number of
Funds in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee
  Other Directorships
Held by Trustee***
Haig G. Mardikian Age: 63   Chairman   Since 1998+   Owner of Haig G. Mardikian Enterprises, a real estate investment business (1971 to present); General Partner of M&B Development, a real estate investment business (1983 to present); General Partner of George M. Mardikian Enterprises, a real estate investment business (1983 to 2002); President and Director of Adiuvana-Invest, Inc., a real estate investment business (1989 to present); President of the William Saroyan Foundation (1992 to present); Managing Director of the United Broadcasting Company, radio broadcasting (1983 to 2001); Trustee of the International House of UC Berkeley (term: 2001 to 2007); Director of the Downtown Association of San Francisco (1982 to 2006); Director of the Market Street Association (1982 to 2006); Trustee of Trinity College (1998 to 2007); Trustee of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library (1997 to present); Trustee of the Herbert Hoover Foundation (2002 to present); Trustee of the Advisor California Civil Liberties Public Education Fund (1997 to 2006); Director of The Walnut Management Co., a privately held family investment company (2008 to present); President of the Foundation of City College (2006 to present); Director of Near East Foundation (2007 to present); Member of the Board of Overseers of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University (2006 to present).   35   Chairman and Director of SIFE Trust Fund (1978 – 2002)

 

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Table of Contents
Name,
Address,
and Age*
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served**
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past
Five Years
  Number of
Funds in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee
  Other Directorships
Held by Trustee***
Donald O’Connor Age: 74   Trustee   Since 2000+   Financial Consultant (1997 to present); Retired Vice President of Operations, Investment Company Institute (“ICI”), a mutual fund trade association (1969 to 1993); Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, ICI Mutual Insurance Company, an insurance company (1987 to 1997); Chief, Branch of Market Surveillance, Securities and Exchange Commission (1964 to 1969).   35   Trustee of the Advisors Series Trust (15) (1997 to present).
DeWitt F. Bowman Age: 79   Trustee, Audit Committee Chairman   Since 2006
(Director of
Forward
Funds, Inc.
since 2000)+
  Principal, Pension Investment Consulting, a consulting company (1994 to present); Interim Treasurer and Vice President for Investments, University of California (2000 to 2001); Treasurer of Pacific Pension Institute, a non-profit education organization (1994 to 2002); Treasurer of Edgewood Center for Children and Families, a non-profit care center (1994 to 2004); Director, Episcopal Diocese of California, a non-profit religious organization (1964 to present); Trustee of the Pacific Gas and Electric Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund, a nuclear decommissioning trust (1994 to present); Chief Investment Officer, California Public Employees Retirement System (1989 to 1994).   35   Trustee, Brandes Mutual Funds (1995 to present); Director, RREEF America III REIT (2002 to present); Director, RREEF America I REIT (2004 to 2007); Trustee, Sycuan Funds (2003 to 2009); Trustee, Wilshire Mutual Funds (1996 to 2007); Trustee, PCG Private Equity Fund (1994 to present).

Cecilia H. Herbert

Age: 61

 

Trustee,

Nominating Committee Chairperson

  Since 2009+   President of the Board of Catholic Charities CYO (since 2007); Trustee, The Thacher School (since 2002); Chair, The Thacher School Investment Committee (since 2006); Chair, Thacher School Finance Committee (2006 – 2008); Managing Director and head of San Francisco office, J.P. Morgan/Morgan Guaranty Trust Company, a commercial and investment banking institution (1973 to 1976 and 1978 to 1991); Assistant Vice President, Signet Banking Corporation, a multi-bank holding company (1976 to 1978).   35   Director, iShares Inc. (since 2005); Trustee, iShares Trust (since 2005); Trustee, Pacific Select Funds (2004 - 2005); Trustee, The Montgomery Funds (1992 to 2003).

 

2


Table of Contents

INTERESTED TRUSTEE:

 

Name,
Address,
and Age*
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served**
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past
Five Years
  Number of
Funds in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee
  Other Directorships
Held by Trustee***

J. Alan Reid, Jr. ****

Age: 48

  President, Trustee   Since 2001+   Chief Executive Officer of Forward Management, LLC, an investment advisor (2001 to present); Chief Executive Officer and Director, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, an investment services company (2001 to present); Chief Executive Officer and Director, ReFlow Fund, LLC, an investment services company (2001 to present); Chief Executive Officer of Sutton Place Management, an investment services company (2001 to present); Chief Executive Officer of Sutton Place Associates (2001 to present); Chief Executive Officer of FISCOP, LLC (2001 to present); Chief Executive Officer of Broderick Management, LLC, an investment services company (2001 to present); Member of ICI Board of Governors (2008 to present); Director of Legato Capital Management, an investment services company (2004 to 2009); Senior Vice President, Director of Business Delivery, Morgan Stanley Online, a financial services company (1999 to 2001); Executive Vice President and Treasurer, Webster Investment Management Co., LLC (1998 to 1999); Vice President, Regional Director, Investment Consulting Services, Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co., a financial services company (1992 to 1998); Vice President of the Board of Trustees of Centerpoint, a public health and welfare organization (1997 to present); Advisory Board Member, Finaplex, a software company (2002 to present); Advisory Board of SunGard Expert Solutions (1998 to present).   35   Director, FOLIOfn, Inc. (2002 to present).

 

*  

Each Trustee may be contacted by writing to the Trustee, c/o Forward Management, LLC, 101 California Street, Suite 1600, San Francisco, CA 94111.

 

3


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**  

Each Trustee will hold office for an indefinite term until the earliest of (i) the next meeting of shareholders, if any, called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such Trustee and until the election and qualification of his successor, if any, elected at such meeting; or (ii) the date a Trustee resigns or retires, or a Trustee is removed by the Board of Trustees or shareholders, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust.

***  

This column includes only directorships of companies required to report to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i.e., public companies) or other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.

****  

Mr. Reid is considered an interested Trustee because he acts as Chief Executive Officer of Forward Management, LLC, the Funds’ investment advisor, and holds other positions with an affiliate of the Trust.

+  

Each Trustee, other than Mr. Bowman and Ms. Herbert, has served as Trustee to the Trust since May 1, 2005. However, beginning on the date indicated in the chart, each Trustee served as a director for the nine series of Forward Funds, Inc., which were reorganized as series of the Trust effective July 1, 2005. Mr. Bowman was appointed as Trustee effective January 1, 2006, and served as a director for the nine series of Forward Funds, Inc. since 2000. Ms. Herbert was appointed as a Trustee effective November 9, 2009.

 

OFFICERS:

 

Name,

Address,
and Age*

   Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
   Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past

Five Years

Barbara H. Tolle
101 California Street Suite 1600

San Francisco, CA 94111

Age: 61

   Treasurer    Since 2006   Director of Fund Accounting and Operations, Forward Management (since 2006); Vice President and Director, Fund Accounting and Administration, PFPC Inc. (1999-2006).

Mary Curran
101 California Street Suite 1600

San Francisco, CA 94111

Age: 63

   Secretary    Since 2004**   Chief Legal Officer, Forward Management (since 2002); Chief Legal Officer, ReFlow Management Co., LLC (since 2002); General Counsel, Morgan Stanley Online (1997-2002).

Judith M. Rosenberg

101 California Street

Suite 1600

San Francisco, CA 94111

Age: 62

   Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Legal Officer    Since 2006   Chief Compliance Officer, Forward Management (since 2005); First Vice President and Senior Attorney, Morgan Stanley (1984-1997; 2002-2005); Director of Compliance, Morgan Stanley Online (1997-2002).

Robert S. Naka

101 California Street

Suite 1600

San Francisco, CA 94111

Age: 47

   Vice President Funds    Since 2009   Senior Vice President Operations, Forward Management (since 2009); Principal & Chief Operating Officer, Anew Capital Management LLC (2007 – 2009); Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, ING Funds & Predecessors (1989 – 2007).

Julie Allecta***

101 California Street

Suite 1600

San Francisco, CA 94111

Age: 63

        Since 2010   Partner, Paul Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP (1997 to 2009); Treasurer and Director, WildCare Bay Area (since 2008); Director, Audubon Canyon Ranch (since 2009).

 

*  

Each officer shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees until the next annual meeting of the Trust or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until he or she dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified.

 

4


Table of Contents

 

**  

Ms. Curran has served as an officer of the Trust since May 1, 2005. However, beginning on the date indicated in the chart, Ms. Curran served as an officer for the nine series of Forward Funds, Inc., which were reorganized as series of the Trust effective July 1, 2005.

***  

Ms. Allecta is a member of the Advisory Board of the Trust.

 

Leadership Structure of the Board of Trustees

 

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the oversight of the Trust. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees is an Independent Trustee. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees’ role is to preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees, and to act as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys, and other Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairman may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board of Trustees from time to time. The Independent Trustees meet regularly outside the presence of Forward Management, in executive session or with other service providers to the Fund. The Board of Trustees has regular meetings four times a year and may hold special meetings if required before its next regular meeting. The Board of Trustees has established two standing committees in connection with its governance of the Fund: Audit and Nominating Committees. Each committee meets regularly to conduct the oversight functions delegated to that committee by the Board of Trustees and reports its findings to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees and each standing committee conduct annual assessments of their oversight function, structure, and effectiveness. The Board of Trustees has determined through its self-evaluation process that the Trust’s leadership structure is appropriate because the structure permits the Board of Trustees to exercise independent judgment over management and to allocate areas of responsibility among committees and the full Board of Trustees to effectively oversee the Trust.

 

The Audit Committee consists of four members: Messrs. Bowman, Mardikian, O’Connor and Ms. Herbert. The functions performed by the Audit Committee include, among other things, considering the matters pertaining to the Trust’s financial records and internal accounting controls and acting as the principal liaison between the Board of Trustees and the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, the Audit Committee convened four times.

 

The Nominating Committee consists of four members: Messrs. Bowman, Mardikian, O’Connor and Ms. Herbert. The function performed by the Nominating Committee is to select and nominate candidates to serve as non-interested Trustees (including considering written nominations from shareholders delivered to the Trust at its address on the cover of this SAI), and approve officers and committee members. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, the Nominating Committee convened three times.

 

Day-to-day management of the Fund, including the monitoring of various risks to which the Fund is subject, is the responsibility of Forward Management, or other service providers (depending on the nature of the risk), subject to the supervision of Forward Management. The Fund is subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, operational, and valuation risks, among others. While Forward Management or other service providers perform a number of risk management functions, it is not possible to eliminate all of the risks applicable to the Fund. Risk oversight forms part of the Board of Trustees’ general oversight of the Fund and is addressed as part of various Board of Trustees and committee activities. The Board of Trustees, directly or through the Audit Committee, also reviews reports from, among others, management, the independent registered accounting firm for the Fund, and internal auditors for Forward Management or its affiliates, as appropriate, regarding risks faced by the Fund and management’s or each service provider’s risk functions. The committee system facilitates the timely and efficient consideration of matters by the Trustees, and facilitates effective oversight of compliance with legal and regulatory requirements of the Fund’s activities and associated risks. The Board of Trustees has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer, who oversees the implementation and testing of the Fund’s compliance program, assists the Board of Trustees in monitoring compliance risks, and reports to the Board of Trustees regarding compliance matters for the Fund and its service providers. The Independent Trustees have engaged independent legal counsel to assist them in performing their oversight responsibilities.

 

Trustee Qualifications and Experience

 

The Nominating Committee does not use specific criteria in analyzing candidates to serve on the Board of Trustees, and there are no specific required qualifications for Board membership set out in the Trust’s organizational documents. Rather, the Board of Trustees believes that the different points of view, professional experiences, education, and individual qualities of each Trustee represent a diversity of experiences and a variety of complementary skills. The Trustees believe that their combined experiences and qualifications allow the Board of Trustees to oversee the business of the Fund in a manner consistent with the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders. When considering potential nominees to fill vacancies on the Board of Trustees, and as part of its self-evaluation, the Board of Trustees reviews the mix of skills and other relevant experiences of the Trustees.

 

5


Table of Contents

Haig G. Mardikian – Mr. Mardikian, currently Chairman of the Board of Trustees, has served as a Trustee since 1998 and has served as a member of the Audit Committee and Nominating Committee during his entire tenure as a Trustee. In addition to Mr. Mardikian’s responsibilities as a Trustee, he has served as a trustee of numerous educational, philanthropic, and professional organizations. Mr. Mardikian also has professional experience in the fields of real estate investment and broadcasting. Additional information regarding Mr. Mardikian’s principal occupations and other directorships held is presented in the chart above. Mr. Mardikian has a BA from Trinity College and a MBA from Harvard Business School.

 

Donald O’Connor – Mr. O’Connor has served as a Trustee since 2000 and has served as a member of the Audit Committee and Nominating Committee during his entire tenure as a Trustee. In addition to Mr. O’Connor’s responsibilities as a Trustee, he has served as a trustee to other mutual fund complexes. Mr. O’Connor also has professional experience in the fields of investment management and insurance. Additional information regarding Mr. O’Connor’s principal occupations and other directorships held is presented in the chart above. Mr. O’Connor has a BA in business administration, economics and finance from George Washington University and a MBA in finance, business administration and data processing from George Washington University.

 

DeWitt F. Bowman – Mr. Bowman, currently Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees, has served as a Trustee since 2000 and has served as a member of the Audit Committee and Nominating Committee during his entire tenure as a Trustee. In addition to Mr. Bowman’s responsibilities as a Trustee, he has served as a trustee to non-governmental organizations, other mutual fund complexes, and private investment funds. Mr. Bowman also has professional experience in the field of investment management. Additional information regarding Mr. Bowman’s principal occupations and other directorships held is presented in the chart above. Mr. Bowman has a BS in Geology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

 

Cecilia H. Herbert – Ms. Herbert, currently Chairperson of the Nominating Committee of the Board of Trustees, has served as a Trustee since 2009 and has served as a member of the Audit Committee and Nominating Committee during her entire tenure as a Trustee. In addition to Ms. Herbert’s responsibilities as a Trustee, Ms. Herbert has served as a trustee of educational and philanthropic organizations and other mutual fund complexes. Ms. Herbert also has professional experience in the fields of banking and finance. Additional information regarding Ms. Herbert’s principal occupations and other directorships held is presented in the chart above. Ms. Herbert has a BA in economics and communications from Stanford University and a MBA in finance from Harvard Business School.

 

J. Alan Reid, Jr. – Mr. Reid has served as a Trustee since 2001. In addition to Mr. Reid’s responsibilities as a Trustee, Mr. Reid also serves as President of the Trust and Chief Executive Officer of Forward Management. Additional information regarding Mr. Reid’s principal occupations and other directorships held is presented in the chart above. Mr. Reid has a BS in business administration from Menlo College.

 

As noted in the chart above, each Trustee, other than Mr. Bowman and Ms. Herbert, has served as a Trustee to the Trust since May 1, 2005. However, beginning on the year indicated above, each Trustee served as a director for the nine series of Forward Funds, Inc., which were reorganized as series of the Trust effective July 1, 2005. Mr. Bowman was appointed as a Trustee effective January 1, 2006, and served as a director for the nine series of Forward Funds, Inc. since 2000. Ms. Herbert was appointed as a Trustee effective November 9, 2009.

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the ownership of the Fund by each of the Trustees, and information regarding the aggregate ownership by each Trustee of the Forward Funds.

 

Information As of December 31, 2009

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

 

Name of Trustee    Dollar Range
of Equity
Securities in
the Fund*
   Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by
Trustee in Family of
Investment Companies*
Haig G. Mardikian    A    D
Donald O’Connor    A    E
DeWitt F. Bowman    A    D
Cecilia H. Herbert    A    A

 

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INTERESTED TRUSTEE:

 

Name of Trustee    Dollar Range
of Equity
Securities in
the Fund*
   Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen by
Trustee in Family of
Investment Companies*
J. Alan Reid, Jr.    A    E

 

*  

Key to Dollar Ranges

A  

None

B  

$1-$10,000

C  

$10,001 - $50,000

D  

$50,001 - $100,000

E  

Over $100,000

 

As of December 31, 2009, no Trustee who is not an interested person of the Trust owned any securities of the Fund’s investment advisor, Forward Management, LLC (“Forward Management” or the “Investment Advisor”), ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor” or “ADI”) or their affiliates.

 

Trustee Compensation

 

The Trust pays each independent Trustee a retainer fee in the amount of $25,000 per year, $10,000 each for attendance in person at a regular meeting ($5,000 for attendance via telephone at a regular meeting). The Trust also pays each independent Trustee $3,000 for attendance in person at each special meeting or committee meeting that is not held in conjunction with a regular meeting, and $2,250 for attendance at a special telephonic meeting, and $1,000 per day for participation in Trust-related meetings not held in conjunction with a meeting. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Chairman of the Audit Committee each receive a special retainer fee in the amount of $10,000 per year. The interested Trustee does not receive any compensation from the Trust. With the exception of the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer as discussed below, officers of the Trust and Trustees who are affiliated persons of either the Trust or Investment Advisor do not receive any compensation from the Trust or any other funds managed by the Fund’s Investment Advisor. As of December 31, 2009, the Officers and Trustees owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As discussed below in “Investment Advisory and Other Services – Other Service Providers,” the Trust has agreed to compensate the Investment Advisor for, among other expenses, providing an officer or employee of the Investment Advisor to serve as Chief Compliance Officer for the Trust, and may compensate the Investment Advisor for the time of other officers or employees of the Investment Advisor who serve in other compliance capacities for the Trust.

 

Compensation Received From Funds (as of December 31, 2009)

 

Name and Position   Aggregate
Compensation
From Trust
   

Pension or
Retirement

Benefits
Accrued As
Part of Funds’
Expenses

    Estimated
Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement
    Total
Compensation
From Trust
and Fund
Complex
(1)
 

J. Alan Reid, Jr. Trustee*

    None        None        None        None   

Haig G. Mardikian, Trustee

    $78,250        $0        $0        $78,250   

Donald O’Connor, Trustee

    $67,250        $0        $0        $67,250   

DeWitt F. Bowman, Trustee

    $78,250        $0        $0        $78,250   

Cecilia H. Herbert, Trustee(2)

    $52,000        $0        $0        $52,000   

 

*  

Interested

(1)  

The Fund Complex consists of the Trust, which currently consists of thirty-five series.

 

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(2)  

Cecilia H. Herbert was appointed as a Trustee on November 9, 2009. Prior to that, Ms. Herbert served as an Advisory Board Member since March 2009. As of December 31, 2009, Ms. Herbert received $52,000 from the Trust as a member of the Advisory Board.

 

Trustee and Officer Indemnification

 

The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trust will indemnify the Trustees and may indemnify its officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trust, except if it is determined in the manner specified in the Trust that they have acted in bad faith, with reckless disregard of their duties, willful misconduct or gross negligence. The Trust, at its expense, may provide liability insurance for the benefit of its Trustees and its officers.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

 

Forward Funds has adopted policies and procedures related to the selective disclosure of portfolio holdings (“Disclosure Policies”). The Disclosure Policies provide that it is the policy of Forward Funds and their service providers to protect the confidentiality of their holdings and prevent the selective disclosure of non-public information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The Disclosure Policies are designed to address conflicts of interest between the Fund’s shareholders and its Investment Advisor, principal underwriter or any affiliated person of such entities by limiting and delineating the circumstances under which non-public information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disseminated. No information concerning the portfolio holdings of the Fund may be disclosed to any unaffiliated third party except in limited circumstances, as described below.

 

Violations of the Disclosure Policies must be reported to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. If the Chief Compliance Officer, in the exercise of his or her duties, deems that such violation constitutes a “Material Compliance Matter” within the meaning of Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, he/she shall report it to the Trust’s Board of Trustees, as required by Rule 38a-1.

 

Disclosures Required by Law

 

Nothing contained in the Disclosure Policies is intended to prevent the disclosure of portfolio holdings information as may be required by applicable laws and regulations. For example, the Fund or any of their affiliates or service providers may file any report required by applicable law, such as periodic portfolio disclosure in filings with the SEC, respond to requests from regulators, and comply with valid subpoenas.

 

Public Disclosures on Web Site

 

Forward Funds discloses all portfolio holdings of the Fund, as of the end of each month on its web site at www.forwardfunds.com. Portfolio holdings as of month-end are posted on the 21st day of the next succeeding month (or, if the 21st day is not a Business Day, then on the next Business Day). The portfolio holdings for each month will remain available on the web site for a minimum of six months following the date posted. In addition, the Forward Funds may, at the discretion of the Investment Advisor, publicly disclose portfolio holdings information at any time with respect to securities held by the Fund that are in default, distressed, or experiencing a negative credit event. Any such disclosure will be broadly disseminated via the Fund’s website or other means.

 

Confidential Dissemination of Portfolio Holdings

 

The Fund may disclose portfolio holdings, under Conditions of Confidentiality, as defined herein, before their public disclosure is required or authorized by policy as above, to service providers, to data aggregators, and to mutual fund evaluation and due diligence departments of broker-dealers and wire houses that regularly analyze the portfolio holdings of mutual funds in order to monitor and report on various attributes including style, capitalization, maturity, yield, beta, etc. These services and departments then distribute the results of their analysis to the public, paid subscribers and/or in-house brokers. Holdings authorized to be disclosed may be disclosed by officers of the Fund, the Investment Advisor, or service providers in possession of such information. Such holdings are released under conditions of confidentiality. “Conditions of Confidentiality” means that:

 

(a)  

the recipient may not distribute the portfolio holdings or results of the analysis to third parties, other departments or persons who are likely to use the information for purposes of purchasing or selling the Fund before the portfolio holdings or results of the analysis become public information; and

 

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(b)  

the recipient must sign a written Confidentiality Agreement in form and substance acceptable to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer which, among other things, provides that the recipient of the portfolio holdings information agrees to limit access to the information to those persons who are subject to confidentiality obligations, and includes an obligation not to trade on non-public information.

 

The Trust’s Board of Trustees or Chief Compliance Officer may, on a case-by-case basis, impose additional restrictions on the dissemination of portfolio information beyond those imposed by the Disclosure Policies, or may approve exceptions or revisions to the Disclosure Policies. For example, the Fund may determine to not provide purchase and sale information with respect to a Fund that invests in smaller capitalization companies or less liquid securities. The Disclosure Policies may not be waived, or exceptions made, without the consent of the Trust’s Board of Trustees or Chief Compliance Officer.

 

The Board of Trustees will review at least annually a list of the entities that have received such information, the frequency of such disclosures and the business purpose therefore. Any material changes to the policies and procedures for the disclosure of portfolio holdings will be reported to the Board on at least an annual basis.

 

The identity of the entities with which Forward Funds has ongoing arrangements to provide portfolio holdings information under Conditions of Confidentiality, the frequency with which they receive such information and the length of the lag between the date of the information and the date it is disclosed is provided below:

 

1.  

FactSet Research Systems Inc. – Daily for the Fund with no delay.

 

2.  

Electra Information Systems Inc. – Daily for the Fund with no delay.

 

3.  

Glass, Lewis & Co. – Daily (or less frequently) for the Fund with no delay.

 

The policy also permits the daily or less frequent disclosure of any and all portfolio information to the Fund’s service providers and others who generally need access to such information in the performance of their contractual duties and responsibilities, such as the Fund’s custodian (Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.), Investment Advisor, administrator/fund accountants (ALPS Fund Services, Inc.), independent registered public accounting firm ([            ]), legal counsel (Dechert LLP), officers, and directors and each of their respective affiliates and advisors, who are subject to duties of confidentiality imposed by law and/or contract, including a duty not to trade on non-public information.

 

Analytical Information

 

The Fund or its duly authorized service providers may distribute the following information concerning the Fund’s portfolio before disclosure of all portfolio holdings is made as discussed above, provided that the information has been publicly disclosed (via the Fund’s website or otherwise):

 

 

Top Twenty-five Holdings. Top twenty-five holdings and the total percentage of the Fund such aggregate holdings represent.

 

 

Sector Holdings. Sector information and the total percentage of the Fund held in each sector.

 

 

Other Portfolio Characteristic Data. Any other analytical data that does not identify any specific portfolio holding.

 

Press Interviews, Broker Discussions, etc.

 

Portfolio managers and other senior officers or spokespersons of the Fund may disclose or confirm the ownership of any individual portfolio holding position to reporters, brokers, shareholders, consultants or other interested persons only if such information has been previously publicly disclosed in accordance with these Disclosure Policies. For example, a portfolio manager discussing a particular Fund may indicate that he or she likes and/or owns for the Fund a security only if the Fund’s ownership of such security has previously been publicly disclosed (and the statement is otherwise accurate and not misleading).

 

Trading Desk Reports

 

The trading desks of the Fund’s Investment Advisor may periodically distribute lists of applicable investments held by their clients (including the Fund) for the purpose of facilitating efficient trading of such investments and receipt of relevant research.

 

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Research Coverage

 

The Fund’s Investment Advisor may periodically distribute a list of the issuers and securities that are covered by their research department as of a particular date. The list of issuers and securities may represent securities currently held by the Fund and securities which may be purchased for the Fund. In no case will a list specifically identify an issuer’s securities as either currently held or anticipated to be held by the Fund or identify Fund position sizes.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

Whenever portfolio holdings disclosure made pursuant to the Disclosure Policies involves a conflict of interest between the Fund’s shareholders and the Fund’s Investment Advisor, Distributor or any affiliated person of the Fund, the disclosure may not be made unless a majority of the Independent Trustees or a majority of a Board committee consisting solely of Independent Trustees approves such disclosure after considering the best interests of shareholders and potential conflicts in making such disclosures. The Fund and the Fund’s Investment Advisor will not enter into any arrangement providing for the disclosure of non-public portfolio holding information for the receipt of compensation or benefit of any kind.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

 

Investment Advisor

 

Forward Management serves as the Investment Advisor to the Fund. Forward Management has the authority to manage the Fund in accordance with the investment objective, policies, and restrictions of the Fund and subject to general supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Forward Management also has the authority to engage the services of different sub-advisors with the approval of the Trustees of the Fund and the Fund’s shareholders. Forward Management also provides the Fund with ongoing management supervision and policy direction.

 

Forward Management is a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). Forward Management manages the assets of the Fund directly, without the use of a sub-advisor. Forward Management is located at 101 California Street, Suite 1600, San Francisco, California 94111. Forward Management’s ownership interests are held approximately as follows: Gordon P. Getty, Chairman of the Board (35%); ReFlow Forward Holding Company, an entity controlled by Mr. Getty (35%); management and employees (26%); and unaffiliated outsider investors (4%). As of December 31, 2009, Forward Management had approximately $5.4 billion of assets under management.

 

Forward Management has managed the Fund since inception. The thirty-five portfolios of the Trust are Forward Management’s principal investment advisory clients. Daily investment decisions are made by Forward Management for the Fund. Certain information regarding Forward Management is described above.

 

Hiring Sub-Advisors without Shareholder Approval

 

Forward Management and Forward Funds have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits Forward Management, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, to hire and terminate non-affiliated sub-advisors or to materially amend existing sub-advisory agreements with non-affiliated sub-advisors for the Fund without shareholder approval. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, shareholders of the affected Fund will be notified of sub-advisor changes within 90 days after the effective date of such change.

 

Investment Management Agreement

 

The Fund pays an investment advisory fee, which is computed daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 1.00% based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

From time to time, the Investment Advisor may waive receipt of its fees and/or voluntarily assume certain Fund expenses, which would have the effect of reducing the Fund’s expense ratio and increasing returns to shareholders at the time such amounts are waived or assumed, as the case may be. Each class of shares of the Fund pays its respective pro rata portion of the advisory fees payable by the Fund.

 

Under the terms of the investment advisory contract between the Trust and the Investment Advisor (the “Investment Management Agreement”), the Investment Advisor provides a program of continuous investment management for the Fund with regard to the Fund’s investment of its assets in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and limitations. In providing investment management services to the Fund, the Investment Advisor will: (a) make investment decisions for the Fund, including, but not limited to, the selection and management of an investment sub-advisor for the Fund, in which case any of the duties of the Investment Advisor under the Investment Management Agreement may be delegated to such investment sub-advisor subject to approval by the Board of Trustees; (b) if an investment sub-advisor is

 

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appointed with respect to the Fund, monitor and evaluate the performance of the investment sub-advisor under their respective sub-advisory agreement in light of the investment objectives and policies of the respective Fund, and render to the Trustees such periodic and special reports related to such performance monitoring as the Trustees may reasonably request, and analyze and recommend changes in the investment sub-advisor as the Investment Advisor may deem appropriate; (c) place orders to purchase and sell investments in the Fund; (d) furnish to the Fund the services of its employees and agents in the management and conduct of the corporate business and affairs of the Fund; (e) if requested, and subject to certain reimbursement provisions of the Investment Management Agreement with respect to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust, provide the services of its officers as officers or administrative executives of the Fund of the Trust who are “interested persons” of the Trust or its affiliates, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, subject in each case to their individual consent to serve and to applicable legal limitations; and (f) provide office space, secretarial and clerical services and wire and telephone services (not including toll charges, which will be reimbursed by the Fund), and monitor and review Fund contracted services and expenditures pursuant to the distribution and service plans of the Fund. Under the Investment Management Agreement, the Investment Advisor is also authorized to enter into brokerage transactions, including with brokers affiliated with the Investment Advisor, with respect to the Fund’s portfolio securities, always subject to best execution. The Investment Management Agreement authorizes the Fund to use soft dollars to obtain research reports and services and to use directed brokerage on behalf of the Fund, however the Investment Advisor reviews such transactions on a quarterly basis. The Investment Advisor may also aggregate sales and purchase orders of securities held in the Fund with similar orders being made simultaneously for other accounts managed by the Investment Advisor or with accounts of the Investment Advisor’s affiliates, if in the Investment Advisor’s reasonable judgment such aggregation shall result in an overall economic benefit to the respective Fund.

 

All fees paid to the Investment Advisor by the Fund are computed and accrued daily and paid monthly based on the net asset value of shares of the Fund.

 

The Fund, through a wholly-owned subsidiary organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”), seeks exposure to certain commodity-linked instruments. The Subsidiary has entered into a separate advisory agreement with the Investment Advisor for the management of the Subsidiary’s portfolio (the “Subsidiary Advisory Agreement”) pursuant to which the Subsidiary will pay the Investment Advisor a management fee at the same rate that the Fund pays the Investment Advisor for services provided to the Fund. The Investment Advisor has agreed to waive the management fee it receives from the Fund in an amount equal to the management fee paid to the Investment Advisor by the Subsidiary. The initial term of the Investment Management Agreement and the Subsidiary Advisory Agreement will last through September 30, 2011, and may be reapproved annually thereafter. The Board, shareholders of the Fund and the Investment Advisor may terminate the Investment Management Agreement and the Subsidiary Advisory Agreement upon sixty (60) days notice.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Management Agreement for the Fund will be available in Forward Funds’ semi-annual report for the period ending June 30, 2011.

 

As described in the prospectuses, the Investment Advisor has agreed to limit the total expenses of the Fund through the dates indicated to the annual rates stated below. Pursuant to this agreement, the Fund will reimburse the Investment Advisor for any fee waivers or expense reimbursements made by the Investment Advisor, provided that any such reimbursements made by the Fund to the Investment Advisor will not cause the Fund’s expense limitation to exceed the expense limitation in existence at the time the expenses were incurred or at the time of the reimbursement, whichever is lower, and the reimbursement is made within three years after the expenses were incurred. There is no assurance that these expense limitations will be continued beyond the dates indicated.

 

Fund    Class    End Date      Expense
Limit
 

Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

   Institutional Class      April 30, 2012         [    ]

Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

   Investor Class      April 30, 2012         [    ]

Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

   Class M      April 30, 2012         [    ]

Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund

   Class Z      April 30, 2012         [    ]

 

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Portfolio Managers

 

The Fund is team managed by Nathan J. Rowader, Director of Investments, Jim O’Donnell, CFA, President of Forward Asset Management and Chief Investment Officer of Forward Management, Paul Herber, CFA, Investment Officer and David L. Ruff, CFA, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Rowader has primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Subsidiary. The tables below include details about the type, number, and assets under management for the various types of accounts, and total assets in the accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the accounts that Messrs. O’Donnell, Rowader, Herber and Ruff managed as of [            ], 2010:

 

Jim O’Donnell

 

Type of Account   Number of
Accounts
Managed
  Total Assets
Managed
(in Millions)
 

Number of

Accounts Managed

for which

Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based

  Total Assets
Managed for which
Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based
(in Millions)

Registered Investment Companies

    $     $

Other pooled investment vehicles

    $     $

Other accounts

      $       $

 

Nathan J. Rowader

 

Type of Account   Number of
Accounts
Managed
  Total Assets
Managed
(in Millions)
 

Number of

Accounts Managed

for which

Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based

  Total Assets
Managed for which
Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based
(in Millions)

Registered Investment Companies

    $     $

Other pooled investment vehicles

    $     $

Other accounts

      $       $

 

Paul Herber

 

Type of Account   Number of
Accounts
Managed
  Total Assets
Managed
(in Millions)
 

Number of

Accounts Managed

for which

Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based

  Total Assets
Managed for which
Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based
(in Millions)

Registered Investment Companies

    $     $

Other pooled investment vehicles

    $     $

Other accounts

      $       $

 

David L. Ruff

 

Type of Account   Number of
Accounts
Managed
  Total Assets
Managed
(in Millions)
 

Number of

Accounts Managed

for which

Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based

  Total Assets
Managed for which
Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based
(in Millions)

Registered Investment Companies

    $     $

Other pooled investment vehicles

    $     $

Other accounts

      $       $

 

The potential for conflicts of interest exists when portfolio managers manage other accounts with similar investment objective and strategies as the Fund. Potential conflicts may include, for example, conflicts between investment strategies and conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities. Generally, client portfolios with similar strategies are managed by portfolio managers using the same objectives, approach, and philosophy. Therefore, portfolio holdings, relative position sizes and industry and sector exposures tend to be similar across similar portfolios, which minimizes the potential for conflicts of interest.

 

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Potential conflicts of interest may arise with both the aggregation and allocation of securities transactions and allocation of limited investment opportunities. Allocations of aggregated trades, particularly trade orders that were only partially completed due to limited availability, and allocation of investment opportunities generally, could raise a potential conflict of interest, as the portfolio manager may have an incentive to allocate securities that are expected to increase in value to favored funds. Forward Management has policies and procedures designed to manage these conflicts described above such as allocation of investment opportunities to achieve fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities among its clients over time.

 

Mr. O’Donnell’s compensation consists of a fixed salary and long-term and short-term management incentive programs that are based, in part, on the profitability of Forward Management. To the extent the success of the Fund affects the profitability of Forward Management, it indirectly affects Mr. O’Donnell’s compensation.

 

The compensation of Messrs. Rowader and Herber includes a fixed salary and a discretionary bonus that is based, in part, on the profitability of Forward Management. To the extent the success of the Fund affects the profitability of Forward Management, it indirectly affects their compensation.

 

The compensation of Mr. Ruff consists of a fixed salary and bonus. The bonus payment is awarded based on levels of assets under management and portfolio performance relative to the benchmarks for each product managed across 1, 3 and 5 year periods. These benchmarks include the MSCI All Country World Index ex-USA, MSCI EAFE Index, Russell 2500 Index, and S&P 500 Index. In addition, Mr. Ruff maintains an equity-like economic interest in the enterprise value of the business unit that is comprised of the portfolios he manages.

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the ownership of the Fund by the portfolio managers responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

Information as of [        ], 2010

 

Name of Portfolio Manager   Fund   Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Fund*
Jim O’Donnell   Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund   A
Nathan J. Rowader   Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund   A
Paul Herber   Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund   A
David L. Ruff   Forward Commodity Long/Short Strategy Fund   A

 

*  

Key to Dollar Ranges

A  

None

B  

$1 - $10,000

C  

$10,001 - $50,000

D  

$50,001 - $100,000

E  

$100,001 - $500,000

F  

$500,001 - $1,000,000

G  

Over $1,000,000

 

Distributor

 

The Fund offers its shares to the public on a continuous basis. Shares of the Fund are distributed pursuant to a Distribution Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2005 and amended on April 12, 2010 (the “Distribution Agreement”), between the Trust and the Distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203. The Distribution Agreement requires the Distributor to solicit orders for the sale of shares and to undertake such advertising and promotion as the Distributor believes reasonable in connection with such solicitation. The Trust and the Distributor have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities. The Trust pays no fee to the Distributor under the Distribution Agreement. The Distribution Agreement will remain in effect from year to year only if its continuance is approved annually by a majority of the Board of Trustees who are not parties to such agreement or “interested persons” of any such party and must be approved either by votes of a majority of the Trustees or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement may be terminated by either party on at least 60 days’ written notice and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

 

Codes of Ethics

 

The Trust, the Investment Advisor, and the Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics governing personal trading activities of all of their trustees, directors and officers and persons who, in connection with their regular functions, play a role in the recommendation of any purchase or sale of a security by the Fund or obtain information pertaining to such purchase or sale.

 

The Codes of Ethics permit personnel subject to the Codes of Ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.

 

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The Investment Advisor’s Code of Ethics is designed to address and avoid potential conflicts of interest relating to personal trading and related activities. The Code of Ethics instruct the Investment Advisor to always place the interests of shareholders first, ensure that all personal securities transactions are conducted consistent with the Code of Ethics and in such a manner to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest or abuse, and prohibits investment company personnel from taking inappropriate advantage of their positions.

 

The Investment Advisor’s Code of Ethics prohibits personal trading in certain securities by access persons unless they have received written authorization from the Advisor. The Code of Ethics lists situations in which transactions are exempt and thus covered persons may engage in exempted transactions without following the procedures set forth in the Code of Ethics. Access persons are required to make initial and annual reports of their securities holdings and to file quarterly securities transaction reports with the Investment Advisor even if no securities transactions occurred and no new securities accounts were opened during the relevant quarter. Each employee is required to certify that he or she has read, understands and has complied with the Code of Ethics.

 

The Distributor’s Code of Ethics is designed to clearly state, and inform its access persons about, prohibited activities in which employees may not engage. The Distributor’s Code of Ethics prohibits its access persons from purchasing or selling securities based upon any material nonpublic information to which they have access solely as a result of their employment with the Distributor, and prohibits informing others, who may act on such information, about material nonpublic information about the Distributor or one of its clients.

 

The Codes of Ethics of the Trust, the Investment Advisor, and the Distributor are on public file with and available from the SEC.

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

It is the Fund’s policy that proxies received by the Fund are voted in the best interest of the Fund’s shareholders. The Board of Trustees of the Fund has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for the Fund that delegate all responsibility for voting proxies received relating to the Fund’s securities to the Investment Advisor. The Board of Trustees will periodically review and approve the Investment Advisor’s proxy voting policies and procedures and any amendments.

 

Proxy Voting Guidelines – Forward Management, LLC

 

For the Forward Funds portfolios for which it exercises proxy voting authority, Forward Management will vote proxies in the best interests of the Fund. Forward Management has contracted with PROXY Governance (“Proxy Governance”) to handle administration and voting of these proxies and has directed Proxy Governance to vote all proxies on behalf of the portfolios of the Forward Funds in accordance with Proxy Governance’s recommendations. Proxy Governance’s stated mission is to provide proxy analysis and recommendations that support the growth of long-term shareholder value. The firm’s approach to enhancing overall corporate value growth through effective proxy voting relies on analysis and recommendations that are developed on an issue-by-company basis. Proxy Governance views proxy issues and provides recommendations in the context of company-specific metrics, taking into account a variety of relevant factors.

 

Because Forward Management does not exercise discretion in voting proxies for the Forward Funds portfolios but routinely votes proxies according to the Guidelines or the recommendations of Proxy Governance, no potential conflict of interests between Forward Management and the Fund should actually affect the voting of proxies. However, should a conflict arise, Forward Management will use one of the following methods to resolve such conflict, provided such method results in a decision to vote the proxies that is based on the Fund’s best interest and is not the product of the conflict:

 

   

“echo vote” or “mirror vote” the proxies in the same proportion as the votes of other proxy holders that are not Forward Management clients; or

 

   

if possible, erect information barriers around the person or persons making voting decisions sufficient to insulate the decision from the conflict.

 

The following examples illustrate the Investment Advisor’s Guidelines with respect to certain typical proxy votes. This summary is not an exhaustive list of all the issues that may arise or of all the matters addressed in the Guidelines, and whether the Investment Advisor supports or opposes a proposal will depend upon the specific facts and circumstances described in the proxy statement and other available information.

 

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Board of Directors. The Investment Advisor will vote for uncontested director nominees. The Investment Advisor will withhold votes from director nominees if (i) the board lacks an audit, compensation or nominating committee; (ii) the board will consist of more than 11 directors after the election; (iii) the board will consist of fewer than 7 directors after the election; (iv) the company has adopted a classified board structure; or (v) the company does not have an independent chair or lead director. The Investment Advisor will also withhold votes from any director nominee (i) attending less than 75% of the board and committee meetings during the previous fiscal year; (ii) who is retired from active employment and who serves on boards at four other major companies; (iii) who is employed full-time and who serves on board at two other major companies; (iv) who serves on the audit committee if non-audit services exceed 50% of fees; or (v) who is non-independent and serves on the nominating, audit or compensation committee if 25% of committee members are not independent. The Investment Advisor will withhold votes from directors’ nominees on a case by case basis if the board does not include at least one woman director and one minority director.

 

Mergers/Acquisitions. The Investment Advisor will vote on a case by case basis for a management proposal to merge with or acquire another company. The Investment Advisor will vote against a merger/acquisition if (i) the combined entity would be controlled by a person or group; (ii) the change-in-control provision would be triggered; (iii) the current shareholders would be minority owners of the combined company; or (iv) the combined entity would reincorporate or change its governance structure. The Investment Advisor will vote on a case by case basis on a proposal that would move the target company’s location outside the U.S.

 

Conflicts of Interest. When a proxy presents a conflict of interest to the Investment Advisor, the Investment Advisor may: (i) vote in accordance with its proxy policy if it involves little or no discretion; (ii) vote as recommended by a third party service if the Investment Advisor utilizes such a service; (iii) “echo vote” or “mirror vote” the proxies in the same proportion as the votes of other proxy holders that are not Advisor clients; (iv) if possible, erect information barriers around the person or persons making voting decisions sufficient to insulate the decision from the conflict; (v) if practical, notify affected clients of the conflict of interest and seek a waiver of the conflict; or (vi) if agreed upon in writing with the client, forward the proxies to affected clients allowing them to vote their own proxies.

 

Fund’s Proxy Voting Records

 

Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities from inception through the period ended June 30, 2011 will be available: (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 999-6809; and (2) filed on Form N-PX on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

Administrative Services and Transfer Agent

 

ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (hereinafter “AFS,” “Administrator” and “Transfer Agent”), whose principal business address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203, acts as the Fund’s administrator. As Administrator, AFS performs corporate secretarial, treasury, and blue sky services and acts as fund accounting agent for the Fund. For its services as Administrator, the Funds pay AFS the greater of $2,304,000 or fees based on the annual net assets of the Funds, accrued daily and payable monthly by the Funds at the following annual rate:

 

Annual Net Assets of the Funds   Annual Fee  

Up to and including $1 billion

    0.065%   

In excess of $1 billion

    0.030%   

 

The Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between the Fund and AFS was dated and effective as of April 12, 2010. The Amended and Restated Administration Agreement has an initial term of three years and will renew automatically for successive one-year terms.

 

Pursuant to an Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Services Agreement dated June 3, 2009 and effective as of June 15, 2009, AFS acts as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Trust. The Transfer Agency and Services Agreement has an initial term of three years and automatically renews for successive one-year terms. Shareholder inquiries may be directed to AFS at P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201.

 

In certain instances, other intermediaries may perform some or all of the transaction processing, recordkeeping or shareholder services which would otherwise be provided by the Transfer Agent. Forward Management or its affiliates may make payments out of their own assets, to intermediaries, including those that sell shares of the Fund, for transaction processing, recordkeeping or shareholder services. For example, shares in the Fund may be owned by certain intermediaries for the

 

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benefit of their customers. Because the Transfer Agent often does not maintain Fund accounts for shareholders in those instances, some or all of the recordkeeping services for these accounts may be performed by intermediaries. In addition, retirement plans may hold Fund shares in the name of the plan, rather than the name of the participant. Plan recordkeepers, who may have affiliated financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund may, at the discretion of a retirement plan’s named fiduciary or administrator, be paid for providing services that would otherwise have been performed by the Transfer Agent. Payments may also be made to plan trustees to defray plan expenses or otherwise for the benefit of plan participants and beneficiaries. For certain types of tax exempt plans, payments may be made to a plan custodian or other entity which holds plan assets. Payments may also be made to offset charges for certain services such as plan participant communications, provided by Forward Management or an affiliate or by an unaffiliated third party.

 

Other Service Providers

 

The Fund pays all expenses not assumed by the Investment Advisor or the Administrator. Expenses paid by the Fund include, but are not limited to: custodian, stock transfer and dividend disbursing fees, and accounting and recordkeeping expenses; Rule 12b-1 fees, if any, and shareholder service fees pursuant to distribution or service plans; costs of designing, printing, and mailing reports, prospectuses, proxy statements, and notices to its shareholders; taxes and insurance; expenses of the issuance, sale or repurchase of shares of the Fund (including federal and state registration and qualification expenses); legal and auditing fees and expenses; compensation, fees and expenses paid to Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust; association dues; costs of stationery and forms prepared exclusively for the Fund; and trade organization dues and fees. In addition, as noted above, the Trust has agreed to pay the Investment Advisor a fee in the amount of $300,000 per annum as compensation for providing an officer or employee of the Investment Advisor to serve as Chief Compliance Officer for the Funds (each such series of the Trust bearing its pro rata share of the fee), plus the cost of reasonable expenses related to the performance of the Chief Compliance Officer’s duties, including travel expenses, and may compensate the Investment Advisor for the time of other officers or employees of the Investment Advisor who serve in other compliance capacities for the Funds.

 

Distribution Plan and Shareholder Services Plan

 

Distribution Plan

 

The Fund has adopted a service and distribution plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect Investor Class shares of the Fund (the “Distribution Plan”). The purpose of the Distribution Plan is to permit the Fund to compensate the Distributor, banks, brokers, dealers, administrators and other financial intermediaries for services provided and expenses incurred by them in promoting the sale of shares of the Fund or maintaining or improving services provided to Investor Class shareholders. By promoting the sale of shares and maintaining or improving services to shareholders, the Distribution Plan should help provide reduced shareholder redemptions through established relationships provided by financial intermediaries therefore affording the Investment Advisor the ability to purchase and redeem portfolio securities without forcing the Investment Advisor to make unwanted sales of existing portfolio securities.

 

Expenses acceptable for payment under the Distribution Plan include, but are not limited to: (i) compensation of broker-dealers or other persons for providing assistance in distribution and for promotion of the sale of the Investor Class shares of the Fund; (ii) expenses of printing and distributing the prospectuses, SAI and reports to prospective holders of Investor Class shares of the Fund; (iii) expenses of preparing and distributing sales literature and related expenses, advertisements, and other distribution-related expenses, including a pro-rated portion of the Distributor’s expenses attributable to the Investor Class of shares related to implementing and operating the Distribution Plan; (iv) providing information periodically to existing shareholders; (v) forwarding communications from the Trust to shareholders; (vi) responding to inquiries from shareholders regarding their investment in the Fund; (vii) other services qualifying under applicable rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”); (viii) administrative services such as transfer agent and sub-transfer agent services for shareholders; (ix) aggregating and processing purchase and redemption orders for Fund shares; (x) preparing statements for shareholders; (xi) processing dividend payments; (xii) providing sub-accounting services; (xiii) receiving, tabulating, and transmitting proxies executed by shareholders; (xiv) and other personal services in connection with shareholder accounts (collectively “Sales and/or Services Support”). The Fund’s Investment Advisor is responsible for paying the Distributor for any unreimbursed distribution expenses.

 

For more information on fees paid by the Fund under the Distribution Plan, please see “Distributions and Shareholder Services Plan” in the Fund’s prospectus. The Fund have not adopted a Distribution Plan with respect to Class M, Class Z or Institutional Class shares of the Fund.

 

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Because the fees under the Distribution Plan are paid out of a Fund’s assets attributable to the Investor Class shares on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

 

The Distribution Plan is governed by Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which includes requirements that the Board of Trustees receive and review, at least quarterly, reports concerning the nature and qualification of services and expenses that are paid for or reimbursed. Continuance of the Distribution Plan is subject to annual approval by a vote of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees and who have no direct or indirect interest in the Distribution Plan or related arrangements, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. All material amendments to the Distribution Plan must likewise be approved by separate votes of the Trustees and the Independent Trustees. A Distribution Plan may not be amended in order to increase materially the costs which a Fund bears for distribution pursuant to the Distribution Plan without also being approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. Any agreement pursuant to a Distribution Plan terminates automatically in the event of its assignment, and a Distribution Plan and any agreement pursuant to a Distribution Plan may be terminated without penalty, at any time, by a vote of the majority of (i) the outstanding voting securities of the relevant class, or (ii) the Independent Trustees.

 

For purposes of paying for record-keeping and administrative services under the Distribution Plan, the Distributor and financial intermediaries normally calculate payment on the basis of an average running balance over a quarter; however, the Distributor may enter into agreements providing for a different method of calculating “average net asset value”. In addition, the Distributor may suspend or modify the Distribution Plan at any time. Payments are subject to the continuation of the Distribution Plan described above and the terms of service agreements between financial intermediaries and the Distributor.

 

The Fund participates from time to time in joint distribution activities. Fees paid under a Distribution Plan may be used to finance Sales and/or Service Support of other Forward Funds, and the expenses will be allocated on the relative net asset size of the Fund.

 

Shareholder Services Plan

 

The Fund has also adopted a shareholder services plan, which is separate from the Distribution Plan described above, with respect to Class M, Investor Class and Institutional Class shares of the Fund (the “Shareholder Services Plan”). The Trust intends to operate the Shareholder Services Plan in accordance with its terms. Under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Fund is authorized to pay to banks, brokers, dealers, administrators, and other financial intermediaries or third party service providers a payment each month in connection with non-distribution related services provided to shareholders.

 

Under the Shareholder Services Plan, ongoing payments may be made to participating organizations for services including, but not limited to; (i) providing information periodically to existing shareholders; (ii) forwarding communications from the Trust to shareholders; (iii) responding to inquiries from shareholders regarding their investment in the Fund; (iv) other services qualifying under applicable rules of FINRA; (v) administrative services such as transfer agent and sub-transfer agent services for shareholders; (vi) aggregating and processing purchase and redemption orders for Fund shares; (vii) preparing statements for shareholders; (viii) processing dividend payments; (ix) providing sub-accounting services; (x) receiving, tabulating, and transmitting proxies executed by shareholders; (xi) and other personal services provided in connection with shareholder accounts (collectively “Shareholder Services”).

 

For more information on fees paid by the Fund under the Shareholder Services Plan, please see “Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan” in the Fund’s prospectus. The Fund has not adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to Class Z shares of the Fund.

 

In the event the Shareholder Services Plan is terminated with respect to the Fund or class of shares thereof in accordance with its terms, the obligations of the Fund to make payments pursuant to a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to the applicable class of shares will cease and the Fund will not be required to make any payments for expenses incurred after the date the Shareholder Services Plan terminates. Payments may be made under the Shareholder Services Plan without regard to actual shareholder servicing expenses incurred by a recipient.

 

The Shareholder Services Plan has been approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees. The Shareholder Services Plan must be renewed annually by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. A Shareholder Services Plan may be terminated as to a particular class of shares at any time, without any penalty, by such Trustees on 60 days’ written notice.

 

Any change in a Shareholder Services Plan of the Fund that would amend the Shareholder Services Plan or materially increase the expenses paid by the Fund requires approval by the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of a Shareholder Services Plan or in any agreements related to it, by a vote cast in-person.

 

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Amounts paid under the Shareholder Services Plan are reported to the Board of Trustees at least quarterly, and the Board is furnished with such other information as may reasonably be requested in connection with the payments made under the Shareholder Services Plan in order to enable the Board to make an informed determination of whether the Shareholder Services Plan should be continued.

 

For purposes of paying for record-keeping and administrative services under the Shareholder Services Plan, the Distributor and financial intermediaries normally calculate payment on the basis of an average running balance of the net assets attributable to each class over a quarter; however, the Distributor may enter into agreements with certain financial intermediaries providing for a different method of calculating “average net asset value” during the quarter.

 

Because fees under the Shareholder Services Plan are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

 

Additional Payments to Intermediaries

 

The following is a list of the financial intermediaries that Forward Management or their affiliates have entered into ongoing contractual arrangements with to make additional payments as of January 1, 2010. These additional payments are described in more detail in the “Additional Payments to Intermediaries” section of the prospectuses. Any additions, modifications, or deletions to the financial intermediaries identified in this list that have occurred since January 1, 2010 are not reflected.

 

ACS HR Solutions, LLC, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Charles Schwab, Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., Daily Access Corp., Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC, Fidelity Investment Institutional Operations Company, Inc., Financial Data Services, Inc., First Interstate Bank, GreatBanc Trust Co., GWFS Equities, Inc., ICMA-RC Services, LLC, J.P. Morgan Retirement Plan Services, LLC, Lincoln Retirement Services Company, LPL Financial Services, Mercer HR Outsourcing LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., MidAtlantic Capital Corp., Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated, MSCS Financial Services, LLC, National Financial Services LLC, Nationwide Investment Services Corp., NYLIFE Distributors, Pershing, LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services, LLC, PNC Global Investment Servicing, State Street Bank & Trust, TD Ameritrade Trust Company, The Trust Company of Sterne Agee & Leach, TIAA-Cref Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, UBS Financial Services Inc., Vanguard, Wachovia Bank, N.A, Wachovia Securities, LLC, The Washington Trust Co., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Wilmington Trust Retirement & Institutional Services Company, and Zions First National Bank.

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

The investment objective of the Fund is non-fundamental. Non-fundamental policies of the Fund may be changed by the Board of Trustees without a vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Any policy not specifically identified as “fundamental” is a non-fundamental policy of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved.

 

The Fund may pursue its investment objective by investing in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is advised by Forward Management, and has the same investment objective and will generally be subject to the same fundamental, non-fundamental and certain other investment restrictions as the Fund; however, the Subsidiary (unlike the Fund) may invest without limitation in commodity-linked swap agreements and other commodity-linked derivative instruments. The Fund and the Subsidiary may test for compliance with certain investment restrictions on a consolidated basis, except that with respect to its investments in certain securities that may involve leverage, the Subsidiary will comply with asset segregation or “earmarking” requirements to the same extent as the Fund. By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The derivatives and other investments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those held by the Fund and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund. See below “Additional Investment Techniques and Risks—Investments in the Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” for a more detailed discussion of the Fund’s Subsidiary.

 

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

 

The investment restrictions set forth below that are designated as fundamental may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. A majority of a Fund’s outstanding voting securities means the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities.

 

If a percentage restriction on investment or use of assets set forth below is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes will not be considered a violation of the restriction, except that the Fund will take reasonably practicable steps to attempt to continuously monitor and comply with its liquidity standards. Also, if the Fund receives subscription rights to purchase securities of an issuer whose securities the Fund holds, and if the Fund exercises such subscription rights at a time when the Fund’s portfolio holdings of securities of that issuer would otherwise exceed a limit, it will not constitute a violation if, prior to the receipt of the securities from the exercise of such rights, and after announcement of such rights, the Fund sells at least as many securities of the same class and value as it would receive on exercise of such rights.

 

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Fundamental Investment Restrictions of the Fund

 

As a matter of fundamental policy:

 

1.  

The Fund may not purchase the securities of any issuer (other than U.S. Government Securities or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of issuers whose principal business activities are in the same industry. With respect to the Fund’s investment in an ETF, the Fund will look through each ETF to the issuer of the securities held by the ETF, as if the Fund had invested in those securities directly. Similarly, with respect to the Fund’s investment in swap agreements (other than credit default swap agreements), the Fund will look through each swap agreement to the reference issuers that constitute the swap agreement’s reference investment, as if the Fund had invested directly in those issuers in the same proportion to which each issue contributes to the reference investment.

 

2.  

The Fund may not issue senior securities or borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. For purposes of this restriction, the entering into of options, short sales, futures, forwards and other investment techniques or derivatives contracts, and collateral and margin arrangements with respect to such transactions, are not deemed to include the borrowing or the issuance of senior securities provided such transactions are “covered” in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees and applicable regulatory guidance.

 

3.  

The Fund may not purchase or sell commodities. This restriction shall not prohibit the Fund, subject to restrictions described in the Fund’s prospectus and elsewhere in this SAI, from purchasing, selling or entering into futures contracts, options on futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency options, hybrid instruments, or any interest rate or securities-related or foreign currency-related hedging instrument, including swap agreements and other derivative instruments, subject to compliance with any applicable provisions of the federal securities or commodities laws.

 

4.  

The Fund may not make loans, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, as may be amended from time to time.

 

5.  

The Fund may not underwrite the securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in the disposition of restricted securities or in connection with the investment in other investment companies.

 

6.  

The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate (e.g., REITs) or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).

 

Other Investment Restrictions

 

In addition to the fundamental investment restrictions listed above, the Fund has also adopted the non-fundamental investment restrictions set forth below. These non-fundamental restrictions may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.

 

Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions of the Fund

 

The Fund will not invest in securities of other registered investment companies in reliance on subparagraphs (F) or (G) of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, absent specific exemptive relief, the Fund may not: (i) acquire more than 3% of the voting securities of any other investment company, (ii) invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any one investment company, and (iii) invest more than 10% of its total assets in securities of all investment companies. Many ETFs have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit unaffiliated funds to invest in the ETF’s shares beyond the above statutory limitations, subject to certain conditions and pursuant to a contractual arrangement between the particular ETF and the investing fund. The Fund may rely on these exemptive orders to invest in unaffiliated ETFs.

 

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND RISKS

 

Additional information concerning investment techniques and risks associated with certain of the Fund’s investments is set forth below. From time to time, the Fund may purchase these securities or enter into these strategies to an extent that is more than incidental.

 

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Bank Obligations

 

The Fund may invest in bank obligations such as bankers’ acceptances, certificates of deposit, and time deposits. Bankers’ acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange typically drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise, which are “accepted” by a bank, meaning, in effect, that the bank unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument on maturity. Bankers’ acceptances, along with notes issued by banking institutions, are only as secure as the creditworthiness of the issuing or accepting depository institution. Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank or a savings and loan association for a definite period of time and earning a specified return.

 

Borrowing

 

The Fund may borrow for temporary administrative or emergency purposes and this borrowing may be unsecured. The Fund may also borrow from banks and broker-dealers and engage in reverse repurchase agreements for purposes of investing the borrowed funds. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is required to maintain continuous asset coverage (that is, total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of the amount borrowed. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a result of market fluctuations or other reasons, the Fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days to reduce its borrowings and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time. The percentage of the Fund’s total assets that may be leveraged because of reverse repurchase agreements will vary during the fiscal year depending on the portfolio management strategies of Forward Management. Borrowing may exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of the portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs which may or may not be recovered by appreciation of the securities purchased. The Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with such borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.

 

Commercial Paper and Variable Amount Demand Master Notes

 

The Fund may invest in commercial paper, which represent short-term unsecured promissory notes issued (in bearer form) by banks or bank holding companies, corporations and finance companies. The Fund may also invest in variable amount demand master notes, which are corporate obligations of issuing organizations that share the credit profile of commercial paper (e.g., banks or corporations). The distinct difference between commercial paper and variable amount demand master notes is in the liquidity characteristics of the issuance. While commercial paper is mostly negotiable, with a robust secondary trading market for rated issuers, variable amount demand master notes are issued by a bank or corporation and liquidated on demand. Further, there is no secondary market for variable amount demand master notes. Typically the issuance of a variable amount demand master note consists of two parts, an “A” note and a “B” note. Both carry an interest rate higher than the commercial paper issued by the same issuer, meant to compensate for the increased liquidity risk. Most often the “A” note is for a fixed investment amount, and can only be redeemed with a fixed notice, such as six to twelve months. The “B” note can be redeemed at any time for any amount presently outstanding.

 

In selecting commercial paper and other corporate obligations for investment by the Fund, Forward Management also considers information concerning the financial history and condition of the issuer and its revenue and expense prospects. If commercial paper or another corporate obligation held by the Fund is assigned a lower rating or ceases to be rated, Forward Management will promptly reassess whether that security presents credit risks consistent with the Fund’s credit quality restrictions and whether the Fund should continue to hold the security in its portfolio. If a portfolio security no longer presents credit risks consistent with the Fund’s credit quality restrictions or is in default, the Fund will dispose of the security as soon as reasonably practicable unless Forward Management determines that to do so is not in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. Variable amount demand master notes with demand periods of greater than seven days will be deemed to be liquid and only if they are determined to be so in compliance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

Commodity-Linked Securities

 

The Fund may seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets through investments in commodity-linked derivative securities, such as structured notes, discussed below which are designed to provide this exposure without direct investment in physical commodities or commodities futures contracts. The Fund may also seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets through investments in the Subsidiary. Real assets are assets such as oil, gas, industrial and precious metals, livestock, and agricultural or meat products, or other items that have tangible properties, as compared to stocks or bonds, which are financial instruments. In choosing investments, Forward Management seeks to provide exposure to various commodities and commodity sectors. The value of commodity-linked derivative securities held by the Fund and/or the Subsidiary may be

 

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affected by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, overall market movements and other factors affecting the value of particular industries or commodities, such as weather, disease, embargoes, acts of war or terrorism, or political and regulatory developments.

 

The prices of commodity-linked derivative securities may move in different directions than investments in traditional equity and debt securities when the value of those traditional securities is declining due to adverse economic conditions. As an example, during periods of rising inflation, debt securities have historically tended to decline in value due to the general increase in prevailing interest rates. Conversely, during those same periods of rising inflation, the prices of certain commodities, such as oil and metals, have historically tended to increase. Of course, there cannot be any guarantee that these investments will perform in that manner in the future, and at certain times the price movements of commodity-linked instruments have been parallel to those of debt and equity securities. Commodities have historically tended to increase and decrease in value during different parts of the business cycle than financial assets. Nevertheless, at various times, commodities prices may move in tandem with the prices of financial assets and thus may not provide overall portfolio diversification benefits. Under favorable economic conditions, the Fund’s investments may be expected to underperform an investment in traditional securities. Over the long term, the returns on the Fund’s investments are expected to exhibit low or negative correlation with stocks and bonds.

 

Forward Management generally intends to invest in commodity-linked investments whose returns are linked to the Credit Suisse Momentum and Volatility Enhanced Return Strategy Index. However, the Fund is not an index fund and Forward Management may make allocations that differ from the weightings in the index.

 

Counterparty Credit Risk

 

Commodity and financial-linked derivative instruments are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the instrument might not pay interest when due or repay principal at maturity of the obligation. If a counterparty defaults on its interest or principal payment obligations to the Fund, this default will cause the value of your investment in the Fund to decrease. In addition, the Fund will invest in commodity- and financial-linked structured notes issued by a limited number of issuers, which will act as counterparties. To the extent the Fund focuses its investments in a limited number of issuers, it will be more susceptible to the risks associated with those issuers.

 

Debt Securities

 

The market value of debt securities generally varies in response to changes in interest rates and the financial condition of each issuer. During periods of declining interest rates, the value of debt securities generally increases. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of such securities generally declines. These changes in market value will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value and could also impact the amount of income the Fund generates through debt investments. The rate of interest on a corporate debt security may be fixed, floating or variable, and may vary inversely with respect to a reference rate. See “Variable and Floating Rate Securities.” The rate of return or return of principal on some debt obligations may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies. An issuer of a debt security may repay principal prior to a security’s maturity, which can adversely affect the Fund’s yield, particularly during periods of declining interest rates. Rising interest rates may cause prepayments to occur at slower than expected rates, which effectively lengthens the maturities of the affected securities, making them more sensitive to interest rate changes and the Fund’s net asset value more volatile.

 

The Fund may invest in debt securities that are rated between “BBB” and as low as “CCC” by S&P and between “Baa” and as low as “Caa” by Moody’s or, if unrated, are of equivalent investment quality as determined by Forward Management. Such debt securities may include preferred stocks, investment-grade corporate bonds, debentures and notes, and other similar corporate debt instruments, convertible securities, municipal bonds, and high-quality short-term debt securities such as commercial paper, bankers’ acceptances, certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements, obligations insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, and demand and time deposits of domestic banks, U.S. branches and subsidiaries of foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks. Debt securities may be acquired with warrants attached. Corporate income-producing securities may also include forms of preferred or preference stock. Investments in corporate debt securities that are rated below investment grade (rated below “BBB” by S&P or “Baa” by Moody’s) are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and repay principal.

 

Rating agencies may periodically change the rating assigned to a particular security. If a debt security satisfies the Fund’s minimum rating requirement (rated at or above “CCC” by S&P, or “Caa” by Moody’s, or, if unrated, such security is of at least equivalent investment quality as determined by Forward Management) when purchased, a subsequent downgrade does not require the sale of the security, but Forward Management will consider which action is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders, including the sale of the security.

 

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Bonds that are rated “Baa” by Moody’s are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well. Bonds that are rated C by Moody’s are the lowest rated class of bonds and can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of attaining any real investment standing.

 

Bonds rated “BBB” by S&P are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for bonds in this category than in higher rated categories. Bonds rated “D” by S&P are the lowest rated class of bonds and generally are in payment default. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.

 

Although they may offer higher yields than higher-rated securities, high-risk, low-rated debt securities (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) and unrated debt securities generally involve greater volatility of price and risk of principal and income, including the possibility of default by, or bankruptcy of, the issuers of the securities. In addition, the markets in which low-rated and unrated debt securities are traded are more limited than those in which higher-rated securities are traded. The existence of limited markets for particular securities may diminish the Fund’s ability to sell the securities at fair value either to meet redemption requests or to respond to a specific economic event such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. Reduced secondary market liquidity for certain low-rated or unrated debt securities may also make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for the purposes of valuing their portfolios. Market quotations are generally available on many low-rated or unrated securities only from a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of such dealers or prices for actual sales.

 

Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of low-rated debt securities, especially in a thinly traded market. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of low-rated debt securities may be more complex than for issuers of higher-rated securities, and the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective may, to the extent of investment in low-rated debt securities, be more dependent upon such creditworthiness analysis than would be the case if the Fund were investing in higher-rated securities. In addition, the use of credit ratings as the sole method of evaluating low-rated securities can involve certain risks. For example, credit ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of low-rated securities. In addition, credit rating agencies may fail to change credit ratings in a timely fashion to reflect events since the security was most recently rated.

 

Low-rated debt securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than investment grade securities. The prices of low-rated debt securities have been found to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic downturns or individual corporate developments. A projection of an economic downturn or of a period of rising interest rates, for example, could cause a decline in low-rated debt securities prices because the advent of a recession could lessen the ability of a highly leveraged company to make principal and interest payments on its debt securities. If the issuer of low-rated debt securities defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses seeking recovery.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

The Fund may purchase and write call and put options on securities, securities indexes and foreign currencies, and enter into futures contracts and use options on futures contracts as further described below. The Fund may also enter into swap agreements with respect to foreign currencies, interest rates and securities indexes. The Fund may use these techniques to hedge against changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or securities prices or to attempt to achieve investment returns as part of its overall investment strategies. The Fund may also purchase and sell options relating to foreign currencies for purposes of increasing exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid by Forward Management in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees (or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions) to cover its obligations under options, futures, and swaps to avoid leveraging the portfolio of the Fund as described below.

 

The Fund considers derivative instruments to consist of securities or other instruments whose value is derived from or related to the value of some other instrument or asset, and not to include those securities whose payment of principal and/or interest depends upon cash flows from underlying assets, such as mortgage-related or asset-backed securities. The value of some derivative instruments in which the Fund invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other investments of the Fund, the ability of the Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon

 

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the ability of Forward Management to correctly forecast interest rates and other economic factors. If Forward Management incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, the Fund could be exposed to the risk of loss. In addition, while the use of derivatives for hedging purposes can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains, and hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and security it is hedging, which means that a hedge might not be effective. The Fund might not employ any of the strategies described above, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. A decision as to whether, when and how to utilize derivative instruments involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived derivatives strategy may be unsuccessful. The use of derivative instruments involves brokerage fees and/or other transaction costs, which will be borne by the Fund.

 

Investment in commodity-linked derivatives may subject the Fund to additional risks, and in particular may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from certain specified types of investments. It is currently unclear which types of commodities-linked derivatives fall within these specified investment types. As a result, if the Fund’s investment in commodities-linked derivatives were to exceed a certain threshold, the Fund could fail to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Diversification

 

The Fund is “non-diversified” and is not subject to the diversification requirements of the 1940 Act, which generally limit investments, as to 75% of the Fund’s total assets, to no more than 5% in securities in a single issuer and 10% of an issuer’s voting securities. A non-diversified fund must, however, comply with the tax diversification regulations, which require it to be diversified at each quarter end with respect to at least half of its assets. Because the appreciation or depreciation of a single portfolio security may have a greater impact on the net asset value of a non-diversified fund, the net asset value per share of the Fund can be expected to fluctuate more than that of a comparable diversified fund.

 

Duration

 

Duration is one of the fundamental tools used by Forward Management in security selection for the Fund. Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a security or a portfolio to relative changes in interest rates. For instance, a duration of “three” means that a portfolio’s or security’s price would be expected to change by approximately 3% with a 1% change in interest rates. Assumptions generally accepted by the industry concerning the probability of early payment and other factors may be used in the calculation of duration for debt securities that contain put or call provisions, sometimes resulting in a duration different from the stated maturity of the security. With respect to certain mortgage-backed securities, duration is likely to be substantially less than the stated maturity of the mortgages in the underlying pools. The maturity of a security measures only the time until final payment is due and, in the case of a mortgage-backed security, does not take into account the factors included in duration.

 

The Fund’s duration directly impacts the degree to which asset values fluctuate with changes in interest rates. For every 1% change in interest rate, the Fund’s net asset value is expected to change inversely by approximately 1% for each year of duration. For example, a 1% increase in interest rate would be expected to cause a fixed-income portfolio with an average dollar weighted duration of five years to decrease in value by approximately 5% (1% interest rate increase multiplied by the five-year duration).

 

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”)

 

The Fund may invest in shares of ETFs. ETFs are baskets of securities that, like stocks, trade on exchanges such as the American Stock Exchange or New York Stock Exchange. ETFs are priced continuously and trade throughout the day. Each share represents an undivided ownership interest in the portfolio of stocks held by an ETF. ETFs acquire and hold either:

 

 

shares of all of the companies that are represented by a particular index in the same proportion that is represented in the index itself;

 

 

shares of a sampling of the companies that are represented by a particular index in a proportion meant to track the performance of the entire index; or

 

 

shares of companies included in a basket of securities.

 

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The value of shares of ETFs that are intended to provide investment results that, before expenses, generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the corresponding market index or basket of securities, should, under normal circumstances, closely track the value of the underlying component stocks. Such ETFs generally do not buy or sell securities, except to the extent necessary to conform their portfolios to the corresponding index. Because an ETF has operating expenses and transaction costs, while a market index or basket of securities does not, ETFs that track particular indices or baskets of securities typically will be unable to match the performance of the index or basket of securities exactly. The Fund’s investment in ETFs will be subject to the risks of investing in the ETFs’ underlying securities.

 

In connection with its investment in ETF shares, the Fund will incur various costs. The Fund may also realize capital gains when ETF shares are sold, and the purchase and sale of the ETF shares may include a brokerage commission that may result in costs. In addition, the Fund is subject to other fees as an investor in ETFs. Generally, those fees include, but are not limited to, Trustees’ fees, operating expenses, licensing fees, registration fees, and marketing expenses.

 

ETFs that are organized as unit investment trusts are registered under the 1940 Act as investment companies. Examples of such ETFs include iShares and Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts (“SPDRs”). These ETFs generally do not sell or redeem their shares for cash, and most investors do not purchase or redeem shares directly from an ETF at all. Instead, these ETF issues and redeems its shares in large blocks (typically 50,000 of its shares) called “creation units.” Creation units are issued to anyone who deposits a specified portfolio of these ETFs’ underlying securities, as well as a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends of the securities (net of expenses) up to the time of deposit, and creation units are redeemed in kind for a portfolio of the underlying securities (based on the ETF’s net asset value) together with a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends as of the date of redemption. Most ETF investors, however, purchase and sell these ETF shares in the secondary trading market on a securities exchange, in lots of any size, at any time during the trading day. ETF investors generally must pay a brokerage fee for each purchase or sale of these ETF shares, including purchases made to reinvest dividends. Because these ETF shares are created from the stocks of an underlying portfolio and can be redeemed into the stocks of an underlying portfolio on any day, arbitrage traders may move to profit from any price discrepancies between the shares and the ETF’s portfolio, which in turn helps to close the price gap between the two. Of course, because of the forces of supply and demand and other market factors, there may be times when an ETF share trades at a premium or discount to its net asset value.

 

Aggressive ETF Investment Technique Risk. These ETFs may use investment techniques and financial instruments that could be considered aggressive, including the use of futures contracts, options on futures contracts, securities and indices, forward contracts, swap agreements, and similar instruments. An ETF’s investment in financial instruments may involve a small investment relative to the amount of investment exposure assumed and may result in losses exceeding the amounts invested in those instruments. Such instruments, particularly when used to create leverage, may expose the ETF to potentially dramatic changes (losses or gains) in the value of the instruments and imperfect correlation between the value of the instruments and the relevant security or index. The use of aggressive investment techniques also exposes an ETF to risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities contained in an index underlying the ETF’s benchmark.

 

Inverse Correlation ETF Risk. ETFs benchmarked to an inverse multiple of an index should lose value as the index or security underlying such ETF’s benchmark is increasing (gaining value), a result that is the opposite from traditional mutual funds.

 

Leveraged ETF Risk. Leverage offers a means of magnifying market movements into larger changes in an investment’s value and provides greater investment exposure than an unleveraged investment. While only certain ETFs employ leverage, many may use leveraged investment techniques for investment purposes. The ETFs that employ leverage will normally lose more money in adverse market environments than ETFs that do not employ leverage. Trading in leveraged ETFs can be relatively illiquid, which means that they may be hard to purchase or sell at a fair price.

 

Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”)

 

ETNs are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities issued by a financial institution, listed on an exchange and traded in the secondary market. They are designed to provide investors with a way to access the returns of market benchmarks. ETNs are not equities or index funds, but they do share several characteristics. For example, like equities, they trade on an exchange and can be shorted. Like an index fund they are linked to the return of a benchmark index.

 

Unlike regular bonds, there are no periodic interest payments, and principal is not protected. An investor could lose some of or the entire amount invested. The price in the secondary market is determined by supply and demand, the current performance of the index, and the credit rating of the ETN issuer. At maturity, the issuer pays a return linked to the performance of the market index, such as a commodity index, to which the ETN is linked, minus the issuer’s annual fee.

 

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ETFs and ETNs

 

ETFs or ETNs that are based on a specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities in the applicable index and will incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable index. Certain securities comprising the index tracked by an ETF or ETN may, at times, be temporarily unavailable, which may impede an ETF’s or ETN’s ability to track its index. Leveraged ETFs and ETNs are subject to the risk of a breakdown in the futures and options markets they use. Leveraged ETFs or ETNs are subject to the same risk as instruments that use leverage in any form. While leverage allows for greater potential return, the potential for loss is also greater. Finally, additional losses may be incurred if the investment loses value because, in addition to the money lost on the investment, the loan still needs to be repaid. The market value of ETF or ETN shares may differ from their net asset value per share. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETF or ETN shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying securities that the ETF or ETN holds. There may be times when an ETF or ETN share trades at a premium or discount to its net asset value.

 

Forward Commitments

 

The Fund may make contracts to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time (“forward commitments”) consistent with the Fund’s ability to manage its investment portfolio and meet redemption requests. The Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if it is appropriate to do so and realize short-term profits or losses upon such sale. When effecting such transactions, cash or liquid assets of the Fund of a dollar amount sufficient to make payment for the portfolio securities to be purchased, measured on a daily basis, will be segregated or “earmarked” on the Fund’s records at the trade date and maintained until the transaction is settled, so that the purchase of securities on a forward commitment basis is not deemed to be the issuance of a senior security. Forward commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date.

 

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

 

The Fund may invest in interest rate, credit linked, debt obligation, stock index and foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon for hedging and non-hedging purposes. A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified quantity of the security or other financial instrument at a specified price and time. A futures contract on an index is an agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of the index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the index contract was originally written. Although the value of an index might be a function of the value of certain specified securities, physical delivery of these securities is not always made. A public market exists in futures contracts covering a number of indexes as well as financial instruments, including without limitation: U.S. Treasury bonds; U.S. Treasury notes; Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) Certificates; three-month U.S. Treasury bills; 90-day commercial paper; bank certificates of deposit; Eurodollar certificates of deposit; the Australian dollar; the Canadian dollar; the British pound; the Japanese yen; the Swiss franc; the Mexican peso; and certain multinational currencies, such as the euro. It is expected that other futures contracts will be developed and traded in the future.

 

The Fund may purchase and write call and put futures options. Options on futures contracts give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. If an option is exercised on the last trading day prior to the expiration date of the option, the settlement will be made entirely in cash equal to the difference on the expiration date between the exercise price of the option and the closing level of the securities upon which the futures contracts are based. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid. As an alternative to purchasing call and put options on futures, the Fund may purchase call and put options on the underlying securities.

 

The Fund may enter into futures contracts and futures options that are standardized and traded on a U.S. or other exchange, board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated quotation system, and the Fund may also enter into over-the-counter options on futures contracts.

 

Futures transactions may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in the futures contract. There can be no guarantee that there will be a correlation between price movements in the hedging vehicle and in the portfolio securities being hedged.

 

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An incorrect correlation could result in a loss on both the hedged securities in the Fund and the hedging vehicle so that the portfolio return might have been greater had hedging not been attempted. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when the Fund seeks to close out a futures contract or a futures option position. Most futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single day; once the daily limit has been reached on a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit. In addition, certain of these instruments are relatively new and without a significant trading history. As a result, there is no assurance that an active secondary market will develop or continue to exist. Lack of a liquid market for any reason may prevent the Fund from liquidating an unfavorable position, and the Fund would remain obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is closed.

 

The Fund may write covered straddles consisting of a call and a put written on the same underlying futures contract. A straddle will be covered when sufficient assets are deposited to meet the Fund’s immediate obligations. The Fund may use the same liquid assets to cover both the call and put options where the exercise price of the call and put are the same, or the exercise price of the call is higher than that of the put. In such cases, the Fund will also segregate or “earmark” liquid assets equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the put is “in the money.”

 

The Fund will only enter into futures contracts or futures options which are standardized and traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange or board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated quotation system, or where quoted prices are generally available in the over-the-counter market. Pursuant to applicable regulatory exemptions, the Fund and Forward Management are not deemed to be a “commodity pool” or “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and are not subject to registration or regulation as such under the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

When a purchase or sale of a futures contract is made by the Fund, the Fund is required to deposit with its custodian (or broker, if legally permitted) a specified amount of liquid assets (“initial margin”). The margin required for a futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be modified during the term of the contract. The initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the futures contract that is returned to the Fund upon termination of the contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. The Fund expects to earn taxable interest income on initial margin deposits. A futures contract held by the Fund is valued daily at the official settlement price of the exchange on which it is traded. Each day the Fund pays or receives cash, called “variation margin,” equal to the daily change in value of the futures contract. This process is known as “marking to market.” Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by the Fund but is instead a settlement between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe the other if the futures contract expired.

 

The Fund is also required to deposit and maintain margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it. Such margin deposits will vary depending on the nature of the underlying futures contract (and the related initial margin requirements), the current market value of the option, and other futures positions held by the Fund.

 

Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, generally these obligations are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (involving the same exchange, underlying security or index, and delivery month). If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations.

 

With respect to forwards and futures contracts that are not contractually required to “cash-settle,” the Fund must cover its open positions by segregating or “earmarking” liquid assets equal to the contracts’ full, notional value. With respect to forwards and futures that are contractually required to “cash-settle,” however, the Fund is permitted to segregate or “earmark” liquid assets in an amount equal to the Fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligation (i.e., the Fund’s daily net liability, if any) rather than the notional value. By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligation under cash-settled forwards or futures, the Fund will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Fund were required to segregate or “earmark” assets equal to the full notional value of such contracts. Options on futures and forward contracts will be covered in the manner set forth under “Options on Securities, Securities Indexes, Futures Contracts and Swap Indexes.”

 

Because of the low margin deposits required for certain futures, futures trading involves an extremely high degree of leverage. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor. For example, if at the time of purchase 10% of the value of the futures contract is deposited as margin, a subsequent 10% decrease in the value of the futures contract would result in a total loss of the margin deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs, if the account were then closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a loss equal to 150% of the original margin deposit, if the contract were closed out. Thus, a purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in the futures contract. However, the Fund would presumably have sustained comparable losses if, instead of the futures contract, it had invested in the underlying financial instrument and sold it after the decline.

 

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The Fund’s ability to reduce or eliminate its futures and related options positions will depend upon the liquidity of the secondary markets for such futures and options. The Fund intends to purchase or sell futures and related options only where there appears to be an active secondary market, but there is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. The prices of futures contracts may be volatile, and the trading of futures contracts is subject to the risk of exchange or clearing house equipment failures, government intervention, insolvency of a brokerage firm or clearing house or other disruption of normal trading activity, which could at times make it difficult or impossible to liquidate existing positions or to recover excess variation margin payments. Use of futures and options on futures for hedging may also involve risks because of imperfect correlations between movements in the prices of the futures or options on futures and movements in the prices of the securities being hedged. Successful use of futures and related options by the Fund for hedging purposes also depends upon the ability of Forward Management to predict correctly movements in the direction of the market, as to which no assurance can be given. The Fund’s use of futures and/or options on futures may leave the Fund in a worse position than if such strategies were not used.

 

The Fund’s investments in commodity futures contracts will be subject to additional costs and risks. In particular, the price of a commodity futures contract will reflect the storage cost of purchasing the underlying commodity and will subject the Fund to risks relating to reinvestment and economic and non-economic variables such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments.

 

Hybrid Instruments

 

A hybrid instrument is a type of potentially high-risk derivative that combines a traditional stock, bond, or commodity with an option or forward contract. Generally, the principal amount, amount payable upon maturity or redemption, or interest rate of a hybrid is tied (positively or negatively) to the price of some commodity, currency or securities index or another interest rate or some other economic factor (each a “benchmark”). The interest rate or (unlike most fixed income securities) the principal amount payable at maturity of a hybrid security may be increased or decreased depending on changes in the value of the benchmark. An example of a hybrid could be a bond issued by an oil company that pays a small base level of interest with additional interest that accrues in correlation to the extent to which oil prices exceed a certain predetermined level. Such a hybrid instrument would be a combination of a bond and a call option on oil.

 

Hybrids can be used as an efficient means of pursuing a variety of investment goals, including currency hedging and increased total return. Hybrids may not bear interest or pay dividends. The value of a hybrid or its interest rate may be a multiple of a benchmark and, as a result, may be leveraged and move (up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark. These benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political events, such as commodity shortages and currency devaluations, which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a hybrid. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of a hybrid could be zero. Thus, an investment in a hybrid may entail significant market risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional, U.S. dollar-denominated bond that has a fixed principal amount and pays a fixed rate or floating rate of interest. The purchase of hybrids also exposes the Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrids. These risks may cause significant fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund.

 

Certain hybrid instruments may provide exposure to the commodities markets. These are derivative securities with one or more commodity-linked components that have payment features similar to commodity futures contracts, commodity options, or similar instruments. Commodity-linked hybrid instruments may be either equity or debt securities, and are considered hybrid instruments because they have both security and commodity-like characteristics. A portion of the value of these instruments may be derived from the value of a commodity, futures contract, index or other economic variable. The Fund will only invest in commodity-linked hybrid instruments that qualify for an exemption from the provisions of the Commodities Exchange Act under applicable rules of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission.

 

Certain issuers of structured products such as hybrid instruments may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, the Fund’s investments in these products may be subject to limits applicable to investments in investment companies and may be subject to restrictions contained in the 1940 Act. Income from certain hybrid instruments may not constitute qualifying income for purposes of Subchapter M. Accordingly, the Fund will monitor the income produced from such investments so that when such income is combined with the Fund’s other non-qualifying income, the Fund will not have more than 10% non-qualifying income.

 

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Illiquid Securities

 

The Fund may invest in illiquid or restricted securities if Forward Management believes that they present an attractive investment opportunity. The Fund may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid or restricted securities. Generally, a security is considered illiquid if it cannot be disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the price at which the Fund has valued the investment. Its illiquidity might prevent the sale of such a security at a time when Forward Management might wish to sell, and these securities could have the effect of decreasing the overall level of the Fund’s liquidity. Further, the lack of an established secondary market may make it more difficult to value illiquid securities, requiring the Fund to rely on judgments that may be somewhat subjective in determining value, which could vary from the amount that the Fund could realize upon disposition.

 

Illiquid securities generally include, among other things, written over-the-counter options, securities or other liquid assets being used as cover for such options, repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days, certain loan participation interests, fixed-time deposits which are not subject to prepayment or provide for withdrawal penalties upon prepayment (other than overnight deposits), securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale and other securities whose disposition is restricted under the federal securities laws (other than securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and certain commercial paper that Forward Management has determined to be liquid under procedures approved by the Board of Trustees).

 

The Fund’s investments may include privately placed securities, which are sold directly to a small number of investors, usually institutions. Unlike public offerings, such securities are not registered under the federal securities laws. Although certain of these securities may be readily sold, for example, under Rule 144A, others may be illiquid, and their sale may involve substantial delays and additional costs.

 

Restricted securities, including private placements, are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. They can be eligible for purchase without SEC registration by certain institutional investors known as “qualified institutional buyers,” and under the Fund’s procedures, restricted securities may be treated as liquid. However, some restricted securities may be illiquid and restricted securities that are treated as liquid could be less liquid than registered securities traded on established secondary markets.

 

Investments in the Wholly-Owned Subsidiary

 

The Fund may invest in the Subsidiary. Investments in the Subsidiary are expected to provide the Fund with exposure to the commodity markets within the limitations of Subchapter M of the Code and recent IRS private letter rulings, as discussed below under “Tax Considerations.” The Subsidiary is a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and is overseen by its own board of directors. The Fund is currently the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary may invest without limitation in commodity index-linked securities (including leveraged and unleveraged structured notes) and other commodity-linked securities and derivative instruments that provide exposure to the performance of the commodity markets. Although the Fund may invest in commodity-linked derivative instruments directly, the Fund may gain exposure to these derivative instruments indirectly by investing in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary also invests in fixed income securities, which are intended to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiary’s derivative positions. To the extent that the Fund invests in the Subsidiary, it may be subject to the risks associated with those derivative instruments and other securities, which are discussed elsewhere in the Fund’s prospectus and this SAI.

 

The Subsidiary is not an investment company registered under the 1940 Act and, unless otherwise noted in the Fund’s prospectus and this SAI, is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act and other U.S. regulations. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in the Fund’s prospectus and this SAI and could negatively affect the Fund and its shareholders.

 

Leverage

 

The Fund can buy securities with borrowed money (a form of leverage). In addition, certain transactions, such as derivatives, reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls may also give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage exaggerates the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. These borrowings will be subject to interest costs which may or may not be recovered by appreciation of the securities purchased; in certain cases, interest costs may exceed the return received on the securities purchased. For borrowings for investment purposes, including reverse repurchase agreements (see below), the 1940 Act requires the Fund to maintain continuous asset coverage (that is, total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of the amount borrowed. If the required coverage should decline as a result of market fluctuations or other reasons, the Fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days to reduce the amount of its borrowings and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though

 

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it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time. The Fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with such borrowing or pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.

 

Liquidity Management Practices

 

The Fund may periodically enter into Letter of Credit or Line of Credit arrangements with banks and other financial intermediaries for the specific purpose of providing liquidity to the Fund. As capital markets are not always liquid or efficiently priced, it may from time to time be necessary for the Fund to borrow money or put securities to banks or other financial intermediaries in order to meet shareholder liquidity demands. The percentage of net assets of which the Fund may enter into a Letter of Credit or Line of Credit arrangement are limited to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and rules and interpretations thereunder.

 

In the case of a Letter of Credit arrangement, for a fee paid by the Fund, a bank or other suitable financial intermediary would agree to assume ownership (irrevocably) of securities held in the portfolio for the amortized cost of those securities. In the case of a Line of Credit arrangement, the Fund enters into agreements with banks or other financial intermediaries to supply loan availability to the Fund, where the Fund pledges securities positions within the Fund as collateral.

 

Loan Participations and Assignments

 

The Fund may invest in fixed- and floating-rate loans arranged through private negotiations between an issuer of debt instruments and one or more financial institutions (“lenders”). Generally, the Fund’s investments in loans are expected to take the form of loan participations and assignments of loans from third parties. Large loans to corporations or governments may be shared or syndicated among several lenders, usually banks. The Fund may participate in such syndicates, or can buy part of a loan. Participations and assignments involve special types of risk, including limited marketability and the risks of being a lender. See “Illiquid Securities” for a discussion of the limits on the Fund’s investments in loan participations and assignments with limited marketability. If the Fund purchases a participation, it may only be able to enforce its rights through the lender, and may assume the credit risk of the lender in addition to that of the borrower. In assignments, the Fund’s rights against the borrower may be more limited than those held by the original lender.

 

In addition, loan investments are subject to a number of other risks, including but not limited to the following: (1) non-payment of interest and/or principal; (2) to the extent a loan is collateralized, a decline in the value of collateral and difficulty or delay in obtaining or selling collateral in the event of the borrower’s default or bankruptcy; (3) lack of publicly available information about borrowers; and (4) the highly speculative nature of indebtedness of companies with poor creditworthiness, including the risk that companies will never pay off their indebtedness.

 

Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”)

 

The Fund may invest in MLPs, which are limited partnerships in which ownership units are publicly traded. Generally, an MLP is operated under the supervision of one or more managing general partners. Limited partners (like the Fund when it invests in an MLP) are not involved in the day-to-day management of the partnership. Investments in MLPs are generally subject to many of the risks that apply to partnerships. For example, holders of the units of MLPs may have limited control and limited voting rights on matters affecting the partnership. There may be fewer corporate protections afforded investors in an MLP than investors in a corporation. Conflicts of interest may exist among unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general partner of an MLP, including those arising from incentive distribution payments. MLPs that concentrate in a particular industry or region are subject to risks associated with such industry or region. MLPs holding credit-related investments are subject to interest rate risk and the risk of default on payment obligations by debt issuers. Investments held by MLPs may be illiquid. MLP units may trade infrequently and in limited volume, and they may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than securities of larger or more broadly based companies.

 

Money Market Instruments

 

The Fund may invest in the following instruments which are commonly referred to as “money market instruments”:

 

(i) Obligations (including certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances) maturing in 13 months or less of (a) banks organized under the laws of the U.S. or any state thereof (including foreign branches of such banks) or (b) U.S. branches of foreign banks or (c) foreign banks and foreign branches thereof; provided that such banks have, at the time of acquisition by the Fund of such obligations, total assets of not less than $1 billion or its equivalent. The term “certificates of deposit” includes both Eurodollar certificates of deposit, for which there is generally a market,

 

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and Eurodollar time deposits, for which there is generally not a market. “Eurodollars” are dollars deposited in banks outside the U.S.; the Fund may invest in Eurodollar instruments of foreign and domestic banks; and

 

(ii) Commercial paper, variable amount demand master notes, bills, notes, and other obligations issued by a U.S. company, a foreign company or a foreign government, its agencies or instrumentalities, maturing in 13 months or less, an denominated in U.S. dollars. If such obligations are guaranteed or supported by a letter of credit issued by a bank, such bank (including a foreign bank) must meet the requirements set forth in paragraph (i) above. If such obligations are guaranteed or insured by an insurance company or other non-bank entity, such insurance company or other non-bank entity must represent a credit of high quality, as determined by Forward Management.

 

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities

 

The Fund may invest in mortgage-related or other asset-backed securities. The value of some mortgage-related or asset-backed securities in which the Fund invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other investments of the Fund, the ability of the Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of Forward Management to correctly forecast interest rates and other economic factors.

 

Mortgage pass-through securities are securities representing interests in “pools” of mortgage loans secured by residential or commercial real property in which payments of both interest and principal on the securities are generally made monthly, in effect “passing through” monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the mortgage loans that underlie the securities (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities). Early repayment of principal on some mortgage-related securities (arising from prepayments of principal due to sale of the underlying property, refinancing, or foreclosure, net of fees and costs that may be incurred) may expose the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. Also, if a security subject to prepayment has been purchased at a premium, the value of the premium would be lost in the event of prepayment. Like other fixed income securities, when interest rates rise, the value of a mortgage-related security generally will decline; however, when interest rates are declining, the value of mortgage-related securities with prepayment features may not increase as much as other fixed income securities. The rate of prepayments on underlying mortgages will affect the price and volatility of a mortgage-related security, and may have the effect of shortening or extending the effective maturity of the security beyond what was anticipated at the time of purchase. To the extent that unanticipated rates of prepayment on underlying mortgages increase the effective maturity of a mortgage-related security, the volatility of such securities can be expected to increase.

 

Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage pass-through securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (in the case of securities guaranteed by GNMA); or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government (in the case of securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association or “FNMA” or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or “FHLMC”), which are supported only by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency’s obligations. Mortgage-related securities created by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers, and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit, which may be issued by governmental entities, private insurers or the mortgage poolers.

 

Collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) are hybrid mortgage-related instruments. Interest and pre-paid principal on a CMO are paid, in most cases, on a monthly basis. CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans but are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by GNMA, FHLMC or FNMA. CMOs are structured into multiple classes, with each class bearing a different stated maturity. Monthly payments of principal, including prepayments, are first returned to investors holding the shortest maturity class; investors holding the longer maturity classes receive principal only after the first class has been retired. CMOs that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or by any of its agencies or instrumentalities will be considered U.S. government securities by the Fund, while other CMOs, even if collateralized by U.S. government securities, will have the same status as other privately issued securities for purposes of applying the Fund’s diversification tests. The Fund will only invest in privately-issued CMOs that are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by GNMA Certificates, FNMA or FHLMC or CMOs issued by FHLMC.

 

A real estate mortgage investment conduct (“REMIC”) must elect to be, and must qualify for treatment as such, under the Internal Revenue Code. A REMIC must consist of one or more classes of “regular interests,” some of which may be adjustable rate, and a single class of “residual interests.” To qualify as a REMIC, substantially all the assets of the entity must be in assets directly or indirectly secured, principally by real property. The Fund does not intend to invest in residual interests. Congress intended for REMICs to ultimately become the exclusive vehicle for the issuance of multi-class securities backed by real estate mortgages. If a trust or partnership that issues CMOs does not elect and qualify for REMIC status, it will be taxed at the entity level as a corporation.

 

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Commercial mortgage-backed securities include securities that reflect an interest in, and are secured by, mortgage loans on commercial real property. The market for commercial mortgage-backed securities developed more recently and in terms of total outstanding principal amount of issues is relatively small compared to the market for residential single-family mortgage-backed securities. Many of the risks of investing in commercial mortgage-backed securities reflect the risks of investing in the real estate securing the underlying mortgage loans. These risks reflect the effects of local and other economic conditions on real estate markets, the ability of tenants to make loan payments and the ability of a property to attract and retain tenants. Commercial mortgage-backed securities may be less liquid and exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage-related or asset-backed securities. Certain commercial mortgage-backed securities are issued in several classes with different levels of yield and credit protection. The Fund’s investments in commercial mortgage-backed securities with several classes may be in the lower classes that have greater risks than the higher classes, including greater interest rate, credit, and prepayment risks.

 

Mortgage-related securities include securities other than those described above that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans on real property, such as mortgage dollar rolls (see “Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Roll Arrangements” below), CMO residuals or stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”), and may be structured in classes with rights to receive varying proportions of principal and interest.

 

A common type of SMBS will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only, or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only, or “PO” class). The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s yield to maturity from these securities. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may not fully recoup its investment in IOs. Conversely, if the underlying mortgage assets experience less than anticipated prepayments of principal, the yield on POs could be materially adversely affected. The Fund may invest in other asset-backed securities that have been offered to investors. The Fund will treat IOs and POs as illiquid securities except where the security can be sold within seven days at approximately the same amount at which it is valued by the Fund and there is reasonable assurance that the security will remain marketable throughout the period it is expected to be held by the Fund, taking into account the actual frequency of trades and quotations for the security (expected frequency in the case of initial offerings). Additionally, the security will be treated as illiquid unless: (i) it is rated at least “BBB”/”Baa” or a comparable rating from another nationally recognized statistical ratings organization, (ii) at least two dealers make a market in the security, (iii) there are at least three sources from which a price for the security is readily available; and (iv) the security is U.S. government issued and backed by fixed-rate mortgages.

 

The yield characteristics of mortgage-related securities and asset-backed securities differ from traditional debt securities. Among the major differences are that interest and principal payments are made more frequently, usually monthly, and that principal may be prepaid at any time because the underlying mortgage loans or other assets generally may be prepaid at any time. As a result, if the Fund purchases such a security at a premium, a prepayment rate that is faster than expected will reduce yield to maturity, while a prepayment rate that is slower than expected will have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity. Alternatively, if the Fund purchases these securities at a discount, faster than expected prepayments will increase, while slower than expected prepayments will reduce, yield to maturity.

 

Although the extent of prepayments in a pool of mortgage loans depends on various economic and other factors, as a general rule prepayments on fixed-rate mortgage loans will increase during a period of falling interest rates and decrease during a period of rising interest rates. Accordingly, amounts available for reinvestment by the Fund are likely to be greater during a period of declining interest rates and, as a result, likely to be reinvested at lower interest rates than during a period of rising interest rates. Asset-backed securities, although less likely to experience the same prepayment rates as mortgage-related securities, may respond to certain of the same factors influencing prepayments, while at other times different factors will predominate. Mortgage-related securities and asset-backed securities may decrease in value as a result of increases in interest rates and may benefit less than other fixed-income securities from declining interest rates because of the risk of prepayment.

 

Asset-backed securities involve certain risks that are not posed by mortgage-related securities, because asset-backed securities do not usually have the type of security interest in the related collateral that mortgage-related securities have. For example, credit card receivables generally are unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, some of which may reduce a creditor’s ability to realize full payment. In the case of automobile receivables, due to various legal and economic factors, proceeds from repossessed collateral may not always be sufficient to support payments on these securities.

 

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At times the value of mortgage or asset-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in the general level of interest rates. Early repayment of principal on some mortgage or asset-backed securities may expose the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. When the general level of interest rates rise, the value of a mortgage or asset-backed securities generally will decline; however, when interest rates are declining, the value of mortgage or asset-backed securities with prepayment features may not increase as much as other fixed income securities. The rate of prepayments on underlying mortgages or assets will affect the price and volatility of a mortgage or asset-backed securities, and may shorten or extend the effective maturity of the security beyond what was anticipated at the time of purchase. If unanticipated rates of prepayment on underlying mortgages or assets increase the effective maturity of these securities, the volatility of the security can be expected to increase. The value of these securities may also fluctuate in response to other idiosyncratic circumstances.

 

Options on Securities, Securities Indexes, Futures Contracts, Swap Contracts, and Swap Indexes

 

The Fund may write covered put and call options and/or purchase put and call options on securities, securities indexes, and futures contracts that are traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges and over-the-counter, as well as options on swaps and swap indexes for hedging and/or non-hedging purposes. An option on a security, futures contract or swap contract is a contract that gives the purchaser of the option, in return for the premium paid, the right to buy a specified security, futures contract or swap contract (in the case of a call option) or to sell a specified security, futures contract or swap contract (in the case of a put option) from or to the writer of the option at a designated price during the term of the option. The writer of an option on a security has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the underlying security. Upon exercise, the writer of an option on an index is obligated to pay the difference between the cash value of the index and the exercise price multiplied by the specified multiplier for the index option. An index is designed to reflect specified facets of a particular financial or securities market, a specific group of financial instruments or securities, or certain economic indicators. An option on an index gives the purchaser of the option, in return for the premium paid, the right to receive from the seller cash equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the option. One purpose of purchasing put options is to protect holdings in an underlying or related security or swap contract against a substantial decline in market value. One purpose of purchasing call options is to protect against substantial increases in prices of securities or swap contracts.

 

The Fund may write a call or put option only if the option is “covered.” A call option on a security, index, futures contract, swap contract or swap index written by the Fund is “covered” if the Fund owns the underlying security, index, futures contract, swap contract or swap index covered by the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a segregated or “earmarked” account by its custodian) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held in its portfolio, or otherwise segregates or “earmarks” liquid assets in an amount equal to the value of the underlying instrument on a daily, marked-to-market basis. A call option on a security, index, futures contract, swap contract or swap index is also covered if the Fund holds a call on the same security, index, futures contract, swap contract or swap index and in the same principal amount as the call written where the exercise price of the call held (a) is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written, or (b) is greater than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in cash or high-grade U.S. government securities in a segregated or “earmarked” account with its custodian. A put option on a security, index, futures contract, swap contract or swap index written by the Fund is “covered” if the Fund maintains liquid assets with a value equal to the exercise price in a segregated or “earmarked” account with its custodian, or else holds a put on the same security, index, futures contract, swap contract or swap index, and in the same principal amount as the put written where the exercise price of the put held is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written.

 

The Fund may write covered straddles consisting of a combination of a call and a put written on the same underlying security, index, futures contract, swap contract or swap index. A straddle will be covered when sufficient assets are deposited to meet the Fund’s immediate obligations. The Fund may use the same liquid assets to cover both the call and put options where the exercise price of the call and put are the same, or the exercise price of the call is higher than that of the put. In such cases, the Fund will also segregate or “earmark” liquid assets equivalent to the amount, if any, by which the put is “in the money.”

 

The Fund will receive a premium from writing a put or call option, which increases gross income in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. If the value of a security, index, futures contract, swap contract or swap index on which the Fund has written a call option falls or remains the same, the Fund will realize a profit in the form of the premium received (less transaction costs) that could offset all or a portion of any decline in the value of the portfolio securities being hedged. If the value of the underlying security, index, futures contract, swap contract or swap index rises, however, the Fund will realize a loss in its call option position, which will reduce the benefit of any unrealized appreciation in its investments. By writing a put option, the Fund assumes the risk of a decline in the underlying security, index, futures contract, swap contract or swap index. To the extent that the price changes of the portfolio securities being hedged correlate

 

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with changes in the value of the underlying security, index, futures contract, swap contract or swap index, writing covered put options will increase the Fund’s losses in the event of a market decline, although such losses will be offset in part by the premium received for writing the option.

 

The Fund may also purchase put options to hedge its investments against a decline in value. By purchasing a put option, the Fund will seek to offset a decline in value of the portfolio investments being hedged through appreciation of the put option. If the value of the Fund’s investments does not decline as anticipated, or if the value of the option does not increase, the Fund’s loss will be limited to the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs. The success of this strategy will depend, in part, on the accuracy of the correlation between the changes in value of the underlying security, index, futures contract, swap contract or swap index, and the changes in value of the Fund’s investment holdings being hedged.

 

The Fund may purchase call options on individual securities or futures or swap contracts to hedge against an increase in the price of securities or futures or swap contracts that it anticipates purchasing in the future. Similarly, the Fund may purchase call options on a securities or swap index to attempt to reduce the risk of missing a broad market advance, or an advance in an industry or market segment, at a time when the Fund holds uninvested cash or short-term debt securities awaiting reinvestment. When purchasing call options, the Fund will bear the risk of losing all or a portion of the premium paid if the value of the underlying security, index, futures contract, swap contract or swap index does not rise.

 

The Fund may purchase and write covered put and covered call options that are traded on U.S. or foreign securities exchanges or that are listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market. Currency options may be either listed on an exchange or traded over-the-counter. Options on financial futures and stock indices are generally settled in cash as opposed to the underlying securities.

 

Listed options are third-party contracts (i.e., performance of the obligations of the purchaser and seller is guaranteed by the exchange or clearing corporation) and have standardized strike prices and expiration dates. Over-the-counter options are privately negotiated with the counterparty to such contract and are purchased from and sold to dealers, financial institutions or other counterparties which have entered into direct agreements with the Fund. Over-the-counter options differ from exchange-traded options in that over-the-counter options are transacted with the counterparty directly and not through a clearing corporation (which guarantees performance). If the counterparty fails to take delivery of the securities underlying an option it has written, the Fund would lose the premium paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. Consequently, the Fund must rely on the credit quality of the counterparty and there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular over-the-counter options at any specific time. The Fund will limit the purchase and sale of options to those listed on a national securities exchange and issued by the Options Clearing Corporation.

 

The purchase and writing of options involves certain risks. During the option period, the covered call writer has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity to profit from a price increase in the underlying security above the exercise price, but, as long as its obligation as a writer continues, has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying security at the exercise price. If a put or call option purchased by the Fund is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security remains equal to or greater than the exercise price (in the case of a put), or remains less than or equal to the exercise price (in the case of a call), the Fund will lose its entire investment in the option. Also, where a put or call option on a particular security is purchased to hedge against price movements in a related security, the price of the put or call option may move more or less than the price of the related security.

 

There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an option position. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in the class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange that had been issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. Although the Fund may be able to offset to some extent any adverse effects of being unable to liquidate an option position, it may experience losses in some cases as a result of such inability. The value of over-the-counter options purchased by the Fund, as well as the cover for options written by the Fund, are considered not readily marketable and are subject to the Trust’s limitation on investments in securities that are not readily marketable, unless the over-the-counter option written by

 

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the Fund is sold to a dealer who agrees that the Fund may repurchase the option at a maximum price determined by a formula in the option agreement. The cover for that option will be considered illiquid only to the extent that the maximum repurchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option.

 

There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities, futures or swaps indexes, and even a small investment in securities such as options can have a significant impact on the Fund’s exposure to stock market values, interest rates or the currency exchange rate. For example, there are significant differences between the securities, futures or swaps markets, and the options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Fund seeks to close out an option position. If the Fund were unable to close out an option that it had purchased on a securities, futures or swaps index, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit or the option may expire worthless. If trading were suspended in an option purchased by the Fund, it would not be able to close out the option. If restrictions on exercise were imposed, the Fund might be unable to exercise an option it had purchased. Except to the extent that a call option on an index written by the Fund is covered by an option on the same index purchased by the Fund, movements in the index may result in a loss to the Fund; however, such losses may be mitigated by changes in the value of the Fund’s securities during the period the option was outstanding. The Fund’s use of options may leave the Fund in a worse position than if it had not invested in options.

 

Participation Notes (“P-Notes”)

 

P-Notes are participation interest notes that are issued by banks or broker-dealers and are designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying equity, debt, currency or market. The P-Notes in which the Fund may invest will typically have a maturity of one year. When purchasing a P-Note, the posting of margin is not required because the full cost of the P-Note (plus commission) is paid at the time of purchase. When the P-Note matures, the issuer will pay to, or receive from, the purchaser the difference between the minimal value of the underlying instrument at the time of purchase and that instrument’s value at maturity. Investments in P-Notes involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the underlying foreign companies of foreign securities markets that they seek to replicate.

 

In addition, there can be no assurance that the trading price of P-Notes will equal the underlying value of the foreign companies or foreign securities markets that they seek to replicate. The holder of a participation note that is linked to a particular underlying security is entitled to receive any dividends paid in connection with an underlying security or instrument. However, the holder of a participation note does not receive voting rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying security or instrument. P-Notes are generally traded over-the-counter. P-Notes constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them and the counterparty. There is also counterparty risk associated with these investments because the Fund is relying on the creditworthiness of such counterparty and has no rights under a participation note against the issuer of the underlying security. In addition, the Fund will incur transaction costs as a result of investment in P-Notes.

 

Private Investment Funds

 

The Fund may invest in private investment funds, also known as hedge funds, which will pursue alternative investment strategies. An investment in a private investment fund involves certain risks relating to, among other things, the nature of the investments and investment techniques to be employed by the private investment fund. Because of the speculative nature of the investments and trading strategies of private investment funds, there is a risk that the Fund may suffer a significant or complete loss of its invested capital in one or more private investment funds. Private investment funds may utilize a variety of special investment instruments and techniques to hedge the portfolios of the funds against various risks (such as changes in interest rates or other factors that affect security values) or for non-hedging purposes to pursue a fund’s investment objective. Certain of the special investment instruments and techniques that the fund may use are speculative and involve a high degree of risk, particularly in the context of non-hedging transactions. Interests in a private investment fund are not generally registered under the 1933 Act and the transferability or withdrawal of such interests is substantially restricted.

 

Privately-Issued Stripped Securities

 

The Fund may invest in principal portions or coupon portions of U.S. government Securities that have been separated (stripped) by banks, brokerage firms, or other entities. Stripped securities are usually sold separately in the form of receipts or certificates representing undivided interests in the stripped portion and are not considered to be issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. Stripped securities may be more volatile than nonstripped securities.

 

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Quantitative Strategy

 

A quantitative strategy means that stocks are selected based upon a customized group of proprietary models designed by Forward Management. The model attempts to enhance returns, within defined risk parameters, relative to a benchmark by analyzing company income and balance sheet information as well as other relevant market related information. The success of the Fund’s principal investment strategies depends on the skill of Forward Management in designing and using its analytical model as a tool for selecting stocks. A flaw in the design of an analytical model may result in the Fund having a lower return than if the Fund was managed using a fundamental or passive investment management strategy.

 

ReFlow

 

The Fund may participate in ReFlow, a program designed to provide an alternative liquidity source for mutual funds experiencing redemptions of their shares. In order to pay cash to shareholders who redeem their shares on a given day, a mutual fund typically must hold cash in its portfolio, liquidate portfolio securities, or borrow money, all of which impose certain costs on the fund. ReFlow provides participating mutual funds with another source of cash by standing ready to purchase shares from a fund equal to the amount of the fund’s net redemptions on a given day. ReFlow then generally redeems those shares when the fund experiences net sales. In return for this service, the Fund will pay a fee to ReFlow at a rate determined by a daily auction with other participating mutual funds. The costs to the Fund for participating in ReFlow are expected to be influenced by and comparable to the cost of other sources of liquidity, such as the Fund’s short-term lending arrangements or the costs of selling portfolio securities to meet redemptions. ReFlow will be prohibited from acquiring more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.

 

ReFlow Management Co., LLC, the entity which facilitates the day-to-day operations of ReFlow, is under common control with Forward Management, the investment advisor to the Fund. In light of this, the Board of Trustees has adopted certain procedures to govern the Fund’s participation in ReFlow. Among other things, the procedures require that all decisions with respect to whether to participate in a particular auction or the terms bid in an auction will be made solely by the relevant portfolio management personnel of Forward Management. In addition, ReFlow Management may not provide any information to Forward Management or the sub-advisor with respect to the ReFlow auctions that differs in kind from that provided to any other participating funds in ReFlow. The Board will receive quarterly reports regarding the Fund’s usage of the program, and shall determine annually whether continued participation in the program is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

Regulatory and Market Developments

 

Recent instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and non-U.S. governments, their regulatory agencies, or self regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could diminish or preclude the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Governments or their agencies may also acquire distressed assets from financial institutions and acquire ownership interests in those institutions. The implications of government ownership and disposition of these assets are unclear, and such a program may have positive or negative effects on the liquidity, valuation, and performance of the Fund’s portfolio holdings.

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

Securities held by the Fund may be subject to repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is a contract under which the Fund acquires a security for a relatively short time period (usually not more than one week) subject to the obligation of the seller to repurchase and the Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price which represents the Fund’s cost plus interest. The arrangement results in a fixed rate of return that is not subject to market fluctuations during the period that the underlying security is held by the Fund. Repurchase agreements involve certain risks, including seller’s default on its obligation to repurchase or seller’s bankruptcy. The Fund will enter into such agreements only with commercial banks and registered broker-dealers, as well as other financial institutions which Forward Management deems creditworthy under guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees. In these transactions, the securities issued by the Fund will have a total value in excess of the value of the repurchase agreement during the term of the agreement. If the seller defaults, the Fund could realize a loss on the sale of the underlying security to the extent that the proceeds of the sale, including accrued interest, are less than the resale price provided in the agreement including interest, and it may incur expenses in selling the security. In addition, if the other party to the agreement becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code of 1983 or other laws, a court may determine that the underlying security is collateral for a loan by the Fund not within the control of the Fund and therefore the Fund may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying security and may be deemed an unsecured creditor of the other party to the agreement. While the Trust’s management acknowledges these risks, it is expected that they can be controlled through careful monitoring procedures.

 

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In a repurchase agreement, the Fund purchases a security and simultaneously commits to sell that security back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price. The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed-upon incremental amount that is unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased security. To protect the Fund from risk that the original seller will not fulfill its obligations, the securities are held in accounts of the Fund at a bank, marked-to-market daily, and maintained at a value at least equal to the sale price plus the accrued incremental amount. If a seller defaults on its repurchase obligations, the Fund may suffer a loss in disposing of the security subject to the repurchase agreement. While it does not presently appear possible to eliminate all risks from these transactions (particularly the possibility that the value of the underlying security will be less than the resale price, as well as costs and delays to the Fund in connection with bankruptcy proceedings), it is the current policy of the Fund to engage in repurchase agreement transactions with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by Forward Management.

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Dollar Roll Agreements

 

The Fund may borrow funds by entering into reverse repurchase agreements and dollar roll agreements in accordance with applicable investment restrictions. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund sells a portfolio instrument to another party, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase the instrument at a particular price and time. A dollar roll agreement is identical to a reverse repurchase agreement except for the fact that substantially similar securities may be repurchased. While a reverse repurchase agreement is outstanding, the Fund will maintain segregated or “earmarked” liquid assets to cover its obligation under the agreement. The Fund will enter into reverse repurchase agreements only with parties whose creditworthiness has been found satisfactory by Forward Management. Such transactions may increase fluctuations in the market value of the Fund’s assets and may be viewed as a form of leverage. Reverse repurchase agreements and dollar roll agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Fund may decline below the price at which the Fund is obligated to repurchase the securities.

 

Rule 144A Securities

 

The Fund may purchase securities that are not registered under the 1933 Act, but that can be sold to “qualified institutional buyers” in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act (“Rule 144A Securities”). In addition to an adequate trading market, the Board will also consider factors such as trading activity, availability of reliable price information, and other relevant information in determining whether a Rule 144A Security is liquid. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in the Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become uninterested for a time in purchasing Rule 144A Securities. The Board will carefully monitor any investments by the Fund in Rule 144A Securities.

 

Rule 144A securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses. These securities may be less liquid than publicly traded securities, and the Fund may take longer to liquidate these positions than would be the case for publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the price realized from these sales could be less than those originally paid by the Fund.

 

Further, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that would be applicable if their securities were publicly traded.

 

Rule 144A under the 1933 Act allows for a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restriction on resale to the general public by establishing a “safe harbor” from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act for resales of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers (as such term is defined under Rule 144A). Forward Management anticipates that the market for certain restricted securities such as institutional commercial paper will expand further as a result of this regulation and the development of automated systems for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers, such as the PORTAL System sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. An insufficient number of qualified institutional buyers interested in purchasing Rule 144A eligible restricted securities held by the Fund, however, could affect adversely the marketability of the Fund’s securities and, consequently, the Fund might be unable to dispose of such securities promptly or at favorable prices. Forward Management will monitor the liquidity of such restricted securities under the supervision of the Board.

 

Securities issued pursuant to Rule 144A are not deemed to be illiquid. Forward Management will monitor the liquidity of such restricted securities subject to the supervision of the Board. In reaching liquidity decisions, Forward Management must first find that the security can be sold within seven days at approximately the same amount at which it is valued by the Fund and that there is reasonable assurance that the security will remain marketable throughout the period it is expected to be held by the Fund, taking into account the actual frequency of trades and quotations for the security (expected frequency in the case

 

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of initial offerings). Furthermore, the security will be considered liquid if the following criteria are met: (a) at least two dealers make a market in the security; (ii) there are at least three sources from which a price for the security is readily available; and (iii) settlement is made in a “regular way” for the type of security at issue.

 

Securities Issued by Other Investment Companies

 

The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies, including investment companies which may not be registered under the 1940 Act, such as HOLDRs. By investing in another investment company, the Fund is exposed to the risks of the underlying investment company in which it invests in proportion to the amount of assets the Fund allocates to the underlying investment company. In addition, the Fund’s investment in other investment companies is limited by the 1940 Act, and will involve the indirect payment of a portion of the expenses, including advisory fees, of such other investment companies.

 

The Fund’s investments in other investment companies may include investments in various ETFs, subject to the Fund’s investment objective, policies, and strategies as described in the prospectus. ETFs are discussed above in greater detail.

 

Generally, the Fund will not purchase securities of another investment company if, as a result: (i) more than 10% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of other investment companies, (ii) such purchase would result in more than 3% of the total outstanding voting securities of any such investment company being held by the Fund, or (iii) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in any one such investment company. Many ETFs have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit unaffiliated funds to invest in the ETF’s shares beyond the above statutory limitations, subject to certain conditions and pursuant to a contractual arrangement between the particular ETF and the investing fund. The Fund may rely on these exemptive orders to invest in unaffiliated ETFs.

 

Securities Lending

 

In order to generate additional income, the Fund from time to time may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, provided that outstanding loans do not exceed in the aggregate the maximum allowable percentage of the value of the Fund’s net assets under applicable laws and regulations, currently 33-1/3%. The Fund may lend securities if such loans are secured continuously by liquid assets consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid, high-grade debt securities, or by a letter of credit in favor of the Fund in a separate account maintained by the custodian at least equal at all times to 100% of the market value of the securities loaned, plus accrued interest. This collateral must be valued daily and, should the market value of the loaned securities increase, the borrower must furnish additional collateral to the Fund. During the time portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any dividends or interest paid on such securities. Loans are subject to termination by the Fund or the borrower at any time. While the Fund does not have the right to vote securities on loan, it intends 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 on its obligation to the Fund, the Fund could experience delays in recovering its securities and possible capital losses. The Fund may pay reasonable finders’ and custodial fees in connections with loans. In addition, the Fund will consider all facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the borrowing financial institution, and the Fund will not lend its securities to any director, officer, employee, or affiliate of Forward Management, the Administrator or the Distributor, unless permitted by applicable law.

 

Structured Notes

 

The Fund may invest in structured notes, which are debt obligations that also contain an embedded derivative component with characteristics that adjust the obligation’s risk/return profile. Generally, the performance of a structured note will track that of the underlying debt obligation and the derivative embedded within it. The Fund has the right to receive periodic interest payments from the issuer of the structured notes at an agreed-upon interest rate and a return of the principal at the maturity date.

 

Structured notes are typically privately negotiated transactions between two or more parties. The Fund bears the risk that the issuer of the structured note will default or become bankrupt. The Fund bears the risk of the loss of its principal investment and periodic interest payments expected to be received for the duration of its investment in the structured notes.

 

In the case of structured notes on credit default swaps, the Fund is also subject to the credit risk of the corporate credits underlying the credit default swaps. If one of the underlying corporate credits defaults, the Fund may receive the security that has defaulted, or alternatively a cash settlement may occur, and the Fund’s principal investment in the structured note would be reduced by the corresponding face value of the defaulted security.

 

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The Fund may invest in equity-linked structured notes (which would be linked to an equity index) to a significant extent. A highly liquid secondary market may not exist for the structured notes the Fund invests in, and there can be no assurance that a highly liquid secondary market will develop. The lack of a highly liquid secondary market may make it difficult for the Fund to sell the structured notes it holds at an acceptable price or accurately value such notes.

 

The market for structured notes may be, or suddenly can become, illiquid. The other parties to the transaction may be the only investors with sufficient understanding of the derivative to be interested in bidding for it. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid, and unpredictable changes in the prices for structured notes. In certain cases, a market price for a credit-linked security may not be available. The collateral for a structured note may be one or more credit default swaps, which are subject to additional risks.

 

Swap Agreements

 

The Fund may enter into interest rate, index, equity, currency exchange rate, total return and credit default swap agreements as well as purchase and sell options to enter into such 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 the Fund than if the Fund had invested directly in the asset that yielded the desired return. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of 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, in a particular foreign currency, or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index.

 

Forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap”; interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified level, or “floor”; and interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa, in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels. Credit default swaps are a type of swap agreement in which the protection “buyer” is generally obligated to pay the protection “seller” an upfront and/or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no credit event, such as a default, on a reference obligation has occurred. The credit default swap agreement may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. The Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, the Fund generally receives an upfront payment and/or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Credit default swap agreements involve greater risks than if the Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. The Fund will enter into credit default swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness.

 

The Fund may enter into total return swap agreements. 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. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or market. Total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to the 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), is spread to reflect the non-balance sheet nature of the product. Total return swaps can be designed with any underlying asset agreed 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 the Fund thereunder. Swap agreements also entail the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty. Generally, the 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).

 

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Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.” Consequently, the 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”). The 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 by the maintenance of a segregated or “earmarked” account consisting of assets determined to be liquid by Forward Management in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees, to limit any potential leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio.

 

Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities.

 

Whether the Fund’s use of swap agreements will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on the ability of Forward Management to correctly predict whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Because they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid investments. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. The Fund 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). Certain restrictions imposed on the Fund by the Internal Revenue Code may limit the Fund’s ability to use swap agreements. The swap market is a relatively new market and is largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swap market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements. In addition, the Fund’s use of swaps may reduce the Fund’s returns and increase volatility.

 

U.S. Government Obligations

 

Obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government, such as GNMA, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; others, such as those of FNMA, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency’s obligations; still others, such as those of the Federal Farm Credit Banks or FHLMC, are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. No assurance can be given that the U.S. government would provide financial support to U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law.

 

Regarding certain federal agency securities or government-sponsored entity securities (such as debt securities or mortgage-backed securities issued by FHLMC, FNMA, Federal Home Loan Banks, and other government-sponsored entities), you should be aware that although the issuer may be chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, the issuer is not funded by Congressional appropriations, and its securities are neither guaranteed nor issued by the U.S. Treasury.

 

On September 6, 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) placed FNMA and FHLMC into conservatorship. As the conservator, FHFA succeeded to all rights, titles, powers and privileges of FNMA and FHLMC and of any stockholder, officer or director of FNMA and FHLMC with respect to FNMA and FHLMC and the assets of FNMA and FHLMC. FHFA selected a new chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors for each of FNMA and FHLMC.

 

On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced three additional steps taken by it in connection with the conservatorship. First, the U.S. Treasury entered into a Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement with each of FNMA and FHLMC pursuant to which the U.S. Treasury will purchase up to an aggregate of $100 billion of each of FNMA and FHLMC to maintain a positive net worth in each enterprise. This agreement contains various covenants that severely limit each enterprise’s operations. In exchange for entering into these agreements, the U.S. Treasury received $1 billion of each enterprise’s senior preferred stock and warrants to purchase 79.9% of each enterprise’s common stock. Second, the U.S. Treasury announced the creation of a new secured lending facility which is available to each of FNMA and FHLMC as a liquidity backstop. Third, the U.S. Treasury announced the creation of a temporary program to purchase mortgage-backed securities issued by each of FNMA and FHLMC. Both the liquidity backstop and the mortgage-backed securities purchase program were scheduled to expire in December 2009.

 

FNMA and FHLMC are continuing to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remain liable for all of its obligations, including its guaranty obligations, associated with its mortgage-backed securities. The liquidity backstop and the Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement were both intended to enhance each of FNMA’s and FHLMC’s ability to meet its obligations.

 

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Under the Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act of 2008 (the “Reform Act”), which was included as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, FHFA, as conservator or receiver, has the power to repudiate any contract entered into by FNMA or FHLMC prior to FHFA’s appointment as conservator or receiver, as applicable, if FHFA determines, in its sole discretion, that performance of the contract is burdensome and that repudiation of the contract promotes the orderly administration of FNMA’s or FHLMC’s affairs. The Reform Act requires FHFA to exercise its right to repudiate any contract within a reasonable period of time after its appointment as conservator or receiver.

 

FHFA, in its capacity as conservator, has indicated that it has no intention to repudiate the guaranty obligations of FNMA or FHLMC because FHFA views repudiation as incompatible with the goals of the conservatorship. However, in the event that FHFA, as conservator or if it is later appointed as receiver for FNMA or FHLMC, were to repudiate any such guaranty obligation, the conservatorship or receivership estate, as applicable, would be liable for actual direct compensatory damages in accordance with the provisions of the Reform Act. Any such liability could be satisfied only to the extent of FNMA’s or FHLMC’s assets available therefor.

 

In the event of repudiation, the payments of interest to holders of FNMA or FHLMC mortgage-backed securities would be reduced if payments on the mortgage loans represented in the mortgage loan groups related to such mortgage-backed securities are not made by the borrowers or advanced by the servicer. Any actual direct compensatory damages for repudiating these guaranty obligations may not be sufficient to offset any shortfalls experienced by such mortgage-backed security holders.

 

Further, in its capacity as conservator or receiver, FHFA has the right to transfer or sell any asset or liability of FNMA or FHLMC without any approval, assignment or consent. Although FHFA has stated that it has no present intention to do so, if FHFA, as conservator or receiver, were to transfer any such guaranty obligation to another party, holders of FNMA or FHLMC mortgage-backed securities would have to rely on that party for satisfaction of the guaranty obligation and would be exposed to the credit risk of that party.

 

In addition, certain rights provided to holders of mortgage-backed securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC under the operative documents related to such securities may not be enforced against FHFA, or enforcement of such rights may be delayed, during the conservatorship or any future receivership. The operative documents for FNMA and FHLMC mortgage-backed securities may provide (or with respect to securities issued prior to the date of the appointment of the conservator may have provided) that upon the occurrence of an event of default on the part of FNMA or FHLMC, in its capacity as guarantor, which includes the appointment of a conservator or receiver, holders of such mortgage-backed securities have the right to replace FNMA or FHLMC as trustee if the requisite percentage of mortgage-backed securities holders consent. The Reform Act prevents mortgage-backed security holders from enforcing such rights if the event of default arises solely because a conservator or receiver has been appointed. The Reform Act also provides that no person may exercise any right or power to terminate, accelerate or declare an event of default under certain contracts to which FNMA or FHLMC is a party, or obtain possession of or exercise control over any property of FNMA or FHLMC, or affect any contractual rights of FNMA or FHLMC, without the approval of FHFA, as conservator or receiver, for a period of 45 or 90 days following the appointment of FHFA as conservator or receiver, respectively.

 

Variable and Floating Rate Securities

 

Variable and floating rate securities are instruments that have a coupon or interest rate that is adjusted periodically due to changes in a base or benchmark rate. Variable and floating rate securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the obligations. The terms of such obligations must provide that interest rates are adjusted periodically based upon an interest rate adjustment index as provided in the respective obligations. The adjustment intervals may be regular, and range from daily to annually, or may be event-based, such as based on a change in the prime rate.

 

The Fund may engage in credit spread trades and invest in floating rate debt instruments (“floaters”). A credit spread trade is an investment position relating to a difference in the prices or interest rates of two securities or currencies, where the value of the investment position is determined by movements in the difference between the prices or interest rates, as the case may be, of the respective securities or currencies. The interest rate on a floater is a variable rate that is tied to another interest rate, such as a money-market index or Treasury bill rate. The interest rate on a floater resets periodically, typically every six months. Because of the interest rate reset feature, floaters provide the Fund with a certain degree of protection against a rise in interest rates, although the Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well.

 

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The Fund also may invest in inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”). The interest rate on an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest to which the inverse floater is indexed. An inverse floating rate security may exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate obligation of similar credit quality, and the Fund accordingly may be forced to hold such an instrument for long periods of time and/or may experience losses of principal in such investment. In particular, when interest rates are declining, coupon payments will rise at periodic intervals. This rise in coupon payments causes rapid dramatic increases in prices compared to those expected from conventional fixed-income instruments of similar maturity. Conversely, during times of rising interest rates, the coupon payments will fall at periodic intervals. This fall in coupon payments causes rapid dramatic decreases in prices compared to those expected from conventional fixed-income instruments of similar maturity. See “Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities” for a discussion of IOs and POs.

 

If the Fund invests in inverse floaters, it will generally treat inverse floaters as illiquid securities except for (i) inverse floaters issued by U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities backed by fixed-rate mortgages, whose liquidity is monitored by Forward Management subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees or (ii) where such securities can be disposed of promptly in the ordinary course of business at a value reasonably close to that used in the calculation of net asset value per share.

 

Variable and floating rate notes are frequently not rated by credit rating agencies; however, unrated variable and floating rate notes purchased by the Fund will be determined by Forward Management under guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase to rated instruments eligible for purchase under the Fund’s investment policies. In making such determinations, Forward Management will consider the earning power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios of the issuers of such notes (such issuers include financial, merchandising, bank holding, and other companies) and will continuously monitor their financial condition. Although there may be no active secondary market with respect to a particular variable or floating rate note purchased by the Fund, the Fund may resell the note at any time to a third party. The absence of an active secondary market, however, could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of a variable or floating rate note in the event the issuer of the note defaulted on its payment obligations and the Fund could, as a result or for other reasons, suffer a loss to the extent of the default. Variable or floating rate notes may be secured by bank letters of credit.

 

When-Issued Securities and Firm Commitment Agreements

 

The Fund may purchase securities on a delayed delivery or “when-issued” basis and enter into firm commitment agreements (transactions whereby the payment obligation and interest rate are fixed at the time of the transaction but the settlement is delayed). The Fund will not purchase securities the value of which is greater than 15% of its net assets on a when-issued or firm commitment basis. The Fund, as purchaser, assumes the risk of any decline in value of the security beginning on the date of the agreement or purchase, and no interest accrues to the Fund until it accepts delivery of the security. The Fund will not use such transactions for leveraging purposes and, accordingly, will segregate or “earmark” cash, cash equivalents, or liquid securities in an amount sufficient to meet its payment obligations thereunder. Although these transactions will not be entered into for leveraging purposes, to the extent the Fund’s aggregate commitments under these transactions exceed its holdings of cash and securities that do not fluctuate in value (such as short-term money market instruments), the Fund temporarily will be in a leveraged position (i.e., it will have an amount greater than its net assets subject to market risk). Should market values of the Fund’s portfolio securities decline while the Fund is in a leveraged position, greater depreciation of its net assets would likely occur than were it not in such a position. As the Fund’s aggregate commitments under these transactions increase, the opportunity for leverage similarly increases. The Fund will not borrow money to settle these transactions and, therefore, will liquidate other portfolio securities in advance of settlement if necessary to generate additional cash to meet its obligations thereunder.

 

Zero-Coupon Securities

 

The Fund may invest in zero-coupon securities. A zero-coupon security has no cash coupon payments. Instead, the issuer sells the security at a substantial discount from its maturity value. The interest equivalent received by the investor from holding this security to maturity is the difference between the maturity value and the purchase price. Zero-coupon securities are more volatile than cash pay securities. The Fund accrues income on these securities prior to the receipt of cash payments. The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its income to its shareholders to qualify for pass-through treatment under the tax laws and may, therefore, need to use its cash reserves to satisfy distribution requirements.

 

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

 

The Investment Advisor is authorized to select the brokers or dealers that will execute transactions to purchase or sell investment securities for the Fund. In all purchases and sales of securities for the Fund, the primary consideration is to obtain the most favorable price and execution available. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Investment

 

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Advisor determines which brokers are eligible to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund. Purchases and sales of securities in the over-the-counter market will generally be executed directly with a “market-maker,” unless in the opinion of the Investment Advisor, a better price and execution can otherwise be obtained by using a broker for the transaction.

 

In placing portfolio transactions, the Investment Advisor will use its best efforts to choose a broker capable of providing the brokerage services necessary to obtain the most favorable combination of price and execution available. The full range and quality of brokerage services available will be considered in making these determinations, such as the size of the order, the difficulty of execution, the operational facilities of the firm involved, the firm’s risk in positioning a block of securities and other factors such as the firm’s ability to engage in transactions in shares of banks and thrifts that are not listed on an organized stock exchange. Consideration may also be given to those brokers that supply research and statistical information to the Investment Advisor, and provide other services in addition to execution services. The Investment Advisor is prohibited from considering a broker’s or dealer’s promotion or sale of Fund shares, or shares of any other registered investment company, when selecting brokers and dealers to effect a Fund’s portfolio securities transactions. The placement of portfolio brokerage with broker-dealers who have sold shares of the Fund is subject to rules adopted by FINRA and the Forward Funds’ Policies and Procedures Prohibiting the Use of Brokerage Commissions to Finance Distribution.

 

While it will be the Trust’s general policy to seek to obtain the most favorable combination of price and execution available, in selecting a broker to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund, the Investment Advisor may also give weight to the ability of a broker to furnish brokerage and research services to the Investment Advisor. In negotiating commissions with a broker, the Investment Advisor may therefore pay a higher commission than would otherwise be the case if no weight were given to the furnishing of these supplemental services, provided that the amount of such commission has been determined in good faith by the Investment Advisor to be reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker, which services either produce a direct benefit to the Fund or assist the Investment Advisor in carrying out its responsibilities to the Fund or its other clients. These services may include such matters as general economic and security market reviews, industry and company reviews, evaluations of securities and recommendations as to the purchase and sale of securities.

 

Purchases of the Fund’s portfolio securities also may be made directly from issuers or from underwriters. Where possible, purchase and sale transactions will be effected through dealers that specialize in the types of securities that the Fund will be holding, unless better executions are available elsewhere. Dealers and underwriters usually act as principals for their own account. Most debt securities are purchased and sold on a principal basis with the issuer, the issuer’s underwriter, or with a primary market-maker acting as a principal, with no brokerage commission being paid by the Fund. However, purchases from underwriters will include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and purchases from dealers will include the spread between the bid and the asked price. If the execution and price offered by more than one dealer or underwriter are comparable, the order may be allocated to a dealer or underwriter which has provided such research or other services as mentioned above.

 

Some securities considered for investment by the Fund may also be appropriate for other clients served by the Fund’s Investment Advisor. If the purchase or sale of securities consistent with the investment policies of the Fund and one or more of these other clients serviced by the Investment Advisor is considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities will be allocated among the Fund and the Investment Advisor’s other clients in a manner deemed fair and reasonable by the Investment Advisor. There is no specified formula for allocating such transactions. From time to time it may be in the best interest of the Fund (for example to reduce transactions costs or assure availability of securities) to either purchase or sell securities with other clients of the Fund’s Investment Advisor. In the case of such “cross” transactions, the Investment Advisor is required to follow procedures adopted by the Fund designed to ensure the transactions is fair to the Fund. The Investment Advisor may utilize the services of affiliated broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions for the Fund on an agency basis and may be paid brokerage commissions from the Fund for such services in accordance with rules adopted by the SEC.

 

ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

 

Exchange Privileges

 

As discussed in the Fund’s prospectus, before you decide to exchange shares, you should read the prospectus information about the Fund involved in your exchange. Exchanges generally are taxable events and may result in a taxable gain (both short and long term) or loss for Federal and state income tax purposes.

 

You can send a written instruction specifying your exchange or, if you have authorized telephone exchanges previously and we have a record of your authorization, you can call (800) 999-6809 to execute your exchange. See “Telephone Redemptions and Exchanges” below for additional information about telephone exchanges. There are generally no fees for exchanges.

 

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Under certain circumstances, before an exchange can be made, additional documents may be required to verify the authority or legal capacity of the person seeking the exchange. In order to make an exchange into a new class of shares, the exchange must satisfy the minimum initial investment requirement for that class of shares. Once your exchange is received in good order, it cannot be revoked by you. This exchange privilege is available only in States where shares of the Fund being exchanged into may legally be sold.

 

The Trust reserves the right to prohibit exchanges during the first 15 days following an investment in the Fund. The Trust may terminate or change the terms of the exchange privilege at any time. In addition, Forward Funds may suspend a shareholder’s exchange privilege if, in the judgment of Forward Management, the shareholders exchange activity indicates frequent trading or market timing that may be harmful to a Fund or its shareholders. See “Policies Concerning Frequent Purchases and Redemptions” in the relevant prospectus.

 

Please call (800) 999-6809 to obtain complete information and to answer any questions you may have about exchanging your shares. For Class M shares, please contact your financial intermediary to obtain complete information and to answer any questions you may have about exchanging your shares.

 

Other Redemption Information

 

Telephone Redemptions and Exchanges

 

As discussed in the Fund’s prospectus, the telephone redemption and exchange privileges are available for all shareholder accounts except that only the telephone exchange privilege is available for retirement accounts. Telephone redemptions and exchanges are not available for Class M shareholders. The privileges may be modified or terminated at any time. The privileges are subject to the conditions and provisions set forth below and in the prospectus.

 

1.  

Telephone redemption and/or exchange instructions received in good order before the pricing of the Fund on any day on which the NYSE is open for business (a “Business Day”), but not later than 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, will be processed at that day’s closing net asset value. If you choose to receive the proceeds from your redemption via wire transfer, there is a $30.00 charge.

 

2.  

Telephone redemptions and/or exchange instructions should be made by calling (800) 999-6809.

 

3.  

The Transfer Agent will not permit exchanges in violation of any of the terms and conditions set forth in the prospectus or herein.

 

4.  

Telephone redemption requests must meet the following conditions to be accepted by the Transfer Agent: (a) Proceeds of the redemption must be mailed to the current address on the application or sent to the address stated on payment instructions on file. This address or payment instructions cannot reflect any change within the previous 30 days. (b) Certain account information will need to be provided for verification purposes before the redemption will be executed. (c) There is no limit on the number of telephone redemptions (where proceeds are being mailed to the address of record or sent to the address stated on payment instructions on file) that can be processed within a 30-day period. (d) For an individual investor, the maximum amount which can be liquidated and sent to the address of record at any one time is $50,000.

 

Matters Affecting Redemptions

 

Payments to shareholders for shares redeemed will be made within seven days after receipt by the Transfer Agent of the request in good order, except that the Trust may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment as to the Fund during any period when (a) trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC or such exchange is closed for other than weekends and holidays; (b) an emergency exists as determined by the SEC making disposal of portfolio securities or valuation of net assets of the Fund not reasonably practicable; (c) for such other period as the SEC may permit for the protection of the Fund’s shareholders; or (d) to the extent otherwise permitted by applicable laws and regulations. At various times, the Fund may be requested to redeem shares for which it has not yet received good payment. Accordingly, the Fund may delay the mailing of a redemption check until such time as the Fund has assured itself that good payment has been collected for the purchase of such shares, which may take up to 10 Business Days.

 

The Fund intends to pay in cash for all shares redeemed, but under abnormal conditions that make payment in cash unwise, the Fund may make payment wholly or partly in securities at their then current market value equal to the redemption price. In

 

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such case, an investor may incur brokerage costs in converting such securities to cash. In the event the Fund liquidates portfolio securities to meet redemptions, the Fund reserves the right to reduce the redemption price by an amount equivalent to the prorated cost of such liquidation not to exceed one percent of the net asset value of such shares.

 

In accordance with its 18f-1 election filed with the SEC, the Trust intends to redeem shares of the Fund solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1.00% of the Fund’s net assets during any 90-day period for any one shareholder. In consideration of the best interests of the remaining shareholders, the Trust reserves the right to pay any redemption proceeds exceeding this amount in whole or in part by a distribution in-kind of securities held by the Fund in lieu of cash. It is highly unlikely that shares would ever be redeemed in-kind. When shares are redeemed in-kind, the redeeming shareholders should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the distribution. In such cases, the shareholder may incur brokerage costs in converting the portfolio securities to cash.

 

The Trust has adopted procedures under which it may make redemptions-in-kind to shareholders who are affiliated persons of the Fund (as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act). Under these procedures, the Trust generally may satisfy a redemption request from an affiliated person in-kind, provided that: (1) the redemption-in-kind is effected at approximately the affiliated shareholder’s proportionate share of the distributing Fund’s current net assets, and thus does not result in the dilution of the interests of the remaining shareholders; (2) the distributed securities are valued in the same manner as they are valued for purposes of computing the distributing Fund’s net asset value; (3) the redemption-in-kind is consistent with the Fund’s prospectus and SAI; and (4) neither the affiliated shareholder nor any other party with the ability and the pecuniary incentive to influence the redemption-in-kind selects, or influences the selection of, the distributed securities.

 

Due to the relatively high cost of handling small investments, the Fund reserves the right, upon 60 days’ written notice, to redeem, at net asset value, the shares of any shareholder whose account has a value of less than $100 in the Fund. Before a Fund redeems such shares and sends the proceeds to the shareholder, it will notify the shareholder that the value of the shares in the account is less than the minimum amount and will allow the shareholder 60 days to make an additional investment in an amount that will increase the value of the account to at least $100 before the redemption is processed. This policy will not be implemented where the Trust has previously waived the minimum investment requirements or where the account value is a result of a decline in the net asset value per share.

 

The value of shares on redemption or repurchase may be more or less than the investor’s investment, depending upon the market value of the portfolio securities at the time of redemption or repurchase.

 

DETERMINATION OF SHARE PRICE

 

The net asset value (“NAV”) and offering price of the Fund’s shares will be determined once daily as of the close of trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) during each day on which the NYSE is open for trading. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The offering price is the NAV per share plus any applicable sales charge. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV per share minus any applicable CDSC.

 

The NAV per share for the Fund for purposes of pricing sales and redemptions is calculated by dividing the value of all securities and other assets belonging to the Fund, less the liabilities charged to the Fund, by the number of shares of the Fund that have already been issued. The NAV of different classes of shares of the Fund will differ due to differing class expenses. The offering price is the NAV per share plus any applicable sales charge. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV per share. The price at which a purchase or redemption is effected is based on the next calculation of net asset value after the order is placed. Orders received by Financial Intermediaries prior to the close of trading on the NYSE will be confirmed at the offering price computed as of the close of trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). It is the responsibility of the financial intermediary to insure that all orders are transmitted in a timely manner to the Fund. Orders received by financial intermediaries after the close of trading on the NYSE will be confirmed at the next computed offering price.

 

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AND PRIVILEGES

 

For investors purchasing shares under a tax-qualified individual retirement or pension plan or under a group plan through a person designated for the collection and remittance of monies to be invested in shares on a periodic basis, the Fund may, in lieu of furnishing confirmations following each purchase of Fund shares, send statements no less frequently than quarterly, pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), and the rules thereunder. Such quarterly statements, which would be sent to the investor or to the person designated by the group for distribution to its members, will be sent after the end of each quarterly period and shall reflect all transactions in the investor’s account during the preceding quarter. All other shareholders will receive a confirmation of each new transaction in their accounts.

 

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Certificates representing shares of the Fund will not be issued to shareholders. The Transfer Agent will maintain for each shareholder an account in which the registration and transfer of shares are recorded, and any transfers will be reflected by bookkeeping entry, without physical delivery.

 

The Transfer Agent will require that a shareholder provide requests in writing, accompanied by a valid Medallion Signature Guarantee, when changing certain information in an account, such as wiring instructions.

 

Self-Employed and Corporate Retirement Plans

 

For self-employed individuals and corporate investors that wish to purchase shares, a Prototype Plan and Custody Agreement are available through the Trust. For further details, including the right to appoint a successor custodian, see the Prototype Plan and Custody Agreements as provided by the Trust. Employers who wish to use shares of the Trust under a custodianship with another bank or trust company must make individual arrangements with such an institution.

 

Individual Retirement Accounts

 

Investors with earned income are eligible to purchase shares of the Fund under an individual retirement account (“IRA”) pursuant to Section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. An individual who creates an IRA may contribute annually certain dollar amounts of earned income, and an additional amount if there is a non-working spouse. Simplified Employee Pension Plans (“SEP IRA”), which employers may establish on behalf of their employees are also available. Full details on the IRA and SEP IRA are contained in IRS required disclosure statements, and the custodian will not open an IRA until seven days after the investor has received such statement from the Trust. An IRA funded by shares of the Fund may also be used by employers who have adopted a SEP IRA.

 

Purchases of shares by Section 403(b) retirement plans and other retirement plans are also available. It is advisable for an investor considering the funding of any retirement plan to consult with an attorney or to obtain advice from a competent retirement plan consultant.

 

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Shareholders have the privilege of reinvesting both income dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, in additional shares of the Fund at the then current net asset value, with no sales charge. Alternatively, a shareholder can elect at any time to receive dividends and/or capital gain distributions in cash.

 

In the absence of such an election, each purchase of shares of the Fund is made upon the condition and understanding that the Transfer Agent is automatically appointed the shareholder’s agent to receive the investor’s dividends and distributions upon all shares registered in the investor’s name and to reinvest them in full and fractional shares of the Fund at the applicable net asset value in effect at the close of business on the reinvestment date. A shareholder may still at any time after a purchase of shares of the Fund request that dividends and/or capital gain distributions be paid to the shareholder in cash.

 

If you elect to receive cash dividends and/or capital gains distributions and a check is returned as undelivered by the United States Postal Service, the Fund reserves the right to invest the check in additional shares of the Fund at the then-current net asset value and to convert your account’s election to automatic reinvestment of all distributions, until the Fund’s Transfer Agent receives a corrected address in writing from the number of account owners authorized on your application to change the registration. If the Transfer Agent receives no written communication from the account owner(s) and there are no purchases, sales or exchanges in your account for a period of time mandated by state law, then that state may require the Transfer Agent to turn over to the applicable state government the value of the account as well as any dividends or distributions paid.

 

After a dividend or capital gains distribution is paid, the Fund’s share price will drop by the amount of the dividend or distribution. If you have chosen to have your dividends or distributions paid to your account in additional shares, the total value of your account will not change after the dividend or distribution is paid. In such cases, while the value of each share will be lower, each reinvesting shareholder will own more shares. Reinvested shares will be purchased at the price in effect at the close of business on the day after the record date.

 

TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

The following discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as applicable to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens or residents and U.S. domestic corporations, trusts or estates) and certain foreign persons (i.e., non-U.S. persons) subject to tax

 

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under such law. The discussion does not address special tax rules applicable to certain classes of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, partnerships, insurance companies, and financial institutions. Dividends, capital gain distributions, and ownership of or gains realized on the redemption (including an exchange) of Fund shares also may be subject to state and local taxes. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to the Federal, state or local tax consequences of ownership of shares of, and receipt of distributions from, a Fund in their particular circumstances.

 

The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders. This discussion is based upon present provisions of the Code, the regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative ruling authorities, all of which are subject to change, which change may be retroactive. This discussion does not provide a detailed explanation of all tax consequences, and shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular consequences to them of an investment in the Fund, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, foreign country, or other taxing jurisdiction.

 

Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company

 

The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Code. To so qualify, the Fund must, among other things, in each taxable year: (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities, and gains from the sale or other disposition of foreign currencies, net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership or other income (including gains from options, futures contracts, and forward contracts) derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stocks, securities or currencies and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including borrowings for investment purposes, if any) is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities, with such other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the Fund’s total assets (including borrowings for investment purposes, if any) and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including borrowings for investment purposes, if any) is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, of any two or more issuers that the Fund controls, and that are determined to be engaged in the same business or similar or related businesses or of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on income and gains it distributes to shareholders, if at least the sum of 90% of the Fund’s investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) and 90% of the Fund’s net tax-exempt interest income for the taxable year is distributed. Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement also are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax. To prevent application of the excise tax, the Fund intends to make distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirement.

 

If, in any taxable year, the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC under the Code or fails to meet the distribution requirement, it generally would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In addition, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from its current or accumulated earnings and profits, would constitute dividends (which may be eligible for the corporate-dividends received deduction) which are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income, or as qualifying dividends eligible for a reduced rate of tax as discussed below. If the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC in any year, it must pay out its earnings and profits accumulated in that year in order to qualify again as a RIC. Moreover, if the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, the Fund may be required to recognize any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its assets (the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized if the Fund had been liquidated) in order to qualify as a RIC in a subsequent year.

 

Distributions

 

Dividends of investment company taxable income (including net short-term capital gains) are generally taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (subject to the discussion of qualifying dividends below), whether received in cash or reinvested in Fund shares. The Fund’s distributions of investment company taxable income may be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction to the extent attributable to the applicable Fund’s dividend income from U.S. corporations, and if other applicable requirements are met. However, the alternative minimum tax applicable to corporations may reduce the benefit of the dividends-received deduction.

 

Distributions of net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital losses) designated by the Fund as capital gain dividends are taxable to shareholders, whether received in cash or reinvested in Fund shares, as long-term

 

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capital gain, regardless of the length of time the Fund’s shares have been held by a shareholder, and are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Any distributions that are not from the Fund’s investment company taxable income or net capital gains may be characterized as a return of capital to shareholders or, in some cases, as capital gains. Shareholders will be notified annually as to the federal tax status of dividends and distributions they receive and any tax withheld thereon.

 

For more information on the declaration and payment of dividends, please see “Dividends and Taxes” in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

Dividends, including capital gain dividends, declared in December with a record date in such month and paid during the following January will be treated as having been paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which declared, rather than the calendar year in which the dividends are actually received.

 

Distributions by a Fund reduce the net asset value of that Fund’s shares. Should a distribution reduce the net asset value below a shareholder’s cost basis, the distribution nevertheless may be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain as described above, even though, from an investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital. In particular, investors should be careful to consider the tax implication of buying shares just prior to a distribution by a Fund. The price of shares purchased at that time includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution, but the distribution will generally be taxable to the shareholder.

 

Current tax law generally provides for a maximum tax rate for individual taxpayers of 15% on long-term capital gains from sales and on certain qualifying dividends on corporate stock. The rate reductions do not apply to corporate taxpayers. The Fund will be able to separately designate distributions of any qualifying long-term capital gains or qualifying dividends earned by the Fund that would be eligible for the lower maximum rate. A shareholder would also have to satisfy a more than 60-day holding period with respect to any distributions of qualifying dividends in order to obtain the benefit of the lower rate. Distributions from the Fund’s investments in bonds and other debt instruments will not generally qualify for the lower rates. Note that distributions of earnings from dividends paid by “qualified foreign corporations” can also qualify for the lower tax rates on qualifying dividends. Qualified foreign corporations are corporations incorporated in a U.S. possession, corporations whose stock is readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S., and corporations eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States which satisfy certain other requirements. Passive foreign investment companies are not treated as “qualified foreign corporations.” The lower tax rates on long-term capital gains and qualifying dividends is scheduled to expire after 2010 in the absence of Congressional action.

 

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.

 

Sale or Other Disposition of Shares

 

Upon the redemption or exchange of shares, a shareholder will realize a taxable gain or loss depending upon the basis in the shares. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholder’s hands; a gain will generally be taxed as long-term capital gain if the shareholder’s holding period is more than one year. A gain from disposition of shares held not more than one year will be treated as short-term capital gain. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent that the shares disposed of are replaced (including replacement through the reinvesting of dividends and capital gain distributions) within a period of 61 days, beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss recognized on shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions that were received with respect to the shares. Further, any loss recognized on shares held less than six months will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt interest dividends that were received with respect to such shares.

 

In some cases, shareholders will not be permitted to take sales charges into account for purposes of determining the amount of gain or loss realized on the disposition of their shares. This prohibition generally applies where (1) the shareholder incurs a sales charge in acquiring Fund shares, (2) the shares are disposed of before the 91st day after the date on which they were acquired, and (3) the shareholder subsequently acquires shares of the same or another Fund and the otherwise applicable sales charge is reduced or eliminated under a “reinvestment right” received upon the initial purchase of shares. In that case, the gain or loss recognized will be determined by excluding from the tax basis of the shares exchanged all or a portion of the sales charge incurred in acquiring those shares. This exclusion applies to the extent that the otherwise applicable sales charge with respect to the newly acquired shares is reduced as a result of having incurred a sales charge initially. Sales charges affected by this rule are treated as if they were incurred with respect to the shares acquired under the reinvestment right. This provision may be applied to successive acquisitions of shares.

 

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Backup Withholding

 

The Fund generally will be required to withhold federal income tax, currently at a rate of 28% (currently scheduled to increase to 31% after 2010) (“backup withholding”) from dividends paid, capital gain distributions and redemption proceeds to a shareholder if (1) the shareholder fails to furnish the Fund with the shareholder’s correct taxpayer identification number or social security number and to make such certifications as the Fund may require, (2) the IRS notifies the shareholder or the Fund that the shareholder has failed to report properly certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect, or (3) when required to do so, the shareholder fails to certify that he is not subject to backup withholding. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s Federal income tax liability.

 

Foreign Shareholders

 

Taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual, foreign trust or estate, foreign corporation, or foreign partnership (“foreign shareholder”), depends on whether the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such shareholder.

 

If the income from the Fund is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, ordinary income dividends will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate) upon the gross amount of the dividend. The foreign shareholder would generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on gains realized on the sale of shares of the Fund, capital gain dividends, and amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains. Note that the 15% rate of tax applicable to certain dividends (discussed above) does not apply to dividends paid to foreign shareholders.

 

If the income from the Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends, and any gains realized upon the sale of shares of the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens or domestic corporations.

 

Foreign noncorporate shareholders may be subject to backup withholding on distributions that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax (or taxable at a reduced treaty rate) unless such shareholders furnish the Fund with proper certification of their foreign status.

 

Effective January 1, 2013, the Fund will be required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of dividends and redemption proceeds made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.

 

Foreign shareholders may also be subject to U.S. Federal estate tax on the value of their shares. Foreign shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund, including the applicability of foreign taxes.

 

Original Issue Discount

 

Certain debt securities acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt securities that were originally issued at a discount. Original issue discount can generally be defined as the difference between the price at which a security was issued and its stated redemption price at maturity. Although no cash income is actually received by the Fund, original issue discount that accrues on a debt security in a given year generally is treated for federal income tax purposes as interest and, therefore, such income would be subject to the distribution requirements of the Code.

 

Market Discount

 

Some debt securities may be purchased by the Fund at a discount which exceeds the original issue discount on such debt securities, if any. This additional discount represents market discount for federal income tax purposes. The gain realized on the disposition of any taxable debt security having market discount generally will be treated as ordinary income to the extent it does not exceed the accrued market discount on such debt security. If the amount of market discount is more than a de minimis amount, a portion of such market discount must be included as ordinary income (not capital gain) by the Fund in each taxable year in which the Fund owns an interest in such debt security and receives a principal payment on it. In

 

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particular, the Fund will be required to allocate that principal payment first to the portion of the market discount on the debt security that has accrued but has not previously been included in income. In general, the amount of market discount that must be included for each period is equal to the lesser of (i) the amount of market discount accruing during such period (plus any accrued market discount for prior periods not previously taken into account) or (ii) the amount of the principal payment with respect to such period. Generally, market discount accrues on a daily basis for each day the debt security is held by the Fund at a constant rate over the time remaining to the debt security’s maturity or, at the election of the Fund, at a constant yield to maturity which takes into account the semi-annual compounding of interest.

 

Options, Futures, and Foreign Currency Forward Contracts; Straddle Rules

 

The Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, forward contracts, options, and futures contracts (including options and futures contracts on foreign currencies) will be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the Fund (that is, may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund, defer Fund losses, and affect the determination of whether capital gains and losses are treated as long-term or short-term capital gains or losses. These rules could therefore, in turn, affect the character, amount, and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also may require the Fund to mark-to-market certain positions in its portfolio (that is, treat them as if they were sold), which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash to use to make distributions in amounts necessary to avoid income and excise taxes. The Fund will monitor its transactions and may make such tax elections as management deems appropriate with respect to foreign currency, options, futures contracts, forward contracts or hedged investments. The Fund’s status as a regulated investment company may limit its ability to engage in transactions involving foreign currency, futures, options, and forward contracts.

 

Certain transactions undertaken by the Fund may result in “straddles” for federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may affect the character of gains (or losses) realized by the Fund, and losses realized by the Fund on positions that are part of a straddle may be deferred under the straddle rules, rather than being taken into account in calculating the taxable income for the taxable year in which the losses are realized. In addition, certain carrying charges (including interest expense) associated with positions in a straddle may be required to be capitalized rather than deducted currently. Certain elections that the Fund may make with respect to its straddle positions may also affect the amount, character, and timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the affected positions.

 

Dividend Rolls

 

The Fund may perform “dividend rolls.” A dividend roll is an arrangement in which the Fund purchases stock in a U.S. corporation that is about to pay a dividend. The Fund then collects the dividend. If applicable requirements are met, the dividend may qualify for the corporate “dividends-received deduction.” If so, the Fund’s distributions of investment company taxable income may in turn be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction (pursuant to which corporate shareholders of the Fund may exclude from income up to 70% of the portion of such qualifying distributions) to the extent attributable to its dividend income from U.S. corporations (including its income from dividend roll transactions if the applicable requirements are met). The Fund then sells the stock after the dividend is paid. This usually results in a short term capital loss. Dividend roll transactions are subject to less favorable tax treatment if the sale of the stock is prearranged or where there is otherwise no risk of loss during the holding period. Under those circumstances, the dividend would not qualify for the dividends-received deduction.

 

Constructive Sales

 

Under certain circumstances, the Fund may recognize a gain from a constructive sale of an “appreciated financial position” it holds if it enters into a short sale, forward contract or other transaction that substantially reduces the risk of loss with respect to the appreciated position. In that event, the Fund would be treated as if it had sold and immediately repurchased the property and would be taxed on any gain (but not loss) from the constructive sale. The character of gain from a constructive sale would depend upon the Fund’s holding period in the property. Loss would be recognized when the property was subsequently disposed of, and its character would depend on the Fund’s holding period and the application of various loss deferral provisions of the Code. Constructive sale treatment does not apply to transactions that are closed before the end of the 30th day after the close of the taxable year and where the Fund holds the appreciated financial position throughout the 60-day period beginning on the date the transaction is closed, if certain other conditions are met.

 

Currency Fluctuation – Section 988 Gains and Losses

 

Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that occur between the time the Fund accrues income or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such receivables or pay such liabilities generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, on

 

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disposition of certain investments (including debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and certain futures contracts, forward contracts, and options), gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or other instrument and the date of disposition also are treated as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses, referred to under the Code as “section 988” gains or losses, may increase or decrease the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income available to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Companies

 

The Fund may invest in the stock of foreign companies that may be classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”). In general, a foreign corporation is classified as a PFIC if at least one-half of its assets constitute passive assets (such as stocks or securities) or if 75% or more of its gross income is passive income (such as, but not limited to, interest, dividends, and gain from the sale of securities). If the Fund receives an “excess distribution” with respect to PFIC stock, the Fund will generally be subject to tax on the distribution as if it were realized ratably over the period during which the Fund held the PFIC stock. The Fund will be subject to tax on the portion of an excess distribution that is allocated to prior Fund taxable years, and an interest factor will be added to the tax, as if it were payable in such prior taxable years. Certain distributions from a PFIC and gain from the sale of PFIC shares are treated as excess distributions. Excess distributions are taxable as ordinary income.

 

The Fund may be eligible to elect alternative tax treatment with respect to PFIC stock. Under an election that is available in some circumstances, the Fund generally would be required to include in its gross income its share of the earnings of a PFIC on a current basis, regardless of whether distributions were received from the PFIC in a given year. If this election were made, the rules relating to the taxation of excess distributions would not apply. In addition, another election would involve marking-to-market the Fund’s PFIC shares at the end of each taxable year, with the result that unrealized gains would be treated as though they were realized and reported as ordinary income. Any mark-to-market losses and any loss from an actual disposition of PFIC shares would be deductible as ordinary losses to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains included in income in prior years. Note that distributions from a PFIC are not eligible for the reduced rate of tax on “qualifying dividends.”

 

Other Investment Companies

 

It is possible that by investing in other investment companies, the Fund may not be able to meet the calendar year distribution requirement and may be subject to federal income and excise tax. The diversification and distribution requirements applicable to the Fund may limit the extent to which the Fund will be able to invest in other investment companies.

 

Commodity-Linked Instruments

 

One of the requirements for favorable tax treatment as a regulated investment company under the Code is that the Fund derives at least 90% of its gross income from certain qualifying sources of income. The IRS issued a revenue ruling which concludes that income and gain from certain commodity-linked swaps and commodity-linked derivatives is not qualifying income under Subchapter M of the Code. As a result, the Fund’s ability to invest directly in commodity-linked swaps as part of its investment strategy is limited by the requirement that it receive no more than ten percent (10%) of its gross income from such investments.

 

However, in a subsequent revenue ruling, the IRS indicated that income from alternative investment instruments (such as certain structured notes) that create commodity exposure may be considered qualifying income under the Code. The IRS subsequently issued private letter rulings to other tax payers in which the IRS specifically concluded that income from certain commodity index-linked notes is qualifying income and that income derived from a fund’s investment in a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) also will constitute qualifying income to the fund, even if the CFC itself owns commodity-linked swaps. The Fund seeks to gain exposure to the commodity markets primarily through investments in commodity index-linked notes and through investments in the Subsidiary.

 

A private letter ruling is binding upon the IRS only for the taxpayer that receives it, and by law cannot be used or cited as precedent. The Fund has not obtained a ruling from the IRS with respect to its investments or its structure and does not intend to seek such a ruling from the IRS. Based on the analysis in private letter rulings previously issued to other taxpayers, the Fund intends to treat its income from commodity index-linked notes and the Subsidiary as qualifying income without any such ruling from the IRS. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not change its position with respect to some or all of these issues or if the IRS did so, that a court would not sustain the IRS’s position. If the Fund were to apply for its own private letter ruling, there is also no assurance that the Fund would be able to obtain a favorable ruling from the IRS.

 

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If the IRS were to change its position or otherwise determine that income derived from certain commodity-linked notes or from the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary does not constitute qualifying income, and if such positions were upheld, the Fund might cease to qualify as a regulated investment company and would be required to reduce its exposure to such investments which might result in difficulty in implementing its investment strategy. If the Fund did not qualify as a regulated investment company for any taxable year, the Fund’s taxable income would be subject to tax at the Fund level at regular corporate tax rates (without reduction for distributions to shareholders) and to a further tax at the shareholder level when such income is distributed. In such event, in order to re-qualify for taxation as a regulated investment company, the Fund may be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make certain distributions.

 

Other Tax Matters

 

Under the current tax law, capital and currency losses realized after October 31 may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following fiscal year.

 

Exchange control regulations that may restrict repatriation of investment income, capital, or the proceeds of securities sales by foreign investors may limit a Fund’s ability to make sufficient distributions to satisfy the 90% and calendar year distribution requirements described above.

 

Different tax treatment, including penalties on certain excess contributions and deferrals, certain pre-retirement and post-retirement distributions, and certain prohibited transactions, is accorded to accounts maintained as qualified retirement plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors for more information.

 

The foregoing discussion relates solely to U.S. federal income tax law as applicable to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens or residents and U.S. domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts, or estates) subject to tax under such law. The discussion does not address special tax rules applicable to certain classes of investors, such as tax-exempt entities, insurance companies, and financial institutions. Dividends, capital gain distributions, and ownership of or gains realized on the redemption (including an exchange) of Fund shares also may be subject to state and local taxes. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to the Federal, state or local tax consequences of ownership of shares of, and receipt of distributions from, the Fund in their particular circumstances.

 

Liquidation of Fund

 

The Board of Trustees of the Trust may determine to close and liquidate the Fund at any time, which may have adverse tax consequences to shareholders. In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, shareholders will receive a liquidating distribution in cash or in-kind equal to their proportionate interest in the Fund. A liquidating distribution may be a taxable event to shareholders, resulting in a gain or loss for tax purposes, depending upon a shareholders basis in his or her shares of the Fund.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Description of the Trust and Its Shares

 

The Trust consists of thirty-five portfolios described in separate prospectuses and SAIs. Each share represents an equal proportionate interest in a Forward Fund with other shares of that Fund, and is entitled to such dividends and distributions out of the income earned on the assets belonging to that Fund as are declared at the discretion of the Trustees. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share owned.

 

An annual or special meeting of shareholders to conduct necessary business is not required by the Declaration of Trust, the 1940 Act or other authority except, under certain circumstances, to elect Trustees, amend the Certificate of Trust, approve an investment advisory agreement and satisfy certain other requirements. To the extent that such a meeting is not required, the Trust may elect not to have an annual or special meeting.

 

The Trust will call a special meeting of shareholders for purposes of considering the removal of one or more Trustees upon written request from shareholders holding not less than 10% of the outstanding votes of the Trust. At such a meeting, a quorum of shareholders (constituting a majority of votes attributable to all outstanding shares of the Trust), by majority vote, has the power to remove one or more Trustees.

 

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Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities

 

As of [                    ], 2010, no person owned of record or beneficially 25% or greater of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities or 5% or greater of any class of the Fund’s outstanding equity securities.

 

As of [                    ], 2010, the Officers and Trustees owned less than 1% of any class of any of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

Other Information

 

The Trust is registered with the SEC as an open-end management investment company. Such registration does not involve supervision of the management or policies of the Trust by any governmental agency. The Fund’s prospectus and this SAI omit certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC and copies of this information may be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the prescribed fee or examined at the SEC in Washington, D.C. without charge.

 

Investors in the Fund will be kept informed of their investments in the Fund through annual and semi-annual reports showing portfolio composition, statistical data, and any other significant data, including financial statements audited by the independent registered public accountants.

 

Custodian

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”) is the Trust’s custodian. Its principal business address is 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. BBH is responsible for the custody of the Fund’s assets and, as foreign custody manager, will oversee the custody of any Fund assets held outside the United States. BBH takes no part in the decisions relating to the purchase or sale of the Trust’s portfolio securities.

 

Legal Counsel

 

Legal matters for the Trust are handled by Dechert LLP, 1775 I Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

[            ] acts as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

You may obtain a prospectus, annual report or semi-annual report at no charge by contacting the Trust at Forward Funds, P.O. Box 1345, Denver, CO 80201, or by calling (800) 999-6809.

 

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FORWARD FUNDS

PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 28. EXHIBITS

 

(a)(1)

   Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Forward Funds (the “Registrant”), incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2007.

(a)(2)

   Schedule A to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(b)

   Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant dated December 8, 2005, amended as of December 7, 2006, March 4, 2009, and September 25, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on December 30, 2009.

(c)

   Not applicable.

(d)(1)

   Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and Forward Management LLC (the “Advisor” or “Forward Management”), dated as of May 1, 2005 and amended and restated as of January 8, 2008 and March 5, 2008, with respect to the Forward Growth Fund (formerly known as the Forward Emerald Growth Fund), Forward Banking and Finance Fund (formerly known as the Forward Emerald Banking and Finance Fund), Forward Emerging Markets Fund (formerly known as the Forward Global Emerging Markets Fund), Forward International Dividend Fund (formerly known as the Forward International Equity Fund), Forward Small Cap Equity Fund (formerly known as the Forward Hoover Small Cap Equity Fund), Forward International Small Companies Fund, Forward Legato Fund, Forward Real Estate Fund (formerly known as the Forward Progressive Real Estate Fund), Forward Large Cap Equity Fund, Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis Fund, Forward International Fixed Income Fund, Forward Aggressive Growth Allocation Fund (formerly known as the Accessor Allocation Fund), Forward Balanced Allocation Fund (formerly known as the Accessor Balanced Allocation Fund), Forward Growth Allocation Fund (formerly known as the Accessor Growth Allocation Fund, Forward Growth & Income Allocation Fund (formerly known as the Accessor Growth & Income Allocation Fund), Forward Large Cap Growth Fund (formerly known as the Accessor Growth Fund), Forward High Yield Bond Fund (formerly known as the Accessor High Yield Bond Fund), Forward Income Allocation Fund (formerly known as the Accessor Income Allocation Fund), Forward Income & Growth Allocation Fund (formerly known as the Accessor Income & Growth Allocation Fund), Forward Investment Grade Fixed Income Fund (formerly known as the Accessor Investment Grade Fixed Income Fund), Forward International Equity Fund (formerly known as the Accessor International Equity Fund), Forward Mortgage Securities Fund (formerly known as the Accessor Mortgage Securities Fund), Forward SMIDPlus Fund (formerly known as the Forward Small to Mid Cap Fund), Forward Strategic Alternatives Fund (formerly known as the Accessor Strategic Alternatives Fund), Forward U.S. Government Money Fund (formerly known as the Accessor U.S. Government Money Fund), and Forward Large Cap Value Fund (formerly known as the Accessor Value Fund), incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 49 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on August 25, 2008.

(d)(2)

   Amended Exhibit A to the Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and the Advisor with respect to the Forward Global Infrastructure Fund, Forward Growth Fund, Forward Banking and Finance Fund, Forward Emerging Markets Fund, Forward HITR Fund, Forward International Dividend Fund, Forward International Real Estate Fund, Forward Small Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Small Companies Fund, Forward Legato Fund, Forward Real Estate Fund, Forward Select Income Fund, Forward Strategic Realty Fund, Forward Large Cap Equity Fund, Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis Fund, Forward International Fixed Income Fund, and Forward Tactical Growth Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 28, 2010.

 

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(d)(3)

   Amended Exhibit B to the Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and the Advisor with respect to the Forward Aggressive Growth Allocation Fund, Forward Balanced Allocation Fund, Forward Frontier MarketStrat Fund (formerly known as Forward Frontier Markets Fund), Forward Growth Allocation Fund, Forward Growth & Income Allocation Fund, Forward Large Cap Growth Fund, Forward High Yield Bond Fund, Forward Income Allocation Fund, Forward Income & Growth Allocation Fund, Forward Investment Grade Fixed-Income Fund, Forward International Equity Fund, Forward Mortgage Securities Fund, Forward SMIDPlus Fund, Forward Strategic Alternatives Fund, Forward U.S. Government Money Fund, and Forward Large Cap Value Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(d)(4)

   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust (formerly known as Emerald Advisers, Inc.) (“EMFAT”) dated as of May 1, 2005 with respect to the Forward Banking and Finance Fund and the Forward Growth Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 27, 2005.

(d)(4)(a)

   Amendment to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and EMFAT entered into as of January 2, 2009 with respect to the Forward Banking and Finance Fund and the Forward Growth Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(4)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(5)

   Amended and Restated Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Pictet International Management Limited, now known as Pictet Asset Management Limited (“Pictet Ltd”), dated as of July 1, 2005 and amended and restated as of November 1, 2007 with respect to the International Small Companies Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on December 26, 2007.

(d)(5)(a)

   Amendment to the Amended and Restated Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Pictet Ltd, entered into as of January 2, 2009 with respect to the International Small Companies Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(5)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(5)(b)

   Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Pictet Ltd, entered into as of November 1, 2009 with respect to the International Small Companies Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(6)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on December 30, 2009.

(d)(6)

   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Pictet International Management Limited, now known as Pictet Ltd, dated as of July 1, 2005 with respect to the Forward Emerging Markets Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to this Registration Statement filed with Commission on July 5, 2006.

(d)(6)(a)

   Amendment to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Pictet Ltd, entered into as of January 2, 2009 with respect to the Forward Emerging Markets Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(6)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(6)(b)

   Amendment to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Pictet Ltd, entered into as of August 1, 2009 with respect to the Forward Emerging Markets Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(7)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 11, 2009.

(d)(6)(c)

   Third Amendment to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Pictet Ltd, entered into as of November 1, 2009 with respect to the Forward Emerging Markets Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(7)(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on December 30, 2009.

 

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(d)(7)

   Amended and Restated Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Hoover Investment Management Co., LLC (“Hoover”) dated as of June 24, 2005 with respect to the Forward Small Cap Equity Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on February 9, 2006.

(d)(7)(a)

   Amendment to the Amended and Restated Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Hoover entered into as of January 2, 2009 with respect to the Forward Small Cap Equity Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(7)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(8)

   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Netols Asset Management Inc. (“Netols”) dated as of July 1, 2005 with respect to the Forward Legato Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(10) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 29, 2005.

(d)(8)(a)

   Amendment to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Netols entered into as of January 2, 2009 with respect to the Forward Legato Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(10)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(9)

   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Riverbridge Partners, LLC (“Riverbridge”) dated as of July 1, 2005 with respect to the Forward Legato Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 29, 2005.

(d)(9)(a)

   Amendment to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Riverbridge entered into as of January 2, 2009 with respect to the Forward Legato Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(11)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(10)

   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Conestoga Capital Advisors, LLC (“Conestoga”) dated as of January 2, 2008 with respect to the Forward Legato Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on February 13, 2008.

(d)(10)(a)

   Amendment to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Conestoga entered into as of January 2, 2009 with respect to the Forward Legato Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(12)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(11)

   Amended and Restated Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Cedar Ridge Partners, LLC (“Cedar Ridge”) dated as of December 7, 2006 and amended and restated on November 14, 2007 with respect to the Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on December 26, 2007.

(d)(11)(a)

   Amendment to the Amended and Restated Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Cedar Ridge entered into as of January 2, 2009 with respect to the Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(13)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(12)

   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Pictet Asset Management SA (“Pictet SA”) dated October 5, 2007 with respect to the Forward International Fixed Income Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(17) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on October 12, 2007.

 

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(d)(12)(a)

   Amendment to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Pictet SA entered into as of January 2, 2009 with respect to the Forward International Fixed Income Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(15)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(13)

   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Broadmark Asset Management, LLC (“Broadmark”) with respect to the Forward Tactical Growth Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 11, 2009.

(d)(14)

   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Smith Asset Management Group, L.P. (“Smith”) dated September 1, 2008 with respect to the Forward Large Cap Growth Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(18) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 49 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on August 25, 2008.

(d)(14)(a)

   Amendment to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Smith entered into as of November 17, 2008 with respect to the Forward Large Cap Growth Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(16)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(15)

   Amended and Restated Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and First Western Capital Management Inc. (“First Western”) dated September 1, 2008 and amended and restated as of March 1, 2010 with respect to the Forward High Yield Bond Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 1, 2010.

(d)(16)

   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (“PIMCO”) dated September 1, 2008 with respect to the Forward Investment Grade Fixed-Income Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(20) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 49 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on August 25, 2008.

(d)(16)(a)

   Amendment to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and PIMCO entered into as of November 17, 2008 with respect to the Forward Investment Grade Fixed-Income Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(18)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(17)

   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Blackrock Financial Management, Inc. (“Blackrock”) dated September 1, 2008 with respect to the Forward Mortgage Securities Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(20) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(17)(a)

   Amendment to Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Blackrock entered into as of November 17, 2008 with respect to the Forward Mortgage Securities Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(20)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(18)

   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Acadian Asset Management LLC (“Acadian”) dated September 1, 2008 with respect to the Forward Large Cap Value Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(29) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on October 17, 2008.

(d)(18)(a)

   Amendment to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Acadian entered into as of November 17, 2008 with respect to the Forward Large Cap Value Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(23)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

 

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(d)(19)

   Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Lazard Asset Management LLC (“Lazard”) dated December 1, 2008, with respect to the Forward International Equity Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(24) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(d)(19)(a)

   Amendment to the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement among the Registrant, the Advisor and Lazard Asset Management LLC (“Lazard”) dated December 1, 2008, with respect to the Forward International Equity Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(24)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(e)(1)(a)

   Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ALPS Distributors”) dated as of September 30, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on October 27, 2005.

(e)(1)(b)

   Addendum to Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS Distributors dated as of April 9, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e)(1)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on July 16, 2007.

(e)(1)(c)

   Form of Addendum to Schedule A to the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS Distributors dated as of September 20, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e)(1)(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(f)

   None.

(g)(1)(a)

   Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH”) dated as of June 30, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(2)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 29, 2005.

(g)(1)(b)

   Form of Amended Appendix A to the Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and BBH, dated [    ], 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(1)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(h)(1)(a)

   Amended and Restated Fund Accounting and Administration Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”) made as of April 12, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(1)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2010.

(h)(1)(b)

   Form of Amendment to Appendix A to the Amended and Restated Fund Accounting and Administration Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”) made as of September 20, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(1)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(h)(2)(a)

   Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS made as of June 3, 2009 and effective June 15, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on July 1, 2009.

(h)(2)(b)

   Amendment to Schedule A-1, Schedule A-2 and Schedule B to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS made as of May 1, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 1, 2010.

(h)(2)(c)

   Form of Amendment to Schedule A-1 to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS made as of September 1, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 1, 2010.

 

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(h)(2)(d)

   Form of Amendment to Schedule A-2 to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS made as of September 20, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(2)(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(h)(3)(a)

   Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Interactive Client Services Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS made as of June 3, 2009 and effective June 15, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on July 1, 2009.

(h)(3)(b)

   Amendment to Schedule I-A and Schedule I-B to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Interactive Client Services Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS made as of May 1, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(3)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 1, 2010.

(h)(3)(c)

   Form of Amendment to Schedule I-B to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agent Interactive Client Services Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS made as of September 20, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(3)(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(h)(4)

   Transfer Agency Fee Reimbursement Agreement between the Advisor and Registrant with respect to the Forward Aggressive Growth Allocation Fund, Forward Balanced Allocation Fund, Forward Growth Allocation Fund, Forward Growth & Income Allocation Fund, Forward Income Allocation Fund, and Forward Income & Growth Allocation Fund (collectively the “Allocation Funds”) effective as of May 1, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2010.

(h)(5)

   Form of Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Plan for the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class M, Investor Class, Advisor Class and Institutional Class shares, as applicable, of each of the Forward Frontier MarketStrat Fund, Forward Strategic Alternatives Fund, Forward Growth Fund, Forward Banking and Finance Fund, Forward Emerging Markets Fund, Forward International Dividend Fund, Forward Small Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Small Companies Fund, Forward Legato Fund, Forward Real Estate Fund, Forward Large Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Fixed Income Fund, Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis Fund, Forward Select Income Fund, Forward Strategic Reality Fund, Forward Global Infrastructure Fund, Forward International Real Estate Fund, Forward HITR Fund, and Forward Tactical Growth Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(h)(6)(a)

   Amended Administrative Services Plan for Investor Class shares of each of the Forward Large Cap Growth Fund, Forward Large Cap Value Fund, Forward SMIDPlus Fund, Forward International Equity Fund, Forward Investment Grade Fixed-Income Fund, Forward Mortgage Securities Fund, Forward High Yield Bond Fund, Forward U.S. Government Money Fund, Forward Income Allocation Fund, Forward Income & Growth Allocation Fund, Forward Balanced Allocation Fund, Forward Growth & Income Allocation Fund, Forward Growth Allocation Fund, and Forward Aggressive Growth Allocation Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 28, 2010.

(h)(6)(b)

   Appendix A to the Amended Administrative Services Plan for Investor Class shares of each of the Forward Large Cap Growth Fund, Forward Large Cap Value Fund, Forward SMIDPlus Fund, Forward International Equity Fund, Forward Investment Grade Fixed-Income Fund, Forward Mortgage Securities Fund, Forward High Yield Bond Fund, Forward U.S. Government Money Fund, Forward Income Allocation Fund, Forward Income & Growth Allocation Fund, Forward Balanced Allocation Fund, Forward Growth & Income Allocation Fund, Forward Growth Allocation Fund, and Forward Aggressive Growth Allocation Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(h)(7)

   Administrative Services Plan for Institutional Class, Investor Class, Class A and Class C shares of the Forward U.S. Government Money Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(6)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 28, 2010.

 

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(h)(8)(a)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward International Dividend Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, Class A shares, and Class C shares) dated as of May 1, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2010.

(h)(8)(b)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Emerging Markets Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, and Class M shares) incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2010.

(h)(8)(c)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Legato Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, Class A shares, and Class C shares) dated as of May 1, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2010.

(h)(8)(d)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Large Cap Equity Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, Class A shares, and Class C shares) dated as of May 1, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2010.

(h)(8)(e)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward International Fixed Income Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, and Class C shares) dated as of May 1, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2010.

(h)(8)(f)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, Class C shares, and Class M shares) dated as of May 1, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(f) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2010.

(h)(8)(g)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis Fund (Class A shares) dated as of September 1, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(g) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 1, 2010.

(h)(8)(h)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Growth Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, Class A shares, and Class C shares) incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(g) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2010.

(h)(8)(i)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Real Estate Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, Class A shares, and Class C shares) dated as of May 1, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(k) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(h)(8)(j)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Strategic Realty Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, Class A shares, Class B shares, and Class C shares) dated as of June 12, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2010.

(h)(8)(k)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward International Real Estate Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, Class A shares, Class B shares, and Class C shares) dated as of June 12, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(m) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 11, 2009.

(h)(8)(l)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Global Infrastructure Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, Class A shares, Class B shares, and Class C shares) dated as of June 12, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(n) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 11, 2009.

 

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(h)(8)(m)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Global Infrastructure Fund (Class M shares) dated as of December 31, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(q) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on February 9, 2010.

(h)(8)(n)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Select Income Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, Class A shares, Class B shares, and Class C shares) dated as of June 12, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(o) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 11, 2009.

(h)(8)(o)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Select Income Fund (Class M shares) dated as of December 31, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(s) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on February 9, 2010.

(h)(8)(p)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Tactical Growth Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, and Class C shares) dated as of September 14, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(p) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 11, 2009.

(h)(8)(q)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Tactical Growth Fund (Class M shares) dated as of December 31, 2009, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(u) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on February 9, 2010.

(h)(8)(r)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Tactical Growth Fund (Class A shares) dated as of March 12, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(v) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on March 12, 2010.

(h)(8)(s)

   Expense Limitation Agreement for the Forward Mortgage Securities Fund (Investor Class shares, Institutional Class shares, Class C shares, and Class Z shares) dated as of September 1, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(8)(s) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on October 15, 2010.

(h)(8)(t)

   Advisory Fee Waiver Agreement between the Advisor and the Registrant with respect to the Allocation Funds effective as of May 1, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(7)(r) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2010.

(h)(9)(a)

   Amended and Restated Agreement for Rule 38a-1 Compliance Support Services Agreement (“Compliance Support Services Agreement”) between the Registrant and the Advisor dated as of September 1, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(8)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 1, 2010.

(h)(9)(b)

   Schedule to Amended and Restated Compliance Support Services Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(9)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(i)

   Legal Opinion of Dechert LLP as to legality of securities being registered, to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(j)(1)

   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, to be filed by subsequent amendment.

(j)(2)

   Powers of Attorney for Haig G. Mardikian, Donald O’Connor, and DeWitt F. Bowman, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (j) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on December 26, 2007.

(j)(3)

   Power of Attorney for Cecilia H. Herbert, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (j)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on December 30, 2009.

(k)

   Not Applicable.

 

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(l)

   Subscription Agreement between The HomeState Group and Forward Funds (formerly known as Emerald Mutual Funds), incorporated by reference to Exhibit (l)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on February 28, 2005.

(m)(1)

   Amended and Restated Distribution Services Agreement (Rule 12b-1 Plan) for Forward Growth Fund – Class A Shares, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(m)(2)

   Amended and Restated Distribution Services Agreement (Rule 12b-1 Plan) for Forward Banking and Finance Fund – Class A Shares, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(m)(3)(a)

   Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Investor Class shares of each of the Forward Frontier MarketStrat Fund, Forward Strategic Alternatives Fund, Forward Growth Fund, Forward Banking and Finance Fund, Forward Legato Fund, Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis Fund, Forward Emerging Markets Fund, Forward International Dividend Fund, Forward Small Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Small Companies Fund, Forward Real Estate Fund, Forward Large Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Fixed Income Fund, Forward HITR Fund, Forward Global Infrastructure Fund, Forward International Real Estate Fund, Forward Select Income Fund, Forward Strategic Realty Fund, and Forward Tactical Growth Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(m)(3)(b)

   Amended Appendix A to the Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Investor Class shares of each of the Forward Frontier MarketStrat Fund, Forward Strategic Alternatives Fund, Forward Growth Fund, Forward Banking and Finance Fund, Forward Legato Fund, Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis Fund, Forward Emerging Markets Fund, Forward International Dividend Fund, Forward Small Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Small Companies Fund, Forward Real Estate Fund, Forward Large Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Fixed Income Fund, Forward HITR Fund, Forward Global Infrastructure Fund, Forward International Real Estate Fund, Forward Select Income Fund, Forward Strategic Realty Fund, and Forward Tactical Growth Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(3)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(m)(4)(a)

   Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Class A shares of each of the Forward Frontier MarketStrat Fund, Forward Emerging Markets Fund, Forward International Dividend Fund, Forward Real Estate Fund, Forward Small Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Small Companies Fund, Forward Legato Fund, Forward Large Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Fixed Income Fund, Forward HITR Fund, Forward Global Infrastructure Fund, Forward International Real Estate Fund, Forward Select Income Fund, and Forward Strategic Realty Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(m)(4)(b)

   Amended Appendix A to the Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Class A shares of each of the Forward Frontier MarketStrat Fund, Forward Emerging Markets Fund, Forward International Dividend Fund, Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis Fund, Forward Real Estate Fund, Forward Small Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Small Companies Fund, Forward Legato Fund, Forward Large Cap Equity Fund, Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis Fund, Forward International Fixed Income Fund, Forward HITR Fund, Forward Global Infrastructure Fund, Forward International Real Estate Fund, Forward Select Income Fund, Forward Strategic Realty Fund, and Forward Tactical Growth Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(4)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(m)(5)(a)

   Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Class B shares of each of the Forward Global Infrastructure Fund, Forward International Real Estate Fund, Forward Select Income Fund, and Forward Strategic Realty Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 11, 2009.

 

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(m)(5)(b)

   Amended Appendix A to the Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Class B shares of each of the Forward Global Infrastructure Fund, Forward International Real Estate Fund, Forward Select Income Fund, and Forward Strategic Realty Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(5)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 11, 2009.

(m)(6)(a)

   Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Class C shares of each of the Forward Growth Fund, Forward Banking and Finance Fund, Forward Legato Fund, Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis Fund, Forward Emerging Markets Fund, Forward International Dividend Fund, Forward Small Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Small Companies Fund, Forward Real Estate Fund, Forward Large Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Fixed Income Fund, Forward Global Infrastructure Fund, Forward International Real Estate Fund, Forward Select Income Fund, Forward Strategic Realty Fund, and Forward Tactical Growth Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(m)(6)(b)

   Amended Appendix A to the Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Class C shares of each of Forward Growth Fund, Forward Banking and Finance Fund, Forward Legato Fund, Forward Long/Short Credit Analysis Fund, Forward Emerging Markets Fund, Forward International Dividend Fund, Forward Small Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Small Companies Fund, Forward Real Estate Fund, Forward Large Cap Equity Fund, Forward International Fixed Income Fund, Forward Global Infrastructure Fund, Forward International Real Estate Fund, Forward Select Income Fund, Forward Strategic Realty Fund, and Forward Tactical Growth Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(6)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 28, 2010.

(m)(7)(a)(1)

   Amended Distribution and Service Plan for Class A and Class C shares, as applicable, of each of the Forward Large Cap Growth Fund, Forward Large Cap Value Fund, Forward SMIDPlus Fund, Forward International Equity Fund, Forward Investment Grade Fixed-Income Fund, Forward Mortgage Securities Fund, Forward High Yield Bond Fund, Forward U.S. Government Money Fund, Forward Income Allocation Fund, Forward Income & Growth Allocation Fund, Forward Balanced Allocation Fund, Forward Growth & Income Allocation Fund, Forward Growth Allocation Fund, and Forward Aggressive Growth Allocation Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(7)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 28, 2010.

(m)(7)(a)(2)

   Amended Appendix A to the Amended Distribution and Service Plan for Class A and Class C shares, as applicable, of each of the Forward Large Cap Growth Fund, Forward Large Cap Value Fund, Forward SMIDPlus Fund, Forward International Equity Fund, Forward Investment Grade Fixed-Income Fund, Forward Mortgage Securities Fund, Forward High Yield Bond Fund, Forward U.S. Government Money Fund, Forward Income Allocation Fund, Forward Income & Growth Allocation Fund, Forward Balanced Allocation Fund, Forward Growth & Income Allocation Fund, Forward Growth Allocation Fund, and Forward Aggressive Growth Allocation Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(7)(a)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(m)(7)(b)(1)

   Distribution and Service Plan for Investor Class shares of each of the Forward Large Cap Growth Fund, Forward Large Cap Value Fund, Forward SMIDPlus Fund, Forward International Equity Fund, Forward Investment Grade Fixed-Income Fund, Forward Mortgage Securities Fund, Forward High Yield Bond Fund, Forward U.S. Government Money Fund, Forward Income Allocation Fund, Forward Income & Growth Allocation Fund, Forward Balanced Allocation Fund, Forward Growth & Income Allocation Fund, Forward Growth Allocation Fund, and Forward Aggressive Growth Allocation Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(7)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 28, 2010.

(m)(7)(b)(2)

   Appendix A to the Distribution and Service Plan for Investor Class shares of each of the Forward Large Cap Growth Fund, Forward Large Cap Value Fund, Forward SMIDPlus Fund, Forward International Equity Fund, Forward Investment Grade Fixed-Income Fund, Forward Mortgage Securities Fund, Forward High Yield Bond Fund, Forward U.S. Government Money Fund, Forward Income Allocation Fund, Forward Income & Growth Allocation Fund, Forward Balanced Allocation Fund, Forward Growth & Income Allocation Fund, Forward Growth Allocation Fund, and Forward Aggressive Growth Allocation Fund, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(7)(b)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

 

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(n)

   Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 (as amended), incorporated by reference to Exhibit (n) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 20, 2010.

(o)

   Not applicable.

(p)(1)

   Registrant’s Code of Ethics, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on May 1, 2006.

(p)(2)

   Code of Ethics of the Advisor, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 28, 2010.

(p)(3)

   Code of Ethics of Pictet Ltd. and Pictet Asset Management SA, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 1, 2010.

(p)(4)

   Amended Code of Ethics of Hoover, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 1, 2010.

(p)(5)

   Code of Ethics of Conestoga incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 29, 2005.

(p)(6)

   Amended Code of Ethics of Netols, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on July 16, 2007.

(p)(7)

   Code of Ethics of Riverbridge, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 28, 2010.

(p)(8)

   Amended Code of Ethics of EMFAT, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on December 27, 2006.

(p)(9)

   Code of Ethics of ALPS Distributors, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on June 28, 2010.

(p)(10)

   Code of Ethics of Cedar Ridge, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(12) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on December 27, 2006.

(p)(11)

   Code of Ethics of Smith, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(11) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on March 12, 2010.

(p)(12)

   Code of Ethics of First Western, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(12) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 1, 2010.

(p)(13)

   Code of Ethics of PIMCO, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(14) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 11, 2009.

(p)(14)

   Code of Ethics of Blackrock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(17) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 49 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on August 25, 2008.

(p)(15)

   Code of Ethics of Acadian, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(19) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 49 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on August 25, 2008.

(p)(16)

   Code of Ethics of Lazard, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(21) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on April 30, 2009.

(p)(17)

   Code of Ethics of Broadmark, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(21) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to this Registration Statement filed with the Commission on September 11, 2009.

 

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ITEM 29. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE FUNDS.

Registrant is controlled by its Board of Trustees. Certain of Registrant’s trustees serve on the board of directors/trustees of certain other registered investment companies. (See “Management of the Funds – Board of Trustees” in Part B hereof.)

 

ITEM 30. INDEMNIFICATION

The Registrant’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (“Declaration of Trust”), filed as Exhibit (a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to this Registration Statement, and Amended and Restated By-Laws, filed as Exhibit (b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to this Registration Statement, provide among other things, that current and former trustees and officers who were or are a party, or are threatened to be made a party, to any proceeding or claim by reason of the fact that such person is or was a Trustee or officer of the Registrant, shall be indemnified against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such proceeding, if it is determined that such person acted in good faith and reasonably believed: (a) that his conduct was in the Registrant’s best interests and (b) in the case of a criminal proceeding, that he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; provided that, the trustees and officers of the Registrant shall not be entitled to indemnification or held harmless if such liabilities were a result of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office, or in respect of any claim or proceeding as to which such person shall have been adjudicated by a court or other competent body to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by him, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken in the person’s official capacity.

The Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and ALPS Distributors, filed as Exhibit (e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to this Registration Statement, provides for indemnification of ALPS Distributors, its officers and directors and any person who controls ALPS Distributors.

The Registrant has in effect a directors’ and officers’ liability policy covering specific types of errors and omissions.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to such provisions of the Declaration of Trust, Underwriting Agreement, or statutes or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in said Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any such action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the shares of the Registrant, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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ITEM 31. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISORS

Forward Management performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The directors and officers of Forward Management and their other business affiliations for the past two fiscal years are:

 

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of other Business

Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement, Description of
Business

J. Alan Reid, Jr., Chief Executive Officer   

ReFlow Management Co., LLC

433 California Street

Suite 1100

San Francisco, CA 94104

   August 2001 to present    Chief Executive Officer and Director, investment services company
  

ReFlow Fund

433 California Street

Suite 1100

San Francisco, CA 94104

   2001 to present    Chief Executive Officer and Director, investment services company
  

Sutton Place Management

433 California Street

Suite 1100

San Francisco, CA 94104

   2001 to present    Chief Executive Officer, investment management company
  

Sutton Place Associates, LLC

433 California Street

Suite 1100

San Francisco, CA 94104

   2001 to present    Chief Executive Officer, investment services company
  

FISCOP, LLC

433 California Street, Suite 1010

San Francisco CA 94104

   2001 to present    Chief Executive Officer
   Broderick Management, LLC    2001 to present    Chief Executive Officer, investment management company
  

FOLIOfn, Inc.

8000 Towers Crescent Drive

Suite 1500

Vienna, VA 22182

   2002 to present    Director, financial services company
Mary Curran, Chief Legal Officer   

ReFlow Management Co., LLC

433 California Street

Suite 1100

San Francisco, CA 94104

   June 2004 to present    Secretary, investment services company
Judith M. Rosenberg, Chief Compliance Officer    None      
Gordon P. Getty, Chairman of the Board   

ReFlow Management Co., LLC

433 California Street

Suite 1100

San Francisco, CA 94104

   August 2001 to present    Chairman of the Board, investment services company
Jeffrey P. Cusack, President   

Rex

101 California Street, Suite 1950

San Francisco, CA 94111

   October 2005 to present    Managing Director, real estate finance company
James J. Halligan, Director   

ReFlow Management Co., LLC

433 California Street

Suite 1100

San Francisco, CA 94104

   August 2001 to present    Director, investment services company
William A. Prezant, Director   

Prezant & Mollath

Attorneys at Law

6560 SW McCarran Blvd.

Reno, NV 89509

   1988 to present    Self-employed, law practice

 

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Name and Title

  

Name and Address of other Business

Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement, Description of
Business

  

Torrey International Strategy Partners

505 Park Avenue

5th Fl.

New York, NY 10022

   November 2002 to present    Manager (Director), registered investment company
  

Torrey US Strategy Partners

505 Park Avenue

5th Fl.

New York, NY 10022

   September 2002 to present    Manager (Director), registered investment company
  

Strategic Hotels & Resorts

777 West Wacker, Suite 4600

Chicago, IL 60601

   March 2006 to present    Director, Real Estate Investment Fund
  

MacGregor Golf Company

1000 Pecan Grove Drive

Albany, GA 31701

   December 2006 – present    Director, golf equipment and apparel company
Toby Rosenblatt, Director   

Founders Investments Ltd.

3409 Pacific Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94118

   1999 to present    President, private investment company
  

BlackRock Equity Liquidity Funds

40 E. 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

   March 2005 to present    Director (independent), mutual funds
  

A.P. Pharma

123 Saginaw Drive

Redwood City, CA 94063

   1983 to present    Director, specialty pharmaceuticals company
  

Pharin Pharmaceuticals

123 Saginaw Drive

Redwood City, CA 94063

   1993 to present    Director, specialty pharmaceuticals company
Thomas E. Woodhouse, Director   

Minerva Office Management, Inc.

1325 Airmotive Way

Suite 340

Reno, Nevada 89502

   January 2002 to present    Trust Administrator, President; trust administration company
  

Vallejo Investments, Inc.

One Embarcadero Center

Suite 1050

San Francisco, CA 94111

   January 2002 to present    CEO, family office
  

ReFlow Management Co., LLC

433 California Street

Suite 1100

San Francisco, CA 94104

   August 2001 to present    Director, investment services company
David H. Chow, Director   

Torch Hill Investment Partners LLC

655 15th St. NW, Ste. 810

Washington, DC 20005

   July 2007 to present    Vice-Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, private equity investment firm
  

DanCourt Management LLC

1771 Post Road East, Suite 178

Westport, CT 06880

   April 1999 to present    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, strategy/management consulting firm
  

Van Eck Market Vectors ETF Trust

99 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10016

   May 2006 to present    Chairman of the Board of Trustees, exchange-traded fund complex

James O’Donnell,

Chief Investment Officer

   None      
Norman Mains, Chief Risk Officer   

Greystone Research, Morgan Stanley

440 S. LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60605

   2001 to March 2009    Chief Investment Officer, Executive Director, financial services company

 

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EMFAT performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The trustees and officers of EMFAT and their other business affiliations for the past two fiscal years are:

 

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of Other Business

Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of Engagement,
Description of Business

Kenneth Mertz

President, CIO

Portfolio Manager

  

Emerald Advisers

1703 Oregon Pike

Lancaster, PA 17601

   Since January 1, 1992    President, Portfolio Manager, Investment Adviser

Edward Pohl, CFO

Treasurer

  

Emerald Advisers

1703 Oregon Pike

Lancaster, PA 17601

   Since June 1, 2001    Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Investment Adviser
  

Emerald Fixed Income Advisers

1703 Oregon Pike

Lancaster, PA 17601

   Since February 1, 2006    Managing Director, Investment Adviser

Daniel Moyer

Executive Vice President

  

Emerald Advisers

1703 Oregon Pike

Lancaster, PA 17601

   Since October 1, 1992    Executive Vice President, Managing Director, Investment Adviser
  

Emerald Separate Account Management

1703 Oregon Pike

Lancaster, PA 17601

   Since August 7, 2009    Managing Director, Investment Adviser

James Meehan

Chief Compliance Officer

  

Emerald Advisers

1703 Oregon Pike

Lancaster, PA 17601

   Since May 1, 1999    Chief Compliance Officer, Investment Adviser
  

Emerald Separate Account Management

1703 Oregon Pike

Lancaster, PA 17601

   Since August 7, 2009    Chief Compliance Officer, Investment Adviser
  

Emerald Fixed Income Advisers

1703 Oregon Pike

Lancaster, PA 17601

   Since February 1, 2006    Chief Compliance Officer, Investment Adviser
Stacy Sears   

Emerald Advisers

1703 Oregon Pike

Lancaster, PA 17601

   Since October 1, 1992    Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Investment Adviser

 

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Pictet Asset Management Limited performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The directors and officers of Pictet Asset Management Limited and their other business affiliations for the past two fiscal year are:

 

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of Other Business

Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of Engagement,
Description of Business

Rod Hearn   

Pictet (London) Ltd

Pictet Administration Services Ltd

Pictet Asset Management Ltd

 

Worldwide SICAV

1, Boulevard Royal

L-2449 LUXEMBOURG

 

Al Dar Islamic Fund, SICAV

1, Boulevard Royal

L-2449 LUXEMBOURG

   ongoing    Director
Nicholas Johnson    Pictet Asset Management Ltd    ongoing    Director
  

NPJ Asset Management LLP

11-12 Tokenhouse Yard

London, EC2R 7AS

 

Global Opportunities Fund

Global Opportunities Master Fund

Management Cayman Ltd

   Since May 8, 2007    Director
Rolf Banz    Pictet Asset Management SA    ongoing    Director
Gavin Sharpe   

Pictet (London) Ltd

Pictet Administration Services Ltd

Pictet Asset Management SA

Pictet Asset Management Ltd

Pictet Investment Company Limited

   ongoing    Chief Financial Officer and Director
Renaud De Planta   

Pictet & Cie

Pictet Asset Management SA

Pictet Asset Management Ltd

Pictet Canada L.P.

Pictet Holding LLP

   ongoing    Chief Executive Officer, Director
David Cawthrow   

Pictet Asset Management SA

Pictet Asset Management Ltd

Pictet Investment Company Limited

   Since June 27, 2005    Chief Compliance Officer
Christoph Lanter   

Pictet Asset Management SA

 

Pictet Asset Management Ltd

   ongoing   

Head of Business Development and Client Relations.

Director

Richard Heelis    Pictet Asset Management Ltd    ongoing    Head of Equities, Director
Sebastien Eisinger   

Pictet Asset Management SA

Pictet Asset Management Ltd

  

Since

September 1, 2007

  

Head of Fixed Income

Director

Olivier Ginguene   

Pictet Asset Management SA

Pictet Asset Management Ltd

   Since August 2005   

Head of Quantitative Investment

Director

 

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Pictet Asset Management SA performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The directors and officers of Pictet Asset Management SA and their other business affiliations for the past two fiscal year are:

 

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of Other Business
Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of Engagement,
Description of Business

Rolf Banz   

Pictet Asset Management SA

Pictet Asset Management Ltd

   ongoing   

Director

Chief Investment Architect and Product Manager

Gavin Sharpe   

Pictet (London) Ltd

Pictet Administration Services Ltd

Pictet Asset Management SA

Pictet Asset Management Ltd

Pictet Investment Company Limited

   ongoing    Director and Chief Financial Officer
Renaud De Planta   

Pictet & Cie

Pictet Asset Management SA

Pictet Asset Management Ltd

Pictet Canada L.P.

Pictet Holding LLP

   ongoing    Partner, Chief Executive Officer and Director
David Cawthrow   

Pictet Asset Management SA

Pictet Asset Management Ltd

Pictet Investment Company Limited

   Since June 27, 2005    Chief Compliance Officer
Marc Tonnerre    Pictet Asset Management SA    ongoing    Head of Compliance (Geneva)

Hoover performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The directors and officers of Hoover and their business affiliations for the past two fiscal years are:

 

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of Other Business
Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of Engagement,
Description of Business

Irene G. Hoover, CFA; Managing Member and Chief Investment Officer    None      
Beverly Hoffmann, CFO and CCO    None      
Stephen J. Cullen, Director of Market Analysis and Equity Trading    None      
Nancy R. Rimington, Director of Client Service and Marketing    None      
David Schneider, Associate Portfolio Manager and Senior Analyst    None      
Jane M. Hecht, Director of Operations    None      

Netols Asset Management, Inc. performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The directors and officers of Netols Asset Management, Inc. and their business affiliations for the past two fiscal years are:

 

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of Other Business
Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of Engagement,
Description of Business

Jeffrey W. Netols

President and Portfolio Management

   None      

 

17


Table of Contents

 

Riverbridge Partners, LLC performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The partners of Riverbridge Partners, LLC and their business affiliations for the past two fiscal years are:

 

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of Other Business
Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of Engagement,
Description of Business

Mark Thompson

Principal

   None      

Rick Moulton

Principal

   None      

John Peyton

Principal

   None      

Robert Hensel

Principal

   None      

Philip Dobrzynski

Principal

   None      

Andrew Turner

Principal

   None      

Dana Feick

Principal

   None      

Conestoga Capital Advisors, LLC performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The directors and officers of Conestoga Capital Advisors, LLC and their business affiliations for the past two fiscal years are:

 

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of Other Business
Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of Engagement,
Description of Business

William C. Martindale, Jr.

Managing Partner

  

Adondo Corporation

353 W. Lancaster Ave., Suite 120

Wayne, PA 19087

   Since November 2009   

Member, Board of Directors

Telephonic Technology and Quantitative Investment Strategy

Robert M. Mitchell

Managing Partner

   None      

Duane R. D’Orazio

Managing Partner

   None      

Mark S. Clewett, CFA

Managing Partner

   None      

 

18


Table of Contents

 

Cedar Ridge Partners, LLC performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The partners of Cedar Ridge and their other business affiliations for the past two fiscal years are:

 

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of Other Business
Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of Engagement,
Description of Business

Alan E. Hart, Managing Partner    None      
Guy J. Benstead, Partner    None      
Jeffery M. Hudson, Partner    None      

Broadmark performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The trustees and officers of Broadmark and their other business affiliations for the past two fiscal years are:

 

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of Other Business
Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of Engagement,
Description of Business

Daniel J. Barnett

Chairman

  

Revere Capital Advisors, LLC

12 East 52nd Street, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10022

   06/2007 to present   

CEO

Hedge Fund Platform

  

Revere Securities Corp.

12 East 52nd Street, 6th Floor

New York, NY 10022

   05/2009 to present   

Chairman and Director

Broker Dealer

  

Revere Securities Corp.

12 East 52nd Street, 6th Floor

New York, NY 10022

   06/2009 to present   

Registered Rep

Broker Dealer

  

Jesup & Lamont Securities Corp.

650 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

   01/2007 to 12/2008   

Registered Rep

Broker Dealer

  

Broadmark Long/Short Equity Fund, Ltd

c/o ISIS Fund Services Ltd.

Penboss Building

50 Parliament Street

Hamilton HM 12

Bermuda

   01/2007 to present   

Director

Offshore Hedge Fund

  

Broadmark Value Hedged Offshore Fund, Ltd

c/o ISIS Fund Services Ltd.

Penboss Building

50 Parliament Street

Hamilton HM 12

Bermuda

   01/2007 to present   

Director

Offshore Hedge Fund

Christopher J. Guptill

CEO and Chief Investment Officer

  

Revere Capital Advisors, LLC

12 East 52nd Street, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10022

   03/2009 to present    Passive ownership in Hedge Fund Platform

Jerome Crown

CFO

  

Revere Capital Advisors LLC

12 East 52nd Street, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10022

   06/2007 to present   

CFO and Director

Hedge Fund Platform

  

Revere Securities Corp.

12 East 52nd Street, 6th Floor

New York, NY 10022

   5/2009 to
present
  

CFO and Director

Broker Dealer

Laura A. Hespe

Chief Operating Officer

  

Revere Capital Advisors, LLC

12 East 52nd Street, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10022

   03/2009 to present    Passive ownership in Hedge Fund Platform
  

Jesup & Lamont Securities Corp.

650 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10019

   6/2006 to 12/2008   

Registered Rep

Broker Dealer

 

19


Table of Contents

 

Smith Asset Management, L.P. performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The directors, officers or partners of Smith and their other business affiliations for the past two fiscal years are:

 

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of Other Business

Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of Engagement,
Description of Business

Stephen S. Smith, Founder
& Chief Executive Officer
   None      
John D. Brim, CCO    None      
Travis J. Briggs, Director of Marketing    None      
Royce W. Medlin, Senior Portfolio Manager    None      

First Western Capital Management Inc. performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The directors and officers of First Western and their other business affiliations for the past two fiscal years are:

 

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of Other Business

Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of Engagement,
Description of Business

Warren J. Olsen   

First Western Financial, Inc.

1200 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2650

Denver, CO 80202

   Ongoing    Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Scott C. Wylie   

First Western Financial, Inc.

1200 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2650

Denver, CO 80202

   Ongoing    Vice Chairman of the Board
Russ Matthews    None    April 2010    President
Ryan C. Tigg   

First Western Financial, Inc.

1200 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2650

Denver, CO 80202

   Ongoing    CFO and Treasurer
Lené Simnioniw   

First Western Financial, Inc.

1200 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2650

Denver, CO 80202

   Ongoing    Secretary
Kenneth Malamed    None    April 2010    Chief Investment Officer
Karen Garcia   

First Western Financial, Inc.

1200 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2650

Denver, CO 80202

   Ongoing    Chief Compliance Officer

 

20


Table of Contents

 

Pacific Investment Management Company LLC performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The directors, officers and partners of PIMCO and their other business affiliations for the past two fiscal years are:

 

Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Arnold, Tammie J.    Head, Global Retail Distr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Baker, Brian P.    Account Manager    PIMCO Hong Kong    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Balls, Andrew Thomas    Head, Euro Portfolio Mgmt    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Benz II,William R.   

Head of PIMCO

EMEA

   PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Bhansali,Vineer    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Callin, Sabrina C.    StocksPLUS Product Mgr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Cupps, Wendy W.    Head, Product Management    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Dawson, Craig A.    Head, Prod Mgmt-Europe    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Dialynas, Chris P.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
El-Erian, Mohamed A.    CEO & Co-CIO    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Flattum, David C.    General Counsel    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Gross, William H.    Founder, CIO-Sr Port Mgr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Harris, Brent Richard       Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Hodge, Douglas M.    Director, Asia Pacific    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Holden, Brent L.    Co-Hd of US Acct Mgmt    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Ivascyn, Daniel J.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Jacobs IV, Lew W.    Head of Talent Management    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director

 

21


Table of Contents

Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Kiesel, Mark R.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Lown, David C.    Technology & Operations    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Mather, Scott A.    Head, PM Global Desk    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
McCulley, Paul A.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
McDevitt, Joseph V.    Head, PIMCO Europe    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Mewbourne, Curtis A.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Muzzy, James Frederic    Founder, Head, Bus Dev US    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Otterbein, Thomas J.    Co-Hd of US Acct Mgmt    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Powers, William C.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Ravano, Emanuele       PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Schmider, Ernest L.    Head of Funds Admin    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Short, Jonathan D.    Head, Inst Bus Dev    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Simon, W Scott    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Takano, Makoto    President of PIMCO Japan    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Weil, Richard M.    Chief Operating Officer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Worah, Mihir P.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director
Zhu, Changhong    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Managing Director

 

22


Table of Contents

Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Amey, Mike    Portfolio Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Anderson, Joshua M.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Andrews, David S.    Credit Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Beaumont, Stephen B.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Bishop, Gregory A.    Financial Inter Group    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Blau, Volker    Head Insurance    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Bodereau, Philippe    Credit Analyst    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Bosomworth, Andrew    Head Munich Port Mgmt    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Bridwell, Jennifer S    Mortgage Product Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Brittain, WH Bruce    Structured Product Mgr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Clarida, Richard H    Global Strategic Advisor    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Conseil, Cyrille R.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Cummings, John B.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Dada, Suhail H.    Head, Middle East Bus Dev    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Davies, Mark John    Global Head, Risk Mgmt    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
De Leon, William G.    EVP, Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Devlin, Edward    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Durham, Jennifer E.    Chief Compliance Officer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP

 

23


Table of Contents

Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Fisher III, David N.    Global Product Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Foong, Hock Meng    Acct Mgr / Office Head    PIMCO Asia Pte Ltd    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Fournier, Joseph A.    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Fuhrmann, Dorothee J.    Product Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Fluor III, Richard F.    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Gleason, George Steven    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Gomez, Michael A.    Emerging Market Port Mgr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Graham, Stuart Thomson    Head, PIMCO Canada    PIMCO Canada    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Greer, Robert J.    Real Return Product Mgr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Hally, Gordon C.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Hardaway, John P.    Mgr, Mut Funds Operations    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Harumi, Kazunori    Client Svcs - Pension    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Holloway Jr., Dwight F.    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Hudoff, Mark T.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
King, Stephanie Lorraine    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Lehavi, Yanay    Senior Developer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Lettich, Bruno Joseph    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Louanges, Matthieu    Head, Port. Business Mgmt    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP

 

24


Table of Contents

Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Masanao, Tomoya    Portfolio Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
McCray, Mark V.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Mead, Robert    Portfolio Manager    PIMCO Australia Pty. Ltd.    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Miller, John M.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Millimet, Scott A.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Minaki, Haruki    Head Legal, Japan    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Mogelof, Eric J.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Monson, Kristen S.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Moore, James F.    Product Mgr, Pension Spec    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Morena, Robert    Head, Inst Bus Dev NY    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Murata, Alfred T.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Okun, Eric Alan    Senior Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Ong, Arthur Y.D.    Attorney    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Ongaro, Douglas J.    Head, Fin Inter Group    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Osses, Guillermo Ariel    Emerging Market Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Ozeki, Koyo    Hd, Asian Credit Research    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Parikh, Saumil H.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Park, Jung    Business Development    PIMCO Hong Kong    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP

 

25


Table of Contents

Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Paulson, Bradley W.    Head Global Legal/Compl.    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Philipp, Elizabeth M.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Porterfield, Mark J.    Media & Public Relations    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Posch, Brigitte    Portfolio Manager, EM    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Rodosky, Stephen A.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Ruthen, Seth R.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Sargent, Jeffrey M.    Chief Admin. Officer EMEA    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Schneider, Jerome M    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Spajic, Luke Drago    Head - Pan Euro Credit PM    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Stracke,Thibault C.    Co-Head - Credit Research    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Streiff, Thomas F.    Product Mgr, Retirement    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Strelow, Peter G    Mgr, Mutual Funds Admin    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Taborsky, Mark A.    Product Manager, AA    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Tarman, Daniel I    Head of Mktg Communctns    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Toloui-Tehrani, Ramin    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Tournier, Eve Anne Celine    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Tyson, Richard E.    Senior Operations Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
van Heel, Marc    Head, Bus Dev NLD/BEL    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP

 

26


Table of Contents

Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Ward, Jim    Head of Human Resources    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Wilson, John F.    Head, Bus Dev Australia    PIMCO Australia Pty. Ltd.    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Wilson, Susan L.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Witt, Frank    Head, Bus Dev DEU/AUT    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Wood, George H.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Young, Robert O.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Yu, Cheng-Yuan    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Executive VP
Afrasiabi, Mark Saied    Credit Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Ahto, Laura A.    Head-Ops,Admin,Euro Funds    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Anctil, Stacie D.    Pricing Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Arora, Amit    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Baburek, Daniel    Portfolio Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Beck, Lee Davison    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Berman, Scott Michael    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Berndt, Andreas    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Blair, David James    Credit Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Blomenkamp, Felix    Head ABS    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Blute, Ryan Patrick    Product Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President

 

27


Table of Contents

Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Bradshaw, Myles Emmerson Charles    Portfolio Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Broadwater, Kevin M.    Attorney    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Brown, Erik C.    Tax Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Bui, Giang H.    Structured Credit Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Burns, Michael A.    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Carnachan, Robert Scott    Asia Ex-Jpn Legal Counsel    PIMCO Hong Kong    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Cavalieri, John R.    Product Mgr, Real Return    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Chen, Wing-Harn    Credit Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Colter Jr., Eugene Maynard    Head, Messaging & Content    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Cressy, Jonathan B.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Damodaran, Kumaran K    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Darling, James    Account Manager    PIMCO Canada    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Dorff, David J.    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Dorrian, Peter G.    Head, Remarketing    PIMCO Australia Pty. Ltd.    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Eedes, Linda    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Emons, Ben    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Feeny, Martin E.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Ferber, Steven Ellis    DC Channel, Business Dev.    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President

 

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Fields, Robert A.    Muni Product Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Fisher, Marcellus M.    Manager, Trade Support    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Foxall, Julian    Portfolio Manager    PIMCO Australia Pty. Ltd.    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Frisch, Ursula T.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Gandolfi, Alessandro    Head, Bus Dev Italy    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Garbuzov, Yuri P.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Getter, Christopher T.    Product Manager, EM    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Giurlani, Gian Luca    European Re-Marketing    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Grabar, Gregory S.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Griffiths, John Lawrence    Head of Business Dev - UK    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Gross, Jared B.    Product Manager, LDI    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Gupta, Sachin    Portfolio Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Gupta, Shailesh    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Hasegawa, Tamotsu    Account Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Hastings, Arthur J.    Compliance Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Hayes, Ray C.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Heimann, Ilan    Product Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Helsing, Jeffrey    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President

 

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Description of

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Horne, Jonathan Lane    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Hu, Gang    Portfolio Manager, TIPS    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Hughes, Mark Alan    Credit Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Hyman, Daniel Herbert    Portfolio Mgr, ABS-MBS    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Jann, Juergen    Co-Head Munich Gbl Desk    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Johnson, Nicholas J    Commodity Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Katz, Ulrich    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Keck, Andreas    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Kelly, Benjamin Marcus    Account Manager    PIMCO Australia Pty. Ltd.    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
King Jr., John Stephen    Attorney    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Kirkbaumer, Steven P.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Komatsu, Mitsuaki    Head of Compliance    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Korinke, Kimberley Grace    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Korinke, Ryan Patrick    Product Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Kressin, Thomas    Co-Head Munich Gbl Desk    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Kuhner, Kevin D.    Institutional Direct Mktr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Lackey, Warren M.    Director, Communications    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Larsen, Henrik P.    Mgr Fund Administration    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President

 

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Title, Capacity of
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Description of

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LeBrun Jr., Richard R.    Attorney    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Li, Ji    MBS/ABS Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Lian, Chia Liang    EM Portfolio Manager    PIMCO Asia Pte Ltd    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Linke, Gordon F.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Loh, John J.    Mgr, Risk Operations    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Lopez, Rafael A.    Head Operations, AsiaPac    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Ludwig, Steven Charles    Senior Compliance Officer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Mak, Richard    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Martel, Rene    Product Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Martin, Scott W.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Meggers, Julie Ann    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Meyn, Cynthia Louise    Senior Operations Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Miller Jr., Kendall P.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Milo, Davida J.    CRM Platform Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Mitchell, Gail    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Mukherji, Raja    Credit Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Mulcahy, Matthew J.    Portfolio Manager    PIMCO Australia Pty. Ltd.    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Nambimadom, Ramakrishnan S.    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President

 

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Title, Capacity of
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Description of

Business

Nest, Matthew J.    Account Manager    PIMCO Hong Kong    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Nicholls, Steven B.    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Nieves, Roger O.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
O’Connell, Gillian    Manager of Operations    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Okamura, Shigeki    Account Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Osborne, Simon Timothy    Trade Compliance    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Pagani, Lorenzo P.    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Perez, Keith    Senior Developer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Phillipson, Daniel    Product Manager    PELM    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Pimentel, Rudolph    Product Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Pittman, David J.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Potthof, Axel    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Prasad, Krishna    Product Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Putyatin, Vladyslav    Portfolio Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Qu, Wendong    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Reimer, Ronald M.    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Reisz, Paul W.    ST/Stable Value Prod Mgr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Repoulis, Yiannis    Account Manager    PELM    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President

 

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Description of

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Rice, Thomas Edmund    European Legal Counsel    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Rollins, Melody    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Romano, Mark A.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Schaus, Stacy Leigh    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Schulist, Stephen O.    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Schwetz, Myckola    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Sejima, Toru    Acct Mgr, Clnt Svcs-Pens    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Senne, Verena    L&C Officer    PELM    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Shaw, Matthew D.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Skobtsov, Ivan    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Smith, Kenton Todd    ABS/MBS Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Sonner, Michael    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Spalding, Scott M.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Springer, Jeffrey    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Stack, Candice Elizabeth    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Staub, Christian Martin    Head, PIMCO Switzerland    PIMCO Switzerland LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Steele, Scott Patrick    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Strauch, Joel Edward    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President

 

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Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Theodore, Kyle J.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Thompson, Michael Frazier    Co-Head, Euro Remarketing    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Thurston, Powell C.    Structured Product Mgr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Trevithick, Natalie    Invest Grade Corp Trader    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Tsubota, Shiro    Client Servicing    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Vallarta-Jordal, Maria-Theresa F.    Attorney    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
van Akkeren, Marco    Portfolio Manager ABS-MBS    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
van Bezooijen, Jeroen Teunis Steven    Product Manager, LDI    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
van Zoelen, Henk Jan    Account Mgr    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Viana, David    Int’l Compliance Officer    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Wada, Hiromi    Account Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Walker, Trent W.    Financial Reporting Mgr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Watchorn, Michael C.    Credit Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
White, Timothy C.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Whitton, Bransby M.    Account Manager    PIMCO Asia Pte Ltd    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Wild, Christian    Credit Research Analyst    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Wilner, Mitchell W.    High Yield Trader    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President
Yamamoto, Shinichi    Account Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Sr. Vice President

 

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Principal Business

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Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Abdikeev, Tamerlan    Manager, Bus Dev    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Adatia, Tina    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Agredano, Carlos    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Akerberg, Oskar    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Allamanis, Georgios    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Althof, Michael    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Ananthanarayanan, Mangala V    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Anochie, Kwame A.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Asay, Susan    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Avancini, Joerg    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Bansal, Sharad    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Barnes, Donna E.    FINRA Prin & Compl Mgr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Beard, Christopher    Manager, Compliance    PIMCO Australia Pty. Ltd.    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Benson, Sandra M.    Sr. Corporate Paralegal    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Ben-Zvi, Kfir Naftali    Portfolio Pricing Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Bertolo, Matteo    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Bierman, Dave H.    Software Developer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Boehm, Timo    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Bolton, Laurence Edwin    Attorney    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Boyd, C Robert    Senior Structure Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Brandl, Michael    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Brenner, Matthew H.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Brons, Jelle    Trading Associate    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Brune, Christopher P.    Risk Oversight Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Burdian, Michael R.    Port Assoc, Collateral    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Burns, Robert    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Byer, Jeffrey Alan    Fund Development    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Caltagirone, Christopher    Product Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Cantrill, Elizabeth Davis    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Cheng, Audrey Lee    Attorney    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Chin, Tracy    Credit Analyst    PIMCO Australia Pty. Ltd.    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Chipp, William    Global Service Liaison    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Chopra, Amit    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Clark, Raymond Matthew    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Clarke, James Robert    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Colasuonno, Richard T.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Cooke, Anthony H.    Software Developer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Cornelius, Darryl Paul    Product Specialist    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Cortes Gonzalez, Ana    Portfolio Manager, ABS    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Cumby III, William Sylvester    Portfolio Manager ABS-MBS    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Dahlhoff, Juergen    Credit Research Analyst    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Danielsen, Birgitte    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Das, Aniruddha    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
David, Evan Allen    Software Development Mgr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
De Bellis, Mary    Dom Trade Asst Supervisor    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
De Lorenzo, Nicola A.    Business Mgt Associate    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Dilek, Burcin    Head Trade Support    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Dittrich, Hanno    Head of ACE Compliance    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Dombrovsky, Anton    Product Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Dorsten, Matthew P.    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Dugan, Travis J.    Money Market Specialist    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Dutta, Manish    Senior Software Developer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Edler, Vernon    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Edwards, Ben Matthew    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Connections

  

Principal Business

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Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
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Description of

Business

Ellis, Edward L.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Eltz, Antoinette    Product Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
England, Jason S.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Estep, Bret W.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Evans, Stefanie D.    Sr Mortgage Credit Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Fan, Derek Chung Lee    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Fends, Melissa A.    Contracts Admin Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Finkenzeller, Thomas    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Forsyth, Andrew C.    Head, Bus Dev Canada    PIMCO Canada    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Fowler, Ellen    Executive Assistant    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Froehlich, Frank    Compliance Officer    PELM    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Furusho, Hiroaki    Account Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Galli, Leandro Jose    Trading Associate    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Garnett, Andrew David    Regulatory Compliance Mgr    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Ghosh, Sharad    Account Manager    PIMCO Asia Pte Ltd    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Gibson, Thomas C.    AIMR Compl Audit Spec    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Gingrich, Robert M    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Gould, Linda J    Fee Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Grady, Myrrha H.    Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Graves, Zoya Schoenholtz    Global Strategic Mktg&Ad    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Gruben, Kristin Lynn    Compliance Officer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Grzesik, Marco    Head, Bus Dev France    PELM    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Gu, Haidi    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Haaf, Tim    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Haeckl, Tanja    VP, Head Cash Desk    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Hagmeier, William Robert    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Hauschild, Matthew Richard    Senior Developer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Heravi, Kaveh Christian    Technology Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Herlan, Hans Joerg    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

Hockswender III,

Thomas R.

   Senior Developer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Hsiang, Hwa-Ming    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Ing, Terrence Liu    Credit Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Jacobs, Brian Harold    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Jelenz King, Silvia    Financial Writer    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Johnson, Eric D    Mutual Fund Admin    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Johnson, Kelly    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Jones, Jeff    Learning/Ldrshp Dvlpment    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Jones, Steven L.    Product Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Jordan, Daniel V.    Fin Business Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Kakuchi, Tadashi    Portfolio Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Kam, Damien Joseph    Senior Software Developer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Karpov, Natalie    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Kavafyan, Constance    Acct Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Kellerhals, Philipp    Head Quant Strategies    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Kersman, Alec    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Kezelman, Jason M.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Kim, Aaron Hyun    Derivatives Attorney    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Kim, Lisa    Product Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Kingston, Rafer Alexander    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Kirkowski, John Jeffrey    Product Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Kishimoto, Yayoi    Account Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Kohari, Chisato    Credit Analyst    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Komatsu, Hugo    Manager, Middle Ofc & Ops    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Kuehne, Stefan    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Kumar, Mukund    Sr Developer/Fin Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Lang, Eddie F    Strategic Ops Project Mgr    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Lee, Alvin Lip Sin    Mgr, Compliance & Acctg    PIMCO Asia Pte Ltd    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Lee, Robert Ru-Bor    Senior Software Developer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Leong, Chon-Ian    Alternatives    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Leong, Foong Ching    Funds Admin Manager    PIMCO Asia Pte Ltd    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Li, Li    Account Manager    PIMCO Hong Kong    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Lilly III, Frederick Vivan    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Linder, Astrid    Product Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Liwski, Michael V.    Mgr, Client Report & Pres    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Lofdahl, Christopher F.    Executive Office Team    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Loh, Cynthia Elizabeth Yue-Ling    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Long, Hui    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Lopez, Joy Lynn    Tax Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Loriferne, Matthieu Hubert Felix    Credit Analyst    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Love, David Bernard    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Lowe, Erika Hayflick    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Mandy, Alain    Mgr, Cust, Acct & Fin Rep    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Manseau Guerdat, Chantal Marie Helene    Account Manager    PIMCO Canada Mgmt    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Martini, Nadege    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Mayershofer, Veronika    Portfolio Associate    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Mazzocchi, Bettina Ester Florette    Re Marketing Account Mgr    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
McCann, Patrick Murphy    Global Operations    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Merz, Frederic    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Metsch, Mark E.    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Micali, Carlo    Account Manager    PELM    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Mierau, Kristion T.    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Mieth, Roland    Portfolio Manager, EM    PIMCO Asia Pte Ltd    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Mittal, Mohit    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Moeljanto ,Lanny H.    Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Molloy, Carol    Account Manager    PIMCO Australia Pty. Ltd.    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Morrison, John Edward    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Muehlethaler, Jeffrey Charles    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Murano, Yuko    HR Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Nabors, Robin    Sr. HR Generalist    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Ng, Albert K.    Senior Programmer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Nguyen, Tommy D.    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Nojima, Sachiko    Manager, Operations    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Norris, John F.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Nunziata, Cristina    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Okuma, Sachiko    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Olazabal, Joshua A    Executive Office Team    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Oliva, Jennifer Lynn    Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Ollenburger, Loren P.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Otterbein, Marie S.    Spvsr Producer Group    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Padmanabhan, Lalantika    Structured Credit Assoc    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Parikh, Bijal Y.    Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Pejavar, Sheila M.    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Perez, Iohan    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Pont, Nicholas James    Remarketing Acct Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Price, Rosamond Jane    Remarketing Acct Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Pricer, Jesse L.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Putnicki, Matthew S    Global Product Associate    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Qiao, Yi    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Table of Contents

Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Qiu, Ying    Portfolio Manager,ABS-MBS    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Rahari, Pierre-Yves    Manager, Shareholder Svcs    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Rahman, Lupin    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Ratner, Joshua D.    Attorney    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Reimer, Danelle J.    Trading Floor Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Riendeau, Kevin    Business Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Rogers,William A.    Structured Products Serv    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Ronnie, Stephen    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Rowe, Cathy T.    Administrative Port Mgr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Rudolph, Lynn    Sr. HR Generalist    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Sakane, Yoshiyuki    Account Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Salastekar, Deepa A    ABS/MBS Product Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Scherzinger, Marion    Credit Research Analyst    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Schnatterer, Monika    Portfolio Associate    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Schuetz, Patricia Ann    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Schultes, Adrian O.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Schwab, Gerlinde    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Schwab, Stephen D.    Head of DC Sales Support    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Table of Contents

Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Scibisz, Iwona E.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Scorah, Ian    Legal Counsel    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Seksaria, Rahul M.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Sesay, Therenah    Mgr Account Associate    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Shah, Sapna Kiran    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Sheehy, Erica H.    Compliance    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Shepherd, Julie M.    Manager, AM Support    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Shiroyama, Taro    Account Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Singal, Alka    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Somersan-Coqui, Aylin    Account Manager    PELM    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Soto, Alyssa Michele    Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Spandri, Tobias    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Spicijaric, Jennifer N.    Cash Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Stauffer, Christina    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Stravato, Richard    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Struc, Alexandru    Portfolio Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Sun, Hao    Account Manager    PIMCO Hong Kong    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Suo, Yuanyuan    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Suskind, Donald W.    Product Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Takeuchi, Ichiro    Account Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Takizuka, Hikaru    Compliance Manager    PIMCO Japan Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Tam, Joe    Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Taro, Maryam    Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Telish, Christine M.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Terry, Michael A.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Tersin, Dominique    Trade Assistant    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
To, Steven P.    Software Development Mgr    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Tomlinson, Brian    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Traber, Eva-Maria    Portfolio Associate    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Tran, Loc Khanh    Sr Database Administrator    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Tredwell, Alonzo S.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Trovato, Michael J.    Account Mgr., Middle East    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Tse, Koonnang Colin    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Tzemach, Yael Gayle    EM Product Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Upadhyay, Nishant    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Vames, Steven D.    Writer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Table of Contents

Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Van De Zilver, Peter A.    Financial Engineer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Veit, Konstantin    Trading Associate    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Velasco, Christine Ann    Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Velicer, Erik A.    Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
von der Linden, Greg    VP Staffing    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Walenbergh, Mark    Account Manager    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Walsh, Lauren Rita    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Walther, Kasten    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Warner IV, Hansford B.    Credit Structure Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Watford, Charles    Credit Research Analyst    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Weinberger, Michele Deborah    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Wendler IV, Paul Frederick    Middle Office Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Werber, Keith Adam    Cash Desk Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Whitewolf, Lance E.    Funds Statistics    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Wildermuth, Paul T.    Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Wildforster, Kai    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Williams III, Charles A    Office Services & Support    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Williams, Jason A.    Trader    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Name

  

Title

  

Name of Other Business
Connections

  

Principal Business

Address

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of
Engagement,

Description of

Business

Winters, Kevin Michael    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Wittkop, Andrew T.    Portfolio Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Wolf, Greggory S.    Shareholder Svcs Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Wong, Tammy Nguyen    CRM Functional Lead    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Xu, Jianghua    Senior Software Developer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Yang, Jing    Structured Credit Assoc    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Yasnov, Vadim Igorevich    Financial Engr/Developer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Yildiz, Sadettin    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Yip, Jonathan    Credit Analyst    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Yoon, Kenneth G.    Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Yu, Anna W.    Account Manager    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Yu, Walter    Senior Software Developer    Pacific Investment Mgt Co. LLC    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Zerner, Mary Alice    Head of Mktg Comm    PIMCO Europe Limited    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President
Zhang, Ji Sheng    Portfolio Manager    Germany Fixed Income    840 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660    ongoing    Vice President

 

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Table of Contents

 

Blackrock Financial Management, Inc. performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The directors and officers of Blackrock and their other business affiliations for the past two fiscal years are:

 

Name and Position with

BlackRock

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

Ann Marie Petach, Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director   

BAA Holdings, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

  

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

  

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

  

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

  

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

   BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc., New York, NY   

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

   BlackRock Capital Management, Inc., Wilmington, DE   

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

  

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,

Cayman Islands

  

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

  

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

  

BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation,

Wilmington, DE

  

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

  

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

   BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, Plainsboro, NJ   

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

  

BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l.,

Luxembourg, Luxembourg

  

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

   BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Luxembourg, Luxembourg   

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

  

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

   BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC, Wilmington, DE   

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

  

BlackRock UK 1 LP,

London, England

  

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

  

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

   State Street Research & Management Company, Boston, MA   

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

  

Chief Financial Officer and Managing

Director

Robert P. Connolly, General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary   

BAA Holdings, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   General Counsel, Managing Director and Secretary
  

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

 

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Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,

Cayman Islands

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

BlackRock Institutional Management

Corporation,

Wilmington, DE

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investments, Inc.,

New York, NY

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

   BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, Plainsboro, NJ   

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l.,

Luxembourg, Luxembourg

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

   BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Luxembourg, Luxembourg   

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

BlackRock UK 1 LP,

London, England

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

  

General Counsel, Managing Director and

Secretary

Laurence D. Fink, Chief Executive Officer and Director   

BAA Holdings, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

  

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and

Director

 

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Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors Singapore Pte. Ltd.,

Singapore

   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Capital Markets, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Chairman
  

BlackRock Equity - Bond Funds

Wilmington, DE

   Director
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,

Cayman Islands

   Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

BlackRock HPB Management, LLC,

New York, NY

   Director
  

BlackRock Institutional Management

Corporation,

Wilmington, DE

   Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chief Executive Officer and Director
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investments, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

  

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and

Director

  

State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Director
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

  

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and

Director

 

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Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

Robert S. Kapito, President and Director   

BAA Holdings, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors Singapore Pte. Ltd.,

Singapore

   President
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Capital Markets, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Director
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.,

Cayman Islands

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock (Institutional) Canada Ltd.,

Toronto, Ontario

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Institutional Management

Corporation,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   President and Director
  

BlackRock International, Ltd., Edinburgh,

Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investments, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Director
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   President
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   President and Director
  

Carbon Capital III, Inc.

New York, NY

   Director
   State Street Research & Management Company, Boston, MA    President and Director

 

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Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Director
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   President and Director
Paul Audet, Vice Chairman   

BAA Holdings, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Cayco Limited,

Cayman Islands

   Director
  

BlackRock Cayman Company,

Cayman Islands

   Director
  

BlackRock Cayman Newco Limited,

Cayman Islands

   Director
  

BlackRock Finco, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Director
  

BlackRock Finco UK, Ltd.,

London, England

   Director
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Holdco Limited,

Cayman Islands

   Director
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Institutional Management

Corporation,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l.,

Luxembourg, Luxembourg

   Vice Chairman

 

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Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l.,

Luxembourg, Luxembourg

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Realty Advisors, Inc.,

Florham Park, NJ

   Director
  

BlackRock UK 1 LP,

London, England

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
Charles Hallac, Vice Chairman   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock India Private Ltd.,

Mumbai, India

   Director
  

BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman

 

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Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
Barbara Novick, Vice Chairman   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investments, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Chief Executive Officer
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman

 

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Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

Scott Amero, Vice Chairman   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Institutional Management

Corporation,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

Anthracite Capital Inc.

New York, NY

   Director
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman

Susan Wagner, Vice Chairman

and Chief Operating Officer

  

BAA Holdings, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

  

Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer

and Director

  

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

 

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Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

  

BlackRock Finco UK, Ltd.,

London, England

   Director
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

  

BlackRock Institutional Management

Corporation,

Wilmington, DE

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Officer
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

  

BlackRock Mortgage Ventures, LLC

Wilmington, DE

   Director
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

  

Vice Chairman and Chief Operating

Officer

Robert Doll, Vice Chairman   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman

 

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Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

Portfolio Administration & Management Ltd.,

Cayman Islands

   Director
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
Robert Fairbairn, Vice Chairman   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Asset Management U.K. Limited,

London, England

   Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Group Limited

London, England

   Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Institutional Management

Corporation,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International, Ltd.,

Edinburgh, Scotland

   Chairman and Director

 

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Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock Investment Management (Australia)

Limited, Victoria, Australia

   Director
  

BlackRock Investment Management

International Limited,

London, England

   Chairman and Director
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Investment Management (UK)

Limited,

London, England

   Director
  

BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd.,

Tokyo, Japan

   Director
  

BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l.,

Luxembourg, Luxembourg

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l.,

Luxembourg, Luxembourg

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Securities Co, Ltd.

Tokyo, Japan

   Director
  

BlackRock UK 1 LP,

London, England

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

Grosvenor Alternate Partner Limited,

London, England

   Director
  

Impact Investing Pty Ltd.

Melbourne, Australia

   Director
  

PSN Pty Ltd.

Melbourne, Australia

   Director
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
Bennett Golub, Vice Chairman   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman

 

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Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding International, Ltd.

Cayman Islands

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
Richard Kushel, Vice Chairman   

BlackRock, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors, LLC,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Advisors Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Capital Management, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Funding, Inc.,

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.,

New York, NY

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC,

Plainsboro, NJ

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd

Tokyo, Japan

   Director
  

BlackRock Portfolio Holdings, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman

 

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Table of Contents

Name and Position with

BlackRock

  

Other Company

  

Position with Other Company

  

BlackRock Portfolio Investments, LLC

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

BlackRock Securities Co., Ltd

Tokyo, Japan

   Director
  

BlackRock US Newco, Inc.

Wilmington, DE

   Vice Chairman
  

SSRM Holdings, Inc.

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman
  

State Street Research & Management Company,

Boston, MA

   Vice Chairman

Acadian Asset Management LLC performs investment advisory services for Registrant. The directors and officers of Acadian and their other business affiliations for the past two fiscal years are:

 

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of Other Business
Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of Engagement,

Description of Business

Gary Bergstrom, Chairman, Member of Board of Managers   

Acadian Asset Management (Singapore)

Pte Ltd

   ongoing    Director, asset management
John Chisholm, Executive Vice President, co-CIO, Member of Board of Managers    Acadian Asset Management (UK) Ltd    ongoing    Director, asset management
Churchill Franklin, Executive Vice President, Member of Board of Managers   

Acadian Asset Management (UK) Ltd

Acadian Asset Management (Australia)

Ltd

Acadian Cayman Limited G.P.

   ongoing    Director, asset management
Ronald Frashure, Chief Executive Officer, President, co-CIO, Member of Board of Managers   

Acadian Asset Management (Singapore)

Pte Ltd

Acadian Cayman Limited G.P.

   ongoing    Director, asset management
Mark Minichiello, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Secretary, Member of Board of Managers    Acadian Asset Management (UK) Ltd    ongoing    Director, asset management
Raymond Mui, Senior Vice President, Member of Board of Managers    Acadian Cayman Limited G.P.    ongoing    Director, asset management
Brian Wolahan, Senior Vice President, Director of Alternative Strategies, Member of Board of Managers    None      
James Wylie, Senior Vice President, Member of Board of Managers    Acadian Cayman Limited G.P.    ongoing    Director, asset management

 

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Table of Contents

Name and Title

  

Name and Address of Other Business
Connections

  

Dates

  

Title, Capacity of Engagement,

Description of Business

Linda Gibson, Member of Board of Managers   

Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel-Old Mutual (US) Holdings Inc. (a holding company); Larch Lane Advisors, LLC (an investment adviser)

2100 Capital Group LLC (an investment adviser), Acadian Asset Management LLC

Old Mutual Asset Management Trust Company (a trust company)

   ongoing    Affiliated Directorships
Thomas Turpin, Member of Board of Managers    Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer-Old Mutual (US) Holdings Inc. (a holding company) Old Mutual Funds III (a registered investment company) Old Mutual Capital, Inc. (an investment adviser) Acadian Asset Management LLC (an investment adviser) Old Mutual Group Limited (a holding company) Old Mutual Asset Managers (Bermuda) Ltd. (an investment adviser) Old Mutual Group Services Limited (a financial services company) Liberty Ridge Capital, Inc. (an investment adviser) Chairman and Director Larch Lane Advisors, LLC (an investment adviser) Provident Investment Counsel, Inc. (an investment adviser) Ashfield Capital Partners, LLC. (an investment adviser) Old Mutual Funds II (a registered investment company) Old Mutual Insurance Series Fund (a registered investment company) Old Mutual Asset Managers (UK) Ltd. (an investment adviser) Analytic Investors, LLC (an investment adviser) Copper Rock Capital Partners, LLC (an investment adviser) Old Mutual Asset Management Trust Company (a trust company) 2100 Capital Group LLC (an investment adviser) Rogge Global Partners plc (an investment adviser) Investment Counselors of Maryland, LLC (an investment adviser) LML Holdings, Inc. (a holding company for Lincluden affiliated financial services firms)    ongoing    Affiliated Directorships
Stephen Clarke, Member of Board of Managers   

Senior Vice President, Relationship Manager -Old Mutual (US) Holdings Inc. (a holding company); Acadian Asset Management LLC (an investment adviser)

Lincluden Management Limited (an investment adviser)

   ongoing    Affiliated Directorships
John Grady, Member of Board of Managers    Executive Vice President, Strategy and Business Development-Old Mutual (US) Holdings Inc. (a holding company); Acadian Asset Management LLC (an investment adviser)    ongoing    Affiliated Directorships
Kathryn Horgan, Member of Board of Managers    Executive Vice President, Director of Human Resources-Old Mutual (US) Holdings Inc. (a holding company); Acadian Asset Management LLC (an investment adviser)    ongoing    Affiliated Directorships

 

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Lazard Asset Management LLC (“Lazard”) is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The list required by this Item 31 of officers and directors of Lazard, together with any information as to any business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years, is incorporated herein by reference to the Form ADV filed with the SEC by Lazard (SEC File No. 801-61701).

 

ITEM 32. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

(a) The sole principal underwriter for each series of the Registrant is currently ALPS Distributors, which acts as distributor for the Registrant and the following other investment companies: ALPS ETF Trust, ALPS Variable Insurance Trust, Ameristock Mutual Fund, Inc., AQR Funds, BLDRS Index Fund Trust, Caldwell & Orkin Funds, Inc., Campbell Multi-Strategy Trust, Cook & Bynum Funds Trust, CornerCap Group of Funds, CRM Mutual Fund Trust, Cullen Funds, SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust, EGA Global Shares Trust , Financial Investors Trust, Financial Investors Variable Insurance Trust, Firsthand Funds, Grail Advisors ETF Trust, Heartland Group, Inc., Henssler Funds, Inc., Holland Balanced Fund, IndexIQ Trust, Index IQ ETF Trust, Laudus Trust, Laudus Institutional Trust, Milestone Funds, MTB Group of Funds, Oak Associates Funds, Pax World Series Trust I, PowerShares QQQ 100 Trust Series 1, SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF, Select Sector SPDR Trust, Stonebridge Funds, Inc., Stone Harbor Investment Funds, Transparent Value Trust, TDX Independence Funds, Inc., Wasatch Funds, WesMark Funds, Westcore Trust, Williams Capital Liquid Assets Fund, and WisdomTree Trust.

ALPS Distributors is registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. ALPS Distributors is located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203.

(b) To the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, the directors and executive officers of ALPS Distributors, the distributor for Registrant, are as follows:

 

Name and Address*

  

Positions and Offices with Underwriter

  

Positions and Offices

with Registrant

Edmund J. Burke

   Director    None

Spencer Hoffman

   Director    None

Thomas A. Carter

   President, Director    None

Jeremy O. May

   Executive Vice President, Director    None

John C. Donaldson

   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer    None

Richard Hetzer

   Executive Vice President    None

Diana M. Adams

   Senior Vice President, Controller, Treasurer    None

Kevin J. Ireland

   Senior Vice President, Director of Institutional Sales    None

Mark R. Kiniry

   Senior Vice President, National Sales Director - Investments    None

Bradley J. Swenson

   Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer    None

Robert J. Szydlowski

   Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer    None

Tané T. Tyler

   Senior Vice President, Secretary, General Counsel    None

Paul F. Leone

   Vice President, Assistant General Counsel    None

Erin E. Douglas

   Vice President, Senior Associate Counsel    None

David T. Buhler

   Vice President, Associate Counsel    None

JoEllen Legg

   Vice President, Associate Counsel    None

Steven Price

   Vice President, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer    None

James Stegall

   Vice President, Institutional Sales Manager    None

 

* c/o ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203.

 

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(c) Commissions and other compensation received, directly or indirectly, from the Forward Funds during the last fiscal year by ALPS Distributors, the Registrant’s unaffiliated principal underwriter, were as follows:

 

Net Underwriting
Discounts and
Commissions

  

Compensation on

Redemption and

Repurchase

  

Brokerage
Commissions

  

Other

Compensation

None

   None    None    None

 

ITEM 33. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.

Certain accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules promulgated thereunder are maintained as follows: (i) records relating to the duties of the Registrant’s distributor, transfer agent and fund accounting agent are maintained by ALPS, 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203; and (ii) records relating to the Registrant’s custodian are maintained by BBH, 40 Water Street, Boston, MA 02109. Certain other books and records are maintained at the offices of the Registrant at 433 California Street, 11th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104.

 

ITEM 34. MANAGEMENT SERVICES

There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Part A or Part B.

 

ITEM 35. UNDERTAKINGS

Not Applicable.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Francisco and the State of California, on this 15th day of October, 2010.

 

FORWARD FUNDS

/S/    J. ALAN REID, JR.        

J. Alan Reid, Jr.
PRESIDENT

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:

 

SIGNATURE

  

TITLE

 

DATE

/S/    J. ALAN REID, JR.        

  

President and Trustee

  October 15, 2010
J. Alan Reid, Jr.     

/S/    HAIG G. MARDIKIAN*        

  

Trustee

  October 15, 2010
Haig G. Mardikian     

/S/    DONALD O’CONNOR*        

  

Trustee

  October 15, 2010
Donald O’Connor     

/S/    DEWITT F. BOWMAN*        

  

Trustee

  October 15, 2010
DeWitt F. Bowman     

/S/    CECILIA H. HERBERT*        

  

Trustee

  October 15, 2010
Cecilia H. Herbert     

/S/    BARBARA TOLLE        

  

Treasurer

  October 15, 2010
Barbara Tolle     

 

*By:  

/S/    BARBARA TOLLE        

  Barbara Tolle
  Attorney-in-Fact